Has anyone given up alcohol for a month?

[Bluedeblue]

I drink wine every night. I am overweight because of it. My blood pressure is too high as well. I am going to try and be dry for one whole month. It's going to be hard. Has anyone done this, and if so, what were the benefits? Did you lose lots of weight? Clearer skin? Brighter eyes? Would love to hear some success stories. We have a beach holiday booked for November, and there's no way I can go looking like this.

I would speak to your GP about this.

Look up the alcohol experiment. Very helpful and loads of support on fb. I stopped for a month to see if I could. Unfortunately I didn't lose any weight but I did feel so much better, I slept better and my skin wasn't dry anymore.

i usually do Dry Jan and Dry July. I gave up for 100 days a few years back. I just binged though thinking I had all these calories 'saved'.

If you want company I will join you for a month off the booze?

I’d highly recommend a read through these threads, @Bluedeblue - a group of people trying to stay alcohol-free. There’s so much help and comfort in seeing people try, succeed, get through particularly bad days, slip and try again:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/alcohol_support/3781133-Anyone-else-stopping-completely-in-2020

The Freedom Thread; for those embracing a life without alcohol.
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/alcohol_support/4220600-The-Freedom-Thread-for-those-embracing-a-life-without-alcohol

This thread is really helpful, lots of support and likeminded people

Thank you for these links. Feel free to join me (when I finally bite the bullet, lol). I did have a liver function test a few months ago and amazingly the results were fine.

I would just think about your health. Not just your liver but overall, it can affect so many things in your body, and especially if it's contributing to your weight, which can also have negative effects. If I were you though I would cut down gradually, that way it won't be so painful (mentally).

Hows it going @Bluedeblue?

I did a month recently and a month last year, following the One Year No Beer (ONYB) 30 day alcohol free challenge book. I like that the methodology is around all the things you gain from not drinking and doesn't assume you will be AF forever. I am probably drinking as much as I was before the 30 d challenge but am very aware of my motivations for drinking, and knowing that I can do 30 days makes me feel more in control because I know I can stop any time.

The not drinking is easier than moderating for me. I think eventually my approach will be several months off a year or that I stop drinking altogether. I lost a few pounds, my skin was great, my energy levels were amazing after the first week and I found I had more motivation to exercise and eat well. There are little tips in the programme like setting yourself a physical challenge, taking pictures to track your progress and how to broach conversation about being AF with people you would normally drink with.

I did dry January once a few years back. Didn't find it difficult but don't feel I gained anything from it either: no weight loss, no health benefit. I know when I've been hitting the sauce a bit too much and rein it in accordingly.

When people declare how amazing they feel after giving up alcohol/sugar/meat etc or taking up exercise/8 hours sleep/meditation etc I'm always dubious. Or is it jealous?