Dry January 2024..
 

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Dry January 2024..

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It’s confirmed my triggers for drinking: work stress, boredom in the evenings and habit

Same here. Tonight has taken some will power. It's been a long week, and a particularly tough day. Recently given up my career as a musician so boredom levels on a Saturday night are fairly high currently.

 
Posted : 13/01/2024 8:00 pm
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What a terrible idea, if ever there was a month where a glass of red or a pint of beer was justified, this is it.

Just don't drink too much, stop after one or two, its not hard.

 
Posted : 13/01/2024 8:16 pm
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Just don’t drink too much, stop after one or two, its not hard.

Rather patronising

For some people it is hard to stop at one or two

 
Posted : 13/01/2024 8:43 pm
cerrado-tu-ruido, susepic, burntembers and 13 people reacted
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What a dick

 
Posted : 13/01/2024 11:27 pm
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Yeah gotta be honest if I have one alcoholic drink I want another. Bit like just sticking the tip in, I want to go all in 😆

 
Posted : 14/01/2024 1:10 am
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Last year I had an accidental point of Guinness on the 31st, dry January slipped my mind until I was a good halfway through the pint 🤦🏻‍♂️

Family New Year dinner was had on the first with a couple of beers, but no alcohol since then. Most notable thing is not needing a pee through night. 

 
Posted : 14/01/2024 2:05 am
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Not missing it too much so far.   Occasionally craving a nice glace of red wine with Sunday lunch or while cooking.

Guinness 0% is a game changer.  Not really tasted anything that comes close to the alcohol version but that is really close.  I stocked up on it.  £1 a can at Morrison's.

There's an interesting documentary on Amazon Prime called Alcohol.  The magic potion, that's worth a watch.

 
Posted : 14/01/2024 8:10 am
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I'm feeling hungover despite not drinking. The cold I thought I'd shifted has decided it's not done with me yet. Got a stinking headache. Although it's a free headache rather than costing a load of money in the pub ladt night so that's a plus of some sort I guess.

 
Posted : 14/01/2024 8:38 am
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It’s confirmed my triggers for drinking: work stress, boredom in the evenings and habit

This is the same for me, but also sugary treats.
I'm worse with the sugar to be honest so cut back both.
Not had a drink since boxing day, I was just getting headaches so stopped and nearly cut out the sugary treats to the point where on little chocolate ball last night was enough as it was so sweet.

 
Posted : 14/01/2024 9:08 am
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Both me and the misso havent had any ETOH since NYE.

No take-outs or junk food. No pasta / spuds / rice too.

She's coeliac and I'm type 1 diabetic and we both feel great and lost a couple of kg each. We're not doing dry January per se but just being realistic about our alcohol use and feel the habit of couple of glasses of wine with dinner could be done away with. I'm not saying I'm never drinking again, just, not for now.

Wife did suggest getting some alcohol free booze but I said what's the point you'll just wish it had some alcohol in it. Best to just avoid.

Next stage is to seriously reduce my caffeine consumption.

 
Posted : 14/01/2024 10:59 am
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Wife did suggest getting some alcohol free booze but I said what’s the point you’ll just wish it had some alcohol in it. Best to just avoid.

Alcohol free beers does seem like cheating to be honest, but then it's more my wife who's the drinker than me.

Only downside so far was admitting to doing dry January at a comedy night & then generally getting roasted by the compere.

 
Posted : 14/01/2024 12:22 pm
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Ah... comedy nights usually go like this.... Me trying to sink into my seat and not attract attention. Wife calling out and answering every question the comedian has. I recall one gig when the compare said I was punching above my weight. My wife saying she "used to be fat" then the comedian asking me if I get them when they're chubby then starve them! At this point my wife goes to the loo and he asks if she's going to stick her fingers down her throat? I said I hope not, I'd just bought her a meal... Made the comedian laugh (can't recall who it was but it was a set before Michael Macintyre before he was "famous".

 
Posted : 14/01/2024 12:35 pm
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Week 3, how are folks doing ? Easy here, not actually missing it at all really. Sleep is better, no changes in energy levels or weight.

