So do workouts really help?

[wanttostop7]

Hi all! Haven't made the big change yet (to moderate- have had no motivation) but I am getting in the mindset! Just wondering how much the workouts help you too feel and how it affects your want for drinking. Thanks in advance!!!!!

[luCKy]

w7

They help me A LOT because:

Makes me feel strong and good about myself

I see fabulous bodies @ the gym and know I will never have one if I continue to drink like a fish

Occupies my time

It does not mean I do not want to drink but if I went to the gym that day, I have less drinking hours available.

I will be interested to hear what others have to say. I think it is a critical ingredient to success. I bet Java Runner Girl has some wise words on this topic.

[Determinator]

Pope-Duck is right...

I'm no athlete however the 3 hard workouts I get per week are immensly important to me. Exercising causes the glandular (including brain) functions to come alive and you WILL feel a wonderful transformation both in the short and long term.

[satori]

Yep - absolutely agree with all said - the endorphin high from exercise makes me feel so good about myself / strong / fit that it makes me want to drink less.

Dont want to spoil that good self image as it were.


Satori
xxx

[cassy]

Hi there

I,m no athlete but love to walk..it helps me to think clearly and its good to have time away from the daily noise and appreciate nature.

its also another discipline..so that makes me feel good..If I promise myself to walk each evening or monday and i achieve 5 out of 7 then i,m good with that!!(never could do perfection!!)

So i think its great to work rest and play...still trying daily to moderate and stick with 2 nights drinking a couple of wines...messed up slightly last night had 2 small wines watching a dvd..all is not lost as at leat i stopped at 2!!!

good luck and go do the work out...Cassy

[xtexan]

My regimen of cross-training workouts has been absolutely essential in my quest to become sober.

I can honestly say, many many times, during those first few months, that an almost "self-punishment" workout was all that stood between me, and a relapse into gross drunkeness.

I'm not an athlete, nor do I have any illusions that I ever will be. However, I can outperform over 90% of people my age now (51) in a great number of things.

Even today, I was trying to pull a couple of shopping carts apart, and a fellow about my age and size came up and said, "You pull on one, and I'll pull on the other to get them apart" So I tugged a bit, and the other guy just about fell over and his eyes got real big. They were stuck fast, jammed solid, but my muscular power has probably increased 100% in the last year and a half.

That alone makes this thing a motivation for me. I know 90% of guys my age, could not run 2 miles before collapsing. I went 4 last weekend.

It is the psychological, emotional, mental boost that the workouts give that allows me vastly increased strength to beat the booze devil. There just is no substitute for me. The physical power and endurance increases are just a extra-added benefit almost.

Neil

[IAD]

Yep,
It does help to exercise. It helps with tension, and gives you a since of acomplishment. Not to mention it makes you fill strong. IAD

[Determinator]

Neil, you are an inspiration...in many ways

[wanttostop7]

Thank you all -very motivating!

[Saint Jude]

I guess I still have "delusions" of being an athlete...
Coming up on the big 47! But I refuse to act my age!
Some joints are'nt what they used to be ... but some of me can still work-out...even if it kills me! LOL!
Just crank the tunes louder & paddle harder & faster!

Neil...I'll arm wrestle ya!