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How Going Alcohol Free Made Me Fitter, Happier and Healthier

  • Writer: OYNB
    OYNB
  • Nov 17
  • 2 min read
Five people intently row on exercise machines in a gym. They wear sporty, colorful attire against a muted background. Concept2 logo visible.


“I’ve got loads more energy — and now I look better, healthier, slimmer. I’m fitter and happier.”


OYNB Hero Story


Hi all — this is my first proper post, and I wanted to share a few things. Since March, I’ve made some big changes, and I hope my experience helps or encourages someone out there.


Where It Started


I’m a married man in my 40s, two kids, and a company MD. My drinking story is pretty typical: modern stress, long days, and using alcohol as a way to “relax”. One glass became two, then three, then more.

I’d quit before — six months alcohol-free in 2014 — but after “the odd drink on a special occasion”, the old pattern came back fast.


On top of that, I’m a keen cyclist but always felt held back by alcohol. Then last autumn I became quite ill. Tests showed I have Coeliac disease, plus several related complications. Overnight I cut out bread, pasta, cakes, biscuits, beer — and most processed foods entirely.

It took six months for my gut to heal and for me to feel “normal” again.


A Line in the Sand


By February, I started cycling again. In March, I decided to really sort myself out.

I had a full health MOT. I weighed 93kg (at 5’11”), and tests flagged me as being at risk for Type 2 diabetes.

I joined a gym. Got a personal trainer.Cut down on alcohol…

…but found myself slipping.

So I joined the OYNB challenge — and that was the turning point.


What Changed


Comparing early March to early June:


  • Weight: 93kg → 78kg

  • Waist: 36–38” → 32–34”

  • Blood glucose: down

  • Blood pressure: down

  • Resting heart rate: down

  • VO2 Max: 42 → 67

  • Cycling performance: through the roof


At the gym, I went from zero full push-ups to 40+ without difficulty.

Cycling? I’m doing 70–80 mile rides on Sunday mornings and keeping up with the chain gang midweek.

And the difference in daily life is unreal:

I now wake at 6am, go straight to the gym, and feel amazing all day — instead of drinking at night, sleeping badly, waking late, dragging through work, and taking paracetamol like sweets.


Better. Healthier. Happier.


I have more energy.I look healthier and slimmer.I’m fitter, stronger, and genuinely happier.

Coeliac disease may have forced me to change my diet……but removing alcohol was the piece that made everything click into place.


Telling People Makes It Real


I started telling others I was doing OYNB so I couldn’t back out.Funny enough, I didn’t get much support — my wife’s response was, “Oh no, you’ll get too thin.” (She hasn’t mentioned it since!)

Money-wise, I’m not saving anything — but I’d rather spend on gym and PT sessions than on booze. Every time I even think about a drink, I look at the progress I’ve made and know I don’t want to throw that away.


If I Can Do This — Anyone Can


I’m just an ordinary bloke. No special powers, no magic mindset.

If I can make these changes, anyone can.The hardest part is just getting started — but once you do, it all begins to fall into place.


Grab it with both hands.Keep going. It’s worth it.

Stick with it everyone — and thanks for reading.

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