Dry January! No Alcohol!
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I have a very serious question and dont mean to sound rude or offend anyone but.... do you guys doing this have a serious drinking problem or are you just doing this for fun? Kind of like a W30?
No, I don't think I have a "serious drinking problem" but I'm not doing this for fun either. I think I've been drinking too much lately and it's time for me to take a month or so off. I need to lose about 30 lbs and find that drinking wine about 3 times per week (bottle each time) is sabotaging my weight loss. I'm not saying I won't ever have wine again, but this month, I'm choosing to stay dry. Also, a good way for me to find out if I'm heading into the "serious drinking" category.3 -
I have a very serious question and dont mean to sound rude or offend anyone but.... do you guys doing this have a serious drinking problem or are you just doing this for fun? Kind of like a W30?
Hi! None taken at all. For myself why I decided dry January is for the fact that I do enjoy my wine and it has not helped my waistline over the last few years. I have gained approximately ten pounds and I know that is a contributing factor. Eat really healthy and workout. I enjoy cooking while drinking wine with my husband, during dinner and maybe a glass afterward. I know that it is too much alcohol and I want to be healthier in 2019. I do enjoy drinking and agree with @alpha12 that I am not giving it forever. I am going to achieve my goal and drink in better moderation. I would say that I am a daily drinker and wanted to quit a habit that could turn into a “serious drinking” problem.
I will say this that I am use to having wine in the evening and it has been a transition. I am happy for everyone if they are doing this challenge from drinking a few days a week to drinking all the time. It shows me that you want change for yourself in a better healthier way! You made the first step!
@crazyravr Are you doing dry January?1 -
On to day 6 of dry January for me today! I'm feeling pretty good about it, but I'm by no means complacent. Temptation can strike at any time. How is everyone else doing?
Awesome! I am on day 9 and feel great! I definitely have more energy in the morning! I understand about temptation from habits that I am breaking (21 days to break habit - some say more 21/90). Here is a good example from yesterday, we golfed with friends and always afterward we have our post game drink. I chose to drink hot tea while they enjoyed their cocktail (enjoyed my tea too); however, at first I wanted to drink with them (was not thrilled - however, changed my attitude). I played better golf yesterday as well! I didn’t want the extra calories and made a goal of dry January.2 -
Also, in the past would have enjoyed that drink after golf and would have started cooking with wine. VERY happy I saved all those calories and like mentioned above I have a lot more energy. I am looking forward to a good hard workout this morning!1
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I have a very serious question and dont mean to sound rude or offend anyone but.... do you guys doing this have a serious drinking problem or are you just doing this for fun? Kind of like a W30?
I drink maybe 2-3 times a month. 2-4 drinks each time. So between 4-12 drinks a month. Not a problem at all. I do find though that I use a glass of alcohol to make conversation in groups easier(I fight some anxiety), and once I have had one I want three. I try to always be very aware of my actual thoughts surrounding WHY I want alcohol at that moment. Alcoholism runs in my family. It never hurts me to give it up completely for a time frame, drop some calories both from the drinks and from the snacking that I do when I drink, and just in general set goals for myself and stick to them.
ETA: rereading this I realized this: if I could moderate my thoughts and food triggers as well as I feel I moderate alcohol, I would be golden. Off topic though and something I have been improving greatly in the past year.
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I have a very serious question and dont mean to sound rude or offend anyone but.... do you guys doing this have a serious drinking problem or are you just doing this for fun? Kind of like a W30?
I'm not doing this for fun, per se. But for my health and goals. Personally I had developed a weekly habit of grabbing a bottle of wine to watch movies with my husband every Friday/Saturday night. That wine was empty calories, which led to eating excess carbs mindlessly, which led to less energy the next day. Ultimately unraveling any calorie deficit progress I had made during the week.
In addition to this challenge I am also involved in a 6 week challenge at my gym in which one of the rules to the meal plan is "no alcohol". So I find a forum like this helpful to encourage others as well as myself to stay strong while abstaining from something that does not contribute to reaching our goals, swap tips/tricks on navigating social situations while abstaining, etc.
While everyone's consumption varies, that's where I am at right now
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Weekend get-togethers with foodie friends always include wine and food. I don't plan to socialize much in January because I want to drop some December weight (and save money). I was very "festive".3
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On to day 7 today! I'm finding out that for me, at least so far, reaching for wine is just something to do in the evenings when I cook, watch TV etc. and not a physical need. As long as I occupy my mind in the evening and do something else in place of wine - the "witching hour" of 6-7pm passes, and I'm good. I don't normally have a sweet tooth, but I find that I've been reaching for an afternoon piece of candy this past week. I guess I need to get my sugar that I would normally get from wine some other way.
How is everyone else doing?0 -
Fortunately I do not have dependency issue, as I have know alcoholics who struggle and work so hard for sobriety. I stopped resolutions years ago to consciously take stock and think about how I am living. For me it so easy to get used to being on auto pilot, prepare to cook, pour wine, drink wine... and this does add up and for me it only goes to one place - waistline...especially as I age no amount of working out seems to reduce that.. all about the diet.1
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Day 10 AF! I remember from the Alcohol Experiment that it takes 10 days for alcohol to completely leave your system and allow your body to regain homeostasis, so I'm glad to have reached this goal finally. I do actually feel a lot better today than I have all month so far.2
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ok so i *kitten* up last sunday but now on day 4 again, hopefully i wont screw up again!2
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On to day 7 today! I'm finding out that for me, at least so far, reaching for wine is just something to do in the evenings when I cook, watch TV etc. and not a physical need. As long as I occupy my mind in the evening and do something else in place of wine - the "witching hour" of 6-7pm passes, and I'm good. I don't normally have a sweet tooth, but I find that I've been reaching for an afternoon piece of candy this past week. I guess I need to get my sugar that I would normally get from wine some other way.
