So folks, here we are, October 15th and half way through Sober October. I wanted to give you all a little update on how the last two weeks of clean living have gone. Full disclosure, I did not really expect to be writing this post, as I felt sure I would cave before the first weekend was out. However, it hasn’t actually been too bad (so far.)
The first weekend of sobriety did feel a little odd. I honestly can’t remember the last time I had gone a full week without any alcohol. Which is probably a sure sign that a detox was long overdue. Even when I am sick, hot whiskey is my go to, so it was definitely alien. We were staying in on the Saturday night, as I had a busy day planned for Sunday, and usually we would be having a few beers or a bottle of wine as we plough through some box set or other. Imbibing on sparkling water instead, left a lot to be desired. I really did feel like I was missing something. However, a late night dash to McDonald’s for ice-cream satisfied my craving.
The second weekend was a little less weird. I was out with a friend Saturday night and I was perfectly happy to drive and for her to have a few drinks. I enjoyed my night just as much as I would have had I been drinking, and it was so nice waking up the next morning/afternoon feeling fresh. Last night I made another trip through the Drive Thru in my pj’s for McFlurries to enjoy while we watched a movie. Normally I could take or leave ice-cream, but I seem to be doing more taking lately!
Like a lot of habits, my alcohol intake has a lot to do with association. I enjoy nothing more at the end of a tough week than a couple of cold beers. I tell myself that I work hard, and so I deserve it. It helps me to relax, I assure myself. The truth is, when I am very tired, alcohol makes me feel even more exhausted. So instead of being able to stay up a little later catching up with my husband, I end up wanting to fall into bed at the same time as I do on a school night. I also find that even one or two drinks affects my sleep quality, and makes me dehydrated the following day. Not an ideal start to the weekend, especially when I am teaching a class on a Saturday morning!
So, what’s the upside to all this?
Firstly, I feel better. Not like I could leap tall buildings in a single bound or anything, but I definitely have more clarity of mind, and more energy. I have been struggling with insomnia the past few months, and I am finding that without the alcohol my sleep seems to be better quality. Even if I am still not getting enough.
Secondly, my health markers are improving. My weight has crept up quite a bit this year, and although it’s not bothering me overly at the moment, it is in the back of my mind that I should think about tackling it at some stage. Obviously enough, drinking thousands of calories every weekend is not helping. Since the beginning of month my scale weight has slowly started to come down. My tummy is looking less bloated and I am generally feeling more positive about myself. As well as this, my resting heart rate has reduced and is back below 60bpm for the first time in a good while.
My recovery has improved. Alcohol is a diuretic and makes you dehydrated, this is absolutely terrible for your body when it is trying to recover from exercise. In the last couple of weeks, even though I am teaching more often, I feel like it is taking less out of me, which can only be good news.
I have more money in purse. It turns out that two ice-creams costs a lot less than a couple of nights of drinking!
I get to enjoy a movie without having to get up to pee 37 times!
There are loads of other health benefits associated with reducing your alcohol intake, but these are the ones I am seeing and feeling after a mere 14 days. I have no doubt that when the month is over, I will enjoy a drink or two. It is my birthday and wedding anniversary that weekend, after all. But I am seriously thinking about making it a much less significant part of my life in the future.
Let me know how you have been getting on. Be well xxx
