Well day 28 of 28 has arrived, some say this month has gone quickly and I guess it has being the shortest month of the year but at times it has also dragged. The 'dragging' has come from watching the day or dates roll on and paying too much attention to them. Often people will say, "oh, what's today's date?" Well this month I could tell them in an instant.

The toga party went well I was offered many jelly shots by the hostess and turned them all down. Water or ginger beer only!

I had a dream two nights ago, which of course is real at the time. I was offered a shot glass of what I thought was a fizzy water (all I've been drinking pretty much) but as it went down the person who passed it to me laughed and was very happy that they had tricked me into drinking a vodka and tonic - why I didn't smell it first I don't know, it was a dream. My first thoughts were - damn it I'll have to start again. Huge relief when I woke up and realised I was still doing OK just days to go.

I am pleased I have done this challenge. As mentioned in earlier blogs it has been mostly a mental thing once the first week or so had passed. From Friday March 1st I will allow myself to have a beer or two and plan on drinking socially and at weekends but keeping the weekdays clear of alcohol. There will always be exceptions but on the whole that's the plan. I read this week that the liver needs at least two consecutive days to clear the alcohol and have a rest from processing, as it's a busy organ performing many takes for the body and it has to have time to rest.

Well Dry July I may pass on - others can do it and I will share my 28 day experience to help them along the way. I would recommend it. Sleep has been good quality, muscle mass has definitely increased (2.5kg's), body fat I haven't measured but I would say its about the same if not a little less. Energy levels about the same, but very fresh in the mornings.

Let me know if you did Feb Fast there is a Facebook page dedicated to it. Good luck.

It was day 5 the last time I blogged on this subject, so as today is the halfway point I thought it timely to give an update of some of the interesting findings so far, most of which will probably not be a surprise, but one may.

As it is Valentine’s Day there will be an expectation that alcohol should be drunk even in moderation to celebrate this special day. This raises the topic of expectations generally. The weekends have been the most challenging part of this Feb Fast. These are the days that bring social occasions, barbecues and other catching up with friends or family which generally – and the expectation is always there that we drink alcohol. It actually feels like you’re being rude when you turn down a glass of wine or a beer when offered one – it’s nice to be a little self-righteous that a drop hasn't passed these lips in 14 days but nevertheless expectations are dashed and guilt sets in.

None of the above is really a surprise as alcohol has become an interwoven element in our social fabric but what may be a surprise, and it was to me, is the muscle gain I have achieved. I haven’t carried out any formal research but have read a couple of different articles on alcohol that state; alcohol can inhibit muscle growth, particularly in the period straight after a workout when you should be feeding it protein to assist in recovery of the worked muscles. I have gained a little over 2kg’s in the last 2-4 weeks which sounds like a lot  - I’m a ‘hard gainer’ so it was a huge surprise to me. It’s difficult to know whether this is down to the lack of alcohol or something else. So if you’re a hard gainer try laying off the booze for a week or two and work just as hard at the gym.

Blog III will be at the end of this Feb Fast journey and in between there is a 50th birthday party which involves Toga’s! – plus alcohol, that is going to be a challenge, but I’m determined to succeed, I don’t enjoy starting something I can’t finish and love to win so here goes, to the next 14 days….

After a relatively indulgent Christmas and January one of my clients decided to forgo alcohol for the month of February.

I decided to share that with others via Facebook and a few have chosen to jump on board this 28 day journey without a drop of the strong stuff.

Today is only day 5 and I pondered how I was doing in my post bootcamp shower. It must be a similar process to sticking to exercise I thought.

If it's not something you do all the time (exercise that is) sticking to it must be as difficult as sticking to an alcohol free diet, being something I/we don't do all the time.

I hope I have drawn a comparable similarity to the two things - correct me if I'm wrong.

I am hoping to support those doing this challenge with me, I have been supported by others offering to sponsor me a specific amount for everyday I don't have a drink and donate the sum to charity at the end.

This will certainly become and mind over matter challenge as time goes on but I also believe that it will slowly get easier as I fully accept that it will become my new norm - for a while at least.

My goal is to use it as an opportunity to drop a little body fat and reveal some abs all being well.

You see alcohol as enjoyable as it is, is a secret assassin of a balanced diet. The calories slip down all too easy and can make the difference at the end of the day to consuming more calories than you require for your total energy expenditure. It's sneaky because it fits into the gaps left by the food you eat and doesn't fill you up in the same way food does.

Every gram of alcohol will provide you with 7 calories that's not far behind fat at 9 calories per gram!! Put the glass down!

When we consume alcohol it slows our metabolism and the liver prioritises the evacuation of the alcohol at the expense of properly processing other food and stores it instead! Not to mention the rubbish food that generally gets eaten as our guards lower during alcohol consumption!

I'll update you on progress in a week or 2!!