The most important moment in a man’s life is the first time they have a beer. I place it on the list above sex and having a child because sex usually only happens as a direct result of drinking beer. As for having children, I’m given to understand they are poop factories at first, then promptly become loud, and then obnoxious before they resent you for the next fifteen years. If my math is right, it isn’t until after about twenty-five years that you can stand them and the investment starts paying off. Given the instant gratification of beer verses the ROI on child rearing, its not even a close. But the real clincher is that men love solving problems and there is no chance of solving problems if you don’t create them first.
As Cyclists, beer also forms an important part of our training regimen; after a day of crushing our opponents and laying down enormous helpings of The V, it is critical that we give our muscles the rest and nutrients they require in order to rebuild and become ever stronger. Required nutrients include things like carbohydrates, sugars, and proteins. As it happens, beer is made of things like – wait for it – carbohydrates, sugars, and proteins. According to alcoholic nutritionists I’ve spoken to as well as some recent studies, beer taken in moderation is the ideal recovery beverage after a hard workout.
But there’s that annoying word again, “moderation” – always with the moderation, these scientists. Apparently, you can’t go and get hammered every time you ride a bike or the alcohol will have other effects like making you fat, stupid, and bloated. Alcohol slows your metabolism and lowers your impulse control, which forms a double-whammy as after you get drunk and stuff your face, your body will have a harder time burning those extra calories.
When I started getting serious about losing weight and improving my climbing (this was immediately after my first ride up Haleakala), I completely ignored the possibility of giving up on booze as I’d much rather starve myself than stop drinking. But the fact is that dieting and training only yielded limited results. When I finally accepted the notion of reducing my alcohol intake, my weight started to drop and my riding immediately improved. The most surprising side effect was how much better my sleeping patterns became which also feeds into post-ride recovery.
I’ll never give up beer completely because I’d hate to be without problems to solve, but for anyone who is struggling to lose weight, take note: diet and exercise are key elements, but you won’t get there without taking a hard look at your alcohol consumption. I’m not suggesting you stop drinking altogether; drink a beer or two after riding to help your recovery, but beyond that alcohol will get in the way of reaching your goals. Unless your goal is to drink more, in which case I remind you that your liver is the only organ that can regenerate itself.
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@ChrissyOne
Good for you. If your friends are "freaked out" by your (almost) abstinence, then I think you've clearly made the right choice. I don't know how old you are now (early 30ss?) but it sounds like you're growing older and wiser.
I don't drink any more.
That said, I don't drink any less either.
Ba-da-bum!
@wiscot
You're sweet. I'm 40.
I've found that with a little work I can get back to the fitness of my 20's. I just can't seem to get back my tolerance. ;)
Not sure who to respond to here, but this is someone that may have only a few beers only a few times per every 6 months -- only. The single purposed beer before the ride (and this was the first group ride of the season last time) is just a standby last reserve idea that "just may work" for any of us.
@prettymucheveryoneexceptFrank
It feels like I've stepped into a long overdue Alcoholics Anonoymous meeting here - not something I was expecting from the V-community!
I'm glad to see I'm not the only one to find the benefits of easing off the sauce. I like my booze, particularly beer, cider and wine (spirits less so, or they don't like me anyway) to the point where ten years ago I'd think nothing of getting utterly shitfaced until the wee small hours and then racing motorbikes first thing in the morning. How I survived, I've no idea, but my results improved drastically when I stopped the race weekend booze-fests.
This year however, I've gone almost the whole hog and managed a month with no booze followed by a night of curry and a couple of pints, and I've been dry since. I'm not going to keep it up permanently, as there's way too much good wine to drink at home, but I'm hoping this is the last effort I need to go up another race cat. It'd better be worth it!
Of course I've got to keep this going for as long as my regular training buddy does, as I'm not doing anything that makes it any harder to hold his wheel. Not that we're at all competitive or anything...
@kixsand
Chapeau Sir, that is a big move indeed and well done for sticking to it. One day. Maybe. Once I empty the wine rack...
@Gianni
Peter Sellers. Fucking genius. Right there in the Brilliant Folks Who Went Too Soon File.
or
It is no surprise, Gianni-Boy, that every time you and I talk about shit that gots to get done, we say, "Lets put it on the big board!"
@Jamie
Badum-tiisssssssss.
@ChrissyOne
Good stuff!
I know for me, when I was struggling with the decision to quit...it was very isolating. I felt like I was the only one in the world that was having a problem with alcohol. None of my friends were talking about quitting or the fact that they were drinking too much. Alcohol was one of my very best friends and I had to make the decision alone to cut that friend loose.
Now that I've quit it's obvious to me how many of my friends and family and co-workers are struggling the same way I was. I've had several people approach me over the past couple of years wanting to know why and how I quit and admitting that they've been contemplating the same. If you take a close look at your list of favourite actors and musicians you'll find a very large number of them now abstinent.
I like to think that each of us has a certain number of drinks available to them before things get bad. Some of us make it to the number a little earlier than others. Some can make the number last a lifetime. Some blow by the number without the self awareness to avoid ending up divorced or unemployed or maybe even dead.
I actually just took a full week off. Yup, slept better, felt more energy and didn't really miss it all that much. It was good though, as I do drink regularly and kind of thought I'd miss it, but I didn't.
I do enjoy the mellowness of having a few drinks, as I have too much energy most of the time, but it's nice to cut back every so often. Plus, makes it more fun when you pick a party or an evening or whatever to have a few. Such as tonight, post-futbol. Nothing like a few beers after two hours of running.
Oh, but I have recently started drinking more, on purpose. The VMH decided last week that our current Velomidoggie had reached middle age and simply couldn't live without a dog pal.
Despite my protestations (it'll cut into the Budgetatus!), we now have a ten-week old pup. Good lord. I'd post a photo, but there has already been a Cat in a Hat posted...