Dry January

[Fanny]

Anybody else gone without booze this January?

This is the second consecutive year I’ve done it and whilst the old me would scoff at such a concept I really have reaped the benefits.

1. Lost a stone
2. Generally feel better
3. Sleeping better and thus waking up feeling more refreshed/energised
4. Spending free time doing more productive things rather than down the pub / drinking at home

But the most important positive from it all is that I think this year it’s genuinely changed my attitude to booze. So much of drinking is psychological. Once you get beyond the mindset of “I need a drink” the idea of getting sh*tfaced really does lose its appeal. Moderation has always been my problem. One pint escalates so quickly.

Not saying that I’m going teetotal but I’ll certainly change my drinking behaviour going forward.

[Howling Mad Murdock]

Been off the booze for three years.HTH.

[Ronnie Hotdogs]

Not sure I could.

[yumyumO]

in the past I probably did drink a tad too much, usually on the basis of drinking to forget or drinking to unwind.
Currently not drinking as much and feeling better in mind and body.
However not sure I am able not to have one or six watching the team as it has been in recent times.
moderation is the key I think..

[Smendrick Feaselberg]

I do two or three months off the booze every year but not in January. Prefer to do March/April or September to November

[Tom Chance]

Anybody else gone without booze this January?

This is the second consecutive year I’ve done it and whilst the old me would scoff at such a concept I really have reaped the benefits.

1. Lost a stone
2. Generally feel better
3. Sleeping better and thus waking up feeling more refreshed/energised
4. Spending free time doing more productive things rather than down the pub / drinking at home

But the most important positive from it all is that I think this year it’s genuinely changed my attitude to booze. So much of drinking is psychological. Once you get beyond the mindset of “I need a drink” the idea of getting sh*tfaced really does lose its appeal. Moderation has always been my problem. One pint escalates so quickly.

Not saying that I’m going teetotal but I’ll certainly change my drinking behaviour going forward.

Is that why you've not been on here so much. I've not seen your "disputes" with Unlucky recently.

Absolutely agree with your comments.
I sleep better, lose weight, and get much more done when I'm dry. As I get older the hangovers get so much worse too.
Drinking being a habit is spot on.
I'm going dry for February just to be contrary.

[Max B Gold]

Only drink one day a week but exceed the limit set down by some know it all boffins.

Didn't do dry January but usually do dry October. Dont know why. I once went a whole 6 weeks without a drinkiepoo.

[Thor]

Yes done the whole of jan without a drink of alcohol. I stopped last year and I'll continue doing so, feel so much better as others say.

[StillSpike]

Been aff it since 6th (no point stopping bang on New Year, so always leave it til the Monday). I enjoy the drink a great deal, and don't wish to have to give it up entirely, so stopping for a month every now and again is something of a test, really - just to see if I can.

Suppose I feel a bit better, and slightly less fat, but nothing particularly noticeable. I'm looking forward to a pint or two on Saturday.

Will probably stop again for a month or so leading up to my cruise holiday, just to get the liver in shape.

[PhoenixO]

Anybody else gone without booze this January?

This is the second consecutive year I’ve done it and whilst the old me would scoff at such a concept I really have reaped the benefits.

1. Lost a stone
2. Generally feel better
3. Sleeping better and thus waking up feeling more refreshed/energised
4. Spending free time doing more productive things rather than down the pub / drinking at home

But the most important positive from it all is that I think this year it’s genuinely changed my attitude to booze. So much of drinking is psychological. Once you get beyond the mindset of “I need a drink” the idea of getting sh*tfaced really does lose its appeal. Moderation has always been my problem. One pint escalates so quickly.

Not saying that I’m going teetotal but I’ll certainly change my drinking behaviour going forward.

Whats it like being a dry January cliché 2 Years in succession

[Fanny]

Anybody else gone without booze this January?

This is the second consecutive year I’ve done it and whilst the old me would scoff at such a concept I really have reaped the benefits.

1. Lost a stone
2. Generally feel better
3. Sleeping better and thus waking up feeling more refreshed/energised
4. Spending free time doing more productive things rather than down the pub / drinking at home

But the most important positive from it all is that I think this year it’s genuinely changed my attitude to booze. So much of drinking is psychological. Once you get beyond the mindset of “I need a drink” the idea of getting sh*tfaced really does lose its appeal. Moderation has always been my problem. One pint escalates so quickly.

Not saying that I’m going teetotal but I’ll certainly change my drinking behaviour going forward.

Whats it like being a dry January cliché 2 Years in succession

I wasn’t much of a cliche first tine around. I just did it then went straight back to my old ways.

Year 2 has bought on the banal “my life is a lot better now” epiphany. I’ll update you next year to see if it’s worn off.

[Tom Chance]

Anybody else gone without booze this January?

This is the second consecutive year I’ve done it and whilst the old me would scoff at such a concept I really have reaped the benefits.

1. Lost a stone
2. Generally feel better
3. Sleeping better and thus waking up feeling more refreshed/energised
4. Spending free time doing more productive things rather than down the pub / drinking at home

But the most important positive from it all is that I think this year it’s genuinely changed my attitude to booze. So much of drinking is psychological. Once you get beyond the mindset of “I need a drink” the idea of getting sh*tfaced really does lose its appeal. Moderation has always been my problem. One pint escalates so quickly.

Not saying that I’m going teetotal but I’ll certainly change my drinking behaviour going forward.

Whats it like being a dry January cliché 2 Years in succession

Welcome back Lucky. No surprise to see you so soon!

[PhoenixO]

Anybody else gone without booze this January?

