Bikeguide.org - Bike maintenance for BMX'ers
The Street => The Lounge => Topic started by: Alex. on April 22, 2016, 08:48:52 PM
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Straight up, I think I'm addicted to alcohol. I haven't gone a week without drinking heavily in maybe 5 years. Is that a problem or nah?
I mean, I wouldn't say I'm an alcoholic, it doesn't affect my job or anything I need to do its just when I'm done with work or at home with nothing to do, I have a really strong urge to drink and usually cave in. My room mates always give me shit because I'll sit in my room and play video games or browse the Internet and drink a bit on the daily rather than sit and watch tv for hours with them every night. But to me, I don't see it any worse than going to to smoke every hour. Could be wrong, I dunno.
Maybe dealing with bordem by drinking is not a good thing to do but there's only so much shit you can do without spending a lot of money. Maybe I should start golfing or something. Riding is too dangerous at this point, can't get hurt and miss work. But my logic is, do it and have fun while I'm still "young" and don't have a family to look after or even a girlfriend to worry about. I enjoy every bit of where I'm at right now but people around me am give me shit. But the same people smoke cigs all the time and when they're not smoking they're in the couch watching TV or playing xbox.
I dunno. I know if I tried to straight up quit drinking all together, it'd be one of the toughest things I've had to do and I would do it if I had a legit reason, but I guess I really don't. Sorry for the rant. Just bugs me when my couch potato smoking friends give me shit over it.
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i was basically in the same boat, i was feeling like shit all the time and rarely would a week go by with out some sort of heavy drinking. I've all but quit drinking, since ive lost about 20lbs feel significantly less shitty and realized how much money i was spending. For what i spent a year going out and drinking (roughly $200-400 a month) i could of more or less built up a decent carbon hardtail.
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It doesn't affect anything you need to do? Go do something outside or productive man. Being straightedge is fucking fantastic, but I don't give a shit you're not. That said, it's alright to drink but don't be a fucking drinker.
If you're scared of getting broke off, get a different type of bicycle. There is great satisfaction in powering yourself through backroads as hard as your body can go. Maybe a mootin bike? You might not have mountains but I think you might be a little safer.
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I'm sure you've seen the cars or other shit I've built. I think you misinterpreted that. I do plenty of productive things. I just finished building a laundry room and currently working on drywal King and finishing off a pretty big garage. This is all outside of my actual job. It's just when that's all done for the day and it's dark out.. I'm probably going to drink a few beers before bed.
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I usually get hammered once a week, put a lot of that down to it being Winter and having fuck all to do though. When it gets to summer my booze habits swing more towards pub gardens / street beers on the bike rather than nights out.
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I drank heavily between 18 and 26, at least once a week, sometimes 3 nights in a row plus all day in between. Drugs as well for most of it.
Now I'm a functioning adult with a house and kid, drink a beer or two some nights but rarely as heavy as before. I just decided it wasn't for me, but no point changing until that point. I still managed to ride my bike and develop my career in the midst of all that.
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Read books, there's no better way to expand your mind and broaden your perspective. I've never been much of a drinker and these days I barely touch booze but I was a pretty heavy pot smoker. I've always loved books but over time it became difficult to read while while being high and I was high all the time I wasn't working. I realized I was no longer getting any joy from smoking so I stopped. It was refreshing to have a clear mind for an extended period of time and now I can enjoy books again and working on little creative projects. The money I used to spend on weed I now spend on traveling every few months. I still enjoy the occasional joint but don't see it ever becoming a habit again. Oh, and obviously ride bikes as much as possible.
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I wasn't really in the same boat, but I was getting hammered once every two or three weekends. I'd grab a beer with food if I went out to eat. The occasional beer after work. A social drink or two if I was chillin' at a friend's house. Also, being that I'm constantly playing gigs during the week, it was always super easy to have a beer or two in the run of a set.
