Dryer than a Tena Lady - DJ2022 #2

[MyGhastIsFlabbered]

New thread for those of us attempting Dry January.

Settling down with a Punk AF; they are really nice, quite fruity. Busy day at work, ended with some v technical stuff, so had a banging head. Went for a nice little walk, beautiful clear and cold evening.

Not feeling the twitch this eve tho, partly through being halfway through DJ, and partly as I'm working tomorrow.

It's Blue Monday in a couple of days Starry, a daft thing but I think lots of people feel flat middle of January... remember last year's as it was the day we all tested positive for Covid

Think you are right Northern. I feel like doing something but not sure what.

I just tried some nozecco. Wasn’t v impressed to be honest. Too sweet. I think I’ll just stick to flavoured tonic with lots of ice.

@NorthernChinchilla

IJustLovePirates that's almost precisely what I'm going for, so pleased to hear it's actually the basis for one of the books Saturday night will be date night (no going out for us, as previously mentioned) so will enjoy some drinks. Other nights will be dry unless I've got something on, eg couple of beers with the football, glass of wine if I meet a friend, etc but v moderate.

Was interviewing until 9pm tonight: would normally LOVE a G&T after that but found the idea quite off-putting, which is a whole new experience for me but a positive one.

The book is by Rosamund Dean. It’s very readable. It suggests a 28 day break and then putting firm rules in place, so is tying in neatly with DJ.

I bought the Alcohol Experiment because the blurb said ‘30 days to take control, cut down or give up” but halfway through she started talking about how moderation just didn’t work and how it was better to be completely AF, which may well be true, but wasn’t what I ever intended.

I just want to stop the habitual evening drinking, which might only be one or two on a weeknight but brings my evenings to a grinding halt.

Day 14. Im enjoying reading of an evening or practising my music and my skin is looking so much better :)

@SantaMonicaPier

What was the AF vodka like? I’ve tried low alcohol vodka before

Friday night is a toughie for me normally as I always felt I'd earned a drink. I've got a thumping head so actually glad I've got an excuse. I want to get into comfy pjs and drink (vegan) Horlicks

16k steps today. Cleaned out two cupboards , descaled my coffee machine and been very productive generally. The increase in energy is real! I was very wistful when I saw Christmas wine gifts in the cupboard but didn't succumb. Had a Bud zero instead and the urge lifted.

Wow I was twitchy during the dreaded witching hour! Chugged a becks blue and am through it now. Friday night battle fought and won. Someone asked for an AF red upthread, I really do rate the Belvoir mulled winter punch, warmed a little.

[quote IJustLovePirates]@SantaMonicaPier

What was the AF vodka like? I’ve tried low alcohol vodka before[/quote]
Actually good, I'm on my second. I can't honestly say I would identify it as vodka in a blind taste test, it's got a cinnamon flavour, but lovely with tonic. It's the Clean V brand

@Daisy829

I just tried some nozecco. Wasn’t v impressed to be honest. Too sweet. I think I’ll just stick to flavoured tonic with lots of ice.

I have it 50/50 with tonic and it's better!

Whoo Day 14 done, well done everyone. I'm still not having AF drinks, as plan on using them when I'm out out. But tea is fast becoming my favourite drink, might have to get some decaff 😳

@SantaMonicaPier I’m trying to shift some weight too and didn’t think it was worth the calories. I spent them on a wham bar instead 🤣
Ill try it with tonic next time

2 weeks alcohol free !
Part of the reason is weight loss and money saving

Haven’t tried alcohol free wine , just sticking to sparkling water , tonic and herb tea

Certainly found that I have more energy , painted the dining room walls today (1 coat , need another can .Dulux soft truffle ,very nice ) and plan on shuffling the furniture round

Walking most days too ( was glorious today , but we had to wait in for a delivery and started our walk late , so shorter version )
What I’ve learnt is sometimes in cold weather 2 pairs of socks are a winning idea
I’ve notched up 40k , about 25 miles , don’t manage every day , but resolving 4 times at least ( have rain proof trousers ! )

Saturday tomorrow and no Strictly 😩
We’ve started watching Emily in Paris which is a hoot , worth a watch

15000 steps today and Friday night alcohol free complete ☺️

Hi all xx 14 days down yay!!! Its going very quick isn't it. I'm feeling like I've broken the habit of midweek drinking again, was looking at some photos of me back in the summer and I look so much better than I do at the moment, so looking forward to getting back to that xx

14 days complete!

