Day 2 – Taking it On

OK, we are really doing this!

Yesterday I told Alex about my challenge. He was not down for joining me for the sweets portion (ha!) but that he would be down with going 100 days without alcohol with a possible exception for an upcoming bachelor party (which is fair).

I asked him to take the photos below so I can track progress. Looking at them, my first thought was “Oh lord, I can’t believe I look like that!!!” and I felt shame and embarrassment. But then I remembered that I am healthy and strong and also, dat butt is nice. I actually think that these are aweseome “before” photos because I’m a little fluffy, a little slouchy, but in 100 days I am going to stand taller, have more pronounced muscles, tighten up my glutes, legs, arms, and abs, and hopefully have a better haircut (what was my stylist even doing???).

Day 1 of 100! 3/20/2019

Day 1 of 100! 3/20/2019

Day 1 of 100! 3/20/2019

After the photo shoot, I got into my workout gear and ran 3.33 miles with an average pace of 10:25/mile (tracked using my Strava app). Not nearly as fast as my 9:03/mile pace last summer during the Mullet 5k, but we’re gonna get there!

Today I’m going to do a yoga video for at least 30 minutes. I’m thinking yoga again on Friday (tomorrow) since I am skiing on Saturday and I don’t want to be too horribly sore. Meditation this week will probably be on Sunday – I downloaded the Insight Timer app for help with that.

I had oatmeal and espresso chai tea for breakfast and I am NOT going to have a slice of that birthday cake in the break room. If I am craving sugar, I’ve got some yummy trail mix. Yes, it has chocolate in it. No, that doesn’t break the sweets rule because it’s trail mix. I’m trying to be healthy, not spartan.

I’ll plan to post weekly progress photos and jot down thoughts about my successes and challenges.

But right now I’m like:

 

A New 100 Day Challenge

I’ve declared an end to drinking so many times. And I am starting to think that something must be different to make it really last. A lifestyle change.

Today is the first day of Spring – the Spring Equinox of 2019. And it also happens to be a full moon. A Super Moon, at that! The final Super Moon of 2019, in fact. The Super Worm Full Moon. So it’s a time of thinking about growth, renewal, and abundance.

This winter has been hard. It’s been cold and snowy and windy and dark. And I remain stressed and overworked and overcommitted.

But, oh, do I have so much to appreciate! My amazing partner (who just last night made fresh tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches for my board meeting), my awesome job which is challenging and rewarding but not very stressful, my four adorable cats, my family (little brother is going to live with us for a few months and I am so excited!), my house (which now has solar panels!!!), the herb garden in my window, my capable and healthy body, my friends…I mean, I really have it good.

Even so, I medicate with alcohol and I need to stop and I can’t do it without tools to help me. So. I am taking another 100 Day Challenge. Here are the rules:

1. No alcohol
2. No sweets (cookies, candy, etc…sweeteners like honey on oatmeal are OK)
3. Yoga 3x per week (15-minute minimum practice)
4. Cardio 3x per week (30-minute minimum, shooting for running a 5k in 25 minutes!)
5. Guided meditation 1x per week (just downloaded the Insight Timer app to help with this – no time limit)

I will also take weekly photos of my body, starting tonight, to acknowledge the physical changes that may arise from the challenge.

I will ask for Alex’s help to stay accountable. I will post my challenge publicly (here, but also on Facebook). And I will stay strong. I will get through these 100 days, which will take me all the way through the Summer Solstice. And I will get to know and love myself again. To appreciate the gifts in my life. To open my mind to possibility and hope and the belief that dreams really do come true. To explore and inhale deeply and know that all struggles are temporary, and thus can be endured, and that all sweet moments are temporary, and they must be fully enjoyed.

It’s not just about not drinking. It’s about living fully and with integrity because that’s how to achieve happiness.

I have to admit I *did* eat some cake and a pastry today. But that was before I set this challenge, so I am starting here, now, fresh and clean! I’ll go day by day and week by week. Tonight: run. Tomorrow: Power Yoga. This weekend: skiing and meditating. I’ll start today, where I am, with what I have.