Dry January is working! Why'd I wait?

Jthanmyfitnesspal
Jthanmyfitnesspal Posts: 3,522 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
If you drew a plot of my alcohol consumption over the year it would peak in the last few weeks. My consumption of salt, sugar, and carbs also peaks, as I sample all the fantastic holiday foods. Sound familiar?

Well, this is my 10th Dry January and it certainly isn't disappointing. I always combine it with eating in deficit. (I have a hard time eating in deficit if I consume alcohol.) I came back from holiday break at 189lbs and, after about two weeks, I'm weighing in at 185. Yes, it's mostly due to losing the puffiness ("water weight') that comes with all the drinking and eating. But, I feel it in my waistline, so in that sense it's "real."

Despite allowing myself to lean on alcohol and systematically over-eat during the past year (lots of stress due to downsizing my house), I really haven't had much trouble keeping to plan since Jan 1. I haven't been horribly hungry very much (with notable exceptions) and I really don't crave alcohol. I gained more than 10lbs over the year and now I'm intent on losing it by April, which is about how long it will take.

It makes me wonder why I waited until January to intervene. It would have been much easier several months ago. It's like my brain has two modes: 1) who cares what I eat and how heavy I get? 2) Dammit, I'm taking control of things!

Anyone relate to that?
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Replies

  • Lietchi
    Lietchi Posts: 6,833 Member
    My experience with alcohol is a bit different. I drink very rarely, perhaps 3 drinks a month. Not just for calorie reasons, even before losing weight I was a very modest drinker ('traumatic' experience with a (near) alcoholic girlfriend) but I did go along with my fellow diners a lot more out of 'solidarity'. Now, I really limit myself to drinks I actually enjoy, as I don't want to waste calories on drinks I don't even like.

    During the holidays, every dinner with family/friends started with champagne/sparkling wine (probably 5 or 6 parties in 10 days), which is one of those drinks I do enjoy. And my running performance and recovery tanked! Well that just confirmed to me that alcohol should stay within certain limits (for me anyway).
  • pridesabtch
    pridesabtch Posts: 2,464 Member
    I'm going for a damp January. Significantly cutting back, but will have one drink when out with friends instead of 4 drinks when out with friends and no drinking at home. Like you I have a hard time controlling calories when I drink alcohol. I did really well last year until October and then it was like I just plummeted into old excessive habits, both eating and drinking. I wish I'd intervened before January and I wouldn't have put 10 pounds back on, but that is done. Now moving on, moving more, eating well and drinking rarely.

    Best of luck!
  • mtaratoot
    mtaratoot Posts: 14,255 Member
    I started on Solstice, and it's been very easy.

    I have been down to the tavern to visit with friends a few times, and I'll have something without ethanol. They usually have at least one Kombucha on tap, and they have some CBD elixirs that are also low- or zero calorie. Skipping even one IPA means I get to eat more delicious food and still hit my calorie target. I might keep going into February; I don't need to decide that yet.
  • Sinisterbarbie1
    Sinisterbarbie1 Posts: 711 Member
    If anyone decides to continue either dry or less there is a great less alcohol thread that might be of interest. It restarts every month and is very active (especially right now!)
  • Jthanmyfitnesspal
    Jthanmyfitnesspal Posts: 3,522 Member
    mtaratoot wrote: »
    I started on Solstice, and it's been very easy.

    I have been down to the tavern to visit with friends a few times, and I'll have something without ethanol. They usually have at least one Kombucha on tap, and they have some CBD elixirs that are also low- or zero calorie. Skipping even one IPA means I get to eat more delicious food and still hit my calorie target. I might keep going into February; I don't need to decide that yet.

    I want to go there! "Kombucha on tap" has not appeared anywhere that I know (New England, USA). And no one seems to know if CBD/THC drinks will ever be allowed, although they're generally legal for purchase at home.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    Jthanmyfitnesspal wrote: »
    If you drew a plot of my alcohol consumption over the year it would peak in the last few weeks. My consumption of salt, sugar, and carbs also peaks, as I sample all the fantastic holiday foods. Sound familiar?

