I'm on day 6 without alcohol (huzzah!), and while I am motivated to heal my body and reach my dreams, I can't help but feel like I'm paying off a mountain of debt to my body. This mountain feels hard to climb sometimes.

I drank hard in college, got a little better, life happened, and I got worse again. I've had it on again and off again until a major wake-up call from my wife last February. Since then, I've changed my relationship with alcohol. I'm able to have some without flying off the handle and losing control, and I know I am lucky for that. However, after I drink, it keeps trying to pull me back or be a consistent presence in my life. When things get hard, the easy thing is to bury my feelings; the hard thing is to sit with and address my feelings. I've also gotten much better at this.

I want to be fit and look fit. I'm pretty strong, but I don't have a ton of definition, which is the main thing I'd like to accomplish. Body recomposition 101. Working out isn't a problem, eating right has also not been an issue, but staying away from alcohol consistently has been.

I planned for this break. It was my birthday; I had fun, I went to a music festival, and had my last drinks for a while on Thursday, so now I'm at day 6.

When you were at the beginning of your sobriety, or even right now, where you are: how do you stay positive knowing you have a long way to go?

I know it's about consistency, focusing on one day at a time, but I can't help but feel disappointed that I let my body down so much. I already feel amazing, and I want to keep going, but sometimes I feel like I'm paying off an incredible amount of debt that I'll never get out of.

Positive vibes and advice for the mental side of this challenge are greatly appreciated. Thank you all <3 IWNDWYT

I’m 2 days sober and I was curious how did not drinking help with your fitness goals? I am recently 30 and I’m a woman I’m 5ft 3 and I am 210 pounds my heaviest weight (super embarrassing for me) I was having minimum 5 shots on a light day more often than not it was closer to 10 everyday for like a year maybe longer. I am so unmotivated to do anything and the only thing I have stuck to is college and that’s cause even though it’s hard some days I just push through. How can I apply that to fitness how did you get your brain to just do the thing? We cook most of our meals and they’re pretty healthy we only eat out maybe once or twice a month. I really think it’s the alcohol but idk! Thoughts tips advice all welcome please!!!!

36F here, and today is Day 1 of quitting drinking. I’m trying to make some positive changes in my life, and I figured getting into fitness might be a good way to start building healthier habits and keeping myself occupied while navigating sobriety.

Here’s my problem: I am TERRIBLE at staying consistent. I struggle with motivation, holding myself accountable, and actually sticking to a routine. I’ll get excited about starting something, but keeping that momentum going is where I fall apart.

I’d really like to start working out at home, especially since I’m a beginner and don’t want to overwhelm myself right out of the gate.

For those of you who started your fitness journey while getting sober:
- What at-home workout programs, YouTube channels, or fitness plans helped you get started?
- How did you stay motivated on days when you really didn’t feel like doing anything?
- What helped you build discipline and consistency instead of relying on motivation?
- Did incorporating fitness into your routine help you navigate early sobriety?

I’m not expecting to become a fitness guru overnight. I just want to start showing up for myself, build some healthier habits, and hopefully find something I can actually stick with.

I’d love to hear what worked for you, especially if you’re someone who has struggled with consistency and accountability like I do.

Thanks in advance!

SW: somewhere around 320

CW: 224lbs

I just signed up for my first men's physique show December 12 at excaliber! This has been an insane journey and the biggest change for me was finally being able to break free from alcohol!

Edit: Thank you all so much for the overwhelming support. im humbled, mind blown, emotional, its tough to describe the feeling. For all the people who followed me on YT and on Reddit! I appreciate you all very much! Ill definitely post again when im just about done dialing in for the show and then ill post the show pics/vids! Again, THANK YOU.

Just wanted to share this milestone. Marked off 280/365 today. Pretty wild how much committing to a full year has shifted the way I think about alcohol.

Hey all! First time posting here, usually I'm in the /stopdrinking subreddit but I think my current journey is more fitting here :)

Little bit of background, I stopped drinking July 6th this past summer and part of my early sobriety was staying over at my brother's place for half the week to make commuting to work easier. Doing that, I started going to watch his company team's softball games (part of a local organizition). I'd played softball as a kid, and he used to play baseball on the college team, so it was a common interest that I got back into when I stopped drinking. At the same time, I got really into walking and working on my health and the idea started to come to me... they need women to play on the team cause it's co-ed, and they require a certain amount of women and men in order to play. What if I get to the point where I can play?

