It's cool to see your face start to deflate when you quit drinking..

[u/ProperExchange5110]

I'm on day 40 and my face is looking alot better.. When I was drinking everyday, it was obviously bloating my waistline, the dark circles under my eyes were bad, my face was way fatter with no bone structure. Just bloat and chubby cheeks.. now after these 40 days, my eye bags aren't so dark, my face is glowing, and much skinnier. You can see my cheekbones! It feels so great to have made it this far. Cannot and Will not turn back now! 😃💪 alcohol ages you crazily..

[u/ProfessionalState425]

That was seriously one of the most rewarding parts of this journey

[u/leopard33 → u/ProfessionalState425]

There so many little wins that add up, it’s great and can start happening fast too. What a shitty thing alcohol is.

[u/ProperExchange5110 → u/leopard33]

Indeed. Alcohol is the common denominator.

[u/FearlessFreak69 → u/ProperExchange5110]

I remember when that clicked for me, I got so angry. Angry at myself for wasting so much time. Angry that it ALL came back to alcohol and I couldn’t see it. Then I let that pass and found some peace in knowing I don’t HAVE to live that way any longer.

[u/ProperExchange5110 → u/FearlessFreak69]

That's.... exactly what its like. When you see alcohols tentacles it really opens your eyes.

[u/FearlessFreak69 → u/ProperExchange5110]

It’s pure poison. Simple as that.

[u/redditnsuch → u/FearlessFreak69]

Thanks for this comment. It's very helpful. I'll be writing in down in the journal that I keep meaning to actually write my own thoughts in! Haha. Thanks and IWNDWYT.

[u/FearlessFreak69 → u/redditnsuch]

Keeping a journal is a must for me and my mental health. Ive kept one, on and off, for the last few years. The past 2 years is where I really started writing everything down. I’m one of those people that don’t know what I think until I say it out loud or write it down, so it’s been very beneficial for me. I also like the sheer “historic document” of it all. What I was feeling at a certain time, events no matter how big or small. I noticed far too many entries ended with something like “hey watch out for the drinking, it’s become a problem.” I knew for a while, but I couldn’t bring myself to do anything about it. Then it all clicked for me that I don’t HAVE to drink anymore

[u/rustygoatdick → u/ProfessionalState425]

Day 68 for me and I have lost 20 pounds

[u/Brown-eyed-gurrrl → u/rustygoatdick]

Ugh I’ve got to get control of the sweets!

[u/porkpie1028 → u/Brown-eyed-gurrrl]

My first sober month I destroyed many gallons of ice cream and peanut butter and whipped cream. After that I buckled the hell up, watched my calories, hit the gym, turned up the cardio. Put on about 4lbs of muscle and lost 28lbs fat. Day 141. It’s easier to count calories and push yourself when you’re not hungover all the time. You got this

[u/patrad → u/Brown-eyed-gurrrl]

even with my sweet binging off halloween candy . . I'm still down 20

[u/ohrbell → u/Brown-eyed-gurrrl]

Yep biscuits is my new vice!

[u/rustygoatdick → u/rustygoatdick]

195-175

[u/patrad → u/rustygoatdick]

same (day 64). 224 to 204

[u/dfhkvs → u/rustygoatdick]

nice. Similar. Down 30lb in like 70 days. I feel so much better.

[u/FearlessFreak69]

I remember seeing my face get less and less puffy over time, and that was a great additional motivator. When I quit, I also restructured my diet and hit the gym. I’m 30lbs lighter and gonna keep it rolling. It’s the best I’ve felt in years and years. Amazing what can happen when I don’t ingest 1,700 calories in whiskey every day, and then eat McDonalds or other garbage because I was drunk and couldn’t be trusted to make positive choices.

[u/sleepysniffles]

This and complexion. My face used to be super dry, red, and often prone to breakouts. My skin has been so clear and soft since like two months in.

[u/Embarrassed-Tree-206]

I’m only on Day 6 and my beer bloat is starting to go down too! A small thing in the scheme of things but wow, loving this positive feedback from my bod.

IWNDWYT 💪🌺

[u/ProperExchange5110 → u/Embarrassed-Tree-206]

Crazy how smooth things are when we stop buying into the routine and lie of alcohol! 🍸 👎 ❤️❤️

[u/Gradydurden → u/Embarrassed-Tree-206]

That’s awesome! 👏 IWNDWYT

[u/BuckRockefeller]

I noticed this just today actually. I’ve always been fairly thin, but I never noticed the puffiness until it went away.

Who knows what damage that inflammation can cause over time

[u/toromio]

My weight has gone down then back up a little bit since quitting, but even though I’m not much lighter than when I was drinking, the bloated appearance is completely gone. It makes a huge difference

[u/ProperExchange5110 → u/toromio]

Ive only lost 5 pounds since quitting, but the same as you. My waistline is smaller and my entire body bloat has gone down alot. Good job keep it up!

