WHO DOESN’T LIKE BOOZE?

One Alberta blogger is taking up the challenge of going alcohol-free for the next 30 days in the hopes of not only tracking changes in her mind, body, and soul but answering the question, “Why do I drink so much?”.

Interesting in being part of the challenge or tracking her experiences? Check out:

www.30dayswithoutalcohol.wordpress.com

Read her first post:

Who doesn’t like booze?

I know I do…greatly – follow my progress through this next 30 days of being alcohol free. Maybe you want to try it along with me and post what your experiences are in the comments..up for the challenge!?!?

Do you know what a standard drink looks like? Do you usually pour yourself a glass of wine and notice that a quarter of the bottle is in your glass?

One Standard Drink equals:

• 341 ml (12 oz) bottle of 5% alcohol beer, cider or cooler
• 43 ml (1.5 oz) shot of 40% hard liquor (vodka, rum, whisky, gin etc.)
• 142 ml (5oz) glass of 12% wine

Canada has developed low risk drinking guidelines which is 10 drinks for a women per week with no more than 2 per most days and 15 drinks per week for a man with no more than 3 drinks per most days.

I can say that I probably exceed those guidelines more often than not. I drink at least 4 evenings during the work week with 2-3 beers or 1 non standard glass of wine and this doesn’t include my weekend drinking. I consume the same if not more on Friday and Saturday. To me I don’t see or feel the effects of my drinking habits; I don’t see it impacting my life or health in anyway. However from what I have read it is more than likely is effecting my health and well-being more than I realize. I have also been having conversations with colleagues and friends lately about why we feel the need to have a drink after a hard days of work – it is like we are entitled to this drink. Why do we feel the need to have a drink or 4 when we are out for dinner with friends or family. Why when we are camping do we start the day with baileys and crack a beer before noon…

With all of the above being said I have decided to go without alcohol for 30 days (which started on Monday) to see if I will notice anything different within my mind, body and soul. Considering alcohol has been such a big part of my personal and social life I believe this will be a considerable challenge that I am excited to venture down.

So far in all honesty the avoidance of booze has not been all that difficult…however it is only Wednesday. Yesterday on my drive home I had a fleeting thought about a nice cold beer waiting for me at home and then I quickly pushed that thought out and wondered what else I could drink besides water. I brewed myself some iced tea and cooked dinner.

I think tonight will be a challenge; I am meeting friends for dinner after work. I would normally have two pints during a dinner like this, but tonight I will be drinking probably….wait for it…..lemon water <<< does not sound as wonderful as a beer now does it.

Then we have this long weekend of camping – camping comes with an extreme expectation to drink high quantities of alcohol — for me anyways. This will be my test of all tests.

Tune in on Sunday/Monday to see how the next few days go for me and my personal challenge to avoid alcohol for 30 days.

Thank you for reading.