Congrats we did it!!

I do it every year—about a decade now.

This year I had a very good friend from Europe who I hadn’t seen in person in 10 years.

So I drank last Friday and last Night (not huge amounts). Damp January this year. 2 days out of 31.

It does reset my drinking. The 2.5 weeks off in December is always lots of booze.

Anonymous wrote:I feel amazing and my sleep has improved. The 1st week my sleep was worse but now I’m sleeping much better and feel more rested, less tired. But I also have been eating very healthy and exercising every day. I’ve lost 10 pounds. Don’t want to go back to daily drinking ever again. I plan to rarely drink from now on.

That’s amazing. In 3 weeks?! I don’t have a lot of weight I want to lose but I figured that 3 weeks of zero wine calories I would see the scale move a little.

I feel amazing and my sleep has improved. The 1st week my sleep was worse but now I’m sleeping much better and feel more rested, less tired. But I also have been eating very healthy and exercising every day. I’ve lost 10 pounds. Don’t want to go back to daily drinking ever again. I plan to rarely drink from now on.

I took a day 22 selfie and compared it and my face has changed quite a bit in just 3 weeks. I wouldn’t have noticed if I didn’t take the pics.

But I haven’t lost any weight.

I absolutely feel zero difference this year. If anything I’m more tired.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are so many sober living instagram accounts out there. Inspiring things to help. I love the before and after pictures. I really hope I’m not too late too reverse damage to my skin and face (44).

What damage do you see?

Puffy face and more wrinkles. Mostly wrinkles to reverse and puffiness will go down. Alcohol really ages the skin.

I am definitely feeling benefits like significant reduction in hip and knee pain. I'm also taking some omega supplements and vitamins so I can't fully chalk it up just cutting alcohol.

Anonymous wrote:I've also found this year a little easier so far. BUT I have a family event the last week of jan that I am really nervous about.

It's with my (typically) fave family members but they are huuuge drinkers. I know the pressure is going to be really high, and I hope my will power will hang on until then.

Say you’re taking antibiotics that you can’t drink on. It keeps you accountable too. Maybe sh*tty to fib but if it helps keep you from drinking so be it.

I've also found this year a little easier so far. BUT I have a family event the last week of jan that I am really nervous about.

It's with my (typically) fave family members but they are huuuge drinkers. I know the pressure is going to be really high, and I hope my will power will hang on until then.

I made it through a long weekend of family visits where all of my buttons were pushed this was the part of January I was most nervous about and now I think the rest of the month will be easy. I’m thinking the same as many PPs and will save alcohol for only special occasions after this month.

This is my 10th Dry January and I use it to reset my relationship with alcohol and lose weight. I have lost 4 pounds so far (also counting calories--I wasn't drinking that much!!). I feel so much less anxious and my sleep is hugely better. I have decided that this will be the year when I drink socially for celebratory occasions/reasons--not at home on a random Saturday night. As a PP poster said, it is not worth the 15 minutes of enjoyment/slight euphoria and then either chasing that feeling or feeling bad.

For the second year, dry January has made my sleep worse and if anything I am gaining weight. Somehow I got through December drinking wine and eating cookies and did not gain a pound. I go to dry and less sugar and I gain. I am hoping my body is just in shock from the sudden switch and starts feeling better the second half of the month.

Rationally I know this is healthier, but it does not feel like it. But at least I feel like I have broken the “days over, let’s have a glass of wine” habit.