[Closed] Your relationship with alcohol...

I think it's addictive?

P.S. I have all of the above....

We are happily divorced.

I no longer race.  Work and general life is stressful, and I do enjoy a beer/wine.

We have the struggle because it's addictive. Or because it's pleasant after a heavy day. Or because we love the flavour.

If it did no harm and you woke up as fresh as a daisy you wouldn't worry about it. I find that if I sit out the craving, once it has passed I'm pleased I didn't open a beer, if I even think about it again

I have a glass of red pretty much everyday. Very rarely more. I dont let it worry me.

I really fancy a beer now. Thanks for that.

I used to give myself a hard time for drinking too much. I used to have all sorts of systems in place to drink less. I've stopped worrying about it in the last few years but I am conscious of the fact that I can't remember the last time I didn't have a drink. Just one beer tonight but, like I say, it's every night.

Thing is, I don't even get hangovers any more. I never drink a huge amount in one evening although have done in the past. But, actually I can remember the last time I didn't have a drink, and I felt really good the next morning. Managed for a couple of days, think I've cracked this non-drinking lark, I think to myself, and then something will happen - could be a good thing or a bad thing - and I'll have a drink and off we go again.

I dunno, funny stuff is alcohol. Still, makes for an interesting thread on stw!

I’ve barely touched it this year. Stag do (though, I wouldn’t have minded not drinking, not really the done thing...) and wedding day, haven’t missed it. From now on I’m applying a rule of quality as opposed to quantity.

Why oh why do  we have this incessant struggle of do, don’t, maybe with alcohol?  Why do we feel guilty?

I don't. I accept that alcohol is bad in excess, so I avoid that. If I feel like a drink, I'll have one.

Edit: TBH, you often.come across as a very stressed person. Maybe it's that juggling of career, family and racing. I can see how the enjoyment of a little alcohol might be attractive for relaxation - but also that you would subsequently get stressed about it. It's a dilemma right enough!  🙂

i utterly love getting pissed, especially with the wife.

However I feel like sh*t afterwards and it gets in the way of the weekend's activities and kids. so I rarely do anymore . life is short so I'd rather not spend it hungover. But hang on, life is short... perhaps I should do more of the things I love. I'm so confused. But definitely not pissed.

Heineken 0%

Compared to others (Becks Paint ‘Blue’ Stripper) it’s been a game changer.

Teaching chemistry the kids need to know the diatomic molecule elements. Last June my class were revising while another member of staff covered. She mentioned that my class made her go home and have a chilled beer in the garden.

The mnemonic the kids were using for hydrogen, nitrogen, fluorine, oxygen, iodine, bromine chlorine was have no fear of ice cold beer.

I barely have any in the house. I probably average a beer a week.

I haven't the best of willpower, and alcohol certainly doesn't assist with it, I find a glass of wine is like a gateway drug and will lead to 4 or 5 nice bottles of beer too. I've always been like this, but in the last few years I've grown to dislike the effects of alcohol, but still love the taste of beer....

Anyway, a few things came together at once, some family stuff, a need to lose the 3 stone I'd put on over the years, and starting Uni at 43, I decided to knock it on the head, I need a clear head if I'm gonna keep up at all with these young uni types!.

Tbh I'd had similar thoughts at the turn of the year, and knocked it on the head from November til around march, then I had a few and one thing led to another and ended up relenting for a few months again, but nowhere near as much, only mibbe a saturday night. Then we had a week in the sun in late june, and I decided there that I was gonna chuck it for the aforementioned reasons after the hol (though I had 3 days on hol I didn't bother drinking).

So, last beer was in a Maltese airport, on 5th July. I enjoy having a clear head, sleeping better, fitter than I've ever been as I don't have the lethargy I had the day after a few beers, if we go out for a meal I drive now, so not stuck with local places so I can drink with the meal, it all just suits me better.My wife isn't much of a drinker anyway, maybe only have one glass of wine every few weeks, so it's a lot easier.

