Today is my 45th day of no alcohol and 37th day on the 75 Hard challenge. I have to say, it’s been an interesting journey so far.
This is the longest I’ve gone alcohol free in my adult life (besides during pregnancy). The last 37 days have been the most I’ve exercised consistently for many many many years.
The old me would have quit by now with the small results I’ve seen on the scale. I would think that with all the exercise, lack of alcohol, and totally clean eating with no red meat, no fried foods and no white bread products, plus no processed foods would have brought a much more significant loss on the scale. I’ve only lost 7.5 pounds so far and I’ve got so far to go. Normally I would let my wine witch convince me that I can lose weight just as easily while drinking as I am now. And I would be back to drinking almost daily and consuming way more than my fair share 😜.
But this time I’ve committed to the process. I’m enjoying the process. I’m not craving wine. It’s been so weird that I rarely even think about alcohol. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve occasionally craved that fuzzy romantic tease that sipping a wine on the deck on a beautiful day would somehow make it even better than it already is, but it’s faded quickly.
I do now notice that I used wine to unwind and detach from work and my goals. I used it to escape from everything I want and need to do. I’m working on finding the way to still escape and slow down without it. It’s a bit of a challenge because I tend to be the type that is very driven to work on my business and life. Like, all the time. So, working on time to relax with myself and my hubby is a little bit of new ground. We used alcohol all the time for this.
I see some changes in my mindset and a few changes in my physique but I always expect it so much faster than it happens. I’m still hopeful that one day soon that switch will flip like I recall it doing in the past. All of a sudden all the hard work comes to a point where it just shows up. The weight suddenly falls off and it all comes together.
Maybe it’s wishful thinking at my age but I’m holding onto it!
I love my new life! 
Congrats on 45 days! One of the biggest rewards I didn’t “see” but started feeling was a calming happy smile from my soul saying thank God you finally started to take care of you and are allowing your True Self to come out and shine to your ultimate brightness. That’s huge! Everything else will fall into place with time and accordingly.
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Thank you for that insight! I do feel that little smile and happiness. It’s a great feeling. I want more of it!
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Congratulations! Sounds like you’re making some awesome improvements in your lifestyle! Do you find exercise helps flip the switch? It does for me, so I was just wondering. If you hang in there I think you will see dramatic results with that kind of eating, exercising and no booze! 💕
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Thank you! I do feel like exercise is the opposite of wine. When I exercise I don’t crave wine. When I drink wine I don’t exercise!
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Huge congratulations on 45 days. That’s amazing work and with all the exercise you are making changes that will show in both mind and body … but lack patience is the thing that can stop us seeing those changes. 7 1/2 pounds is fantastic and it is so much better to lose weight sensibly and slowly and keep it off than to yo-yo all over the place. The best progress is the changes you make to how you see yourself and how you cope with stress, boredom and life’s challenges. That’s the small but by no means insignificant improvements that are happening every day. Well done 👏 Keep going xxx
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Thanks for the excellent reminder. I always have lost patience. Not this time. It’s been a lesson I’ve been being taught in every area of my life lately, it seems!
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We rush rush rush through life. I have been so guilty of that. Frustration with myself, with others, with situations … it lead to so much stress and anxiety. I can sit for hours now and do very little and feel totally at ease with it. It’s lovely. Yoga has also helped me see that doing something on a daily basis over a long period of time slowly changes so many parts of you you barely notice … until one day you find that you are stronger, more flexible, naturally breathe to support yourself, toned, mentally calmer … I never had any interest in yoga but this last year I have discovered it’s power! Xx
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Thank you for that thought. I’ve been avoiding yoga for some reason. Do you have any favorite classes you do online or on YouTube?
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Yes! Look up Adriene yoga on you tube … she has tons in there. I subscribe to her app now as I like it all in one place but there’s loads to get started with for free. Lots of beginners stuff too. I avoided it for years but it’s been an absolute gift I have to say. I also downloaded an app called ‘daily yoga’ which is good. I’d start with Adriene though. Xxx
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Yoga with Adrienne is the best! I love it, too. Congratulations!!! You are doing so well. It takes time to really see changes. Hang in there! It will happen!
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