 
Posted : 15/01/2024 10:40 am
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Had to use all my willpower to resist a couple of times this weekend. Friday night was homemade pizza night when I would normally have a couple of beers while navigating the chaos between stretching dough, frying pan and grill x6 pizzas. Made do with a big glass of lemonade instead and that seemed to do the trick of just having a cold drink to grab and swig when needed.

Then MrsPP was away for the weekend leaving me responsible for the children which seemed to involve a lot of Dad-taxi duty. By last night I could really have done with a nice glass of beer to sit and chill with. Instead I ended up doing a bit of DIY so I guess that's a bonus for my productivity.

I'm not normally a big drinker, rarely more than 2 or 3 beers in a night and mostly only on weekends. My tactic is to not have it in the house then the temptation isn't there to just grab one out of the fridge.

 
Posted : 15/01/2024 10:43 am
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I managed from the 31st of December until Friday there, when I just really fancied a beer. Started but never finished an Erdinger Dunkel. Had one blonde sitting outside the pub on Saturday afternoon, and a bloody Mary later that evening. Got bored with a Chimay Bruin yesterday and didn't finish it. Last night was the worst night's sleep I've had this year. Whether there's a correlation or not, I couldn't say. I'm not drinking for the rest of the week now, because I'm not feeling like I 'need' to.

I've set myself a challenge not to buy any more beer this year. I'll fail at some point, obviously, but it's still worth a try.

 
Posted : 15/01/2024 10:54 am
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Onto the third week! Went out for dinner in the local with OH and a couple friends after watching CX nationals on Saturday, and to be quite honest was expected to be tempted as I love that place. However I ordered an Erdinger Blue which I have always really liked, and after about two sips realised I was quite content not having 2 pints alongside my massive burger. It's funny with AF beers or just soft drinks, in that you feel appropriately quite full after having half a litre of liquid, but with normal beers it doesn't seem to affect me haha. Funny to think people including me will go out and have like 2.5L of beer in a short time period - imagine doing the same water.

Interestingly I have also been eating very light and healthy meals since New Year too, and I felt almost as bad as hungover after that big greasy slab of mince the next day. Went to go a ride but had to turn back and spend some time on the throne.

Down about 2.5Kg but feel like I have less bloating too. Jackets feel and look looser. All good so far.

 
Posted : 15/01/2024 10:56 am
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I have also been eating very light and healthy meals since New Year too

this is my week 3 and onwards challenge, having now successfully completed first fortnight without any booze !

 
Posted : 15/01/2024 11:02 am
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19 days done and I'm sure once I shift this lurgy I'll feel great.  Currently feeling like I had a heavy weekend despite not touching a drop of booze.

 
Posted : 15/01/2024 11:12 am
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Received 5 bottles of various good red wines yesterday. Tough to not have a glass last night, but managed to keep myself distracted. Thats always been the key I find - distraction. Same with snacking. Nice clean week for me - less than 2200cal/day, no alcohol, no caffeine after 2pm, +10000 steps/day, 25km ran, +3 bootcamps, 2ltrs water/day, plus a weekly challenge. I find the calories not too far off my normal day - its just no snacks in between. Its also taken me a bit of time to work out how much more I can eat for each meal, rather than be overly cautious and end up starving by dinner time and with bags of cals left in locker. Not weighed myself yet

 
Posted : 15/01/2024 11:16 am
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Is it ok to join halfway through January? I’m signing myself up. I’ll let you know how it goes.

 
Posted : 15/01/2024 11:18 am
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^^^ of course it is !

 
Posted : 15/01/2024 11:20 am
 Haze
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Day 7 for me, was tempted to celebrate getting through the weekend with a cheeky Talisker last night but held firm...actually fell asleep!

Although I'm still  not sold on staying completely dry I might need to get through a decent stint initially to reset the bad habits.

Anyway, despite feeling knackered the first few mornings I'm starting to feel much brighter fist thing. Which is nice.

