I thought I was a coffee guy. You can read an old blog post I wrote about beans and machines over HERE. So when I was in Jamaica early this month running our dental outreach program, drinking double espressos of perhaps the world’s greatest coffee known to man, I felt like I was in paradise. In the evenings, I would enjoy a typical “Tiger Balls” drink – named after our team name and comprised of vodka + soda with 2 cherries and a slice of orange. When I came back, I was so done with both coffee and alcohol. I had no urge to drink either. I didn’t over do it while I was in Jamaica. I just felt like I didn’t need them anymore. No desire. No mojo. Nothing.
So a week went by without either. Then it became 2 weeks. Now, it’s almost 3 weeks. And here’s what I’ve noticed. Previously, I would need coffee in the morning to wake me up. I would later on need coffee to keep me alert – particularly after a full lunch. And then I would need maybe 1 more coffee in the evening time just to push me to enjoy some me + wife time after the kids went to sleep (typically 8:30 p.m.). NOW, without any coffee in my system, I wake up at 6:30 a.m., get the 4 year old ready for school, do a workout routine, and then start me day. I have the same energy level throughout the day. I don’t eat heavy. I’m really into fruits, veggies, hummus, salad, and lean meats like chicken. I’m also drinking a lot of coconut water (based on the recommendation of another dentist). And then I start to get really tired around 10:00 p.m. And that’s it. No ups and downs. No grogginess. No nothing. It’s a strange feeling.
Also, without any wine or beer in my system, my wife has noticed that I’ve lost a few pounds. So I’m feeling pretty darn good these days. I’m drinking a hell of a lot of water (not sure if it’s because it’s hot outside or because I changed my diet or what). But I’ve lost about 10 lbs since coming back. My teeth are noticeably whiter – due to not drinking anything that stains them, like coffee or red wine. And I feel like I DON’T NEED to drink coffee or alcohol. If I’m in a social setting, sure… but otherwise… meh?!?
Am I giving these things up for good? No. I’m just taking a break.
Now my wife, who knows me pretty darn well, says: you know when we go away, you’re going to be on the hunt for good french red wine (like when we travel to St. Martin, a french collectivity) and it’s going to put the pounds on and stain your teeth! To which I respond: “Yes, but I planned ahead for that: I’m going to eat nothing but french bread and cheese and drink wine, so I will forgo everything else! And when I come back, I have an appointment to see my hygienist who will spend a good hour removing all the stains from the wine!”
Anyways, you might want to try giving up coffee or alcohol or even smoking and see for yourself how much better off your body feels when you do. It’s not a goodbye. It’s just a “I’ll see you again… perhaps later in Jamaica!”.
