I am going to go 31 days without beer...

[bob1852]

Good luck.

Drinking a SN Celebration in your honor

 

[oceanic_brew]

I'm currently recording some of the hardest music of my life which is happening on my off time from my very demanding carpentry job. Most I'll be able to squeeze in is the odd beer at the end of a very long day which screws up my sleeping patterns.

This will take about a month so I'm in the same boat as you albeit forcibly!

 

[sky4meplease]

It's time for a reset again. I'm going to go the entire month of January without any beer or alcohol.



As a homebrewer and craft beer aficionado, it will NOT be easy. I also live in San Diego, home of 120+ craft breweries. We love to lounge in a local tasting room on an average Saturday....



I'm not an alcoholic or suffering from any health problems, just want to kickstart my 2017 and clean out the system. I will be posting daily in this thread to keep myself accountable.



Any and all support welcome. Thank you my brewing brothers and sisters!

WHAT??!! WAIT A MINUTE!!

They have goalies in Arizona?

 

[BikerMatt]

Drank a sixpack yesterday as I put a batch going, planning that the next beer I drink is from that batch (5-6weeks). I loooove beer so it will be hard as fook but I gotta lose some weight & other health benefits as well as save monies.

 

[Homercidal]

WHAT??!! WAIT A MINUTE!!

They have goalies in Arizona?

It's all relative, man.

On day 2 of picking up the slack for Arizona. Plans are for a half glass of homebrew Pale right after work, and then a full glass of Right Brian Naughty Girl Stout after dinner while on the computer.

LOL!

JK

Probably be reversed.

 

[ArizonaGoalie]

WHAT??!! WAIT A MINUTE!!

They have goalies in Arizona?

Indeed. A rare breed. I'm crazy.

And I now live in San Diego with even fewer hockey opportunities.

 

[ArizonaGoalie]

Day 4 of 31

Felt easy, although an after dinner beer urge hit me so I did a circuit workout.

How's this for making it tough...a fellow beer aficionado gifted me a 2016 bottle of Goose Bourbon County Stout. Mother of mercy. I'm looking at this as a blessing, not a curse. A gift for being a good boy. And while I will be tempted to drink it in February, I think aging it until next Christmas might be in order.

Thanks for the support everyone. On to day 5....

 

[skraeling]

im doing something equally as awful. cutting myself down to 1 soda... a week from 1-2 a day :\ This is going to blow. No real reason for it either. Just want to do it.

 

[Homercidal]

Day 4 of 31

Felt easy, although an after dinner beer urge hit me so I did a circuit workout.

How's this for making it tough...a fellow beer aficionado gifted me a 2016 bottle of Goose Bourbon County Stout. Mother of mercy. I'm looking at this as a blessing, not a curse. A gift for being a good boy. And while I will be tempted to drink it in February, I think aging it until next Christmas might be in order.

Thanks for the support everyone. On to day 5....

Something that can sit and age while you do your thing.

 

[BikerMatt]

^ I believe that is called a wife.

 

[wilcode190]

I am also going dry this month. Something I have found helps if the urge hits is kombucha. Another delicious fermented beverage.

 

[schematix]

My parents always taught me that no one likes a quitter...

 

[sky4meplease]

Indeed. A rare breed. I'm crazy.



And I now live in San Diego with even fewer hockey opportunities.

Plenty of frozen rubber here in Michigan!

 

[Homercidal]

Day 5 of picking up Arizona's slack. Went out to dinner at Shuberg's Bar and Grill in Big Rapids before grocery shopping. Met the daughter coming home from work training. Grouper sandwich and pub fries washed down with Alaskan Amber. Was ok, but they served in a frozen mug.

After shopping sat down to play WoW with friends and watch Pistons. Half glass of homebrew Pale and a sip of Jack Daniels (Got a nice sampler pack for Xmas).

Ended up having another half glass of Pale because I also snacked on some Cheez It snacks I found in my cupboard. Really didn't feel like beer at that point, but my kegerator was sitting right behind me, and the water was in the kitchen, half a house away!

