Hi. I like alliteration. I also like love alcohol, but it's time to give my body a break. On Sunday, Brandon informed me that he was giving up alcohol. I thought to myself two things: 1)This manboy is insane, and 2)Yeah, right. But he was serious. He wanted to find out what alcohol really meant to him.
- Will it affect how much fun he has?
- Will he save money?
- Will he feel better overall?
I then thought about how giving up alcohol would affect me.
- Will I forget how to flirt?
- Will I lose weight?
- Will I have less injuries?
We started thinking about why we drink and how it affects us. We both agreed that we're more relaxed, seem to have more fun, have more confidence, and all our friends do it. We are both fully capable of having one or two glasses and actually enjoying what we're drinking so we know it's not an addiction or anything. But does drinking benefit us?
The answers to our questions should be answered by the end of the month. As Saturday was the last day we both consumed alcohol, Sunday, July 11th marked Day 1. We plan on continuing this challenge until the end of the month: a full 3 weeks without the booze. The good Lord knows that I like a challenge, so we decided to make it a competition between each other. What's the prize? The loser has to take the winner (me) out to dinner at an Italian restaurant where we will probably consume a bottle of wine. We both agreed that we'd be honest about whether or not we had drank and if we were about to give up on the challenge, we would let the other person know in advance.
Until August, there will be no more Coor's Light...
No more nasty shots...
No mimosas with brunch... :(
Just a whole lot of this...
Challenges I've faced so far:
Monday evening when we decided to eat pizza I said, "Ooooh, only if we can have wine, too!" NO MA'AM. EAT THE PIZZA ALONE.
Monday at Whole Foods: My favorite wine was on sale from $21.99 to $14.99. I bought it anyway. NO MA'AM. SAVE IT FOR AUGUST.
Tuesday at Kelly's discussing tonight's family dinner plans: "Ahh let's just have a glass of wine before to relax." NO MA'AM. CHILL OUT.
Do you drink? How often? Do you drink for specific reasons other than liking the taste? Have you ever given it up? If so, what changes did you notice? I'm prepared to win this challenge, but wish me luck anyway!
You are a stronger woman than I!
ReplyDeleteActually last year I got really sick for awhile and couldn't drink for a couple months! It wasn't that bad and once you get over the beginning "hump" you might actually start to like it :-)
Good for you girl! I rarely ever drink. I probably have 1 beer (if that) every six or so months! You will feel better and I know you will not forget how to flirt. As for the injuries...jury is still out haha ;) What are you up to this weekend? Email me!
ReplyDeleteOh that is a serious mission! I wish you the best of luck!
ReplyDeleteI drink. Not nearly as much as I used to (hello college), but I'd still very much miss my glass of wine here or few drinks out there...
I have given up drinks during the week before- it wasn't too bad, but still a challenge!
Awesome challenge! I've given up alcohol for Lent before and it was definitely difficult. I'm impressed with your determination thus far :) And, as up for a challenge as I usually am, I am back in Ohio for my sister's wedding. With my bridezilla sister and crazy family. Not the time to start :)
ReplyDelete3 weeks--you can totally do this!
ReplyDeleteI don't drink very often. I just don't like the way drinking makes me feel anymore--although, I did have 3 shots and 2 drinks last night and had a BLAST!: )
"Will I have less injuries?" TOTALLY cracked me up and brings back some crazy memories! I've got a few scars from my early 20s ;) Good luck to you on your challenge!
ReplyDeleteGood for you....can't wait to see what affects this has on you!!
ReplyDeleteI respect you so much for this, cause I know in the summertime I consume a pretty legit amount of alcohol...liquor especially when I go out with friends/ go to parties. I'm curious to see the answer to those questions. Oh, and the injuries question seriously cracked me up, haha!
ReplyDeleteHollaaaa good for you girl!! you know i like this :) haha. I cant wait to hear about how it goes! YOU CAN DO IT!!! I know you can!! whoooo!!!
