This is a subject I never, ever thought I’d be writing up. In June of 2016, a yoga friend suggested a lifestyle change to which my response was, “Ha! Not for me. I mean, I’d probably lose ten pounds and save a bunch of money but…”

 

We were talking about drinking alcohol.

 

Cutting back was an idea I'd entertained before. It's obvious - especially for toning up. They call it a "beer gut" for a reason. Supposedly alcohol sugars settle right in the belly. But having a couple cocktails with friends, greasing any social situation, drinking a glass of wine while cooking, having a little Fernet and water over ice to relax at the end my day - that stuff was part of my life. A part I really enjoyed. However, something clicked that day. 

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The idea stuck in my head. The next couple of drinking opportunities I just drank much less than normal. Only one drink, say. Then I thought - this isn't so hard and it will be a fun, personal challenge. I'm not going to drink alcohol out of : boredom, loneliness or habit. Otherwise, I'll partake as I like. This meant pretty much not drinking so I went without for a week.

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Then, on a Sunday around 4pm, as I was leisurely cooking up some tacos, I wanted a margarita. So I had one. Well, half of one. I didn't feel like finishing the other half. And, man! The next morning I woke up groggy and tired. AFTER HALF OF A MARGARITA.

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After that, I stopped wanting alcohol because the effects of not drinking alcohol were so profound and, guess what? I like feeling good. I like having energy. I like being in total control of my actions. There's a newfound clarity I never EVER would have expected.

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So, what happens when you stop drinking alcohol?

 

Here's a breakdown of the effects cutting out alcohol have had on me. Some were expected, some shocked me. Some were immediate, some came after my body was totally cleansed. As the changes piled up I thought, WHY have I never seen this info before?!

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1. I WAKE UP AWAKE

What I mean is - I've slept well and I don't drag out of bed. I'm ready to get up and do stuff. There is less grogginess or wishing I could just stay in bed a little (or a lot) longer. This is likely due to sleeping very soundly - I don't wake up in the middle of the night parched / dehydrated or needing to use the bathroom. I'm refreshed, my body has re-energized while I was dormant. Ready to go!

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2. I NEED LESS SLEEP

I've always been a big sleeper. At the beginning of my alcohol abstinence, I was sleeping a lot less and wanting to hop up super early and DO STUFF! Then I settled back into my "normal" 6-9 hours-ish but it generally leans towards shaving an hour off of how long I used to sleep.

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3. I'M LESS HUNGRY

Not sure why but I get full faster and am just not as hungry. Another mark on the "staying fit" checklist of cutting out (or back) on alcohol.

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4. IT SAVES SO MUCH MONEY

Dang. Cocktails and glasses of wine at dinner add up. The money savings is pretty huge. You can pretty much plan on your meal bill being halved or more.