Q+A: FebFast Ambassador Sarah Wilson

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Sarah Wilson is a well-known media personality, journalist and now blogger. Her varied career has seen her edit Cosmopolitan, host Australian Masterchef, and write for national press including Sunday Life magazine.

Sarah is passionate about health and has written a book championing the 'I Quit Sugar' (IQS) program, and she's also one of the ambassadors for FebFast, an annual event that sees thousands of people around the country give up alcohol for the month of February to raise money for young people with alcohol and other drug problems. Here she chats to us about FebFast.

How long have you been involved with FebFast? What drew you to the cause?

This is my third year of being involved. FF contacted me via my blog a while back and asked if I could support them in some way. The great thing about having an online presence is you can reach out to a like-minded community fast and effectively. I managed to get a great following on board within days. I was asked to be an ambassador and this year I've been handed the very important badge of honour: patron!

Do you drink outside of February?

Ironically - or perhaps aptly - I started out in media as a wine and food writer. In my early 20s I travelled the world doing vertical cognac tastings at 10am and wine dinners where I'd sample up to 50 wines in a night. I'm serious! So, yes, would be the simple answer. The more complex one is that I have a health condition that means I very much have to moderate how much I drink now. I drink at a good, healthy level: a glass of wine 3-4 times a week, always with a meal.

You’ve quit sugar as well as alcohol – where does your willpower come from?

I actually don't rely on willpower. In fact, my studies have shown that willpower is a very limited reserve. And humans just don't like to force themselves to STOP doing anything. Which is why diets do not work. Ever. My preferred approach is treat everything as a gentle experiment. With sugar it was all about seeing if I felt better from not eating it. I did, so I kept going. Ditto with booze. Quit for 28 days and see what happens to your skin, wallet, moods, energy…then decide if you'll keep going. Work to the positive, "charming" perspective, not to the "DO NOT" police!

What are the benefits you’ve felt from abstaining from alcohol?

The most noticeable benefit is waking up feeling good every morning. Many people lose quite a few kilos during the month and also find they don't eat as much crap. Because their liver gets a break, they don't get the sugar cravings. I also like the process of seeing what I can be in social situations without the lubricant…I generally find I can be much calmer.

What’s the hardest thing about giving up drinking alcohol – even if just for a short time? Anything you miss?

Red wine. I do love it…I love the complex flavours, the meatiness, …I shouldn't go on; I'm meant to be advocating giving it up!

What started your ‘IQS’ crusade?

I was researching the topic for my Sunday Life column and I always "try out" whatever I write about. As I say, I gave it a crack for two weeks, it felt GREAT, so I kept going. My curiosity also grew and grew and so I kept reading more on the topic, interviewing experts around the world, reflecting on the BEST ways to quit the stuff and so on. It's possibly one of the most fascinating and fraught topics I've encountered.

You have autoimmune disease, and provide your readers with a lot of information about it on your website. How important are health choices to managing the disease?

Oh goodness. I regard those of us with AI disease as "canaries down the mineshaft". We are the warning to everyone as to how NOT to live your life. Stress and bad lifestyle habits caused my disease…and they now make it worse. My health choices determine whether I can get out of bed in the morning, whether I can work, eat etc. Everything that is bad for us, I feel acutely.

What’s your favourite thing about FebFast?

I love how it expands my friendships. Over the years a lot of my friends have done FebFast and it's seen us meet up to do fun, engaging stuff instead of the usual "let's have a drink and chat". We've had afternoon teas, movie mornings, bush walks…it's taken us out of our tired comfort zone.

Keep up with Sarah Wilson at her website. For more info about FebFast visit www.febfast.org.au

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