I’m 17 days into my journey to break free, and I’m thrilled with early wins. Tracking food and rejuvenating family meals with HelloFresh make meal times healthy, tasty, and exciting —I’m losing weight, my clothes fit better, and my energy’s up. Exercise is a blast, hitting my three-times-weekly goal with bouldering, swimming, gym time with friends, and well-being walks. My nails are growing strong—no biting, no urge. Sleep’s improved, and I wake up excited for the day. Alcohol’s down from over 30 units weekly to around 20, thanks to switching to lower-percentage beers. Vaping’s my toughest challenge—no solid progress yet—but cherry Mentos chewing gums replace the addictive taste I have for cherry vape bars and – are helping with one vape-free car journey daily. Meditation’s been spotty, so I need a set time and space.

My therapist’s CBT tip—make hard tasks easier—pairs with my doctor’s advice to stage goals.

Short-term (2 weeks): Keep alcohol under 14 units, meditate 5 minutes daily at 8 PM in a quiet spot, and aim for two vape-free car journeys daily.

Medium-term (3 months): Cut alcohol to 7 units weekly, exercise 4x/week, and meditate 10 minutes daily.

Long-term (July 2026): Be vape-free, alcohol-free, nail-biting free, fit for life, and at peace with daily meditation. Active weekends fuel a no-hangover cycle—small steps work!

For now, enjoying my food, exercise, weekly planned routine, and being accountable here are giving me huge returns in the way I feel about my life. My motivation to continue to slowly reduce alcohol and vaping each week is growing. It’s a positive cycle filling me with the belief that I will be my best self yet in months to come and beyond.

‘It doesn’t matter how slow you go as long as you keep moving.’

Join me—what’s your next step? Challenge: Try one healthy meal this week—what did you pick? #BreakTheChains