Dry January 2022

[MyGhastIsFlabbered]

Did Dry January this year and we had an amazing little support group going on here and I wondered if anyone cared to join me next year? This time I'm hoping to stay dry longer - 100 days - but will see how January goes first. I don't want to set myself up to fail.

Who's with me?

Morning all, and welcome ShortKiwi Really hope you get the tooth fixed. And we all will have been in your position, with a broken something/bruising etc and the mortification afterwards...

Big day for us, DD's application for her first special school being considered. Also hopefully that our vendor's solicitor should finally respond to ours, so we may even be looking at agreeing exchange/completion dates. Nerve wracking!!

Good morning, I've not posted much on here but well done everyone for what you've achieved so far.
It's day 10 for me today and never in my wildest dreams did I expect a get this far! Apart from lousy sleep to start with I am now feeling the benefits of a clear head and more energy.
The best part though was when I had to have a blood test earlier today (possible long covid), for the 1st time in years my blood pressure was normal!
Have a great day everyone

@Badabingbadabum

After a week of no alcohol and seeing the 'calories saved' on the app (which I entered pre-Christmas drink levels ) I weigh more than a week ago!!! How?!

Almost everyone who drinks too much/too often will have some degree of fatty liver - see liverfoundation.org/for-patients/about-the-liver/diseases-of-the-liver/alcohol-related-liver-disease/#facts-at-a-glance point 10. If you have fatty liver, your ability to metabolize energy/food is reduced. Simply put, it is much harder to lose weight when you have a fatty liver - once you stop drinking, your liver can repair itself and the fat will reduce (assuming your liver is not too diseased) and weight loss will become easier. Note - losing weight too fast can cause more fat in the liver so stick to a sensible weight loss plan. I was stuck at 73 kilos for the 10 days or so I went AF but it is starting to come down now (day 15) with a healthy eating plan.

You may weigh more for a number of reasons - eating more if you couldn't face food when hungover, more hydrated, normal fluctuations etc.

Don't give up - it will get better!!

That's really interesting @Mybestyear. I'm not weighing myself until I'm at least a month (or two if i keep going) in

Morning all. Day 10 DJ/day 15 AF. Last night I slept the best I have in years - feels so good to be getting a good night's sleep. It's been a bit up and down since I quit but generally getting better - then last night - wow, slept the whole night. My son was up before me for the first time since he was about 2 years old (now 24) and when I got up, I'm sure he thought I'd been drinking because it is unheard on in our family for me not to be up at the crack of dawn unless I've been drunk.

There is a massive psychological boost too - I look forward to going to bed now thinking there is a really good chance I will sleep - rather than feeling depressed going to bed thinking I will be awake all night.

I am looking much better - not sure if I mentioned this previously but I was seriously considering surgery for the bags under my eyes - after only 15 days AF, they have almost gone! Started my healthy eating plan on Saturday too and start back at the gym today so being AF is a part of a bigger 'best version of me' plan.

I've gone a bit off grid with friends as I can't face talking about my drinking/have I been 'good'/what am I doing to get better etc. - they mean well but I don't want to talk about it all the time. So I am using January as a 'get better' month and just focusing on me, what I need/want and generally being selfish in my sobriety! I have set myself a target to be 9 stone by June (my birthday). That means around 2.5 stone to lose. Ironically, I used to be depressed about being 9 stone now its my aim lol!

I figure the following approximations

• 2000 calories a week saved by not drinking
• 2000 calories a week burned through exercise

-2000 calories a week saved through healthy eating and cutting back on sugar and snacks 6000 calories a week should lose 2 Ilbs a week (3000 calories for 1Ilb loss) 2Ilbs a week for 20 weeks = 40 Ilbs = 2.8 stone!!

Of course I know it won't be that straightforward and I will no doubt have blips (food and exercise wise) but I am the type of person who needs a plan and something to aim for. I'd actually be happy at 9.5 stone but if I aim for that, I will end up being 10 stone or more. So I am aiming low but it should be achievable if I stick to the plan.

Interested to know if others are also using DJ as a kickstart to a more healthy lifestyle generally.

Happy Monday everyone KOKO with no !!

Was so craving a -not so- wee dram of peaty single malt last night ... didn't happen as there wasn't any in the house! Bonus of living alone I guess, no temptations unless I put them there.

Also, despite the sugar cravings (only a lone mince pie yesterday) my portion sizes for dinner (evening) are diminishing.

So, day 10 here we are!

I had a think about what I ate and drank over Christmas and realised its probably just those calories catching up with me! I also just realised I am due on my period and that makes a difference to my weight.

