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The Sobriety Movement
Health | January 03, 2018
There’s a new health trend on the horizon, and as crazy as it sounds, it’s actually very good for you.
Weight loss and diet fads come and go all the time. Remember the Master Cleanse? Or Grapefruit Diet? It’s fun to look back all the crazy things people have done to look good. Hopefully we’ve all moved on knowing better that the solution isn’t as glitzy or complex as it’s made out to be!
However, things are changing up a bit, and this time, it’s not insane.
The Sobriety Movement is all about reducing or eliminating alcohol from one’s lifestyle. People who are addicted to drinking need this the most, but even those who are trying to cut back would still benefit.
For one, by abstaining from alcohol you can expect a better brain. You’re less prone to making poor judgments and having trouble functioning. Both memory and cognition will be much sharper. As a result, you’re less prone to suffering from serious mental health problems, such as depression.
Another incentive to take a break from the booze? Your appearance!
Hair loss, persistent acne, and chapped lips are all linked to alcohol consumption [1], which have all but disappeared for many Sobriety Movement participants. If you have any of these issues, it wouldn’t hurt to experiment by staying away from alcohol for a while to see if they improve.
And listen up ZGYM members! Are you having trouble losing weight, building muscle, or recovering from my workouts? Your night drinking may be the culprit! Turns out, binge drinking delays healing [2], lowers protein synthesis (aka, MUSCLE GROWTH) [3], and messes with your body’s ability to burn fat [4]! As if those reasons weren’t enough, excessive drinking can mess your quality of sleep [5] and immune system [6].
Not to mention the fact that it’s easy to lose track of how many drinks you’ve had, which can add up to a ton of sneaky calories. (Making it quite a pesky hindrance when it comes to losing or maintaining your weight!)
So connect the dots: if you’ve been having one too many drinks and are experiencing any these symptoms, it may be time to cut back or completely get rid of alcohol.
The benefits are huge:
Better sleep, immunity, and recovery.
Clear complexion, healthy hair, and weight maintenance.
Improved memory, focus, and cognition.
And all it takes is being sober.
For a short time, try to do a detox from drinking. Resist the temptation and try to observe your body’s response to the removal of alcohol. And if after a while you end up – for example – in an unexpected social situating and happen to have a drink or few, make sure to take note of what happens. If you think you can get by with an occasional drink or two, that’s fine! Just know that going overboard and bingeing isn’t going to do you or your body a lot of favors.
Instead, I’d suggest you treat your alcohol as I do when it comes to my meal plans. Avoid the processed, high sugar cocktail mixes, and opt for those lower in sugar. (Guilty as charged, I actually have 5 Low Sugar Alcoholic Beverages and Cocktails that you can make in moderation if you do need a good ‘pick me-up’.)
Otherwise, there’s no need to go back to drinking if sobriety makes you a better and healthier person! If you’ve gotten tremendous benefits from avoiding alcohol, then not a single reason or person in the world should convince you to have a drink. Stand your ground, and if anyone asks, tell them you’re doing it for your health. Explain how much better you feel, and see what happens. Who knows, maybe you’ll have converted another person to the movement!
Sources:
[1] http://vivaglammagazine.com/10-lesser-known-ways-booze-impacts-your-body/
[2] https://champagneliving.net/10-lesser-known-ways-booze-impacts-body/
[3] https://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/teen-bigalcohol.htm
[4] https://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/md19.htm
[5] https://sleepfoundation.org/sleep-topics/how-alcohol-affects-sleep
[6] https://www.shape.com/healthy-eating/diet-tips/ask-diet-doctor-alcohol-and-immunity
Private Member |
melbourne, victoria, australia
Health argument is actually the one that I have been using for years (my detox from drinking started one day 16 years ago and since then I couldn’t find any reasons to drink at all!). I have to admit that I’ve never enjoyed the taste of alcohol so it made things easier for me. The biggest benefits are definitely better learning, memory, and cognition as well as focus. I also see that on social occasion more people seem to understand my choice without judging. Social pressure can be the most difficult aspect to deal with, especially for younger people.
