sucks is great!

So, who told me that it was a good idea to make July the month of sobriety? That’s right, no one did. In fact, everyone thought it wasn’t a good Idea. Besides missing out on everyone’s amazing birthday party celebrations and rum punch next to the beach, or BBQ, I’m beginning to question how I’ve even survived in the city without a constant high besides running.

I also work in advertising, we make up reasons to drink. I know many people who smoke weed, use cocaine and other hard drugs. However, who’d think that removing the equation of a simple glass of wine, that I gather the tiniest pleasures from, would leave this lasting effect.

Its only the 10th day, and after spending a weekend saying “no thank you, I’ll have seltzer,” and telling my date, “it’s ok if you drink, even if I’m not,” and watching him disappear into himself I’m ready to reevaluate the years I’ve spent in NYC.

This couldn’t have come at a better time also. In the last few days of June, I went out with someone who drank a bit too much (I usually have 1-2 beers — you know, like those college surveys but I’m a Whiskey-kinda-gal) and he admitted that he was seeing a total of 4 women at the moment. Then blatantly, he asked whether I’d consider sharing him with a few. I thanked him for his time and honesty, then excused myself. I was so turned off but it’s good to know that I would react the same way that I do when I am sober — with absolute dignity.

Side note: I do wonder if majority of men would consider sharing their women with multiple men — just wondering. Let’s close gender gaps.

I just love giving myself these 30 day challenges… Last month was strength building, the month before was to work out daily. This month, completely free of alcohol. I’m up in the air for next month. Apparently it can’t be developing the habit of sleeping on time. That’s almost like saying a dirty word to my internal clock.

Anyway, so far, I realized that:

1. I’m not an alcoholic. I know, contrary to popular belief and even my dad lectured about my affinity for beer. Granted that I’m the oldest daughter, uncommitted and down right sexy (hey, watch out now!). He’s just being a dad. However, just because I can down a 6-pack like the boys do doesn’t mean that I spend my day-to-day doing so.

In fact, I get less drinking done now that I workout so much. Drinking in NYC is expensive, the recovery time from hangovers isn’t worth drinking all that much, and I have over 10 bottles of rum that are in my kitchen untouched for years. Not only that, I’ve gone places where I’ve said no to the drink and where people offered me a glass (then I feel guilty for wasting). I do love a tall glass of Jameson and ginger though and I was a bit concerned about sobriety because friends did bring up the drinking and instead of being in denial, I wanted to test myself. So, folks, I’m not an alcoholic! Some of you just needed to drink more because I had a higher tolerance.

2. This was a challenge of discipline. I’ve always wondered how women go 9 months without drinking. 10 days in… I still don’t know how women go 9 months without drinking. I might have to adopt. Can you imagine giving up coffee? mmmm thought so.

3. I wanted to see if it would have an effect on my abs… So, maybe, I am replacing something else in the place of drinking? Regardless, I’m seeing ab dimples and I’m happy about that. If I am on this healthy streak, I’m going all the way to push my body to it’s limits. A month will help see the progression.

4. I’m saving bank. Did you know that each mixed drink is the equivalent of one of my Manhattan meals? I seem to have guzzle down enough meals to feed 5 families in just a few nights a month. I’m going to invest this money.

5. I’m now a cheap date. Not only do I need less luxurious meals, I don’t need a Manhattan with Makers chilled… Hello boys.

6. No recovery time. I remembered the last drunken “incident.” It involved unlimited mimosa after my last race… for a total of 2 hours. That’s quite a deal of mimosa. I went home to take a nap after being painfully aware in my “tipsiness” that getting home was going to be a challenge. I made it home safely and took my nap which was all great  however I seem to have slept through an alarm and 5 missed calls. I felt great upon awakening but I loathe wasting precious hours of my life, you can catch up when you’re dead I suppose. I can’t train for my marathon where I hardly get sleep as it is, break down my body with poison and spend majority of my waking hours recovering.

7. Not drinking doesn’t mean I’m lame. I walked away from a few parties when my friends started getting drunk. My friends aren’t lame either but, after venturing out into the street I saw a couple people puking in small pass ways. It brought up some memories of miserable nights where I hung around people who didn’t know how to hold their liquor. I also heard unintelligible conversations whilst I sat and observed attraction around the city. I’m not sure whether the best form of what I’m seeking involves lowering my iQ or finds goggles a need for admiration.

8. I’m pretty comfortable as myself. I don’t need alcohol to make me adapt to situations or feel comfortable. People told me that I’m pretty much the same drunk… Except I laugh a lot and slow down. Considering that I’m always on the go, that makes sense, alcohol is a depressant and would most likely calm me down. Personally, I believe if alcohol makes you act out of character,  you have absolutely no reason to be drinking. I totally understand the liquid courage reason if it’s positive by helping you feel comfortable but I have zero tolerance for people who blame negative behavior on alcohol — drink responsibly!

9. Final thoughts: What the heck did I speak about to majority of the people around me prior to this challenge? I don’t seem to be able to be able to stay focused or interested without wanting to drop my IQ.

Nonetheless, there’s just something great about having a drink when you’ve worked hard during the week — just like rewarding yourself with a slice of your favorite pie so, can’t wait for the beer in my fridge when this 30-day detox challenge is complete!