I know some of you are probably shaking your heads going, “ok, Monique. Big deal!”, which is exactly the point of this post! At the start of the summer, I told RM that I wanted to be more spontaneous and plan less and in general, be more easy going and ok with going off schedule. Halfway through the summer, I’ve realized I haven’t really been very successful in accomplishing this. So many nights RM will say “want a glass of wine?” or “I made a pseudo spritzer- want one?” and I politely respond with, “no thank you”.
I will say that *most* of the time I turn down drinks during the week because I really don’t feel like I need or want one. Most of the time I’m getting home late because of teaching or some other fitness event and by the time I shower and sit down to eat, wine is not even close to being on my mind. However, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t turn down drinks sometimes because I didn’t want to drink extra calories. Or because I’ll feel guilty having a drink because my weekly goal Monday through Thursday is usually to not drink alcohol in order to give my body a little break (unless there’s a specified event during the week that will likely result in drinks- girls nights, sporting events, traveling, etc.).
But the thing is, what’s the difference between drinking on a Friday than on a Tuesday? Some Friday’s I don’t feel like a glass of wine but have one anyway because it’s Friday (#becauseFRIDAY)! And everyone drinks on Fridays to celebrate the weekend! Right? Maybe, but does it mean I have to? Nope. I shouldn’t feel like I need to conform to societal “rules” or my own rules instead of tuning into myself and listening to how I’m feeling and what I want on that particular day/time. Which is exactly why on Tuesday night last week, I poured myself a glass of wine after my workout and shower. RM was over, it was HOT and we were grilling. What goes well with all of those things?
VINO! 🙂
What I loved about the whole situation was that I poured and drank the wine because I truly WANTED it, not because RM was having some and I felt like I should join him. Or because it was hot out and “everyone” drinks when it’s hot out. Or because I just finished a killer class and should “reward” myself. And, the best part was that I didn’t feel guilty for “breaking” my “no drinking during the week unless it’s a specified event” rule, but rather I thoroughly enjoyed every damn sip of my Murphy Goode Sauvignon Blanc because, again, I WANTED it.
Being mindful of my body and listening to it is something I really struggle with- taking an unplanned rest day due to sore muscles and being tired, changing my plans to go out to instead stay in, going to the beach instead of doing “Sunday Things”- these are all things that are hard for me because I love plans and following through with plans and crossing things off my list. I like consistency and schedules (can you tell I’m super Type A?! 😉 ). But you know what? Holding myself to these standards- these rules- is not getting me anywhere. It’s not where the “fun” happens or the spontaneity. Those things happen when you go by how you feel. You want a glass of wine on a Tuesday night? Friggen have one- no big deal! You want to go to the movies instead of the gym? Go for it.
Of course, you might not want to get caught up in drinking every night or skipping your workouts, but everything in moderation, right? And when you’re truly feeling something, whether that’s skipping a workout to visit with a friend or having a glass of wine on a Tuesday night, you should tune into yourself- your mind and body- and think about what it’s telling you and why it’s telling you that. Have you been overly sore or over-working yourself at the gym? Did you have a good day at work and want to celebrate? Or maybe a bad day and in need of relaxation? Our bodies know what’s up a lot more than we think, so I urge you to tune in a little more often. When all else fails, have that glass of wine, even if it’s on a Tuesday 😉
Questions for you: Do you drink during the week? Do you set “rules” for yourself and feel guilty if you break them? Are you spontaneous?
Burpees to Bubbly 
Your mother would be proud! But NOT a reason to have that glass of wine!
exactly, Cathy! She and I are very different when it comes to that!
I’m like you in that I like plans, lists, and crossing things off those lists. I’m also a creature of habit — BIG TIME. So, also like you, I often don’t find myself having a random glass of wine during the week or doing something out of the norm. But every once in a while I do just need that glass of wine (or 2) mid week, and you’re right, it’s glorious! I don’t really ever feel guilty for going outside of my own “rules”, but I do find myself thinking about whether I “should” or “shouldn’t” do something (i.e., wine on a Tuesday)… but when it really comes down to it, there is no should or should not, you just have to do what makes you happy!
You’re totally right- I really am working on getting better at doing what makes me happy rather than thinking about whether it aligns with my goals or schedules. But i do think that limiting my drinking during the week (mostly because of schedules and whatnot) makes the times I do choose to enjoy and indulge in a glass of wine that much better since I don’t do it all the time.
I am not a Type A at all. I go for days without thinking of having a glass of wine. i agree with all that you have stated. When it feels right, do it!!
Thanks Jean! i wish I was less type A but that’s just how I am 🙂
im definetly not a type a at all either.. for me i am always spontaneous at any given moment if you said lets go bowling in 5 mins i would go. personally for me planning sounds to restricted and should something arise i wouldn’t want to be disaappointed. also i feel wheres the fun when you plan when you can just randomly do something. what do you think :). ps my sister whos 5 years younger is a type a and im just the extreme opposite a b 🙂 i wouldn’t want my personailty trait to change anyday. thats why we are all different right 🙂
Can you send some of that my way, Gale?! 🙂 My sister and I are total opposites, too, but she’s the younger one! We are all different and learning how we, ourselves, are is the most important because once we own that, it doesn’t matter so much what other people think!
ill be happy to send some type b traits 🙂 . ps beware when you do recipe blogs i will be chimming in 🙂 thx for letting me share my input on topics you blog about 🙂
No problem! I hope to have a recipe post up soon- chime away 🙂
heck yes i drink during the week! I try no more than 2 in a night since I am on baby feeding duty and I don’t want to feel like crap when I get up in the morning (same went with not wanting to feel like crap at work the next day). I also find that if I have a drink in the afternoon, I’m less likely to overindulge on drinks that evening
that’s so true- i feel like your whole perspective on drinking must change once you have a baby. Drinking in the afternoon does the same thing for me!! i like to spread them out