Dry January 2020. A new relationship with alcohol. Who’s joining me?

[ParanoidGynodroid]

It’s that time again!
I did my first dry January around 5 years ago, having seen it on here. It was a great thing to do: really helped my get control of my drinking. Since then I’ve done it every year, along with at least one or two other dry months.

DJ may help you:
Lose weight. ...
Get better skin. ...
Make healthier food choices. ...
Save money. ...
Sleep better. ...
Have more energy. ...
Improve your mood. ...
Improve your general health

and make you feel virtuous!

It’s not necessarily easy though, so it’s good to have support; especially if you’re feeling week and like you may give up. We can support each other here.

Join me!

@Nomorewineever

I’ve just finished blitzing the office/box room. Only problem is, now that’s tidy I’ve decided the rest of the house needs doing. That’s my project for January then!

I’m making bean and veg chilli. I’ll just be having a bit of brown rice and some avocado with mine. DD and DP are going all out with sour cream and cheese. So tempting.

I’ve got some satsumas and blueberries for a sugar hit if I need it later.

@milliefiori

It’s a great film! I thought some people on here might like it.

Have you read the Outrun by Amy Liptrot?

How's everyone doing tonight?

I had some Dr Peppers tonight with ice and lime which was nice but since it was kind of like a cold alcoholic drink I have eaten a mound of crisps and various crap with it.

Realised what i really wanted was a cup of tea! Jasmine green tea is my favourite.

I'm kind of bored but tired...and the internet isn't entertaining me any more.

We had food out at a pub today. We both had a can of AF lager, and it was actually really nice. It was Flat Tyre or something.

We’re doing a tour of all the good AF beers and wines at the weekend so we don’t feel deprived. It’s not bothering me yet though, which is quite surprising as I thought it would. Still early days though, so we’ll see. Not getting cocky yet.

Doing okay here. Got loads of laundry done last night (was also avoiding the in laws!). Had an early night and then took the kids ice skating. And then went to spin.

I am mainlining sugar at the moment but that will gradually come down as the cupboards become a bit more bare. I am not doing any specific full on dieting for at least 2 weeks also I am trying to roughly stick to 16:8. Just proper meals and more fruit. But if I want a cake or a slice of toast then meh I’m going to have it.

Tonight is more of the same. Might make soup for work lunches. And have a bath with some lovely REN bath oil. Then my turn for a sleep in Tomorrow.

I think next Friday will be the real rest for me. First full week of work. Proper Jan blues kicking in. But will worry about that later!

I'm in. I have tried before but not lasted long. After a messy NYE I am keen to succeed this time.
If anyone has a tip for alcohol free gin please advise!

Just poured a glass of fever tree tonic with a slice of blood orange, seems to be hitting the spot. Took down all the Christmas decs today & did a load of washing. Seem to be sleeping well and am enjoying waking up and not feeling rough. Made an effort to cook something decent to eat, just waiting for friends to pick up some stuff then i think i'll have a bath & watch the Susan Hill ghost story on My5.

Just tried Brew Dog Nanny State as it's lovely! Very grown up tasting, but completely alcohol free.

Going to sit down and watch all the Xmas tv that I've recorded. Not a bad Saturday night at all.

@jakeyboy1
I've had seedlip in the past but I went off it and in truth I got the same from just drinking fevertree tonic in a glass with ice and lemon.

@Breathmiller thanks where do you buy it?

Jakey this was mentioned by a pp & sounds promising with tonic
www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/bottle-green-cordial-sloe-&-juniper/549386-665444-665445?gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=CjwKCAiAjMHwBRAVEiwAzdLWGLrL0I6jG5Z0AXCm-iJcf6NKCU4xVS-NtrIX6uC-WSh52iXLJTxqURoCYYYQAvD_BwE

jakey I like Ceder's gin substitute better than Seedlip. Tesco have it.

@jakeyboy1
Seedlip or the tonic?
Tesco sell both. They also have another gin alternative I can't remember the name...wild something?
I like the elderflower version of the tonic. My son likes the Mediterranean pink one.

I think its also about making it a treat in the same way you would gin too.
So in your favourite gin glass and adding ice and lemon or cucumber or whatever you did before?
Its easy to just think its not as 'fancy' so not make as much of a fuss. But it helps me.

Thanks all. Damn it my Tesco delivery arrives any second will have to wait another week!

The watermelon fever tree is really good too on it's own but not many places do it.

Thought I’d give dry January a go as I have two young kids and was drinking more and more and frequently too. Tolerance so high by the end of December I could drink 2 bottles of wine and not really feel any affect.

The only drink free day for me was Monday and growing up around alcoholism (& having an alcoholic in the family) I would be lying to say I haven’t worried about getting myself in a bit of trouble if I carry on.

So thought, look let’s try it. No pressure, no fanfares, will be nice to wake up less groggy and be less snappy with the kids

Have to say, as a Saturday in particular I have struggled today. Keep thinking how nice a glass of wine would be (but it wouldn’t be one glass). Tonic water on its own is helping a bit and diet lemonade. I’ve already lost a pound since the 1st so that’s something to quietly applaud too.

Well done to everyone succeeding so far. I don’t have a long term plan as such but thought I’d feel a great sense of accomplishment to get through jan and my body could do with a break, and perhaps I’ll be more mindful of what I’m drinking come feb.

Posting a pic of my cup of tea - never heard of before on a Saturday night in our house. Enjoying the fresh feeling in the mornings but have also been eating a lot of chocolate and cheese (not together).

I'm in! Never done it before and worried about willpower but determined to do it. I ve really struggled to do it before and never made it past few days 😩😩

Count me in, I need all the support I can get x

Still doing ok. Bought some “botanical” drink gin substitute thingy at Asda today. It’s rather odd, but with tonic, slice of lemon and some crushed coriander seeds just to tart it up a bit, it’s drinkable.

also passing time by hand polishing and cleaning all of my earrings - all 72 pairs! I have a bit of an earring fetish!

Haha @dementedma
I like your distraction technique

Distraction technique du jour is playing Pictionary with my two DCs.

(If ever I needed a drink.... )

My kitchen has never looked so clean, and I have ironed a load of work clothes.

demented I have just ordered a whole load of earring backs from Amazon inspired by you. i have all these pairs I never wear because i keep losing the backs.

I have also been watching style and fashion you tube videos. Usually i am too tired and too depressed to do much of anything. Hopefully this will change!

Great. Fell off wagon. Back on tomorrow...

I’m exhausted and have a thumping headache- is this normal?

I did actually go to bed at 9 last night, I’m not far of crawling off to bed now I feel so bad.

When will being AF actually make me feel better?