A WINE AFFAIR

30-days does not a habit make. At least not for me. Not even close. I went to a fun event this past weekend. While I tried to be good (I had a snack at home beforehand and only nibbled on veggies and salad while there), I just wasn't strong enough to ignore my old love, wine.

It started out as a friendly re-acquaintance but old habits die hard. There we were together again, having so much fun; and then one glass turned into two, and two glasses turned into three. And, so on. Codependency at its best. 'Why did we take time off from each other?' we wondered? 'Let's get back together!' we flirted. Our friends stood by and mouthed 'no!' 'no!' as they looked on. But we were too seduced by the moment to heed their warnings. Truth? Our relationship had always been tumultuous. Sometimes great, sometimes not -- never consistent. By the next morning, I had quiet, deep regret, my head was pounding, and I truly knew that we had only a lackluster future ahead.

Fact. Wine is loaded with sugar. Fact. Sugar is addictive. Therefore, could wine be addictive? I think it's possible. I love it and once I get started, I have a hard time stopping. Since I am working on creating a new clean habit, my best bet may be to just stay away from it for a while. Importantly, it's not just about the headache or hangover anymore. It's about making one mistake and then tacking on several more because my defenses are down. And, it's also about inflammation and upsetting my system that I worked so so hard to detox and regulate.

The reality is that parties happen. Events happen. Drinks with family and friends happen. For many of us, completely eliminating alcohol isn't realistic so we need to be armed with tools to navigate these situations. Here are some ideas:

* If you choose the grape, opt for dry reds when possible -- these tend to have lower residual sugar. But tread lightly. Moderate consumption is key. If you are a guest at someone's home, bring a researched bottle to share.

* Choose vodka or tequila. Both have less sugar than beer or wine and have minimal grain proteins. This means that they are less likely to spike your blood sugar, exacerbate any autoimmune issues, and stall any weight-loss.

* Keep your cocktails clean. Vodka or tequila with loads of ice and freshly squeezed lime or lemon. A little soda water or a dash of agave syrup. Nothing else.

* Sip. Slowly.

* Hydration is critical. Drink a full glass of water between each cocktail or glass of wine -- if you choose to have more than one.

* If you can't stop, don't start. (I wrote this for myself).

* Hold a mocktail. No one has to know.

* Understand that it could take a few days for your body and/or weight to return to normal after ingesting sugars and any other junk that accompanied it. Not to mention, you will likely be dehydrated so grab your water and drink up the next day!

While I'm disappointed that I made a mistake, I'm taking it as a sign that my new habits aren't secure yet. I need to be patient with myself, stay engaged with the process, and make smarter choices moving forward. Step One? Wine and I are splitting up for a while. It's time. I need to be strong -- my health comes first now. Then...we'll see. After all, distance often reinforces what's worth keeping and what's ultimately worth letting go.

#bodymind