I am about to utter a statement that will please my mother endlessly.
I have decided to take a month off of drinking.
In other news, the world has stopped spinning on it’s axis.
Truth of the matter is this: I drink a lot. Quite a lot. While I do not drink every day nor do I ever feel like I need to drink, I realize I am at the high end, the very high end, of alcohol consumption.
I really don’t know what it is like to not be brutally hungover once a week. I am quite tired of bar tabs that creep close to the triple digits on a regular basis. I am sure these seven stubborn pounds I cannot drop are not helped by bottomless glasses and late night binge eating…and buttery breakfasts the next morning to calm my churning stomach.
I know I have been a bit depressed the past six months; working at a job you hate and finding it impossible to find a new one does that to you. Since accepting the new position, I feel awesome, revitalized. I am so, so happy and feel like I am truly turning a page. It is a big girl job with real responsibilities and I am thrilled.
So, I am undertaking this experiment. Not a drop of alcohol to pass these lips for a month. Truthfully, I find myself terrified by the prospect if this. I am sharing it with y’all in hopes it will keep me accountable. What the hell am I going to do for the next month? Cross stitch? Read? Face my feelings?
If nothing else, I will have money to buy myself something lovely…perhaps a new liver. Nah, this liver has character, a story. Jewelry is much prettier. I am not above bribing myself.
This should be interesting.
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{ 42 comments… read them below or add one }
I did this last year…I decided that the entire month of August, I wouldn’t drink. And then I realized Ramadan starts in September…but still stuck to it.
You can do it. Give me a week and I’ll be joining you
So proud of you!
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 10th, 2009 at 9:32 am
I am glad I am going to have some company.
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So blogger happy hour was fun?
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 10th, 2009 at 9:34 am
Yes, yes it was.
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It’ll be a change, but if you put your mind to it, you can do it! Then you’ll feel you have more control and power over how much, when, and why you drink. I’ve been there.
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 10th, 2009 at 9:35 am
I know…I feel out of control a lot. I just drink cuz why not?
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aww
i think that’s awesome.
every once and again it’s just good to give the good ole body a break.
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 10th, 2009 at 9:36 am
Agreed.
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Have fun!
I’ve been sober for about eight months (with a few blips thrown in for fun) and I do feel much better. It’s not always insanely fun to be the driver, or the one sipping soda with lime while everyone else has a pitcher to themselves, but in the end it does give you more energy, etc. Plus I’m not nineteen anymore… hangovers are a killer.
Wow, is it possible for me to write a comment that’s NOT shameless self-absorbed?!
What I’m trying to say is good luck. Your body will thank you, and when you go back to sweet Lady Liquor, absence will have only made your heart grow fonder (and your tolerance lower. A triple-digit bar tab? Holy Hannah!)
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 10th, 2009 at 9:37 am
Most comments relate back to your own experience…I mean the royal your. That is why blogging is good.
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I did it last September… and dropped 10 pounds. Sad but true. Rock on, lady friend.
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 10th, 2009 at 9:40 am
It is amazing how easily booze packs the lbs on.
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It’s one thing to recognize excess; it’s quite another to do something about it. So, good for you, lady! I’ve taken a few weeks off from drinking and always felt the better and wiser for it.
Annnnnd…you know I can’t resist the plug…..maybe during this dry spell, you can try a Bikram yoga class! You’ll be well-hydrated and caught up on sleep anyway, and it’ll help with the detox, I promise!
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 10th, 2009 at 9:41 am
I am so scared of yoga, though. Hmm, maybe I should push myself.
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You can definitely do this. Hangovers are way overrated and they don’t taste as good as the drinks that cause them.
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 10th, 2009 at 9:42 am
No kidding and it is getting harder and harder to recover from them.
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Thinking about taking a bit of a break myself…not cold turkey, though. Slowly, and gently.
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 10th, 2009 at 9:42 am
I am scared and excited.
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You can definitely hang out with me in the meantime – I’ve found ways to pass the time sober.
And I’m quite happy that your month will be up before the post-baby bender you promsied me sometime this fall. After nine months-plus off for me and one month off for you, we’ll at least be very cheap to get drunk.
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 10th, 2009 at 9:43 am
Oh the post baby bender is going to be insane. Two margaritas and we will be DONE.
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You may just find it is possible to go out at night and have a great time without getting hammered. Overindulging in alcohol on a regular basis is way overrated. Even in haiku form.
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 10th, 2009 at 9:44 am
I feel so grown up.
