A founder of a gym who gave up alcohol after quite a decade of revival with hangovers following boozy weekends has revealed how her life has changed.
Amy Castano, 31, enjoyed going out and having a couple of drinks together with her friends every Friday and Saturday night, which inevitably led to hangovers on a Sunday.
Last year when the pandemic hit, I noticed that I used to be caught during a never-ending cycle,’ Amy told FEMAIL.
After quite a decade of awakening with hangovers, Amy Castano gave up alcohol following big boozy weekends, which has revealed how her life has changed. Amy said she realized she was caught during a drinking cycle on Friday and Saturday, only to spend Sunday hungover and Monday and Tuesday still recovering.
‘Every Friday and Saturday night, I might drink and not eat well.
‘Then I’d spend Sunday recovering and eating junk to feel better, and Monday and Tuesday would be spent sweating out the remaining toxins through understanding.’
Amy said she would ‘feel okay’ until Wednesday and Thursday before the weekly drinking cycle would resume.
The 31-year-old said when the pandemic hit. She assessed everything – realizing that drinking didn’t fit together with her lifestyle anymore.
Amy said she was forced to assess her drinking habits when the pandemic hit, and most of her social life came to a halt.
‘I realized what I feel I’d known for an extended time,’ she said.
‘Drinking didn’t fit with my lifestyle anymore. I like getting up early, understanding and eating healthily – and being hungover doesn’t match with any of that.
‘I knew I wanted to prevent feeling hungover, the lookout of my health, and have a transparent mind. Then I decided to prevent drinking.’
Nutritionist Lee Holmes’s top tips for healthier drinking
Space out drinks – ‘Sip and savor the flavor! You’ll find yourself enjoying it more and drinking less.’
Three is enough – ‘Follow the rule of the three limits and stop it after your third drink.’
Set goals before heading out – ‘Pre-planning for your alcohol consumption. That way, you’re more likely to stay to what you’ve decided.’
Set good boundaries – ‘Tell your fellows and friends you’re watching your alcohol intake, and don’t feel obligated to stay drinking with them if you would like to drink wisely. Mindful drinking is all about drinking while along with thinking!’
Think about tomorrow – ‘Remember everything you would like to try to subsequent day and what things a hangover would prevent you from doing. It may help you stay track if you recognize you’ve got belongings you got to do.’
Remember sharing is caring – ‘Share a bottle with friends – you don’t get to polish an entire one-off on your own!’
Remember your power – ‘You don’t need to drink if you don’t want to. You usually have a choice.
On Commonwealth Day 2020, Amy (pictured together with her partner Jono) gave up alcohol, and she or he hasn’t touched a drop since
What are the statistics around drinking in Australia?
Institute of Health and Welfare in Australia survey revealed 14 percent of individuals had increased their alcohol intake during the pandemic.
Consistent with the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australians spent $1.37 billion on alcohol and other goods from liquor retailers in October.
The number of ex-drinkers rose from 1.5 to 1.9 million Australians between 2016 and 2019.
On Commonwealth Day 2020, Amy gave up alcohol. She hasn’t touched a drop since.
The 31-year-old said the consequences are almost universally positive:
‘Through all the stages of giving it up, I only felt better and better,’ she said.
‘My skin became more glowing, I lost any bloating I had, my mind is such a lot clearer and that I generally have such a lot more energy.
‘I never thought I might be someone who would hand over drinking, but I don’t even believe it anymore and that I don’t miss it in the least.’
Amy said the sole downside was the endless questions she gets from friends and acquaintances at the pub:
‘People can’t help themselves but ask, “Why aren’t you drinking?” and “are you pregnant?” ‘She said.
‘It’s intrusive to ask a wife if she’s pregnant or trying to conceive, but once you stop drinking to raised your health, there has got to be one more reason .’
‘It’s intrusive to ask a wife if she’s pregnant or trying to conceive, but once you stop drinking to raised your health, there has got to be one more reason,’ Amy said
Revealed: Long-term effects of heavy drinking
Brain: Drinking an excessive amount can affect your concentration, judgment, mood, and memory. It increases your risk of getting a stroke and developing dementia.
Heart: Heavy drinking increases your vital sign and may cause heart damage and heart attacks.
Liver: Drinking three to four standard drinks in a day will increase your risk of developing liver cancer disease. Taking heavy glass for the long-term also puts you at increased risk of liver cirrhosis (scarring) and death.
Stomach: Drinking even one to 2 standard drinks each day increases your stomach and bowel cancer risk, as well as stomach ulcers.
Fertility: Regular heavy drinking reduces men’s testosterone levels, sperm count, and fertility. For women, drinking an excessive amount of can affect their periods.
Source: Health Direct
Amy said the simplest advice she will give to those eager to hand over drinking is ‘not put a deadline on it.’
