10 Things That Happened During Dry January

So... I did it.  With just ONE drink after my marathon, I made it a total of 28 days in the month of January without drinking (I know the math's not quite right... I did drink on January 1 and 2).

It was an interesting experience, to say the least.  I'm pretty confident the last time I went anywhere close to 28 days with out alcohol, I was 20 years old.  I would assume this is pretty normal, for a 29-year-old who has never been pregnant.  Hell, I probably haven't gone a week without alcohol since I was 20 years old.  So what happen during those 28 days?

10 Things That Happened During Dry January

1.  I didn't lose any weight

You would think that cutting out all those empty calories for such a significant amount of time as four weeks would see the numbers on the scale plummeting, but it's just another example of how the scale is just ONE measure of health.  Sure, my weight fluctuated the four pounds it usually does, but basically, I hovered around my typical 130 lbs.  However, my pants DID fit better, an indication that some other health benefits were at work.  I did not attempt Dry January for the sole purpose to lose weight, so I didn't take pictures or measurements at the start, but my pants are really the only measurement I need right now.

2.  I didn't drink any more water than usual.

I don't like water.  So instead of drinking it to replace my alcoholic beverages, I just ended up pouring myself a glass of water and it sat in front of me while I ate.  Oh well.

3.  I had less decisions to make.

I try to be as intentional as possible when choosing my wine pairings for dinner.  Sometimes it takes a good five minutes for me to pick a wine.  If I ask my husband, make that 10 minutes (he's not the quickest decision maker).  None of that is necessary when you're not drinking wine.

4.  I realized how I connect some events with alcohol

We had a giant blizzard last weekend.  Whenever there's a blizzard, I always put Bailey's in my coffee in the morning.  The moment I realized I couldn't do that, I was incredibly sad.  Why?  It's not like I was going to drink enough to Bailey's to get wasted or even buzzed.  Clearly I don't rely on the taste of the Bailey's, because I probably only ever add Bailey's to my coffee five times a year.  Never the less, I was surprised how disappointed I was.

5.  We went out to eat less.

Our favorite restaurants are centered around wine and beer (Zinburger, anyone?).  Since I couldn't drink... we didn't go out at all.

6.  I had to find other things to do with my friends.

Ok, mostly just Rachel.  A couple times I thought to myself, "If Rachel and I can't hang out and drink, what would we do?"  That's sad.

7.  I became irritated with people who couldn't abstain.

I never want to think that I NEED alcohol.  Obviously, because that's kiiiinda like an alcoholic.  So, when people I was doing this with were really struggling or gave into temptation, it really annoyed me.  But of course, that's not fair.  Everybody's got their own shit and need to do what they need to do.  "You do you" as they say.

8.  I felt like I needed to stress to people that I wasn't doing this because I was pregnant.

I'm not pregnant.

9.  I read more right before bed.

Maybe because I wasn't always in that sleepy stupor that wine puts you in?  Anyway I've loved it.  I missed Harry Potter.

10.  I criticized my body less when I looked in the mirror.

This was the most surprising thing that happened to me over the last month.  I think it's totally normal (albeit not ideal or even healthy), for women to criticize their bodies from time to time.  Even though I didn't lose ANY weight (and frankly, didn't even work out that much, aside from running the marathon), I can't remember I single time this month when I stood in front of the bathroom mirror and tried to pinch the fat on my hips and stomach.  Yes, I do that.  Not every day, but apparently, often enough to where I noticed I WASN'T doing it this month.  Why do you think that was?  Because I really had less fat as a result of less drinking?  Because alcohol is a depressant?  Who knows.  What I DO know, is that even if I had lost 100 pounds, having a positive reaction when looking at yourself in the mirror is probably the BEST thing that could've come out of these last 28 days.

75 Ways to Spend a Sober Snow Day

Guess who decided not to drink during the month with the first major snowstorm of the year?!

THIS GIRL.

Can't lie, it's been tough seeing everyone's alco-haul (see what I did there?) that they've been preparing for this weekend's east coast slam of Winter Snow Jonas.

Also, did you know they named winter storms?  Now you do.

So anyway, here I am, determined to stick to Dry January... while it's decidedly NOT dry outside.  What's a girl to do?

