Day 40

The recovering Catholic in me recognizes that I just did the equivalent of no alcohol for 40 days of Lent.

I still haven't come to any conclusions about not drinking, except that I won't drink today as it would sound silly later to say 'I gave up alcohol for 39 days.'  'Forty' has a better ring to it.

In the gym this week, the manager (in her mid-20's) whom I affectionately call 'my weekday teetotaler' and I were comparing notes.  She has zero willpower and used to say, 'I'm not drinking this weekend, well, except for Friday night, and Sunday afternoon.' She had a similar statement about mid-week drinking so thus the name.

She did Dry January like I did and just kept on going.  Any big reason?  Nope, just didn't feel the need to stop yet.  No wedding plans, no weight loss goals, nothing.  I feel in the same boat.

In an ironic twist I've been getting a lot of mystery shops recently.  It's only a hobby, I like writing about travel and experiences and this is just a chance to eat out for free while doing so.  Many of them are via the brewers who want to test how their pubs are doing.  So if the brief says, 'you must order a half pint or pint of beer on this visit,' then I task that to the boyfriend while I get a coffee or sparkling water.  To be fair, I'm impressed with the state of the coffee machines in many pubs these days, on par with the fancy coffee shops!

OH is continuing to follow his fitness regime but got sidetracked this week on two work nights out as the vendors were providing free beer and nibbles.  To his credit he had none last night (Friday) and has a weekend on the cross trainer planned.  My not drinking means that a Saturday for him is usually a can of beer rather than a bottle plus of wine so small wins at least.

Day 36

Dry January rumbles on.  I had said that I would extend it out longer than Dry October, so it needed to top 31 days.  The Saturday just gone would have been my first 'possible' drink day.  However the time is not yet right.

Physically I've done a bit of toning up this past month.  Down one solid kilo and even dipped down another kilo for three days straight.  Back up again after overdoing it at the gym and taking four days off.  I'm down at that annoying last five pounds stage.

OH's sis hosted us for dinner on Sunday with their parents.  That one is an easy one as the parents do not drink.  So I brought along my current favourite non-alcoholic tipple:  http://www.echofallswine.co.uk/sparkling-tisane which they enjoyed too.  Note: the bottle on mine looks more green than this photo.  Price is under 3 GBP at Asda.

Undecided as to how long to keep this up.  I'd like to get more in shape and actually have some ab muscles at 42.  Perhaps a lofty goal.  Otherwise, the job is still carp so not drinking is helping me to preserve my mind, it would drive me nutso otherwise.