3 weeks without alcohol

WalkingAlong wrote: »

Good job! I know that there is a lot of talk here about "what toxins" when people mention doing food detoxes, but there are a lot of toxins in things we eat and drink and one of the most toxic is alcohol. That's why it dehydrates us, our body takes a lot of water to flush out the toxins. And why too much can land you in the hospital or puking or laid up the next day. So any sort of removal or lessening or break from toxins in our diet is good. Yes, our liver and kidneys remove it but why burn the candle at both ends? They also get damaged from too much over time.

ClosetBayesian wrote: »

WalkingAlong wrote: »

Good job! I know that there is a lot of talk here about "what toxins" when people mention doing food detoxes, but there are a lot of toxins in things we eat and drink and one of the most toxic is alcohol. That's why it dehydrates us, our body takes a lot of water to flush out the toxins. And why too much can land you in the hospital or puking or laid up the next day. So any sort of removal or lessening or break from toxins in our diet is good. Yes, our liver and kidneys remove it but why burn the candle at both ends? They also get damaged from too much over time.

Sigh, no. Alcohol affects the amount of ADH (anti-diuretic hormone) produced, which in turn leads to more water leaving the body (as urine) than would otherwise. It has nothing to do with "toxins".

Burger2066 wrote: »

I know for a lot of people, 3 weeks without a drink isn't a big deal. And I am not writing this saying that it is a big deal. I just wanted to put my thoughts into written word.
I was drinking 1 or 2 drinks a night and then Friday/Saturday I'd have 3 or 4. So I wasn't getting hammered regularly or anything like that. And when I say drinks, I mean 1 drink = 1 shot and a mixer (usually Jack and Coke).
I am 22+ days since my last drink (including no soda over that time), and I definitely feel some changes. My energy levels in the mornings are better, most likely because I am sleeping better. My belly fat has dropped (the abs pic in my profile is from the day of my last drink, so things look better now). I used to get headaches with ringing in my ears. My doctors said it was from a few concussions I had playing hockey, and since there was no other signs of long-term damage, it was just something I was going to have to live with. I haven't had a headache like that in over 2 weeks. The longest I went prior to that was 48 hours. It could be a coincidence, but that is something I am keeping an eye on as I go forward. I always drink a lot of water when I am at work, but now I am drinking even more water per day, usually hitting the 1.5 gallon mark.
Overall it seems to be making a significant impact for me. I told myself I'd give it 3 weeks and see what I thought...there are my thoughts. I'm going to keep going with it.