    Well, this is my 10th Dry January and it certainly isn't disappointing. I always combine it with eating in deficit. (I have a hard time eating in deficit if I consume alcohol.) I came back from holiday break at 189lbs and, after about two weeks, I'm weighing in at 185. Yes, it's mostly due to losing the puffiness ("water weight') that comes with all the drinking and eating. But, I feel it in my waistline, so in that sense it's "real."

    Despite allowing myself to lean on alcohol and systematically over-eat during the past year (lots of stress due to downsizing my house), I really haven't had much trouble keeping to plan since Jan 1. I haven't been horribly hungry very much (with notable exceptions) and I really don't crave alcohol. I gained more than 10lbs over the year and now I'm intent on losing it by April, which is about how long it will take.

    It makes me wonder why I waited until January to intervene. It would have been much easier several months ago. It's like my brain has two modes: 1) who cares what I eat and how heavy I get? 2) Dammit, I'm taking control of things!

    Anyone relate to that?

    I can definitely related to both bolded!

    When I drink, I eat more that day, don't sleep well that night, and exercise less and eat more the next day.

    I've seen posts from people here who can drink regularly moderately while losing weight; I'm not one of them.
  • Jthanmyfitnesspal
    Jthanmyfitnesspal Posts: 3,522 Member
    @Kiwi2mfp : Congratulations on your journey away from bad habits! It's inspiring!

    My wife and I do love our cocktail hour on Friday particularly. We always have some "reason" why the drink is particularly "deserved," be it long hours on zoom or some other thing. The truth for me is that exercising and/or socializing trump alcohol for relaxation (both together is the best).

    And, fun social activities beat hanging around watching TV. I'm going to go for a bunch of new stuff and see what happens. Tomorrow, I'll try an aquabike class. I've watched them while swimming, and it looks like a hoot: pedaling bikes underwater. Who knew?
  • mtaratoot
    mtaratoot Posts: 14,255 Member
    Jthanmyfitnesspal wrote: »
    mtaratoot wrote: »
    I started on Solstice, and it's been very easy.

    I have been down to the tavern to visit with friends a few times, and I'll have something without ethanol. They usually have at least one Kombucha on tap, and they have some CBD elixirs that are also low- or zero calorie. Skipping even one IPA means I get to eat more delicious food and still hit my calorie target. I might keep going into February; I don't need to decide that yet.

    I want to go there! "Kombucha on tap" has not appeared anywhere that I know (New England, USA). And no one seems to know if CBD/THC drinks will ever be allowed, although they're generally legal for purchase at home.

    It helps that this particular tavern has 30 taps. Actually, they now sort of have 32; one of the kombucha companies gave them a stand-alone refrigerated unit that has two tap handles. They usually have two flavors on tap, but now just one. They are struggling financially, so they have a hard time keeping things fully stocked. People are justifiably still leery of being in crowded places. One thing that's great about this local is they are rarely crowded. Double-edged sword. It also helps that in the Pacific Northwest, we do things differently. I think there's plenty of places with kombucha on tap. My local also asked me if there was anything else they could order for me; there for sure are options. If you have a relationship with a tavern, you could ask them to get some cans/bottles of kombucha or other beverage that is non-alcohol. Who knows; it might even become popular.

    I was at the grocery store yesterday and splurged on a four-pack of Lagunitas "Hoppy Refresher." Zero alcohol. Zero calories. I haven't opened one yet; tossed 'em in the fridge. I might try one today. If they're good, I'll ask the tavern to get some. Not cheap. I was bummed when Lagunitas sold out to a large company, but that really helped their distribution. I bet you can get it anywhere in the country. Probably some bottled kombucha too. Some are WAY too sweet. Good luck; as more people are drinking less or not at all, there will be more of a market even for taverns to have other offerings.
  • Jthanmyfitnesspal
    Jthanmyfitnesspal Posts: 3,522 Member
    @mtaratoot All good stuff! My go-to AF beer is Athletic Brewing Company, available all over on the east coast (at least). They have an AF IPA that is very good. Usually $10 for 6x12oz cans, but sometimes on sale. I like it in the summer.

    In the winter, I like to make custom herbal tea with chamomile and added herbs. Good additions include sage, fresh ginger, fresh turmeric, and/or peppercorns. It has a strong flavor that is very satisfying.
  • Jacq_qui
    Jacq_qui Posts: 443 Member
    I think there's been plenty of research into this 'either/or' brain - it took me a while to get past that, but it definitely made a difference.

