For Those Doing Dry January...

I have been doing dry January and have been doing a great job sticking with it. My goal was to "feel better" and get a grip on my health and beer drinking. The most difficult aspect I experienced was the cravings for a beer, especially after work. That was the tough one. Probably no different than a smoker trying to quit. Along with the cravings comes the habit of lighting one up. I would say the the greatest benefit was improved health. I have arthritis that has been attacking my hands. Between no hops and taking turmeric they feel good. It's not like a miracle recovery but zero flare ups and very stable. The next is that my pants are getting loose. I love that and finally I am drinking way more water. Another unexpected issue was "what to do" when I have time on my hands when I would normally be having a beer. That aspect I am just beginning to deal with. I feel so much better I will be doing dry February with the exception being a beer or 2 and I mean never more than 2 once in a great while. I started doing that in December and found it an easy thing to do. When I do go for my first beer next week I will be looking at a KBS. I have a BA stout and barleywine collection with about 120 assorted bottles stashed away and I have been lusting a KBS more than anything with High West Victory at Sea running a close second. I have also read that people that successfully complete a dry January have been found to drink less when surveyed 6 months latter. As a new 60 year old that's a good thing. At least for me.

 

I did not set any specific goals other than a general weight loss goal with a threshold I wanted to cross without a target end weight. (That’s starts in Feb, which means I need to start working out and eating better).

Nothing about it was difficult.

The greatest benefit is not what I gained, but rather what I lost: 7 pounds.

I still haven’t made up my mind, but it’s probably going to be one of two lagers I picked up recently, including an Einbecker and a locally made Schwarzbier. I’m looking quite forward to it.

 

I almost did dry January, but I have been on furlough and didn't have much to do. I did have 2-3 dry days a week.

 

Welcome back to work!

 

I did a modified dry January. I stopped drinking on work days, Monday through Friday.

So far I've lost 5 pounds, I have more energy during the day and evening on weekdays, and my mind is clearer...I think better at work, communicate a little clearer.

I also miss beer and can't wait for the weekend.

 

Gave up after 3 miserable, sleepless nights. Sleeping sober is fucking impossible.

Did quit smoking, though!

 

Thought about it. Just cut down a bit and resumed a much shelved exercise routine. Good luck to you folks doing it. Five days to go!
This Sip of Sunshine is delicious. (sorry, but I really respect you).

 

I didn't want to coincide my month dry out with others, so I started mine on Dec. 17 after cutting back quite a bit for three weeks leading up to it.

• Did you achieve any goal(s) you set out for yourself this month?
My main goal was to be able to stop drinking without difficulty, which I am glad to say I did. Another goal was to take off weight which I am sad to say I didn't. Was hoping to take off twenty pounds and took off less than five pounds

• What was the most difficult aspect/instance you experienced this month?
I got invited to a brewery and convinced by friends to drink for a day and re start the dry out next day. I did this, but not drinking that next day was the hardest thing about this.

• What was the greatest benefit you gained out of it?
Knowing I am still not an addictive drinker.

And most importantly:

• What’s the first beer you’re going to have to break the palate back in??
Embarrassed to say my first beer back was a Narragansett Autocrat Coffee Stout, even though I have a cellar with almost 200 much better beers.

 

I did not do a dry January but had a couple of wine drinking friends that did. One lost weight and the other gained a bit, but they both said they feel better.
One thing came to mind is that next Friday is February 1st. I’m wondering if the WBAYDN thread is gonna blow up that day.

 

I gave up alcohol, sugar and grains for the month. It's been pretty easy overall. Hardest part was going out in social situations where I would normally drink some booze and eat some crap. And watching playoff football definitely makes me want a beer in hand.

I pretty much do this every year. I feel clear minded and I've had comments on my skin looking good. I've also dropped 12lbs. I'm very much looking forward to drinking my homebrews that are stocked up downstairs. First up is a Vic Secret NEIPA.

 

Wow! I did not realize there was a dry January. I should have participated. Lord knows I need it. Sorry to hear about your tinnitus, which I developed 2 years ago. It sucks. It may be from listening to music too loud. Or, perhaps it is from nerve damage from the arthritis I have. I hope you can get this corrected, although I know from research, there is not much to be done. You are too young to have this problem.

 

Been dry since New Year’s Eve and it has actually been pretty easy. I am not in a rush to get back to drinking a beer. I rated over 100 beers last year and i felt that 1 beer every three days was too much. I did it for the obligatory New Years resolutions ( drink less, exercise more, etc.). I am in 5th place in my gym challenge so that is good. Haven’t weighed myself and suspect i lost some weight,

I drink for the taste of the beer. I do have some new Treehouse beers and some stouts that I acquired in a trade. Perhaps for the super bowl

 

I have done part of the month then gave in but I noticed a lot of changes for the better.
1. My sleep was a lot better, did not wake up as often and was rested in AM.
2. Lost all that beer weight/water weight bloating feeling.
3. Loads of energy thru the day, was clear thinking and more productive.
4. Focused more on time with my family/kids.
5. Heartburn was all but gone, noticed this after a couple days which is great.

I am back to sipping beers now but am toning it down more. It is all about balance, I have no issue with a full day of beers but as a whole for me there will be more dry days going forward. Maybe just limit myself to 1 day a week etc, not sure I guess its more of my mood or what is going on rather than just reach for a beer like I usually do.

Cheers

 

I am finishing up my dry January, just a few days to go! It really hasn't been that hard. My goal was a reset on my two beer a day habit, one with dinner and one after dinner. The hardest time was taking my wife out to a good restaurant for her birthday and not having a glass of wine with the meal. I'll know it is a success if I avoid just returning to my prior pattern. My first beer will probably be an SNPA. BTW weight is down slightly but not as much as I hoped.

 

I completely forgot to mention this in my reponse above. My acid reflux has basically been non-existent since 1/1. I knew removing alcohol from my diet would help, but I did not expect so much of an improvement.