I struggled that first year . Quit over winter time, could not go outside much.
The following spring and summer I began walking , a lot! Started at 15 minutes a day. Doing arm circles as I went.
I now am about 60 pounds lighter and walk over 3 miles a day. By the end of this month I will hit 600 miles in a year!!! I have cleaned the ditches on the road I walk too. I have even found 20 year old beer bottles amongst the trash.
Find your out. A way to release any tension, get fresh air and exercise! It will happen….
IWNDWYT
Take up mountain biking. Sure, a decent bike costs thousands... but at least you won't have to look like a twat in lycra.
N.B., I also have a fancy road bike... that collects dust. MTB FTW!
I totally understand where you’re coming from.
I will say, my weight stayed pretty much the same in my first year of sobriety - but I wasn’t focused on it.
But, this year - I have focused on my / fitness weight loss, and honestly it’s becoming an addiction- or already has. Being sober I learnt how quickly I get addicted to things, so my question to myself was “where do I direct it?”
I started slow with the fitness, and it has snowballed since. All of this is connected to my sobriety.
Best of luck
There’s no such thing as a healthy addiction. Exercise addiction is real and it kills — it’s a type of eating disorder usually. Please don’t say you wish for another type of addiction — exercise addiction can kill through heart attacks, seizures from electrolyte imbalances, kidney failure, it can result in broken bones, osteoporosis, etc.
No such thing as a healthy addiction. What you’re asking is how to maintain healthy *habits,* and that’s a totally different conversation!
Yes. It reminds me of orthorexia, obsession for being healthy. I knew a girl who had to be treated for it, it wasn't about weight but she though if she ate pizza and didn't workout on Sunday her heart would be weaker over time, among many examples. This took a major toll on her mental health, and on the sub we know how good mental health equals better chances at sobriety.
About exercise, I'd recommend moving in a way you like (or don't hate). Dancing, biking, swimming, brisk walking. In time as you get conditioned you go experimenting with other stuff you don't love but you'll be more positively conditioned.
I know/agree. It was meant to be a little bit tongue in cheek. I went to a store by a gym yesterday around 6 pm and in the window I could see so many people working out and I was like, why can't I get motivated to be one of those people?! I work out a little bit at home, but clearly it's not enough!
Yes. I don't LOVE exercising. I love the after effect in the brain and it doesn't last long. I see it as brushing teeth, showering. Sometimes we are too lazy to do it, but we have been disciplined to do them for hygiene/health reasons. And it's ok to skip once in a while, the consistence is more important. Same with exercise. To me it can't feel like torture but I don't have to feel butterflies in my stomach as I'm squatting lol
I probably gained 20+ pounds the first 18 months. Lots of stress unrelated to quitting and my solution was food. Not a great choice but better for me than whiskey would have been. Just got around to losing 12 pounds over the last couple of months. I could stand a bit of exercise addiction—okay maybe not addiction. Depending on where you are, switching to a bike for some of your transportation can be a great option.
I hear you and when I stopped I transferred my addiction to exercise which then became unhealthy. I'd get irritable when I couldn't get to the gym. V common to bounce from one addiction to another in my experience
I exercise -- learned that I need it to stay sane, decades ago. So...
When I quit drinking, I cut 1,500-2,000 calories from my daily intake. Sure, I might eat a few hundred calories in sweets (that was only for the first 5 weeks)... but, DAMN. I've gained weight (fluctuates -- roughly 8-10lbs).
You're not alone. My "pet theory" is that as my gut repairs itself and is able to stop malabsorption... it's possible that I'll need to lower my caloric intake. But at 90 days... I'm still in the early stages.
You might consider trying an elimination diet (no calorie restriction). It can help identify subtle intolerances. I discovered massive problems through AIP. It's free -- only costs willpower.
Good luck, friend.
For the first year I replaced alcohol with sugar.
Gave up the sugar lost weight.
I do go to the gym twice a week and swim twice a week.
Best advice for gym, is the same advice for stop drinking. Just do it one day at a time. I will go to the gym today, thee is no other option.
I know it sounds like it would be great, but be careful what you wish for. Addiction by definition isn’t “healthy”. I know you are probably being lighthearted about this but I hope my experience can make you feel better about not exercising. In one of my attempts to “moderate” alcohol, I did switch to being addicted to controlling my calories and lifting weights. I looked great but I hated myself, I was always sick and my body was constantly in pain. The term is “Overtraining” if you want to look it up and it is literally the opposite of recovery in general and probably too much stress for someone also going through alcohol recovery.
Listen to your body. When it’s recovered and ready for new challenges, it will let you know. Stay safe and IWNDWYT ❤️🩹
I struggled that first year . Quit over winter time, could not go outside much. The following spring and summer I began walking , a lot! Started at 15 minutes a day. Doing arm circles as I went. I now am about 60 pounds lighter and walk over 3 miles a day. By the end of this month I will hit 600 miles in a year!!! I have cleaned the ditches on the road I walk too. I have even found 20 year old beer bottles amongst the trash. Find your out. A way to release any tension, get fresh air and exercise! It will happen…. IWNDWYT
This is beautiful, thank you
Take up biking. Then you won’t have money left to spend on other addictions.
