It is no secret that I have suffered from insomnia my entire life. As a child I spent many nights tossing and turning trying desperately to just go to sleep. I can equate most of those nights to my active mind either being excited or worried about the day to come. Fortunately, since I started drinking my daily shake I am sleeping much better but I still have some of those nights tossed in and then it dawned on me. Those nights now often happen after I have had some alcohol the evening before. I do not drink much. A glass of wine here and there because hey, it is good for you, but is it?
I am not here to knock alcohol but I got to say, I am beginning to see it in a darker light. I see the negative influence it can have when a family member is inclined to drink just a wee bit too much just a wee bit too often. I can feel the heartache of the family who sees a loved one trying to find peace and happiness in a bottle while potentially putting the family under financial strain. But this post isn't about that.
It is about how that casual drink here and there can be negatively impacting me in ways that I do not like. Years ago I drank more often and to be honest, I was acting out on frustrations in life. Unhappiness in life. Since then I am careful to drink because I want to enjoy the drink not to find happiness. And that is what I have been doing.
But also over the years I have become more in tune with my body and I am beginning to feel that this just isn't right for me. I want to sleep peacefully like a baby {go ahead, finish that line for me if you remember the commercial from ages ago -- it is in my mind right now and you just need 4 words to get it right - if you do, I just may send you a shake on me! Maybe....}
All kidding aside, alcohol does impair sleep quality. Yes, you may fall asleep quicker but it impairs your ability to get into that really deep nice sleep and stay asleep.
Alcohol also impairs your fitness gains by acting as a diuretic leading to dehydration and messing with how you make and use energy since the breakdown of alcohol by your liver changes your normal glucose levels.
And finally, alcohol can sabotage any weight loss plans you may have due to its high caloric impact and it really is a lot of carbs.
I am not working out to lose weight or training for the Olympics so I have fallen into the trap of that glass here and there won't hurt. And perhaps it won't. But with another restless night under my belt and really just wanting a good night's sleep so I can get up and perform at the level I love to perform at, I am embarking on a no alcohol December challenge -- which shall be fun and challenging with holiday parties, peer pressure, etc. But this means something to me.
I work my butt off in my daily workouts. I push myself to be the best I can be, to eat clean, and to set a good example. I want to be an energized, positive, fun-loving mother and wife and if I have the dark cloud of restless nights and a tummy that isn't 100% due to that glass here and there....I am ditching the glass.
I am a bit excited to see how I will feel at the end of the month after going through this challenge. I am a bit nervous how I will do when my Scottish hubby loves his drinks and wants me to join in. I don't want it to become a source of strife in the house but it means a lot to me to be the best me I can be. I pray he understands. I pray I have the strength to say no when he is drinking or pours me a drink. Please pray for me too.
I will be sharing this journey with you and if you would love to join along, shoot me an email and let me know, or comment below. I would love to create a support group for those on the same page in saying no to alcohol and hello to unforeseen health benefits.
Daily Gratitude: I am thankful for the strength to try something potentially challenging.
Daily Bible Verse: Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who tarry long over wine; those who go to try mixed wine. Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly. In the end it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder. Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart utter perverse things. ~ Proverbs 23:29-35
