T-1
That’s it! 30-day challenge is up. Tomorrow I can officially drink again, although I’ve decided not to and wait another couple of days.
According to One Year No Beer the benefits reported by those who have taken a break are:
Reduced anxiety and 92% happier!
Bold claim! Well I do feel a tad more chilled and after rowing with the boyfriend I seem to calm down quicker and it blows over almost straight away, whereas I probably would’ve sat there being all moody for an hour or so before I did the challenge. I’m also arguing less in general with people I come across in my daily life… and believe me, that’s not easy in Rome where every day is a battle. Not sure about 92% happier.
73% Dramatically improved sleep, boosted productivity and motivation
Well, at the beginning I was skeptical and it took a while but yeah, why not. I feel more switched on during the day and less groggy and tend to fall asleep quicker and the only thing that wakes me up is having to pee in the night or if the cat throws himself on me and starts purring in my face (don’t mind waking up to that though). I still don’t jump out of bed wide awake, but that’s just not me anyway.
I went for another early morning swim today so…agreed! I do feel more motivated. I’m starting a course too mid October so that is going to boost productivity (hopefully).
73% Lost weight
Really?!! I started off at 58.5 kilos and ended up at 57.6…not even one kilo lost. Although it has been well documented that I’ve lost weight from my neck! Honestly though, I do feel less bloated and I’ve noticed a difference in my clothes being less tight. My beer gut doesn’t seem to have gone down that much but, again, that may be physiological. Apart from my dad, who is dead skinny to the point where I weigh more than he does and I do wonder how he walks around on those two twigs he calls legs (he could easily be confused with Mick Jagger), the women of the family all have bellies and have never had flat stomachs. Seeing as I do sport, I’m not so worried about my weight, I’m just a bit disappointed that it didn’t ‘drop off’ as expected.
More money in the bank
I can say without a shadow of a doubt that I’ve probably saved at least €100. I may go out and buy myself something nice 
I was asked today what I’ve taken away from this challenge. I suppose the fact that I have more willpower than I thought I had, I’m stronger than I thought I was and if I make a decision to do something I can see it through. I’m more likely to repeat the challenge again in the future. People are scared of the unknown; as soon as it becomes known it is no longer scary.
There is a Ted Talk called ‘Try something new for 30 days‘ which also inspired me to do this. The gist is that if you start off doing easy challenges, they lead to big, life changing ones – like climbing Kilimanjaro! I hope I’ve inspired you to do something for 30 days, if not giving up alcohol then try something else! What have you got to lose?
One final note: I haven’t forgotten about the bet and I have been mulling over which charity to choose. I think I’ve settled on Medecine Sans Frontier who work tirelessly for humanitarian causes, there is a link to the page if anyone would like to donate.
I hope I haven’t bored you with my wafflings, instead entertaining you with my tales of inebriation. Leave me a message and let me know if you decide to do the 30-day challenge and how it goes.
As they say in Ireland…sláinte! To your heath!
