Bursting with energy

So, after two blogs of withdrawal symptoms, the gains really start to be felt. Fatigue has made way for energy, the first kilos have been lost and running is also returning to the old level. And how nice that you can exercise again. For me, in addition to running, that means being able to box and swim again.

During the weekend it went fine, again with replacements, but now without feeling guilty. A coke just doesn't do it for me with afternoon drinks and it won't be. But 0.0 IPAs, 0.0 bubbles or that GIMBER with the IkPas discount is really okay with me. If you think about it that way, it's actually strange that I normally find it so necessary to drink alcohol anyway.

Last time I asked myself the question 'Why do I drink alcohol?' Although I know that it is not good for me, that it is at the expense of my sharpness and energy and that if I feel a little worse, alcohol only enhances that feeling? I promised myself I'd think about it some more. That text from the Trimbos website made me think:

Alcohol, as well as other addictive substances, have a stimulating effect on the release of dopamine. This makes drinking alcohol a rewarding, pleasant and euphoric feeling.

I think it started about 12-13 years ago. Before that, I used to hang out with friends in the pub, but at home I rarely drank and when I did, I certainly didn't drink much. Until I did start drinking at home and in all honesty: for that rewarding, pleasant and euphoric feeling. In a number of areas my life was not going the way I wanted, and that rewarding feeling 'helped' me. That's how I think it crept in and it became a kind of Pavlovian reaction and thus a habit where alcohol became a matter of course.

I see the wave movement strongly. When everything is going well and I feel good, it is easier to be disciplined. If I get too far removed from myself (my pitfall), I become restless and insecure and I drink more.

In short: I have to make sure that I create that rewarding, pleasant and euphoric feeling myself. Call it coincidence, call it synchronicity, but that's exactly what's happening. I am becoming increasingly clear about what I want to do with my life and I am taking big steps towards it. Not only does this keep me from drinking (okay, and Dry January too of course) but it also works the other way around. I feel that the energy that bubbles up inside me helps me take the steps I want to take. With self-confidence (and healthy nerves) and an open mind to an uncertain, but exciting future.

My assignment to myself for the coming week. How do I make sure that after the 31^e not fall into my old behavior?