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

[HPLikecraft]

Thread#2...

Let's keep going!

I have one spot on my face. But my eyes are clearer!

large Gordon’s 0% with good tonic and a dash of bitters here, ready for an evening of old Ghosts.

After a couple of weeks off it you could only cope with one or two good strong ones anyway! Stay strong!

Sounds difficult @Rassy My DH doesn't do Dry January, though he knows not to test my resolve by offering me drinks. He still drinks his red wine, but I don't like that anyway, so it's not much of a temptation. But if your DH is making things difficult with moaning or tutting it must be challenging. Ignore him. You'll be the one sleeping, feeling and looking better.

Multitudinous alcohol resisting thoughts wafting your way @pangolinfan . Keep the faith.
And everyone else. This is Friday night, but we managed this last week and will do again.

I have some Peroni 0% tonight. Asda didn't bring the AF Kylie I ordered. I bet it was all bought up by those blooming DJers!

Stay strong everyone 💪

Still on it for the second Friday night! Had a horrendous work week and really wanted to crack opem.a bottle when I got in tonight, but had a lie down and listened to a podcast, then had a Guinness 0.0% and I think the twitch has passed!
Well done everyone, sending strength to those struggling

I opened the Kylie 0% fizz tonight - tastes like Shloer! However, I also opened Wolf Bass zero Sauvignon Blanc and it is lovely

Ah, sounds like the Kylie would be too sweet for me then.
I will be searching out that Wolf Blass, though! Thanks for the tip.

You can get Kylie in Home Bargains btw, I think it's £4.79 or something like that. I thought if you all when I saw it the other day

Does it actually taste like wine?

I dispatched DH in search of AF wine tonight and he came back with a bottle of Noughty sparkling rosé. It smells weird and is a bit too fruity for my liking - but it's in a wine glass and for that reason it's satisfying my desire to curl up on the sofa with a glass of "wine".

I think it's the idea of wine I'm missing more than the actual drink if that makes sense. I have this "it's Friday, time for a glass of wine, oh no I won't because of DJ" and then I feel like I'm missing out. But now I've put something else in my wine glass, I'm not really that bothered. Maybe I just need to drink all my drinks from a wine glass!

Challenging evening as not only is it Friday but DH is away which is usually my cue to settle down with a true crime documentary, a takeaway and a bottle of wine and the rest. But I’ve done a workout, had a shower and put my pyjamas on so I can’t go to the shop. Had a nice sensible dinner and looking forward to watching The Traitors.

Pizza and Nozeco here. DP is doing DJ in solidarity, not that he drinks a lot anyway.

We've both decided we're enjoying our sober evenings more than we'd envisaged. Instead of me slobbing out with a G&T in front of the telly as soon as work is done, we've been cooking together and having some proper conversations. Also sober sex, which I can wholeheartedly recommend, as well as gaining me a Try Dry badge on the app!

Tonight we went to Sainsbo's and stocked up on AF drinks for the weekend. Felt weird not to be hunting for gin bargains, but very satisfying to be spending a fraction of what I'd normally be shelling out on booze.

I am facing my first tough spell. Got 3 events next week, and in all honesty, I'd like to drink at them.

They would likely be my only 3 days drinking this month.

So I could do a "drier" January as even with those days my drinking would be way down on what it has been, and for me I think would be easier to stick with long term than total abstinence.

But I'm torn, because I'm aiming for weight loss and I do find I make worse choices food wise if I'm drinking.

Checking in, day 12 done, went to a party and had a very lovely AF cocktail, home early as we left kids by themselves but it wasn’t the night for me to cave in. Happy.

@LollipopViolet good luck, it’s not easy when socialising. Especially if it’s somewhere you’d normally drink

How is everybody's skin doing?

Lurking on the thread so far, as I'd nothing really to say, but felt the urge to comment now because at 12 days in I've really noticed my skin - it seems plumper and smoother and softer to the touch?

I haven't changed my skincare routine. I've always drunk lots of water, maybe 3 litres a day, so not sure it was dehydrated before. But seems like alcohol was making it seem a bit less smooth somehow?

It just feels nice though, and I can't stop stroking my face

Checking in for day 12, I did want a drink earlier but didn’t give in. I am sleeping better and I think my jaw is more defined, my face is less puffy, could this be a thing?

Made it through day 12 and I'm tucked up in bed. Today's been the hardest day so far but so glad I powered through.
Up early for a shift at work tomorrow, much easier to get up on a morning with a clear head.
I'm going to to try the AF wine that's recommended, I've never found one I like.

@amithedramaqueen my skin is definitely clearer than it was

@LollipopViolet could you do 3 days in Feb if you really wanted to? I think only you really know how you feel but I think you should congratulate yourself on how well you're doing to reduce the drink 😊

Yes same here for sure

Day 11 for me...
I'm nervous for tomorrow, it was my b'day 1st Jan and it's my belated celebration.

Do I drink or not....

Day 11 done. Ticked it off on the app early as I was really wobbling. Once I've done that, I wouldn't go back and change it.
Tomorrow will be hard as everyone is out, so a bath, glass of wine (or several) and crap telly normally.
Pretty much decided I will plan to drink next Friday, but come February, I am only doing Friday and Saturday maximum. I may pick one only.

Today has been my toughest day so far, I slept really badly so have been knackered all day and really really wanted a glass of wine when I finally got home. Didn't feel like a proper Friday without wine. Managed to avoid giving in though. Now having a glass of milk instead, which weirdly has become my comfort drink of choice during the evening. Tried some elderflower tonic water as a wine substitute earlier on, but didn't really like it so won't buy that again.

Onwards to day 12!

Day 12 completed.

Hope everyone has a restful night.

Checking in
All ok here, still snacking and craving biscuits
Healthy eating/ lifestyle is my ultimate goal but concentrating on giving up the alcohol for now.
I have a lot more time on my hands now I'm not drinking my time away and a lot more emotions are surfacing now I'm not smothering them.... I'm not sure I like it tbh

Tonight has been my first difficult night. Had a mad day at work and really wanted a glass of wine of unwind. But I stayed strong, had a Sprite Zero and I'm off to bed in a few minutes.

Well done everyone, keep strong 💪

The usual momentary twang of a Friday night but still AF. My red remains untouched in the cupboard. I just LOVE THE sober sleep, it is PRECIOUS!!! Night all, no work tomorrow, no need for an alarm, I want to wake naturally.