I started doing strength and conditioning classes at a local gym back on March 21 which kind of gave me added motivation to avoid drinking. I haven't had a drop of liquor since March 19, and I feel fantastic. I've lost some weight, tightened up and gotten less doughy, and I have a lot more energy. I'm not off booze for good, and I'll definitely be getting shitty next weekend when I head to Toronto, but cutting it out for the past month has definitely been easy with the extra motivation of putting in work at the gym - a sort of "don't make the work you're putting in pointless by drinking" notion.
Plus, the gym hurts so goddam bad, and drinking a ton of water helps.
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Thanks for all the replies.
I agree with all the points being made. It's not hurting anything by drinking when I do, but most Sunday's are a complete waste because I'll be super hungover. I'm not fat but I definitely have a bit extra beer weight that'd be nice to shave off.
I think the biggest thing is, is that when I drink and go out, I'm not nearly as anxious or shy/boring. Not saying I'm a complete nut job or cringe factory when I'm sober, just way more relaxed and introverted. Liquid courage has really helped me in many ways and I think in some ways I almost feel as I have to continue to be that guy to the people I've met and became friends with while under the influence.
It's like self medication, with booze. Hahaha, not healthy but fuck if it doesn't make shit easier.
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I wasn't really in the same boat, but I was getting hammered once every two or three weekends. I'd grab a beer with food if I went out to eat. The occasional beer after work. A social drink or two if I was chillin' at a friend's house. Also, being that I'm constantly playing gigs during the week, it was always super easy to have a beer or two in the run of a set.
I started doing strength and conditioning classes at a local gym back on March 21 which kind of gave me added motivation to avoid drinking. I haven't had a drop of liquor since March 19, and I feel fantastic. I've lost some weight, tightened up and gotten less doughy, and I have a lot more energy. I'm not off booze for good, and I'll definitely be getting shitty next weekend when I head to Toronto, but cutting it out for the past month has definitely been easy with the extra motivation of putting in work at the gym - a sort of "don't make the work you're putting in pointless by drinking" notion.
Plus, the gym hurts so goddam bad, and drinking a ton of water helps.
Weren't you edge?
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Straight up, you're not addicted to alcohol. Are people that play sports every weekend addicted to sports? You don't have an addiction, you have a shit house hobby.
If you feel like you can't function as well socially without the piss then do yourself a favour and go out a couple of time sober.
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I wasn't really in the same boat, but I was getting hammered once every two or three weekends. I'd grab a beer with food if I went out to eat. The occasional beer after work. A social drink or two if I was chillin' at a friend's house. Also, being that I'm constantly playing gigs during the week, it was always super easy to have a beer or two in the run of a set.
I started doing strength and conditioning classes at a local gym back on March 21 which kind of gave me added motivation to avoid drinking. I haven't had a drop of liquor since March 19, and I feel fantastic. I've lost some weight, tightened up and gotten less doughy, and I have a lot more energy. I'm not off booze for good, and I'll definitely be getting shitty next weekend when I head to Toronto, but cutting it out for the past month has definitely been easy with the extra motivation of putting in work at the gym - a sort of "don't make the work you're putting in pointless by drinking" notion.
Plus, the gym hurts so goddam bad, and drinking a ton of water helps.
Weren't you edge?
That ship sailed years ago.
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Not even a wagon comparison?
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I think the biggest thing is, is that when I drink and go out, I'm not nearly as anxious or shy/boring. Not saying I'm a complete nut job or cringe factory when I'm sober, just way more relaxed and introverted. Liquid courage has really helped me in many ways and I think in some ways I almost feel as I have to continue to be that guy to the people I've met and became friends with while under the influence.
This is the most real thing I've ever read. I drink most days, sometimes a lot, sometimes not. I've had periods over the past few years of not drinking for around 4 months at a time and I just don't see my friends that much during that time. A few years ago I wanted to quit drinking totally, I'm now realising that moderation is so much better, but quite hard.
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I drink a beer each day with dinner and maybe one in the evening then go and get hammered every weekend. Rarely drink spirits anymore since I found tasty craft beers
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. . . Maybe I should start golfing or something. Riding is too dangerous at this point, can't get hurt and miss work. . . . .
What would your 14 year old self have told you if he heard that?
You can safely ride bmx. You could also get a road bike or a mountain bike.
