I’m not reporting in arrears today, rather, “As It Happens”.

Much has been said about triggers for eating.

stress

hormones

anger

grief

and the rest.

But today I want to talk to you about The Hangover. I don’t drink more than two glasses of wine very often any more because the next morning dawns with a ripping headache and a desire for nothing except lying a still as possible on the sofa.

In the dark.

It lasts till about noon and then I can go about my day – but, by then, the eating is usually shot.

I’m saying all this because I’m feeling much better now – thank you for asking – and I can decide that it’s all shot to hell or I can reign it in and replenish the nutrition I swamped out of my body last night.

That’s about all I can manage for now.  Time for another large mug of tea.

I love wine.  Yes I do.

But recently a lot of things have conspired to make me realise that maybe it doesn’t love me back.

Over the years, and especially lately, I’ve tried to quit drinking for all sorts of reasons. I’ve been worried about:

• my liver
• how often I use wine as a stress-buster
• the cost
• how much I didn’t want to give it up
• calories – I reckon 3 bottles of wine  per week add up to the calorie equivalent of 20 pounds of fat per year

But giving up for any of those reasons only lasted as long as the next social function or stressful day or wine offer at the grocery store.

Then, not long ago, it started to make me feel horrible because of an ulcer.  I kept trying to find an amount that wouldn’t make me feel so bad and it turns out the amount is zero.  I couldn’t even think about a glass of wine without feeling queasy so I quit drinking.

Desperate measures I guess, but it’s been interesting to see what happens to calorie consumption when a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc is replaced by a bottle of Perrier.  I’ve also pre-spent the wine budget up till Christmas on a new coat.

The best thing is that there’s no social pressure at all because no one can argue with an ulcer.   The next step is to get rid of the ulcer and not re-engage the drinking habit but, until then, I’m  enjoying the teetotal life far more than I thought possible.