Dry January and beyond

[BulldogMumma]

I couldn't find a dry January thread so thought I'd make one.
I've posted on the alcohol threads before but never see it through. This year I'm determined to do dry January and even beyond.
My drinking has really crept up lately and I know I need to address it. I lost my mum this year due to alcohol and I don't want to go the same way. I've been using alcohol as a crutch since losing my mum but now's the time I stop relying on the wine and take back control.
Anyone else who wants to join me are more than welcome, would be good to have some buddies along the way x

I love Brian Bilston.
Happy birthday @Hedjwitch !

What are your thoughts on zero alcohol drinks? I’ve tried 0% beer, GnT and wine with varying degrees of acceptability. I noticed my DH who is also doing DJ has got through loads of alcohol free beer - but does that mean we’re not breaking the habit and as soon as DJ ends we’ll go straight back to bottle of wine far too many evenings?

Morning all and welcome to Day 14!

@Flicitytricity , I understand the association between wine and going out for a meal. Last year I managed it by only meeting people for lunch, as I wouldn't normally drink at lunchtime, but on holiday that would be harder, and you'd obviously be eating out most of the time. Perhaps the choice of restaurant is key? I find when I go to my favourite restaurant - lots of really unusual and complex dishes - I tend to drink less as I am more mindful about enjoying the food, rather than needing to add interest to something fairly ordinary.

@Destiny33 , I swear by a large mug of chamomile tea at bedtime (not just during DJ). I would sooner quit alcohol altogether than give up that, or my morning coffee!

@Miloarmadillo2 , I love exploring all the AF alternatives - in fact I have spent as much on those as I would on wine, and have gained 2lb in weight even though I am eating the same amount, so perhaps they are another slippery slope! There are some great beers around, and the Guinness 0% is lovely. Spirits also seem pretty easy to either replicate, or create something entirely new (like Sentia). And the CBD drinks have a relaxing effect, and can be drunk on their own, or as mixers with a spirit. You might want to take a look at the Dry Drinker site as they have lots of options.

I agree the risk of this is just temporary displacement and not breaking the habits. AF is ok I like them but I had to stop the routine of sitting down every evening with one that tastes the same as the alcohol version. Changing it up and drinking something that isn’t replicating alcohol has helped me I do like the CBD drinks they do not remind me of alcohol they are a fizzy fruit juice

Yes, that's a fair point about temporary displacement. Perhaps that's why I avoid AF wine, as that's my regular drink of choice.

I think there's something about rewarding yourself with a 'treat' drink in the evenings that is hard to get away from. But maybe it's just a case of learning that the treat doesn't have to contain alcohol.

I'm not sure about how AF drinks relate to breaking the habit as my overdrinking issues are almost entirely linked to wine and AF wine is hideous, so I've been drinking other things!

For me having a treat drink that I only drink in the evenings has been key this month, and so many soft drinks are way too sweet. Tanqueray 0.0% gin is the best AF drink I've found.

I think with AF beer they are so close and almost identical hard to tell the difference, it could maybe encourage it to continue. Why waste your money on AF with no buzz it’s likely you would just swap back to alcohol in the long run

@Jaderz , I suppose that's true if beer is your regular drink. I find I occasionally fancy a beer during the day for refreshment (as opposed to coke or lemonade), but don't want the buzz, so I find the AF beers are useful all year round.

@SatinHeart , Sainsburys just delivered me some Tanqueray 0% as a substitute for the Gordons, so I look forward to trying that this evening 😀.

I agree I like AF beer a lot but I am not a regular beer drinker. I think if I was then it would be a different situation

I like Becks Blue. I'm not keen on nosecco
Not tried any non alcoholic spirits

I've never really thought of having an AF drink as a treat...It's not something that I'd really think of doing at home (food and snacks yes)..but will look into AF alternatives for a posh drink when I eventually go back out socialising as I'll miss sitting at the table with everyone without a drink

I like sainsburys bedtime tea to help sleep.
Only AF drinks that are tolerable for me are bud zero, becks blue

How's everyones evening? I've been feeling a bit meh and irritable.. everything my partner said earlier on was annoying me. He was just trying to have a conversation but I was thinking, just shut up. He's left me to it now. Going to the gym helped I did a bit of cardio and some weights and a swim and it snapped me out of it even though I had to drag myself there and nearly didn't due to my foul mood. Now I'm tired and looking forward to an early night

@Sammy900 , I definitely think an AF drink can be a treat. I have high hopes for the Tanqueray this evening, which I will mix with a Trip Lemon & Basil and serve in a posh glass. The Kahol whiskey might be nice with the Peach & Ginger too. Last year I had a really lovely mocktail at a restaurant, but can't remember what it was. There are lots of recipes you can use though - just switch the spirit to AF, and there is probably an AF vermouth available somewhere.

Evening going well so far. Went out earlier and the sunset was spectacular. Now having some Rooibos tea and some fruit. Will look for something to watch on Netflix later. I'm a night owl so an early night isn't an option for me 😉.

