Eric Johnson Online

A typical weekend – a banned sight in January!

January is well and truly upon us and I’m sure I’m not the only one out there who overindulged slightly more than expected at Christmas. So… following a lengthy battle trying to squeeze into my size 32″ waist jeans, I decided the way to help shed a few inches – and to generally improve my health and well-being – was to GIVE UP BOOZE FOR A WHOLE MONTH! Easy? Actually, easier than you think.

The decision to become teetotal until February 1 2012 was relatively painless when I found out how many calories my favorite tipple contained. Guinness – and some of its lager and ale cousins – are calorie-rich drinks, with the average pint of beer weighing in at a gut-busting 210 - 250 calories. So that translates to two pints measuring the same as 1 Big Mac. I probably go drinking about 3 nights a week and down anything between 2 – 5 pints of the black stuff. In other words, yes… that’s one hell of a McDs in a glass.

Me and Steph enjoying some much missed Mulled wine!

One week in, I have noticed how my drinking habits have changed. On Saturday just gone (Jan 7th), me and my girlfriend Steph (who’s joining me in the teetotal challenge) went to Oxford to visit my parents who were enjoying our joint Christmas present to them (a weekend away at Milton Hill House – a lovely place!). We’d normally head to a pub for a meal. Mum would order a red wine, me & dad a Guinness and Steph, a Rosé wine. But this time, me and the girlfriend’s drink of choice was a pot of tea each! How we would have laughed a month ago.

But dad wasn’t complaining when he got the bill. By cutting out the alcohol in restaurants, an average bill will reduce by some 20-30% – especially if you do what I’ve done and persuade your partner to forsake the booze too! Eating out as a teetotaller looks to be surprisingly look value these days of January. By my estimation, if you enjoy 3 or 4 bottles of vino a week, that’s about £60 saved in a month – £720 a year – and that’s not counting all those drinks in bars, pubs and restaurants.

No more drunken nights for me in January. No more silly faces either!

It’s worth noting also that in January I intend to lose some weight; as I unfortunately never did shift that bulge from my summer holiday to Turkey where my diet basically consisted of kebabs for a whole week! By forfeiting the booze, my goal of once again getting down to 65KG will be easier – and I certainly feel better that I’m leaving the glass of wine in the bottle for the time being which weighs the equivalent of a slice of pizza. Me and Steph have actually started a little detox challenge, with our weekly reducing bodily statistics gauged proudly on my fridge.

Our little detox challenge. I’ve covered up Steph’s measurements to save her blushes!

So how do I feel so far? Sharper, more energetic and definitely lighter. Give it a try; it’s not that hard when you think of the benefits!