[Closed] Dry January - Who's in?

Well the main reason I'm doing it is to see if it improves my belly. I'd been alright so far, but something really kicked me off last night which was annoying.

I've had a couple of af beers this evening. Brooklyn special effects is decent. i bought some schlofferhofer today but I'm not having it, that would be cheating!

I definitely sleep better having had no booze which is good, but I do miss it. I just like a drink!

6 days in for me and an observation, 5 lbs lost and darker than usual wee. I guess this is mostly water any my body flushing out the toxins as my liver's getting a few days off?

It's going quite well for me.

Stayed strong despite a big shock this week and subsequent stress.

I'm snacking a fair bit less, but then booze and snacks go hand in hand for me.

No weight loss yet, sadly.

7 days in and it's only in the last couple of hours I fancy a drink.

No scales so no idea of any changes in weight.

Must.
Not.
Pour.
Bourbon.

Been in since 1st Jan. So far so good. Had 4 bottles of Nanny State on Friday night and was getting a bit confused because I thought I should have been feeling the effects, then reminded it was alcohol free.

Has anyone discovered a half reasonable AF red wine? To make life harder needs to be vegan. A lot of them seem to have been fined using fish or gelatine. Appreciate it's a niche request.

I'm in. Had some wine and a couple of beers on New Year's Day. Nothing since.

Beer is my downfall, Although I'd happily have one or two every day, I can also go days or sometimes weeks without wanting one. But when the "I really fancy a beer" feeling comes on, it's hard to resist! That hasn't happened yet this year, it's due!

I definitely snack less when I'm abstaining, double bonus.

So, getting towards the end of the fourth weekend and who is still in? Really miss the Friday night post work beer but apart from that, not too bad. Started to lose a little weight into the bargain. Bit of a bummer that the 30/31 is next weekend which bungs and extra week on but hey-ho!

I've been doing a challenge which involves no alcohol during Jan. It also involves no caffeine after 14:00, 2 ltrs water each day, 30 mins exercise, 12000 steps, 2300 calories, 15 min stretch. Some days it's hard to get the steps in, considering 1 exercise walk a day at the moment and I work at a desk. However, getting a dog this year improved my steps as I can now walk her. Everything else, not too hard tbh. I always did 2-3 exercises a day anyway. Agree about no booze on Friday being very tough! After work, I'm gagging for a beer or glass of red in the eve.
Tbh, I've not noticed any difference in no booze? Not feeling fresher at all, and mornings aren't any clearer! I've lost my Xmas weight- 5lb. I'll prob try and continue no booze during week though (except Friday!). It's saved me money 😀

I'm still in. I'm not finding it too hard to resist, but I do fancy a drink most evenings! It's unlikely to last much into February, I'm looking forward to that first beer or glass of wine, but I'll feel quite smug with myself for my minor achievement!

Not really noticed much benefit to be honest, except sleep. I've known for a long time that booze disturbs my sleep, but it's really evident now that my sleep is much improved.

Tried a couple more af beers. Some from Booths I'd not seen before which weren't good to be honest, I forget their name. Ilkley brewery af pale ale, that was rank. Hoegarden af, that's ok. Brooklyn special effects still tops the leaderboard for me.

Agreed re the lack of other benefits although I'll put that down to the slightly unreal situation we are currently in.

Still in.

Enjoying the better sleep, work is getting crazy busy and it's nice to be in a place mentally to see that as a welcome challenge rather than a daunting beast.

Friday evening after a few busy work days was the first time I actually wanted a drink, if I can get it down to just the odd Friday long term that would be a good outcome for me. As it stands I plan to carry on through until lockdown ends and the sun comes out

I’m still clean. Going to go the full month for novelty value but don’t feel much different. Only really drank on Friday nights and the downside of dry January is that TV seems even more shite as a result.

I'm still in and feel like I could carry on. The only thing I really miss us red wine with certain meals. My wife is desperate for January to end so she's not drinking alone. After 2 kids I reckon that's another 17 months I can go dry before we're equal 😆.

Still dry here too, but it's getting old now.

Lost zero weight despite the decreased booze and snacks, possibly because lockdown means less exercise overall?

Sleeping better (despite a surprise redundancy process) but not feeling more energetic on the bike or running.

No sauce since the 2nd. Want sauce. Now.

Think things being a bit crap generally has eaten in to the benefits I usually feel from doing it though

I’m still in. I’ve got a zoom birthday to attend next Saturday so going to call it quits at that point. But will be 30 days.

Nothing too spectacular. I’ve a bit more energy - but do still fall asleep on the sofa while trying to watch drab football games.

Not having that muzzy feeling is nice when you wake up, sleep is a bit better snd I’ve lost about 5lbs. My resting heart rate has dropped from 48 to 44 too... not sure if that’s linked.

My bank balance looks a bit better too. Although I’ve just put in a big order of German beer to celebrate next weekend!

I'm (still) in...
I've also cut out chocolate/sweets/cake (and replaced those with snacking on dried fruit instead) and I've upped my exercise quite a bit (I've had one 'day off' since Dec 28).

So far I've lost about 6lb...

Bashed my knee up a bit on yesterday's ride though, so not sure whether I'll be able to keep up my second objective of "substantive" exercise every day for January.

I'm still in too. Been pretty easy tbh but do miss a nice glass of red at the weekend. Have already decided I'm binning it next Saturday for steak, chips and a large glass of red. Keep it up all.

Yip, still going here. Hasn't been remotely challenging, which is a good sign!

