I monitor resting heart rate, estimated deep sleep and heart rate variability stress estimates on a Garmin Vivosmart 3.

Don't drink a lot but had excessive caffeine intake. Have stopped all caffeine, even green tea, and notice a big drop in RHR and stress levels. Funny enough no difference to sleep.

Had several beers on Christmas day, and stress and RHR went through the roof.

So count me in.

I was monitoring these things; guess I should resume. I drink too much coffee, in part b/c it's warm and unsweatened. I have trouble finding a decaf with the same bold taste. Refilling my coffee is one of the small breaks I take at work. I feel like I've got more work than I can manage so just sit there in an ever-tightening clench until I refill my coffee.

The ever tightening clench is more uncomfy than it used to be, an artifact of hip surgery, I presume. I leave work disappointed in myself for not accomplishing more, and then tired and frustrated I go home disappointed in myself for not working out. And so I pour a portion of whatever's open when I get there (whiskey, wine, or a beer).

I've never been a morning person but lately, the past few months, I lie awake making deals with myself as to when I'll actually get up. I generally get up one of 3 ways: 1) morning PT will be ok as long as I have coffee, 2) if I move now I'll just barely make class in time , or 3) nice job, now you've blown off another workout.

Truth is, I hate this time of year. The lower hours of sunlight conspire to suck the life out of me. Worse, despite surgery to repair my hip I don't exactly feel better; some of the discomfort I've felt for years, always attributed to the labrum, remains and I'm out of energy to resume seeing doctors to figure out why. I also had some off blood values so dropped a medication until the follow-up with the doctor (end of Jan).

Ergo, I'm in. I probably need to give up coffee too but I'm liklier to be succeesful if the bar isn't so high...

This one is easy. I do not drink, smoke or take any drugs, period. Why so many waste their money, and time on this stuff which adds zero value to ones life is beyond me.

Yeah, and studies on cigarettes didn't meet scientific rigor for decades either. I'm not going to convince the winos that they should cut back, but the Brits aren't the only ones who have backtracked on the old canard that a glass a day is good for you. Booze away if you like, but for those who are trying to meet the challenge, here's some more evidence.

http://www.cbc.ca/...art-health-1.2640505

If you really want to consume ZERO alcohol, you better check out this link:

https://www.soberlink.com/...-containing-alcohol/

With that said, and having gone beverage-alcohol free for extended periods of times in the past (and failed at other more mundane quests), I wish all of you best of success.

I posted another study for your reading pleasure. It's easy to critique any medical studies, starting with funding sources before you even get to methodology. But like cigarettes, the negative outcomes from alcohol abuse are widely known. Meanwhile, I wish you the best on this challenge. Better yet, why not extend it permanently?!

I won't be joining but I happily offer support and encouragement for all of you who are! Good on ya.

Dan - did the elimination of alcohol reduce your incidence of a-fib? My brother has "both" and if effective in your case I could make a similar recommendation.

thanks, John