1.  Sleep in.
2.  Read a book.
3.  Make a snowman.
4.  Deep clean your kitchen.
5.  Deep clean your bathroom.
6.  DEEP CLEAN EVERYTHING.
7.  Do a workout you wouldn't normally have time to do.
8.  Make it a double day and do a second workout you really never have time to do.
9.  Take a nap.
10.  Light a fire (obviously only if you have a fireplace).
11.  Take a bath.  Light candles.  Play music.  Pretend you're at the beach.
12.  Play a board game.
13.  If you're alone, play solitaire with actual playing cards.
14.  Make a Dream Board either online (try www.picmonkey.com) or IRL with some old magazines
15.  Watch a movie
16.  Watch a movie series
17. Watch a whole series of a new show.
18.  Watch a whole series of an old favorite show.
19.  Call your mom.
20.  Call your grandma.
21.  Meal plan.
22.  Meal prep (if you have everything you need)
23.  Make an EPIC meal (breakfast?  lunch?  dinner?!)
24.  Youtube something you've always wanted to learn to do.  Start learning.
25.  Craft something.
26.  Make a gratitude list.
27.  Make a list of everything you want to do this spring.
28.  Make a list of everything you want to do this summer.
29.  Video chat with a friend or more!  Try http://zoom.us.  It's free!
30.  Build a blanket and pillow fort.  Even if you're sans kids.
31.  Online shop.
32.  Balance your checkbook (you know you haven't done THAT in forever)
33.  Do yoga.
34.  Listen to a podcast.  If you're looking for some personal development and entrepreneur topics, here are my favorites!
35.  Try meditating.  Youtube has guided meditations!
36.  Do a crossword puzzle.
37.  Put together a puzzle.
38.  Have a dance party.  Make sure you sing at the top of your lungs.
39.  Shovel the snow for a neighbor who could use the help.
40.  Have a snowball fight.
41.  Try some new fun makeup.
42.  Don't wear any makeup at all!
43.  Research some non-alcoholic drinks.  Make those!
44.  Write a poem.
45.  Do your nails.
46.  Set up a domino topple.
47.  Play video games.
48.  Play the Wikipedia game.
49.  Sign up for something you've always wanted to try.
50.  Organize your iTunes.
51.  Organize your iPhoto.
52.  Make a slideshow or playlist for a friend.
53.  Download an album you've been wanting.
54.  Download an album of someone you've never heard of.
55.  Research your heritage.
56.  Do laundry.
57.  Stalk some people on FB ;)
58.  Reconnect with one of those people.
59.  Drink tea.
60.  Learn astrology.
61.  Go through your closet and remove everything you haven't worn in two years.  Put it in a pile to donate.
62.  Clean out your inbox.  Or one of them.  I have like six.
63.  Run in the snow.
64.  Youtube puppies.
65.  Design your own t-shirt.
66.  Watch a TEDTalk.
67.  Write a letter to someone.
68.  Get lost in lists at BuzzFeed.
69.  Play quizzes at Sporcle.  They have every topic you could ever imagine.
70.  Have sex ;)
71.  Make a new pinterest board.
72.  Master the selfie.
73.  Learn to french braid... your own hair.
74.  Cuddle with something... a kid, a significant other, a pillow, a stuffed animal.
75.  Go to bed early!

What are your suggestions?

Dry January

I'm doing something I never thought I would do...

I'm participating in Dry January.

I'm not going to lie to you.  This is going to be one of my biggest challenges to date.  I love my [almost] nightly glass[es] of wine.  I love the taste of wine by itself and paired with food.  I love the socializing that often comes with drinking.  I love that weekend buzz.

But... I don't like how sleepy it makes me.  I don't like how the buzz convinces me to eat things I shouldn't.  I don't like the dizziness that comes with one too many, the rumbly, uncomfortable stomach and the obvious extra calories.

So I've decided that for the month of January, I will not have a single drink.

Are you interested in joining me?  Do you want to start the year off clean?  Are you looking to jumpstart your health and fitness, reset your liver, or just give yourself a bit of a challenge?

We are starting a PRIVATE group on Facebook TOMORROW, Sunday, January 3 so application is needed ASAP!  Just fill out the form below and I will contact you!

Fill out my online form.

Online contact and registration forms from Wufoo.