    I don't really drink alcohol - I just associate it with social experiences and with small kids, I don't really get to do much socialising. So I tend to drink 0% beer at home usually at the weekends. Weirdly ok with it and got used to it, and if I do go out, it's a very very very cheap night!
  • mtaratoot
    mtaratoot Posts: 14,255 Member
    @Jthanmyfitnesspal

    Athletic is available many places here. A friend who drinks it said it was decent. I tried one several months ago out of curiosity and when they were on sale; my local co-op sells beer by the each for the same price as if you got six. I got the IPA. I thought it tasted like iced tea. Of course most of the IPA I normally drink is in the Northwest style, so the hops are usually overdone. A few weeks after that, I tried an IPA a friend brought back from traveling. It reminded me of Athletic. I may try it again, but the price point is off-putting.

    Lagunitas also makes what they call "IPNA" which they tout as a n/a IPA. I should try that too because I've always been a fan of Lagunitas. I was mad at them when they sold out, but I'm over that. It was about getting more access to distribution networks. They still make good beer.

    My recent experiments with tonic and bitters and lime has me deciding that Angostura is way better than Peychards.
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,216 Member
    mtaratoot wrote: »
    @Jthanmyfitnesspal

    Athletic is available many places here. A friend who drinks it said it was decent. I tried one several months ago out of curiosity and when they were on sale; my local co-op sells beer by the each for the same price as if you got six. I got the IPA. I thought it tasted like iced tea. Of course most of the IPA I normally drink is in the Northwest style, so the hops are usually overdone. A few weeks after that, I tried an IPA a friend brought back from traveling. It reminded me of Athletic. I may try it again, but the price point is off-putting.

    Lagunitas also makes what they call "IPNA" which they tout as a n/a IPA. I should try that too because I've always been a fan of Lagunitas. I was mad at them when they sold out, but I'm over that. It was about getting more access to distribution networks. They still make good beer.

    My recent experiments with tonic and bitters and lime has me deciding that Angostura is way better than Peychards.

    If you haven't tried any of the . . . weirder? . . . flavored commercially-available bitters, I've found those to be interesting and tasty as an addition to sparkling water, possibly with some other embellishment appropriate to the flavor.

    So far, I'm quite fond of grapefruit bitters and cucumber bitters (not together!), but I also got a cute little sampler set that has small bottles of peach, olive, cucumber, chocolate and tonic bitters. Since a few drops typically are the right amount, the 20ml bottles of each are enough for a very fair try. There are other flavors I want to try, cardamom bitters high on that list, but I need to use up more of the current inventory first.

    A local artisan make had an absolutely wonderful smoked apple chicory bitters, but they've sadly gone out of business.

    Another non-alcoholic cocktail ingredient I like - which will also not be for everyone! - is the range available of what used to be called "shrubs" - a strongly-flavored vinegar concoction, usually apple cider vinegar, usually some kinds of fruit-y plus maybe spice flavor, most of these also intended to be a mixer rather than a drink-alone. They can be home-made, but there are some commercial brands.
  • mtaratoot
    mtaratoot Posts: 14,255 Member
    I have had a shrub or two; wasn't a big fan. Maybe I need to try some more. Someone brought some for the aperitif for her meal on a Grand Canyon trip. I think she may have added gin; it was some alcohol for sure. Might also have been too much or too strong of a type of vinegar. I love a good balsamic, and a splash in a Bloody Mary is a good addition. I might get some tomato juice and make some virgin Mary cocktails.

    I'd love to try a whole bunch of the available bitters I have seen in the bottle shop and in higher end groceries. I have no idea where to start, and it's a bit of an investment. Maybe I'll slowly start trying a few. Chocolate bitters intrigued me; that might be a place to start. Orange would be near the top of the list as well.

    I did try the Lagunitas Hoppy Refresher. It was surprisingly delicious. It will be an occasional splurge; not something for a frugal person to have more than a couple per week probably. If my tavern had some to sell me....
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,216 Member
    mtaratoot wrote: »
    I have had a shrub or two; wasn't a big fan. Maybe I need to try some more. Someone brought some for the aperitif for her meal on a Grand Canyon trip. I think she may have added gin; it was some alcohol for sure. Might also have been too much or too strong of a type of vinegar. I love a good balsamic, and a splash in a Bloody Mary is a good addition. I might get some tomato juice and make some virgin Mary cocktails.

