August 11, 2016
30 Days No Alcohol Challenge: Days 1- 4
(Apparently)First things first, I didn't even realize I was doing this challenge until the 3rd day in and it suddenly became apparent that I am really ready to change in a huge way and what better way to focus than removing an inhibitor like alcohol for a while. I sat on my couch watching Michael Phelps swimming in the prelimenary 200M Individual Medley and thought to myself, "I bet Phelps hasn't had a drink in months!" I watch him cruise into 1st place...AGAIN. I decided that I was going to not drink for 30 days and keep track of all the changes I go through physically, emotionally and spiritually. Even Phelps has had to remove alcohol from his life if he wanted to reach greatness again. I am not delusional. I know I will never be an olympic athlete but I have my sights set on my own version of a gold medal.
As I looked around the web to see if other people were on a mission like mine I was overwhelmed with all the results. Apparently this is a "thing". I had no idea. I didn't jump on some bandwagon or follow some guru but it was interesting to see how many people are thinking the same way I am, thereby validating and solidifying my decision. I noticed that the majority of the blogs and websites I ran across felt the need to disclaimer their challenge with, "I do NOT have a drinking problem" or "I am NOT an ALCOHOLIC.
I was sort of shocked by this. I do not care what someone's reason is for wanting to get healthier. I think if you have decided to clean up your health for ANY reason, I am proud of you. Alcoholic or not. I don't believe it makes any one of those people who disclaimered their challenge any better than someone who is taking the challenge because they do have an alcohol problem. I am a regular human being going through life the best I can like most everyone else. However you got to your decision, KUDOS to you, mate! I have decided that I can do better and this is the approach I am choosing to take. Judgement and haters be damned.I would normally have a couple glasses of wine most every day. It had become normal. I didnt think twice about it after a while. I became aware that my productivity plummetted, my mood was more agitated and short tempered and I had fallen into a generally negative mindset. I was very close to a deep depression. I knew that it had a lot to do with my diet. I wasn't eating as clean (because drinking and healthy eating are not pals), I had become less active (too tired from hanging with "friends" too late drinking), I was aching everywhere (from being inactive), sleeping like garbage if at all, and I was surrounding myself with other people ("friends") that were in the same cycle which only exxacerbated the situation further. I am a personal trainer who is known as the most positive and energetic person you'll meet. Who IS this person I am looking at in the mirror?!? I didn't even recognize myself anymore which only contributed to low self esteem and further depression. I am a smart woman and I didn't need a specialist to tell me what I needed to do. Enough was enough.
I decided to remove alcohol from my diet, replace it with water and herbal teas, up the ante on my power foods and get back to being my energetic, positive, happy self. Just like that my goal was born. 30 days without alcohol challenge, it is! I promised myself when I committed yesterday that if I was going to go a whole 30 Days without alcohol that I was going to keep a journal and take progress photos along the way and be HONEST about how I am feeling. Intend to honor that promise. I don't know what kind of story this is going to turn into but it will be a true one.
Here I am on Day 4:
How am I feeling?
Today I woke with an excitement to have my Lemon Cayenne Water, which is really good for starting your body in an alkaline state and boosts your metabolism. I could feel my body burning clean so it was encouraging. Midway through the day today I felt a bit sleepy so I took a power nap and woke with a headache but nothing a little Advil couldn't rememdy. I had a craving for sweets today which rarely happens but I read that is normal when you first remove alcohol from your diet for a while. I decided to have a Clif Bar and fruit infused water to pass the craving and that did the trick. I actually pondered if I had a glass of wine in front of me how hard it would be to resist drinking. I actually felt ill just thinking about drinking because I would be so ashamed of breaking my promise to myself. In that moment, I couldn't stop smiling because I knew that I was totally committed to this thing. So all in all, I feel great today and I am really looking forward to the rest of this challenge. Tomorrow is Friday and I know the weekend brings a new element along with it. In all honesty, I am little nervous about going out with friends and not drinking but I really am looking forward to proving to myself that I GOT THIS!
Ok ladies and gentlemen, I am going to wrap this up and post it. I am looking forward to reporting as this challenge continues. I am not sure if it will be daily or every few days but I will keep notes on everyday and post whenever it feels appropriate. Leave comments and opinions and let me know if you are on your own challenge and how it is going. I would love to hear it! Until next time.... Keep It Classy.
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