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28 December 2007

Clean Living January - Who's In? [More:] I know bunnies have tried this before. Frankly, I'm a wreck. I anticipate an ultimate fail, but as far as I can get I'm going to go. Almost all in. No booze, no cigs, no carbs. You can pry my pills and my questionable morals from my cold dead fingers, though.
are you insane?
posted by jonmc 28 December | 19:30
Absolutely. That's the issue.
posted by rainbaby 28 December | 19:32
Yes, but it's our Mother's Little Helpers that keep us all sane.
posted by jonmc 28 December | 19:36
Well, yes. Exactly, jonmc.

Also, the internet stays.
posted by rainbaby 28 December | 19:38
How about clean-er living? I don't want to shock my system too much all at once.
posted by bmarkey 28 December | 19:39
In fact, I'm begging for emails in advance.

Right, bmarkey, that's why the some stuff stays.
posted by rainbaby 28 December | 19:41
If everything stays according to plan, I've got a very light work load in January, followed by an insane workload in Feb-March. Therefore, January's gonna be decadent and then I'll clean up a little when the work hits.

January is a miserable month to spend being all virtuous, anyway. It's cold and dark and dreary. Clean living would probably be more fun in a month that's got other things going for it.
posted by BoringPostcards 28 December | 19:41
Yeah, yeah, clean-er. I'm in, but I'm definitely not all the way in.

I'll try to sleep better, and eat better, but I'm not in a hurry to change the rest of it.
posted by box 28 December | 19:43
I love you guys because you are so not helping.

But I'm doing it. Even if it only lasts days or weeks, I HAVE to.
posted by rainbaby 28 December | 19:44
All right, all right. I'll shower twice a week.
posted by Pips 28 December | 19:45
I'll only eat cheese when it's accompanied by something else--a cracker, or a pizza crust, or something.
posted by box 28 December | 19:47
No booze, no cigs, no carbs.

Been living like that for years.

What can I give up?
posted by essexjan 28 December | 19:48
The killing sprees, for a start.
posted by jonmc 28 December | 19:50
The killing sprees, for a start.

No chance, they're my only fun these days.
posted by essexjan 28 December | 19:52
I'm in the same boat as essexjan- got anything for me, jon?
posted by small_ruminant 28 December | 19:52
Arson. The smell is getting to me.
posted by jonmc 28 December | 19:53
I'd say stop ruminating, but a fish gotta swim, y'know?
posted by box 28 December | 19:53
Anyone who regularly flosses could give it up, if it doesn't give you pleasure.

My pants don't fit and my liver is falling out!

*cries for help*
posted by rainbaby 28 December | 19:55
i've been frighteningly virtuous almost all month; it's probably part of what caused my Christmas crash. To be any more so, i'd probably have to be unconscious.
Sorry, the imagined debaucheries have been greatly exaggerated.
posted by ethylene 28 December | 19:57
Oh, i'm willing to help chastise you if you like.
posted by ethylene 28 December | 19:58
well, shit, jon. coldest time of the year, too.
posted by small_ruminant 28 December | 19:58
My pants don't fit either. They all make me look like my ass has been surgically removed. And My liver is suing me for divorce, but you don't see me living clean, no siree bob...
posted by jonmc 28 December | 19:58
Oh, wait, i don't believe in me, either.
Maybe i need a drink.
posted by ethylene 28 December | 20:01
No cigs - done.
No booze - how about less booze, and no whiskey during the week?
No carbs - can I exercise instead? I would die without pasta and beans and tortillas... not in the same dish, mind you.
posted by bmarkey 28 December | 20:03
I do belive in you, ethylene. Now, I do. Plus, I like you. You may chastise me.
posted by rainbaby 28 December | 20:05
I'm in. Mostly. I think? Sigh.

If there's some degree of support, maybe:

* No booze
* Add exercise
* Add outdoor/sunshine time -- I keep trying to get myself to go for walks during my lunch hour to counteract some of my winter-depressive tendencies, and failing

I don't smoke, but I'd be happy to support those trying to quit or take a break.
posted by occhiblu 28 December | 20:10
I'm just gonna pile on the exercise and stay out of the kitchen a little more, I think.

posted by bunnyfire 28 December | 20:15
Occhiblu, you can't go no-booze. I spend too much time in the city lately. It's not fair (to me).

