Who's signing up for a "Dry January"?

purpleshoes_2

pollyanna24 wrote: »

Oh my gosh, really?! That puts into perspective! Sometimes I was 'drinking four Mars bars' a day!

I weighed myself this morn and my body seems to be finally responding to it all. I am being good with food as well though.

Day 10 now and my dad is just making me another cup of tea. Had a little discussion with him as he's been tee total about 10 years and now and said that he doesn't miss it, but still feels that if he tried drinking, reckon he'd go back to his old ways of drinking most days.

I think good on him and everything, but I so want to be that person who can have one and then leave it and I'm not sure I'll ever be that person.

I don't think I'll ever be that person either. In the same way that if I want junk food I'll go out for a meal and have a bit of it, I think for me and alcohol, if I want a drink I'll either buy a small bottle of wine or I'll go out and have one.

If I have a big bottle of wine in the house, if I open it, I'll drink it, at least Im aware of that and you are aware of your relationship with alcohol as well.

WantToBeSE

purpleshoes wrote: »

I don't think I'll ever be that person either. In the same way that if I want junk food I'll go out for a meal and have a bit of it, I think for me and alcohol, if I want a drink I'll either buy a small bottle of wine or I'll go out and have one.

If I have a big bottle of wine in the house, if I open it, I'll drink it, at least Im aware of that and you are aware of your relationship with alcohol as well.

I'm the same. So its best for me not to have alcohol in the house.


I weighed myself this morning and I HAVE to stop with the fizzy sugary drinks to replace the alcohol. Water will have to do.
I think it's definitely the sugar I am craving, rather than the alcohol.
I will attempt to go 'cold turkey' on all evening snacks/fizzy drinks and hope for the best.

Bunny82

purpleshoes wrote: »

I'm not, but my diet is pretty healthy the majority of the time. However, if someone is struggling, whatever gets them through, its not uncommon for people to develop a bit of a sweet tooth when stopping drinking.

I'm finding this. I don't usually have one either so I've definitely noticed it. Not so much pudding but sweets - I finished off a bag of Maynards yesterday. Bah.

At least I got through dinner unscathed with three other people around me drinking like fish. :T

LucyA44

Hello everyone!

My new year's resolution for 2014 was to give up alcohol for the year - and I succeeded so I wanted to let you know some of my tips and how it went.

I socialise a lot, so it was a massive thing for me to give up alcohol and it wasn't easy (although it was great in January as there were so many others doing dry January). My family, friends, husband and colleagues all thought I wouldn't be able to do it so I felt very smug at 12.01 on January 1st drinking that delicious first glass of champagne.

Anyway, I must admit I did find it difficult at first to go out and not drink - there is only so much diet coke, tonic water etc that you can take. At first I just stopped going out but realised pretty quickly that I'd be a very sad soul if I abandoned all my friends for the entire year if they wanted to go to the pub. I did get a LOT of pressure to drink, friends thought I must be pregnant and couldn't see why I'd wAnt to inflict this on myself.

It did obviously get easier although holidays were difficult -especially during an all inclusive Caribbean holiday, in fact I did almost crack then, but I didn't! I discovered that a lot of alcohol free cocktails are just pure sugar so abandoned those for soda and lime or even just soda and mint (deliciously refreshing).

Although I did lose weight, it was not at all due to not drinking - I got to June without losing a thing so thought I'd take up running - and without that fuzzy head on a Saturday and Sunday it became an easy thing to do (well not easy, because running is hateful, but I persevered and it got easier!).

I also just got used to ordering tea/coffee/herbal teas in pubs and stopped feeling awkward about it. In fact, in the colder months this helped me stay out with my friends who would be all drinking beer outside kept warm by that glorious alcohol glow - diet coke doesn't give you any such kick!

Anyway, am rambling now, but stick at it - it really helps put a perspective on your personal drinking. I can't drink as much as I used to now, but nor do I want to drink as much as I used to - I really savour that good glass of wine or that tasty rum and coke and am happy just to have a couple and not get drunk! In a way, this is what made the miserable year worth it (and yes, ultimately I did feel it was miserable!). A dry month is sensible - a whole year was not but at least I did it!

Good luck everyone - you can do it!

Lucy

WantToBeSE

Well done Lucy, a whole year! Wow, I am seriously impressed


It's only been 11 days for me, and I have had some very tough evenings!
Tonight is an easy one because its Sunday and I have to get up early for work tomorrow.


I went out for dinner tonight, and it didn't even cross my mind to drink, as I was driving.

Kantankrus_Mare

Thats a real achievement Lucy, Well done!

I struggled last night but had an early night and the moment passed.

My tip for lasting the month is to tell anyone and everyone what I am doing and as I don't want to appear a failure.....I WILL last the month!

hazyjo

Still not tempted. Tell you what is nice - Vimto and diet lemonade. Yum! Lots of flavour and a bit sherbety Gonna get one now!

Jx

purpleshoes_2

That's why port and blue wkd is so nice together, cheeky vimto.

I'm on the slimline tonic with a hint of jasmine. Or was, finished now.

pollyanna24

Well, I cracked and I'm admitting it on here. I felt like wine last night, so I had it. Shared a bottle with my mum that my neighbour gave me on New Years Eve.

I must admit it did taste lovely and I wanted more afterwards. See, moderation is my problem. But I poured a fizzy water and lime and made do.

I think the craving was worse after I'd had the wine and wanted more, than it was the nights when I just resisted.

I'm still aiming on cutting down on my intake and just because I succumbed last night, I don't want to go, oh sod it. Not planning on drinking again till the weekend.

Kantankrus_Mare

Well done Pollyanna for being honest. Its not all bad though as it has made you more aware of your relationship with alcohol which I am hoping this will do for me.

Still no drink for me though I havent been in a social setting yet which will be the real challenge.