A couple of years ago I started doing “dry first week” I.e., I abstain from alcohol the first week of every month, which ends up being 12 dry weeks instead of just 4. Well, technically I usually forget a month or two, so probably more like 9-10 dry weeks. Anyway, it works for me just as a behavior reset to ensure I’m being mindful about when I consume and why. My husband is a very good amateur brewer, and we usually have 1-2 different beers on tap at home. This is both a great plus and a dangerous temptation, hence my focus on being mindful each month. I also use to have a sticky note on the taps that said “did you run or workout today? Yes > have a beer. No > sorry, try again tomorrow.”
Once a month or so I meet with some good friends. It’s always at a brewery (I would prefer a restaurant). So, I have my monthly beer and I am perfectly happy with that. All’s good.
My partner quit drinking altogether last month. Most years I do whole30 in the month of January, which includes giving up alcohol.
We’re set to start on Monday (because who can meal prep when the first is on a Wednesday) but as we get closer, I keep thinking that I don’t want to do a full whole30 reset—I think alcohol, sugar and wheat are the things I’d like to address. Stay tuned…
I'm really interested to hear how this goes, Aubrey. We have the Whole 30 book here at home, and I've seen a couple other people mention it here today. Very interested...
I’ve done maybe 5 Whole30 resets in years past, so I’m not expecting significant breakthroughs. But last year I lost several friends, and I know I’ve used alcohol to cope. So I’m still determining if I will do a full Whole30 or a Dry January paired with reducing sugar/wheat.
However if you’ve never done a Whole30 before, I think it can be helpful to evaluate food categories to see how you respond to them, especially from an emotional/habit response.
And since you mentioned you have the book at home, I will point out that Melissa Urban published a newer version “The New Whole30” which includes update nutrition/science findings and a vegetarian adaptation.
Thanks for the info about the updated version! I'll have to check it out. (And, I'm so sorry to hear about the friends you've lost; I've experienced that too in recent years, though not all at once like that. My heart goes out to you.)
A few years ago I did my first dip into sobriety. I signed up to do a Sober October and learned so much about myself and my relationship to alcohol. If I have to label myself, I would say that I'm sober-ish. Mostly sober, drink on occasion... overall, I go longer stretches without booze and that works for me. I feel grateful that I have awareness around alcohol and myself. Actually just being honest has been one of the things I've been most proud of. I'm not hesitant to talk about booze or what my relationship was like with it, or where it holds a place in my life and that is a fairly radical change from where I started.
I found quit lit to be really helpful, as well as confirming that none of us are alone. It was so validating to read that other people had questions about alcohol, or worries about it, and they weren't people that were the stereotypical alcoholics (I learned a lot about the labeling of "alcoholism" as well). Learning about gray area drinking was also really beneficial and finding support in sobriety (much like running) goes a long way!
I think you're so right about the not being alone part; it feels like it's easier and more accepted today to not drink than ever, and that there are more places/people to go to for help than ever. I love your approach!
I average two beers per week. Nothing stronger. These craft beers are usually paired with a good dinner. Maybe a third, if there’s a free one following a race or in a social environment. As Aristotle never said: “All things in moderation, especially moderation.”
Tonight Jan made “golabki” (Polish-style cabbage rolls - her mother’s recipe), and I paired it with a rauchbier (smoked beer) from Germany. “Bardzo dobry” - “very good.”
I’ve always been a social drinker - sometimes a little *too* social! between that and getting older, i’ve just naturally eased back to practically no drinking. it helps that my husband just doesn’t care about alcohol at all.
Over the holidays, i usually let myself go for a few weeks: which means *all* the Christmas cookies, lots of cheese (which i usually avoid), and a handful of glasses of wine.
then on Jan 1, it’s back in the saddle. i already feel better. i had broccoli for dinner last night, and my body sighed with relief!
My running is definitely better without drinking, and since i track my sleep now, it’s astonishing how even 1 glass of wine disturbs it.