 
Posted : 15/01/2024 11:42 am
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Was down at my parent's over the weekend for my Dad's birthday. We went for a pub meal on Sat evening, but I just had a Peroni 0%, which was fine. I was driving, so wouldn't have had a pint anyway.
Later on back at their house, had a small glass of fizz but had said from the outset I wasn't going to stay completely alc free, for special occasions etc. And it was just one glass.
Hmmm. Saying that, I took 2 bottles of Ghost Ship alc free to drink, which is actually just low alc (0.5%) - but I think that just about still counts.

Still trying to get better sleep by going to bed earlier. Was hoping to get consistent 7 hours to start with & then up that to 7.5 once I'd established a routine. Realistically averaging 6h30 or so, still. So need to focus on that.

Weigh-in tomorrow morning. After a few treats at the weekend I'll be surprised if I've lost anything.

 
Posted : 15/01/2024 12:06 pm
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Agree with the fizzy juice volume - no way I could drink the volume of fizzy juice that I can easily drink when it comes to beer. Fizzy juice is usually a good bit fizzier, mind you.

As an aside, when the weather's better? Post-ride cold ice tea is preferable to cold beer.

 
Posted : 15/01/2024 12:07 pm
 DrP
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What a terrible idea, if ever there was a month where a glass of red or a pint of beer was justified, this is it.

Just don’t drink too much, stop after one or two, its not hard.

See also:

Be less depressed you loser..

Just eat less fatty...

Run faster to win the race, slowcoach....

Sigh

DrP

 
Posted : 15/01/2024 12:18 pm
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I wouldn't worry about your 0.5% ABV beer unless it's on religious grounds. Lots of normal food and drink is alcoholic due to it having been fermented/proven or having natural yeast and sugars in.

burger rolls – up to 1.28g per 100g (1.28% ABV)
rye bread – up to 0.18g per 100g (0.18% ABV)
banana (ripe) – up to 0.2g per 100g (0.2% ABV)
banana (very ripe with dark bits) – up to 0.4g per 100g (0.4% ABV)
pear (ripe) – up to 0.04g per 100g (0.04% ABV)
cherry yoghurt – up to 0.02g per 100g (0.02% ABV)

Soy sauce - 2% ABV

https://steadydrinker.com/articles/foods-drinks-alcohol/

 
Posted : 15/01/2024 12:21 pm
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I've had a headache on a couple of occassions, and not sure if that's the dehydration that they say comes with the detox of getting on the wagon.

Today's headache i'm wondering if it was the red wine gravy I made for sunday lunch. Only had a pint

I have some Erdinger <0.5 % , but not sure if that's borderline cheating, so now looking at variations of fruit cordials to ring the changes from Tonic Water and Tomato Juice

Nearly half way - keep it up everyone 💪💪

 
Posted : 15/01/2024 12:23 pm
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Day 15 for me.

Definite weight loss (as evidenced by me trying on a pair of jeans I could barely do up... Now I can do them up!

I'm not missing it. But am thinking ahead as I have a week long bush doof in March and it's "likely" some alcohol will be consumed, purely for hydration purposes. 😀

 
Posted : 15/01/2024 12:33 pm
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I wouldn’t worry about your 0.5% ABV beer unless it’s on religious grounds. Lots of normal food and drink is alcoholic due to it having been fermented/proven or having natural yeast and sugars in.

I'm sure the cottage pie my GF made on Saturday was stronger than that, thanks to the 1/4 bottle of nice pinot noir in it.

 
Posted : 15/01/2024 1:03 pm
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We had a night away with friend's last weekend at a hotel, and I had 2 glasses of wine with dinner, then last week the missus, who's not doing dry January, opened a bottle of wine that happened to be a gift someone had given me! As it was a very good bottle, I had a glass. Other than that it's been absolutely fine.

I've been diligent with exercise and I'm doing something physical at least once everyday.

Didn't bother with the scales at the start of the month as I tend to get too hung up on the numbers but just before xmas I got a new set of snowboarding bib trousers. I bought them online and when I tried them on, I was struggling to get the front zip closed without feeling like i was wearing a girdle. Tried them on again last night and they now fit comfortably around the stomach and chest. Also tried on another thing the mrs got me for xmas and it was very tight on xmas morning but now fits comfortably.

