There were two pretty simple goals I had set for the first month of this odd-numbered year: detox* and rebuild.
*I don’t use this word too often, and usually try to not get to a point where it’s necessary…but, well, it happens. December, holiday parties, the actual holidays and hello, New Year’s Eve! And so it goes…
January 1, 2013
Aside from needing some extra h2o and sleep that Tuesday morning, all systems finally felt ready to get into a routine-of-sorts again – higher mileage, more yoga, more steps, more out-of-the-comfort-zone things.
No drinks (nope, not even one).
There was none of this:
Food will do, thankyouverymuch.
Just simply a lot of this:
Image source: strongfit.tumblr.com
—-
GOAL 1: take the month of January “off” from drinking, no matter what the function or occasion or night of the week.
GOAL 2: run 25+ miles per week again, consistently, and get back to actually enjoying those Saturday morning long group runs.
—-
Things were pretty simple; I drank a LOT of water this month. We were still social, still went out with friends, and still had a good time.
It’s definitely an adjustment to “just have water” in place of browsing cocktail menus for something fun or enjoying that glass of vino with dinner, and being the only person at a happy-hour-style get-together that didn’t pour myself an IPA from the pitcher. I almost went to a bar-crawl (thinking that could’ve been just as entertaining as the “sober one”), but climbed up a wall instead.
I just had to be a little bit stubborn. You get a few of those looks, a few questions, a few moments to reassure people that no, you don’t care if they enjoy a drink, it’s just that you don’t want one.
—-
31 DAYS LATER – there are no monumental changes to share here, and my clothes fit just the same as they did on December 31. But a few things did become clear throughout the weeks – I’ll direct you here and here for some timely posts that resonated with me on some level. I would never want to discount someone who makes this decision for different reasons, and those posts might be helpful if you’re wavering on the brink of a life-choice that you feel is necessary.
I slept better, woke up earlier and fit more activity into a weekend (run, yoga, climb, walk, etc). I had different conversations at the bars with friends, and realized it doesn’t take much (if anything) to make a night out “more fun”. I took better care of things that needed taking care of, saved a dollar or two and have the peace of mind from knowing I gave a few organs a little break. You’re welcome!
Monday & Tuesday nights are taken over by lululemon group runs (Logan Circle & Georgetown – 6:30 pm start!) and the rest of the week is usually yoga, climb or, I don’t know, read or a book or something? (Something = crack open the laptop and catch up on Suits, Big Bang Theory & Happy Endings.) It can be easy to fill the hours without filling a glass.
And that’s all.
—-
I’m looking at this very short month of February with a new set of goals and a pair of legs that are finally excited to run double-digits again! Mission accomplished.
—-
What did the first month of 2013 look like for you?
“I almost went to a bar-crawl (thinking that could’ve been just as entertaining as the “sober one”), but climbed up a wall instead.”
I think you made a solid choice. Going out sober is still fun, but sober bar crawls are much less so.
Jan flew by!! But I’m glad to hear you kicked butt on your challenge.
well said – I would never want to discount someone who makes this decision for different reasons, and those posts might be helpful if you’re wavering on the brink of a life-choice that you feel is necessary.
Thanks for always sharing your view, thoughts, they are helpful and I admire your will power!
Good Job Heather!
Love, Mamacita
I was never a big drinker in college, and I still have tons of fun. I think people use alcohol as a crutch sometimes.
The cleanses are becoming a big thing with the people I work with….I don’t understand!
Good job sticking to your guns! The climbing up a wall instead cracked me up.
I am going off the sauce myself for the remainder of training, but that is a pretty standard decision I make about 10 weeks out anyway.