Yep, you read that correctly. I of all people have not had anything to drink for 5 months, technically,  January 7th will be 5 months. Someone the other day asked me what its like and if I had learned anything so what better place than my blog to tell you.

1. The weight loss is great. I have lost right about 30 lbs. I have added exercise to my routine since I am training for a couple of events but I know my overall total has been greater since I have not consumed any empty calories and I have also not slowed down my metabolism with alcohol.
2. The first few weeks sucked. They did and I will be the first to admit it. You have to remember that I still bartend a few nights a week and I love craft beer, wine…wait I loved it all. As time has passed though it has really become an after thought which is odd for me considering it use to be a first thought after a long day.
3. People will pressure you. Yep, they will and they don’t even know they are doing it. Well, most that is…I think people/friends get use to the person you are when you are drinking or that they “know” you  when you drink. You will find out real fast who those people are and those people that are your friends. By friends I mean the ones who support your decision. Whatever that reason may be.
4. Conversations change. By that I mean it is no fun to talk to that drunk or buzzed person when you are not in the same state of mind. You also realize how much of an idiot, ass, etc, that you sounded like when you were drunk or buzzed. I must have chalked up a lifetime of that!
5. Not ever having to worry about having a hangover is great! Its the one thing that I would get that would ruin at least half the next day. No longer. There is so much beauty in that to me.
6. People do not worry about you in that way anymore. There is no more is he/she going to be okay driving home, will he/she make bad choices? I hope they don’t get a DUI.(been there) If you have a partner or spouse they trust you a lot more especially if you have made those bad choices before. If I go out with friends I no longer get that “please only have two and no more” from my wife.
7. Money. It is a lot cheaper not to drink and you save 1,000’s. At least in my case. It also leaves you more money to spend on the fun stuff like big boy toys.
8. Fights, at least not the drunk fights. You will never have one of those fights with your spouse or partner that arise because of drinking. Most the times they were stupid any ways. You also don’t have to worry about getting those alcohol muscles that make you think you can kick everyone’s ass.  Then you end up in some bad situation that usually results in the cops being called to the bar. My best friend Larry can tell you a few of those stories about me if you need to hear them.
9. You don’t have to be drunk to have fun! Shocker I know. It is amazing what you discover about your self and maybe what you missed before. Yep, you are still you! Amazing huh?
10. You become more productive. I started to read more, which means I can learn more! I have been going to the gym a lot more often. I have more time to focus on things that are truly important to me!
11. I am a lot like my father. You have to know me and my story and it is not time to get into that. What I will tell you is I spent years swearing I was nothing like him and what I found out is that I am just like him. What I am proud to say is that saying that makes me happy. My father is a great man. Sober since 1988. Many years ago I wanted to be nothing like him and now I want to be like him. He tried many years ago to teach me a lot about this but I simply refused. Obtuse I am or just simply stubborn. Either way I am glad he can still teach me and I can still learn from him.

I am sure as time goes I will learn even more and and when I do I will look back and list those things as well. When I set out to stop drinking for a while my original goal was to stop until I had dropped 20 lbs. As I reached that goal I asked myself why not longer? I was actually enjoying the fact that I had not drank, lost weight, learned more about myself, read more books than I had in the last 5 years and in general just felt better about myself and my relationships. Lastly, since alcoholism runs in my family I asked myself why be that guy that carries that on? Break the cycle.

And for those that always ask me the question “When do you plan on having a beer/drink again?” I don’t have a plan or time. I am busy enjoying life.

N~