I have been very, very slowly losing weight over the last six months by snacking less, reducing sugar and portion sizes. Upping my antidepressant dose has made the weight lose even slower again. But I am feeling so much calmer and less anxious after a week of not drinking, it is so noticeable. That is more than making up for not dropping two stone in a week!

afternoon! I am just posting and running sorry . I have just calculated my not-drinking savings and have put a deposit down for me and the DCs to a holiday park on the Isle of Wight for the first weekend of March. They have an inset day scheduled so we get 4 days away. :) I am very pleased. :) In normal non-covid times I plan for a week away all inclusive and one weekend break, so this is a very welcome added extra that makes me feel so pleased and happy. DH is away that weekend as well for work so it seems the perfect time to just do something a little special for us rather than sitting at home. :)

I am not weighing myself yet. I just went to my three monthly blood test and so far they all have been ok. I was supposed to have a review at gp's in December but because they cancelled non essential appointments I haven't had it yet. They will weigh me and take blood pressure so I will see how I am doing.

IcedCoffeeMilkshake what a lovely treat! Great incentive to keep going. I'm hoping dh is going to be pleasantly surprised at the end of the month from beer savings.

So I weighed myself today and since last week I've put on 2kg

Checking in on day 10, was far too busy rushing this morning to post. Sleep is amazing but I'm now struggling to get up in the morning!! Haven't been on the scales but walked 5k every morning after the school run last week and at the weekend so I'm hoping that will help with the extra calories I'm wafting nightly 🙈 back out walking this morning, there's something quite special about breathing in sea air without a hangover!

Also struggling to get up and mad dreams continue.
Just about to drag my arse to do some exercise

Actually, yes, I'm struggling with waking up too late in the mornings. I have an early shift at work tomorrow, so won't have any choice! Probably a good thing

Day 10. Definitely feeling the benefits now (sleep, skin mostly). BUT I have had a terrible day at work and all I want is a drink to unwind from the stress of it all. I know it's going to be a tough week too so expect to feel the same at the end of every day this week.

I've just about mustered the willpower to go to the gym instead but it was so hard... Still thinking about how good a glass of wine would be

I'm working out too but my goodness I'm seeing a difference! My cheekbones are back and I'm glowy, even if I do say so myself!

@CrumpetswithMarmite just think of the quote from upthread "there's no problem that can't be made worse with alcohol". I think that's going to be my new mantra!

Got the usual twitch at about 4.30, opened an AF brew dog, and had an AF glass of white whilst cooking. Then ate and am now fine.

I too am really struggling to get up in the morning, much more than when I had drunk the night before, what is that all about then?

I have had a trying day, ds1 has broken his wrist and can't ski with us next month (if by some miracle dh and I and ds2 don't get covid between now and then) and tried to claim on our travel insurance, only to be told if he can physically travel, they won't pay out. Now pinning my hopes on his gp confirming he couldn't travel with his wrist in a cast after the operation he needs to have this Friday but not holding my breath.

Made an apple, mincemeat and panettone crumble for the boys' tea tonight, so that cheered them both up, ds2 has his mocks this week, and ds1 has to now isolate before his operation...happily boys are always in better moods after nice food aren't they?

Ditto on the stressful day here, DD's behaviour at school, in her one hour, was such that she'd be suspended if she weren't on the pathway to special school. Ed psych report came in and was not helpful.
But good to be in the Office and feel bright!

Anyone else suffering from constipation again? Mine seems to have returned, despite an impressive coffee habit...

Day 7 done here as I started late. Going okay - dinner prep and eating is tricky but once I get through the evening meal I'm fine.

Checking in! Didnt sleep v well. First bout of constipation but had some rhubarb crumble. Happy I’ve done 10 days but it’s defo work that stresses me out! I haven’t had chance to exercise today. I had a physio appointment but that’s the sun total of my exercise! Looking forward to warmer weather and lighter nights!

Day 8 ✅ and my app tells me I've saved 31 units! It makes me feel happy and a bit sad at the same time. How did I drink that?

Hey all xx
Day 10 done, I slept terribly last night, was still wide awake at 4am, so I'm really hoping I can sleep tonight 😴
Regarding weight gain I'm bound to have put weight on so Im not weighing my self as that depresses me to much!!
Today is the first day I'm back on my healthy eating so I'm hoping I will see a difference in a month or so xx

Day 10 done , a third of the way through , just about

I Am Sober app tells me I’ve saved £45 , which I’m tempted to spend on myself … but won’t .
I’m stashing it away ( and more as we carry on ) for a weekend away some time this year, following @IcedCoffeeMilkshake brilliant idea

The night before I was drinking three glasses of wine and last night I was smoking. I used to smoke but managed to change to vaping. That took a year. I have also totally quit smoking in past and that was really difficult compared to dry January.