This is the second consecutive year I’ve done it and whilst the old me would scoff at such a concept I really have reaped the benefits.

1. Lost a stone
2. Generally feel better
3. Sleeping better and thus waking up feeling more refreshed/energised
4. Spending free time doing more productive things rather than down the pub / drinking at home

But the most important positive from it all is that I think this year it’s genuinely changed my attitude to booze. So much of drinking is psychological. Once you get beyond the mindset of “I need a drink” the idea of getting sh*tfaced really does lose its appeal. Moderation has always been my problem. One pint escalates so quickly.

Not saying that I’m going teetotal but I’ll certainly change my drinking behaviour going forward.

Whats it like being a dry January cliché 2 Years in succession

I wasn’t much of a cliche first tine around. I just did it then went straight back to my old ways.

Year 2 has bought on the banal “my life is a lot better now” epiphany. I’ll update you next year to see if it’s worn off.

try the AA and not the motoring organisation

[Fanny]

Whats it like being a dry January cliché 2 Years in succession

I wasn’t much of a cliche first tine around. I just did it then went straight back to my old ways.

Year 2 has bought on the banal “my life is a lot better now” epiphany. I’ll update you next year to see if it’s worn off.

try the AA and not the motoring organisation

It’s not that bad....yet

[PhoenixO]

Showaddywaddy needed 3 steps sounds like you need 12

[Stowaway]

I did a year off after I got done for DD, it made me realise I was getting dependant on alcohol to deal with issues (split up with partner, business failed etc). Got back into cycling, lost over 3 stone, met a new woman, all was good. After I year I had a beer and it didn’t taste all that, tbh. But I found I could have a beer or two and then leave it at that.

I only drink over the weekend now, or if I have a gig in the week. It makes the first beer on Friday night all the nicer, I think.

[RealLoughtonO]

Picked up a leg infection, doc put me on industrial strength antibiotics, that put paid to the booze for 3 weeks, weight started falling off, felt so much better and at the end of it all had lost the taste/desire/need for a beer or glass (bottle) of wine.

9 years and 6st have passed now and don't miss it at all. Cost me a fortune in clothes though but happy to pay that particular price.

[ContrifibulatoryFred]

I too have done a dry January, and have also swerved my biggest addiction - snacking on chocolate or crisps

I am very disappointed to find that zero weight has been lost this month. So, although I will probably drink this weekend, I'm going to continue avoiding confectionery whilst keeping boozing to an absolute minimum. Hopefully at some stage my body will wake up and start shedding some pounds - especially as I am going to go running a bit more often

[Constanza]

Have you tried running back from the sweet shop?

[slacker]

I’m not a massive boozer but generally enjoy a single beer or red wine in the evening, so just continued on my 48 consecutive no-alcohol hours per week regime to give the liver a break. I did have 8 weeks off the booze in the autumn due to blood-thinner medication issues - can’t say I felt any better for the break, tbh.

[Dunners]

I've not given up the booze entirely, but have stopped drinking at home. I'm happy to enjoy a glass of wine or two if eating out, but that's about it. The weight has certainly fallen off and you soon realise how even just a couple of drinks in the evening can effect the quality of your sleep.

I'll be spending a week in Belgium next month, travelling between Antwerp, Ghent and Brussels. Given the quality and quantity of beers over there it will be interesting to see if I maintain my discipline. Previously I'd have sampled all the beers every day, but I have no desire to do so this time - which feels a bit strange.

[Beradogs]

Been aff it since 6th (no point stopping bang on New Year, so always leave it til the Monday). I enjoy the drink a great deal, and don't wish to have to give it up entirely, so stopping for a month every now and again is something of a test, really - just to see if I can.

Suppose I feel a bit better, and slightly less fat, but nothing particularly noticeable. I'm looking forward to a pint or two on Saturday.

Will probably stop again for a month or so leading up to my cruise holiday, just to get the liver in shape.

What cruise you going on? I am off on my first cruise in April. Not entirely convinced it must be said.

[Beradogs]

Picked up a leg infection, doc put me on industrial strength antibiotics, that put paid to the booze for 3 weeks, weight started falling off, felt so much better and at the end of it all had lost the taste/desire/need for a beer or glass (bottle) of wine.

9 years and 6st have passed now and don't miss it at all. Cost me a fortune in clothes though but happy to pay that particular price.

I am about 9 years off as well. I still miss it. A nice cold pint of Stella. Yum.

[Max B Gold]

Been aff it since 6th (no point stopping bang on New Year, so always leave it til the Monday). I enjoy the drink a great deal, and don't wish to have to give it up entirely, so stopping for a month every now and again is something of a test, really - just to see if I can.

Suppose I feel a bit better, and slightly less fat, but nothing particularly noticeable. I'm looking forward to a pint or two on Saturday.

Will probably stop again for a month or so leading up to my cruise holiday, just to get the liver in shape.

What cruise you going on? I am off on my first cruise in April. Not entirely convinced it must be said.

Yes both EH16 and myself would like to know this too as we were not invited. Unbelievable.

[StillSpike]

Round trip from Southampton - Cadiz, Barcelona, Cannes, Florence, Rome, Cartegena, Gibralta and home - 14 nights with P&O leaving in June

It's only our 3rd cruise (Mrs Spike hates flying, so that cuts down the options for holidays). We were a bit unsure before we went first time, but really enjoyed it. My idea of a great holiday is lying by a pool with a book and a drink all day, followed by a superb meal at night - and cruising ticks those boxes.

Where are you off to? Hope you enjoy it.