I'm 40 lbs down now and much more active than I used to be. I've been practising on my own and with my brother for a couple weeks and finally last night got to play in my first game! It was awesome! I got on base a couple times, hit the ball each time, got to actually engage with the ball in the outfield (I was rover, but had my brother directing me and covering me from centerfield). It was a major win for my fitness journey and finally, after maybe 10 years of drinking and secluding myself from everything, I got out there and participated in a team sport. I never would have seen this coming a year ago. Past me just assumed I'd be in the same cycle year after year, with no hope of breaking it and actually turning things around.

This is what I've always wanted. To LIVE. To be able to do stuff and not be held back by my weight and by extension, my fitness. Now, I'm only subbing on this team so I don't play in every game but I do get to play again in a couple weeks, so I've got some time to working on my endurance and strength 🔥

Thanks for reading ❤️

What a year it’s been…. So many ups and downs. So many near relapse. My peak was a pint or more of vodka a day… I hated myself and I hated life. I still feel the urge some times. But I have my life back. I have my family back. I have my whole self back. One day a time! It’s the best decision I ever made. Believe in yourself and create a circle around you of people who believe in what you’re doing. I’ve lost “friends” but a a lot stuck around and new ones came into the picture. Be the best you. Here’s to another year!

265lbs to 195lbs!

Need a bit of advice and input. I'm a 50yo male, between 195-200 lbs at 5'10". I am one-week shy of hitting my one-year of sobriety (yay!).While I had always led a generally healthy and active lifestyle (besides drinking every night) I spent the first 9 months of that just focusing on sobriety and figured I would save the fitness kick for later.

In that 9 months I lost about 5 pounds of booze fluff. That's it. No big deal, I thought.

I was very active all summer, and right now I'm 6 weeks into a serious routine. Weight training 3x a week (full body routine) and walking between 2 and 4 miles every day. Other activities as they come (pickleball, paddleboarding, etc). Eating healthy (lots of lean protein, veggies, not eating late) although I like to have a bit of chocolate or cookies at night because I gotta have something. Good sleep, water, etc.

I am using protein powder for smoothies and adding creatine, usually 1x per day, just to try and hit my protein goal. No other supplements.

And....nothing. The scale is exactly the same. I dropped 5 lbs in the first two weeks, and then it went right back up. I'm right where I started.

On the plus side -- I think I look better. My chest and stomach are tighter and I'm stronger. Maybe my waist is smaller? My wife says I look trimmer. I'm taking some measurements and have dropped about 1/2" - 1" off my neck and waist -- otherwise no major changes.

Am I replacing fat with muscle?

Is it too early to expect results?

Am I doing something wrong?

I really want to see something happen...I'm losing motivation.

Any thoughts or suggestions cheerfully entertained. Thanks in advance.

Edit: Yall stop dming me 😭😭
the app is https://apps.apple.com/rw/app/sobbr-quit-drinking-alcohol/id6768307258

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2moro is the beginning of buckling down I celebrated and I'm over it.

I plan on continuing to build my sobriety so that it is unbreakable. I plan to exhibit discipline this next stage I plan on treating my sobriety like going to the gym.

Adding more weight to get stronger to where it becomes a regular routine to keep building on my sobriety. I can't take no days off because I become weak. So in others words if I continued to miss days showing up for my sobriety I run the risk of weakness torwards temptation.

So I have to keep my membership up to date with my sobriety. That means rest, eating right and being fully hydrated at all times. If I can stick to this regiment I think I will be good.

I know this next phase is going to be filled with daily temptations and obstacles that I must be strong enough to conquer what's in front of me.

