Speaking for myself, I do better with defined goals. So, rather than a generic “I’m going to get stronger as a cyclist”, I’ll make a goal of riding a certain number of hours per week to achieve a certain W/Kg for my FTP. It works better for me than a vague goal of “getting stronger”.
So for me, saying “I should drink less alcohol” ended up with not much behavioral change because I could always find a reason to drink (a party or a nice meal or whatever). And completely abstaining was not something I was interested in because I enjoy wine and like it as part of my life.
So dry January is a nice, defined goal, easily achievable, and allowed a reset in my habits and allowed some introspection.
I mean, everyone here are adults and make their own decisions. If they’re not hurting anyone else, I.e by driving, then I’m fine with it. There are a not insignificant amount of people on here with alcohol dependence issues, but as I said, adults are able to make their own decisions.
Michael, many people on this board could be viewed as being alcohol dependent/obsessed by their compulsive reading and posting of wine-related material on a daily basis.
Alcoholic behavior isn’t reserved to the consumption of alcohol.
I guess I don’t really understand the purpose of this thread. I don’t think I’ve participated in past threads, though I usually do go through a reset after the holidays (both in terms of food and drink). I kinda thought it was just a fun way to socialize with others who decided, for whatever personal reasons they have, to take a little break. Not a big thing. Debating whether taking a break is good, is performative, is indicative of a dependency, or whatever isn’t super interesting to me. Obviously, people can think whatever they want and post whatever they want — I’m not trying to police it. But it definitely leads to a different kind of thread than I thought I was jumping into.
All that said, I don’t find it difficult whatsoever to take a month off. And I usually take multi-week breaks throughout the year without even thinking about it because I feel like it or I just don’t end up in an occasion where I have a drink. It’s NBD. When I am drinking, it’s usually 1-2X a week. But just for me personally, after the holiday period when I tend to go to more special dinners and parties than usual, it’s nice to have an intentional and discrete “cleanse” period. That’s just me. Do what works for you…
The purpose of this thread is to share the experience with others who are participating, to talk about how it’s going, what makes it easier or harder sometimes, what we miss, what we don’t miss, if we’re losing weight, if we’re combining it with a diet, what that diet might look like. And of course to read @Patrick_Taylor 's fun song posts. I don’t think that’s so hard to understand. Also not hard to understand that people sometimes veer away from the purpose!
“In a way, all of us have a Dry January to face. For some, taking up a new hobby might be their Dry January. For others, being more mindful might be their Dry January. For us, Dry January is a long, cold month where we don’t drink alcohol. But as sure as my name is Patrick Taylor, the Berserkers on this thread can conquer their own personal Dry January, which also happens to be the actual Dry January!”
For the youngsters, the quote above was an homage to 1980s goofball comedy classic Three Amigos. Below is their showstopping performance of “My Little Buttercup.”
My youngest came over last night because she wanted to hang out on my birthday. I’m at the age where it’s just another day to me, but I think she was missing me a little bit. She is thoughtful and empathic beyond her years. We watched an episode of “The Amazing Race,” a show I’ve followed off and on since its inception. I even met host Phil Keoghan in 2009. He was cycling from LA to New York in 30 days, arriving just in time for the season premier. This was in the early days of blogs, so fans of the show could follow his adventures. I said hello when he stopped for the night in Plymouth, Indiana. Nice guy. Phil was in his early 40s, but didn’t look a day over 30. Even today Phil still looks about 30; he must share the same genes as Dick Clark and Bob Costas. The Amazing Race has stayed true to its roots, shying away from inciting cutthroat competition. I like that.
Of course, some sort of racing song should come to mind, but I got nothin. Well, “Marathon” by Rush would be great, but I’ll be listening that as soon as I get this post written, as I still to need to hit the treadmill. It’s my reward for not getting fast food tonight.
I’m gonna go with Bob Dylan’s “Pressing On” from his 1980 album Saved. Bob had a spiritual awakening in the late 70s and released three spiritually-tinged albums: Slow Train Coming, Saved, and Shot of Love.
“Pressing On” is not my favorite track from that era (“Precious Angel” by a mile), but what I like about this is how much it reminds me of The Band, which backed Bob from 1965-67 as he jumped from folk to electric. I especially like the bridge, which could easily have been a snippet of “The Weight.”
No wine, no problem. I did order sushi again, but I’m dialing in to find the best combo of price and flavor.
It’s about 12:15 am here, so I’m a bit late posting, but I had to shovel before the super cold front comes in tomorrow morning. The snow was nice and fine, about 1.5 inches, so I used the leaf blower. It took longer but it’s a lot easier.
Anyway, if Ray Charles and The Voices of Jubilation don’t put a smile face, I don’t know what will.
Funny but the longer I gone without alcohol, the easier its been. Like many have said its the no carbs that’s been tougher. I’ve dropped 10 lbs. Man I’d really love a pepperoni pizza and a couple of beers. I do have a Herseys dark chocolate Kiss oftentimes to maintain my sanity.
I think cravings for things like carbs and sugar are way stronger than the craving for alcohol. I’m out here eating diet ice cream pretending it’s good because I can’t live without a special little treat
I am not eating that stuff - the ingredient lists are scary! - but I admit I am considering buying a Ninja Creami just to be able to make my own!
@CaseyHartlip I always find the same thing. It’s the first week that I miss the pleasure and ritual of wine with dinner. Once I get in the swing of things, it’s the new normal.
Here’s dry, and dry.
