“You have a fat face.”
That’s what my best friend said to me—directly, unapologetically—over dinner one evening in late January. His tone? A mix of frustration, concern, and the kind of brutal honesty only a true friend can deliver.
“I think you should take a break from alcohol,” he continued. “I don’t think your body is processing it well anymore.” He went on to explain—very scientifically, of course—that now that I’m older, my body was probably handling sugar differently.
I burst out laughing. Not because it was funny, but because, well…he wasn’t wrong. And when your best friend calls you out like that, getting defensive is pointless.
The truth was, I had just returned from a trip to Hawaii, where I noticed my T-shirts were suddenly auditioning for a role as crop tops. My face did look puffier in photos. And to top it off, I hadn’t felt great during the trip—bloated, sluggish, not sleeping well. Instead of enjoying my vacation, I spent most of it feeling like a human marshmallow.
I had done Dry January in 2024, so I knew I could give my body a break from alcohol again. But let’s be real—it was already the end of January, so that ship had sailed. Instead, I declared I’d do Dry February. Shorter month, easier challenge. Win-win.
I told my partner about my plan. He was fully supportive, even offering to help in any way I needed. “I appreciate that,” I said. “But you know me—once I commit to something, I follow through.”
And then, in true commitment fashion, I opened a bottle of wine on January 30th, poured myself two glasses that night, and had one last farewell drink on January 31st. Because, you know—balance.
They say it takes a village to overcome challenges, and in this case, my village showed up—whether I was ready to admit I needed them or not. With their support (and a surprising number of sparkling water recommendations), I tackled the next 28 days head-on.
Here’s how I went from round and bloated to refreshed and slightly more chiseled—one alcohol-free day at a time.
- Made the commitment and shared it with my partner and closest friends. This turned out to be a game-changer—it kept me accountable from the moment I woke up to the moment I went to bed, no matter who I was with. Their support showed up in small but meaningful ways, making it even harder to back out. Disappointing them? Not an option. Friends we usually had dinner and drinks with suggested a Valentine’s Day brunch instead, swapping cocktails for tea, coffee, and sparkling water. We had dinner with our neighbors at a healthy restaurant, where everyone agreed to just one Mocktail. That was the closest I came to temptation, but I held strong. In the end, my village didn’t just support me—they made it easier to stick to my commitment. And that encouragement? It fueled me to keep going and, ultimately, win my battle against the fat face.
- Completely changed my eating habits. Now, you might be wondering—why would I tackle two lifestyle changes at the same time? Am I crazy? Fair question. But this one wasn’t actually my idea. My sweet, supportive partner decided to embark on a meal prep adventure—one where, truthfully, he did all the work. We had always eaten moderately healthy, but he wanted to take things up a notch. So, he dove headfirst into vegetarian recipes and started prepping meals for the week. Since I work from home (and the kitchen is not my thing), he figured it would be easier for me to stay on track if lunch was already made—zero effort required.And let me tell you, he delivered. Our meals were packed with raw and cooked veggies, hummus, rice, beans, lentils, tofu and plenty of fruit. No sad salads or boring diet food—just real, delicious meals that kept me full and satisfied.In the evenings, whenever a craving for a glass of wine hit, I reached for sparkling water with lime instead. By the second week, I swapped that out for tea—sometimes ginger, sometimes chamomile—which helped with bloating and, I believe, improved my sleep.Turns out, between my partner’s meal prep skills and my new tea obsession, I wasn’t just surviving this alcohol-free month—I was thriving.
- Hydrated Like a Pro. I’ve always been good about drinking water, but in February, I took it to another level. I became intentional—tracking my intake in a journal, including water, coffee, tea, and protein shakes. The most surprising discovery? Staying properly hydrated curbed my hunger. With plenty of liquids throughout the day, I naturally ate smaller portions at lunch and dinner. Plus, with all the natural sugars from fruits and veggies, I had zero cravings for processed sugary drinks. I even ditched the sugar in my coffee—something I never thought I’d do. Turns out, sometimes the simplest habits make the biggest impact.
- Mastered the Art of Selective Socializing. This time around, I was strategic about my social circle. I stuck to close friends who supported my decision, avoiding situations where I’d be pressured or made to feel like the odd one out. I learned my lesson from Dry January 2023, when some friends insisted it was “stupid” to take a break from alcohol and questioned why I’d “limit” myself. Funny how making a positive change can make some people uncomfortable. But instead of engaging in that energy again, I chose peace. No awkward conversations, no unnecessary explanations—just me, prioritizing my goals. And honestly? Best decision ever.
- Moving with Intention. I’ve always been an active person and try to maintain a regular exercise routine. But for February, I decided to shake things up. Instead of pushing myself through grueling, hour-long gym sessions, I took a more mindful approach—one that was kinder to my body but still kept me moving. I started going on 20–30-minute walks around my neighborhood every other day, soaking in the fresh air and giving myself time to unwind. I ran 4–5 miles a couple of times a week, just enough to feel that runner’s high without overdoing it. I lifted weights at the gym twice a week, focusing on strength rather than exhaustion. And of course, my older dog got to enjoy more short walks, which, let’s be honest, he probably appreciated the most.The mix of different activities and varying intensity kept things interesting. It wasn’t just another fitness routine—it was enjoyable. So enjoyable, in fact, that I decided to keep it going beyond February. I guess after a month, a habit truly does stick. And with spring around the corner, I realized that warmer weather would open up even more possibilities—hiking, for one, is already on my list. Turns out, when you stop treating exercise like a chore and start making it a part of your lifestyle, it becomes something you want to do—not just something you feel like you should do.
- Stepping Out of My Comfort Zone. As February progressed, I realized how much of Denver I had yet to explore. The city is full of hidden gems, and I had barely scratched the surface. So, I made it a goal to try new things—big or small. One of the most unexpected yet impactful experiences? Visiting the Denver Central Library. Now, I didn’t go just because it’s a stunning building filled with state-of-the-art technology and a massive collection of books. I went on a whim, and by chance (or fate), I stumbled upon books that felt like they were meant for me at that moment in my life. Books on wellness, nutrition, and aging gracefully—subjects that, given my recent lifestyle changes, were suddenly very relevant. Reading them gave me a fresh perspective on how I should be treating my body—not just to look better, but to feel stronger and healthier for years to come. And spoiler alert: alcohol wasn’t exactly on the list of recommended habits. The biggest lesson? Get out, explore, talk to people, and try new things. You never know what random decision might lead to a discovery that changes your life.
As I write this final paragraph, I realize just how transformative February was. It wasn’t frustrating, miserable, or restrictive—in fact, it was the opposite. It was a month of taking control, of choosing what fueled my body rather than what inflamed it. And in the end, I came out on top. My face looks normal again (goodbye, puffiness), my body feels strong, and my energy is next level.
But the biggest revelation? Taking care of myself—mind, body, and spirit—wasn’t just good for me, it was fun. Exploring new places, learning new things, leaning on my village for support—it all made the time fly by in the best way possible. And along the way, I built habits that don’t just serve me for a month, but for life.
As for alcohol? My relationship with it has definitely changed. I won’t deprive myself, but I’ll be intentional about when and why I drink. Or who knows—maybe I’ll go completely sober. That’s a decision for another day. For now, I’m just enjoying the version of myself that feels better than ever.
What about my lovely friend who pointed about my fat face you may ask? Well, it is one of those thing in live where I feel blessed to have good people around me that really jut want the best for me. He is in for a real treat when he sees me next time.
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