Ok, I got through it, Day 20!! I was helped I think because my friend decided not to go to the show, so there was less reason to get smashed (I was, I admit, toying with the idea...I've never drank with him, he's leaving Japan etc. etc....). So, I went to this show and actually had a decent, though very tired , time without a drop of alcohol.
I must say, though I keep saying I'm going to stay off booze til my birthday, I'm actually toying with the idea of making more of a break from it. I think I will go out sometimes but I may not let people know that I'm "back drinking" so to speak. These past three weeks (and unofficially it's about 24 days without a drink, have been interesting. They are not the reason I am looking at alcohol and wondering if it's worth it, no, that started way back, even while I was drinking and finding out there more often than not I was NOT having a good time, but ended up wasting money, wasting time, not being able to go see my horse, gaining weight, getting a reputation I did NOT deserve , etc. etc. They are not the reason but the ability to stay away from drinking, whether it means going to a bar and having tomato juice or tea or whether it means staying away from the bar totally, has really, really, helped me realize I have options. And that realization is starting to extend beyond the parameters of my challenge, in other words, I am thinking about options for my LIFE!
I'm thinking that these past few weeks are showing me I just need to say, Am I really having fun? Because, if I'm not, then just leave it alone. This is not just about booze, but sugar and cigarettes as well. It's more about awareness, am I just using these things as a means of ignoring the fact that I am NOT happy with my life, but not willing to face that and truly change things? I am hearing a little voice shouting "YES!!!!!" Hmmmm.....interesting.
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jolly -- I'm in a crabby mood too and can't attribute it to running 6 miles or PMS or anything but just, I suppose, ME and the tendency I have to act like a whiny 2-year-old. That sucks about your cruise. Sure hope you can find a flight to get there. Just be sure you DO it though, no excuses. You are worth it! Love the running shirt saying! Heh, thanks for the encouragement. Never thought, no offense, YOU would be saying such great things...you have come a LONG way, kiddo! I am right proud of you!! Yeah, it IS friggin' worth it. It is, it is, it is. It felt GOOD to not have this most disgusting hunk of fat around my middle, and that's front AND back! Yeah, the scale not going down pisses me just pretty, BUT I am going to get through this. Last night's show, burlesque dancers, belly dancer, a cool instrumental band was just that, cool and the skinny, lean, people made me feel like a dork, especially with my too-short haircut (yuck!). I am sick, sick, sick of being dumpy, frumpy. Back to my lean ways. I was there once before. I can do it again! You bet.
miriam -- Or should I say "zombie?" How goes it? Peanut butter with your fingers???? Well, how else are you supposed to eat it? Oh...maybe I'm missing something there... You are definitely PMSing from the sounds of it. Bite the bullet and get through! Thanks for your concern. As you can see above, I DID get through the dangerous evening. Hurrah, hurrah!!!
Apple, how's it going? Did you decide on a challenge? Are you still on the exercise one? And stop focusing on your bad points, well, what you say are your bad points, the things you don't like about your look. Feel great and you'll start looking it. There was a girl playing the baritone sax in last night's band. She was a bit hefty but looked SO cool playing that it didn't matter at ALL. Later, though, when they all came on stage at the end, without their instruments and she didn't have the big feather boas to hide behind (I think that's why she was wearing them) she looked self-conscious and totally different. It is SO much about attitude, really!
USLeftie -- Welcome to our thread. Glad you find the concept "intriguing!" I know a lot of us do too, especially when we wonder just what the heck we were thinking when we proclaimed that we were setting out on a new challenge! No, just kidding. I've been doing these challenges for years now and they are definitely helping. I would NEVER have been able to do some of these things without the thought of having to be accountable to the people here. Soda is a problem for lots of people. I am so glad I hated the stuff from Day 1! There are lots of great herbal teas out there that taste wonderful chilled and are perfect for the season. I would urge you to develop a taste for them (yes, you can if I can with all the weird teas I encountered in Japan.) Just switching to diet soda may seem like a good start, but with the doubts about the dangers of artificial sweeteners, I wonder if it is worth it. Then again, it will cut the calories. Well, best of luck!
