Going forward, this thread welcomes supportive posts concerning experiences of "dry January," or cutting down on consumption, or requests for assistance. It will be a safe place in those regards.

Thank you.

cblaisd, Co-Moderator, Dining Buzz

Halfway there � though technically it�s been 3 weeks because I got really sick the week of Christmas (not Covid) and just started early.

It has been a lot easier than I expected and I definitely feel better. A couple of meals I missed having a beer or a glass of wine but I just grabbed a spindrift or something else and started eating and moved on.

Not intending for this to be permanent but may try and stick with a weekend only approach after the end of Dry January

I usually do dry January. Must admit this year and last (and maybe even one before…) failed miserably. Dark at 4pm, ...... covid restrictions meant I broke three days in this time! Think that was even worse than last year. Will try a bit later in the year, think a dry month is good to reset alcohol relationship a bit and also help clear up internal systems.

I started Dry January on January 2. I'm also making a concerted effort to cut back on my caffeine intake--one cup of black coffee instead of 3-5 per day; one can of Coke Zero per day. I also decided to try the thing where you run one mile a day for 30 days (started on January 1)--I haven't willingly ran since 2020. I also will continue to do intermittent fasting (usually between 14-18 hours) when at home (work trip once a quarter, a few days of hotel stays here and there, and a few hockey tournament weekends), which I started in 2019 and attribute it to me not gaining weight during the pandemic (though I didn't really lose weight, either).

I must hate myself. Wish me luck.

That is a lot to take on in one month...good luck!

Good luck pseudoswede! I've plotted a similar course (no running, add trips to the local gym) and am hopeful. Fasting plan is 18 hours (8 pm - 12:00 Noon). Also looking at restricted calories (2,000 max per day) to work on some weight loss. I've been really out of touch with diet/drink/exercise, and with working from home largely sedentary, I've put on more weight than I care to carry. Difficult on self-image and health. So, here's to 2023, I wish all here the best.
P.S. started the Dry Jan on Jan. 2nd as well...

With much of the 2020-2021 chaos now at a reduced level, I think it’ll be easier to enjoy a Dry January. Good luck and we support you.

One of my friends doing Dry January enjoyed alcohol-free beer last night. Think it was blood orange ipa. Tasty substitute.

Nine days in. So far so good.

I kinda miss booze, but I'm disciplined enough. Still running daily. And now that the kids are back in school, I should be slightly more disciplined with my intermittent fasting.

I have a work trip and out-of-town hockey tournament scheduled for early February, so it's extra motivation to stay on the level for the next three weeks.

This is where I am too. Doing this for the first time, my wife has done it for several years. Last drink was 12/31. There are certainly times when I wish I could sip on a nice bourbon but not missing wine or other liquors. Maybe I'll go all the way up until our mid-Feb vacation. First business travel of the year next week which will be a temptation, but most people nod when you say "dry January".

I don't miss beer at all (my 2022 consumption dropped dramatically). I had been mainly drinking G&T's, Old Fashioned's, and alcoholic Orangina (Deep Eddy's Orange Vodka + diet tonic water). I may make a better effort to have more red wine in the future--though I took a blood test a few years ago where it showed that my genetics is not predispositioned to handle the health benefits of red wine.

I miss (good) beer often, but I didn't mention that because I've tried to avoid it for several years now, due to a mild allergy. I started a temporary med today, so even if I get a craving, I literally can't have alcohol for a week. The two big tests for me are middle of next week with the work travel and then a nice restaurant we have booked for the 27th. If I get past those two, I may be able to go until Valentine's Day, and then look out liquor cabinet.

I got gout* in mid-October last year and after seeing my doctor we basically narrowed it down to beer. Anyway, I haven't drunk any alcohol since the end of October. I haven't been counting days or anything and, tbh, I haven't missed it. In 2021 during lockdown #2 I abstained for 4 months, but I ate terribly, so this time I'm trying to eat somewhat healthy meals and the covid kilos are really falling off.

In hindsight, I feel like I was looking for a reason to stop drinking and the gout presented that. The alternative was a daily pill but I'd rather not. I don't think I'll never drink, but I guess I'll more often socialise without alcohol. Having a medical condition works quite well when people give you that "why aren't you drinking" look.

*You do not want gout. Waking up in the middle of the night feeling like someone is drilling a hole in your big toe is not fun.

omg I always associated gout with too much rich food and not with beer. Definitely assumed it was too much butter used for cooking shellfish (not fish) and too much red meat (eg a daily dose of a pound of steak meat).
gl gl with the gout.

Gout is no fun at all.

FWIW, a daily tart cherry supplement seems to mostly keep mine at bay.

Props to you for avoiding the beer. Delicious, but uh, empty calories