Golden Slumbers, Carry That Weight

This isn’t about the Beatles album Abbey Road. It’s a follow-up to something from last year, about alcoholic beverages.

C2H5OH

I’ve stopped consuming alcohol. Not only was it affecting my sleep, it was one reason why I had put on weight.

I certainly enjoyed beer and wine when I weighed only 165 pounds, but not only was I younger then, I was running 2000 miles/year. Lately I’ve been averaging 18 miles/week, albeit at a slower pace than in my middle-aged prime.

A year ago my cholesterol was 210, just over the “safe” 200 threshold. My doctor prescribed a statin, but I wanted nothing to do with it. My hope was that an alcohol-free liver combined with a better running schedule would do the trick… and it worked. My cholesterol is now 170, and my belt is three notches in from where it was during the pandemic.

Saving money wasn’t a consideration in my decision, but it’s another advantage to abstaining. I’m not saying I’ll never again have a pint of beer or a glass of wine, but the benefits of not indulging, especially a good night’s sleep, are better than enjoying an evening drink.