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I actually launched a similar self-improvement project a few weeks back. I didn’t drink for two weeks, although I didn’t establish any firm time parameters, I just ended when I felt like ending (which also coincided with a staff retreat for work and alcohol was central to the co-worker bonding). I did find though, that in those two weeks that I wasn’t drinking at all, I was much cheerier and I did stuff like go to yoga and run. I barely recognized myself. Coming out of it, I feel like my relationship with alcohol has changed for the better. Kudos to your efforts, I think you’ll enjoy your experience.
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 10th, 2009 at 9:44 am
I do wonder if a month is too long, but we will see how it goes.
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good luck lady! let me know how it goes. i was thinking of doing it in september actually, before my race. we’ll see how that pans out.
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 10th, 2009 at 9:45 am
That may help pre-reace, don’t you think?
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You can definitely do this. I’ve done it before and felt great. In fact, I should probably do it again.
Good luck!
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 10th, 2009 at 9:45 am
Thanks…should be a journey.
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Good luck!
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 10th, 2009 at 9:46 am
Danke
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Wow. Good luck with this!!
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 10th, 2009 at 9:46 am
Extreme, huh?
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Breaks from drinking like this is why God invented Oxycontin.
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 10th, 2009 at 9:46 am
You always have an answer…
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You go girl! I lovelovelove Sunday mornings when I’m not hungover. I think you just might like it.
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 10th, 2009 at 9:47 am
I will cure cancer, I am sure.
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This can be both a positive and a negative, but you’ll learn a lot of new things about people. Like sometimes I’ve gone on phases where I’ve cut back my drinking, and realized that I hate all my friends. Which is nice to know, I guess, but if you do it too often, it’s kind of a hassle to keep making all new friends.
And that’s why I stopped cutting back on my drinking. The end.
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 10th, 2009 at 9:48 am
hahahaha. OK, this is my fav comment so far. you win.
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I have had similar feelings. Good luck to you and sorry for missing you the other night.
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 10th, 2009 at 9:48 am
I am sorry you didn’t make it.
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I shutter at the idea of a triple-digit bar tab. The worst I’ve ever done was about 90 bucks, and that was between me and my girlfriend at the time.
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 10th, 2009 at 9:49 am
Yeah, it is WAY too much money. Obscene.
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I always hear LiLu yappin about you
Not the kind of post I wanted to read, since it doesn’t sound any fun to stop drinking
You’re gonna be bored out of your mind for month!
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 10th, 2009 at 9:50 am
Welcome…I think it should be ok. We still get in lots of trouble sober.
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I tried this last year, but only lasted about two weeks. Here’s hoping you’ll have better luck (and stronger will power) than I did!
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 10th, 2009 at 9:51 am
I hope so too…I pray.
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I definitely think it’s been a month for me. But in two weeks when I’m back at college? Yeah, um. It’ll be weekly.
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 10th, 2009 at 9:51 am
Yeah, college equals booze.
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It’s a good experiment to try. After leaving my “office” job years ago, my 4 night a week drinking experiment became a once a week affair, and then almost nothing. I think I’ve been on 3 month stretches were I’ve had no alcohol. It’s never been about the alcohol. I was a social drinker. Maybe I needed to find non-alcoholic co-workers.
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 10th, 2009 at 9:52 am
Good luck with that…most offices are full of boozehounds.
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I had to stop drinking because I was taking anti-depressants, then I stopped taking the anti-depressants because not being able to drink was depressing me. So I didn’t drink for about 1-1/2 months, I drank for the first time this weekend and got a great buzz after 3 cosmos and 1 shot of Patron. So, I can tell you this, your wallet will still benefit from the effects of not drinking once you start again because it will take alot less alcohol to get you buzzed. I was pleasantly surprised.
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 11th, 2009 at 5:55 am
This could be a wonderful experiment.
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The one thing I’ve consistently heard from pregnant friends over the years is that drunks are boring and repetitive. You’ll find yourself changing your evening activities because it’s not fun to hang out and hear the same stories over and over.
I can also second the commentor who said they changed friends when they sobered up. I’ve known a couple of people that got entirely different social circles as they decided they didn’t like their friends dry.
Not that I would actually know, since sobriety and I aren’t particularily close.
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 11th, 2009 at 5:56 am
I think I like all my friends dry…I hope.
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oh you can do this. it’ll be a snap. i’m a big fan of switching multiple variables at the same time.
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 11th, 2009 at 5:56 am
I don’t know about a snap, but I think I can do it.
