Day 24

First things first: I'd be lying if I said that I really thought I'd have more to say about this whole experiment when it began. I thought that I might come across some new self discovery and that would thrust me forward into a new day of self-awareness, or some such artsy-fartsy crap. Instead, the whole ordeal has been surprisingly easy. In fact, a couple of my friends are also going "straight edge" (although for very different reasons) at the moment, so I'm not even the only one I know who is abstaining from beer, which is really the biggest sacrifice I've had to make so far.

I've mentioned before that this whole thing is saving me money, but the really interesting thing for me so far is the fact that I never really counted what money I spend on drinking before. I've been to the bar at least 2 or 3 times a week for the last few weeks, not to mention restaurants where I'd usually throw back a beer or two, not to mention parties... Now, none of that money is being spent, and none of those calories are being consumed. And really, I don't miss it at all. It has made me wonder how the hell I could afford drinking beforehand though.

I don't really think too much about my finances, except to say that I live within my means and stay out of debt. When this month of mostly not drinking is finished and I'm looking at my check book, I'm very interested in seeing what kind of numbers will be there. Especially now that hours are being cut at my job and I'm working significantly less- this might help me stay in the black, which is always nice!

I have had some moments this month: Times when I looked at a smoothie or was offered a beer (or was in a situation where a beer could have really helped!) but the biggest moment I've had so far came just now, visiting my parents place to look after the dog. Looking for the water jug, I opened up the fridge and came across a carton of Egg Nog. Egg Nog is my kryptonite. I have a stupidly huge love for Egg Nog and have been known to consume entire 1 liter cartons in the same day... Okay! The same meal! 90% of any holiday weight I put on can be blamed squarely on egg nog. And I was tempted! The sweet, rich, delicious liquid played in my mind, beckoning me with its siren's call... But I resisted! And now I sit here, water in hand, happy in my resolution to stay true, but thinking of another beverage the whole time. I'm a pig, I know.

Day 11

First real slip today: After working the door at Winnipeg Jewish Theater's opening show of "Cherry Docs" (great show BTW) I joined the well wishers for the post show reception. A nice spread was put out for everyone- Stuffed mushroom tops, cookies, cupcakes... and some punch. Without even thinking, I pour myself a cup of punch, walk over to some friends, and take a sip. Instantly: "Ooops!"

When I started this challenge, I thought that it would be hard, but I've actually found it to be pretty easy. There is always water around and usually it takes just as much work (if not more!) to get it rather than another drink. But sometimes, you don't think...

The big thing so far is that I've been to the bar at least four times, which means I've saved $80 at least in drinking. Didn't really think that would be the one thing I've been taking away, but that seems to be the case.

Day Two

Only two days in and I'm turning down drinks: Tuesday night (Day one) I went out to the bar with friends. For the first time in a long time, I spent the night drinking water. Didn't really affect my enjoyment of the evening and at the end of the night I walk away with my wallet as full as when I entered. Nice perk.

It's not unusual for me (when I'm walking home or have a ride) to put away 4 or 5 drinks, which is always well over $25. Some weeks my friends go out a lot, and those $25 tend to add up. Maybe this challenge will be able to fund my fringe tour this year! Or at the very least, help me save a little.

Day One

First day and I have already been tempted. I biked to work this morning and was surprised by how cold it has gotten in the last little while. On top of that, I didn't give myself a lot of time to get downtown, which meant I had to rush, which meant I was breathing heavily, which means my lungs quickly filled with frigid air, all the better to burn my lungs with. It's always a bit of a system shock to breath cold air, but to gulp it down hungrily as your legs spin wildly hoping to beat the next god-damned stop light? It kinda takes a lot out of you.

So- I get to work and am cold. Normally there is a quick solution to this: Grab some tea! Now, while I have given myself tea as a possible option under certain circumstances, it seems kind of weak to break down on my first day, so I tell myself "NO!". There will be no tea today. For as long as I can prevent it, actually. And so, I freeze. Brr.

