On The Wagon For January

2 weeks down, still don't feel like having a glass of wine. Perhaps I've truly kicked the habit - but I wish I hadn't had to get sick to wean myself off. Still not feeling quite back to normal and have banished spicy foods from the table.

So week one safely taken care of. Although l feel im being punished for being good as l have the sniffles now

Feeling really chuffed with myself actually and also managed to save a good hundred quid so that's further inspiration for when next weekend comes round and l dont have the self awareness of the fact im doing a 10k race at all that weekend. Think the trick could be to tell myself l need to go out and get some training miles in.

l've not socialised at all this weekend though and l know that l cant just be a hermitt all month and do actually need to have the nous to be able to go to the pub and just drink soft drinks.

One thing that has sharpened my focus though is something my sister said to me yesterday about her being wary of inviting me to a bbq she was having the other week as she knows l can be a handful when im pissed and it's off putting.

Evening

I did have a pint yesterday - it was the end of a team time trial that involved teh hardest hill I have pedalled up in ages so I joined in

Back on it today

Afternoon.  Well I managed Saturday night off and last night. Going out tonight so will have bottle of wine but then off for the rest of the week.

I bought a bottle of Eisberg alcofrof-free wine for last night.  It was 

Well done everyone. 

Still on. I did have a beer on Monday but it was Erdinger alcohol-free Weissbier.

Well done Wolfy. I've bought some Erdinger a-f  weissbier just now.  I like it. 

Good - we always have a crate of it in the cellar. It's the drink of choice at the finish of many races over here too, and our tri clubhouse stocks it too.

Not had a drink at all this week, but that was never likely to be an issue as i've already said l never drink during the week anymore.

The 2nd test begins tomorrow night when the international footy is on and there's the opportunity to go for a beer. Think i'll probs stay in, watch the evening horse racing from Wolverhampton and then go for a nice run about 9pm to lead me away from temptation.

Well Friday is here again whihc is pay day and normally go get a four pack day - but I won't this time

Went to a retirement dinner on Saturday - ate potatoes with joghurt and salad, drank 2 alcohol-free Weizen beers, felt much better on Sunday morning than I usually do after a night out.

There is no way I'm going alcohol free until Jan. It's winter, and I need to put on some winter warmth fat. Though since July I do notice I am getting bigger around the waist again.

BIW - I also think that yoghurt should start with a J rather than a Y. I guess I spent too much time abroad...

2 weeks in and feel like tony the tiger from a box of frosties. The money im saving is pretty frightening in truth and makes it all the easier to continue not to drink.

Im actually enjoying remembering my weekends, doing productive things and going out for a nice meal with a friend and it not leading to a 3am punch up in a kebab house.

Could get used to this l reckon. Particularly when l hear about how crap my usual drinking buddies are feeling today

Probably - we've been in Germany since 1976 so yes, I used the German spelling, just comes naturally now. I am totally bi-lingual in several different dialects. Strangely, I am perfectly happy holding two conversations simultaneously with different people, one in each language, but often if asked to give the translation of a word,I struggle, have to really think about it. What's that all about? Maybe because when talking to people I'm not consciously thinking about what I'm saying, just doing it?

Hello lovely wagon, glad to see you still rolling. Not an alcohol free peep, but will be in Jan. Have cut down quite a bit and once the beer festival ends at Wetherspoons and there are no new yoummy ales to drink, will go beer free until Christmas. "Bionic Ironwolf"...hope all okay and you have been re-built properly!!

Indeed I have! Not allowed to run again yet though, counting the days until 20th December which will be 6 months to the day, I was told not to run for 6 months to allow all the muscles and tendons to grow around the new joint, so am keeping to that. Am allowed biking and swimming though, and have done lots of speed walking.

Gosh...sounds a challenge and trust you coped. Wishing you a full and speedy recovery

Thanks a lot! I'm getting fractious now though, I began my running career at age 11 and it's been tough having almost a whole year out. Also have to accept that marathon and Ironman racing are now a thing of the past, my surgeon says no further than the half.

Having a trial run in the build up to Christmas. Day 1 yesterday went okay but miht be mmore difficult foregoing post gym beer tonight Hope all waggoners ready to get round the fire in Jan. Have a wonderful advent all

Not long til January now!

.... can we make it February instead??

No Mike, my kidneys, liver and waistline can't wait that long