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DRY HARD 2: DRY HARDER! Dry January 2024, Thread#2 🧃🧋

992 replies

HPLikecraft · 10/01/2024 20:51

Thread#2...

Let's keep going!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
48
Monstamio · 23/01/2024 06:59

CantFindTheBeat · 23/01/2024 06:56

Morning all - it's Day 23!!!

Never ever thought I'd enjoy dry Jan, but I have.

It's been a brilliant reset.

I've also tried to eat more healthily and lost about 5k too, so far, which I needed.

Wow! Well done - that's brilliant!

I'm also feeling fitter and my resting heart rate has come down by about 10bpm, even though I haven't done any more exercise. Lots to think about re how I approach things moving forward.

Monstamio · 23/01/2024 07:00

MeinKraft · 22/01/2024 23:58

That's like half a bottle of wine... that's what I'd consider a good night! Confused

I think lots of us on here could polish that off mid-week without even thinking about it. It's 2.5 medium glasses.

Els1e · 23/01/2024 07:38

I’m still here and still dry. Longest I’ve been without a drink in ages. This thread has really helped. Not sure what plans are after Jan. I was going to try moderating my alcohol but looks like what I think is moderation is binge drinking. 😕

ShufflingAlong · 23/01/2024 07:56

When younger I used to moderate on a 'heavy drinking night out with friends' by alternating drinks. It was in rounds and people drank pints so I would have a pint of lager then a pint of diet coke. At the end of the night although I was 'drunk' I was still very much on the 'better side' of being drunk and didn't have a hangover the next day.

I would like to have that mentality again where I stop after enough and then drink AF rather than thinking well there is only one glass left so might as well finish it.

HollyGolightly4 · 23/01/2024 08:38

I have loved this thread. Any hope it would carry on after Jan?!

lemonsaretheonlyfruit · 23/01/2024 08:51

@HollyGolightly4 last year someone started up a continuation thread for feb. I was on it for ten days until I fell off. I am hoping to last longer this year and would def be joining the thread.

I would happily start it but I don't know how long I will last..

gingercat02 · 23/01/2024 09:22

I'm not planning on being dry after Jan but definitely moderating. I would hang around if that would be OK @HollyGolightly4

I sort of feel a fraud still being here, as I had a deliberate wet night on Friday, but apart from that, I haven't been overly bothered.

We are out with friends on 2 Feb, so I will be drinking, but I have an airport pickup late on the 3rd, so it will have to be dry.

After that, I'm hoping for Friday and Saturday only or if I'm out, which is rare on a week night.

Half term will be a challenge as I'm off, and that would usually mean nightly wine as no driving to work

asleepattheshop · 23/01/2024 09:24

Has anyone tried hypnosis to moderate consumption? I tried it a few years ago - it helped me drink less on a night out with friends (this is where I drink to excess because I'm enjoying myself - not to deal with anxiety). Even now I find that if I take a few minutes to set my goals for an evening to not drink too fast and limit my consumption it does have an impact - like I'm having a wee word with my subconscious).
My friend who also tried the hypnosis was deeply affected by it - she literally couldn't drink it induced total abstinence - the effect wears off so you have to keep listening to the recording but results vary depending on how much it impacts you.

Neptunium93 · 23/01/2024 09:47

Morning all, Day 23 already!

I would definitely be up for a continuation thread into February. I don't expect to be dry for the whole month, but definitely extending DJ and then moderating. I'll be setting myself some new rules and trying to change my routines permanently so would be great to have the support.

On the units question... it must depend on what wine you're drinking, but 6 units would be more like 2/3 of a bottle of my regular 12% sauvignon blanc. I know some reds (and even some Chardonnays) are stronger than that though.

HPLikecraft · 23/01/2024 10:09

Morning all, hope you're feeling good today!

This stage always sees the thread at an interesting soup of posters who are variously: struggling, managing easily, slogging on, feeling good, feeling bored, disappeared from the thread, delighted with how it's going, or not noticing any benefits and wishing they hadn't bothered; there are also those who have slipped up and slunk out the back door, and those who have slipped up, fessed up and come back.