Anyway, I've got past the envious glances walking past pubs etc, and just don't really think about it any more. Only exception is after a right good day biking, I fancy a beer, but a few non alcoholic beers sorts out the thirst, sorted.

Agree Tiger, Heineken zero is bloody brilliant!

Just in from cubs and I fancy a beer now too. I have a stinking cold and not training, so seems reasonable. But I know it's easy for me to go from a few weekend drinks to drinks on 4 out of 7 days. Pah. Maybe a redbush instead.

Iit s a great way to relcx evecr si skightku.

i love beer, it is a true passion along with bikes and family.

i call for a pint most days on my ride home. no more than a pint tho. i try a different beer most days.

and i i have a good drink (8 or so pints) on a saturday.  it is what i do.

i dont get drunk.

Corrrr blimey man, stop stressing out.

I love whiskey, I have a large slug by my side now.. I may have another later.

I average 1 pint a week and 4 large whiskeys, I feel fine man.

I’m also going through a white wine phase, but a bottle will last a couple of weeks.

So, no booze Sunday through Wednesday.. Thursday, Friday and Saturday are my days for a drink.

But then I’m not stressing out about training like you, even when knocking out 50/60k a week running I still had the same routine about drink..

Moderation that man, moderation..

My dad was an alcoholic and this has definitely put me on red alert. I’ve been a habitual drinker and while not a total lush for a long time I’d have one then maybe a few more. One whisky which in reality was a quadruple etc. Anyway, I’ve absolutely knocked it right back but like you I had a period of really struggling to break the habit. And it’s a habit. I drink either 0% or fizzy water and once the ‘I want’ subsides I am alright. I sleep well, I’m a nicer husband and dad and my work is better. I’m fitter and more alert. I still have a few drinks but not wanting to be hungover or a **** I am careful. Saying that I had a whisky last night to calm down after a stressful appointment at hospital !!

I had five pints during yesterday's ride.

Sure, the question (regarding myself) isn’t about moderation Bikebouy, last time I drank was 1 glass of Rioja on Sunday, and this 190ml remainder I chose over the beer (less cals) will be the last until Saturday.

The question more about our general relationship with it, the yes/no or should/shouldn’t and why/why not.

i see it as a foodstuff, like tea, coffee, water. but one that i enjoy drinking.

proper real ale is full of good stuff too.  perfect.

I barely have any in the house.

I find it difficult to have in the house now,  I do like it.  Safest is only to ever have a couple of bottles around as it's always nice to have something available for when folks drop round.  If there is more than that then I risk scoffing it all in one go

Yak wrote

Just in from cubs and I fancy a beer now too.

are you not a bit young to be drinking?

I like it and enjoy it

Don't think I drink too much and it doesn't stop me from doing anything.

Sure I could be lighter  faster on the bike if I didn't drink.

But I enjoy a drink and food too.

<div class="bbp-reply-author">Kryton57
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”  I know also the basic science of how bad alcohol is for “athletes”.

Simply switch to rugby and start binge drinking:

http://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/about-massey/news/article.cfm?mnarticle_uuid=C4E1FC5A-955E-FB09-15F2-DEC69794CDA5

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Nice thing about being a lightweight, I couldn't drink loads even if I wanted to.

Hardly ever drink and not really that bothered about it, probably had a dozen pints and maybe the same number of whiskies this year, very much take it or leave it but occasionally just fancy a nice IPA and why not. There is a little booze in the house but we never drink it when it's just us, might come out if we have guests, and because of where we live I will probably have to drive if I go to a pub and Scottish drink drive laws are stricter so I don't drink then, so really just the odd one when away for a weekend. Had a pint after Relentless but I was so tired and my stomach was all over the shop so one was plenty! That was my last one and it was a month ago. Might have another at the club christmas dinner next month, unless the weather is rubbish and I have to drive there rather than ride.

I’ve recently made an effort to cut down and improved sleep is very noticeable. Also less negative thoughts and I look forward to a deep full sleep.

I think if you really want a beer though, have one.

Erm..

Relationship with it is moderation man.

Stop stressing..

