It was a random decision but felt like the right thing to do. I was supporting my wife and we chose to commit to this thing together with a little help along the way. I haven’t been a big drinker, yes I’m a real lightweight, particularly since running a marathon I didn’t want it to get in the way of my training back then so dropped my consumption and became a weekend drinker and special occasion enjoyer of the tipple only.
My wife wanted to get healthier so we set out on a 90 day no drink journey. There was some support in the form of ‘One Year, no Beer’ I heard an interview with one of the co founders and he described himself as a ‘middle lane drinker’ which means more than he really needed but not so much that he couldn’t function. Anyway he set this organisation up to support people who wanted to give it a go. We set out on out 90 day journey with videos and private Facebook group supplied for a modest fee by OYNB. It was great. We’d had a decent Christmas and New Year and so the time was right for a trial break up with booze!
Well, as the 90th day approached I was in no way tempted to stop, why get to 90 when 100 is only 10 away from that. I think they bank on that thinking to see you beyond your 90 perhaps. There is also the option of 28 days a bit like Feb Fast or Dry July when you stop for a calendar month. Once 90 had gone it seemed obvious to aim for the 200. When the 200 came and went it seemed like fun to go for 300. I like targets and goals they really work for me!! If you know me that won’t be a surprise.
Anyway, by the time 300 had arrived it was Christmas again and the challenge of parties and celebrations was looming. These are the tougher times. People are curious, why? what for? are/were you an alcoholic? You get it all….”No I’m just taking a break.” We managed to get through Christmas and New Year and that simply meant a few more days til 365 days were due!! Very exciting.
Having completed a year off alcohol it resets your taste buds it resets your perspective on booze. It gives you enough time to really see how much more energy you really have to give to life when you let it be so. And so the journey continues. There are birthday parties, celebrations that means I’ll have a beer now and again or a low alcohol beer instead of a full strength one, but my system has lost that desire to keep drinking. My skin is clearer, I look younger (honest), I have even more energy to give to clients.
Another support was reading, one book that went well was: ‘How to say no without feeling guilty’ and also ‘The Naked Mind’ was another. There is plenty of support out there once you start looking. You just have to start, make a plan, set your mind to it. You may not want to but I urge you to try just even for short while – you’ll be glad you did. Just find your why and you’ll be halfway there.
I’m not on a mission to change people habits, they need to do this in their own time and their own pace. But I do want to highlight the benefit of not drinking or drinking so infrequently that you can pretty much call yourself a non-drinker. I mentioned skin but if you want weight loss you had better consider it a must, it can be done without giving it up but the journey is slower. The liver performs SO many functions for your body it’s not funny. Removing just one or two of those with help it function better and take you towards your health goals faster.
At first you may feel insecure, well I did, what will people think of me, how can I function at parties without a drink in my hand. All these concerns, and more, went through my head. And eventually I decided that I didn’t care what others thought. I would just get on with my life and they can make what they want of it.
The ageing process is inevitable but if you can slow that down with good sleep, exercise, healthy diet and less toxins swimming around your body then I’m up for that…ARE YOU?