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I passed a giant, gaping hole in the space-time continuum this morning as I walked to work. I now know that this hole is your fault.
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 11th, 2009 at 5:56 am
Glad you didn’t fall in to the hole.
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I am going to bet that partway in you will feel a huge shift in how good/healthy you feel. Not just from the lack of alcohol, but with the reduction in amount of sugar you’re consuming. Plus, with anything like this, for me I feel like it always feels so good to feel like you’re back in control of whatever it is. (Might be just an illusion, but it still feels good.)
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 11th, 2009 at 5:56 am
Right, good call on the sugar. So much in booze.
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I think you’ll be great. I felt this way when I got rid of my cable the first time. WHAT WILL I DO?!? And honestly? I got a lot more accomplished. I should really do that again.
But I’m not giving up drinking right now. Though I did have a drink (and pants) free Saturday and Sunday.
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 11th, 2009 at 5:57 am
I love a pants free weekend.
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There’s lots and lots of things to do without drinking. Heck, the bar (In my opinion) is much more fun when sober. Firstly, because you can watch the funny people. And Secondly? You can leave whenever you want without worrying about your drunkenness. I don’t know. I think it’s maturity and it’s also – why drink if you’re going to get sick? That is SO NOT fun! I figure, it’s my job to figure out how to have fun sober. I’m pretty sure you’ll figure it out. Good luck!
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 11th, 2009 at 5:57 am
I don’t know if being at a bar sober will be FUN. That seems extreme.
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I’ve done this twice I think. You definitely lose weight. Of course I also realized that this horrible sweet tooth I thought went away when I went to college, only went away because I got several pounds of sugar from beer each week. I started eating lots of peanut M&M’s and ice cream. It was really weird. And I’m a guy. I still lose weight though.
Anyhoo it’s an interesting experience, but don’t kid yourself. It is NO FUN WHATSOEVER to hang out at bars or with other people drinking in just about any situation when you are not drinking. It’s just not, and anyone who tells you otherwise is lying or never plans to drink again.
Long term solution is to get used to drinking a few drinks (versus about 20) on any given night. It takes a little practice – avoid hard liquor and throw in glasses of water. But it’s a lot cheaper, you still have fun, and hangovers are rare.
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 11th, 2009 at 5:58 am
Yeah, I am with you. Not thinking it will be fun.
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If you absolutely must have your consciousness altered from time to time, you could try licking one of those hallucinogenic toads.
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 11th, 2009 at 5:58 am
Yes, there are many of those in DC.
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brisltecone Reply:
August 11th, 2009 at 9:28 am
They’re called “Congressmen.” I think the booze is better for you than licking Congressmen.
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I’m so excited for you!
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 11th, 2009 at 5:58 am
Thanks!
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Did this myself for a few Lenten seasons… I definitely dropped a little weight during that time (though it also could have easily been the walk at the time from my apartment to King Street Metro).
Have known you to generally be able to do whatever you put your mind to, though. Good luck!
~S~
Sticking to the wine with dinner and the occasional Guinness for now…
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 11th, 2009 at 5:59 am
Why thanks, that is a nice compliment.
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sabine01 Reply:
August 11th, 2009 at 6:41 am
Never a problem…
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I have a very off and on relationship with drinking. I’ll go through periods of time where I’m drinking several times a week, and then months on end without a drop of alcohol. Now, xanax on the other hand…
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 11th, 2009 at 6:03 am
MMM, Xanex. Yes please.
And welcome!
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YOU
CAN
DO
IT!!!!!
how about you call me every time you want a drink and when you call me and i’m drunk and slurry you’ll think, “ew” and you’ll immediately want to never drink again.
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 11th, 2009 at 6:03 am
I like this plan, Smells.
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Good luck! Is cooking with wine still allowed in your kitchen?
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 11th, 2009 at 6:04 am
yes, yes it is.
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I quit drinking every year for Lent. It gives you perspective. I don’t miss it after the first week.
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 11th, 2009 at 6:04 am
Here is to hoping.
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I’m on week 3 of the wagon (although I shared a bottle of wine with my bf at dinner for my birthday Thursday). The puffiness is going away, and I don’t crave grease and carbs as much. It’s nice not to wake up hungover and feeling guilty.
Glad to know I’ve got someone else out there!
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I fully support this! I tried to stop drinking for a month before I turned 21, and we all know you don’t need booze to have a good time!
Also I can imagine how much money I spend on booze in a year- you’ll definitely have a few bucks extra this month… all for the tab 30 days later.
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