 
Posted : 15/01/2024 1:25 pm
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Sleeping better, feeling more energetic in the main (felt on the verge of manflu for about 3 weeks) weight isn't an issue for me.

Went to our local yesterday, I did actually quite enjoy sitting in there and having a none alcoholic beer.

 
Posted : 15/01/2024 1:49 pm
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The range of alcohol free beers available now is superb and they're widely available in any decent pub. I'm old enough to remember when Kaliber was the only thing available and even now almost 30 years later I still shudder at the thought of the taste.

The 0% Guinness in particular is absolutely fantastic

 
Posted : 15/01/2024 2:00 pm
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Ok to join halfway through ?

Need to change some poor habits round snacking and alcohol. Haven’t drunk huge amount since NYD, but would like to sack off alcohol consumption for a good few months.

 
Posted : 15/01/2024 3:25 pm
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The more the merrier.  But not in the drunken sense of the word.

 
Posted : 15/01/2024 4:36 pm
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Kind of unsettling observation:

My average resting heart rate has dropped from 57-60bpm in the days around Christmas, to a weekly average just updated to 49bpm this morning. Slight pinch of salt as only from a Garmin Fenix watch, but a very clear trend downwards. I did not think that would happen in 3 and a half weeks.

I guess processing all that salt and fattiness in the Christmas fayre would have spiked it a bit but still.

Still no real cravings - although I realise it is actually a bit more boring than I thought watching TV on a Friday night.

 
Posted : 18/01/2024 12:01 pm
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I normally do 100 days at the start of the year. I definitely have a sometimes problematic relationship with alcohol. It doesn't cost me jobs, or friends or relationships, but once I start I tend to drink until I'm drunk, and always have a drink if I'm hungover = problematic spiral.

This year I've got three big races - Manchester Marathon - April (3hour ish goal), Second time at Lakeland 50 in July (sub 11 goal), Cheviot Goat in December (goal to finish), so I'm seriously considering no booze all year. The training I'm doing now for Manchester simply wouldn't be happening if I was drinking, and I intend to keep this level up all year. you just feel better, happier, more productive, fitter, but i know I love a drink, so never say never...

 
Posted : 18/01/2024 12:23 pm
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Ok to join halfway through ?

Need to change some poor habits round snacking and alcohol.

I dont see why not. I love a drink in the right situation but can (and do) easily go a month without a drink, almost by accident, if we dont have any partiess or events to go.

Snacking, however...For me, that is a far, far bigger challenge, and will have a far greater effect than stopping the alcohol!

Trying my best to behave and avoid the lunchtime greggs for January is having a marked effect.

 
Posted : 18/01/2024 12:38 pm
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I seem to have joined in

Trying to manage my Long Covid with the aid of my Garmin watch. Ever since getting LC I've felt a bit crap after just a couple of pints, so I generally keep it down to one drink, once or twice a week. But I've started watching that on the 'stress' levels on the watch. A couple of weeks ago I drank a 3.2% table beer (500ml), watched the body stress levels double almost immediately (and last for about 3 hours) and felt slightly ropey all evening. That was a bit of a one-off, it's not always that clear cut.  But I've figured for now it's not really worth it, and am back on the alcohol frees for  a while (special occasions excepted!)

 
Posted : 18/01/2024 1:09 pm
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Lot of the shops jumping on the dry Jan thing have 0% beers at reduced prices.

Just got myself 4 pack of Edinger 0%, 4 quid in Asda. I really like the Edigner, the head is wild!

Aldi had a variety, got some San Miguel again 4 quid.  And 4 cans of Free Dam 3 quid!

 
Posted : 18/01/2024 1:33 pm
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my fave on the zero alcohol ones has to be from the ranges by Infinite Session - have been buying them for the past year or so.  Also, as a treat as a 'low alcohol' one, Small Beer Co do small cans of different varieties at around 2.1%, so a cheat but only a wee cheat 🙂 - only available online tho I think.

