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!

Wise woman.

Blatantly marking place in case anyone comes up with something to wean me away from some chocolate in the evenings....

My evening relaxing drink is different each night..
Hot chocolate
Mulled vimto
Fruit tea
Iced coffee
Non alcoholic wine
Cider

I like nice fruit, nice cold meats (salami, prosciutto etc), smoked salmon.

A little snack pack of sushi, carrots and low fat hummus and diet pink lemonade from M&S is my Wednesday treat every week as I have an hour to myself after work before DH gets the kids from after school club (heaven!).

I like food and I need to have food treats. But healthy food treats do exist - I love raspberries but they are expensive so I buy them as an occasional treat, for example.

I'm 7 months sober today. I was fat, depressed, bad skin, not-fully-present parent etc so knew I just had to stop drinking.
I've lost the last stubborn 1.5 stone (without changing my diet), my skin is glowing and I have loads of energy. Just raging silently that I didn't do this sooner. It is without doubt the best thing I have ever done for myself.

Fever tree have a HUGE range of fancy tonic waters (with light versions available for all) my current favourites are Aromatic Tonic, Clementine Tonic and Sicilian Lemon. Loads of ice, slice of lime and it's very easy to forget there's no gin in it!

@FellSwoop

I have accidentally forgotten to put the alcohol part in a round of vermouth & tonics.

Nobody complained, and even said how refreshing it was. Then I remembered that I forgot to get the vermouth out of the cupboard!

We all had a good laugh at me. But honestly, nobody had noticed anything apart from it being more refreshing.

But maybe I mix things too weak normally? I think even I would notice if gin was missed out of a g&t.

I always liked big ole strong g&t...but never really enjoyed gin with other mixers...so perhaps it's the tonic taste that I liked so much, hence being able to fool myself that there's gin in my drink...so in the absence of gin I don't feel like my drink is lacking...if that makes sense?

I like to play my current video game or do some art. Depending on how I'm feeling have a trip to the gym or a run/swim.

Kopperburg alcohol free cider, with chopped strawberries in it.

Mulled vimto and gherkins

Watching with intense interest

I think when you get to a certain age, you just need to face the inevitable healthy lifestyle of exercise, low carb eating, sleep etc. or dont and face the consequences (obesity, poor dental health, fatigue etc.)

For a treat, I’ll have berries & greek yoghurt, do my nails, watch Netflix, buy a book, get a beauty treatment, book a trip etc..

I'm trying to cut down myself and I find if I fill my dinner plate with loads of veg it helps to stop the dreaded snacking, when I'm watching my box set I have a large glass of cordial or a cup of tea and then have a handful of NICE boiled sweets. If you suck the sweet then it lasts ages and your mouth is kept busy. Well, that's the plan!

Well, I had a very nice evening last night thanks to you lot.

I dug out my watercolour pens and did a couple of Christmas card designs, while howling along to the Les Mis soundtrack.

I also had a baked apple after my dinner, while everyone else had pie. It was covered in custard, admittedly, but it’s a start.

Any more suggestions gratefully received.