I seem to have stumbled accidentally into it. After polishing off all the remaining Christmas booze a couple of weeks ago I've not been able to summon the enthusiasm to shop for more. An odd thing to happen. So I reckon I'll see out the month now (well it'll be a dry most-of-January). I am missing a nice bottle of something with meals. Roast chicken tonight which would normally be accompanied by a Gavi or similar. Still, I've surprised myself.

It is very cruel that next weekend also falls within January, but I can hold out ok.

Well done everyone. Not sure I'm allowed on this thread cos I'm having a dry 2021. Well, I started early December with the logic being I can break out the sauce in time for Christmas this year. It's the perfect opportunity to do this with the pubs shut etc. I was drinking way too much for way too long. Bottle of red every night as a baseline. Weekends, going out etc would be more on top. Then all the bad food to soak up the hangover...

The last weekend is upon us. Any thoughts? Must admit I'm tempted to chuck it. Don't drink mid-week and after a trying week the thought of another Friday without the post work beer is not appealing at all...

I'm still in.. feeling good... not really noted a change in weight (dropped a kg, but that was mainly in forcus for Zwift racing!!)..
FEeling GREAT in the mornings though... My OH is feeling the same..

I'm missing the 'boozy fun afternoons' a bit, as I actually quite like watching a film and getting slowly drunk! But it's swings and roundabouts.

Definitely going to adjust my drinking habits after this... I can't see a point drinking in teh week. I was probably drinking 7 days a week - not getting drunk, but a drink or two per eve.

DrP

Still in and plan to continue. Been under the weather this week so no great appetite for it

I'm riding the next few days so I don't particularly feel like a drink, but I expect I'll have a bevvy or three on Monday eve.

It's been a challenging month and I feel it's been good to be off the sauce, but I'm gutted that I am still exactly the same weight as before.

Stayed dry. Sleep is wonderful as is waking up without a fuzzy head. Have I missed it ? Hell yeah. I had to isolate during Jan and that was properly hard.

Still, not sure on weight as no scales, but my belly and tits are slightly smaller.

I'm breaking it tonight though. 2 bottles of Bank Top Flat Cap and a nice red.

Well done everyone. Chin Chin.

I've just cooked with white wine, there's half of one of those small bottles in the fridge. Does it count if I drink that? Otherwise it's going down the sink!

Still in, but tempted tonight as the wife is getting a nice bottle of wine on the way home and I have a fridge full of continental beers...

Have lost 8 pounds so happy about that. Just need to keep the habit to a minimum!

Had one 330 ml can and about 200 ml of wine since Boxing Day (total of about 6 small drinks since late November). And with long COVID dragging on, I don’t plan to pick up alcohol any time soon. I do miss the post work Friday drink, but not enough for the fuzziness afterwards at the moment. Don’t think I’ve lost weight though - probably filled it with cake and chocolate!

Well having been accidentally in for a couple of weeks I'm now out as of tea time today. Cheers.

I'm still in. First time I've got this far.

I'm failing to see the benefits though, apart from the extra pennies in the family coffers. I was expecting something revelatory and life-changing by giving up drinking.

The strange thing is, I don't really feel like drinking now. Usually, finishing work on a Friday I'd be gasping for a couple of craft ales or maybe a glass of nice wine. That feeling has completely gone.

Another case of AF stuff from Brewdog arrived this morning so it's fair to say I'm still in

The 80ml of left over white wine remains in the fridge. I'm still in!

Still no major benefits though; no weight loss, no sudden boost of energy levels etc'. As mentioned above though, much improved sleep and no grogginess in the mornings.

Got to be said under normal circumstances I would've found it much harder. I would've been to the pub for a drink with my mate, or gone to a gig or two, or just gone out for a meal. Definitely wouldn't have stuck with it.

Well I bailed, well done to those seeing it through to the bitter (excuse the pun) end. A couple of Abbey beers and Punk IPA were consumed and enjoyed. Got some Northern Monk Faith for later.

So, what differences did I see. Weight wise, questionable. I expected to drop a few pounds due to the calorie drop but very little actually lost in reality. Experienced slightly better sleep but nothing to write home about plus very vivid dreams that I remembered on waking. As for the energy burst, nope. Positives included a clear head after waking up and more focus particularly on a Monday. I'll definitely be consuming less from now on and limiting it to non-school nights.

I would say that the current situation (lockdown etc.) is really getting to me now, especially the gyms not being open so that may have had an effect on the benefits. Definitely give it a go again next year. Maybe there will be some sort of "normality" that doesn't make everything else seem so shit.

I'm still going but I've not felt the benefits I have in other years. Little weight loss and no more energy, perhaps it's the current situation and if I was drinking it would be worse?

Well, I'm about an hour away from having a beer. I finished my last training ride today with 4 days off in front of me, so it makes sense to have a small hangover tomorrow rather than Monday.

Dry Jan for me has meant time away from the forum (bar a couple of posts) too which has been mentally refreshing, although I've been training hard and this week coincides with 2.5 months of 10hrs a week turbo training.

Weight lowered and fitness are on par with last year when I didn't do dry Jan, but then I don't drink in the week or on Training days as a rule so I'm limited to a few beers/wine on one day of the weekend anyway.

My takeaway; I'll likely do this again next year as got to almost Racing weight quicker this year, and I'm very much adjusting my forum behaviour to max lurking/minimal posting and definitely not being involved in internet arguments.

Well done all.

I’m still going but I’ve not felt the benefits I have in other years. Little weight loss and no more energy, perhaps it’s the current situation and if I was drinking it would be worse?

I was thinking the same thing.

Actually it's given me a useful insight into my calorie intake and the cues for some eating habits.

Hopefully a useful reset on my drinking as well, which had been creeping up a bit.