Water and tea… Me?

As I write this the 40 day challenge is 7 days old and I am very happy with the sober feeling in general and with some things in particular. Waking up every day refreshed and rested remains a pleasure. Staying fresh and sharp all day long is wonderful, whether I go for a run straight out of bed or at the end of the afternoon, I'm ready 24/7 and that feels so incredibly energetic! 

Where I used to drink heavy beer while cooking and eating, I now drink water, regular tap water or carbonated with a taste, for example ginger and lemongrass (available at Albert Heijn), very refreshing and 0% calories. Very occasionally a 0.0% beer, but despite all the improvements I am still not a fan of 0.0% beer. An hour before going to sleep we now drink a pot of fresh ginger tea, it seems to be very healthy and good for the digestion and it is tasty too. Yesterday I caught myself craving tea at 8am… who? I? Yes, I was amazed myself, should you have told me three months ago, I would have laughed in your face…

We also spent most of the bridging period fresh. Only in the weekend of February 13 and 14 did we consciously drink a few large glasses, to experience what that felt like the next day. To have an extra stick behind the door, as soon as February 17th would arrive. In short, we didn't wait for the official start of the 40-day Challenge, but after a weekend with beer and wine and the inevitable consequences, we started the Challenge right on Monday 15 February, no alcohol at all for the time being !

At the beginning of January I sometimes still felt the need for a glass of foamy beer or a juicy red wine, but I realized that this was a matter of habit, not physical dependence. And then it turns out that you can easily erase that very temporary urgency by pouring a glass of water, taking a few sips and seriously reflecting on the feeling you would have the morning after a night out. Because you can't walk on one leg, remember?

And now, during the 40 Day Challenge, I seem to fly through it effortlessly. I don't think about beer or wine anymore. I am familiar with drinking water and tea and still experience the enormous benefits of 0.0% on a daily basis. Every time my sports watch confirms that I slept very well, every time I can run with a relatively low heart rate, I find evidence everywhere that this is the right choice. More about the benefits in terms of carbohydrates and weight next Saturday.

I often think of the wise lessons of Petra Moes during and Rob Bovens, that helps enormously. Watch an hour of TV including commercials in a different way and see how clever marketers impress upon you that alcohol is part of it. Not only in commercials, but just as easily in films, series, during sporting events, etc. If you are sober for a while and therefore also clear, you suddenly see through the pitfalls. I think that's a special experience, because deep down we all know them, but we didn't recognize them before.

On Instagram you can be inspired by @SoberinLife, an account run by Esther, a very passionate lady who strives to make 'not drinking' as normal as 'drinking' and for now she has enough challenge there. Because take a good look around you when the terraces are allowed to open again, or when birthday parties or Friday afternoon drinks are allowed again. Personally, I hope to experience that peer pressure soon, because I really want to test myself in conditions that seemed so normal before. I have every confidence that we will all succeed in that. Because once you're used to a fresh and sober life, you don't want anything else!?