When your idea of ‘fun’ is no longer a good idea because it makes you fat/hungover

[MawkishTwaddle]

How do you treat yourself if a big bar of chocolate or a bottle of wine isn’t a great idea?

Looking for ideas!

Expensive fruit I wouldn't normally buy, like peaches, or make a lovely smoothie with lime, ginger and kiwi fruit.
Manicure/ pedi
Massage / Indian head massage
Massage my own face with scented cream while lying in bed listening to restful music

Nice fruit could work...I need a new mindset

And I know it's weird but I love expensive fizzy water out of a glass bottle, like San Pellegrino. In a really nice glass, with lime and lemon slices and ice.

Something like a nice hand cream or face mask, and then a cheap trashy book on my Kindle

Every night though? Weird how chocolate and wine never get boring. I feel like if I have to have another bath I’ll scream.

Watching with interest as I enjoy a drink but want to stop/cut back significantly.

Oh I was going to list some treats as pp but you're not on about treats are you, you're on about dependency.

There's a thread, long running support. I'll link it for you.

Similar feelings here. After years of over indulging on alcohol it's just not worth the calories or awful hangover now. I have a gin and slim with lots of ice and lemon i a huge glass and drink it very slowly. I'm also going to get some sort of non alcoholic fizz for the Xmas season.

Thread here.

Fibberty sorry, I wasn’t clear. I don’t mean I drank every night. But there would have been some kind of unhealthy ‘treat’ - if not a glass of wine, then tea and biscuits, or a cake...just something nice after a busy day.

I can’t shake the feeling of self-denial! Pathetic really.

Oh I see, sorry for being a bit thick there.

Something nice after a hard day at the coalface, can identify with that.

I would say join an exercise class, community choir, take evening classes in silver smithing or something. Get yourself a natural high!

Make something or learn a new skill.

I think lots of people associate drinking with unwinding and as a treat but I think a lot of it is boredom induced.

I know exactly what you mean!
I bought a bottle of prosecco (which I used to easily finish in a night) and gave up after 2 glasses, the reason being my jeans are too tight so I couldn't enjoy the extra calories 😪
I have no advice but am watching with interest!

I knit with lovely soft (expensive!) wool and treat myself to all sorts of fancy herbal tea - and all of it costs less than a couple of bottles of wine a week.

I enjoy exercise more now, and a sense of delayed gratification. Last week I tried on a nice 'party' dress (because I've lost a lot of weight) and it was the first time I can remember that I looked at myself in the mirror and thought 'Wow, you look good'. It actually gave me a high that lasted for a few days.
To get through the evenings I would suggest a nice non alcoholic drink, a little bit of exercise and some of your favourite music or a good book. I like playing games on my tablet as well.

I am pre diabetic so wine and chocs are a huge no for me. My go to treats include yorkshire tea biscuit brew made with double cream, cheese of any description, olives and very occasionally 2 pieces of 90% lindt dark chocolate.

hot bath & smellies (love a lingering bath)

Some good ideas here, thank you.

Good idea for a thread.

My nails are always immaculate now as the whole wine/carbs/chocolate thing just doesn’t work when you get to your 40s.

I now read more too as I need a distraction. I treat myself to a nice book once a week.

Different teas - I make a good chai latte
Candle
I look forward to a box set or a good book as a treat.
Greek Yoghurt with berries and grated dark chocolate is nice and not too unhealthy.

Yogi Tea, Choco flavour, with milk. Chocolate, not calories!

One of those face sheet mask things.

A jar of gherkins!

I'm sure there will be some calories involved - but less than a bar of chocolate or bottle of wine.

Ooh, I like Chai! What’s your recipe, please, Junebug?

HamiltonCork it is the 40s thing, I think. I gain weight so easily now, what used to count as a treat is now just a bloody awful idea.

It’s suddenly dawned on my why nanas used to knit.

A friend had a glamorous Russian secretary in her 40s a while back. She used to advise "Everything you used to spend on alcohol, now you spend on aerobic".