Dry January and beyond - Thread 2

[BulldogMumma]

Hey everyone
New thread as the old one was filling up
@Flicitytricity @coastergirl @TimeForNosecco

Morning all almost 40 days after tmw going strong!!
feeling really good and content was out with DP last night had some great food then home by 9 in bed with chocs and a film! Perfect end to the week.
Waking up fresh with all the possibilities and time this weekend for myself to do whatever I want is the best feeling will be jumping in the car soon for my gym class.
i downloaded Millie mackintosh book Bad Drunk last week I completed it in 2 days I found it very relatable and she has a doctor who explains the different effects of alcohol after every chapter and I thought that was a new take on all the books I have read and found it really helpful great read!

As for people putting on peer pressure this is something I’ve experienced a lot and tbh it just makes me more determined to carry on it’s sad some people will never see how alcohol has a hold over them as it’s definitely on them and not us why would someone care so much about if others drink I find it weird like chill out I don’t want the fucking drink 😂 we our free to choose something others can’t do or refuse to try even!!
keep going everyone I’m so glad I stuck with it really starting to feel the benefits now 🤩

DJ has certainly changed my approach to drinking. Out for a special occasion last night..dinner/ theatre..and had one cocktail. And that's all. Very pleased I refused wine as that would have been a bottle. Learning to make better choices.

That’s amazing!! Well done I remember you mentioning this trip up the thread and that’s a massive win!! You should feel proud and I bet you feel great this morning! Wine is never a great option and let’s be honest it doesn’t even taste nice 😆 good for you

Morning all. I honestly wasn’t sure what to do with myself this morning. House is fairly tidy. Kids are at clubs. Laundry etc up to date. I just seem to be more on top of my jobs. Didn’t fancy a walk in the rain so I’ve just been happily pottering with a coffee. Obviously the peace will be shattered the minute the kids come back but for now I really do feel so much more at peace. More in control. More together.

Day 40 for me and last year I cracked at a Valentine’s Day meal and had a bottle of red to myself 🫣 this year we are going for a fancy lunch instead. I have been socialising less this time around but it’s been worth it. The skin on my face looks so much better. My stomach is flatter. I look less puffy. My sleep is better and I’m drinking loads of water without trying. Just generally happier. If I have to sacrifice a few nights out for this, then it’s worth it for me.

Enjoying reading all the positive updates 😀

I feel like I'm really starting to feel the benefits now as well. After a rocky first few weeks sleepwise I am now definitely sleeping so much more deeply.
I've noticed how if I happen to wake up early (for me that's before 6.30ish) I can just go for a wee, climb back into bed and drift straight back to sleep again for a bit. And I feel rested when I wake up. When drinking, if I woke up earlier than I needed to, I'd have get up as I'd feel kind of anxious.. that has totally gone and it feels great.
@thrivein2025 totally identify with all your points above. I'm seeing couple of good friends next Sat but it's during the day and we are planning on a long walk and picnicky lunch (fingers crossed for reasonable weather). I'm fine with not doing much socially right now, it makes life easier.

I sleep so well, I feel energetic in the day and not anxious or overwhelmed anymore. Got a staggeringly good park run result today too. I know that staying AF is good for me, I am a far better me for being AF, but I still don't feel I can say I won't drink again.

The weekends are such a real test at times. I actually started to crave yesterday at 4pm so a took myself to the gym and it helped.
I know I have a target of March 2026 but I'll be happy with 100 days at this rate.

How good does it feel waking up hangover free!! Loving my weekends now so much more productive, so calm and content…..what I thought was boring has now actually become peaceful and enjoyable
The things I thought I loved doing at the wknds like spending time and money in pubs crazy boozey brunches that went on all night after they finished, the weekend wine at home just because it’s the weekend….. i really do not miss any of it or the drama, embarrassment feeling like shit the hanxiety the meaningless conversations the talking bullocks!!
Now I stick to all my gym classes, I go on walks, I eat healthy food, I read I educate myself on being better in general, I look better I feel great, I sleep better I have better connections and conversations and most importantly I like myself better.
And this is just from giving up alcohol five weeks today 🙌🏻

@TimeForNosecco I feel the same re the alcohol, I just need a little help on the healthy eating front because whilst the first few weeks of Jan I was really good, over time I’ve gone back to eating quite a few ‘treats’. Last night I ate 2 muffins in a row and several biscuits. I know it’s not the end of the world and I haven’t put on any weight, but I do feel a bit disappointed at myself because I want 2025 to be a year of great choices and positive change.

Great to hear you’re enjoying being AF! the positives are endless… I know how hard the eating can be last time i was AF I literally ate so much sugar and actually put on weight so I was more determined this time, I still do allow treats but it will be a fun size bar rather than a whole pack of biscuits plus I’ve swapped most treats for fruit and Greek yogurt.
Don’t get me wrong I will also eat really well but I’m eating more protein rather than carbs and will have a blow out on Friday we had Thai food and it was amazing I had 3 starters and a main etc and then yesterday walked 25,000 steps so I can slow myself those foods.
What worked for me was tracking my food it’s a free app and when I saw how much I was snacking I was shocked at how many calories I was racking up it made me more mindful I feel so much better now and that horrible mid section bloat has gone!
good luck with it takes some discipline but it’s worth it

Discipline is something that doesn’t come naturally to me! I am going to try and think a bit more carefully about what I’m eating. It’s the evenings I’m struggling with. I just feel like I need something… yesterday I went for a walk to distract myself and ended up at the supermarket buying muffins.

At least we have calories that we can burn now from the extra treats etc as booze calories are pointless and none nutritional!
Does anyone have particular work out routines now?
I am doing 7days a week gym at the moment as it's helping with the booze cravings and I also go in the mornings before work some days on an empty stomach to try and encourage burning the excess fat from beer that has built up.