 
Posted : 18/01/2024 1:37 pm
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Struggling, ngl. Did DJ once about 5 years ago and struggled then too. Trouble is it just seems right to have a glass of red wine while sitting in front of the fire. I'm determined to stick it out (quiz night tomorrow night could be tricky) as I'll be vexed if I cave, but it's a lesson in willpower.

#prayfordoor

 
Posted : 18/01/2024 3:31 pm
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The co-op were selling off old stock of 8 cans of poodog punk for £3.60 and 4 cans of vocation life and death for £2.17. I now have 16 cans burning a laser beam of temptation into my mind, but, well you can’t turn that down, like, eh? Will definitely resist but the 1st of February may well be a damp day

 
Posted : 18/01/2024 3:56 pm
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Started on Jan 2. My polar sleep stats have shown better sleep everyday since. While boozing over xmas my sleep was showing as pretty poor.

Feeling more motivated in the mornings, and that is a good place to be for work etc

Also my heart rate while sleeping is lower, and my heart rate variability is better too. Haven't been able to get on the turbo enough, but when i have it feels easier to hold harder efforts.

Not yet really losing weight, but hoping that may start to go down.

 
Posted : 18/01/2024 5:27 pm
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18 days in and annoyingly I seem to be gaining weight!

 
Posted : 18/01/2024 5:30 pm
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3 days in hospital on IV meds and being unable to eat anything more challenging than soup has added a real short term boost to the weightless with another 2kg this last week

 
Posted : 18/01/2024 6:08 pm
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+1 for Guinness Zero, thanks for the tip. Done DJ for maybe 5 years now and it doesn't get any more interesting. Birthday in early Feb helps though. 

 
Posted : 18/01/2024 10:25 pm
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I seem to have finally shifted the cold I've had for the last two weeks so hoping to start feeling the benefits of no booze. It has made not drinking easier though as I've not been well enough to fancy a pint.

 
Posted : 19/01/2024 6:47 am
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The first weekend I thought a lot about having a beer, but resisted. Last weekend was easier, helped by having the odd Guinness 0.0
I think I'm less tired, but not totally convinced. My sleep is no better, and crazy dreams!
I had put on 4kg, and two of those have gone now, so definitely going to keep it up at least till the end of January. Stay strong

 
Posted : 19/01/2024 7:00 am
 DrP
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The weight thing is interesting!

I've lost just over 5kg... I think a lot of that is just not being "peckish" with the sugar highs and lows booze gives!

Honestly, I've very little appetite...

Not even fancying a drink in the slightest TBH..

Me and the OH (who's doing dry WEEKDAY Jan...) have really thought about our drinking..

She's SOOOO not a morning person. I'm massively annoying at all times..but moreso in the morning... NOT being hungover makes me more tolerable!

DrP

 
Posted : 19/01/2024 7:38 am
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I've ended up aiming for a Damp January, rather than a 100% Dry one. Quite pleased with how it's going, too - I've been limiting myself to 3 decent beers a night at the weekend, and 100% dry during the week, which is what I'd like to drink year round. Here's hoping the January Reset actually works!

 
Posted : 19/01/2024 8:01 am
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Erdinger Alkoholfrei last night after training, I have some 0% Guinness in the fridge which i'm saving for 'emergencies' 😀

Only 10 days for me but surprisingly I'm not missing it, although I haven't been properly challenged yet - we're out for a family meal on Saturday but I've decided to drive as I want to be up early on Sunday for a reliability.

Weight wise as I wasn't drinking loads anyway and my diet is reasonably okay, I have however noticed a slight downward trend of about a kilo but I've also knocked back some of the mid-morning snacking which is likely helping.

All positive so far 👍

 
Posted : 19/01/2024 8:11 am
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Also, as a treat as a ‘low alcohol’ one, Small Beer Co do small cans of different varieties at around 2.1%, so a cheat but only a wee cheat 🙂

Whereas some people say they don't see the point in 0% beer - I don't see the point in this.

If I'm having a drink, I'm having a drink - this seems like the worst of both worlds and to me (I can't speak for anyone else) is pointless.