    I'd love to try a whole bunch of the available bitters I have seen in the bottle shop and in higher end groceries. I have no idea where to start, and it's a bit of an investment. Maybe I'll slowly start trying a few. Chocolate bitters intrigued me; that might be a place to start. Orange would be near the top of the list as well.

    I did try the Lagunitas Hoppy Refresher. It was surprisingly delicious. It will be an occasional splurge; not something for a frugal person to have more than a couple per week probably. If my tavern had some to sell me....

    If you don't hate Amazon, look there for samplers - several brands offer them. If you do hate Amazon, maybe shamelessly exploit them to identify an interesting brand, and buy them someplace else. ;)

    There's a smoked orange from Cocktail Punk that's pretty good. I didn't love chocolate bitters that much, even though I love chocolate, but you might.

    I would think a cooking/tinkering kind of a guy could try some pseudo-shrubs, maybe using a base of a good flavored balsamic - or just use the balsamic you have. I assume you have someplace local where you can buy those in bulk (so small quantity if desired), then tinker with adding herbs, spices, etc., if you like. What's the worst that could happen? ;)

    With the commercial shrubs I've had, they were for sure intended for mixing, not straight drinking (though some for straight drinking exist). The mixers let you fine tune your preferred vinegar-y-ness.

    A friend of mine made blueberry shrub from some old-timey recipe, I think with ACV. It was thick-ish, like a light syrup, very blueberry dense, not super sweet. Interesting!
  • mtaratoot
    mtaratoot Posts: 14,255 Member
    I'm not a fan of Bezos, but he does bring me things from time to time. I'll go poke around for bitters.

    I keep three kinds of balsamic. Maybe I'll spritz some in some fizzy water.

    Thanks for sending me down another rabbit hole. Because why not, right?
  • tomcustombuilder
    tomcustombuilder Posts: 2,224 Member
    I adhere to more of a damp rather than dry January along with the other 11 months…
  • Jthanmyfitnesspal
    Jthanmyfitnesspal Posts: 3,522 Member
    @AnnPT77 : I ordered a sampler of bitters from that Bezos place. Sounds interesting!

    I went to dinner last night with a fun crew. Most of us we AF.
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,216 Member
    Jthanmyfitnesspal wrote: »
    @AnnPT77 : I ordered a sampler of bitters from that Bezos place. Sounds interesting!

    I went to dinner last night with a fun crew. Most of us we AF.

    Report back after you try them, good or bad review, if you feel like it? I'm interested in what you think.

    With some bitters, in the sparkling water, I find a citrus wedge a good add. (Every once in a while, I buy half a dozen lemons and limes, cut 'em up, freeze in layers (parchment paper between) in a flat tempered glass rectangle dish with a snap on plastic lid. I started doing this early in the pandemic to minimize shopping trips vs. always using fresh. I've kept it up: Convenient, and tastier than bottled lemon/lime juice, IMO. I go through them pretty fast because I put a wedge in my daily cold matcha.)
  • mtaratoot
    mtaratoot Posts: 14,255 Member
    Jthanmyfitnesspal wrote: »
    @AnnPT77 : I ordered a sampler of bitters from that Bezos place. Sounds interesting!

    I went to dinner last night with a fun crew. Most of us we AF.

    I poked around on Jeff's website, and I saw a few samplers I considered, but did not pull the trigger.

    I did decide that Peychards is a reasonable addition to grapefruit-flavored fizzy water. I do NOT like it in my tonic with lime. For that Angostura is the winner. I will be going to a grocery, probably on Tuesday or Wednesday, that has a large selection of Fee Brothers bitters; I might splurge on one or two regular sized bottles. I noticed the prices over on Jeff's place seemed a lot higher even than the scary price I saw on the grocery shelves over the months I've kept looking at them.