Drinking regularly and being inactive is an easy rut to fall into. To get out of it, the best way I have seen is to do something active. If you're not going to ride bikes, then replace it with something else--basketball, lap swimming, aikido, cross-fit, yoga, whatever...
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I wouldn't call you an alcoholic as long as you have 2 or more alcohol free days over the course of a week. Hard binge drinking every week will obviously fuck you up over the long term, so maybe don't plan on doing it forever. I've found that as I get older and busier I can't afford to be super drunk or hungover very often, so it helps limit how much I drink. If you're looking to cutback just fill your time with activities and commitments that you can't be drunk for.
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. . . Maybe I should start golfing or something. Riding is too dangerous at this point, can't get hurt and miss work. . . . .
What would your 14 year old self have told you if he heard that?
You can safely ride bmx. You could also get a road bike or a mountain bike.
Drinking regularly and being inactive is an easy rut to fall into. To get out of it, the best way I have seen is to do something active. If you're not going to ride bikes, then replace it with something else--basketball, lap swimming, aikido, cross-fit, yoga, whatever...
I still love BMX and I know it's possible to play it safe while riding but that isn't fun for me, unfortunately. I always have to be trying newer and bigger things and pushing to be better whenever I ride, that's just how my brain works.
Same reason why I quit racing motocross. Too competitive and will always try and push too hard to get better and just naturally feel better with pushing myself. Unfortunately it usually ends up with me wrecking myself.
I do like the idea of a road bike though and it has been on the agenda for a while. Just need to get some extra money to buy a nice bike.
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someone at my work last year was doing a "dry july" and it made me think how sometimes ill go 3-4 months without drinking and not care. i cant be arsed getting maggot these days cos it seems like such a waste to lose a big chunk of the next day feeling wretched. drinking alcohol is boring to me, although if i could get high instead without the stress of drug testing for work etc id probs still be a fiend for that
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Louis Theroux just did a great show on Alcoholism. UK guys will be able to watch it on Iplayer, rest of the world I'm sure you can sort something out.
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Use a VPN if you're outside UK.
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lots of free time and I'm surrounded by drinkers. my old roommate kept our fridge stocked with beer :/ morning mimosas have ruined so many days for me
I don't get stupid drunk very often but constant drinking throughout the day everyday sucks
another thing I've noticed is that outside of California a trip to the skatepark doesn't mean three runs then sitting on a ledge with a bunch of tall cans and a bunch of weed
I'll show up to a new park with a 12pack n everyone's like "no ty" wtf?
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I'll show up to a new park with a 12pack n everyone's like "no ty" wtf?
Very strange when I encounter people like.
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lots of free time and I'm surrounded by drinkers. my old roommate kept our fridge stocked with beer :/ morning mimosas have ruined so many days for me
I don't get stupid drunk very often but constant drinking throughout the day everyday sucks
another thing I've noticed is that outside of California a trip to the skatepark doesn't mean three runs then sitting on a ledge with a bunch of tall cans and a bunch of weed
I'll show up to a new park with a 12pack n everyone's like "no ty" wtf?
youd like west aus, someones always got beers and bongs when we go out riding
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West Aus? Try just about every crew in the country haha.
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I think the important thing to touch on here is not what others think nor what society defines as 'alcoholism', it seems that despite what you may play off as your friends giving you shit for is that you also notice a problem. If you notice an issue, fix it. Will it be hard? Absolutely. It will be easier to replace with another habit than just keeping the exact same life minus drinking.
If you want my personal advice - coming a similar situation - replace drinking with the gym. A real gym not weights in your room. Go full blast into it like the early days of discovering riding, shape up your eating habits if they are not very good, and replace all fluid intake with simple water. This does not mean go be paleo or a bodybuilder or some crazy IG fan crazed fitness guru. Just be healthy man. It will be pure shit for the first 2-4 weeks, there is no getting around it. But I promise you that you will A) start to actually look forward to going, B) you will feel better on a day to day basis among other life improvements, and C) you won't really want to drink after a month, I mean I still have a night out at the bar once in a bluemate moon with colleagues but I am by no means getting smashed those infrequent times. There are long term detriments to what you are doing drinking this much and there is no better time than now to halt it.
