A little 'health' update.
I did 'Dry January' this year, largely in a bid to instantly cut the wine habit I had allowed to spiral out of control in December, (at practically a bottle a night for the last week of the year, I felt this was probably dipping into the realms of excessive drinking), and found this worked well for me.
I can confirm that January was not a barrel of laughs as a result of no alcohol - that would be a big fat lie as looking forward to tipples at the weekend is standard adult practice methinks. But I did find, much to my great surprise, that I felt 'happier' - which is weird. Maybe years of wine has caused happiness mood swings - times of feeling wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee as I look forward to an evening of a nice dry white, and times of feeling boooo hissss as I endure 24 hours of feeling a bit lousy due to an excess of wheeeeeee the night before. With no alcohol in my system, I felt a general sense of calm wellbeing, which is hitherto unknown in my world.
So, with the advent of February I swore I would not slip back into old habits, and I consume no more than 2 bottles of wine per week. Still probably a tad more than the Government health limits, but hey.
Last night there was nearly a whole bottle left in the fridge. Whilst making a baked bean and mushroom lasagne, I drank it. Quickly. Then I felt very pissed. Then I recall being on the Internet and thinking what a good idea it would be to purchase things whilst tiddly, thereby removing the sense of guilt associated with buying things you don't really need or can afford.
Omigod.
This morning, after I had stumbled out of bed at 4am for lots of water and paracetemol, I was beset by the terrible vision of perfume and handbags.
MUCH to my enormous relief, after checking Amazon and Ebay I have not got a vat of Narciso Rodriguez eau de parfum on the way accompanied by a few Orla Kiely sling bags. Seems I have a smidgeon of self control after all. But the fact that these thoughts were even in my head is alarming to say the least.
I will not be drinking wine tonight.
I have been hauling my cookies out of bed twice a week for the last couple of weeks to swim at 7am at the Golf Club. More endure than enjoy, although I feel great about life and myself as I plough up and down the chlorine highway with my goggles on a la Rebecca Adlington. (but not as fit or fast obvs.)
My weight remains constant (and constantly a stone lighter than this time last year) thanks to the 5:2 diet which has been the easiest and bestest diet ever.
I am doing Pilates at home regularly, and really love the way it makes me feel - longer and leaner - really. I can feel muscles venturing out beneath the layers of flab on my arse cheeks and stomach and this is a nice surprise I can tell you. This DVD is ace - in 10 minute sections, very do-able. No, I am not on commission.
In crochet news, the Mosaic Blanket, more commonly known as 'that bloody blanket', is now demanding 12 squares per day in order to reach completion in April. This is because I put in on to a proper double bed to see how it measures up instead of plopping it on our king size and saying 'oh yeah - that many squares, that'll do' as I have been doing up until now. Gulp. It needs to be at least 28 wide by 32 (if I can get away with it) or 34 (if not). I have so far done 575 squares. Quite a few left to do then.
Meh.
Yes, nailing your cap to the mast in blog-world is the instant kiss of death isn't it?! I am still 5:2-ing it, and holding the weight off with ease. In fact, it was reading about it on your blog that made me even consider doing it at all, as I had dismissed it at first as too draconian. I reckon you can endure any diet for 12 hours at a time, which essentially is what it is. Go for it (again).
ReplyDeleteTaking my daughter to a pokemon battle tournament thingy today. Absolutely terrified. Don't know how you do it all over the country! Think she is ok though. Will see how that works out later
ReplyDeleteOoh, do let me know how she gets on! Where is she playing??
ReplyDeleteOne of the unfair snags about giving up alcohol for a bit is that it seems to make one more susceptible to its effects when one drinks it again! Glad to hear that you kept your cool and are not facing an avalanche of handbags and perfume in the post this week! Thank you so much for your kind comment on my blog. C'est la vie these things. Here's to a Springy and cheery week - and may be a little light Internet shopping in the gaps should need arise! (I find I don't need alcohol to take a giddy trip or two round Amazon etc so must keep a stern watch on myself at all times. Repeat after me, Mrs T, "at all times"!!) E x
ReplyDelete;) E
DeleteIt was a pokemon x and y battle in a shopping centre. She lost in first round but was reasonably ok about it thank goodness.
ReplyDeleteoh what a shame - I hope she keeps it up - lovely camaraderie. If she can play at a local club she could do very well as a junior.....if she is young?
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