Well. As Alcohol Resistance Movement Dryness Promoter-in-Chief I say... well done if you're going strong. Well done if you're just going. Well done if you were dry for a while but have since stopped. Think DJ's done you no good? It absolutely has. Slipped up? You're forgiven without question. Used this thread sneakily on the quiet to help you moderate rather than be dry? Hope it's helped!

This is Day 23, so we have just over a week left. Having got this far, you'll certainly manage to the end.

So getting into Week 4. Dr Google informs me that:

As more water will have been absorbed rather than wasted, you are likely to have more hydrated-looking skin, as well as reduced dandruff and eczema. Removing alcohol from your diet for four weeks can also help to improve your liver function as your liver will start to shed excess fat

Also

Research has found that just four weeks without a drink can be enough to start lowering both blood pressure and heart rate. Your risk of type 2 diabetes has already started to reduce (in one study insulin resistance came down by an average of 28 per cent) and your cholesterol levels should be starting to lower.*

Some of you have already mentioned noticing some of these benefits. Fantastic!

BTW we're now (10 am on 23rd Jan)

72.3%

Of the way through. I think that means that we've all achieved an A grade already!

Keep going 💪💪

OP posts:
MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 23/01/2024 10:21

I can't say that I see any difference (apart from January being even longer than usual 🙁) My sleep was OK before, I was losing weight and although my skin looks a bit better that's probably the hydration and the serum I treated myself to. The changes are probably mostly internal (although I took my BP and heart rate yesterday and they're normal for pre DJ) but I've proved to myself I can do it; shamefully this is the longest AF period I can recall in years.

Planning to go on until early Feb and hang around this thread after that.

HPLikecraft · 23/01/2024 10:28

HollyGolightly4 · 23/01/2024 08:38

I have loved this thread. Any hope it would carry on after Jan?!

There's usually a new February follow on thread. I'll bow out and let someone else OP that one, but I will carry on as a poster as I'm hoping to stay dry till the end of Feb.

Hopefully someone will pick up the reins at the end of the month 🙂

OP posts:
HPLikecraft · 23/01/2024 10:29

Me: I'm hoping to stay dry till the end of Feb

What am I like?

I will be dry till the end of February.

OP posts:
Papyrophile · 23/01/2024 11:10

It has been more fun doing DJ with you lot than with DH, who has got a bit too earnest about it! Although, I reckon he has dropped 2-3kg and he says he feels better. I've lost 1kg so far and am hoping for another before the end, but I haven't changed my eating at all. I am not sure I feel 'better' for being AF because I feel very well in general anyway, despite being 67.

Looking ahead, I plan to stick to a 5:2 or 4.3 pattern during the weeks, but early February is likely to be an exception as we've planned back to back trips away with friends.

Wintersun9 · 23/01/2024 11:50

ShufflingAlong · 23/01/2024 07:56

When younger I used to moderate on a 'heavy drinking night out with friends' by alternating drinks. It was in rounds and people drank pints so I would have a pint of lager then a pint of diet coke. At the end of the night although I was 'drunk' I was still very much on the 'better side' of being drunk and didn't have a hangover the next day.

I would like to have that mentality again where I stop after enough and then drink AF rather than thinking well there is only one glass left so might as well finish it.

Alternating wine with an AF drink on a night out is a simple yet great idea. I'm going to do this on my next night out & see how I get on. I'm interested to know if anyone else is a natural gulper. I have been since childhood. I try my best to sip AF drinks & it never works. It's also why I never drink straight white wine & stick to spritzers 🤔

Neptunium93 · 23/01/2024 12:00

@Wintersun9 , I'm more of a slow sipper, but possibly buying more expensive wine might encourage you to drink more slowly? Also have you tried consciously putting your glass down between mouthfuls and putting it just slightly out of reach? Alternating is a great idea though, and perhaps starting with the AF drink so you are less tempted to gulp the alcohol due to thirst?

Wintersun9 · 23/01/2024 12:09

Neptunium93 · 23/01/2024 12:00

@Wintersun9 , I'm more of a slow sipper, but possibly buying more expensive wine might encourage you to drink more slowly? Also have you tried consciously putting your glass down between mouthfuls and putting it just slightly out of reach? Alternating is a great idea though, and perhaps starting with the AF drink so you are less tempted to gulp the alcohol due to thirst?

