Last week I talked about the mind and body challenge I have been doing for 75 days. I lightly touched on the different tasks and how I feel about them. What they mean to me but also how I go forward with them, specifically alcohol.
I was once an athlete who did not drink or when I did, it was very little and that was always outside of training and competition season. Once I ceased competing, I let loose and I guess you could say I made up for lost time. As time went on, alcohol was part of my social life. I have never been an everyday drinker and I have also taken extended periods of time off alcohol with that time off being anything from one month to one year. However, there was always a date set to resume and once the designated time was up, I would have one drink and the social habit would creep back in. Additionally, there have been times where I would get a little too excited and the evening would leave me feeling terrible about myself. Maybe I think too much about it and potentially some might say I am too hard on myself but I do know my body and what it feels like to be in great health.
Ever since I was a child, I have always been a good eater. My parents never needed to tell me once, let alone twice to finish what was on my plate. All home cooked meals consisted of some form of vegetables, and fruit was a daily part of the menu. Eating healthy is something that was natural to me and as I got older and learned more about nutrition, eventually becoming a Clinical Nutritionist, eating healthy was a scientifically backed way of life. I have been active my whole life, riding bikes and riding horses, athletics and netball. I rowed at an international level and later became a fitness instructor and personal trainer. Moving is what I did and still do. I currently run, lift weights, and do yoga. So why do I undo my hard work with alcohol?
All of this being said, the main question I have for myself is why do I want to keep alcohol in my life? After 58 days of not drinking, and completing all of the required tasks for my challenge, I have realised that I feel and look better. I know that when I wake in the morning, I will feel well. Or if I am a bit off, there is something else going on like the cold I had the other week. I feel in tune with my body. At the same time, with all of the exercise I am doing in the challenge, you might assume that I would be tired and sore but I am not.
The combination of exercise, good nutrition, deep sleep, meditation and no alcohol over the last 2 months have been instrumental in feeling good about myself. I would not be able to pinpoint one particular aspect that is the reason for my clarity. You could argue that it is the collection that is contributing but for me at this stage, I have a routine that is working for me and why would I want to change that in 17 days? Why 75 days when I can do 365?
