Are you proud of me now?
Because all of January, I didn’t have a single drink, as I resolved to do for the new year. Now there’s just the bigger goal of getting at least 183 stickers (aka having 2 drinks or less in a day) this year. 32 down, 151 to go!
I am, however, rather disappointed to report that going dry didn’t have the positive effects I had hoped for. Apparently, my dreams of becoming a sober superwoman of sorts — productive, energetic, and generally psyched about being alive every day — were unrealistic!
More seriously, I think something’s wrong because I’ve been tired all the time. I’m wondering if it’s celiac sprue or a gluten sensitivity, since I basically replaced the alcohol calories with baked goods and subsequently started feeling really shitty. I shared this hypothesis with Summer yesterday; she optimistically pointed out that gluten sensitivity’s v. popular in L.A. :P I’ve caught a fad!
If you’ve had me not respond to calls or emails or comments, ignore you on Facebook, or worse, cancel plans, this is the reason. I have a few up moments during the day when I get writing done; the rest of the time I’m semi-comatose. Please don’t take it personally. Now that I’ve officially switched to a new health insurance plan, I’m hoping to get to the bottom of this.
How are YOUR new year’s resolutions going?
My only serious New Years resolution was to add more vegetables to my diet. I’ve never been a real veggie eater and I figure it’s much more healthier and cheaper to add those to my diet. I went on South Beach on the first Monday of the New Year. I quit most sugars, white flower, white rice and most processed foods. I live on a lot of protein (chicken, fish, nuts, etc), dairy, unprocessed whole wheats and vegetables. A few fruits here and there.
My boyfriend even got me a cook book, I forget the exact name (don’t have it with me). It explains each vegetable in it’s own chapter, lists the best way to cook said vegetable and lists a few master recipes for it. I’ve tried portobello mushrooms already, I have a butternut squash that I have to try out soon.
Good Job on your month of sobriety! I am curious about your fatigue since you started eating a lot of baked goodies. I know ever since I cut out flour and most processed items, I’ve felt a lot better. I do miss cookies and it was my birthday yesterday and I did not have cake. :S weird
Oh well, keep us updated.
Comment by Righteous Metal Broad — February 4, 2009 @ 5:17 pm
Yay for a sober January! Was it more rewarding when you switched to butterfly stickers? I mean, I love Heal the Bay, but the logo is a little morbid for an “I did a good job today” sticker. I’m going to keep my eye out for some smiley face stickers for you…
Comment by Summer — February 4, 2009 @ 5:46 pm
I’m proud of you (:
Comment by Britt Bravo — February 4, 2009 @ 7:18 pm
You are an inspiration – congrats on your month of sobriety.
The flour thing is definitely strange.
Keep up the good work. I love your blog and check it out daily – thanks.
Comment by ellen — February 4, 2009 @ 8:42 pm
I am doing the butterfly sticker thing too…I had been drinking at least one beer EVERY night, but in January I had 15 butterflies..lol
Comment by Jamie — February 5, 2009 @ 6:55 am
I know some people that have gone through rehab for alcohol (not to say that is your situation!) and they were not permitted to eat sugary things like candy, baked goods and soda as a part of the program. The theory was that the sugary foods were having the same effect on blood sugar levels that the alcohol was. Maybe this is kinda what is going on with you?
Comment by M — February 5, 2009 @ 7:01 am
Removing a substance that your body has become accustomed to–alcohol–and introducing something it isn’t accustomed to–a lot of sugar–will make you feel exhausted. Your body may be struggling to regulate its blood sugar, as M wrote. Also, your liver is doing a lot of adjusting, and sugar may be overloading it.
It’s only been a month, and the body needs time to heal. Imagine getting a deep cut. After four weeks, you’d still have a scar. Give it some time to adjust. You can probably help your body out by subbing some fresh juices for the baked goods (carrots, greens, berries). And if you haven’t already, try to get away from white sugar and white flour. That stuff will turn you into an American zombie. It inflames our tissues.
Comment by Jamie — February 5, 2009 @ 9:07 am
Probably the alcohol was keeping some malevolent bacteria at bay all these years.
A guy goes to the doctor and says, “Doc, my arm hurts when I move it like this.”
The doctor says, “Then don’t move it like this.”
(i.e. get back on the sauce.)
Comment by eric — February 5, 2009 @ 11:47 am
Well maybe I shoulda been more specific when I said baked goods, since reading over it now, I realize the post makes it sound like I’ve turned into a cookie monster.
By baked goods I meant anything carby that’s baked, like bread — extra slice of whole wheat toast for breakfast or with chili at lunch, PB & banana sandwiches — that sort of thing, with a cupcake thrown in here and there. I didn’t suddenly start eating a whole lot of simple sugars –
Comment by Siel — February 5, 2009 @ 6:52 pm
Sorry to hear about your energy levels being crappy Siel. I’ve been struggling with high anxiety, and it’s utterly crippling when it hits me. I hope you get to the bottom of it!
Comment by Alex Thompson — February 6, 2009 @ 1:08 pm
S’ok — Went back to drinking and now I feel better, except when I’m hung over –
Comment by Siel — February 9, 2009 @ 6:46 pm