19 days in and sleeping SO much better.

Weight hasn't altered yet, but I don't struggle with my weight anyway, even when drinking.

Big plus for me is that I'm far more pro-active with things that need doing. When I'm drinking, I procrastinate

 
Posted : 19/01/2024 8:47 am
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Picked up 4 bottles of Brooklyn Special Effects in Tesco last night for £4.50 as a treat.

Easily the best non-alc beer I've tried. Must give the Guinness a go at some point though.

 
Posted : 19/01/2024 8:53 am
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Thats a really good weight lose @DrP ! I weighed myself yesterday and I'm only down 6lb/2.7kg 🙁

Thats by religiously sticking to below 2200 cal/day. No snacking, sensible breakfast/lunch+dinner. Nothing in between, apart from maybe a banana before exercise ( I did bonk twice in 1 night a few nights ago, pre run and then pre bootcamp, and required emergency energy bar!). I have a painful challenge this week - 2hrs of plank in 6 days! Ouch. Am 65mins into it, by breaking up a day into 4x5min planks.

 
Posted : 19/01/2024 8:57 am
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Whereas some people say they don’t see the point in 0% beer – I don’t see the point in this.

because a lot of the low alcohol beers, especially the lagers, taste a bit like fizzy water (which a lot of people think lager is in it's full fat format at the best of times!). the small beer at 2% tastes noticeably better than the 0.5% low alcohol offerings and your are still getting very little 'booze' and less calories - bit pricey though

there's also a nice enough 3% lager called Gen!us which is brewed in Scotland and can be order on amazon - 1 unit of booze / 89 calories per can.

i'm doing damp January to severely cut down on drinking. in the week i'll tend to have a couple of nights where i have an M&S Czech lager at 0.5% (by far the best low alcohol lager ive tried), and then if that doesn't satisfy the 'craving', have a bottle of the small beer at 2%. at the weekend i'll have a few of the 3% Gen!us beers.

whilst doing this isn't really to the spirit of dry January, it means I'm drinking about the equivalent of 4 pints across the week - which would of previously been a "quick pint after work" or  "a couple of beers before we go to the pub" . Doesn't lead to any meaningful weight loss though

 
Posted : 19/01/2024 9:13 am
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Whereas some people say they don’t see the point in 0% beer – I don’t see the point in this.

If I’m having a drink, I’m having a drink – this seems like the worst of both worlds and to me (I can’t speak for anyone else) is pointless.

the Small beer to me tastes like beer, smells like beer, just has much less alcohol.  I have had a supply of it for the past year or so, and it's my goto beer out with Dry January.  A couple of cans on a Friday or Saturday night are very rewarding with none of the after effects, so for me it's a win win.  Taste wise I prefer it to many of the regular strength canned beers.

I have it on repeat order and have just received a notification that there is a case on it's way to me .. 🙂

 
Posted : 19/01/2024 9:45 am
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the small beer at 2% tastes noticeably better than the 0.5% low alcohol offerings

aye, this - Beavertown Nanobot is my current favourite.  IMO most of the 0.5's taste like a beer substitute (some better than others!).  But I can have a 2.8% beer and it really does scratch that itch.

 
Posted : 19/01/2024 10:29 am
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Beavertown Nanobot is my current favourite

sad news, i think they've stopped brewing it. used to be a favourite of mine too but looks like it been replaced by 'Satellite' as a 2.8% IPA - not tried it yet

 
Posted : 19/01/2024 11:28 am
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Apart from a small glass of fizz on my Dad's birthday last weekend, I've still staying alc free.
Not really been fussed by replacing with non-alc beers. I've had a couple so far, and am actually tempted to get a couple tonight.

Main struggle for me has been weight - I'm trying to lose a stone. First week I lost 2 lbs. 2nd week nothing. Next weigh-in is Tues morning. I feel like I'm making slow progress, so will see what the scales say.
I had got into the habit of snacking a lot - I think working from home 2 days a week hasn't helped. I'm now finding it pretty hard to cut all that out. Much harder than the alcohol.

