13 Things I’ve Learned

I’ve had time to process my thoughts of what I’ve learned since I’ve undergone my 30 day challenge of no alcohol and 30 straight days of Bikram Yoga.  Here they are:

Abstaining from alcohol while at social events is not difficult.  As long as you are holding a    non- alcoholic beverage that looks like an alcoholic beverage, you will be alright.

Going to the movies is a great non-drinking weekend activity.

I have a new found respect for soda water, lemons, limes, and cocktail straws.  

Pellegrino is a snotty, selfish version of soda water, and I think soda water should join forces with Occupy Boston.

You NEVER have to say the word Namaste and you can still enjoy yoga.

You do not need Lulu Lemon workout clothes to workout….you just don’t.  I made it through 30 consecutive days of Bikram with  two pairs of five year old nondescript running shorts, three Marshalls sports bras, and a pink yoga mat I found at TJMaxx.  

Bikram yoga is the most difficult form of exercise I have ever tried.  

Your sense of smell  will NEVER adjust to the Bikram stench….the hot room, the odor of the person to your left, and the way your clothing smells after you are finished with class.  

Alcohol really does a number on your skin.  During the 30 Day Challenge, my skin had never looked and felt better.  A number of people (and not just my mom) complimented me on it.  It’s been three weeks since the challenge ended and even thought I haven’t been drinking a lot,  I feel like my skin looks dehydrated again.  (If I agreed with the use of emoticons – I would insert and angry guy here)

I lost 8 LBS!  

Moving forward,  I have imposed a 3 Drink Max on myself.  I will (try) not have more than three drinks in one sitting.  Three drinks is enough to feel good and not enough to be hungover the next day.   (Please note: The first weekend after the 30 Day Challenge, I attended a friend’s wedding and had much much much more than 3 drinks….I experienced one of the worst hangovers in the history of hangovers….a few days later…I came up with the 3 Drink Max.)

I see another version of the 30 Day Challenge in my future.  I’m not sure what it will be but  I’ve thought about ‘No Sweets for 30 Days’ and “No Fried Food for 30 Days.’ It’s just too soon to start another challenge though. (I know this because I tried to impose a ‘No Candy Challenge’ on Monday and failed when I smashed a Reese’s Fast Break mini candy bar at work at 3:30pm on Tuesday)

I am not the type of person to post sentimental (cheesy) quotes as my Facebook status.  In fact, people who do this, irritate me just as much as Pellegrino’s existence.  However, after the 30 Day Challenge, I really do believe the following statement –  In the words of Marty McFly, ‘If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything.’

By Alexandra Ryan