ReplyDeletePS thank you for your awesome comment. you rock. youre an amazing woman.
LOVE YOU MAMA!
Good for you! I don't drink that much. I'm not a fan of beer and I'm just getting into wine a little bit but my favorite is tequila and I don't drink it that often!
ReplyDeleteYou're going to do great Christina. I don't drink often. Maybe once every two months. I used to drink a lot more, but I realized it doesn't really do anything for me the next day. I like the taste in fact I love wine, but I like feeling good a little better! Now don't judge me if I go out this weekend and ahave a few too many! ;)
ReplyDeleteI have been abstaining for a few weeks now, and although I really only drink socially, I am craving it. You always want what you can't have!
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome post! I don't really drink very much to be honest, maybe once a week when I am out with my friends but even then I never get totally wasted. I dislike not being completely in control of myself.
ReplyDeleteIf only I could get some friends to do this with me!!
You go girl! Saving money and getting more than 2 hours of sleep before work were the biggest things I noticed! Haha.
ReplyDeleteGood luck. You can do it!
Nice! I've never considered doing this! I enjoy drinking! I enjoy the taste and celebrating & relaxing with Austin! I normally drink 2 nights/week - I don't drink with dinner or anything and rarely "day drink" - if I do I don't drink that night! BEST OF LUCK - interested to see how it impacts you!
ReplyDeleteI drink a whole lot less than I used to, and although I'm certain I could give it up if I wanted to, I'll be at a bachelorette party in Charleston this weekend, so it wouldn't be a good weekend to start the challenge for me.
ReplyDeleteI like the challenge though and am anxious to hear what you think. Maybe I'll try the challenge setime. Good luck!
I
Best of luck, girlie! I had to give up drinking for 9 months and while it was for a great reason (my little Wee 'Burb), it was torture some days. I had the worst time at the ballpark. I wanted a beer SO bad. I learned to pretend O'Douls was real beer, and my friends bought me a lot of what we called "fauxpagne" and it was good as a mimosa (I got pear flavored ones). I found a lot of it is situational for me. The ballpark, the end of a bad day, chianti with pizza.
ReplyDeleteah! you're going to be rockstar with the new challenge. however, you're now going to realize just how much you truly enjoy an alcoholic adult beverage. things always seem so much tastier when you can't have them!
ReplyDeleteGood luck! You can definitey win!!
ReplyDeleteI rarely drink; it probably averages to maybe once a month? I'm a water freak and a lightweight with alcohol. I think I got it all out in highschool with all of my illegal underage drinking, haha.
you know i love my wine, long islands, and C&Vs, but i feel very comfortable that i could give up drinking for a month. i pretty much drink socially, but i've had plenty of nighs of playing the DD, and it doesn't bother me at all.
ReplyDeletehowever, this particular challenge may have to wait until october for me, haha. i have three straight weekends of weddings (champagne AND open bars at all), then in august i have two vacations, then september is my BIRTHDAY. you understand.
GOOD LUCK, you will kick b's ass.
I know you can do it! I don't drink much but really it is just because I don't enjoy it that much. I am the one that gets drunk off my butt with hardly anything and then is sick the next couple of days. I know, fun, right! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun challenge! I'm sure you'll kick his butt! ;)
ReplyDeleteI used to party and drink a ton back in 2nd year university and then I stopped last year because I started having health/sleeping problems (not because of the alcohol haha).
One the one hand I LOVE the way I feel now without it. However the sad truth is that I had a lot more fun when I drank. I rarely ever party now. :(
Good for you! You are going to kick this challenge's rear!
ReplyDeleteI do drink here and there. I love a glass or two of wine or a few beers while sitting on the deck in the summertime!
I did this last winter... it was meant to be a month, and it turned into... EIGHT !! There were TWO times we went to a really great restaurant where I had ONE cocktail.
ReplyDeleteit was really nice... I don't drink A LOT... sometimes I'd wake up not feeling the best after having 3 + cocktails..
