I'm 40. It's time to give up booze. I don't think I’m an alcoholic but I know that I drink too much when I’m stressed. I have had a drink on every night of every day for as long as I can remember. It got to the point where a bottle of wine wasn't enough in a night and to me it has become something that bothers me. So, as of Sunday 5th august (my first day back from holiday) I have quit the terrible booze. This is a blog of my experience. Booze Away!

Saturday, October 13, 2007

Busy, busy

I have been crazily busy at work since I stopped drinking. Stopping the bottles of wine and the beers has really been the best thing I have ever done. I didn't really realise how it kills your energy and your motivation. It doesn't let you see things as they are. Those temporary, rose-tinted glasses I wore when I drank gave me such a positive, temporary outlook but also turned me into the biggest procrastinator in the world. Nothing was too important that it couldn't be left until tomorrow. Now I make offers for work when I say I will, I call people back when I should, reply to emails pretty well. The more I do this, the busier I get. I call customers just to see how they are which is more of a surprise to them than me.

My company has attracted potential investors who are negotiating with me at the moment. Phew! I can't keep up.

The down side is that I am so busy that I find it difficult to concentrate on other things (like family life) I have yet to strike the right balance. One potential lead would mean I have to go to France for a few days. Another company that will develop my new web presence is based in Cairo which means that I have to go there for a few meetings. Mrs X is understandably worried that my time with the family is going to be reduced. I will have to cross that bridge when it appears.

Back to booze. I have been a bit slack on the running but still manage a 10K jog mostly twice a week. I feel much more confident now I have lost that bloody great chunk of fat around my middle. I have a theory why men put on weight without really realising it. They first put it on, around their lower back (love handles) When these fat storage areas are full, it then goes on to the stomach. Then it's one big surprise and takes ages to get off.

I don't feel like having a drink at all although sometimes a big glass of wine will creep into my subconscious as a 'Oh, that would be nice.' I am getting bored drinking water though and am thinking about buying a good juicer. I don't drink any sodas and we have cut out all forms of squash in the house. The kids haven't really noticed. We all just drink water. I do keep having flashbacks to hangovers I have had, parties I have been to and I start to be quite satisfied that drinking is a young mans game. When you're young it can be funny, even cute to be a bit tipsy and have that extra edge of confidence. When you're older, it becomes the sad old man syndrome.