AIBU to think that if I quit drinking for a month ...

[newyearfabulousness]

My NY resolutions will take care of themselves?

Weight loss
Cracking in with business plans (clearer headed, more energy)
Exercise more (absence of hangovers)

I did 30 days sober last year. It ended with perhaps a bit more money in my pocket, but also with a few extra lbs, no extra exercise, and was generally a bit boring :/ yes, I know I’m boring, but the early mornings, extra study, general self improvement thing really didn’t happen.

Not really.

By all means do to, but don't count on weight loss.

Did you 'feel' better in any way?

I do sober weekends on occasion & it appears I am prone to eating more chocolate & biscuits when sober so don't count on weight loss.

Depends how much you currently drink I suppose.
A month could pass without me having a drink and I'd barely notice. If you drink heavily/regularly then yes it will make a big difference.

I reckon it would give you a better chance at them. I always lose weight way faster when I give up alcohol, and I wouldn't say I drink to excess.

My mum quit drinking and the weight literally fell off her. She didn't eat loads anyway but enjoyed larger maybe 3 at least 4 times a week.

Give it a go. Might work might not. Just don't replace with biscuits.

Ha! Sorry to be such a Negative Nelly for the New Year!

In a more positive tone, how about picking 4 things for each of these categories for a week:

Stop - stop doing something. Could be drinking?
Start - is exercise something to start?
Change - a tricky category, but could be minor from putting sweetener in tea instead of sugar, to substantial like a business name change?
Continue - already doing something that’s good for you and your goals? Identify it, congratulate yourself a bit and consciously keep doing it.

Try it just for a week, and review how successful or beneficial each was at the end of the week. Longer than a week and you’ll lose focus, but you could repeat the week after!

Good luck and happy 2018 :)

There's no harm in trying, certainly.

But don't get your hopes up too much. I do a slightly damp January every year, and there's very little difference save that I read more rubbishy novels in the evening and feel fed-up on Friday nights.

Mornings are much pleasanter tho when you don't drink.

I did dry January last year, and didn't lose a single pound.

Was gutted.

I always lose weight doing Dry January.

I tend to make better food choices when I'm not drinking.

Depends how much drinking is standing in the way of those things now.
If it isn’t the reason you aren’t doing them, then stopping won’t have any impact.
If it is, you probably need to stop for more than a month.

I've not drunk since Christmas and I've already lost a kilo. My sleep is starting to get better already, and I feel much more alert. The twitchy anxiety is a tiny bit better, but it's too soon to tell if that's just me being optimistic.

I drink a fair bit
I was hoping that as well as losing the calories from the wine itself I would be less tempted to "car-up" the next day.

Ashamedandblamed Good on your mum. That's great to hear.

I know I'll be more energised. I often skip the gym of a morning because drinking has made me sluggish.
But as some have said, It's going to be really important to not replace the booze with snacks

good going Sheraaargh

Poppycherry how bloody annoying.

I don’t lose an ounce when I give up alcohol. I go through phases of not drinking. I didn’t drink for 6 months last year, no reason other than I just didn’t fancy it. Downside is being the bloody designated driver all the time.

I put a pound on when I did dry Jan as I replaced with chocolate...not even that much choc

I drink a fair bit too. I did a Dry September a couple of years ago and lost 8lb but it was a concerted effort with diet and exercise too. Just not drinking wouldn’t have made that much of a difference because I’d likely compensate with cake!

Yes, I'll need to make an effort.
But I do think I'll be more successful without the booze weighing me down. (fingers crossed)

It made no difference to my weight because every time I had a cuppa....I’d have a little something with it!

My bank balance was more healthy, though 😊

I'm definitely going to give it a go. i just hope i don't cry when i weigh myself tomorrow morning.
just finished my last glass.

I lost 7 pounds in 3 weeks when I have up for a month in the summer. But I admit I drink heavily when I start.

I also had strong sugar cravings but I even though I was eating a lot more I still lost weight.

Defo give up drinking for a month. More if you can. There is nothing boring about it. Loads more energy, clear head in the morning, take up an exercise based hobby, I love running, and use it as a kick start to a new you. Best thing I ever did!!

I rarely drank last year, I was going to the gym a lot. When I drink I get the munchies. Weight loss was going great.

Then December happened. Nights out, lots of alcohol and hangovers, loads of hangover junk food. Missed or half hearted gym sessions. No meal plans so more crap food in the week. I'm absolutely useless when I'm hungover.

Put on nearly a stone. Gutted.

Can't wait to be back at work, in my no booze routine. Im already back at the gym and loving it, and trying to ease myself back into healthy food and no drinks.

I think no booze is the key to success for me.