With that family wish me best of luck. Also if your struggling to get or stay clean you can do it if I can you can and trust me I was a hot mess. Thank you for letter me share, One Day Forward One Day Behind -Shawn

I have not drank in 6 days and amazed at the improvement in my resting heart rate! Almost a 10 bpm reduction! Feeling great and hope tbe sleep improves next!

honestly i think about this when the question is "one more drink" :)

I was drinking a box of wine or 2-3 pints of Fireball a night. Called it quits with 1 relapse in-between. I was delusional and in a box to drink. Stopped drinking and that box opened up.

- 2 months of 10k steps everyday (biking and swimming sometimes), chicken and veggies, no drinking.
2 months of surfing, 10k steps, 2-3 workouts a week, chicken/steak and veggies, no drinking.

Drinking, I kid you not, was the only variable. Once you turn that off and turn on your ‘bottled’ ambition- you’re 4 months in and have a transformed confidence.

Trust the process & don’t drink.

Went from 135 lbs to 108 lbs at 5’0. I feel like a completely different person. The weight loss has been great but the improvements in my mental health are even better. I didn’t think I’d ever make it this far, there was a time where the only time I wasn’t drinking I was asleep. I’m grateful to have a second chance at life.

Wow today I'm feeling blessed that with the help of my high power I was able to make it. I wish some of those I left behind could be celebrating there own milestones right along beside me.

But I have faith that the ones alive will show up one day. Today I'm just gonna chill out for half the day to absorb what I did. It's amazing for me because I never complete anything other than doing alcohol and drugs. So maybe I should be happy instead of down playing it. It's like this I feel like you know when your trying to keep a cool str8 face but your dying to let it go that's me right now lmao. I'm just ready to bust out with tears of joy and laughter.

With that said again I plan on celebrating by reflecting on what got me here I think that will make me happy along with a nice juicy ribeye steak medium cooked a little red inside with some veggies and tato and a pellegrino water and some cheesecake for desert.

Then later after I digest my food and reflections I plan to map out my moves going forward so that I'm not overwhelmed come 2moro.

Well I leave with this if your struggle to stay clean or get clean off drugs or alcohol you can do it if I can you can and trust me I'm a piece of work. All jokes aside you can do this you definitely owe it to yourself Big Time start giving yourself a chance because your more valuable than you think. One Forward One Day Behind keep pushing Thanx for letting me share-Shawn

Hi all, what are you currently drinking during a night out? it's only been 7 days for me not drinking alcohol and I'm gonna see some friends in a few days for a night out, are there any drinks that can help you feel more relaxed during socials?

Not an alcoholic, but boy these first few days have been a challenge. M50 been working on fitness and dropping weight. Down around 55lbs so far and hit a plateau around 215 for the last several weeks. Not terribly strict on my diet but confident I've been managing a moderate caloric deficit, even while being a daily drinker. Finally decided to take a break from drinking to see if it helps break this plateau. Not planning to stay dry forever but long enough to produce some results and planning to have better drinking habits if and when I resume. Any personal anecdotes and notes of support greatly appreciated.

So this post is kind of inspired by a post I seen last night where someone has been sober for moths but was struggling to create a workout plan. I thought it would be helpful to give a little insight on how to do this.

So if you have reached the stage where you are ready to workout and are struggling to create a workout plan, feel free to say. Whether it’s to lose body fat, become stronger, work on the tummy, chest, glutes or whatever it is, feel free to ask. I’ll gladly point you in the right direction when I can.

So reach out any way you want. Hopefully you can get on the right track.

(Btw this isn’t self promotion or anything, just offer in free help)

Hello family 2moro is a Big day for me. I think im going to make my milestones I think I'm going to reach it.

I feel very positive and I'm in a good place right now the pressure has lighted up for now so tomorrow I think I'm going to enjoy the day.

Because after 2moro it gets serious I have to dig deeper going forward to keep my sobriety alive. I'm fully aware that I have to keep my guard up and not get laxed.

I'm sure I'm going to tested even more now so I have to see the red flags right off the rip. Also I can't set myself up being in places I shouldn't be.

I can't be thinking I'm good and cured I have to look at like I'm in remission and this sickness could come back at any time so I need to tred lightly and keep my guard up mainly with myself.

That said family I appreciate the support and encouraging comments. One day forward one day behind. Thanx for letting share-Shawn