Alcohol free January

Exercise has double benefit which is rarely mentioned - if you're up and out as opposed to sitting around at home, there is less inclination to raid the biscuit tin/bread box or whatever is your fancy.

Anya I don't drink sugary drinks apart from the odd Coke or tonic water if I'm driving, but that tends to be around once a month these days. You hit the nail on the head with the exercise though - we are out of our exercise routine at the moment and need to get back to walking and swimming as much as possible. Struggling at the moment though as I hurt my back yesterday getting into the car (don't ask!).

kept let

Greyduster I think cutting out alcohol will have helped our livers detox but weight-wise, we may well be substituting sugary drinks. I'm walking quite a bit every day and that helps keep the weight from piling on, but it's getting lighter and next month is March so always feel it's easier to actually lose weight in Spring and Summer.

No inclination to overdo anything or go mad. It's not as if we are children suddenly kept loose in a sweet shop. Silly.

Do you all not find that after a 'dry' January you now want to overdo things , it would be better to cut down for ever than to have nothing then suddenly go mad.

Thank you, Jogginggirl. I had a lovely lunch - loads of unexpected little treats arriving between the courses of the set lunch, a half bottle of house wine included. With coffee a little pink striped paper bag marked Pick and Mix came. Half a dozen delicious little morsels which may have come from Willy Wonka's factory were inside.

Poor you Greyduster I think this weight problem is a never ending battle.

I was feeling all bright this morning having lost 8 lbs, over quite a few months I should say. I decided to check my BMI and I am still in the overweight section. Even if I lose another 8lbs I will be at the top end of where I should be for my height.

Enjoy the cake.

This week I have had three glasses of wine, a glass of sloe gin (for medicinal purposes!) and we have just been out to lunch so I had half a pint of Guinness! I weighed myself on Monday, and I hadn't lost an ounce during all this abstention. In the run up to Christmas, I lost half a stone, put that back on again and now I'm back to square one. I have now cut the sugar out of my hot drinks, and will throttle back on the drinks and get back into the exercise regime in an effort to get some weight off. But tommorrow is GS's birthday so you've got a have a bit of cake haven't you?

Well I am still off the alcohol, much to my surprise. Just weighed myself and I have lost another pound, which is very heartening news as I wasn't expecting this.

I realise now that I am sleeping much better too, which is a real bonus.

The challenge however is this coming week when we are looking after our 3 and 5 year old GSs for 8 days, with some help from their dad, whilst their mum goes away for a week on a course. HELP !!

Hope you enjoy a lovely lunch tomorrow Elrel ?
I've done four days without chocolate- this could be a long haul

Still loving getting back to my Redbush tea! Looking forward to lunch in a lovely restaurant tomorrow with a glass or two of wine! Maybe even a fizzy one ...

Wondering whether to give up all forms of chocolate for March. Even my tiny bars of very dark Aldi emergency chocolate. Now that WOULD be a challenge!

Well I haven't started partying yet ... nor put pinot noir on my porridge ...as I was babysitting last night. I'm driving tonight, and tomorrow, perhaps Thursday may be the end of January (I was late starting anyway)?

Then today, of course, the news is that reaching for the glass of wine is going to raise my cancer risk.
I might have to stick to gin

Oh no! I missed it too for very much the same reason as JG because I was doing worthy deeds

Belated Birthday wishes from me too Glass

Thank you

So sorry - I didn't make the Virtual Party - I had a g&t just to get me in the mood whilst getting ready - and nodded off Sounds like you all had a great time - maybe after our next dry month
It's blinkin' freezing up here in Cumbria - sun promised later though?
Belated happy birthday glass

Do yourself a favour, NanKate, give it to a charity shop! There are days when the words 'flyfishing' and 'fun' are a contradiction in terms!! Thanks for your support, and for the party - it was a blast!

Well I'm just clearing up after the Virtual Party. I think it went well and I only got two complaints from the neighbours for rowdy laughter

I will need to go down to the bottle bank today to get rid of the empties other than that we are all back to normal.

Thanks Greyduster for the book called *Flyfishing for Fun'. Oh I also had a lovely signed Album from Rod Sewart and my guest Prof Brian Cox gave me an quick identification of the stars in my back garden

Thanks for getting me through January and making the party such a success.

Well it looks like most have gone home so I'll say thanks for the party Nankate & to all for the fun of this thread, it's made me smile during the dryest January ever for me. Night night all.

You're all welcome especially the birthday girl Glassortwo. I like the idea of a musical accompaniment.

Anyone fancy a dance ? I wonder if Anton du Beck is available ?

Just realised I should have said what I'll wear to the party - not what I'm actually wearing now! (too late to change anyway)

Happy Birthday Glass!

Black track suit trousers (but they are Gap with side zips at ankles), pale purple top (very old, sorry) with dark purple gilet

a very cold white wine - to start.....

Rod Stewart

Same as Willow - my guest would do a "turn" for us (that doesn't sound right)

Will put my best smile on for when NanKate looks through her spy hole.

Happy birthday glass!

Thanks willow

Happy Birthday - enjoy

Done it, now a glass of wine for my birthday