Day 10, Not as Bad as I Thought
I’m past day 10, still on the wagon. On May 1st I went dry. (Here is why) The hardest part has been working in my basement literally surrounded by beer. Surprisingly the temptation has not been as bad as I thought either. AS I think about it, that is good on several fronts.
The first, I don’t have a drinking problem. I’m sure all of us would say we don’t have a drinking problem, but to actually go without? Not having any type of withdrawal. No Cheating. Granted no one would know if I was lying to you, but it would just be on my conscience. I guess looking over the last 10 days, this was a big relief. Saying you don’t have a problem and proving are two completely different things .
I’m also amazed by the amount of support I have received by doing this, it could have gone a lot of different ways. But the number of comments on my original post was proof that people understand why I’m doing this.
The worst day had to be last Saturday; I went up to Captain Lawrence Brewery for the Smoke From the Oak release. As with all the releases, I got up early and met a friend up there. We hung around out side at the picnic table while delicious craft beer after beer was put on the table for people to share. UGH! The torture, but I made it, with out breaking and got my bottles of Smoke from the Oak!
I’m now 1/3 the way through my short journey. I think the next 10 days will be the easiest and the last 10 will probably be the hardest as I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Keep it up man! Last August I took a month break from beer. The farther into the month you go the easier it gets in my opinion (almost forgot about beer completely to be honest).
I think it was a good test of personal conviction and proving to myself that I don’t need beer and that my homebrewing is just a hobby…not my life.
Congrats man, keep it up!
That’s great news Peter! Remember, if it gets to the point where you need to clear out all of your beer…holla!
@Tom, thanks! It has been pretty successful for me, so far. I’ve also lost about 10lbs in the 10 days. Amazing what will happen with an increase in exercise and dropping over 1000 calories a day.
@Gevon, You too! 🙂
@Scott, you can have all the lactose beers… oh wait I HAVE NONE! MAHAHAHA!
The first, I don’t have a drinking problem. I’m sure all of us would say we don’t have a drinking problem, but to actually go without? Not having any type of withdrawal. No Cheating.
I was quite pleased about my reaction too.
Have you noticed any difference in weight? I didn’t really drop any pounds, but I thought my gut looked smaller after 40 days.
@nate – 40 days, not shabby! I’ve lost a bunch of weight already with the decreased calories and increased work outs it has been pretty good. I can already see it in my face. Almost have a jaw line again (almost!) I love my beer, love drinking it, love brewing it, and talking about it, this makes me appreciate what it does for me more. I can look at a bottle of beer, see the style and taste in my head what I think it would taste like. I’m kinda enjoying this break, in a weird way; focusing on some other aspects of beer besides drinking it.
You know what I do? I just drink loose tea. Kind of like detoxing a bit, you know? Plus, with tea, it can be social… but don’t start thinking “ooo, I’ll have a lovely tea party…” That, P, would worry me… a lot.
I can’t get over it, you drink loose leaf tea. it boggles my mind. 🙂
i drink loose leaf tea too, have been for years, especially loose chai’s
The real question, Peter, is what the first beer you’re going to crack open is.
That is an easy question. Captain Lawrence Smoke from the Oak. Then i don’t know but I have a shit load of great beer, but I think the Sunday after is gonna be homebrew!