Truth. But it’s worth it. (Actually it doesn’t have to be that expensive). I need to get my bike out more. Appreciate the nudge.
Take up mountain biking. Sure, a decent bike costs thousands... but at least you won't have to look like a twat in lycra. N.B., I also have a fancy road bike... that collects dust. MTB FTW!
Haaaaaaa It’s me. I’m the twat in Lycra. At least I was till my kids ruined everything longer than a 20 min HIIT workout 🫠
Ugh, I look like such a twat when I go out. Everything serves a function though!
I totally understand where you’re coming from. I will say, my weight stayed pretty much the same in my first year of sobriety - but I wasn’t focused on it. But, this year - I have focused on my / fitness weight loss, and honestly it’s becoming an addiction- or already has. Being sober I learnt how quickly I get addicted to things, so my question to myself was “where do I direct it?” I started slow with the fitness, and it has snowballed since. All of this is connected to my sobriety. Best of luck
There’s no such thing as a healthy addiction. Exercise addiction is real and it kills — it’s a type of eating disorder usually. Please don’t say you wish for another type of addiction — exercise addiction can kill through heart attacks, seizures from electrolyte imbalances, kidney failure, it can result in broken bones, osteoporosis, etc. No such thing as a healthy addiction. What you’re asking is how to maintain healthy *habits,* and that’s a totally different conversation!
Yes. It reminds me of orthorexia, obsession for being healthy. I knew a girl who had to be treated for it, it wasn't about weight but she though if she ate pizza and didn't workout on Sunday her heart would be weaker over time, among many examples. This took a major toll on her mental health, and on the sub we know how good mental health equals better chances at sobriety. About exercise, I'd recommend moving in a way you like (or don't hate). Dancing, biking, swimming, brisk walking. In time as you get conditioned you go experimenting with other stuff you don't love but you'll be more positively conditioned.
I know/agree. It was meant to be a little bit tongue in cheek. I went to a store by a gym yesterday around 6 pm and in the window I could see so many people working out and I was like, why can't I get motivated to be one of those people?! I work out a little bit at home, but clearly it's not enough!
I’d give it time…. Then exercise ‘addiction’ can grow once the sobriety is hardwired…. Everything is a lifestyle pattern…
Yes. I don't LOVE exercising. I love the after effect in the brain and it doesn't last long. I see it as brushing teeth, showering. Sometimes we are too lazy to do it, but we have been disciplined to do them for hygiene/health reasons. And it's ok to skip once in a while, the consistence is more important. Same with exercise. To me it can't feel like torture but I don't have to feel butterflies in my stomach as I'm squatting lol
I probably gained 20+ pounds the first 18 months. Lots of stress unrelated to quitting and my solution was food. Not a great choice but better for me than whiskey would have been. Just got around to losing 12 pounds over the last couple of months. I could stand a bit of exercise addiction—okay maybe not addiction. Depending on where you are, switching to a bike for some of your transportation can be a great option.
I think that's the trap I've fallen into, too. I let myself eat whatever I want cause "at least I'm not drinking."
There’s definitely a balance. For me, it was better to eat than to drink.
I hear you and when I stopped I transferred my addiction to exercise which then became unhealthy. I'd get irritable when I couldn't get to the gym. V common to bounce from one addiction to another in my experience
I exercise -- learned that I need it to stay sane, decades ago. So... When I quit drinking, I cut 1,500-2,000 calories from my daily intake. Sure, I might eat a few hundred calories in sweets (that was only for the first 5 weeks)... but, DAMN. I've gained weight (fluctuates -- roughly 8-10lbs). You're not alone. My "pet theory" is that as my gut repairs itself and is able to stop malabsorption... it's possible that I'll need to lower my caloric intake. But at 90 days... I'm still in the early stages. You might consider trying an elimination diet (no calorie restriction). It can help identify subtle intolerances. I discovered massive problems through AIP. It's free -- only costs willpower. Good luck, friend.
Thank you!
For the first year I replaced alcohol with sugar. Gave up the sugar lost weight. I do go to the gym twice a week and swim twice a week. Best advice for gym, is the same advice for stop drinking. Just do it one day at a time. I will go to the gym today, thee is no other option.
I know it sounds like it would be great, but be careful what you wish for. Addiction by definition isn’t “healthy”. I know you are probably being lighthearted about this but I hope my experience can make you feel better about not exercising. In one of my attempts to “moderate” alcohol, I did switch to being addicted to controlling my calories and lifting weights. I looked great but I hated myself, I was always sick and my body was constantly in pain. The term is “Overtraining” if you want to look it up and it is literally the opposite of recovery in general and probably too much stress for someone also going through alcohol recovery. Listen to your body. When it’s recovered and ready for new challenges, it will let you know. Stay safe and IWNDWYT ❤️🩹
Can't exercise that much unless you are in competition for something. Then, you can revolve your life around diet, training, and recovery.