Community Chat

[Drythe]

Along the lines of giving up something for Lent, I give up something every month.

It is just a personal thing for me. The hardest month was the one in which I gave up chocolate!

[Marienkaefer2]

I heard a doctor interviewed about this on NPR about a week ago, and I found it interesting.  He said that just giving it up for a month could improve your kidney and liver health, help reduce blood pressure, and help to lose weight.

I don't think they mean "challenge" in the sense that it's a challenge to yourself to see if you can do it.  

I don't think it's meant for people with alchohol issues at all, or people with serious health concerns.

I think it's for the casual drinker.  

Like me, for instance.  I used to have a glass or two of white wine, usually pinot gris, about 4  or 5 nights a week with dinner.  I grew up with wine at dinner, as my family is Italian.  It's no big deal to us and nobody has alcohol dependency issues.

I also like my cosmopolitans on occasion.

But I wanted to lose some weight, so as part of that at the beginning of November, I decided to forego all alchohol "for awhile."

Just by doing that, and changing nothing else, I lost 8 pounds in two months.

And now, I don't even crave or want it.  I drink water or green tea with meals.

My blood pressure is a little bit lower (I've started doing other things to help with that too.)

And, I think I sleep better at night.

So, I think a "dry January" is a good way to get people thinking about making little changes to support their health. 

[CLEM]

I was raised in a family where we had a glass of wine with dinner every Sunday.  We children were allowed to drink a little egg cup of wine too.  And I do remember always liking beer and if my father had some, he gave me some too.

So alcohol was never anything special and as my sister and myself grew up, we could take it or leave it.  No big deal.  Now, I will use it for cooking.  When I go out with friends, I usually get a little sip from one of their glasses.

I think it's a better way to raise children that way otherwise they just can't wait to get to be 21 and drink.  Most people are okay with that, but some just carry it too far.

Just my opinion based on my own experience.

[wagirl]

alcohol----I am a beer girl  and a snobby beer girl at that-- I like the specility brews. I  MAY have 1 or 2 beers every 3 or 4  months---maybe. Don't have it in my house and don't order it at restaurants either--too pricey. NEVER let my kids have any while they were at home---but they were never interested in it either. They are  in their 30's now so whatever they do is up to them. Also I had breast cancer in 2012 so any alcohol is not good for me. Sugar feeds cancer and booze is full of sugar. Never could drink wine and never liked it--and don't understand the cult lke attitude about it. But to each his own!!!

[maestra]

We completely abstain in our life.

[Shorty2U]

Wow, I only had one glass of wine in the past 17 years. lol. I guess I'm abnormal. I take medicines that you should not drink with so that's the main reason. However, I was never a drinker. I used to have a drink here and there when i went out to listen to music and dance at clubs years back.

To add- I loathe, (and I mean loathe) the smell of beer. I could vomit when smelling it. My husband has a beer on occasion when we are out to dinner, and I joke around and say don't come near me till you rinse your mouth. (lol). PS) I also hate the smell of Doritos! 

[occasionalrain]

I'm anti-challenges, think they're juvenile. 

I'm not Italian but also was allowd wine when I was a child. I've never cared for beer, too bitter. I drink wine or a mixed drink a couple times a week. 

[faeriemoon]

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@occasionalrain wrote:

I'm anti-challenges, think they're juvenile. 

I'm not Italian but also was allowd wine when I was a child. I've never cared for beer, too bitter. I drink wine or a mixed drink a couple times a week. 

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Agree!!  Don't believe in New Year's Resolutions either.