Jennifer asked:
I would like to know if you're still not drinking alcohol, and what effects you've seen from it (physically, mentally, etc). Thanks!
Carla asked:
I too would like to hear more about your not drinking (if you still aren't). I have been wanting to quit altogether for a long time and admire those who do!
Dear Jennifer and Carla, yes, I am still a happy non-drinker.
This month will be three years since I read the book
No More Hangovers and became an instant non-drinker (even though I didn�t realise that would be the case at the time).
If anyone reading has not seen my first post about the subject, you can read it
here.
What else can I say except that I believe it�s one of the best decisions I�ve ever made. I still, even after three years, can�t quite believe that I don�t drink and I couldn�t give a hoot about alcohol. I can have people drinking around me and never be tempted. I love to sniff the bouquet of a wine and always have a point of view on whatever wine my husband is drinking. It�s almost as if wine is like perfume to me now.
I�ve not had a hangover for three years (so the book title is telling the truth) and my upper weight level has lowered by about six kilos (thirteen pounds) in that time without me changing anything else. I still have a sugar habit, and I believe that alcohol and sugar are related. I would be really happy if I could cut out sugar completely, but it�s a bit different with alcohol. Something is either alcohol or it�s not, whereas loads of foods have sugar in them, just to varying levels.
I did notice I had lots of cravings for sugar when I stopped drinking. Apparently it�s a common thing with alcoholics too, eek! I don�t think I was an alcoholic, I just think it�s the sugar thing I�m sensitive to, so one glass was so delicious and sweet why not have another. And the sugar in alcohol upsets your sleep, you can�t relax and nod off when you go to bed.
Nowadays I sleep well, and if I get up during the night, I drop off easily again. I feel really content, balanced and happy most of the time. I am less irritable I think (maybe ask those around me for an honest answer) and feel happy to be free from the false friend of alcohol.
I truly don�t miss the tipsy feeling at all, and that, if I�m being completely honest, was something I quite liked before. Who doesn�t love that floaty feeling of the first drink, but now it feels like something from the past that doesn�t interest me anymore.
Maybe it�s an age thing, I don�t know, since hangovers get worse as we get older (and with fewer drinks), but I just know that I am super happy to be a non-drinker and I don�t even care if people think I�m strange. I�m happy and that�s all that matters.
If you�re on the fence I�d highly recommend it, and if you have any further questions I can answer them in the comments.
� Votre Sant�! (as I toast you with my sparkling water/Diet Coke/sugarfree Red Bull in a champagne flute).