When I decided to take a 30-day reprieve from alcohol I thought it would be pretty easy. I had taken breaks before, one as long as 15 months back in 2016/17. This time felt different. Although I didn’t know it at the time I was approaching it way differently. I said to myself if I felt like drinking I would and if I didn’t want to drink I wouldn’t.

For the first time in 18 months, I am back traveling for work. The first trip is on the agenda...Las Vegas. I have been to Vegas several times for both work and pleasure. In fact, I’ve been to Vegas and not drank before but that was many years ago.

This trip felt different. I had more nervousness about going and remaining true to the goals I have set for myself to remain alcohol-free, caffeine-free, and eating clean. I have created a nice routine at home that includes meal prep, all the beverages on hand that I can enjoy, my workout equipment...all the comforts that home brings.

I didn’t know July 15th would be such a big day in my life when I set some goals for myself a while back. I am the typical type A that thrives on setting a goal (personal and professional) and then creating a plan to execute it. Some goals take years, some goals take months and some of the micro goals take hours or days. Here is a shortlist of goals I’ve set for myself over the years….5k to Ironman (and all those races in between), promotions at work specific to growing the K-Wings overall attendance and community engagement, reading a certain number of books over the course of a year, meal planning and writing a grocery list each week (to save money and be more efficient at the grocery store), the list goes on and on.

So what happened on July 15th and why was that such a pivotal day?

I’m sitting in my home office eating Skittles as I write this. I’m staring at this side-by-side picture of where I was in 2004 (left) and 2017 (right). I think I will put the Skittles away…

I’ve had quite the fitness journey. It’s still evolving to this day. I’ll start from the beginning.

First, I love to read. Ever since I was a little girl reading The Babysitter’s Club, I found that I loved to escape into a good book. That has turned into a lifelong passion for reading. One day I want to write a book. I’ve been talking about that for years. I’ve even taken steps to write an outline and research how to get published. I tell you this, to keep me accountable.

I get asked about going caffeine-free more than going alcohol-free, which I find fascinating. I’m still trying to figure out why. Is it because caffeine is an easier conversation to talk about or because it isn’t as stigmatizing as alcohol? Maybe or is it because 90% of Americans (80% worldwide) drink or eat caffeine in some form.