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Occasionally think this but then think actually, I drink no more than most mid-twenties people working in an office in London. I guess with most client facing roles there is an ingrained drinking culture - schmoozing clients, networking etc. Not saying you couldn't be teetotal and do it but when a large portion of your time is taken up with long boozy lunches or dinners, it would be pretty tiresome if you weren't at least half cut.
That said, it's no where near as bad as my friends that work in hedge funds or private equity, that shit is relentless.
I try to balance it out by going to the gym three-four times a week before work, which has helped stave off some off the belly weight.
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Why be another alcohol fueled person, treat yourself another type of hobbies and activities. Jiujitsu worked for me, got me thinking the right way about how i want to treat my body.
While trying to quit i would always resource to my natural hobbies, MTB and BMX, but it would always be a pain couse you can't always be the best at everything you do and that brings you down sometimes. Like not riding like you used to or being a little overweight our out of shape. I can't even feeble oppo 180 but i can oppo feeble 180 but that doesn't get me down couse i have other shit to look out for. Like photography, videoing my friends, martial arts, a job, saving money and other shitload of things that i can treat myself into. Alcohol just makes your life boring and stale and eventually you end up spending your money in family and kids.
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That said, it's no where near as bad as my friends that work in hedge funds or private equity, that shit is relentless.
I think I'd be dead in a year if I worked in investment banking.
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I usually only drink on the days that I work. If your going to have a shitty time at work you may as well be hungover for it and enjoy your days off sober. Granted I'm surrounded by party animals in my workplace and hitting the sauce is usually encouraged.
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That said, it's no where near as bad as my friends that work in hedge funds or private equity, that shit is relentless.
I think I'd be dead in a year if I worked in investment banking.
You have no idea.
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I'm wasted right now. High five.
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Yep! No work tomorrow or anything planned really. Time to party.
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I've been fucked since Friday and now have a 400 km drive home, shit.
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I just got broadcasted on FS1 for partying.
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Just got done with a bender weekend back in my hometown. Killed it, now just drinking until I pass out in preparation for the Monday grind.
Alco-boy, what's ya snapchat? Time to share adventures.
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Alco-boy, what's ya snapchat? Time to share adventures.
aeffertz
Usually a shit show. Who else do I have on there? I know I have Billy, there's an Australian guy on here that goes by Hugh that snaps me all the time haven't seen him post in a while, though.. Oh and prestoisbesto! Let me know what yours is and I'll add ya'.
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Alex' snaps are funny because I don't know when he's serious or not.
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This is a good thread. I have restricted my drinking because I HATE being hungover.
Going cold turkey would be very challenging though. As Jeffro mentioned above, the hedonism of London is difficult to avoid.
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Alex called me a hipster.
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Alco-boy, what's ya snapchat? Time to share adventures.
aeffertz
Usually a shit show. Who else do I have on there? I know I have Billy, there's an Australian guy on here that goes by Hugh that snaps me all the time haven't seen him post in a while, though.. Oh and prestoisbesto! Let me know what yours is and I'll add ya'.
I'm Irish ya bastard
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Alex' snaps are funny because I don't know when he's serious or not.
This is a message to my fuckin' fans or whatever...
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Alco-boy, what's ya snapchat? Time to share adventures.
aeffertz
Usually a shit show. Who else do I have on there? I know I have Billy, there's an Australian guy on here that goes by Hugh that snaps me all the time haven't seen him post in a while, though.. Oh and prestoisbesto! Let me know what yours is and I'll add ya'.
i added you... SC is adamortizbmx
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I'm ohshitabear
I quit drinking for like a month. It sucked. Had to find other stuff to do instead. Exercise is best because I'm tired afterwards.
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My mind told me not to drink so i never drank a drop of alcohol.
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how else would you get ugly girls pregnant
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My mind told me not to drink so i never drank a drop of alcohol.
Props to you. I wanna say you're missing out but I feel like if you've gone this long without it, you're not missing out on anything. Do you do any kind of drug?
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Never smoke a cig or anything.