Private Member |
michigan, usa
Thank you for this article. I’ve come to realize since November I’ve been dependent on a couple drinks during most evenings to make it through schoolwork. I was in a really great habit all of summer and most of fall doing an extra stretch and tone or power yoga to relax after kids were asleep but now I have to spend that 20-30 minutes on school instead and it’s very stressful. My husband gets home late some nights and with a family to take care of I just don’t have that extra time to fit it in at night without staying up later than I can handle. Unfortunately I have to chose school. it doesn’t help that I’ve had horrible sleep quality for the entire first year of my sons life so far. Some weeks totally sleep deprived. I told myself this week that I’m just going to have to suck it up and avoid having a drink. I’m
Hoping it all turns around when spring arrives. (Even if it’s just sleeping atleast 6 hours without any interruption. Im so desperate for that lol)
This article was perfect timing as support. Devine intervention! thank you 🙏🏻
Private Member |
wilmington, delaware, united states
Thank you so much for writing about the benefits of sobriety. I’m six months sober, and plan on being a teetotaler the rest of my life. Words cannot describe how sobriety has given me focus and drive. At 31 years old, I feel confident, smart and beautiful (also thanks to your workouts)! Drinking is everywhere in our culture, but when I stopped I saw it hurts us and inhibits growth. In reality it’s a toxic chemical that is culturally acceptable and encouraged! Anyone wanting to research more check out the blog Hip Sobriety! I’m not affiliated, but found it very encouraging with great resources.
Private Member |
kyiv, ukraine
Funny thing. I’ve never prohibited myself an alcohol. However since I tried really good ones i simply don’t want to devote my receptors, body and mind to average booze. And decent bottle of whisky is quite expensive, I would say. )) So it is not like you can buy it easily every Friday.
Besides it turned out having work to do, couple of hobbies which swallow time and attention, plus workouts I ..don’t have time to drink ). So it’s like 50-100 ml of my favorite whiskeys occasionally means once in a week or two. Sometimes once per month or two. And it is lasting several hours – just a tiny sips to enjoy the taste and aroma not to consume the % of alcohol. Even if I have get-together with family or friends I go for herbal tea rather than booze I’m not in a mood for. Not consuming booze doesn’t make me boring so no probs with sober eve when others are drinking.
In addition, I always keep in mind that alco means calories which means – moderation.
Private Member |
Hi, Tory. I appreicate your mention of the herbal tea at family and friends get togethers. What herbal tea brands/flavors do you like? I’m looking for suggestions for “social drinking” myself to replace the alcohol. I’m actually working with a Recovery Coach to put sobriety into my life for emotional, spiritual and physical benefits. Alsochol has caused me financial and family stresses as well as high blood pressure and issues at work with concentration and memory and performance. I’ve started over on Zuzka’s Cardio and Stength Starter Program this year as alcohol kind of set me back on my fitness level. The sobriety movement is a great movement! Blessings of sobriety to all and thanks to you all for sharing!
Private Member |
kyiv, ukraine
Speaking of herbal tea it depends on place actually. If I am the host I usually mix herbs by myself: lime (linden), cammomile (daisy), mint, thyme, tea rose, acacia, leaves of fruits tries and berries bushes like cherry, apple, pear, blackberry… I don’t stick to any brands. Sometimes I buy prepared mixes on local stores and add something to it. The only thing I concern here is absence of any artificial flavors, coloriser etc. Not only aren’t they useful but they aren’t really needed. Properly dried components give you amazing aroma and taste. Some of items I gather and dry by myself too (I used to spend summers in the village and we always gather local herbs with grandma). If mood takes me I use green tea as a base. I’m not a big fan of black tea but there is nothing bad in it. It just the matter of taste. At cold time I adore to add ginger and dried fruits and berries. Or, instead of dried berries I buy frozen ones, defrost them, grind in blender and heat the mixture, then filter the liquid and add to the tea. I’m really sometimes go crazy in playing with all this stuff. )) I’m keeping the concision in thermos or in a pot the whole evening just adding the hot water as I’m consuming it.
If it is public place I choose somth from menu. Our places usually have some regular herbal tea like mint tea, or so. If i go somewhere as a guest I ask if there is some tea around and if not – buy something interesting as a little present ;). Well, my friends know already that if I don’t want to eat or drink something , nobody can make me to. Even my mother ))))
So this is quite an idea to substitute alcohol with herbal tea. You can consume it much more longer that regular portion of booze. And there is plenty of room to investigate what of items you like and mix them devising new tastes. But remember of the effects some herbs/berries can cause: some of them are relaxing, some – oppositely energizing and some can cause allergic reactions especially if consumed in excessive amount. So remember to study the effects before using if you are allergic or have any serious health conditions.