But if you want to say you're doing it and then cheat when I'm in town, I promise not to tell anyone.
posted by mudpuppie 28 December | 20:15
Occiblu, I volunteer to be your pet project. You coud get credit or something.
posted by rainbaby 28 December | 20:18
occhi, rainbaby, If it'll help you keep your no booze pledge, I'll be happy to drink your share for the next month.

I'm a giver.
posted by jonmc 28 December | 20:19
Did i miss something? i was trying to make most of an old baguette into a giant cheese sandwich.
i was woefully unsuccessful.

i like you, too, but it doesn't bother me much to not do certain things. i'm happy to help be supportive, though.
posted by ethylene 28 December | 20:24
For the third month in a row, I'm pledging to give up fast food, and any restaurant food with "fry" in the name, or that is obviously breaded (which means no more Buffalo Wild Wings). Can I join the Virtuous January for that? I need support.
posted by muddgirl 28 December | 20:24
Ooh, as for exercise, I've started doing 20 minutes every morning (although weekends have been a problem - does 1.5 hours of bowling equal 40 minutes of cycling?). Does anyone want some sort of email reminder every day, like "Did you exercise today? Shame on you if you didn't"?
posted by muddgirl 28 December | 20:27
I'm going to try not to eat out during the week at all, instead cooking at home and trying to fix new recipes and keep adding more healthy things to my diet- does that count?
posted by ThePinkSuperhero 28 December | 20:27
I wish you all well with your pledges, honestly, but I don't plan to give up anything or improve myself in any way. I'm not sure whether this is a sign of mature self-acceptance or immature sloth and stubborness.
posted by jonmc 28 December | 20:30
Maybe we could plan an alternate activity, like i could take a picture of my kitty The Bees chastising you daily and post them:
"Jesus, Beesus, you're giving her the stink eye!" etc.
posted by ethylene 28 December | 20:30
OK, I apparently need a mudpuppie exception, and course credit dependent on rainbaby's success rate.

This is getting complicated. I'm going to have to get my lawyer and registrar to draw something up. I'll get back to y'all...
posted by occhiblu 28 December | 20:30
Wait, does this mean we hafta booze up now and smoke 'em if we got 'em?

Is mudpuppie the great exception, like we can do anything in her presence? So if she delivered...
posted by ethylene 28 December | 20:32
Yes, you can do anything in my presence, so long as you're prepared for the laughing and the pointing.
posted by mudpuppie 28 December | 20:36
i was thinking of using you for smuggling and diplomatic immunity, which could be pointedly hysterical.

How about some New Year's pants, rainbaby?
posted by ethylene 28 December | 20:44
I'm boozing and smoking, eth. And once you buy bigger pants, it's all OVER. I refuse. And I sanction the mudpuppie exception wholeheartedly.
posted by rainbaby 28 December | 20:47
You know you're gonna have to wean down on the smokes or you will claw out someone's eyes the next day, right?

Hold on, i gotta get Bees to end hugs time and try to catch up.
posted by ethylene 28 December | 20:51
Nah, I got the magic gum, and I only smoke when I drink.
posted by rainbaby 28 December | 21:04
Ok, i'm mastering the one handed bloody mary but i'm wondering when one has crossed the line from loving mother figure to boob shelf slavery.
posted by ethylene 28 December | 21:06
What was the list again?
posted by chewatadistance 28 December | 21:31
i think it was:

no letting the kitty think she is still smaller than a baseball
no new pants
and gum is magic.

And get some sun, and properly fitting bras pay for themselves.
posted by ethylene 28 December | 21:48
I'll commit to taking up the slack of those who've quit drinking and smoking.

Just trying to do my part.
posted by BitterOldPunk 28 December | 21:51
OK, hold on. This has gone too far. I'll agree to make a few changes in my life, but I'm NOT playing kitty baseball, I'm NOT wearing magic gum pants, and I'm MOST DEFINITELY NOT wearing bras.
posted by bmarkey 28 December | 22:05
and I'm MOST DEFINITELY NOT wearing bras.

Me too.

*unhooks strap under chin*
posted by jonmc 28 December | 22:09
I wish you all well with your pledges, honestly, but I don't plan to give up anything or improve myself in any way. I'm not sure whether this is a sign of mature self-acceptance or immature sloth and stubbornness.

