Photo by Julia Nastogadka on Unsplash
“Its far better to make a sharp break with the past and a serious commitment to the future”
Chris Crowley, Author, Younger Next Year
Also in this issue:
Pickle and Social courts and dining review
and how to reduce pickleball knee injuries.
Read on…
I recently made a sharp break with the past and stopped drinking for 75 days. Some of you are reading this and thinking, “75 days without a drink? What about it? That’s my regular - haven’t drank in years!” While others are clutching their wine glasses, whispering, “How did you manage to not turn into a raisin for 75 whole days?”
Well, my 75 days started with a challenge from my better half to embrace a sober January. The goal? To detox our systems from the holiday cheer (read: overindulgence) and maybe lose a few pounds in the process.
Flashback to my 20s, when a friend vowed to give up alcohol for the 40 days of Lent. Back then, I thought he was on a fast track to sainthood. I mean, could I, a mere mortal, survive without my liquid courage at football tailgates, Valentine’s Day, or even a Sunday brunch? Unthinkable!
But here I am, fresh from a 75-day booze-free voyage, and let me tell you, it’s been nothing short of a revelation.
My Perks of Being a Clear-Headed Wallflower without alcohol:
Mental Sharpness: Without the haze of happy hour, my brain’s gone from fuzzy to HD. It’s like someone cleaned my mental windshield while I wasn’t looking.
Sleep Like a Log: Turns out, alcohol’s more of a sleep-wrecker than a sleep-aid. Who knew? Now, my nights are less ‘toss and turn’ and more ‘snore and dream.’
Weight Loss Magic: Ditching the drink meant waving goodbye to 17 stubborn pounds. See the proof in my - 17 lbs weight scale shot above.
Social Butterfly, Minus the Buzz: I’ve discovered that not every glass clinks with spirits. Watching the party unfold sans alcohol, I found a new kind of buzz – the natural high of good company.
So, when did I have a drink after 75 days? I was in Chicago visiting my daughter Catherine for St Patrick’s Day in March. We had a wonderful time and I was up for a Guiness Beer at an Irish Pub!
How did I count the 75 days without a drink?
A journal can be your you habit tracker. I’m into my third year (currently I’m at 1140 consecutive days of tracking in my journal my workouts,food, and booze- I can’t stop now). I’m using the Younger Next Year Journal. It makes me think about my exercise and food and drinking each day. It takes about 3 minutes a day. And yes, the 1140 days of habit tracking makes me not want to miss a day! It records my days with or without drinking too!
Here is a link to the Younger Next Year Journal .
This 75-day dry spell wasn’t just about subtracting alcohol; it was about adding life, laughter, and losing a few extra notches on my belt. It’s a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and a reminder that My personal growth doesn’t have an age limit.
So, here’s to 75 days sober and the many more clear-headed mornings to come. Cheers… with a glass of sparkling water, of course!
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Pickle and Social Review
Pickle & Social : Where Pickleball Meets Party Time! 🥒🎉
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (because I liked it and Im feeling generous)
Why You Should Visit Pickle & Social Gwinnett, Even If You Have Courts at Home:
Pickleball Paradise: Imagine a place where pickleball courts are smoother than a freshly sliced cucumber. At Pickle & Social, the courts are so pristine that even the balls bounce with a touch of sass. Plus, if you need a loaner paddle, they’ve got neon-colored paddles that make you feel like you’re playing pickleball in a disco.
Food and Cocktails: Ever sipped a “Dill Delight” or a “Pickleback Punch”? Well, now you can! Their mixologists have mastered the art of infusing pickle juice into every drink. The burgers look good too. Blue Flag- When you are playing pickleball at the courts you put a blue flag up if you want service and a waitress will stop by. Put the blue flag down - signal to waitress to please leave us alone- we are playing or talking. Ingenious.
Pickleball Karaoke: Yes, you read that right. After a heated match, grab the mic and belt out your favorite tunes. Nothing says “I just aced that serve” like a heartfelt rendition of “Sweet Caroline” while clutching a pickleball paddle. 🎤
The Pickleball lessons: They have resident pickleball gurus. They will teach you s pickleball in a private or group lesson. See their website below for rates and times.
Pickleball Bingo: Forget regular bingo. At Pickle & Social, they’ve got pickleball-themed bingo cards! Mark off squares like “Hit the net and blame the wind” or “Accidentally lobbed my pickleball into the nachos.” Win, and you get a jar of homemade pickles!
Final Verdict:
Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in American! Pickle & Social rides this trend and is more than a pickleball venue; it’s a state of mind. So grab your paddles, your sense of humor, and your love for all things briny. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a newbie, this place will pickle your fancy. Now go forth, my fellow pickle enthusiasts, visit Pickle And Social and may your serves be as crisp as a fresh cucumber! 🥒
Location: 2925 Buford Dr Ste 2100, Buford, GA 30519 Phone: (470) 655-7321 Hours: Open daily from 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM 1
Visit their website: Pickle & Social Gwinnett
How To Reduce Pickleball Knee Injuries.
As a Certified Personal Trainer, I get asked a lot about how to reduce pickleball knee injuries. Firstly, you must warm up properly- allow 5 minutes to raise your body temperature and ease into the exercise on the courts ahead. Now let’s talk about the dreaded “#1 knee killer” – the lunge volley. It’s like asking your knees to dance the tango with a bar bouncer; it’s going to hurt. Instead, try a gentle side-step and a reach to the ball. Your knees will thank you with every non-lunge they don’t have to endure. Secondly, try to avoid the “sprint and stop.” It’s the equivalent of playing suicide with your ligaments, and spoiler alert: the ligaments never win. If you can remember a graceful glide instead of a crazy bolt.
Lastly, the “deep bend” to pick up the ball is forbidden. It’s not a treasure you’re digging for; it’s just a pickleball. Practice the art of bending your knees for a squat – your knees will feel much better. Remember, the goal is to have fun not damage your joints!
Welcome to our International 50+ Readers
It’s always great to hear from our 50+ Newsletter readers worldwide in 22 countries including The United States, Australia, France, Philippines, Vietnam, India, Turkey, Nigeria, Columbia, South Africa, Great Britain, Canada and Indonesia and more! I’m glad you are here to read my weekly Wednesday newsletter and fitness post, The Over Age 50+ News.
We would like to hear from all readers. Leave a comment below.
You may know I’m a Certified Personal Trainer specializing in training people over age 50. Most of my clients are over age 70 and still seeing improvements in their strength and health.
I get lots of good questions on losing weight and how to stay fit, especially as we have to train with medical conditions or injuries as we age. I read many books and publications and will keep you informed here about fitness, relationships, finances, second careers, part time jobs and of course, how not to work at all and enjoy retirement.
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Great blog, Paul! Very interesting and certainly causes one to think before you drink! 😉