Definitely worth doing? 👍 I've often looked around during children's birthday parties. I notice the ones that like to knock back their juice & those who don't. I wonder if it's a way of telling which ones will have a propensity to drink more in general, both AF & alcohol on a night out. Interesting 🤔

ItsTapasTime · 23/01/2024 13:28

Interesting info @HPLikecraft.

Day 23 for me and my skin seems to have erupted into angry looking spots 🙄. Sleep is marginally better, but still not brilliant, however……I have lost 2kg 🎉. I’m definitely feeling more positive and it’s great going to work without a hangover. Blood pressure is down and resting heart rate is now ‘excellent’! I’ve even started to enjoy the gym 😀

I’m planning on having alcohol in February, but limiting it to 2/3 days max. My fear is I’m an all or nothing type of person and moderation may not be possible. We shall see…..

A February thread sounds great!

RedxRobin · 23/01/2024 13:32

Checking in for day 21 for me! I haven't been finding it too bad &, like others, have been thinking about how I want to go forward.
One of my issues is DH who loves to unwind at the weekend over several drinks. He has been doing dry Jan with me but is very insistent that he will finish on the 2nd whereas I want to continue you to the 3rd as I want to do the full month (we started 3rd Jan).
He has got into a bit of a hump about me not wanting to join him for drinks that night. Which leads me on to future plans - I don't want to fall into the rut of drinking every Friday and Saturday night & having a mild hangover all weekend but that will annoy DH if I go dry. I can try to moderate (which DH is better at) but that is my big trigger.

Yestodessertplease · 23/01/2024 13:44

I don't think I could alternate my drinks between alcoholic and not. As I've learnt alcohol numbs the front decision making part of the brain. This explains why when I've had one it is difficult for me to then switch to a soft drink as my sensible brain leaves the building 🤣.

I'm going to carry on in Feb then for skiing at half-term I will either carry on being alcohol free or just drink the last few days of the holiday.

disappearingfish · 23/01/2024 14:06

Alternating definitely works for me. But crucial is starting with an AF drink. The first drink of the night tends to go down the fastest.

wellitywellness · 23/01/2024 16:27

I saw a quote the other day that resonated: 'I don't drink to get drunk; I drink to get the voices in my head drunk, so they shut the fuck up and stop bothering me'.

It's been hard not having a mental 'off switch' and reprieve from the old inner self-critique - which is the subject of today's post (a bit more of a personal one today...)

https://wellitywellness.com/2024/01/23/dry-january-23-mrs-bitchy-mcbitchface/

Dry January #23: Mrs Bitchy McBitchface

‘I tried to drown my sorrows, but the bastards learned how to swim.’ – Frida Kahlo Day 23 and I’m still sticking with it – albeit having a bit of ‘down day’ for whatever reason to…

https://wellitywellness.com/2024/01/23/dry-january-23-mrs-bitchy-mcbitchface

DJ24 · 23/01/2024 18:02

I’d be interested in a continuation thread too,

Neptunium93 · 23/01/2024 18:43

@wellitywellness , that's an inner conversation I can definitely relate to!...

When I think about it, it's not just about drowning out the negative voices... Alcohol is a great confidence booster (and not just in social situations), so it's also about amplifying the positive voices that tell me I'm OK, and that maybe it isn't too late to fulfill my potential in new ways, or that I have nothing to prove. It's the type of confidence I used to get from running, which I'd love to start doing again were it not for the constant injuries and falling over (even sober! 😉).

FlyingPandas · 23/01/2024 18:56

Thank you for the update @HPLikecraft and for the blog post @wellitywellness . Lots to think about.

I'm still here, still AF, haven't been sleeping that well the last couple of nights and have developed a bit of a cold - but other than that I'm feeling a lot more positive. I really enjoy my week days being wine free, but will admit that I find the weekends something of a drag without a drink.

My aim for February is to try out moderation - aiming for a minimum 4 days a week AF, ideally 5, but allowing myself wine at weekends. I would definitely be interested in a continuation thread of some sort.

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