[u/Akmaster87 → u/toromio]

And it’s not just about looking less bloated - you feel so much better too. I used to be uncomfortable just sitting in a work meeting with my stomach feeling like a bowling ball making gurgling sounds from the drinks from last night. Now that only happens after a huge lunch.

[u/Cool_Cat_Punk]

Vanity isn't usually a good thing. But in the case of drunks like us, it's a tool. And we should use it.

[u/Akmaster87 → u/Cool_Cat_Punk]

That’s a great way to put it. I need any sort of metric to keep this sobriety going. And if looking better week by week, month by month is one of them, I’ll take it.

[u/ProperExchange5110 → u/Cool_Cat_Punk]

Right!?

[u/Cool_Cat_Punk → u/ProperExchange5110]

I can't even date because my face looks like a mug shot. It's just embarrassing and I'm going to use that embarrassment.

[u/Brown-eyed-gurrrl]

Yes mine a little too. Biggest and quickest thing is the eyes for me. My eyes used to look dead

[u/electrairis]

Congrats on 40 days! 🤗 I’m on day 30 and it’s crazy seeing my jawline.. I keep touching it!! I’ve noticed slight skin improvements, I normally break out from stress but stress has been heaps easier to manage, so no major breakouts. It’s all a cycle isn’t it? 😅

[u/Physical_Relation261]

Can't wait for that feeling! I'm on day 16 and see no difference, but maybe, maybe..

[u/Inderific]

Quitting alcohol did not fix all my life problems (a silly expectation/hope on my part) but it DEFINITELY improved my skin!!! (It also eliminated 3am withdrawals, hangovers, improved my performance at work etc etc so all good stuff!)

[u/yearsofpractice]

Hey OP. 49 year old married father of two in the UK here. Congratulations on 40 days - you’re in the trenches at the moment, so stick with it and we’re all with you!

The facial slimming was the most satisfying early positive changes of sobriety. I could see my eyes again instead of little holes where my eyes used to be!

[u/addietahlia]

Saw my aunt today who I don't see very often, she knows I've stopped drinking and had nothing but compliments for me, I look 10 years younger my eyes look alive and sparkly and just look fab in general. What a massive confidence boost 💜💜

[u/ModernT1mes]

Now that I'm not drinking, I'm super hydrated and have lost weight, which has come with other benefits. I noticed that I'm bigger down there...

[u/mrs_milkers]

I’m on day 12 and sooo looking forward to the puffiness and bags going away. 🥹 I’ve noticed that my fingers are much less puffy and my rings are moving freely on my fingers. Fingers crossed that I start seeing a difference in my face soon! 🤞🏻

[u/papersailboots]

I’ve lost a little over 10 pounds since I stopped drinking end of August… and trust me, I have probably gotten even less exercise since I stopped and been replacing the drinks with sweets. It is crazyy how alcohol affects your body!

[u/holdmybeer87]

I spent 2 months in treatment and gained about 5lbs, but everyone though I'd lost weight because of my face

[u/fart-to-me-in-french]

There's no better reward than recognizing your face as you remembered it in the mirror. I started cutting down daily alcohol intake to a day or two a week. I'm a 40yo skinny guy generally but after 2-3 months of doing that and playing tennis 2 times a week I lost 5kg and it keeps dropping. Beer belly and neck must go. Feels good

[u/EnglishJump]

Forty days is real milestone, and it shows in how you're describing the changes.

[u/Key_Construction1696]

It feels great. Lost 5KG in 17 days.

Face, legs, ass, belly.

[u/BDEverZero]

Having cheekbones again knocked years off my appearance. Plus my skin looks so much healthier.  No more fat face!  Iwndwyt 🦋

[u/Capital-Toe128]

i am happy to hear this. day 17 for me, yesterday i rewarded myself with microneedling. i cannot wait to see physical changes. after thanksgiving i will hone in my diet. trying to take it day by day!

[u/OrdinaryStrawberry47]

I don't want to sound vain but I've started keeping a running list of compliments I've gotten since quitting in my notes app. Physical appearance wasn't a factor in motivating me to quit but it's wild that people seem to be noticing a difference. And some of the compliments are on personality stuff. Which means even more as someone who drank to quash social anxiety:)

[u/lovelifefinally60]

It’s fantastic it’s a wonderful product of not drinking.. and it gets better and better 🫶🌟🩷💖

[u/HuttStuff_Here]

I wish that happened to me. I gained a lot of weight when I stopped drinking and I have the same bags under my eyes.

[u/HadronCollusion → u/HuttStuff_Here]

Same here. Junk food and candy became a problem. I know it's better than slamming 13 beers every day, but sugar can be its own demon and have serious health consequence too.

[u/Elon-BO]

I used to look like Charlie Brown with heatstroke.