I’ve been a bit rubbish at blogging but I thought I should at least post an update 6 months on from my health and fitness coaching!

Where do I start? Well firstly, I’m really proud of myself! I put on weight over Christmas and I put on weight on an all inclusive holiday in March. The holiday weight is gone and the Christmas weight is well on its way! Im currently half a stone heavier than when I finished the coaching but im feeling so great in every other way that I’m OK with that! All my new smaller clothes still fit me.

The biggest achievement is that I’ve only had alcohol on 6 days this year! That means I haven’t had alcohol on 94 days! it’s been a huge learning experience but I’m mostly loving it. I still have moments of really fancying a drink and I did give in on holiday but I’m coming to the conclusion that alcohol gives me nothing and takes away so much. I would never have got here without the support of Beth throughout my coaching. She got me to see things differently and build long lasting habits.

What does alcohol take away from me?

  • Sleep – it ruins it
  • Heart rate – it increases it
  • HRV – it lowers it
  • Self respect – it removes it
  • Memory – it erases it
  • Motivation – it’s crushes it
  • Exercise – it stops me from doing it
  • Anxiety – it adds to it

The list goes on but you get the picture! I’m a happier, calmer, more motivated version of myself without alcohol.

I’m still not ready to say never again and I’m hanging on the the fact that I can drink the bottle of champagne that’s chilling in the cellar but that just means I need to keep working on myself. I’m not fully recovered but I’m going to carry in reading, listening to podcasts and revelling in the unexpected joy of being sober (to steal a phrase from one of my favourite quit lit books with the same name!) So watch this space!

The ultimate test was going to Day Fever recently. This is a night club experience during the day. Curated by Rob McClure of Reverend and the Makers. I went with 3 drinking buddies and I stayed sober. It was a brilliant afternoon and I danced for 3 hours straight to banging tunes. I even got up on stage to dance. I left early as I had other commitments but I would have (and will next time) stayed longer. It made me realise that if I do things that I love, I don’t need to drink. I clocked up 30,000 steps that day so it was great exercise as well!

I’ve also started a new job since I last posted. I took voluntary redundancy from the university which was a scary prospect but I got a job at Nexus Multi Academy Trust which I am loving at the end of week 4. (Staying sober through the redundancy and job hunting was hugely beneficial.)

Exercise is now just part of my regular routine. I’m running 2 – 4 times a week and doing regular strength and mobility training. I just feel meh if I don’t exercise regularly so it’s a non negotiable.

I’m eating more healthily and I’ve developed the best sourdough starter but that deserves its own post so stick around if you’re interested…….