It was great! I'm thinking of doing it again, very soon!
God bless you.
ReplyDeleteI drink more in the summertime than in the winter b/c who doesn't like a cold one after work when it's gorgeous out? However I've been drinking way more than normal lately (2+ times a wk) and need to either get that in check or exercise more.
YOU CAN DO THIS GIRL!!! wow the summer will be much more of a challenge given the pool parties and bbq's but you can totally do this! im excited for you!! <3 <3
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun challenge! I rarely drink as my husband doesn't but will with my friends on social occasions.
ReplyDeleteDon't worry I do all the drinking in the apartment.
ReplyDeleteI'm in college, if that answers the question :) Recently though, I've gotten sick of the whole getting-plastered-and-blacking-out thing, so I stick to a few and just get happy. I definitely feel better in the morning! Good luck on your challenge!
ReplyDeleteI will def get in touch with you if I find any time!! We're staying on Folly Beach, and will head into real Charleston Saturday night for a night out on the town... although, if you aren't drinking, you may find me obnoxiously loud and dancy ;)
ReplyDeleteI drink 3 nights a week during the school year (it IS college, after all), but not because I remotely like the taste of alcohol--I just like the effects, I guess. Also, it's kinda one of those "everyone's doing it so I should too" instances, which probably isn't a good mindset, but oh well!
ReplyDeleteMy substance abuse class requires that we give up one "vice" for the semester. We have to journal weekly our shortcomings, cravings, and feelings; go to support groups with classmates; and attend AA meetings to get the full effect...makes for a LOOOOOONG semester with very few social outings because thy're "triggers". BUT, it's so rewarding when you've accomplished it (especially if it's a competition!). Good luck!! (oh, and I LOVE wine and mimosas...so I feel your pain)
ReplyDeleteI kind of want to do this challenge a well. After drinking last weekend and realizing how bad it makes me feel, I want to try abstaining. My problem is that I rarely have one beer or one glass of wine - I usually go all out and drink too much and end up feeling bloated and blah for days. I want to be able to enjoy a glass here and there, but I shouldn't drink as much as I sometimes do.
ReplyDeleteI MIGHT have a vodka-based drink twice a month...And when I say "a" I actually mean only one. I don't like drinking. I'm a control freak and don't like the way I feel when intoxicated. I don't like the bloat from beer, I don't like wine and I would NEVER dream of consuming a daquiri or something like that. I guess I just don't like alcohol all that much (vodka tonics are pretty much the only thing I can tolerate). However, in my younger years...Well, that's a different story. I've learned I turn into a complete idiot when I drink and do ridiculous things (oh, a table...I shall dance on it) and become WAY TOO AFFECTIONATE! Put the kibosh on that a few years ago.
ReplyDeleteahh love this post- im in college so obviously drinking is huge. I really don't want ot give it up but i also am conerned with being healthy- i figure it is a balance thing. These are the years that i can get away with being a bit irresponsible anyways, right? :)
ReplyDeleteChristina, good luck with the challenge. I'm really curious to see how you do and what your observations are. This is my first visit to your blog, but I plan to be back. I hope the day treats you well. Blessings...Mary
ReplyDeleteAs a college student, I love this topic : ) haha. I'm not a crazy partier/drinker or anything, but while I'm at school I like to go out and have fun and that usually involves drinking on the weekends (and sometimes thursdays.. and tuesdays..). Anyways, when I got home from school in May I was about 5/10 pounds over my normal weight and just feeling unhealthy and bored with drinking. I decided to give it up for an unspecified amount of time and allowed myself two exceptions (my sister's bachelorette and her wedding - which was just last weekend!). And now here we are almost two months later and I am at my lowest weight since high school. And literally all I did was cut out the drinking (and the late night snacks that are a result of the drinking..) and I feel great : )
ReplyDeleteI realized I don't need alcohol to have fun (I really didn't even end up drinking much at my sister's wedding) and overall that I could live without it. I think I'm going to keep it in moderation for the rest of the summer till I go back for senior year and then be unhealthy all over again haha.