You know, that is why i drink so little of alcohol: I don’t want it to ruin my workouts and all what I’ve already achieved. I can’t refuse my work (sometimes it goes unscheduled, late shifts, overtimes, etc), I can’t refuse things I have to do for my family or people i love which means I have to move my workouts in time or recombine them according to circumstances. Sometimes illness or injuries prevent me from going further as fast as I want. But it won’t be alcohol for sure what makes me slow down the progress. No way!
Rwells , I really wish you good luck with what you are doing! 😉
Private Member |
massachusetts, united states
This article comes at a great time, every january I stop drinking, I’ve done it for the past 3 years and it kinda helps my body clean out and detox . Not that I drink a lot , I may have a martini or 2 on a saturday night with dinner, of course it’s usually a chocolate or pumpkin martini so I’m sure thats not good for my carbs and calories.🤣 So this january I figure stop drinking and do the upper body and abs shred and get back to normal eating (no holiday goodies) and see where these changes take me. If nothing else i’m sure I’ll feel great!!
Private Member |
wilmington, delaware, united states
Thank you so much for writing about the benefits of sobriety. I’m six months sober, and plan on being a teetotaler the rest of my life. Words cannot describe how sobriety has given me focus and drive. At 31 years old, I feel confident, smart and beautiful (also thanks to your workouts)! Drinking is everywhere in our culture, but when I stopped I saw it hurts us and inhibits growth. In reality it’s a toxic chemical that is culturally acceptable and encouraged! Anyone wanting to research more check out the blog Hip Sobriety! I’m not affiliated, but found it very encouraging with great resources.
Private Member |
nancy, france
I am so happy to see this article. I totally enjoy white wine and champagne, but I just felt I needed to stop drinking casually. So I haven’t had a drink since January 1st. Last year when I gave up wine, my abs were getting so much definition. Then I got bogged down with work and haven’t been working out, now I’ve lost what I worked so hard for. It’s a vicious cycle. When you are working out, you don’t want to ruin it with alcohol, but once you start slipping, you overindulge in other things.. Plus, some blood work came back not so good, so I think it’s a sign to get back on track. I would love to hear what everyone has to say about this!
Private Member |
Great timing, indeed. On January 1st, I was full of good New Year’s intentions, deciding to quit this insanely addictive habit and join this site. Yet, the very next day, I had a terrible day and caved already. Let’s face it, I drink EVERY single day, at least 2 drinks a day and more on the week-end, to deal with stress from work, rebellious teenagers, trying to remember Grade 7 maths, homesickness and I always have a great excuse to drink! I am fit and active, dance 4 hours a week, run and do hot yoga. Yet, nothing calms me down as quickly as a nice stiff gin. It also makes me a much more patient mom! Lol enough with excuses. Of course, my sleep quality has been altered, I am always tired and want to re-learn how to treat drinking as a treat, not a daily sponge to soak up all the crap in my life. (My stomach is also distended and in the evening, I look 4 months pregnant). Last year, I was 100 % sober the whole month of January, and it felt great, but I compensated by eating more and ended up gaining weight and not feeling happy about it. So I just need to be more moderate about it. Thanks for letting me share. I just joined this community 4 days ago and it’s great to read all the blogs and get inspired by you all 🙂
Private Member |
Ya it works. I read somewhere that your metabolism basically stops until all the alcohol has been removed from your system
Private Member |
kingston, ontario, canada
Thank you for this article, I have been waiting for something like this from you. About once or twice a year I take a 3 week to month long break from the booze, keeps me in check. Happy New year!
Private Member |
santa cruz, ca
Thank you for this article, Z! I am going to share this with friends of mine who either have an addiction to alcohol (2+ innocent beers a day, etc) or whose partners do. I have never had issues with alcohol. I grew up in wine country with Italian parents who make wine. It’s just wine. Some wine with dinner is OK. I barely ever drink it. And gonna be honest, I’d much rather enjoy cannabis to relax. 🙂 🙂 It’s healthy and doesn’t destroy my liver. Some wine is good for all its wonders (resveratrol, anyone?). Otherwise, I’d rather be blazed than faded. At least I can be a productive citizen and feel happy doing it than let my brain turn to mush and stumble around.