Day Zero

Just drank my last swig of juice. Didn't really intend on doing it, but I was thirsty and that was what was cold. Now I've sated my thirst and begun my text of endurance. Hurm.

In the past few weeks I've been really going out of my way to enjoy the various drink options that lay before me: Smoothies! Beer! Liquor! Tea! Even today, while ordering my lunch, I bought a combo, which I never do. But I did it, and so I decided to supplement my meal with some iced tea. Now that will be one of the last non-water beverages I'll have in a good long while. Well, what is done is done. Onward!

The Rules

Since this little social experiment is soon to be underway, I should take the time to delineate what exactly the rules are. It's pretty simple really:

 

- I am only to drink water for the next 3 months.

- This means no juice, no alcohol, no coffee, no tea, no pop- Just water.

- This DOES NOT include soup or milk, which can be used for cooking, in cereal or drank outright if the carton is getting close to the expiry date.

-This also does not include herbal tea for the purposes of preserving my voice. I do a lot of voice over work and sometimes you need to baby your vocal chords! That being said, drinking a lot of water is good for that too.

- Once the first 3 months have elapsed, I may choose to participate for another 3 months. If I hit a year, then I'll throw a party, or something.

- At the end of the 3 months, I can reassess any rules

-I'm allowed one cheat day per month. They carry over but cannot be taken in advance.

 

Now, while I've given myself a fair amount of wiggle room in there, I am aware of that and want to be as strict as possible with myself. Which is to say, I've basically set this up to be fairly easy, with come concessions that I'll hope not to use. Who knows how that will actually play out though.

 

I guess the final rule is that this challenge officially begins when my last juice box is empty. It is currently sitting in my fridge, half empty. The game begins soon!

The Reasons

I guess the big question is "Why?". Why drink only water? What do I hope to accomplish? And why do it in the first place?

Well, the answers are all related and somewhat tangled together, but I'll do my best to lay it all out as simply and comprehensibly as possible. I suppose this whole idea began when, after a long painful hung over morning (which had followed a long painful night of drinking), I started thinking about my alcohol consumption. I'm no alcoholic by any means, although I do enjoy a beer from time to time. And during the summer, particularly during the festival season, I tend to indulge fairly frequently. This doesn't trouble me, but it does make me think.

In particular, I'm somewhat fascinated with the idea of addiction. I don't know if I've ever been addicted to any substance in my life, but the idea of it is somewhat frightening. I like to think I am a man that is in control of his actions, however there is plenty of evidence against that. Past indiscretions and slip-ups aside, one likes to think that they are able to stop and say "no!" at any point. Case in point, 90% of the smokers that I know. So, from time to time, whenever my body feels an intense craving for something, I tell it "No!" and see how much I am a thrall to my own desires.

All that to say that I started thinking about what my life might be like if I drank no alcohol. I'm not straight edge, or anti-alcohol or morally righteous in any way, but rather curious. Could I do it? And what difference would it make to my life?

But why stop with alcohol? As I thought more and more about my challenge, I realized that there's not really anything essential in any of the things I normally drink. Most drinks are just trumped up sugar water and I get plenty of calcium from cheese and yogurt. So, why not just drink water? That is considerably more difficult, especially since I'm a bit of a juice fiend and love to treat myself to fruit smoothies. And while a Booster Juice is better than a can of coke, it's still got a lot of sugar and various other crap in it, crap that one doesn't really need. So why not try it? At the very least, I'll be saving tons of money. (Hey, $5 a pop drinks add up!)

So this is a test. One that will save money and maybe even improve my health. It will also answer questions about my resolve, and I'm always willing to see just how much I've got in me. There are other motivations of course, and I'll get to them as my journey continues. But for now, let's stop here.

I've got a single litre of juice left in my Fridge. When it is done, the challenge begins. The clock is ticking...