Blog: Dry January – Joanne

Over the coming weeks, we’re issuing people’s views and experiences about their Dry January 2016 challenge.

Today, Joanne (scripted Monday 4 January):-

I have done Dry January for about 6 years now, even before it was a national campaign, as I was inspired by colleagues, who took the pledge every January to detox after the Christmas excesses.

This year I am doing it for the detox as I’ve been constantly celebrating since a significant birthday in October, and enough’s enough. I also worry that I drink too much for a woman and, as I get older, it is not good for my health. I also find that drinking increases my snacking and therefore doubles the calories. I struggle anyway to lose weight as I have an underactive thyroid, so drinking empty calories just makes it even harder to shed the pounds.

So far, so good, as not had a drink this weekend. My complexion is already brighter, head clearer and stomach ache gone. I’m sleeping better and not so tired in the afternoon. First day back at work today though, so could be flagging later.

I already drink lots of water, so continuing with that. In the evening, I’ve been having cranberry juice with diet tonic water as a treat – still feels like an alcoholic drink. Too many Christmas chocolates around, so finding it hard to resist those as my body is still expecting sugar in the evening: hopefully this will pass.

My main goal I suppose is to lose weight, but the money saved will be very welcome. The forthcoming weekend will be a challenge as my husband and I usually have drinks at home and Sunday lunch in a pub, but I’m determined to stick to it.

Joanne