January 2015 - No Alcohol Challenge!

Diana_Morrissey

Late to the party but I am in! I began on the 12th and so far so good. Husband is doing it with me and I plan to be booze free until the end of April. I'm also eating clean, logging my food here daily. I have 35lbs to shed. Ugh! But I know I can do it. Keep it up everyone!

FitWarrior7

I cut it out during the week, it makes a huge difference.

Troy56401

Alcohol is a big part of the reason I can not lose weight. I am a heavy drinker when I do and do not move around a lot for a few days after. My last day for any cocktails was January 2nd. Feeling way better physically and about myself. Need to lose around 80lbs. I know MFP works. I have used it in the past. When I drink I put MFP off to the side. Friend me and lets keep each other on track!

caddir

I'm not even missing the drink - but I think hubby is because now the wine goes off before he can drink it, lol. I noticed he has cut down too. One thing it's sure, when I do start again, we won't be drinking as much or as often

alaskanb0y06

I recently quit drinking too, mostly because I couldn't have just one! Best of luck for everyone trying to stay dry! It's not always easy especially when that's all your friends do... Glad to see there's others going through this as well! (Not that I enjoy your pain)

JohnH71

Working till late last night, out of bed at the crack of dawn today, 170 mile drive, couple of hours work and 170 miles home.

Boy was I GASPING for a beer when I got home today. Usually, I would go to the gym to take my mind off it (was nearly closed, not worth it) or go for a bike ride / run (howling wind and rain. No thanks).

Nearly cracked, but I didn't. Once I had prepared and cooked my dinner, it had passed and I was fine. Phew!

Quite pleased with myself.

meeganbrett

Day 14 for me. Great challenge! I have lost 2.2 pounds in two wee k s. Yes not impressive but feel great too. I am gonna do it but weekends are hard.

karpuz12369

CJ8585 wrote: »

I very much enjoy having drinks with my friends on the weekends. As much as I don't want to believe it, I know that it is a big reason why I am having trouble with weight loss. I wanted to try going without any alcohol for the month of January to see how much it actually contributes. Does anyone want to do this challenge with me? We can check in with each other on Mondays (after getting through the tough part - the weekends).
Thanks,
CJ

karpuz12369

Can I join please, alcohol is the reason I can't lose weight, I have a stressful job and grab a bottle of wine after work 2 days a week

mmmprincessmmm

Dry jan so far so good. And even at work awards do didn't during and managed to have a good boogie. Less than couple of weeks left

julia_808

This is the first time I have seen this thread but I have not had a drink since New Year's Eve. Luckily it was a glass of Dom so it was a good note to go out on! I'm a regular drinker but I've cut back a lot since I have been logging. I am also a bartender and we get a free drink (whatever we want) at the end of each shift so it has definitely been a challenge giving that up when I have gotten accustomed to looking forward to it, sort of a carrot dangling at the end of a busy shift. It definitely got easier after the first week or so and tomorrow is Day 18! I still plan on making it to the end of the month but Feb 1st is my anniversary and we are flying to another island for a few days to celebrate and catch up with friends so I do plan on having a few that week, probably with a VERY low tolerance, haha!

mariamathsgeek

Day 18: Feeling great!!!! So that's 3 Fridays/Saturdays of no booze! Hurray!!!! We are over half way through now too!

I think I'm going to keep going until Valentine's Day (it's a Saturday) and get a REALLY good bottle of red wine to savour that evening over a delicious dinner.

Who's in?

jenilla1

I don't drink enough for it to matter (maybe half a dozen glasses of wine a year), but I wish you all good luck in your endeavors! (*)

xXBabyBelleXx

mariamathsgeek wrote: »

Day 18: Feeling great!!!! So that's 3 Fridays/Saturdays of no booze! Hurray!!!! We are over half way through now too!

I think I'm going to keep going until Valentine's Day (it's a Saturday) and get a REALLY good bottle of red wine to savour that evening over a delicious dinner.

Who's in?

Count me in! Dry January has made me realise that I don't need to drink so much, so I have decided to only have alcohol on special occasions or when out with friends/work colleagues.

lindzmo30

I'm in x

marie3221

14 days and no alcohol. Weekends are hard! Down 5lbs. Going to try for a total of 90 days.

markberry999

I'm trying to fight the booze, I could use some friends trying to do the same and help hold me accountable. Add me.

