Day 21 Review
Today is my day in the house doing all things domestic (that's the theory anyway) but it's also Day 21 which has made me review how I've done.
The Good
These are well established good habits – drinking 2 litres of water daily, exercising loads, keeping positive, giving myself credit, eating for nutrition, thinking before I eat.
The Bad
Eating slowly, using the Hunger Scale (although I do ask myself if I really do want anything to eat), recognising the duck when it's banging on at me.
The Ugly
Alcohol – finding it hard to resist (mainly at weekends) and then not being thoughtful about what I eat or how much.
Therefore I am going to give this complete inability to refuse a drink when offered to me or being completely unable just to have one glass some serious thought. In the past I have not drunk a drop of booze for 3 weeks but somehow it always beckons to me. I'm not in the slightest bit bothered about cakes and biscuits or fizzy soft drinks – I wouldn't dream of drinking a Coke but shove a glass of vino or G & T under my nose and I'm away. I really don't want to stop drinking but it would be very nice to enjoy just one glass – instead of finishing the whole bottle (wine I'm talking about not gin AND I do share it with my partner in crime – Hubby). I enjoy a good wine but do tend to quaff it down my neck instead of savouring it.
I'm going to restart the programme again but focus on the tools I'm not using well enough and I will spend time going through the resource section.
Off to read your blogs now and catch up on all your news.
Hope you're all having a great day.
Luv Elaine xxxx
The journey however was rocky.... lol! Looking back what worked for me was total abstinence at first to get me out of the habit. Then when I reintroduced it there was a rule.... Only drink with food. This REALLY worked. i found eating on an empty stomach sent the alcohol straight to my head and then I couldn't stop because I was enjoying the FEELING rather than the taste.
Eating only with food gives the opportunity to savour the flavours of the wine as well as the food. A glass of water on the table too often means that just half a glass is all it takes before I have a "had enough" signal. Like with most gastro experiences it's the first taste that's wonderful and with the odd exception, I seem to be able to stop there these days... I actually don't enjoy the FEELING anymore - it scares me a little to be honest!!
Good luck and may the force be with you! xxx
Daily - Exercise, water, fresh food
Not good at - the duck, eating slowly, relaxing
We never just have one glass each & leave the bottle - seems a waste
Then you seem to be drinking for the sake of it
If my boss has been an arse, I will buy a cheap bottle on the way home - I have to add lemonade to it to make it drinkable - then take a deep breath & drink the glass quick
How pointless, you think it helps you relax at the time
I have had no alcohol since sunday, the vodka was calling last nite
That is a great idea from mandie to only drink with food
I dont want to turn into my dad - he drinks 2 bottles of red a nite & 3 on weekends.
I assume he is not happy & still grieving for my mum but he remarried within 18mnths - that was his choice & he mad our lives hell at the time
I am determind not to need alcohol & fear it like I did with food for soo long
I enjoy food now, I want to feel the same about wine & say when enough is enough rather than drinking as it is open
Hubby opened a bottle of red last night but I was happy with my cup of lemon & ginger tea and wasn't in the mood for an alcoholic drink.
In Mallorca on Monday I had the best Mojito as a pre dinner cocktail. One was enough!
I will do the water thing and see how I get on. I know when I'm driving I just drink water and don't even think about the booze.
One thing I have found helpful is to make a cuppa as I'm doing dinner and it seems to take away the need for a drink.
This week has been OK - no alcohol for 4 days.
Thanks again.
Luv Elaine xxxx
You sound very determined to get to grips with cutting down on the wine so good luck with that.
It seems strange I can be disciplined in so many things but give into the booze very easily. However your Dad's situation would worry me from a health point of view so I am pleased you never want to get to where he is. I know you're strong enough to not go down that route.
Yes Mandie's suggestion is great and I shall give that a go - I'm looking forward to a drink at the weekend but have already offered to drive Saturday and I know I want touch a drop if driving.
Take care and I hope that boss hasn't too much of an arse this week.
Luv Elaine xxxx
Thanks for the great response and I am sooo impressed that you have managed to cut right down on your alcohol intake. What is even more impressive is that you stuck with it for a year.
I am inspired by you so thanks tons!
I will keep you posted on how I get on.
Keep happy,
Luv 'laine xxxx
I have the utmost respect for you and thank you SO much for your response on my "bit battered" blog - it meant the world to hear that from an experienced teacher - I shall definately remember that I'm not a super-being and stop being so hard on myself...
thank you so much again, Love Mandie xxx
Oh, p.s have fallen off the wagon twice in the last few months - most memorably on 5th September and 29 January so I'm not polishing my halo yet! lol!
Thanks for that last response it really made my day! At times I wonder if I'm 'banging on' whilst blogging.
It's interesting that no matter who we are or what age we respond to positive comments and praise. Your resonse made me feel happy and pleased to have been supportive to you. I went on to have a great day - the PT pushed me really hard in the gym and I had planned a new swimming programme (from Swimfit). I had my doubts if I could manage the whole swim (50 lengths - 1250 metres) of drills and moderate to hard speeds. But hey I did the lot - no one was more surprised than me. I'm sure the feelgood factor established so early in the day really helped.
Take care and have a great weekend.
Luv 'laine xxxx