2017 Update: This post is now 2 years old (I’m writing this in November of 2017. Everything written here is still true but 10x. I’m still not drinking…
This July marks my one year anniversary of being sober. There are a ton of reasons why I gave up drinking and I’ll go into more detail in the next post, but right now I wanna tell you the 6 biggest, most life-changing things I’ve noticed.
***Update at the bottom***
Note: this post is just a preview for a much bigger post detailing how I got sober, why, and how it affected my relationships, finances, body, and mind. Sign up at the bottom to be alerted when that post is finished.
Oh, and just a little disclaimer: I’m totally cool with other folks drinking. I stopped for personal reasons. I still go to bars and I’m always down to clown. This isn’t a “do not drink” campaign…it’s just me telling you my results. And very little of this is scientific, cuz you know, I ain’t no scientist.
1. Booze makes me fat:
No shit, right? I use to think I packed on 35 pounds when I started drinking because I was pounding 1000’s of calories worth of beer a week, but now I realize that was only part of it. You see, I use to be a college runner, so I was always fit, but I quit working out when the boozing started. I was either too hungover or drunk to run or workout. Plus, I’d eat like a moron when I was drunk. White Castle? Yes please. Greasy pizza at 3 AM? I’ll take four.
It’s hard to feel motivated when you have a pounding headache and feel regret from piledriving 3 late night burritos into your stomach the night before. (BTW – I’m running again!)
2. Exercise makes me feel badass:
It took me a few months of sober living to start working out again, but once I did my fat melted away. This rocked, but the best part was the mental effects from exercise. The feeling of sweating and working hard physically not only made me feel lose my Drunk Sam weight (that’s like baby fat, but for asshats) but my mood increased by a 1000%. After working out, I felt happy, more alert, and best of all, confident. I noticed an increase in my work ethic too. Working hard, both physically and mentally, now feels great.
If I go a day without working out I feel like crap.
3. People are attracted to me more:
My #1 fear of being sober was what women would think. Would she think I was a freak? Would she confused me for a religious nut? Would she be turned off?
On my first sober date I was scared shitless. But after a few dates I realized I was completely wrong. Women like confident men and in the past I relied on booze for false confidence. After just a few months of working on my mindset I was confident enough to tell ’em I don’t drink. Shockingly, I noticed they liked me more than ever because I stuck to my guns and believed in something. This in turn made me more confident and well, you see the pattern. But it wasn’t JUST women. My guy friends were more interested in hanging out too. In fact, I noticed even strangers are drawn to me more than before.
I was still fun to be around though, which brings me to my next point.
4. Having fun sober is hard, but feels ridiculously awesome when you do it right:
I couldn’t remember the last time I had a night of fun without having a hangover the next morning. For years I’d never commit to Saturday or Sunday morning activities because I knew I’d still be drunk or hungover in the AM. But once I had sober fun it felt like I put on glasses for the first time after years of poor eyesight. Going to bed happy and waking up still feeling the happiness and not like crap was awesome. Plus, knowing that I didn’t drunkenly make dumb choices felt amazing.
5. Intense realism is a freakin’ amazing rush:
If you’re like me you take a beer or 5 before big, nerve-wrenching life events. Mourning a loved one, wedding celebrations, meeting someone you love, or breaking up with that person – I’d drink because I didn’t want to face reality for some reason. But then I realized that facing these things sober was exhilarating, like a huge adrenaline rush.
For example, when I left my job to run Hustle Con I was so, so, so excited and ready to conquer the world. Yes, starting a new business is scary and stressful, but I felt every emotion and loved it. In fact, I now embrace obstacles because I love the exhilarating emotion of feeling the stress, pain, and achievement when overcoming it. I feel ALIVE and I’m genuinely excited to get out of bed in the morning. My mind is clear now and I love it. Feeling stuff is a total rush.
6. When you control your emotions you control your reality:
Pretty deep, eh? Drunk Sam had zero control of his emotions and thus had blurred perception. I’m no philosphizer, but it feels like sober me can control my emotions. Because of this, I now dictate what feel and ultimately, my fate. I know, I know, this sounds quasi-spiritual, but it’s the truth. I don’t think I’ve been angry once in the past 8 months. When something bad happens I’m able to calmly take a step back, analyze what’s going on, how I feel, then make a proper decision…aka I’m not an impulsive bastard. I guess you can say I’m wiser? Eh, maybe.
Want more info and photos?
This post was just a little teaser. I’m in the middle of writing a much more in depth post about the changes in my body, relationships, finances, and mindset after going sober. I’ll also have more photos. You can also friend me on Facebook to check out pics of my journey (the difference in pics is obvious).
That’s pretty awesome. I’m about to give up drinking too, I’ve been using it to deal with my social anxiety, alcohol is a great confidence drug but it just leaves me with so many regrets and horrible feelings after. I don’t know how I’m going to deal with social situations now but I couldn’t really deal with them before, at least this way I have a fighting chance of fixing my issues.
Thanks for the inspiring post, I look forward to your next one.
Inspiring. I’ve been ‘tapering’ off my drinking and not drinking to get drunk lately. I’ve noticed a better mood, but I’m also noticing myself slipping back into old habits. This is very inspiring, and I think it is time for me to do the same. Congrats on your success, look forward to hearing/reading more!!
