Living Dry July

I am 23 days and 15 hours into my month long campaign to stay "dry" during July.

A quick recap of the rationale:
1. I'm doing this to make sure that I can. If I can't go a month without a drink, well quite frankly - that concerns me.
2. I'm going to Bali in September and hope this might transform my child bearing middle aged body into something worthy of a bikini.
3. I didn't have many prior social engagements, so July seemed the best shot I had.

The score so far:
I have taken a few "leave passes". One to celebrate a dear friend's birthday (and it coincided with the half way point). And two other leave passes to have one glass of champagne, just to provide I could stop at one. Other than that, only non-alcoholic beverages have been consumed.

The results so far:
1. I feel more creative. Being employed to be a creative, strategic thinker and problem solver, this carries a lot of weight.
2. My pants fit me better. Becoming bikini worthy may be a stretch, but my mid section has definitely improved.
3. My friends haven't abandoned me and I don't feel like a social outcast. But that says more about the quality of my friends than anything else!
4. I am wealthier. Without spending money on drinks, avoiding social occasions where I might be tempted to drink, and being able to drive to the social engagements I did attend saved money on cabs.

The conundrum:
I have less than 1 week to go and I will be "free" again to drink whenever I please. But for all the positives of the past month, reason suggests I don't go back to my bad habits. And it is a habit. Pouring a drink at the end of a long, hard day. Clinking glasses to celebrate a birthday, good news and other milestones. Sharing stories and letting off steam with the girls over a bottle of bubbles....

So, I'm constructing Phase 2 of Dry July - anyone who'd like to jump on the bandwagon is welcome, and I'd appreciate the moral support!

* I will abstain from drinking on school nights (Mon - Thurs)
* I will drink low-alcohol wine where I can (and where it tastes OK)
* I will "pay attention" (as the French say) to limit the number of times I drink on a weekend

Seriously, this is about making conscious decisions to improve the health and wellbeing of the most amazing piece of equipment I will ever own - my body and soul - and that is the lesson learned through dry July. I paid attention to what I put in my body. And it rewarded me for it.