I can't remember who mentioned the skin getting worse but suddenly mine looks awful! It isn't spots... just the general complexion seems really patchy / not fresh / dull and almost more wrinkly..!! I'm really hoping that passes! I've been eating well, exercising and doing self care eg baths, moisturising..!

Other than that, I'm feeling a lot more confident now being AF, and I'm not tempted to break it like I was. It doesn't seem so challenging.

Well done everyone... Let's keep it up.

For any wobbles just jump back on the bandwagon

@crumpetswithmarmite it's weird my skin has been looking great and then today I've woken up with spots and chapped lips , wonder if it's the weather or my toxins coming out??!!

Do you know what I was thinking both last night and again this morning. I love going to bed 'properly' - you know taking my contact lenses out, brushing my teeth, applying my face cream etc rather than flopping into bed absolutely trashed. Some nights I wouldn't even get into my pjs . And I hated the hangover dread because I knew I'd feel crap the next day

And though I'm tired this morning I love waking up clear headed and even if I do feel a bit ropey for whatever reason I love knowing it's not self-inflicted. Every hangover makes me wonder why I do this to myself, yet I keep doing it.

Well done everyone - we're marvellous!

I completely agree! I could always tell if I'd had too much as my clothes would just be a heap on the floor. Can't believe how much better I feel. I don't think I'm staying dry in Feb though; I currently plan to try moderating max two drinks a week as for me I can manage that

@CrumpetswithMarmite

Happy Friday/weekend everyone! Checking in for Day 14. Had a good long conversation with OH last night on all the benefits and how much better I feel and that is also helping us on the relationship. I think I had been so stuck in a cycle of lows/being irritable with him from the alcohol for a long while.

I've realised an additional goal for me is to get to the point where I'm not having to decide/think about alcohol everyday! That's been the biggest thing I noticed so far is I feel physically and mentally so much better BUT it crosses my mind daily to have a drink! I want to crack that. Not sure how long it will take... does anyone know/have experience??

Personally, it took me committing to a year alcohol free, to finally stop the daily internal dialogue about whether to have a drink. I’ve tried (and mostly failed) to moderate for years. This time, I made that commitment and really, properly meant it. The dialogue stopped, which is hugely freeing.

Why do I feel like I have a hangover this morning? Headache and groggy but I didn’t drink last night!

Anyway, day 13 ☺️

So I must fess up to three glasses of champagne last night as we were celebrating something big that had happened in the family. Lovely at the time...not so great at 3am and for the rest of the night! Was it worth it? Maybe...but wish I'd stuck at one glass. Back to DJ today.

I think I slept all night last night!!! I usually wake once or twice, but last night I went to sleep at about 10:30 and woke up at 7am.

Congratulations for whatever it was Majority and there's space back on the waggon!

We had a blow yesterday, the special school we (and the school) had been pinning everything on for DD to attend for a 3 month placement can't take her as they're losing their premises! So now she doesn't have the relevant paperwork/diagnosis (yet) to go to the full-time special school or have support, but can't cope with mainstream

But day 15 everyone, halfway through!

So sorry to hear that @NorthernChinchilla - that must feel so frustrating! I hope you're both holding up okay, at least hopefully the dry Jan is helping you feel stronger or more resilient. Fingers crossed another solution can be found.

Congrats @MajorityofThree on the good news!! It's nice to celebrate and don't be hard on yourself  interesting in some ways to be reminded of the horrible 3am wake up hey!

Thanks @PromisesMeanNothingSue too for this insight on being AF. Amazing you have been able to do that and very inspiring. Are you now committed to being AF always? What have you found helped? The longer I have gone this month and seen benefits, the more motivated I am, also with the 'thinking about alcohol' I can see I prob need longer beyond Jan. Drinking is so ingrained in our culture the next challenge if I continue will be going to social events. I haven't had to do much this month so it is easier.