100 Days and Counting...

I did a thing!? Yesterday was my birthday and an unashamed and gratuitous chance to share the additions to my growing collection of Marvel and DC memorabilia (see the banner of Judge Dredd comic books and DC Batman canvas from the 1980s)

But that is not the point of this post.

Today I woke up feeling different.? Today marks 100 days since I last had a drink and its been a lot easier than I had expected #zeroalcohol

Do not worry.? This is a topic you won’t hear me write about again.

But I am thinking about doing more posts about ‘Growth & Innovation’ and how these relate to both professional and personal life.? I have made a successful career from helping start-up, scale-up and corporate organisations to successfully deliver genuine and sustainable value outcomes, but I haven’t recognised enough the impact these things need to have on the personal side to create the foundation for professional growth, innovation and success.? They are intertwined.? So this is the first of a number of posts that aim to explore 'Growth & Innovation' in different contexts.

Now then - I have not set out to give up completely, or start out as a ‘dry January’ that has just carried on.? Nor do I believe I will stay dry forever more.? I didn’t set out to give up alcohol because I had a drinking problem - Like most of us, I just enjoyed a glass or two in the evenings over dinner to ‘wind down’, or a few when out and about with friends.? I cannot remember the last time this wasn’t the case.? 10 years at least.

However, since 2020 I noticed two types of people coming out the back of Covid and the lockdowns - the ‘super fit’ who used all that extra time wisely, and the ‘super fat’ who kinda went into standby mode waiting for all the madness to end.? Guess which one I became lol!

My decision to take a break from alcohol, was because I had completely let myself go over the last few years, since returning to the UK after almost 8 years abroad.? I wanted and needed to lose some weight and get active again.?

So I prioritised 2024 on my own health and wellness.? Not easy for someone who loves spending time helping and supporting others, way more than focusing on himself.

Here’s what I have noticed in these first 100 days.

> Physical Health

No matter how much or how little alcohol you drink, I was putting hepatotoxin into my body daily, whilst adding calories that go straight to that proverbial beer belly. ? Taking a break for 100 days has so far made me notice benefits on my outside and in - healing and clearer skin, hydration levels in balance, digestion improvements, and more.

It is giving me a growing sense that my aging body is rediscovering its youth, yes its actually getting younger!

Taking a break from alcohol was one thing, and I chose to let in sports again too.? As a county level tennis player back in the day, ball sports is something I remember loving with a passion.? Fast forward and I am playing 4hrs of pickleball per week and loving it.? That first few weeks was nothing but pain and long recovery times, but fitness comes back surprisingly quickly.? I can literally feel my overall energy and stamina levels improve week on week now, reflexes getting quicker, and recovery time needed getting lesser and lesser.? Am now planning on trying padel ball (looks fun and fast), and letting tennis and squash back in as my fitness continues to return.

Put all this together, I am 30% through my weight loss target for 2024 and it’s only April.? I call that a good start.

> Mental, Emotional and Social Wellbeing

When I think about the irony of “having a glass or two over dinner to wind down…” it has started to make me chuckle.? Alcohol suppresses and feeds anxiety of life and work pressures, by clouding the mind.? It does nothing for solving and maintaining a balanced mental state, no matter how much or how little you drink.

As someone who has a developed a talent for taking on massive amounts of complexity, translate into simple objective understanding, and drive great decisions and outcomes I have always been known for maintaining a clear mind and giving great advice.

Over the last 100 days there is a noticeable improvement to my cognitive clarity, which my ego didn't believe was possible.? From the moment I wake up with a spring in my step, right the way through to bedtime, my mind has a whole new level of energy, creativity and strength.? I can analyse and reach objective conclusions quicker.? My judgement and instinct has improved, I am less foggy and more actively present in meetings and social occasions, and been able to let in and rationalise a mild demon or two, which I had not realised were in my mind for the last few years or so.

One of the things I took a while to let in though, were social occasions.? I think I saw temptation or peer pressure as a risk to my plans for 2024, so started the year by avoiding them.? Fast forward to today and I can feel my extrovert appetite for being sociable coming back with a new found purpose.? Everyone I have met up with have poked me a little for not having a drink, but have all been supportive and non judgemental.? A couple of times I have explored non alcoholic beer or gin, and may continue to do that as it’s an entirely new world to me…but I do not see it as a must do.

In addition to a much stronger sense of being in the present, its easier than you think to have fun without having a glass or few along the way…something I am thoroughly enjoying.

> In Summary

Personally, I do not know how long I’ll continue to be on the wagon for, but I am surprised how long its lasted so far and how quick and easy its been to get to a point where I can genuinely feel and see the benefits emerge.? I am feeling younger again, with more vitality and zest than I have had for probably more than a decade.? And I like it.

Right now, I am just looking forward to being able to fit into my old Levis again at some point this year, getting rid of the fat Dad clothes that have appeared in my wardrobe, and letting more sports and meaningful social events back into my life again…its been way too long and I have missed them.

I recommend giving this a go to anyone who like me, chose the path of ‘super fat’ since the lockdown and not getting any younger.? It’s been a revelation in a short space of time.

Don't worry I won’t be spamming your feed with more wellness posts - there are plenty out there already.? However, if you do have any qu’s or want to learn more from my own journey so far, then drop me a DM or leave a comment below.