Today marks the first day of 'Operation: Julie Gets Her Act Together.'
First order of business? Giving up booze.
I'm trying to be realistic about this. After all, the occasional glass of wine is supposed to be good for you.... blah blah blah.
Unfortunately, I have a really hard time with 'only having one' when we go out with friends. With the justification and rationalization skills I'm able to put into ordering a second drink, the U.S. government should probably hire me to deal with foreign relations. Seriously. I'm just that good.
But let's be honest. There are a lot of calories involved in the stuff... and absolutely no nutritional value whatsoever. Don't try to tell me that olive in your martini is doing you good. All that vodka is just a vehicle for one lonely little olive? Uh huh. And 'getting your vitamin C' from a mimosa or margarita is just laughable. You're not kidding anyone. (... and neither am I. Not anymore.)
I've read that three ounces of alcohol reduces fat burning by roughly 33 percent. Yes, seriously. Is that drink really worth it? If I'm going to bust my you-know-what in the gym and keep myself away from all the cookies and brownies down in the cafeteria at work, I shouldn't let a drink or two in the name of destressing put a damper on all my hard work. It's not fair to myself... even if I think it's all going to be a-okay at the time.
So, rather than ban all happy adult beverages for the rest of my life and then some, I'm issuing myself a challenge:
No alcohol for six weeks. Starting today.
This is probably one of the hardest things I've ever done. Skinnygirl margaritas and I are BFFs. I've developed a true appreciation for dark beer. And this hiatus will directly effect my Fourth of July plans. Yeah. (PS: Sorry, Brett.)
But I'm going to do it. It's time to take my health seriously. If I can't turn down a beer or two here and there, that's just... well... pathetic.
I'm sure the first week will be the easiest... so be ready for some serious moaning and groaning along the way. I just have to make it through July 29. Who knows. Maybe I'll give it up all together.
.... but don't hold your breath.
