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!

I didn't have a bath @dementedma specifically for that reason as I love a glass of wine on the side!

I've watched Aladdin (live action version) with the kids and drank multiple cups of tea! Now watching The Crown!

Ooh, hi everyone! I didn't know there was a thread. I've not done dry January before and only realised I might give it a go since I was recovering from a too merry NYE and it was nearly a week after before I thought about having another drink! It wasn't a craving as such and realised I might feel proud of myself id i could do this. I haven't told anyone. I normally drink 5 ish nights a week, always have at least 2 days free naturally as I usually drink as an after work wind down. I feel really proud of getting 11 days under my belt but I'm orth sure my body took two days at least to recover from NYE so it doesn't feel like 11 days alcohol free to my body. I'm going to dip back through this thread now and see what folks have been posting!

And another day done. Dozed off watching the crown so came to bed, read some of my book and looking forward to sleep.

I don't feel like I've missed out either despite it being a Saturday night. This thread is an enormous help too - keeps me accountable.

Night night.

I hung on. Just.

I had my soft drink (aldi lemon and mint Italian spritz, tastes a lot like san pelligrino lemon which I love but avoiding as it’s full of sugar. The aldi one is sugar free) in a posh glass with ice. To fetch the posh glass I had to open the drinks cabinet. The cabinet contains every single spirit you can imagine, plus on the top there is a selection of about 12 different types of gin. Funny enough the cabinet is more of a temptation that the wine rack (which has a full 36 bottles in 😱) but I’d never drink white warm and I don’t drink red so that gives me breathing space!! Anyway I had to do it with my eyes half shut! But I did it. Just tomorrow to get through and then on the easy run for mon-thurs.

Am hoping by next weekend when we are more than halfway through I will feel more motivated to see it through. After next weekend there will only be 10(ish) days to go. I’m sliding off this rock on the 31st though.

Weirdly I’m considering going for a run. This is quite laughable as a) I am short and fat and ungainly. In my head I’d be running like a gazelle. The reality is more like a stumpy waddling duck. And b) I don’t own any trainers which is more of an issue! When I get the craving I sort of feel like doing something physical that changes my mood would help. Running seems to entice me? I could try sober sex, but frankly that is scary!!

What app are people using?

Today has been the first day where I fancied a drink. Been at work all week and then I’m on a CPD course this weekend. Today was full on, before DJ I would have wound down with a glass of wine on the sofa. Probably would have drank the bottle. Which considering I have an exam tomorrow is stupid really. I think I only didn’t drink because we don’t have anything in the house. And I was too knackered to go to the shop for a bottle of wine.
So I had a cup of decaf coffee instead and did some revision. I’m now tucked in bed.

Another Saturday done ✅ herbal tea and lots of cheese has seen me through tonight. I’ve lost a few pounds but have been watching what I eat too. Except for the cheese.

Only on day 8 here. Last drink was on a long haul flight back to the U.K. interestingly i never drink alcohol on flights but my dp was having a LOT to ‘help’ as nervous flyer and I mindlessly joined in. Didn’t enjoy it and think that helped me not drink on return.

I’m thinking of -
the money I’m saving,
the health benefits,
the weight loss (not yet but it may come later),
the time saved not popping out for something or picking something up on the way home from work,
the savings made in not making usually I’ll-advised food purchases when buying alcohol,
better sleep (not yet I think),
better skin (think already less puffy?),
more time to do stuff (less crap tv etc),
Enjoying cooking without a glass or two (seem more thoughtful and focussed),
Recycling bag much lighter !
More room in fridge for food!
Overall already feel lighter (not weight but less heavy/bloated.

Good luck everyone and esp to anyone who has rejoined after minor slip.

I honestly cant believe I've not cracked tonight.
This thread is really helping.
Day 8 done! I haven't had this in 20 years (except pg and bf).

I am designated driver for a group of friends at a party tonight. Gosh, it has been strange not to be drinking, although I loved the fact that I looked a bit slimmer than I remember in my outfit (3-4lb lost since Xmas).
I would give anything to go home now, but probably another 45 min to an hour still required.
With hindsight I probably should have drunk tonight, and then started again tomorrow.