I’m always happy for the holiday indulgence, and equally happy to go back to normal
I guess to change my relationship with alcohol this year I'd have to start drinking and I don't want to!!! :) Yes, I've had alcohol, went to college with a school known for drinking (UNR--the SunDowners), Later on in life, went to NDSCS that is known for its drinking problem as is all of North Dakota. My 2 husbands had a drinking problem. The first one died because of it, the second one got religion and has stopped drinking, at least to my knowledge. To "help" the second one save money on his drinking (we had to eat! and one will try anything, Right??) I learned and started making beer, wine, and mead. . .I could (and can) still make anything alcoholic. I was one of the first to start making beer that celiacs could drink. . . I even entered and won prizes on all of it in the early 2000's
I quit totally being a brewmeister when my husband kept downing mead at 7AM. . . poured it all out in the garden and never made any again! Yes, I would drink a little--homemade alcohol beats any in flavor--hands down--but very little. Mostly I'd forget about it and poured it down the drain!
Quitting was never hard considering I had several good examples around me. Didn't touch the stuff again until my Daughter brought home some Brandy for my birthday in 2009. I had a sip--It was good brandy, but oh, what it did to my head and my body--I could go on and on. Never touched liquor again. Finally threw out the nearly full bottle when we moved to Oregon last year. I'm pretty sure January will be dry, unless it keeps pouring rain! So will the rest of 2025 and for the rest of time. Good luck with your ventures. It will clear your head for running :) Take care!
What a great thread! It's fascinating to hear such diverse stories of this nuanced subject... keep it up, everyone ☀️ My family has been alcohol-free for several years and on New Year's Day, I often do a long run to celebrate this healthy lifestyle. It's the best feeling!
Has anyone tried Kava as an alternative? It's super popular here in Florida. I discovered it in Key West a few years ago, and since it's clean, non-inhibitive and has little to no side effects it has become a lifestyle for my alcohol-free family. I love it before or after runs! It could be a good alternative for those taking a break.
Kava is a traditional drink from Pacific Islands like Fiji. It's calming and gives a bit of an elevated boost without impacting your motor skills! It's contained in some relaxation tea blends or brewed on its own, and is picking up popularity being sold in cans. I absolutely love it as a more wellness-focused alternative!
I’ve been sober since June 2, 2014 and life is so much easier without alcohol. I always remember how I got to bed, never have hangovers and am present for my wife, daughters, cats, friends and community. It’s a wonderful thing, just try it and see how you feel!!
Love hearing this, Lauren! You'll hit 11 years sober this year -- that's truly amazing. Is there anything in particular you attribute your consistency/discipline to? Or is it now just habit, and you don't have to think about it anymore?
I know! Happy accident and I'm not even "California sober" haha.
I think one thing that helped me is I tried not to be radicalised by my own choice. A lot of people around me drink, and I get by with NA beers (a real cheatcode these days tbh). That helps me genuinely forget that I stopped drinking on most days, and I only have to remind myself at bars or other gatherings.
I managed to not become "Kevin doesn't drink" and that has helped me extend my sobriety for awhile (and maybe forever?).
i've been doing dry january for over a decade. they didn't even have a name for it back in the day. the funny thing is that it doesn't really change my life too much. i don't sleep better, i don't lose weight, and i'm probably more irritable lol. but i do enjoy saving money on going out. i'm not a big drinker, mostly just weekends, but i do think its nice to do this detox for a month.
I may as well just come right out and say it: I hate alcohol. My biological father was dead by 45 from his addiction. It owns my mother, too, though she is more temperate. It's a class one neurotoxin. It is linked to various cancers. It shatters the lives of millions of American children. It harms people in so many ways that honestly I am shocked that it is legal. But it is profitable, so I'm not shocked. This being said, many people are able to have a balanced relationship with it, unlike my father and my mother. I drank craft beer for years. I relied on the daily softening of reality that alcohol provided. My particular struggle was that I resented drinking for a long time before I gave it up, which is to say I resented myself. I did the fits and starts thing for half a decade. I enjoyed so many nights with friends over pints. I did. But every morning, I felt off, like I was far away from my true self, far away from a man whose highest aspiration in life is presence. I mean presence of mind, presence of capacity, presence of spirit. What if I went to dinner and had two beers, then a friend called me in duress and I, loose on the temporary giddiness of alcohol, was unable to be fully present to that friend in their time of need? What if my dog went into anaphylactic shock in the middle of the night and had to be driven to the emergency vet and I was unable to be fully present in my capacity to get him and myself there safely? I choose sobriety everyday because I want, as a man, to be the safest person I can possibly be to all those in my life who I love and who may need me at my best at any moment. I don't need motivation from the facts about alcohol's physical and psychological damages to stay sober. Abstinence is not the motivation. Presence is the motivation. Sobriety is easy for me because not being at my best for others is intolerable to me, painful to me. Cheers Terrell. Happy New Year.
