September Dryathlon

No one on here in AA, obviously !!

No!!!

But have you given up alcohol for September, Penstemmon?

Over the last year I have lost a stone and a half.

I eat and drink anything I fancy but only at meal times, so if I want chocolate that is when I eat it. I have been careful with portion size too.
I drink a glass of tap water as I am preparing a meal (or if I am out while waiting for it to be served!).

I have slightly increased my weekly activity by walking more often.. either into town or on a specific walk.

Gluten free is good for me too. I am not ceoliac but find my stomach bloats if I eat too much gluten.. I find the more processed the food is the more I react. I still eat gluten based products but am mindful of how much/often.

Slow and steady loss, everything in moderation and nothing off limits... it has worked for me Down to size 14 jeans and 16 top! Hoping to drop one more size as I am short!

Well, Anya - I have been following a gluten-free diet and a Fodmap diet (don't ask...LOL) for the last few months and have actually put weight on although that wasn't the plan. I have chronic IBS - have had it forever and the new eating plan has been amazing in helping with that but I have taken my eye off the ball a bit regarding portion sizes etc. I have had to eliminate many, many foods but start re-introducing in another week or so - fingers crossed that I don't re-introduce IBS as well

Not drinking alcohol and not experiencing the tricky IBS symptoms has meant though that I have felt more like exercising again - I have been running again this morning and I have a personal training session tomorrow, I hope to start an Aqua exercise class on Wednesday too - so that should all help. I'm not exactly overweight but could do without the extra half a stone

Good to have you back Gill - but sorry to hear that you are covered in bruises. Also sorry to hear that DH is trying to thwart your efforts - it makes it that much harder - but good for you that you are still with us for the remaining two weeks.

Here's to gran-power!!

Not chewing a blanket but almost bailed - thanks to 'help' from DH. Went to see new GS on Thursday and DH can't stand baby's dad so ended up for a pub curry. I didn't eat (trying for weight loss) but he brought me alcohol again instead of a soft drink. Well after just a few days without any at all (out of practice) ended up having a bad fall and am covered in huge horrible bruises.

Still there are two weeks left in September so I will doing the best I can considering my handicap - DH

No idea about weight loss as I rarely weight myself JG - only if my jeans feel a bit tight. No scales in the hotel room either.

Last day today, but it's blowing up a hooley out there and I hope it drops before I fly back this evening.

I am less hungry at night I have noticed though. How about you?

Has Gill bailed out or is she sitting in a corner somewhere chewing a blanket?

And another day bites the dust I can't believe how different I feel - this morning I even went for a run only a mile or so but it's a start

Any weight loss your end Anya?

How are you doing Gill ?

PS good for celebrations - not for crutch.

I'm seriously considering it JG

Anyway, we've still another 17 days to go so

I don't know Anya - could you...? I certainly think this month's experience will change my wine habit for the better - but I am looking forward to a birthday drink next month

Have a fun and interesting day

Where is the rain that was forecast? Looks bright and sunny out there
I'm booked a coach trip around the island today - not usually my sort of thing, but figured if I'm only here till tomorrow evening I need to squeeze a lot of places in.
I don't think I could do a dry October as well .....could I?

Ana

I may have a sober October too Ana, and a no -wine November, but will definitely have a drunken December.

jogginggirl (although joggingfirl is quite nice...)

Thanks, joggingfirl - I'm hoping I won't be completely on my own!

I don't really have any magic tips ladies - I just figured that if 'wine time' was becoming such a habit then I needed to be doing other things at that particular time of day. I have always been an avid reader but usually just at bedtime or when on holiday - so I began to read just a couple of chapters at 'wine time' and before I knew it 'that' time had passed. I have also enjoyed writing over the years - mostly family inspired poetry so I have started again and I am now planning to write a blog - I have so many ideas in my head and have used 'wine time' to start making notes.

Anxiety has been an issue for me for most of my life so re-engaging in the things I used to enjoy stops me from reaching for the wine. Don't get me wrong, I will continue to enjoy a glass or two but be more mindful of how often and how much and not to make a habit of it

And ... yes roses - a little chocolate now and then but definitely not the bible or JC but how I wish I could still do handstands!! It's quite enough learning to skip again with my two gorgeous GD's

My fab DH has also kept me company on this dryathlon during the week - suggesting all sorts of other beverages - he allows himself one or two glasses on a Friday and Saturday night and it really hasn't bothered me.

Anya - I visited St Helier many years ago for the Battle of Flowers but my memory fails me on detail other than I remember it being a very pretty place - glad you have enjoyed and Ana - we will definitely be supporting you in a sober October

Yes, do - some of us may be attempting a Sober October and need some tips!

Well done Jogginggirl and Anya for sticking to it.
we visited the Durrell place years ago, famous Colobus monkeys I think?
distractions........ thorntons brazil nut toffee? reading a passage from the Bible? listening to Jeremy Corbyn? doing handstands? tell us!

Been on a boat with wheels (in case the tide is out) to visit a tiny island castle and then met a fellow Glaswegian who drove me to Gerald Durrell's Wildlife Park on Monkey Bus - I was the only passenger.
This is a beautiful island and it's been sunny all day.
Settling down with a big glass of diet ginger ale, but must confess to eating the complementary biscuits in my room

You've got me curious about your new 'distractions' now

Good morning Anya the sun is shining her in N.Shropshire finally - it has been a very wet morning so far though - hope you don't have the rain now ...

Your comments make a lot of sense to me Anya - I think using food or drink as a crutch or a reward is a dodgy place to hide. I began this month looking for distractions at that 'dangerous wine time' - those 'distractions' are now becoming my new habits - altogether a better use of my time

Glad to hear that you are busying yourself with new discoveries and still able to stick to your low-carb diet - and have enjoyed a much better ambience at breakfast. Have a great day and hopefully some of this X

Different dining room, different staff for breakfast, much better experience. Even managed to stick to low carb diet.

Good morning "JG* et all. Bit cloudy here in St Helier but no rain - yet.
Sorry to hear about your mum but a big 'well done' for not reaching for the wine. It's hard I know but alcohol can too easily be used as a crutch and I'm trying to get into the frame of mind that's its better seen as a pleasure to be enjoyed.
Food should be the same. Too much comfort eating and comfort drinking, so you 'did good' as they say.
So re your question about drinking on this holiday, there's so much else to do and see I'm taking my pleasure from that.

Good for you Anya - voting with your feet, what appalling service! Is the weather being kind to you? Very impressed that you are on holiday and still going without wine - how are you finding it? Are you at all tempted? I ask because I had a tough day today with my mum who has Dementia - and I could very easily have come home to a nice glass of red. I didn't though

Hopefully Gill is still on board this wagon - not sure if there are others...?
Have a good weekend

How's everyone else doing?