First, thank you for the beginning of your first post which reinforced just some of the many reasons why living in recovery is so much better than drinking.
Second, it was and is important for me to understand that I drank alot, not just a little, but alot, and for a very long time. The notion that I would not have a knee jerk reaction to have a drink any time life gave me a hiccup (or even when it didn't!) took practice.
I had to learn that alcohol doesn't cure my problems - it isolated me from them, which didn't resolve anything and left me feeling physically and emotionally horrid on top of the problem still being there.
For me, re-centering my mind, body and emotions to break the habits that contributed to my dependency on alcohol had to change.
Exercise produces a surge in the body's endorphins (those chemical messengers in the brain) that increases positive feelings and reduces stress. Way to go on the gym choice! Keep at it.