Thanks brother! I’ll let you know when the next post is up! Good luck
Good on ya bro
This is a great post! I rarely drink and agree with ALL of your points. You look like a very attractive guy now compared to before where you looked…average.
Ha – Thank you 🙂
This was really inspiring — after a health scare of my own, I feel taking steps toward sobriety is the right move to make, and reading something like this only makes me feel more confident.
Your first point is what really shook me, honestly: everyone likes to talk about how many calories beer has, but it’s true that when I’m drunk or stoned, I eat junk/fast food, when I normally adhere to a very healthy diet. Never thought about it that way before. Thank you!
Good for you, nice article.
The reason it makes you fat is because it contains a lot of estrogen, which produces fat for women to feed offspring.
It’s pretty hilarious to me how the brainwashing has made getting smashed seem like the epitome of masculinity when it really is a beta male activity; false confidence like you said, following the herd, etc… and most hilariously, as I said, it INCREASES YOUR FEMALE HORMONES!
Welp, there’s the answer. Thanks Justin!
Not really living the 12th step there Sam. Do yourselves a favor folks. Avoid this self anointed life coach, and save yourself $299 by walking into an AA meeting. You will be in good company with people that are exactly like you are and it won’t cost you a penny.
I too haven’t drank in 8 months…similar reasons. Best decision ever. I’ve dropped over 30lbs and am in the best shape I’ve ever been. I’m always happy, calm and clear headed. It’s been super easy too (prolly cause I have 3 young kids) I don’t think I’ll ever drink again. The calories are huge!!!! No thanks!!
Awesome post! I haven’t drank since April 2014, and won’t drink again until Marcy 23, 2015. Long story why I decided to take a break from drinking that started when I was 17, but no I am not an alcoholic nor am I pregnant. I noticed few things change for me as well, I don’t think I lost much weight because my year has been the busier with work than I ever had had before.
1) No hangovers! Less tension headaches though out the dehydrated week too!
2) No meaningless sex (not that it was that much before, but none at all now)
3) I don’t turn down any events I would have went to if I was drinking, even if it takes few minutes of contemplating.
4) I am fun sober! I still dance at the club and I still go to open bar functions at work and people are still attracted to me! I actually get more compliments on my dancing…haha I guess I’m better coordinated sober, go figure.
5) I am more spiritual and thoughtful about people I effect.
6) I am not as reckless and no longer put myself in situations that in retrospect are very dangerous.
7) I am VERY excited for how “special” I have made March 23rd in my mind
Good luck!
As I read your post I am lying in a hotel room in Lake Charles, LA, torn up with a drunkover and self-loathing. I will stay over and cycle the booze out of my system, then return to my home city and get in a program. You are my inspiration.
I quit a year ago. Crazy amounts of change and progress, never thought I would feel this good and have this much going for me now. Best decision I ever made too.
I came for the 48 laws of power summary and ended up here. I admire you even more! 2 years for me hope you get even better!
It’s nearly a year since I’ve had a drink pal, for health and family issues , next step for me is to find something to do as I’m disabled from back problems ,a triple bypass and a mini stroke but I need to find something to do during the day , wish I could get out to do some exercise , still don’t feel comfortable going into bars I used to go to, so barley. Leave the house, I was drinking at least a bottle of vodka a day plus beers,
Hope you are doing well and everyone else in our situation , David aged 50 Glasgow uk
Awesome!!! I am 38 days finished and feel great
Excellent site, thanks! I’ve bookmarked it 🙂
Great article, however I’m a little late to it as it was written in 2014. However it’s right in time for the new year. Cheers (sans alcohol) to a great 2017. Mine will be sober!
I am an American man, and I have decided to boycott American women. In a nutshell, American women are the most likely to cheat on you, to divorce you, to get fat, to steal half of your money in the divorce courts, don’t know how to cook or clean, don’t want to have children, etc. Therefore, what intelligent man would want to get involved with American women? American women are generally immature, selfish, extremely arrogant and self-centered, mentally unstable, irresponsible, and highly unchaste. The behavior of most American women is utterly disgusting, to say the least. This blog is my attempt to explain why I feel American women are inferior to foreign women (non-American women), and why American men should boycott American women, and date/marry only foreign (non-American) women. BOYCOTT AMERICAN WOMEN! http://www.BoycottAmericanWomen.blogspot.com
This all is so true. Being a musician for 38 yrs,it was all about the party, how f,ed up you could get. But she crept in,the pounds built up,uncontrolled emotions,Bowing out of things because of hangovers. Bad stage performances. Anger towards my wife. All I can say is,for me,quitting was the best gift I gave myself and those around me. Oh,and the extra money? Tons. This all is true. Give it a shot, you won’t regret it!!!
Today I have been sober for 11 months and 15 days. Coming up on 1 year. There is no way in hell I could of accomplished what I did in the last 11 months being drunk all the time. I love being sober! Real life is awesome!
Nice post. I recently decided to go sober myself and It’s encouraging to read others experiences doing the same.
Another great straight to the point, funny but insightful post!