Love this Joshua. Similar decision for me—I gave up 3 years ago this coming January 17th because I wanted to approach everything in my life with a clear and “sober” spirit and mind. While it hasn’t always been easy, I’ve never looked back. (And it does get easier every year.)
Thank you so much for sharing this, Joshua -- it's very moving and thought-provoking. And, you're right! I have had family members who've struggled mightily with it as well; in the years before he passed away, my uncle did multiple visits to detox and rehab. I helped take him there twice, even. It was an ugly, ugly sight.
And, I completely agree with you about not needing motivation from the facts. By the time you reach my age and I'm guessing yours, you know the facts. Now, it's just up to us. Happy new year to you too!
Thank you for sharing this Joshua! I’m glad you are in a good place. My great grandfather died young from alcoholism. His choices negatively affected my grandfather and his siblings. I watched alcoholism and drug addiction consume an uncle and several cousins. (My uncle died too young from it too. One cousin is recovery.) I was raised in a religion (& am still in the religion) where we don’t drink alcohol or do drugs. I used to think that was really restrictive. I didn’t realize how lucky I was for being raised this way until I was an adult. Alcohol destroys.
The Polar Opposite 10 K sounds like a new one! Good luck, Have fun! I'll be with you in spirit rowing my boat--a 10K, too! :) til the end of January!
I'm doing a dry 30 days as soon as I finish the bottle that's already in the fridge :)
I like it! Keep me posted on how it goes!
A couple of years ago I started doing “dry first week” I.e., I abstain from alcohol the first week of every month, which ends up being 12 dry weeks instead of just 4. Well, technically I usually forget a month or two, so probably more like 9-10 dry weeks. Anyway, it works for me just as a behavior reset to ensure I’m being mindful about when I consume and why. My husband is a very good amateur brewer, and we usually have 1-2 different beers on tap at home. This is both a great plus and a dangerous temptation, hence my focus on being mindful each month. I also use to have a sticky note on the taps that said “did you run or workout today? Yes > have a beer. No > sorry, try again tomorrow.”
I have reduced my alcohol intake to maybe one sink a month. I just not have a taste for it now. I am loving
Club soda and lemonade as my substitute.
Once a month or so I meet with some good friends. It’s always at a brewery (I would prefer a restaurant). So, I have my monthly beer and I am perfectly happy with that. All’s good.
My partner quit drinking altogether last month. Most years I do whole30 in the month of January, which includes giving up alcohol.
We’re set to start on Monday (because who can meal prep when the first is on a Wednesday) but as we get closer, I keep thinking that I don’t want to do a full whole30 reset—I think alcohol, sugar and wheat are the things I’d like to address. Stay tuned…
I'm really interested to hear how this goes, Aubrey. We have the Whole 30 book here at home, and I've seen a couple other people mention it here today. Very interested...
I’ve done maybe 5 Whole30 resets in years past, so I’m not expecting significant breakthroughs. But last year I lost several friends, and I know I’ve used alcohol to cope. So I’m still determining if I will do a full Whole30 or a Dry January paired with reducing sugar/wheat.
However if you’ve never done a Whole30 before, I think it can be helpful to evaluate food categories to see how you respond to them, especially from an emotional/habit response.
And since you mentioned you have the book at home, I will point out that Melissa Urban published a newer version “The New Whole30” which includes update nutrition/science findings and a vegetarian adaptation.
Thanks for the info about the updated version! I'll have to check it out. (And, I'm so sorry to hear about the friends you've lost; I've experienced that too in recent years, though not all at once like that. My heart goes out to you.)
Thanks for the sympathy; 2024 was a tough year.
I hope you have a moment to check out The New Whole30.
A few years ago I did my first dip into sobriety. I signed up to do a Sober October and learned so much about myself and my relationship to alcohol. If I have to label myself, I would say that I'm sober-ish. Mostly sober, drink on occasion... overall, I go longer stretches without booze and that works for me. I feel grateful that I have awareness around alcohol and myself. Actually just being honest has been one of the things I've been most proud of. I'm not hesitant to talk about booze or what my relationship was like with it, or where it holds a place in my life and that is a fairly radical change from where I started.