decoratinganne

I guess by default I'm in since I've been sober for more than a year. Here's a few tips for removing alcohol from your routine. Be careful that you don't swap Sodas for booze. If the goal is a healthy lifestyle, then the sodas can bring in extra unwanted calories and carbs. I've never been a fan of no calorie sodas.....I figure water is a better choice. Depending on the amount of alcohol your body was accustomed to, you may find yourself craving sweets. If this is the case, treat yourself to some more fruit. I like dried apricots, dates and prunes for a jolt of natural sugar when needed. Many people will increase their intake of caffeine when eliminating alcohol. This can be an issue if your coffee is laden end with cream and sugar. Try swapping your coffee for a herbal tea or mineral water. By trial and error, I have found a lovely sparkling apple cider produced by a local orchard. My husband and I have bought a case and keep it stored in our cellar. For those special evenings together, or when we are entertaining we splurge by opening a bottle. My suggestion is to find something which is your "go to" treat.
Sometimes changing your daily routine and social groups become necessary when removing alcohol from your lifestyle. If having a glass (or two) of wine was your way of unwinding after a day at the office, try swapping that behaviour for an extra few minutes of Yoga, meditation, take a walk, play tag with the kids.

peagem67

I'm in!

momof2boyz832

I had posted last week that this weekend past was going to be a difficult one due to a social event. On one hand I was disappointed with myself. I ordered a glass of wine with supper. On the other hand, I was satisfied with it only being one glass of wine to four glasses of water. The wine really did not taste spectacular. I caught myself justifying the drink by saying I had just worked out and actually did more than my usual workout, not to mention the 'crappy' week at work. The remainder of the month will be great!

CJ8585

How did everyone do this weekend? Mine was a challenge because we had a girls night but I managed to stay strong and not have any alcohol.

LeelooX2014

I had a few on Friday, but on Sat I had one drink and it was not very exciting either day. More motivation when it isn't really even fun. What's the point. I'm hoping I can save it for special occasions for the future. Back on the wagon!

notcorky

Still alcohol free! I have my moments when I really (and I mean REALLY, REALLY, REALLY) want a drink, but didn't. I've had two booze free weekends (and 16 days altogether), and am going for my 3rd this weekend.

JohnH71

Well, had my weigh in today I've lost more than I would have expected. Not sure if its that I'm staying off the booze, or the fact that I'm not in the pub so I go to the gym / for a run / bike ride, but either way I'm happy.

Mauigirl62

I fell off the wagon over the weekend. Friday night I "allowed" myself to have wine with dinner because we went out. Saturday night I didn't drink. Sunday night I caved and had a glass and a half of red wine (based on the 5 oz. serving size). I didn't feel that bad about that because I kept under my calories for the day. But Monday I blew it completely. My father-in-law came up for brunch (postponed from Sunday because of the weather) and we had waffles and mimosas. I didn't put butter or syrup on the waffles, only thawed frozen raspberries that I heated up in the microwave first to thaw them. But I also had bacon. Then since I had already blown the no-alcohol thing at breakfast I had a vodka and seltzer with lime before dinner and then went whole hog and split a bottle of red wine with my husband. Oh well, back on the wagon again today. I was good last week - three days in a row with no alcohol. Need to make it EVERY day.

runner475

20 days checked off - strong! Honestly this is more of a staying committed to what I started challenge.

I'm thinking of continuing to do this in Feb with an exception of Valentine's Day.

mariamathsgeek

Day 20: Still staying strong....no booze in 2015 so far. Well done everyone who has done the whole 20 days of January so far off the booze. There seems to be a few people who have slipped and there also seems to be some people who are making excuses and justifying their slips. I know how hard it is and we've all been tempted but what makes this challenge work is if everyone sticks to it and does the whole of January off the booze. We've all had *kitten* days/stress/temptations/social events/etc but some people have stayed strong and some people have caved. If you've had any alcohol in January, you are not doing a dry/sober January really, are you? You may have cut way back which is great but you've not done the whole challenge.

kegofstout

Well only 11 more days in January so I think I will join!!! Sure hope I can handle that haha...hopefully some of you will keep it up in February cuz I could sure use the motivation. I have a hard time turning down a cold beer after a long day at work but my gut is out of control so I need to learn how to say no

Blueseraphchaos

Realized i haven't checked back in on here for 11 days, lol. Looks like everyone is doing a good job! As for myself, i had 1 glass of wine last week, buutttt that was all i had. So not exactly an alcohol-free month here, but very close. One drink for the month compared to the 15 or 20 throughout the month that i would usually have is a huge improvement.

Some of my co-workers and friends and my husband and i are going to a club this coming Saturday...but I'm broke, so i think it will be easy enough to avoid drinking overpriced drinks at the club

Good job to everyone!

Blueseraphchaos

As for people justifying/making excuses for their actions in drinking alcohol this month....they came here for support. If they are struggling and they let us know they slipped up, there's no need for anyone to chastise them. Everyone is trying their best, and if they aren't, they know they aren't trying as hard as they could be, so still no need for a lecture.

So if anyone wants support regardless of any slippage, feel free to friend me. (As i just mentioned in my previous post, i did have one glass of wine last week, so not exactly alcohol-free January for me. But as i plan to continue until Valentine's day, it WILL be an entire month for me anyway). i can't even say i slipped up. i just decided i could have that one glass of wine and stop there, so i did it. no excuses needed.