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Dry January - anyone doing this?

(86 Posts)
suzied Fri 04-Jan-19 10:00:49

Anyone doing Dry January this year? I'm doing it again and its day 4 and all going ok so far. It does help to cut down on bad habits. Anyone needing support? what strategies work for you? Don't come on and moralise about being teetotal or only having a thimble of sherry once a year, I'm interested in anyone who is doing it as a bit of a challenge.

PECS Fri 04-Jan-19 17:39:17

Nope..it is DHs birthday today.. you have to raise a glass! To be fair we are not great drinkers so it would be easy to do.
I do have friend with a serious booze habit and they need to have a month of abstinence to think about the damage it is causing. Not just to her health but to those around her who worry for her. I know it can only be her decision.

Willynilly Fri 04-Jan-19 18:22:56

Yes for the challenge. We've drunk too often for too long and need to kick start a healthier relationship with booze. I'm interested to hear how you get on suzied.

sue01 Sat 05-Jan-19 09:12:41

Certainly. Dry white wine and London Dry Gin.

mabon1 Sat 05-Jan-19 09:14:14

Do it every month of the year.

pen50 Sat 05-Jan-19 09:18:34

Damp January for me too. I have socialising planned for two weekends, and New Year extended to the second, but apart from that I shall be alcohol free. Eased by the stinking cold I have picked up which doesn't put me in the mood for booze.

Saggi Sat 05-Jan-19 09:28:02

I’ve been married 46 years!!!..... dry January...!!! Are you bonkers!!!

bigbird69 Sat 05-Jan-19 09:28:33

I am doing Dry January, having knee replacement surgery at the end of the month. I am hoping by cutting the booze I shall also lose some weight and save some money! So far I have not found it difficult but could do with some ideas for soft drinks that don't taste too sugary - had a Green Bottle elderflower drink in the pub yesterday which was good.

BradfordLass72 Sat 05-Jan-19 09:30:39

I've never heard of Dry January, unless we're talking about the weather.

I'd be up for it because alcohol affects my arthritis...... and too much of it affects my balance smile

M0nica Sat 05-Jan-19 09:32:53

Do not drink enough to make it worth while, probably do do it at various times during the year without noticing.

Gma29 Sat 05-Jan-19 09:41:35

No, not really, as I don’t drink very much anyway. I am probably drinking a bit less though, as after all the Christmas food, and being in the house more, I feel a bit sluggish. After that, I tend to have a couple of weeks of rather plain food etc and that includes cutting out the occasional glass of wine. It’s not a deliberate diet or anything, just what I happen to fancy eating at the moment.

GrannyGravy13 Sat 05-Jan-19 09:44:23

Out for dinner last night, a very happy Mr GG13 as I drank water and he was free to embibe ??

I wish I liked soft drinks as I am limited to still or fizzy water with either lime slice or lemon slice.

weenanni59 Sat 05-Jan-19 09:45:38

We are both doing it . We had a meal out with friends yesterday and they were trying to entice us to drink . I find other people are quite negative towards it and that is making me more determined ?

lovebeigecardigans1955 Sat 05-Jan-19 09:47:23

I don't drink much but as it's my birthday soon I'll have a little cherry brandy to celebrate.
I usually buy beer for the slugs - they love it so much they drown themselves with a little smile on their slimy little faces.

suzied Sat 05-Jan-19 09:56:04

Theres a Dry January app you can download and tick off dry days on a calendar . Tells you how much you've saved in both £ and calories.

Theoddbird Sat 05-Jan-19 10:00:53

Cutdownuary....Might lead to a dry February

Cambia Sat 05-Jan-19 10:02:38

We are doing damp January as we are having a weekend away including a bottle of free wine. Too rude to refuse it!!
Trying hard to drink less this year as we have fallen into bad habits of wine most evenings. Only drink when eating but it has become a habit! Also budgeting this year, so hoping not drinking so much frees up money for more travel.

jenni123 Sat 05-Jan-19 10:08:46

my drinks consist of mainly black coffee, sometimes black tea and tap water, so I won't be having a dry January.

merlotgran Sat 05-Jan-19 10:17:59

I love doing different things in January. It reduces the boredom of the bleakest winter month. Cutting down on alcohol has been part of my weight loss plan for the last six months so a bit more won't hurt. I'm also experimenting with vegan recipes - without telling DH because there's no way he'd completely give up meat!!

I think we can now say we're Flexitarians! grin

BTW. The vegan beetroot burgers on the Gransnet home page are deeeeeelish!!

Urmstongran Sat 05-Jan-19 10:18:09

Too many January celebrations for me - so I’ve decided to do dry February instead! Then my husband said I was clever as there’s only 28 days ha! I’ve done dry January in the past but one year Lent was the hardest - 49 days. Now that WAS a test for me!
I’ve heard though that those of us who drink more than the recommended units per week are the ones to have ‘dry’ spells to prove something to ourselves. Those that don’t do it usually don’t need to ... oh dear, food for thought isn’t it?

Barmeyoldbat Sat 05-Jan-19 10:35:51

Nope don't really drink, think I had one drink on Christmas day and the odd hot toddy since when I have come in from the cold after cycling. So thats it.

leeds22 Sat 05-Jan-19 10:46:02

Damp January here too. After New Year toast all was well until party last night. Both of us back on the wagon now, hopefully until we go to Spain at the end of the month.

arosebyanyothername Sat 05-Jan-19 11:01:55

We're doing Dry January again this year. We got through last year on our first go, not easy as our hands were automatically reaching for the wine glass at dinner!

Our consumption is mainly wine with food, I can't stand sweet fizzy drinks so it's water for me (and loads of tea)

Looking forward to my birthday on 2nd February and a large glass of Malbec wine.

Good luck to everyone who's giving it a go

Craftycat Sat 05-Jan-19 11:13:37

Not a chance!! I'll try to only drink Fri, Sat & Sun but life's too short to limit the fun bits.
A nice G&T or sharing a bottle of wine with DH is one of the fun bits.

Nelliemoser Sat 05-Jan-19 11:24:29

I have barely drunk any alcohol this Christmas. I drink very much. OH decided not to drink any alcohol after he had brain surgery but he never drank much alcohol in the first place. I drink a sherry glass or so of damson gin a few times a week or the odd bottle of Peroni or such it is my favourite tipple.

Legs55 Sat 05-Jan-19 11:35:36

I don't drink much as I'm usually driving, may occasionally have a G&T or glass or 3 of wine at home. I have been a heavy drinker in the past, habit formed in years of working as a barmaid & running a pub.

I've found some lovely non-alcoholic drinks, pear cider, rose wine, elderflower presse or a dash of posh cordial in a glass of water.

I don't feel any health benefits in giving up alcoholconfused