Hope everyone is OK, and celebrating the achievement of a whole two weeks completed - or 45% if you prefer😊.

@Hedjwitch Happy Birthday!

Been a good Tuesday overall - went to my first Pilates class during lunchtime break and felt great after. I am happy to be taking more positive steps in looking after my body and health.
I always let everything else slide when I drink too often (so unhealthy habits on top of the drinking!)

Am feeling really tired in the evenings though. Alcohol gives me a sort of false energy.
However, if I can continue on this path for some time, I intend to make use of lighter evenings for walks etc but at the moment it's too dark and cold to go out anywhere once the kids are in bed!

Hope everyone has a good week. I feel like January is going by quite quickly!

Alcohol free birthday done and dusted. Eaten way too much cake but no booze. Two weeks gone. Nearly half way.

Happy Birthday, and well done🎂🍰🍪🍩🍨

It's my birthday tomorrow, so send some cake this way😁

Evening all
@Hedjwitch happy birthday, amazing that you stayed dry too.
Day 14 done and dusted here, not had any urges or cravings.
I'm not usually a beer drinker but I like the AF corona and Lidl's own, I've started to only have them on a weekend now though.
I've definitely noticed less bloating, I've not had heartburn or heart palpitations at all in January so that's a definite positive for me. I was getting frequent heartburn when I was drinking and had a few heart palpitations that I worried were down to drinking, the fact they've now stopped is very telling

@BulldogMumma same I've had reduced bloating, longer deeper sleep, better toilet habit / better gut issues / no heartburn / no heart palpitations / calmer and no issues with anxiety :) just healthier all round

RHR and other stats on my fitbit are nice and normal..bet I've got better BP too

evening all and happy birthday @Hedjwitch well done on a sober birthday too!!!! Mine is in August and I haven’t had a sober one for a lot of years!!!! I wouldn’t know where to begin but thoughts like that are really making me think this does need to be the year!

happy birthday for tomorrow @Flicitytricity

15 days in & it’s been ok the weekend was busy and no real cravings ! Had a random one at work today for Thursday night (as in counting down the days!) but then remembered dry jan and was fine !

the wine witch is working overtime tonight however, trying to convince me not to do 100 days - dry jan is enough right now she’s saying … only 2 weeks left… trying to remind myself how I felt 2 weeks ago and all the reasons I’m doing this. A month is not enough for me I need to take this momentum & carry on or I know I will be right back where I started!

@AuraBora really relate about the fake energy that’s the only thing I missed at the weekend! Luckily the traitors (first series as I’m behind the times!) helped me stay awake past 9pm!

@BulldogMumma i also have seen a massive reduction in heart burn & palpitations I have to remember all these things….

100 days beckons hope other people will be along for the ride!

this thread is great and we’ll done everyone whether you’re at 1 day or 15 or more!!

I wish I was seeing some benefits! The only one I'm really getting is better sleep which has now kicked in after a rocky start. But no weight loss or anything encouraging like that, despite the app telling me I've saved xxx calories, I think I've just replaced them with crap!

I'm still not sure what to do next. Last year I did DJ and then just went back to normal, which I don't want to do again. In the day I think I should continue largely AF, it's not that hard and obviously loads of health benefits. But then I have nights like tonight when DH is late yet again, so I've had to spend the evening driving between various sports activities and had to cook tea twice etc. and I just think it would be nice to slump on the sofa with a glass of wine. That said, I do find the AF sparkling wine okay as a substitute, especially as it mimics the sensation of having a glass of wine, so maybe that's the answer in future as well - as someone said upthread, it's that feeling of having a "treat" drink - I need to find more treats!

@Hedjwitch Happy birthday and well done on being sober today.

I have just signed of day 16 on my dry days app as I am going to my bed soon. Tuesday is always a manic day for me so the wine witch doesn't get much a chance to speak to me. Day 17 tomorrow and gone sat i will be day 21 which for some reason feels like a huge achievement

Happy birthday @Hedjwitch ,and well done on staying sober - woohoo 🎉!

@BookShark me too. I'm not really feeling much actual advantage 😕 maybe, yet.

Right now, I'm feeling a bit bloated. I had a reasonable dinner at 7 (salmon and orzo), a Guiness zero at 6, as much as to just try it as I've been curious (It was actually the best zero alcohol drink I've tried, for the record!), and a sleepy tea.

I'm exhausted but have fought to stay awake til bedtime. I expect to wake once in the night for a wee- better than the 3-4 it was 10 days ago! And will wake with a low grade headache. 😡

I'm a bit bored, largely because I'm too tired to do much of an evening, and I haven't lost any weight!!

BUT I fully intend sticking at it for Jan. I'm not thinking long term, just yet.

One thing, though, I'm not sure about substitute drinking (for me). I'm okay with flavoured tonics etc but I wonder if I'm just deflecting by replacing alcohol with zero lookalikes? FTR I only drink dry white wine. So not Guiness, normally!

14 days done. Longest since I can accurately remember!