How is everyone else doing?
Awesome! Same here it is the hour before dinner when I am use to drinking wine while cooking. Now I am drinking hot tea and changing my habit. Feeling great! Day Ten, here we go!
Recommend eating fruit!1 -
VeggieGirlforLife wrote: »Day 10 AF! I remember from the Alcohol Experiment that it takes 10 days for alcohol to completely leave your system and allow your body to regain homeostasis, so I'm glad to have reached this goal finally. I do actually feel a lot better today than I have all month so far.
Great info!0 -
Day 10 and doing great! I had my first weigh-in this morning and I am down 2 pounds Kicking butt, feeling energized and more confident.
This weekend I have two holiday parties to go to (when will the festivities end?) and both will be full of big drinkers, whom are also used to seeing me partake. So I'm mentally preparing myself for all the questions of why I'm not drinking and the assumptions that "oh you must be pregnant" *eye roll*2 -
I could never.. lol1
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JLatham325 wrote: »Day 10 and doing great! I had my first weigh-in this morning and I am down 2 pounds Kicking butt, feeling energized and more confident.
This weekend I have two holiday parties to go to (when will the festivities end?) and both will be full of big drinkers, whom are also used to seeing me partake. So I'm mentally preparing myself for all the questions of why I'm not drinking and the assumptions that "oh you must be pregnant" *eye roll*
Awesome! Understand as we have a group we are going to dinner next week too. I am saying I am giving my liver a break after the holidays!1 -
Day 11 to Dry January!
How is everyone doing if you have decided for a dry January or cutting back on alcohol?
Lessons that I have learned thus far to help motivate and continue my path of AF. Not forever, but in a more sustainable manner:
1) Relying too much on alcohol when I am stressed/frusturated etc.
Learned: I feel so much better when I am stressed, frusturated to go workout or do something healthy. Drinking never makes it better. I knew this, but difference now is that I am doing it!
2) Relying too much to help me relax and go to sleep.
Learned: I am not falling asleep as fast; however, I am sleeping so much more soundly. Everyone always says this, but now I am experiencing it.
3) I wanted to quit alcohol to give up calories in order to lose weight.
Learned: This is so much more than a number on a scale for me. I am feeling great and thankful I am making the right choices. I am eating right, working out and not drinking. If the scale doesn’t move I am not worried. I want a healthier version of me in 2019.3 -
Unfortunately I had couple of glasses of wine last night. No reason why, other than I really a taste for a cold glass of chardonnay - or two. I'm not going to beat myself over it and enjoy the fact that I stayed dry for 7 days. Starting with day 1 again today.2
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Im in. Im doing this challenge not to lose weight but to detox from the festive season (way to much beer). This will be quite hard as its summer time now and there is so much festivals on weekends.
Any tips on how not be socially awkward at social events when everyone is drinking?1 -
TheJacob_94 wrote: »Im in. Im doing this challenge not to lose weight but to detox from the festive season (way to much beer). This will be quite hard as its summer time now and there is so much festivals on weekends.
Any tips on how not be socially awkward at social events when everyone is drinking?
I find a few things helpful:
- if you want to reduce people asking you why you aren't drinking, choose something like club soda and a lime to have in your hand.
- when engaging in conversation with people, make it about them. People love to talk about themselves so ask them what's going on in their lives lately, anything exciting? Any goals? How's work going? Etc. Put the focus on them and just listen (sometimes that's what people need and appreciate)
- realize that it is never as scary as you've built it up in your head
- take pride and confidence in knowing that you won't be getting sloppy and making a fool of yourself that night and you'll wake up refreshed the next day1 -
I Have gone alcohol free for 3 months in the past, I was a weekend drinker. I noticed within a week that 1. My 5k runs got faster by one minute 2. By eating at maintenance without alcohol my body fat dropped slightly by end of the 3 months.3
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Unfortunately I had couple of glasses of wine last night. No reason why, other than I really a taste for a cold glass of chardonnay - or two. I'm not going to beat myself over it and enjoy the fact that I stayed dry for 7 days. Starting with day 1 again today.
I agree of not beating yourself up, seven days Dry is great! I know for me much better than last January!0 -
Day 2 for me today. I woke up early, had a nice workout and I'm feeling good right now. Life is good! 1
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Saturday morning and already went to the gym for a great barre workout!2
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Since New Year I lost 4 lbs just by staying dry, but with 1 stumble along the way 3 days ago. I've been eating my normal diet because I first wanted to eliminate wine to see how that alone affected my weight. I'm pretty happy with a 4 lb. loss in 13 days. I think I've gained new motivation to keep going!
Day 3 today (had some wine on the 10th) and I'm feeling good!
How is everyone else doing?3 -
Had all kinds of traveling and meetings at the start of Jan and classes started Weds. so started this weekend. On Day 2 and decided to check out the Community link and found this thread. I’m in.1
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I'm about an extra 1lb down, compared to where I'd normally be. I had been accounting for alcoholic drinks in my logging but not having them makes it easier for me to stick with healthier food choices, so I'm able to maintain my calorie deficit more easily.0
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Doing great! That is awesome on your weight loss by staying dry. I am motivated as well, weigh in on Monday. Regardless, I am working out harder and eating healthy with no wine. Saving calories! If the scale doesn’t show it on Monday I know in the long run it will since I am DOING IT!
I am feeling great too! 😃1 -
Today is day 16 for me. I plan to go until Feb 3. I’ve lost 10lbs and my skin looks AMAZING! I thought it would be harder than it has been, but I’ve noticed two big triggers that make me want my evening glass(es) of wine, which is good to be mindful of when I add it back in a few weeks.2
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