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Fish!!! Where are you!?!?! CB, how are getting on with things?
Last edited by redballoon; 07-20-2008 at 08:49 PM.
Hey Red!! I am so proud of you!!!! One thing that gets me is that your drinking is such a social thing and mine is stress relief. Or thats my excuse for it. I should be able to just say no, I'm not really getting anything out of it except guilt and fat. I will try a no drinking challenge soon....
Hi USLeftie, welcome. I am still not sure if I am experiencing middle age metabolism adjustment. (I'm 43) It could be. I'm taking meds for a thyroid prob, that could be it too. But even though it might be a bit harder to lose weight for us at this point in our lives, we can still do it!!! Just buckle down.
Kids are nagging, gotta go. Hi everyone!
By the way, I had a lazy week-end and no challenges are currently under way. Well, I'm starting up the exercise one again. See you tomorrow!
Last edited by Apple Blossom; 07-21-2008 at 01:53 PM.
Ok, the 21 days are up! I am through without a pause!! BUT, I am continuing through with this and may add another challenge.
I'm going to start a new thread soon. Gotta run now! Thanks, Apple!
I've survived the first 2 days of my soda challenge. Had a diet soda on Sunday but didn't care for the taste or after-taste. Don't know what they put in that stuff. I've been focusing on water instead.
I am inspired by the reports of everyone. Its nice to know that we don't have to face these issues alone if we chose to reach out.
WTG Red!!!Please let us know here when you start the new thread as I always wind up posting to an old one and then wonder - why isn't anyone posting? Duh....
through the danger and nearly to the end of 21!!!
I was helped I think because my friend decided not to go to the show, so there was less reason to get smashed (I was, I admit, toying with the idea...I've never drank with him, he's leaving Japan etc. etc....). So, I went to this show and actually had a decent, though very tired 
, time without a drop of alcohol.
, etc. etc. They are not the reason but the ability to stay away from drinking, whether it means going to a bar and having tomato juice or tea or whether it means staying away from the bar totally, has really, really, helped me realize I have options. And that realization is starting to extend beyond the parameters of my challenge, in other words, I am thinking about options for my LIFE! 
Heh, thanks for the encouragement. Never thought, no offense, YOU would be saying such great things...you have come a LONG way, kiddo! I am right proud of you!! 
Yeah, it IS friggin' worth it. It is, it is, it is. It felt GOOD to not have this most disgusting hunk of fat around my middle, and that's front AND back! 
Yeah, the scale not going down pisses me just pretty, BUT I am going to get through this. Last night's show, burlesque dancers, belly dancer, a cool instrumental band was just that, cool and the skinny, lean, people made me feel like a dork, especially with my too-short haircut (yuck!). I am sick, sick, sick of being dumpy, frumpy. Back to my lean ways. I was there once before. I can do it again! You bet.
Oh...maybe I'm missing something there... You are definitely PMSing from the sounds of it. Bite the bullet and get through! 
Thanks for your concern. As you can see above, I DID get through the dangerous evening. Hurrah, hurrah!!! 
Glad you find the concept "intriguing!" I know a lot of us do too, especially when we wonder just what the heck we were thinking when we proclaimed that we were setting out on a new challenge! No, just kidding. I've been doing these challenges for years now and they are definitely helping. I would NEVER have been able to do some of these things without the thought of having to be accountable to the people here. Soda is a problem for lots of people. I am so glad I hated the stuff from Day 1! There are lots of great herbal teas out there that taste wonderful chilled and are perfect for the season. I would urge you to develop a taste for them (yes, you can if I can with all the weird teas I encountered in Japan.) Just switching to diet soda may seem like a good start, but with the doubts about the dangers of artificial sweeteners, I wonder if it is worth it. Then again, it will cut the calories. Well, best of luck! 
CB, how are getting on with things? 
I should be able to just say no, I'm not really getting anything out of it except guilt and fat. I will try a no drinking challenge soon....
Three weeks DONE!!
BUT, I am continuing through with this and may add another challenge.
Thanks, Apple! 
NEW thread started!!!
