Dry January

[JenM]

I've been dry since 3 Jan (I was on holiday) so will continue until the weekend. No real issues except when cooking at the weekend and thinking that a glass of red would go nicely whilst I wait for it to cook.....and then another whilst eating it.

[hellymedic]

Three cherry liqueur chocolates but none drunk as such.
Diet cola with last night's Big Fat Meal.

[Andrew Br]

Yes, I'm still resisting.
It was quite tough last night when I went out for the "pint and a burger" offer with a friend. He had my pint and I had a couple of Becks Blue. Since the pub serves TT Landlord I did feel that I was missing out a bit.

I celebrated the end of the Mere 200 on Sunday by going to Bar and having a decaf latte and a pint of lime and soda. I preferred that to beer funnily enough.

We're off on holiday next week and I'm wondering how I'll feel about having a drink, what it'll taste like and how I'll feel afterwards.

The only definite effect that I've found is that I'm spending less even though I'm going to the pub as frequently as before.
One other possible benefit is that I think I'm going better on the bike. Only two examples: a couple of weekends ago I went out with some friends who normally ride at about the same speed as me and I kept dropping them without seeming to go that hard. On Sunday I was able to cycle with and chat to Memsec and Peter for a while. Previously they'd have soon been dots on the horizon.
As I said, only two examples so I can't be sure about it.

[crowriver]

Nowt so far.

Skipping Burns Night suppers made it easier...

[L CC]

I didn't anticipate any difficulty and I haven't had any. I'm in the (smug) lucky position of really being able to take or leave it, as far as alcobobs is concerned.
I'm only in it for Mr Smith who has done very well, with only a couple of grumpy wine-less evenings.
It's harsh to be dry for your birthday, though, especially when you're eschewing _CAIK too.

[Jules]

I'm going to be as smug as Boabacca. I  gave up booze under the "dry until 21/12 plan." Drank plenty over Christmas and on NYE. Not touched a drop all month - have no great plans to start again but will have a drink if it seems to make sense at the time.

[shyumu]

That is brilliant - well done!

One thing to consider if you do choose to have a drink is staying within the guidelines for units per day. It allows you to drink, but requires good self control.

I didn't do the Dry Jan, but in a few weeks Lent will be here, so I'm planning to fast from alcohol then. When I gave up alcohol from Oct-Dec last year I gained so much weight due to replacing alcohol with chocolate. During Lent I'm giving up alcohol but also practicing a new skill - 'self control' (when it comes to calories).

S.

[Chris S]

Well, that all went very well in the end.

Giving serious consideration to a Dry February now 

[Gaston Lagaffe]

Not quite a "Dry January" but not far off.

I gave up on 7th Jan.

I had 1 glass of wine with a family Sunday Lunch, and 2 pints last Sunday after a club run.

I was/am a relatively heavy/regular drinker.  My blood pressure was in the hypertension range on 7th at a hospital check up 148/82.  I had a blood test yesterday and it was 117/65

Looks like I need to keep it up!

[nightrider]

Well I did it :thumbsup:What has it acheived?Well for me it has given me time to assess how much alcohol influences my life.I got gout in December,which is what motivated me to cut down on booze and fatty food.January has not been an easy month for me but I got though it without hitting the bottle.I intend to carry on drinking but intend to limit myself to a maximum of three pints of ale,in a night.Sadly I seem incapable of putting the cap on a bottle of wine once it is started.On a plus note I have lost 9lb and intend to carry on with my weight loss.I have entered a 100 k brevet in April,my first since August and hope to get back into my cycling.Well done everybody who took part and I hope to see some of you on the road.

[clarion]

...Dry February now 

[Psychler]

That wasn't too bad.  Didn't find I was particularly tempted [but I did push the boat out in December]

Nice bottle of red tonight, a few pints of Woodsfordes Wherry tomorrow - everything back to normal.

[shyumu]

Well I did it :thumbsup:What has it acheived?Well for me it has given me time to assess how much alcohol influences my life.I got gout in December,which is what motivated me to cut down on booze and fatty food.January has not been an easy month for me but I got though it without hitting the bottle.I intend to carry on drinking but intend to limit myself to a maximum of three pints of ale,in a night.Sadly I seem incapable of putting the cap on a bottle of wine once it is started.On a plus note I have lost 9lb and intend to carry on with my weight loss.I have entered a 100 k brevet in April,my first since August and hope to get back into my cycling.Well done everybody who took part and I hope to see some of you on the road.

Gout doesn't have to be forever. It is slightly depressing but It does go away. Rather than 3 pints, try to aim for 3-4 units.  It can make a big difference. Another technique I've applied is to never drink alone. Sitting in front of the TV until midnight when everyone else is tucked up is just pointless. Save the drinking until you have company or go out. Just some thoughts - hope the gout goes away soon.

[CrinklyLion]

When I worked/socialised/more-or-less lived in the pub in my late teens and realised one day that I was drinking more than I wanted I created The Beer Rules.  Three consecutive days every week with no boozahol - usually Mon-Wed.  Thursday was the night I had a regular engagement out of town and I got back in time for last orders - one drink, if I felt like it.  The other three nights - max 3 pints in any one evening, and generally not three each night.  Probably over what would be 'advised' for someone as short and ovary-possessing as me, but remarkably responsible drinking for a 19 year old whose entire social life revolved around a bar.  It worked for me, and the three beer-free-days was one that I stuck with pretty much ever since.

[Jules]

Well, that all went very well in the end.

Giving serious consideration to a Dry February now 

+1

[Bromptoneer]

Late joiner, I had a very dry Jan and now I'm determined to have a very dry Feb....