Dry January no drinking for a month

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

During the holidays, the reins are allowed to relax a little. A rosé here, a drink there. Open another bottle and we celebrated life. But the summer came and went and the reins continued to be celebrated. And then the festive season begins. From the end of September, it is already dominated by Christmas and other holidays. And so the alcohol continued to flow freely. Now I don't want to say that it took on problematic forms, but still the boundary between an occasional drink became one or two glasses almost daily. The belt had to loosen one hole until I just couldn't wear those jeans anymore. This had to be different! Very cheerful we decided just before Christmas we're doing it! We do Dry January do not drink alcohol for a month. dry january

Sports during Dry January don't drink for a month

I revived my running career on April 13, 2019, and running itself went quite well. But if I had been drinking, things would have gone slightly less well. And although a lot of exercise contributes to a healthy lifestyle, it remains “everything goes through the mouth”. You can exercise a lot, but if you don't adjust what you eat and drink, not much will happen. The goal I have set for myself is to run 10 kilometers in an hour.

In itself an ambitious plan, but not unfeasible. I started with a good schedule. At the moment I exercise on average three to four times a week. I alternate between running and cycling. I currently have an injury, but I keep moving! dry january

Drinks

Okay, don't drink alcohol! But then what?! Fortunately, the catering industry and supermarkets are cleverly responding to this. There are many delicious non-alcoholic drinks for sale. Mixing a cocktail at home is not complicated at all and you can make the most delicious combinations. You can buy non-alcoholic beer, gin, wine, cider, the choices are enormous. Spice up your drink with fresh fruit, herbs, or sprigs of fresh mint. Shave pieces of ice, or use ice cubes that give you a taste. You can also make different types of iced tea yourself and give it your own twist.

Clear in your head and the pounds will fly off…

A widely read argument in the various magazines and online is that you feel clearer and that the pounds fly off. Well, I have to say that I actually like both of them. Or rather fail. Because that's not the case with me. Because of my sport, healthy meals and no alcohol I am losing weight, but I don't want to blame that entirely on alcohol-free drinking. Of course you no longer take in those extra calories, but I rather think that adjusting your entire lifestyle does more for you.

And then you go out for dinner… and then?

Now I deliberately didn't plan a lot of events for January and even missed a very nice lunch with champagne, but I didn't want to tie the cat to the bacon! I did eat in a starred restaurant and the matre responded well to that. One mocktail after the other came to the table and I honestly did not miss the wines. And so it is quite possible to go out or go to a restaurant and not have to drink alcohol and thus keep my dry January full.

And now? Corks of the bottle?

No, I have decided not to drink alcohol until my race on March 8. So I'll add another month! Now I hope that my injury will soon be over, otherwise it might be in danger too! In the coming weeks we will test and drink some non-alcoholic wines here at home, and I will make my own mocktails during the weekend! A to be continued so… Dry January without drinking for a month will also be dry-Feb! dry january

Dry January originated in the UK in 2013 and is organized by Alcohol Change UK. It is intended as a way to raise awareness about the amount of alcohol consumed and to encourage people to go alcohol-free for a month after the holiday season. It is designed to help people feel better and gain more control over their alcohol consumption. Dry January has now become a global phenomenon and many people are taking part in the campaign to improve health and well-being.

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