It’s part of that “eight glasses of water a day” myth. Most of the water we get in our normal diet is in the food we eat, rather than just plain water.
Thanks aceplace57, but though I overdid it over the holidays, I’m nowhere near that point. It’s been a week and I’m fine. The toughest part is weekends- I like to cook elaborate meals on Saturday night, and that habitually goes together with drinking for me- a drink while I’m making dinner, a drink with dinner, an after-dinner drink…
I hate xmas so I have a dry December to avoid all the festivities. Been doing it for over 10 years now. I usually lose about 10 pounds and save about 300 quid.
You’ve likely just lost a bunch of water weight, at this point. If you quit drinking, you’ll almost certainly consume fewer calories and drop some fat over the long run, but losing 5+ pounds in 6 days after giving up alcohol probably comes from the fact that you aren’t retaining as much water.
Thanks LD, but as I said to Ethilrist in post #20, I’m aware i won’t be losing weight that fast for the long haul, but seeing the quick drop is a nice psychological boost, no matter what the reason. I’m already down a belt loop notch as well 
For sure. If nothing else, it’s nice to know that at least a few of those pounds will come off quickly and easily, whenever you want them to. It really helps get you going when you start any kind of weight loss regimen.
I don’t drink alcohol because it doesn’t seem to do anything positive for me so it’s dry all year round in my house.
I’ve thought about it before, but, again, it won’t work with my schedule. I’m going to France the second half of January. I’m pretty sure I’m legally required to drink a couple glasses of wine each day there.
I have abstained the past week in anticipation of my yearly physical tomorrow, though. I actually like the idea of taking a week off each month. To me, three months off per year spread out is more appealing than one month all at once.
I am now, but not completely by choice.
I intended to cut down on my drinking after the holidays were over, but ended up in the hospital the morning after our final family Christmas with atrial fibrillation, likely partially caused by binge drinking the night before.
So now I’m not supposed to drink at all, so I’ve quit with no intention of re-starting.
Personally, I’m having No Soda January. I was a pretty serious consumer of Diet Coke from about 15 to 35, which didn’t seem particularly healthy. Now, after 5 or 6 annual soda-free Januaries, I find it much easier to drink soda in moderation the rest of the year.
I typically have 5-6 drinks of alcohol a month, so there’s not much point in intentionally abstaining.
Back in the day, the serious drinkers I knew would, from time to time, simply “dry out” for a few weeks - I could discern no schedule, but, when the group hit the local dive, one of the group would order a non-alcoholic drink. He/she would always explain that he/she was “taking a break”.
I wonder if the current generation of bar-crawlers does this?
(2 of the group are dead - heart attack (overweight, bending elbow only exercise) and liver failure from the chemo for his cancer.
I’ve stopped looking up old acquaintances…
This is the first I’ve heard of it as a thing. I won’t be joining. The holiday season doesn’t typically see a lot of alcohol for me since there’s a lot of travel. I drink lightly to moderately most of the time. Why ruin the perfect weather to enjoy many of my favorite beer styles (darker and higher ABV.)
I don’t know about a few weeks at a time, but among my friends and I (mostly 25-35 year old imbibers of alcohol) it’s not uncommon for someone to abstain for an arbitrary amount time.
I didn’t start out that way but I may end up joining you. I imbibed too much at the end of last year so had already decided to quit drinking on weeknights. That’s tough when I first walk in the door - I love making that first cocktail or opening a bottle of wine to enjoy while I start to cook dinner. It just signals the end of the day for me and puts me into a relaxed mood. It’s really not that been very difficult to say no, and the plus side is that I’m sleeping sounder and waking up more refreshed than I’ve felt in a few months.
What are you drinking instead? I don’t like sweet sodas at all, and tea is good but just doesn’t have the same cocktail like complexity that I enjoy. Club soda mixed with lime juice and a dash of angostura bitters is decent but I’ll probably grow bored with that soon. Anything else?
I’ve just been drinking a lot of plain water for this past week, since I’m trying to lose weight too. Now that the weekend is here, I like your soda water/lime juice/bitters idea for a no-cal cocktail substitute. I’ve done soda water and lime juice before, but not with bitters- will have to try that! Sorry I don’t have any more ideas for you.
One of my roommates goes dry every January. He is a four drink a day guy, over the whole day otherwise. He does it to see if he can and lose some weight.
I find that putting out some cheese, crackers, fruit, and nuts to munch on while getting dinner ready is every bit as relaxing as having a drink. Like you I’m trying to reel in some of those calories - I was drinking a bottle of wine a day so expect to see some pretty big savings. My cheese plate looks more like a fruit plate but the cheese is what makes it awesome.
I love beer. I’m even a homebrewer.
And I haven’t had a beer (or any alcohol) since 9-Nov-14.
Every January is dry for me. Also every Feb, Mar, Apr, etc.
Been watching carbs, so I have been eating more cheese and nuts- trying to go for snacks with nutrient density.
I picked up a bottle of angostura bitters and some limes and I was drinking soda/lime juice/bitters drinks all weekend. The bitters did make for some nice complexity. Thanks for that idea, frazzled! I also added some stevia for a little sweetness. Stevia has a licorice-like aftertaste that some people don’t like, but I like anise flavor, and I think it added another complementory flavor note to the drink. Will probably be even better with a splash of vodka when January’s over 