Anyone doing Dry January 2021?

[MyGhastIsFlabbered]

I was going to go sober this year...but for various reasons (excuses) it didn't happen. DP and I have agreed to try Dry January as we are both drinking too much. Anyone else fancy coming along for the ride?

I woke up and my face looks different? Less puffy somehow? And my eye circles are so much better. Think there is something in it!

Day 9 craving a little but not too bad, it is getting easier and will be good to have got through the weekend. Taking some medication for my skin and hoping to see some improvement shortly and will put it down to not drinking to spur me on! Agree with the habit, do i really want a drink or is it just automatic. Well done on the weight loss @ blue,.
Courage everyone!

Waves to '@PeacheyPeach

I suspect part ofthe reason my skin is better, aside from not being so dehydrated by the booze, is that I have time and inclination to cleanse, tone and moisturise properly at night now.

Actually I might do a face mask tonight.

Day 9 and cravings not too bad. Except I think about drink constantly. I’m obsessed.

I think I'm a bit obsessed too. I've just driven round three supermarkets to hunt down something AF to drink. Ended up coming home empty handed as anything that had even a mildly positive review had sold out. I refused to buy something for the sake of it and actually I feel quite triumphant in that as well!

Day 5 and I just reeeaaallly want a glass of a wine .

I'm not going to do it though.

It's not even the alcohol - my consumption has gone from 1 bottle a week over Fri/Sat/Sun to 2 bottles with maybe only 1 night off in the last year so not horrendous but...I really want to see if giving up helps my weight and skin.

Day 9 for me and no cravings at the witching hour . This has been a lot easier than I thought it would be . Well done everyone even if you've had a blip

I'm intrigued as to what I look like tomorrow.

Day 9 done with a big mug of hot chocolate.
A nice alternative to G and T is tonic with a dash of Angostura bitters. Tastes almost like the real thing. It for me through Dry January last year

I think about drink a lot too - though the cravings when they strike don't last too long and I'm easily distracted from them.

I'm thinking of carrying on AF going forward as I just don't have a healthy relationship with it and I'm not sure I can do moderation. DP is talking about rationing to a bottle of wine a week but I know what we're like. But the idea of being teetotal frightens me. Anyone remember that episode of Friends with 'fun Bobby'? That's what scares me.

Evening DJ'ers..I have been lurking but thought I would post.

I am on day 9 too, I have done DJ for the last 3 years and I do find it a good re-set. Mine and OH's drinking was getting ridiculous last year..We were going through a bottle or two of wine between us most of the week, and on a weekend binge drinking even more.

The excuses were all there, and lockdown #1 was perfect to justify having a drink every night as 'a treat' for getting through the day. I work in a school and it has been very, very stressful this year.

On the plus side, I weighed myself this morning and I have lost 3lbs since NYD. I weigh more now than I have ever done in my life excl pregnancy, and look bloated and old.

I really wanted wine last night..it's been the first week back at school for the key worker kids and a whole system has had to be set up. I managed to stay on the wagon though and so glad I did. I suffer with depression and am finding my mood much improved.

It's a shame as I adore wine, but it doesn't adore me.

Having a couple of Becks Blue this evening and OH has made a vegan curry which I am looking forward to trying. Hope everyone else is doing ok.

Someone upthread mentioned people chucking in the towel all over SM and almost encouraging everyone else to.

I have had so many comments from people telling me not to bother this year etc..I nearly did cave in, but glad I didn't. I think it's very unfair of people to try and scupper your efforts.

I was thinking about doing a dry every second month. I'm recently divorced and starting to realise that one day I'll have to put myself out there again. I can't imagine telling someone on a date that I didn't drink. I also don't think I'd particularly want a tee total partner.

My DH cracked tonight and had two bottles of beer. I stuck to elderflower cordial and soda. I feel very virtuous!

I’m not sure about being teetotal for the rest of my life but I wouldn’t mind continuing not to drink for a while. I’m liking the mornings without any hangover. I’ve got an idea in my head that I won’t drink until I have the COVID vaccine. I’m 57, so I’m guessing sometime April to July.

Haven't actually thought about alcohol today. Enjoyed a few glasses of 0% freixnet but left half the bottle in the fridge for tomorrow as I can't take the volume. Have also walked 23 km this week through work and no wine has kept my calorie count to around 1300 a day so I'm enjoying a little bonus weight loss too

Powered through it...would still love a glass but not feeling quite so much of an urge to say 'sod it'.

Have a posh tonic with ice waiting for me downstairs and have also drunk a litre of water with a metabolism boosting infuser bag today....woop woop!

Tried some Nosecco having seen someone mention it here - realises ahuge part of drinking for me is in the 6/6.30pm ceremony of actually opening or popping a bottle!

Two glasses was plenty and now I'm past the urge (it's okay but a bit sweet). Any other AF drinks to try?

DH had a 'nanny state' IPA - said it was very hoppy but great for an AF beer.

@MintyCedric

Powered through it...would still love a glass but not feeling quite so much of an urge to say 'sod it'.

Have a posh tonic with ice waiting for me downstairs and have also drunk a litre of water with a metabolism boosting infuser bag today....woop woop!

Hi MInty well done-we can do this!! I'm like you I don't drink a huge amount but I had gone from having a couple of drinks 3/4 nights a week to 6/7.

I think the ready mixed G&T's are a good substitute or like you a flavoured tonic with ice and lemon. I have it at the same time as I usually have a wine/G&T and it is doing the trick. I've also started watching Homelands (yeah I know a bit behind the times!) and I treat myself to 2 episodes an evening so I feel like I have something to look forward to with my AF drink.

@goldpendant

Tried some Nosecco having seen someone mention it here - realises ahuge part of drinking for me is in the 6/6.30pm ceremony of actually opening or popping a bottle!

Two glasses was plenty and now I'm past the urge (it's okay but a bit sweet). Any other AF drinks to try?

It's definitely the psychological 'ritual' of it for me too! The bottle made a nice pop tonight. I'm sure it helped!

We've got a box box of vegan Hotel Chocolat goodies to eat. And I'm looking forward to actually tasting and remembering them rather than scoffing them pissed.

We had vegan curry tonight too - would you like to swap recipes? Sorry, can't remember who it was who mentioned it.

Welcome to anyone who's recently joined/delurked. Can't believe we've nearly filled this thread up already. Will have to start a new one next week I think. It's been lovely sharing this journey with you & I hope you'll all join the new thread when it's started.

DH just came in from shops with some London ESsesnce- pink peppercorn tonic or something, really really delicious with ice and lime.

I’ve had a glass of fentimens rose lemonade tonight. It’s pink and fizzy so felt special - plus I had it in a wine glass! Awfully sweet though so I suspect the calories were the same as wine - although I’d never dream of having 750ml of it (or more!) like I would with wine. I think it should wonder us wine drinkers have been craving sugar.

I’ve been ‘kind to myself’ re diet for these first 9 days, and I’ve only exercised marginally more than I was in December (that is to say, not too much at all). But I want to make more of an effort with the final 2/3rds of DJ and make some overall lifestyle improvements, especially as I’m nearly at the end of my period, and that always gives me more energy and less unhealthy cravings!

Well done everyone for hanging in there, but also to those who’ve fallen off and got right back on! We can do this 👏

Coming on here daily has definitely helped. Thankyou all