I found quit lit to be really helpful, as well as confirming that none of us are alone. It was so validating to read that other people had questions about alcohol, or worries about it, and they weren't people that were the stereotypical alcoholics (I learned a lot about the labeling of "alcoholism" as well). Learning about gray area drinking was also really beneficial and finding support in sobriety (much like running) goes a long way!
I think you're so right about the not being alone part; it feels like it's easier and more accepted today to not drink than ever, and that there are more places/people to go to for help than ever. I love your approach!
I average two beers per week. Nothing stronger. These craft beers are usually paired with a good dinner. Maybe a third, if there’s a free one following a race or in a social environment. As Aristotle never said: “All things in moderation, especially moderation.”
Love that, David!!
Tonight Jan made “golabki” (Polish-style cabbage rolls - her mother’s recipe), and I paired it with a rauchbier (smoked beer) from Germany. “Bardzo dobry” - “very good.”
I’ve always been a social drinker - sometimes a little *too* social! between that and getting older, i’ve just naturally eased back to practically no drinking. it helps that my husband just doesn’t care about alcohol at all.
Over the holidays, i usually let myself go for a few weeks: which means *all* the Christmas cookies, lots of cheese (which i usually avoid), and a handful of glasses of wine.
then on Jan 1, it’s back in the saddle. i already feel better. i had broccoli for dinner last night, and my body sighed with relief!
My running is definitely better without drinking, and since i track my sleep now, it’s astonishing how even 1 glass of wine disturbs it.
I’m always happy for the holiday indulgence, and equally happy to go back to normal
If you can do it, I definitely think "this is the way," as the Mandalorian says 😀
I guess to change my relationship with alcohol this year I'd have to start drinking and I don't want to!!! :) Yes, I've had alcohol, went to college with a school known for drinking (UNR--the SunDowners), Later on in life, went to NDSCS that is known for its drinking problem as is all of North Dakota. My 2 husbands had a drinking problem. The first one died because of it, the second one got religion and has stopped drinking, at least to my knowledge. To "help" the second one save money on his drinking (we had to eat! and one will try anything, Right??) I learned and started making beer, wine, and mead. . .I could (and can) still make anything alcoholic. I was one of the first to start making beer that celiacs could drink. . . I even entered and won prizes on all of it in the early 2000's
I quit totally being a brewmeister when my husband kept downing mead at 7AM. . . poured it all out in the garden and never made any again! Yes, I would drink a little--homemade alcohol beats any in flavor--hands down--but very little. Mostly I'd forget about it and poured it down the drain!
Quitting was never hard considering I had several good examples around me. Didn't touch the stuff again until my Daughter brought home some Brandy for my birthday in 2009. I had a sip--It was good brandy, but oh, what it did to my head and my body--I could go on and on. Never touched liquor again. Finally threw out the nearly full bottle when we moved to Oregon last year. I'm pretty sure January will be dry, unless it keeps pouring rain! So will the rest of 2025 and for the rest of time. Good luck with your ventures. It will clear your head for running :) Take care!
Your stories never fail to move and fascinate me, Nilima! I'm going to be taking your advice! :)
I have thousands of them, Terrell! One of these days we'll have to trade them at a meet-up! I'm sure you have a ton of them as well! :)
Yes, it is rainy and foggy again today! Is it spring yet?? :)
What a great thread! It's fascinating to hear such diverse stories of this nuanced subject... keep it up, everyone ☀️ My family has been alcohol-free for several years and on New Year's Day, I often do a long run to celebrate this healthy lifestyle. It's the best feeling!
Has anyone tried Kava as an alternative? It's super popular here in Florida. I discovered it in Key West a few years ago, and since it's clean, non-inhibitive and has little to no side effects it has become a lifestyle for my alcohol-free family. I love it before or after runs! It could be a good alternative for those taking a break.
I’m wary of Kava because of the ashwagandha content. it hurts my stomach, and it can cause liver toxicity over time.
Actually I haven't heard of that -- what is Kava?
Kava is a traditional drink from Pacific Islands like Fiji. It's calming and gives a bit of an elevated boost without impacting your motor skills! It's contained in some relaxation tea blends or brewed on its own, and is picking up popularity being sold in cans. I absolutely love it as a more wellness-focused alternative!