That said, I would like to offer an opinion, and I apologize in advance if I offend anyone. It’s still a “controversial” subject. I am really sad that alcohol is treated like it’s not a drug, when it is the very most dangerous and addictive drug because it is so easy to abuse and so readily available. It is also socially accepted, and we have entire industries based around it. Its abuse is so common, and our world is absolutely plagued with alcohol-related domestic abuse, mood disorders, health conditions (our liver function is so important for total health!), family/marriage/relationship problems, loss of productivity, drunk driving accidents and deaths, etc. Yet, many people are unable to relax with cannabis because of their jobs. I am in a relationship with a firefighter (going on 5 years) and I hear story after story after story of all the alcohol abuse in the fire service (and also police force). These are tough jobs that can be rough on the body and spirit, and people need to be able to relax naturally. The only legal, easy way they have to just “get lost” and relax is by drinking. The reality is that it’s hard to get these busy people to engage in daily mindfulness practices. And quitting cold turkey and dealing would be ideal, but the other reality is that our world is more stressful than the average human, with these kinds of jobs, can adapt to naturally. Especially those who’ve seen violence and death, and/or those who see it every week/day. So I’d rather see them turn to an alternative that doesn’t harm their body over alcohol. I am a TCM practitioner and see PTSD patients and patients who have addiction issues. This also includes our beloved Veterans, which are very neglected in our society, and often turn to alcohol to ease the pain from the trauma that is re-lived in their minds each day. It’s real. We really need solutions. Especially with our opioid epidemic in this country, which is not a “public emergency”, it’s a true crisis.
Private Member |
bury st. edmunds, suffolk, united kingdom
Hi F.P.
I was really interested to hear your comments. I used to have an unhealthy relationship with alcohol myself and stopped drinking a couple of years ago. My health, fitness and general wellbeing has increased massively as a result. I have created and developed an online programme to help people stop drinking if they think they will struggle on their own (check out http://www.gogetsober.com – you might want to share this with the friends you were talking about) I have spent my working life supporting people to make transformation life changes and have also seen first hand the damage that alcohol can do when it becomes abused.
I have found that using simple coaching and NLP techniques, coupled with mindfulness habits makes a massive difference to people’s lives and makes the transition from one habit to another smooth and easy. I don’t know much about TCM but I imagine from what I’ve read that it also gets good results.
You’re right that alcohol is all-pervasive in our society. Drinking too much is not only tolerated, but encouraged. It’s fine for many people who live perfectly happily and indulge safely, but becomes really difficult when alcohol becomes a “medicine” for those who are hurting.
Really helpful article by Zuzka!
Private Member |
santa cruz, ca
Hi Jocelyn! I hadn’t had the chance to really sit down and respond to this fully, but I want to thank you for your response and telling me about your work. I would absolutely love to learn more about what you do and refer patients to you. With TCM we are essentially training the body to heal itself. TCM works on the quantum biological level (lots of research there), as do practices like NLP and mindfulness practices. I think your work is EXTREMELY valuable, so thank you for being a model of someone who has transformed their trauma and suffering into a purpose for healing others. Those who have overcome health obstacles make the best healing practitioners. <3 Much love to you! I will send you an email via your website. 🙂
Private Member |
santa cruz, ca
And yes, I am currently establishing my practice and soon plan on becoming in network with the VA (TriCare West) so I can see as many Veterans as possible. That’s really important to me. There is a lot of alcoholism/drug use there, as well as PTSD and opioid addiction. I’m also taking a Neuropuncture course this weekend, and we covered research being done on training paraplegics to walk again. An acupuncturist working under our teacher (Dr. Michael Corradino) has been able to rehabilitate paraplegics into walking by using acupuncture and knowledge of neuroscience, and electrical stimulation over a period of 6-9 months. His protocols for mental health are also very effective since his focus is on how acupuncture affects the nervous system.
Private Member |
bury st. edmunds, suffolk, united kingdom
Wow! That sounds amazing – really exciting. I’d love to hear more from you too and look forward to hearing from you via email: admin@gogetsober.com is the best way to get hold of me.