Giving up Alcohol May Change Your Life with Andy Ramage | FBLM Podcast

How does alcohol fit into your life? Have you ever given it any thought?

My guest on this week’s podcast is Andy Ramage, a performance coach and author. He’s also one of the founders of One Year No Beer, a habit-changing programme that invites people to try 28, 90 or 365 days alcohol free – and see what it does for them. Andy was like many of us, he was not an alcoholic but he was what he calls ‘a middle lane drinker’. He would drink a little bit to unwind, at work events, when he saw his friends and probably a little bit more on the weekends. Andy started off on a 30 day trial without alcohol and now hasn’t drunk any alcohol for six years and says he can’t envisage doing so again. But his agenda is not to make you stop drinking for good. It’s to demonstrate that taking a break from the booze can bring a surprising host of benefits, even if you don’t think of yourself as a problematic drinker.

Andy and I delve into just what some of those benefits might be. We discuss how alcohol is so ingrained in our social lives and often our work culture that often we don’t even consider what life would be like without it. It’s linked to every part of our lives from relaxation and fun to social bonding or even just relieving boredom. We talk about societal expectations and peer pressure and both of us share our own individual stories and our own journeys with alcohol. Finally, Andy shares some brilliant, practical tips to help anyone who maybe considering tactical break from alcohol.

This is a really inspiring conversation. Whether you’re already thinking of cutting down, it’s not something you’ve considered, or even if you’re already abstaining, I hope you’ll find some life-enhancing lessons in this podcast.

Find out more about Andy:

Books:

Dr Chatterjee’s resources:

#feelbetterlivemore #andyramage #oneyearnobeer
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DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

[bst]

995th day sober here. Best decision I have ever made in my 37 years on this planet

[ap]

I'm 2 years and 11 months sober. Another thing people don't mention when you're drinking is the horrible feeling of life passing you by, days spent in bed when everyone else is out running, skiing, sailing, cycling, hiking etc etc. I can confirm that your life slows down again when you stop and you're more present day to day

[thomasbrennan]

There’s an urgency for an addict to stop drinking, but there’s also an urgency to stop wasting your time and potential being hungover every weekend. Countless bright, sunny Saturdays and Sundays spent hurting on the couch. So much precious time wasted. So many ass crack Monday mornings just waiting for the day to be over. Those days add up and you don’t get them back.

[lillygoldman.]

Battled with the booze 44 years now. Sober times and drunken times. I like me sober. My relationship with alcohol has stopped me achieving all through my life. At 60 years of age this year l have a new opportunity!! Day 1 for me again but here goes.

[mafrendi]

After watching this I’ve decided to go alcohol free. 40 days have passed and I feel happier than ever!

[dianemitchell]

I am 7 weeks sober. Drinking alcohol is like stealing tomorrow’s happiness

[leximia]

I found alcohol increased anxiety, depression, negativitly.. I haven't had a drink in 17 years.. Life is better without alcohol for me, , I lost my brother to alcoholism 7 years ago at 47yrs young.. I really don't know if there's much GOOD to be got from alcohol.. I can do anything now in my life the ONE thing I can't do is pick up alcohol.. My sober life has been my best life..

[kilo-watt]

Haven’t had a drink in 40 days. Losing 12lbs and the mental clarity are the best parts so far.

[Divineearthangel]

I did 75 days for hard 75 but now I realize not drinking at all is more fun than drinking! Alcohol is just gross poison.

[Mary-iwfy]

Sobriety has given me everything alcohol promised

[HabitsV]

Getting rid of alcohol has been the best thing I have ever done. It's great to see and hear so many people talking about the benefits of removing this substance completely from their lives... If people can try this out for a small period of time, a month or two even, and experience the benefits for themselves, it can act as a catalyst for further thought, even if the person starts drinking again - they'll remember their own experience from that time when they didn't drink and have a real life personal comparison....this is priceless. Nice talk guys!

[leejacksondev]

105 days with no alcohol. Even had a holiday surrounded by it and didn’t touch a drop. ❤

[jasonblevins]

I just did 90 days away from alcohol and didn't miss it. I came back this week because it was "expected" and I ended up drinking a few days this week because I didn't feel right and thought it would help.

After one week back on booze its perfectly clear I'm happier without it.

[closetalkerwatcher]

I’ve had to stop drinking because of medication I’ve recently been put on. Haven’t had a drink in 28 days. Down 10 pounds. Sleep like a rock. I’m finally a morning person. Eating right and nailing daily exercise. This time off has forced me to take stock of the last 20 years of my life and I’m stunned at how frightening my drinking has truly been. I’ll be on this medication for 6 months. I can’t say for sure if I’ll never drink again. But I can say that I haven’t felt this good in years.

[kimberlyf]

Same for me, was living a "healthy" life, but deep down knew that the drinking was the one thing holding me back from ultimate health. 2 years in and I would never go back. Good luck to anyone else looking to quit - it's great on the other side!

[alwynpinto]

Just started to sober. please pray for me. alcoholic since thirty years !

[Simon-plzi]

I’m 8 days in and I cannot believe how good I feel already. Yesterday I went to the beach early, got home and then worked on my house from midday until 10pm and was full of energy. I am truly amazed at how much drinking daily so negatively impacted my energy levels.

[steveclayton]

I sit here watching this at 2am in the morning currently relapsing after 699 days sober, I’ve suffered with alcoholism for twenty years now (I’m 38) although I totally get AA principles and wholly believe it’s given me a programme for living I hadn’t previously had, it’s anxiety that has once again led me to buy a bottle of vodka, how the hell do I learn to overcome anxiety, the panic, the fear of impending doom. For 698 days that was possible, however in this past week my anxiety has kept me off work and overwhelmed me. I went to an AA meeting tonight and felt amazing afterwards, I went to my girlfriends and we were having a lovely evening, then all of a sudden I felt dizzy, I panicked, it got worse and within Half an hour I’d left her home and gone straight to buy vodka, I quit, enough was enough I wanted instant relief, i know the consequences and that still didn’t stop me. I’m scared and frightened, I’ve had just about all I can take of living in fear with only a few weeks reprieve at a time. Please though if your reading this and struggling with alcoholism, get yourself to an AA meeting and be open, honest and willing, it really can change your life, unfortunately I’ve not been dealing with the anxiety issue that’s been holding me back all this time. Good luck to everyone on their journeys, just for today xx

[misharamage]

I’ve been trying to quit drinking for several yrs. I have recently learned processes that has helped me cut back over 80% of my drinking. My problem is my evening and social habits. My next phase plan, for cutting it out completely, is to listen to talks like this to keep my “why” up front in my mind! Thank you for all your contributions!!

[ireneonman]

Went 6/7 week alcohol free, felt great, met friends for a night out and took the easy way out and just drank alcohol. This chat has me more determined than ever to go alcohol free long term and hopefully forever.