Oh and I have been nominated for an award at work, the event is on March and normally a boozy affair. If I can't get through that drink free I can do anything!

Exactly yes all those empty calories we was consuming!! I think I’d definitely notice the bloating if I started drinking again I literally have no calories left to spare so would put on weight pretty quickly.
wow that’s great 7 days a week in the gym 🙌🏻 I try to go at least 5 times a week and also do a long walk in the afternoon every day.
Im really only doing exercises I enjoy these days I used to spend hours running but I hated it loved the runners high but didn’t like the shape of my body lost my bum and definition so now I lift weights five days and then the walking as my cardio and some incline walks on treadmill.
Gym has always been apart of my routine I dk how I managed it hungover at times!! The stress on the body not good.
Well done to you, hope you manage to bag the award!! That can be another tick off the list of AF firsts! You never know you might find it easier by March

Well after my first booze this weekend on a visit to my sister,it is an absolute pleasure to be AF today! I had forgotten shit alcohol makes you feel the next day!

Well done everyone!!! @Hedjwitch 1 cocktail then declining wine is a great achievement!!

another af weekend!! Felt a bit flat this weekend but didn’t even think of drinking so that feels huge!!

the holiday next week will really be the test!!

excercise is the next thing I really need to start fitting into life I’m overweight and stopping drinking has made me realise how tired I really feel! Add in stopping Pepsi max which btw has been harder the the alcohol 🙈 and I constantly feel worn out!! So getting fitter and moving more can only help I think! It’s finding the time that is tricky!!!

hope everyone’s week gets off to a positive start!!!

In Jan I dropped 10lb not drinking. I was healthy eating so that helped too. The last 2 weekends I've had a drink & had weight gain. I think because it stops me eating healthily....crisps are my downfall. Anyway this has spurred me back on to no drinking until the end of March. I really need to shift some more weight. I didn't realise how much difference drinking was making to my willpower! I want to feel good for a hol we have in May.

Day 46 for me...I have gained 4 pounds since starting DJ and I know it's because I am snacking too much. My skin is lovely and clear though 😀 Holiday in 2 weeks time, I aim to stay AF but won't beat myself up if I don't. My partner has started drinking AF cider on one of the weekend nights so he has cut his units down too. I don't bleat on about it, it's just feeling normal for me not to drink alcohol.

As an add on to this I was speaking to a friend and mentioned I had been AF since 28th Dec and she said oh I've not had a drink since Xmas Day and it made me realise that what I'm striving for is just normal to her. Really made me think how much a hold alcohol had on me before

Oh gosh.. @hby9628 10lb in Jan that's amazing! Well done
I weighed myself last night and may have dropped a whole pound!I do feel slimmer though. So nice not be bloated.

I'm also feeling v tired despite the much improved sleep - for me also I think more exercise is key. I'm so tired of the grim cold weather and just want spring to arrive!

How's everyone been getting on?
I'm on day 49, looking forward to getting another 0 milestone on day 50.
TOTM arrived today too i hope that's why the scales were saying I've gained 2lb and the gym was very tough tonight, my legs felt like lead on the stairmaster! X

Day 44 here. I’m also looking forward to hitting the big 50 @Littletinytarzanswingingfromanosehair. My diet has been appalling I wouldn’t be surprised if I’ve gained weight in Feb. I’m going to enjoy my half term holiday and then focus on turning that situation around….

Hi all.

I’m wondering if anyone is feeling a bit blah?

I was quite a big drinker - glass or two of wine most nights and definite weekend binger.

I haven’t touched a drop since NYE.

Initially I felt great - loads more energy, more clarity, better mood etc etc.

Now I just feel like the shine of it has worn off.

I have decided I won’t drink again but I’m wondering if anyone else who has stuck with it is having a bit of a plateau?

Don't post often on this thread really but just to add, I still haven't drank since New Year's Day. I had such an awful hangover after it it's really put me off. I kinda felt like maybe having a drink last Friday night but didn't...it's my birthday tomorrow no plans as such as had a bit of a tough year end of last year. But still don't think I will even bother. Am on a bit of a health kick just now and getting back into the gym again. Not drinking has helped me shift the half a stone I didn't want. So am really happy with that

Hi everyone, not posted before but have followed the thread and really enjoyed hearing everyone's journey. I felt a bit of a fraud as I actually stopped drinking 'for a bit' on September 2nd so I've been off it for a while now rather than doing Dry Jan as such but I still feel quite tentative in this non-drinking life so this thread felt like a good home for me!

I have also lost very little weight other than about 4lbs bloat weight at the start. I am not too discouraged by that though as I'm subbing the alcohol out with Wispa Bites (!) so not surprised I'm hanging onto my extra stone and a bit of weight! Like a previous poster said, once half term is done I will try and focus on this next. I actually think until I can crack this need for a 'reward' at the end of the day, I can even contemplate trying to moderate as whether it's alcohol or something else, it's not a healthy habit. And shouldn't be necessary to reward myself for just getting through the day.

@IMTOOMessy I went through an initial feeling like shit period which honestly lasted 72 days (I counted). It was actually my initial incentive to keep going - I wanted to keep going until I felt better. It took a long while. Since then I have started to feel brighter, lighter, calmer. Hang in there.

Day 44 af and finding it easy going. I've bought the M&S dine in for Valentine's day with the af Fizzero. I've got a holiday lined up later this month and if I can spend a week in the sun in a smart hotel and still emerge happy and af, I'm going to to declare myself teetotal. I've kept an open mind and I've listened to other posters who have drifted back and are keeping it under control after a reset. I think though if I can hack having fun and staying af, that's the way I'm heading.