Heartedly seconded.
posted by msali 28 December | 22:31
Maybe I'll get my finances and other personal admin in order. That's dreadful enough to qualify, right?
posted by small_ruminant 28 December | 22:37
So, like, you're taking lent early?

A small detox every once in a while is good for the soul. And even cheating on it every once in a while would be good for you, too. (whole grain carbs, that sort of thing).

Good luck with the cigs, though. How much do you smoke now?

Maybe I'll get my finances and other personal admin in order. That's dreadful enough to qualify, right?


Geez, I'm still getting my head wrapped 'round that shit. Take it slow.
posted by lysdexic 28 December | 22:54
No way will I give up the sauce, but, well...


I'm quitting smoking. After about twelve years at almost a pack a day.
I'm freaking terrified, but I wake up COUGHING now, so the time has long since come.

Two boxes of patches under my desk waiting for 1-1-08, courtesy of the NY Quits webpage.
posted by kellydamnit 28 December | 23:49
rainbaby, I'll join you.

Don't smoke, but I'll give up drinking for January. And try and run 75 miles in the month. Howzat?
posted by gaspode 28 December | 23:58
I will happily show my wholehearted support by continuing to not smoke. Knock wood that's one habit I didn't pick up. A drink on the other hand, I believe I will pick up.

*pours out a 40 oz. over the quitters' former smoking habits*
posted by Joe Invisible 29 December | 00:59
Be glad you never started. I was an idiot.
I want to be a nonsmoker when I turn thirty. This gives me a year and a half head start.
posted by kellydamnit 29 December | 01:01
I already started this sort of thing two weeks ago, except I don't need to change my diet. You might want to think about Zyban or Wellbutrin.

Good luck with it.
posted by chuckdarwin 29 December | 05:11
Actually, I was considering doing my detox diet thingie in January. So I'm prolly game. 3 weeks of no booze, wheat, soy, cow, etc. Basically eating tons of veggies, non predatory fish, good fruit, and so on. I did this last year and it felt good, plus it actually tasted good since it's all things I like. Perhaps I'm weird, but I like kale and chard and spinach and vegetable broth...
posted by eekacat 29 December | 08:32
What's a non-predatory fish?
posted by TheDonF 29 December | 10:53
I have been VERY moderate as to alcohol and diet. In other years it's been more, and I think I initiated the alcohol-free january thread last year.

I could give up sweets. . but something like 1.5 glasses of wine 2 to 3 times a week seems to work OK.

I had a major health scare over this last year, so I sorta self-moderated.

But, rainbaby, good luck. I hope that it works for you.
posted by danf 29 December | 11:37
Well, I've got a triathlon training program to begin, so I might as well be in. My diet needs cleaning up - I've gained weight lately, because I slacked off watching calories. I could stick to one glass of wine with dinner (healthy) vs. the 2-3 I slip into a bit too frequently. So, lean protein +veg, proper exercise program, 1 gl wine daily for me, and - perhaps most important - I am vowing to give myself time this year. Working very hard to resist overscheduling myself and running around to meetings and activities, more time to stay home and write and read and noodle on guitar.

So, I'm in, and those are my parameters.
posted by Miko 29 December | 14:14
I'm in. I have been drinking and eating too much this past year to deal with stress. As a result I've gained a lot of weight. I keep saying that I'm going to start exercising again, and eating healthy, but I don't seem to have the motivation. This might be the perfect way to get my act together!
posted by cleo 29 December | 14:36
Good luck everyone! I'll tip a glass of champers on the ground in solidarity. Here's one for my homies - I'll be rooting for you from the sidelines.
posted by goo 29 December | 14:57
I *totally* adore that everyone's saying, "This is what I personally need to do, and I'll support everyone else in whatever they personally need to do." It's making me happy.

So, um, yeah. Yay!
posted by occhiblu 29 December | 15:20
Yeah, I think that's pretty neat myself, occhi.
posted by box 29 December | 15:41
Non predatory fish are ones like sole. Basically you want stuff lower in the food chain where the bad stuff like mercury doesn't accumulate. Fish like tuna are out.
posted by eekacat 29 December | 17:31
Flourescent light proselytizing || hi

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