Dry January - anyone doing this?

I am having a cake, biscuit and sweet free January instead

Every month for me is 'dry' i just dont drink. Oh, apart for one small glass of sherry onXmas Eve whilst watching the carols on tv.That is only 'cos it is a tradition. So boring i know but i really dont want to take the chance that i might enjoy it and become addicted to it.

The secret is not to give up anything completely and thus torture yourself ..but to be very aware of when something is taking over as a crutch.
So with diets just cut back don’t deny...same with alcohol.. try the 4:3 approach for both..it’s not easy but better than abstinence..which makes the craving stronger in my opinion. Be honest with yourself why you are doing it.. I love wine ..I have a dependance on it as it’s a instant release from all my problems.. but I Dont want to become a functioning alcoholic. My partner gets v defensive when. I suggest all of the above..and that’s a bad sign ..mind you he’s being treated for prostate cancer so that gives you different outlook on life.. cheers( it’s Saturday !)

I did the 'Sober for October' Macmillan fund raiser, a couple of years ago and found it really hard. Much harder than I imagined it would be! However, after the first 2 weeks or so it did get easier and when the 1st November came, I sat looking at a nice glass of cold Stella in the pub and honestly I didn't actually fancy it! I can't face January without the odd glass of red or a cold Peroni with a curry, but I am trying to limit drinks to just the weekend. Good luck to anyone who is attempting 'Dry January'.

Reminds me of 'Twelfth Night':-

'Dost thou think because thou art virtuous
There shall be no more cakes and ale?'

Cakes and ale for me!

My resolutions do not start until 1st Feb because we still have a house full of Xmas goodies, chocolates, wine etc etc. No good trying to give up stuff when it’s staring you in the face and saying yum yum drink me. It will be gone by Feb and we don’t buy alcohol on a regular basis so dry Feb for me will be better.

mbon1 I can enjoy social occasions with or without alcohol. Too much alcohol is not healthy I agree but I think if you can just have one or two glasses on a special occasion.. generally no harm done.

Yes I started on dec 31st the first time forever I haven’t drank on New Years Eve! I am on holiday too so more of s challenge as we are out for dinner every night. I downloaded the app DRINK LESS on my phone 6 months ago and it’s so good to help you cut down.. my plan is dry January... dry February and do on. I’m not a big drinker but it creeps up and I have decided to see if I can kick the habit.

What have "social things" to do with not drinking alcohol?

I have yet to find an alcoholic drink that tastes better than a cup of tea, so no need for cutting out the booze.
I AM trying to lose weight, by eating sensibly, but this cold, miserable weather erodes my willpower. Seeing hot cross buns in Asda already didn't help, either. I couldn't resist buying some! How many calories are there in 6 buns + butter? Maybe I should sign up for CrumblessJanuary!

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 alcohol

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.

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.

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 .

Good luck to everyone who's giving it a go

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.

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.

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?

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!

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

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

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.

Cutdownuary....Might lead to a dry February

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.

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.

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 ?

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.