Good luck with the challenge! I think it's a great idea!
Good Luck!
ReplyDeleteHey Christina, came across you blog through Megan Smith's Fried Green Pickles... love reading your blog... then recently realized that you are talking about my old friend Brandon (atleast I'm pretty sure). Small world! Good luck to you both! You will most likely feel the health benefits of life without but you will definitely miss the other benefits of life with... like knowing how to "flirt". Haha Great post!
ReplyDeleteLars doesn't drink, so I don't as much because of that. I have maybe two to three glasses of wine on a good week. On a bad week...more.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the challenge. It is a challenge, for sure.
I don't drink liquor. Mostly red wine (4 or 5 days a week) or a good beer on occasion (usually with a burger or a good import with Mexican food). I rarely have more than one of either and almost never more than 2. Most of the people I hang around with drink a lot more than that but I can honestly say I've never been a fan of the drunk feeling. Or the hangover. I have fun without it and don't mind if others indulge. I did some indulging myself in college and got enough. I never made the decision to not drink liquor or any rules about the number of drink I'm allowed, I just like my wine and beer and beyond one or two it's not about the taste anymore.
ReplyDeleteOoh, winner gets a nice dinner...hope you enjoy that ;) I love that pic of you with the water jug,btw. I should just start carrying one of those instead of my wimpy nalgene. Requires too many trips to the water cooler.
ReplyDeleteI drank a lot my freshman & soph year. No longer. I think I had just as much fun at parties, baha. It sort of makes you think "Damn, did I act like this?" and the answer is probably yes.
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ReplyDeleteHi!!! Thanks so much for the message on my blog:-) Happy to see some other Charleston bloggers. I live in Mount Pleasant too! I would absolutely love to come to one of the meet ups. Your post literally made me laugh out loud. The injury part also reminded me very much of my first couple of years in college. I do not drink nearly as much as I used to, but can't deny that i enjoy my weekly glass of wine and cocktails :-)
ReplyDelete10am started my day... Split liter of sweet tea vodka with 3 others
ReplyDelete11am 3 marget-ritas
12:30 4 beers
...time warp
2 more marget-ritas
3 beers
2 ritas at dinner
half 5th of whiskey
4 cherry bombs
4 beers at club 8 shots of vodka
VIP section with 3 bottles of champaign (split 4 ways)
Home by 1am
I'm not a big drinker, but will enjoy a glass of good wine or a cocktail (must be sweet in order for it to go down) on special occasions. Beer makes me feel bloated, so I usually avoid it!
ReplyDeleteI have no doubt that you'll ROCK this challenge! Whooo! However, if a craving strikes, are you allowed to sip non-alcoholic beer? ;-p
I drink maybe twice a month and it's two drinks at the most. I feel like an old lady reading this post and the comments...I'm 30. Good luck girl!
ReplyDeleteLOL i love the pic of you in the pool with the gallon judge of H2O! I'm off to the pool now!
ReplyDeleteAnd no I don't drink regularly mainly bc: it's not in mine or my friends' budget and my family isn't big drinkers. I like drinking though. I would if I could. Haha :)
"will I have less injuries?"
ReplyDeletehilarious! If you are anything like me you will have less bruises. I tend to "bump" into things. It doesn't help when we are drinking on the boat all day. I have a bunch of bruises from 4th of July weekend, but I am blaming the waves.
good luck!!
I think your totally gonna show him up! I think this is great, if I drank, I would join you, no doubt.
ReplyDeleteJust found your blog but I look forward to reading more. :)
LOL - I love the "Will I forget how to flirt?"!!!
ReplyDeleteOh Christina! How I relate to you. If only I had people who wanted to try this challenge with me!! I'm excited for your progress
ReplyDeleteThat is impressive! Good luck!
ReplyDelete