 
Posted : 19/01/2024 11:42 am
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Glad to hear that people aer managing to stay on the wagon by various means.

My sleep has been better as I don't wake up at 4am with tummy ache after too many beers, and I'm not hungover in the morning. I'm still only getting about 7 hours a night, but its better quality and I feel better in the morning.

I still hanker after snacks, but nowhere near as badly as when I'm on the beer.

I have refrained from AF beer this year, because despite it being cheaper, I was still spending more money on something I didn't need, was consuming excess calories, and I still got a bloated feeling at the end of the night. I'm having 2 cups of Peppermint or Chamomile tea on a night instead.

We have a get together with some frieds on the 4th of February, and we'll definitely be drinking then, but intend to do another month off the sauce until the 6th of March (the wife at least).

For too long I've needed to break my 'no stop button' approach to chugging beers, and I'm enjoying it. Its at this stage I wonder what I'm actually missing.

 
Posted : 19/01/2024 4:46 pm
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I drunk a massive two bottles every evening from about a week before Christmas up until I'd run out, on the 3rd or 4th of January, and for that reason decided to give dry January a go. **** me, is it February yet!?

 
Posted : 19/01/2024 6:16 pm
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Had just noticed that I felt I needed a drink more frequently than I have in the past, even if it was mostly just one or two bottles. This January I really miss getting to the weekend and not having a couple of bottles of ale.

 
Posted : 19/01/2024 6:20 pm
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19 days in and all fine, better sleep, probably better mood. Weight went up a bit first few weeks and now back to where it was on 1st.

Oddly feeling I could really go a large GnT right now, but resisting… May have a can of 0.5% beer with dinner shortly tho !

 
Posted : 19/01/2024 7:17 pm
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Tried a few new ones last week. Really liked Big Drop Galactic Milk Stout.

Also got a bottle of Pentire Coastal Spritz. Didn't do it for me, maybe on a summer evening, or mixed with gin.

 
Posted : 19/01/2024 8:12 pm
 Haze
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Another Friday night completed ✅

 
Posted : 20/01/2024 8:32 am
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Hardcore boozer here.  I started DJ on the 3rd as I was working over xmas and new year and had a few beers and wine left over that needed tidying up.

No booze cravings, other than for a bottle of red with a pasta and pizza dinner, but I held firm. However I am craving sugar really badly.  Ate a whole chocolate cake over two nights and 2 slices of M & S cheese cake and a mm's chocolate bar last night!  I have been gorging on a catering size Wenslydale and Cranberry cheese as well.

I am a strictly savory man and don't normally go anywhere near deserts.  Help!

On the positive I have bought a few flavoured teas which I am enjoying as a late night alternative drink and sleeping better.  No weight loss but hardly surprising given the newly developed sweet tooth craving.

 
Posted : 20/01/2024 9:49 am
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I had a couple of bottles of Ghost Ship 0% on Friday night. First alcohol free beers this year as I've also been trying to avoid normal and AF beers for weight loss. That hasn't worked, I've lost nothing. Anyway, I woke up on Saturday morning feeling the same kind of just the beginning of a hangover that I would have if I'd had a couple of normal beers. I'm not a big drinker anyway.
My sleep has definitely been better though so going to stick with it and keep avoiding the AF too.

 
Posted : 22/01/2024 9:54 am
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Good weekend for me - 10k PB at Newcastle 10k, and a 12 mile long run yesterday.

Good sleep, healthy eating, no cravings at all. normally, i would have celebrated the 10k with a few beers, didn't even cross my mind

 
Posted : 22/01/2024 10:16 am
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So honesty moment!

The OH adn I stayed in a hotel friday night, and I had some wine and cocktails. In reality, I really didn't fancy it, but thought I'd join her in a drink.
Felt awful, and really regretted it...

But i then met up with old uni mates and we went out for a curry - 3 of us weren't drinking, 2 were. I felt fine, had fun, and it was a laugh!

So, I drank on friday night, but didn't enjoy it. And have no desire to touch booze for a while.
Hey ho..