I’ve been sober since June 2, 2014 and life is so much easier without alcohol. I always remember how I got to bed, never have hangovers and am present for my wife, daughters, cats, friends and community. It’s a wonderful thing, just try it and see how you feel!!
Love hearing this, Lauren! You'll hit 11 years sober this year -- that's truly amazing. Is there anything in particular you attribute your consistency/discipline to? Or is it now just habit, and you don't have to think about it anymore?
Day 420 😎
Wow! (And that's a comically ironic number! 😉 )
I know! Happy accident and I'm not even "California sober" haha.
I think one thing that helped me is I tried not to be radicalised by my own choice. A lot of people around me drink, and I get by with NA beers (a real cheatcode these days tbh). That helps me genuinely forget that I stopped drinking on most days, and I only have to remind myself at bars or other gatherings.
I managed to not become "Kevin doesn't drink" and that has helped me extend my sobriety for awhile (and maybe forever?).
Anyway, just my two cents.
That said, they have yet to really figure out NA wine, so that's been the only part of sobriety I've mildly missed.
Agreed, 100%. I've found a couple of NA beers I actually like a lot, but the NA wine I've tried.... yecccch.
i've been doing dry january for over a decade. they didn't even have a name for it back in the day. the funny thing is that it doesn't really change my life too much. i don't sleep better, i don't lose weight, and i'm probably more irritable lol. but i do enjoy saving money on going out. i'm not a big drinker, mostly just weekends, but i do think its nice to do this detox for a month.
Now that's interesting!
Okay, wow -- I didn't realize how timely today's thread topic would be.
Just saw this in the NYT -- the surgeon general is calling for warning labels on alcohol:
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/03/health/alcohol-surgeon-general-warning.html
I may as well just come right out and say it: I hate alcohol. My biological father was dead by 45 from his addiction. It owns my mother, too, though she is more temperate. It's a class one neurotoxin. It is linked to various cancers. It shatters the lives of millions of American children. It harms people in so many ways that honestly I am shocked that it is legal. But it is profitable, so I'm not shocked. This being said, many people are able to have a balanced relationship with it, unlike my father and my mother. I drank craft beer for years. I relied on the daily softening of reality that alcohol provided. My particular struggle was that I resented drinking for a long time before I gave it up, which is to say I resented myself. I did the fits and starts thing for half a decade. I enjoyed so many nights with friends over pints. I did. But every morning, I felt off, like I was far away from my true self, far away from a man whose highest aspiration in life is presence. I mean presence of mind, presence of capacity, presence of spirit. What if I went to dinner and had two beers, then a friend called me in duress and I, loose on the temporary giddiness of alcohol, was unable to be fully present to that friend in their time of need? What if my dog went into anaphylactic shock in the middle of the night and had to be driven to the emergency vet and I was unable to be fully present in my capacity to get him and myself there safely? I choose sobriety everyday because I want, as a man, to be the safest person I can possibly be to all those in my life who I love and who may need me at my best at any moment. I don't need motivation from the facts about alcohol's physical and psychological damages to stay sober. Abstinence is not the motivation. Presence is the motivation. Sobriety is easy for me because not being at my best for others is intolerable to me, painful to me. Cheers Terrell. Happy New Year.
Love this Joshua. Similar decision for me—I gave up 3 years ago this coming January 17th because I wanted to approach everything in my life with a clear and “sober” spirit and mind. While it hasn’t always been easy, I’ve never looked back. (And it does get easier every year.)
Thank you so much for sharing this, Joshua -- it's very moving and thought-provoking. And, you're right! I have had family members who've struggled mightily with it as well; in the years before he passed away, my uncle did multiple visits to detox and rehab. I helped take him there twice, even. It was an ugly, ugly sight.
And, I completely agree with you about not needing motivation from the facts. By the time you reach my age and I'm guessing yours, you know the facts. Now, it's just up to us. Happy new year to you too!
Thank you for sharing this Joshua! I’m glad you are in a good place. My great grandfather died young from alcoholism. His choices negatively affected my grandfather and his siblings. I watched alcoholism and drug addiction consume an uncle and several cousins. (My uncle died too young from it too. One cousin is recovery.) I was raised in a religion (& am still in the religion) where we don’t drink alcohol or do drugs. I used to think that was really restrictive. I didn’t realize how lucky I was for being raised this way until I was an adult. Alcohol destroys.