When I started my blog I had no intention of setting up the Lifting Weights Not wine exercise challenges, they just sort of happened! Initially they helped give me content for my Instagram page @liftingweightsnotwine and now I’ve ended up having a few messages asking to start another one! So on Monday 12th November I will start a new 40 day challenge that will run up to the 21st December, which is perfect timing for Christmas.
I don’t know about you guys but I am certainly someone who likes to journal or chart any sort of progress I am making.
For years I was obsessed with writing down my weight and aiming for a certain (normally unrealistic) goal in a specific time frame (unhealthy obsession I know!)
Then when I became aware that my drinking was getting worse and I wanted to cut down/stop, I downloaded the Drinkaware App. Now this App is brilliant BUT you have to be honest with what you put into it, and that was my problem! You would find me fiddling my units on a sunday night in an attempt to make my weekend alcohol intake look better!
Then once I had stopped drinking, I (like every other soberista out there) started tracking my days and weeks of sobriety. This stopped when I got to one year and now I track it monthly along with the exercise challenges to keep me motivated!
OK, so I know it looks like I’m a bit of a crazy woman writing down and tracking all of these things but it all refers back to one thing………………………….
MOVING FORWARD AND WANTING TO CHANGE!!
Here’s the thing, if you want to make your life better, you’re going to have to challenge yourself!
It’s so easy to stay the same, especially when it comes to our lifestyles. We are in our own comfort zone and although we may be unhappy with how we look and feel, that feeling is “easier” than taking on the challenge to change. How we are is the norm, it’s what we are used to and it’s how our friends and family are used to seeing us. Its comfy. Its normal. Its easy!
Personally I feel that we live in a society where drinking is considered normal. I know I have had a lot of raised eyebrows when ive told people I don’t drink anymore, which is crazy when you think if I told people I don’t do crack cocaine anymore they would give me a pat on the back and think I was amazing! (Anyway I could blog about that all night long but I will save it for another post!) We are so embedded into the drinking culture that surrounds us that its hard to escape, its hard to make the change as we get pressure from around us to remain the same and stick with the “norm”!
Some changes are inevitable and we just have to accept them, like growing old, ill-health, financial situations, relationships etc some changes WILL occur and there is nothing you can do but accept them and adapt.
The real challenge is when you decide to make a change yourself .
Stopping drinking was one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make, it was a huge challenge, it wasn’t easy but I just knew that I couldn’t stay the same. I had to move from the place I was in, I was unhappy and unhealthy and I didn’t want to continue feeling the way that I did. But by doing it I have proved to myself that I am capable of so many other things, I can push myself outside of my comfort zone and achieve so many other things with my life. So now it’s opened up the door to lots of other challenges for me such as; focusing on a new career, pushing myself physically, wanting to learn and do new things and having an outlook that life really is one big adventure!
You have got to keep challenging yourself to change, yes its hard, yes you feel stressed and uncomfortable at the thought of it but at the end of the day its the only way you will get there. And in no time at all the ‘old you’ will be what makes you feel uncomfortable and the new you and how you live your life will become the norm for yourself and everyone around you.
So start right now – set the challenge – write it down – and make the change! And if you need some accountability or support then join me on Monday for my 40 day exercise challenge, tie it in with no alcohol and you will be feeling AMAZING by Christmas! And who knows you may want to spend this christmas sober! (Sober Christmas blog post coming soon)
YOU CAN DO THIS!
Any advice, tips or questions then please comment below or just to let me know how things are going for you on your sober journey?
Angie xx
Find Your Sober Glow! 