NZH reporter Tess Nichol talks about giving up alcohol for a month as part of a six week diet and exercise plan to try and get shredded for summer. / Jason Oxenham
We live in a society where it is normal, or according to some, essential to have a drink to celebrate.
We welcome the weekend in with post-work drinks and take to the dance floor with a wine in hand.
The boys will knock back a few shots and sink a few "cold ones" on a Sunday arvo.
But one couple decided to end their love with alcohol. They weren't alcoholics, and they lived fairly normal lives to most, but it was the one decision that changed their lives forever.
Claire Chadwick's husband made the life-changing decision two years ago before Claire followed suit six months later.
"Let's get honest here. Do we really have 'healthy relationships' with alcohol or like me, are you kidding yourself?" Claire wrote in an article for Kidspot.
"One Sunday morning, as we queasily woke after a massive (and very fun) night drinking with friends, my husband announced that come Monday, he was not going to drink any alcohol for 100 whole days and was going to finetune his diet in an attempt to lose some weight, get fit again and try to break some newly made bad habits," she said.
She rolled her eyes and didn't take him too seriously. She had heard it all before.
Claire and her husband in 2015 on the left, and now in 2017. Photo / Claire Chadwick
Her husband dropped 15kg, had glowing skin, crystal clear eyes and higher energy levels.
He decided to continue on the no alcohol buzz, which encouraged Claire to take up the lifestyle change.
"The 100 days turned into 200 and then 300 and then before we knew it, we were living and loving life alcohol-free. We both made the statement that we may never have another sip again. Ever.
"Why? Between the two of us, we'd lost 32kg and felt fast and light on our feet. We gained more hours within each day, as we no longer needed as much sleep. We had the time and energy to spend our weekends bushwalking with the kids, teaching them how to ride their bikes or catch a wave. We had the stamina to run, ride, race, climb, create, teach and meditate with our children," she wrote.
Despite suffering several big blows - financial losses, deaths in the family and unsettling family dynamics - the couple felt they were able to deal with testing situations calmly, carefully, soberly and without regret.
She has given up the drink but Claire still finds time to enjoy social outings with her friends, but says "we're now more interested in spending time with each other and our families than wild night outs with strangers and crowds".
"We've never been happier or felt so alive," she wrote.
"And that alone is why we will continue to live an alcohol-free life. And to anyone who wants to improve their physical, social and mental health; go on, give it a try. Start with 100 days and see where it leads you. Cheers to that!"
