sober – Page 2 – Ian’s Thing

Sober October Rolls Along

October 23, 2017October 23, 2017 IBM Leave a comment

It’s the 23rd of the month, and it’s still a sober one on my part.

Yesterday we went out, with Bobby and Fatima, for Sunday lunch at Jackson & Rye in Richmond. We ordered food, and usually I’d have had something alcoholic; probably an old-fashioned to start, and a beer with the meal, but I opted for a coffee, and then an iced tea instead.

After we’d eaten we walked from Richmond to Teddington, along the riverside. It’s a walk of two or three miles, and it feels like you’re really out in the countryside at times!

We took a brief rest at this bench, and took the photograph above, and then walked into Teddington, passing several pubs. We ended up in Starbucks, where I opted for a Venti Cappuccino.

Bobby and Fatima went off to Hounslow, and then we headed home, via a 285 bus to Harlington Corner, and then a 111 for the last leg home.

Today, I’ve another day off. Apart from a quick trip to the local pharmacy this morning, and a pit stop in Tesco, I’ve spent the day indoors catching up on a few computer tasks.

Friday The 13th

October 13, 2017October 13, 2017 IBM Leave a comment

I don’t believe in any of that superstitious claptrap.

Anyway, I think it was rather a good day.

My work day was quiet and non-eventful, and now I have the whole weekend off, which is always welcome.

Kathy has been unwell all week, but she is now beginning to get better, although she still feels rather weak.

Also, I’m still going good on the Sober for October thing. That’s 13 days now with no alcohol. It’s not so much I miss it, because I don’t really. It’s when I get time off, and go out, and I think about swinging by a pub or bar or taproom to try out some new brews (or enjoy a few that I’ve had before.

As I’ve also given up wheat I seem to be having success with that too. My Crohn’s disease symptoms have all but disappeared!

So we’re almost a half way through the month. Lets see what completing this exercise will bring by the beginning of November!

Beer & Wheat

October 4, 2017October 4, 2017 IBM Leave a comment

I’m still on course for the Sober October thing, but of course it’s early in the month yet. My biggest test will be the forthcoming long weekend off, which is when I usually go out for a least a day or so, and usually find myself in a pub with a pint of craft ale or two, or in a restaurant with a beer or wine to go with my food.

I also have plenty of beer and wine at home, which I don’t touch before work (obviously) and which doesn’t get bothered with by the time I get home around midnight.

It’s harder when I’m on an early shift, as it’s very tempting to enjoy a brew in the early afternoon when I get home, or perhaps a glass of wine if I finish earlier in the evening.

The other thing I am making an effort with at this time is to cut, or at least drastically reduce, the amount of wheat in my diet. I don’t suffer from wheat intolerance as far as I know, but I was reading an article from a cardiologist convinced that cutting out wheat can help both your gut (I have Crohn’s disease), and weight loss goals (I’d really like to lose around 50-60lbs).

I’ve dropped a couple of pounds already since the weekend, but we’ll see. It’s been quite hard not reaching for the bread and making a bunch of sandwiches!

At least I can still enjoy a Full English Breakfast, albeit without the fried bread or toast.