Tag Archives: Sober for October

Frantic family! And best place to live in the UK!

23 Friday Oct 2015

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Just realised it has been over a week since I posted. Things have been busy, travel for work (both me and the hubster), the eldest has been on half term, the youngest still has nursery. Life has just taken over!

But here I am on the verge of yet another sober weekend. Whilst I find it easier in general, I am looking forward to next weekend and a wee glass of wine. I have learned that I can be sober. I have learned that I feel a lot better in general. But I have also learned that I won’t be giving it up long term. I think I am moving to a place where I will have less of it, less often but higher quality.

In other news, turns out we live in the best city to live in the UK, Edinburgh!!! hurrah! Could of told you that years ago. It is an amazing city, and I have lived in lots of places, but Edinburgh makes me very, very happy. Especially as we live right by the water so have the benefit of lovely sunsets. I’ll remind myself of this fact next time I’m stuck on a red eye flight somewhere!!! Here is the view from my bedroom….

 

Halfway through Sober for October!!

16 Friday Oct 2015

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Yay!!! Success!!!! It is all downhill from here 😀

Time for some reflection. I have actually been booze free for 19 days, and have successfully drunk 2 litres of water each day. I have also been sticking to a pretty healthy diet. So far I have shed about 7lbs. I was away for work yesterday and unprompted someone said my skin looked amazing, glowing! Then she asked if I was pregnant 😐 mind you, I half expected that question when I decided to go sober.

But there are points where it is still a struggle. I do crave a glass of wine from time to time. To get through the weekend I decided to try an alcohol free wine. I was distinctly underwhelmed I have to say, it was a jumped up Shloer. I have another one to try tomorrow, but that doesn’t even pretend to be wine.

On non health news, the eldest child (Moo) was poorly this week. I was a rubbish mum and slept through the carnage whilst the husband dealt with it (I blame the flu jab for making me feel a bit worn out). She also finished up for a two week school holiday. Other parents look horrified when I say 2 weeks, their half term is a week and two days. So two weeks of frantic child and work juggling ahead!

Anyway, I’m posting a pic of my alcohol free wine. Don’t everyone rush at once! 

 

Day 11 Sober for October – unexpected wobble

11 Sunday Oct 2015

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Not even halfway, I have successfully negotiated two weeks, including a night out. Whilst I felt a bit grumpy I didn’t really waver.

Today we made a big family Sunday lunch, roast beef with all the trimmings. The hankering for a glass of wine is strong!!!! I stuck to tonic water and a fruit tea, but it is now 10pm and I feel like the next 20 days are going to be loooong! 

The hubby was amazed I didn’t drink last night, and if I hadn’t taken the car he wouldn’t have believed me….the support is overwhelming 😉 I started toying with finished 3 days early since I actually started three days early. All of a sudden he has an opinion and insists it would ruin the whole thing 😮 Although he did promise to buy me a bottle of champagne to open on the stroke of midnight on the 1st November…so I guess that is an incentive!

20 days a and 2 1/2 weekends to go!!

Day 10 Sober for October – First night out survived!!!

11 Sunday Oct 2015

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I was dreading it. I delayed leaving the house, tried to think of excuses. But it was a night out with a good friend who is going travelling for the next year and a half. On Facebook I could see other people dropping out right, left and centre. I would be a terrible friend to let a little thing like sobriety stop me going.

Now as part of the challenge I could use a ‘golden ticket’ to have a drink, but to be honest that felt like a cop out. Do it properly or not at all.
So I hopped into my car and off I went. After the initial banter about me not drinking and everyone being shocked I settled in with a virgin moijto. I thought that I would only stay a short while, but before I knew it it was midnight and I was taxiing people home. It was a lovely night, a good laugh and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

This morning I feel great about myself and very proud. Completing this challenge seems very doable just now!!

Day 5 Sober for October – adding in some excercise!

06 Tuesday Oct 2015

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After a week of staying off the booze, drinking lots of water and watching what I eat, it was time to step things up. Back to the gym, eeeeeeek!!!!

I had actually been out running a handful of times before starting Sober for October. I was using C25K and was slow but trying. It is getting darker at night so I’m shifting my efforts to the gym because I don’t fancy freaking myself out on dark roads!

So on the treadmill I knew exactly how far I went. I managed 2.5km in 20 mins. Not too bad considering how unfit I am. I was red for ages afterwards!

It will be Thursday before I get to go again due to work and childcare, but I am aiming for 5km by Christmas. Might sign up to the Christmas Day 5k as extra motivation…..hmmmmm…..

Day 3 Sober for October – Saturday night treat!

03 Saturday Oct 2015

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Saturday night, day 3 of Sober for October and the husband returned from a week of jolly work jaunts across the USA. He was rather fabulous and brought many gifts from Universal Studios in Orlando (Harry Potter birthday for DD1 is sorted).

He sweetly brought me three Yankee Candles, my fave, in gorgeous autumn smells. Currently I have a Pumpkin Cupcake on the go and it is lush.

We treated ourselves to Chinese take away tonight so it was with trepidation I tapped everything into MyFitnessPal. But, lo and behold I made (mostly) great choices and miraculously managed another good eating day.

Unlike last night I am not dreaming of cracking open the Sauvignon, but I have got a large slimline tonic over ice with a hint of lime.

So overall, another great day and I’m feeling pretty pleased with myself. I might be imagining it but I also think my tummy has shrunk a bit (mainly water retention). So motivation is still high!

Day 2 of Sober for October- First big test!!!

02 Friday Oct 2015

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So day 2 has arrived and it is also Friday night. I have been feeling pretty smug since last Monday, drinking water like a camel, eating healthy food and shunning the booze. I have been bouncing out of bed filled with self righteous energy. I am visualising the inches melting away from my waist, the glow of my skin, bright sparkly eyes, money saved etc etc.

But now it is Friday, the night I would normally dent the best part of a bottle of wine waving away the stress of another week. The hubby has been away all week with work so I have managed the school run, full time work and an overnight trip away for work. Booze would be my reward right now. But I’m not drinking and feel a bit disconcerted about what to do with myself.

Now the the answer is, ‘whatever you have done the last 5 nights’, but the force of 20 years of habit is strong!! I have to remember the only person who can derail me, is me.

Don’t worry, I’m not giving in, I’m just disconcerted. No doubt tomorrow I will feel even more smug than every other morning this week!!!