I'd suggest the stress you are in over this is actually doing you more harm than having a nice cold beer.

Personally, I've found that 3-4 pints/drinks is the hangover limit for me: This only usually happens at weekends and I make sure I can still enjoy the beautiful BC countryside on my bike. Any more and it's Netflix, ice hockey and sofa for the next day, which I find enjoyable, but a bit of a waste.

I'll very occasionally have one during the week, such as a glass of wine, or a beer, but it stops at just one.

Ultimately, life is too short to stress about such things.

I have had an up and down relationship with alcohol over the years.  I used to be a couple of pints a couple of days a week plus a few at weekends - that steadily grew until was a few pints a few days a week and a bucketful at weeknds.  My weight went up and my fitness down so I decided to cut back.  Now I often go a couple of weeks without nay at all, a beer or two now and then and a half a bucketful occasionally.  Hangovers are ruddy awful now

I love whisky but unfortunately too much makes me really stroppy.  I hardly touch it now.

But nothing - nothing in the world beats that well earned pint after a hard day in the hills.  I couldn't stop that pint or even the second one ( cos the first just evaporates)  for anything

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a long hard sweaty day on bikes - that pint was just delicious.

Nice pic TJ.

I'm making it faster than I'm drinking it at the moment. It's helped by the fact I've got a slightly off batch to work through but I refuse to throw any away.

I'm sure I'll put a dent in it over Christmas though.

To answer your question, pretty good I think.. I rarely drink during the week, though I did have a glass of Port with the first mince pie of the season last night. I have a couple of beers over the weekend, maybe a bottle of wine with Mrs Lunge if it’s an occasion.

Like many above, I did used to drink to much and found it easy to get into a nightly habit of a beer or 2, often followed by a skinful over the weekend. But life changes and I don’t like hangovers, so that’s stopped.

Magicrock Tap tomorrow night, will stick to the weaker ones, wife is off to Leeds shopping sat am so wake up hungover and head out on the bike, I.ll either feel great or sick very sick.. as long as the hangover has cleared up once I get back.

moderation is the key, I only get a hangover when out with my mates which thankfully is rare these days

Magicrock Tap tomorrow night,

jammy sod.

curious is my all time fave.

We have understanding that we are no longer together but from time to time we need to meet. We're get ****ed up buddies.

I had a weird relationship with it when I was younger. No off switch just meant that one drink would always lead to being drunk. I no longer drink that often. Once this year that I can recall. I have two bottles of nice bourbon in the kitchen cupboard. One of which is still unopened.

Having kids of my own and being a child of two alcoholic parents, one violent and one reformed, probably has some bearing on how little I now drink.  I drink my body weight in coffee on a daily basis though. Which is probably as bad for you from a health perspective.

I sometimes dive into the Piccadilly Tap for a swift one after a shitty day at work. I quite often drink wine at home. I've stopped buying whisky though - far too moreish.

have a drink 2 - 3 nights a week with the wifey.  share a bottle of red or a couple of strong G&Ts.  out for 4-5 beers once a month.  and prob catch up with an old school pal once every 6 months and drink a ridiculous amount and suffer for z couple of days afterwards.

did give up for 6 months when try g for kids.  I lost a chunk of weight and was the fastest on a bike I've been

I like beer, cider, wine and whiskey in small amounts.

In medium to large amounts they make me super hungover/sick

If someone removed all alcoholic drinks from the world tomorrow I'm not sure I would be that bothered.

Take away coffee, chilli or pork scratchings and I may have to start a revolution.

I don't drink through the week. I'm very partial to real ale and/or whisky at the weekend though, but with 2 young kids to keep me busy, more than a couple of beers I'll more than likely wake up on the sofa in the early hours having nodded off... 😴 Can't beat a pint in the pub after a long ride though...

Hardly ever drink at home maybe the odd glass of red with the right food, outside of the house I struggle to ride past one every ride I can remember has finished with a beer. Think I hold the most pints downed on the HT550 🙂

Kendal Mountain Festival this weekend so I will be bladdered all weekend!

Cheers

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