    Angustora is also good in straight up soda water. I bet some of the other bitters will be too. If I get some, I'll report back too.
  • Sinisterbarbie1
    Sinisterbarbie1 Posts: 711 Member
    I have been using lots of different bitters in NA drinks for a while now, just like you would in an alcoholic cocktail. They pull everything together and balance a drink. The ones I like best in sparkling water or tonic alone tend to be either citrusy or herbal or both combined. Dram makes very good ones - a black tea herbal bitter, a juniper bitter (add to tonic for a g&t taste), I’ve also enjoyed a star anise and a cardamom bitter from another company - can’t remember the name but it comes in old timey rectangular bottles with eyedroppers. I occasionally also get a rhubarb and sea salt bitter. That one needs citrus to bring out the taste. I also have a turmeric ginger. Finally there is a company called Hellfire bitters which makes a variety of habanero and other very spicy bitters. I like to use them in any type of NA drink to give a “burn/kick” similar to alcohol taste. Another good option for that effect is a super strong ginger beer like goya or goslings.

    On a separate note I was just reading a couple of different articles in NYT related to dry January and also the Canadian decision to issue new health standards regarding alcohol consumption confirming that no amount of drinking is safe, and instead issuing guidelines to allow people to judge increased risk profiles and make decisions accordingly. I was disappointed to read the comments sections which consisted mostly of people who choose to drink shouting down those who abstain and vice versa as if sobercurious experimentation was a one way ticket to prohibition for all. I’ve mostly had positive experiences when I order mocktails in bars or otherwise don’t partake, but I guess the anonymity of internet comments allows people to be more animated!
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,216 Member
    As aside to folks here who are curious but haven't tried bitters: Yes, you'll probably see that fairly small bottles have a fairly high price tag. As context, literally a few drops of some is enough to flavor 12 ounces (= about 355 ml) of sparkling water. Even some of the ones I consider underpowered only require about one standard eyedropper full of bitters in that amount of sparkling water.

    @Sinisterbarbie1, is that rhubarb and sea salt all one combined flavor? That sounds intriguing.
  • Sinisterbarbie1
    Sinisterbarbie1 Posts: 711 Member
    @AnnPT77 yes the rhubarb and sea salt is one flavor here is a link to one place I have seen it (which also has great leads on other interesting bitters) but I buy it from a little local shop https://thecocktailery.com/products/bitters-lab-rhubarb-sea-salt-seasonal-new
    It is not super potent and I find it loses its potency fairly quickly when opened so if it is in your fridge for a while you may want to use it with complementary flavors and draw out the taste with a few flakes of additional sea salt.
  • Jthanmyfitnesspal
    Jthanmyfitnesspal Posts: 3,522 Member
    edited January 2023
    The group that hates non-drinkers the most appears to be waiters. When I told a waiter recently that we were an AF table, he shouted "you guys are no fun!" We should have left.
  • mtaratoot
    mtaratoot Posts: 14,255 Member
    You should have told a great joke.

    "A priest, a rabbi, and a minister walk into a bar. The bartender say, "What; is this some kind of a joke?"

  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,416 Member
    .
    Jthanmyfitnesspal wrote: »
    The group that hates non-drinkers the most appears to be waiters. When I told a waiter recently that we were an AF table, he shouted "you guys are no fun!" We should have left.

    Ha, I worked in hospitality for a long time. 1.) The overwhelming majority of restaurant workers are young and a good percentage of them have serious substance issues...and 2.) By "no fun" I think he probably meant your per head check average was going to be low and therefore he wouldn't make as much in tips.

    Ya can't please everyone. :lol:
  • Jthanmyfitnesspal
    Jthanmyfitnesspal Posts: 3,522 Member
    I've been paying $10-20 for fancy cocktails in restaurants since the end of the pandemic.

    High prices at restaurants (and everywhere else) is the new pandemic!
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,216 Member
    Jthanmyfitnesspal wrote: »
    I've been paying $10-20 for fancy cocktails in restaurants since the end of the pandemic.

    High prices at restaurants (and everywhere else) is the new pandemic!

    The size of some of those, though . . . once delivered, basically looks like I've bought waterfront property! (Alcohol front?)

    I had a mango margarita at lunch today (not doing totally dry January obviously) . . . for a li'l ol' lady like me, the size of that heavy, fancy glass plus ice and drink, I almost could've logged it as strength training. Wide and shallow, though, not deep enough to swim in. (I think it was $9, so I see your point.)
  • PAV8888
    PAV8888 Posts: 14,246 Member
    Now we know how to prevent bingo wings! :wink:

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