I sound SO boring and sober 🙁. I normally am a lot of fun at parties.....

Hating Dry January at the moment, but I am determined to see it through....

Just found this thread.

I'm doing DJ. Well done everyone, keep going. I found it difficult at the very start of Jan. I had J20 Spritz peach and apricot tonight in a wine glass with ice

Day 12: Behind today's door is a picture of bathroom scales. They are being kicked by a giant Monty Python cartoon foot, to make sure they are working properly.

I have to read a poem at a Burns Supper later this month. The first line is "Go fetch to me a pint o' wine!". I'm sure my delivery will be pretty authentic.

I downloaded Try Dry last night and was really honest about my alcohol intake per week...and I’m horrified. I wasn’t really adding it up properly. It looks like I’ve been having over 30 units a week of spirits and fortified wine (vermouth) which is roughly 2000 calories and costs a bleedin’ fortune.

I have barely missed it, almost no physical symptoms except thirst, but that had to have been having a long-term effect on me. I’m more motivated than ever to carry on. Try Dry reckons this cost me over £45 per week but we can double it as DH was drinking the same. Jesus. Money we can save up and contribute to our stupid mortgage. What a pair of idiots. And no wonder I’ve got so fat over the past couple of years.

In less hand-wringing news, I did a bunch of batch cooking yesterday for the freezer and got through all but one thing on my to-do list. Slept well. Lots of cleaning and tidying today. Feel quite motivated to deep clean my kitchen cupboards. Blimey.

SegregateMumBev I have added this image to my mental lexicon Hate my scales right now!!

Well that's another Saturday in the bag, although I had 4 AF beers last night

Had a drink. Calling it planned as DH didn't want to cook with my brother's bottle of wine. Not too much, back on it today.

Today is still Day 10, which is unheard of in previous months for me. Please let this work.

IWillWearTheGreenWillow I was feeling for you as a really good bottle of wine is a lovely thing. PS one of my earliest memories is my mum singing that song to herself in the kitchen (wearing a 70s headscarf!) so your username really makes me smile.

@PawPatrolMakesMeDrink

Good luck with your (non hungover) exam today.

@SegregateMumBev

Weighed myself yesterday for the first time since last year. My scales definitely need a giant kick up the arse (or maybe that's me)

It's obviously a 2020 version of the MilleniumBug, which is causing everyone's scales to malfunction.

DH is feeling verrrrry sorry for himself this morning, and is planning to be AF till next weekend.

I'm doing this, didn't realise there was a thread. Dh still drinking so avoiding him. Just at weekends it is a bit of a struggle but not too bad. I sued to binge eat with drinking so finding it helps with that. (not drinking)

Overall going quite well. I go have a bath or hot chocolate in the evenings sometimes. Found a nice Green and Blacks one. I mean it has some sugar but will thank about that in a bit. I used to drink red wine and am not missing the black lips (needing brushed) or tummy ache after, or the headaches! Thinking of the negatives of it is helpful.

Best wishes to all going this. I drink a bit of fresh apple or orange juice toped up with fizzy water and ice

Terrible nights sleep. I keep going to bed early, waking up any time between 12 and 2 and then not being able to go back to sleep.

So am not feeling very bouncy today. Think I'll get through DJ and then start working on better sleep habits. The trouble is that DH snores and wakes me up a lot.

What's everyone else doing today?

Volunteering at junior parkrun
Sorting collection of dance books
Finishing sleeve on Aran sweater (probably while catching up on The Masked Singer)
Pilates class
Batch cooking a veggie tagine
Enjoying a fancy herbal tea during Call The Midwife.

Sshhh.... everyone in my house is asleep except me. It’s bliss!!! I’m lying silent under the duvet trying to maintain the status quo as it’s a bubble I don’t want to pop.

Contemplating the day. A few chores. Too wet for a walk. Might make some double chocolate brownies to serve warm with a blob of ice cream for pudding. I have amazing self control over sweet stuff and although I’ll enjoy making them I won’t eat one. Cheese on the other hand....