DrP

 
Posted : 22/01/2024 10:47 am
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Popped into a new bottle shop in town on Saturday, I believe they used to be called off licences 😀

Managed to avoid the temptation of free Whiskey tasting but did buy a small bottle of tequila in the shape of a skull for the OH, as I think she'd like the bottle. Oh and an AF Thornbridge beer for me as it was only £1.65.

Normally I would have gone to the nice pub for a swift pint but had a coffee instead.

Feel like I've definitely broken the cycle, as there's been a bottle of red in the cupboard for over a week and I just don't feel tempted to open it. Previously that would have been opened without much delay.

 
Posted : 22/01/2024 10:54 am
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Burn the heretic!

not really, it’s all about changing habits innit, which seems like you’ve succeeded in. Although you should flagellate yourself with a kipper for your weakness

 
Posted : 22/01/2024 10:55 am
 DrP
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To quote Denzil in the Equalizer (1..which is the bes of the three by a long shot).. "progress not perfection"!

DrP

 
Posted : 22/01/2024 11:09 am
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Doing OK on the booze front, but the micro-pub over the road from me has a mini Belgium beer-fest this week & am tempted to nip over with my neighbour so I can hear all about his recent trip to Egypt. Probably won't though, as I'm not sure it's a good enough excuse and almost at the end of the month anyway.

Food & staying on top of some steady weight-loss is still the challenge for me.

 
Posted : 22/01/2024 11:20 am
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Still on the wagon here.  I was hoping to start looking youthful from not drinking but realised it's not the booze making me look old, it's being old.  Other than that it's been great.  Sleeping better, eating better, feeling better.

 
Posted : 22/01/2024 11:22 am
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I started this with the loophole that I could have a drink if I was on a night out (I don't get many these days), so I allowed myself a few pints on Saturday night when meeting an old pal in Brighton.

Had fun, felt mildly fuzzy the next day (cured by a very bracing walk at Beachy Head), and I will now refrain at least until 1st weekend of Feb, or possibly the 2nd when I'm in London for a gig anyway.

So what are people planning to do when Jan ends? I'm thinking I'll impose some slightly less stringent rules on myself, to avoid just returning to my previous habits.

 
Posted : 22/01/2024 11:49 am
 Haze
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Had a cheeky pint on Saturday night, just the one with my curry...didn't feel the need to carry on and drank water/coffee for the rest of the evening, think I've broken the habit which was my main objective.

Club AGM tonight at our club house, also known as The Plough....soda and lime time for me.  

 
Posted : 22/01/2024 11:53 am
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Friends coming to stay in Feb half term, that’ll be juice laden, so holding off until then. Afterwards, dunno but certainly off it midweek and only on weekends if there’s a legitimate reason. Yeah, let’s go with that.

 
Posted : 22/01/2024 11:58 am
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Holding steady here - Guinness 0% is helping though I only have a couple at a time a few days a week as I find that’s enough.

I think it’s the taste of beers that I like rather than the need to get pissed. I haven’t done a night out in Jan and that’s the thing I’ve found I’ve missed - the social aspect and meeting friends there. Dry Jan means not having a Fri or Sat night out to look forward to - def been a bit more of a social hermit though I will def be out a week on Friday!

Also plan on drinking less in the house as my only dry days were Mon and Tues! 😬

 
Posted : 22/01/2024 12:01 pm
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So what are people planning to do when Jan ends? I’m thinking I’ll impose some slightly less stringent rules on myself, to avoid just returning to my previous habits.

Certainly thinking about dry until end of July - after lakeland 50. may even go full on Dry 2024...

 
Posted : 22/01/2024 12:22 pm
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So what are people planning to do when Jan ends? I’m thinking I’ll impose some slightly less stringent rules on myself, to avoid just returning to my previous habits.

this too I reckon.

Not much of a pub goer, so it's largely in the house. The cupboards are full of booze, as is the norm, and haven't felt any real temptation, so will see how it goes.  Am of bike due surgery recovery till med Feb, so plan to keep it going till then at least.

 
Posted : 22/01/2024 12:22 pm
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