 

[sky4meplease]

Day 5 of picking up Arizona's slack. Went out to dinner at Shuberg's Bar and Grill in Big Rapids before grocery shopping. Met the daughter coming home from work training. Grouper sandwich and pub fries washed down with Alaskan Amber. Was ok, but they served in a frozen mug.

After shopping sat down to play WoW with friends and watch Pistons. Half glass of homebrew Pale and a sip of Jack Daniels (Got a nice sampler pack for Xmas).

Ended up having another half glass of Pale because I also snacked on some Cheez It snacks I found in my cupboard. Really didn't feel like beer at that point, but my kegerator was sitting right behind me, and the water was in the kitchen, half a house away!

I get myself in trouble when I start thinking I'm being a good boy by drinking half glasses. I forget how many I've had and keep going back because...well there only half glasses.
You do know ten half glasses is five whole glasses right?
Keep up the good work.

 

[ArizonaGoalie]

Day 5 of 31....

Long day of work, so an easy day of avoidance. However, I'm in a bit of a panic knowing Friday and Saturday are approaching, my favorite days for a delicious brew. Realizing that I've only gone ONE weekend without a drink in the last 6+ months, I think beer became a coping mechanism.

Must stay strong....

 

[Homercidal]

You can do it. Just find some other thing to draw your attention. Maybe start smoking or something.

But seriously, you could look for some new interesting tea or something.

 

[z-bob]

I usually give up alcohol for Lent. Not sure yet if I'm going to this year or not.

First time I did it, I was surprised how much my taste and alcohol tolerance reset during that period. I broke the fast with a SN Bigfoot, and it was so heavy and boozy i almost couldn't finish it. Before, I could easily drink them two at a time.

 

[BikerMatt]

Realizing that I've only gone ONE weekend without a drink in the last 6+ months, I think beer became a coping mechanism.

Must stay strong....

This like x10000. Really battling with myself to not go grab a sixpack for tomorrow night (don't got any home made ready yet) almost feel like being addicted to the stuff.

It sucks... but if I can, you definitely can!

 

[ArizonaGoalie]

Day 6 of 31 - harder than I thought it would be.

I even rationalized with myself, "If I have a shot of whiskey or a vodka soda, that's not beer. That's okay. Right?"

Nope.

Took the kids to get ice cream instead. The first Friday is survived. Streak intact.

 

[martiniw2olives]

I don't know, something always comes up.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v46plhmxXU4[/ame]

 

[ArizonaGoalie]

Day 7 of 31....1/7/2017

Hardest. Day. Yet.

Discovering that beer has become a habit, not just something I enjoy. After a long hike, I was really craving a brew, but resisted. Later, when replacing a doggie door, I had to do some manipulation with a saw, and always reach for a beer when doing manual labor. I even rationalized that I should be allowed to drink O'Douls once in a while. O'Douls? HFS.

I made it. First Saturday out of the way. Only 3 more....

AND

Day 8 of 31, 1/8/17

Easy to avoid beer most of today. Went on another long hike, then played in a playoff hockey game (win) and then had to referee a playoff game. Would have liked a smooth amber or lager afterwards, but I'm sofa king tired and worn out I'm going straight to bed.

Cheers....only 23 days left.

 

[RevKev]

Arizona, great for you to do this! Honestly I do support you and after I got food poisoning on Friday night I thought maybe, just maybe, I would extend my one day beer free streak to two.

However I'm with Homercidal.



I had my comment written. But I'll be kind, I do beer demos practically Friday through Monday at work when I'm not in the pharmacy I'll sample at least 10 new brews each weekend. I simply can't. I'll live vicariously through you though haha

 

[BikerMatt]

Nerves tight as a violin string... sauna and a sixpack for me...

 

[z-bob]

Having done this myself a dozen or so times, may I recommend something? Just do it and stop obsessing about it! Your running commentary is not annoying; that's not my point at all. But I think it is sabotaging your effort. When the month is up, post a followup about what you did instead (I drink a lot of diet Ginger Ale.) Meanwhile, experiment with a new hobby (yogurt making? target pistol?) or read a book or something.

Good luck!

 

[Homercidal]

Having done this myself a dozen or so times, may I recommend something? Just do it and stop obsessing about it! Your running commentary is not annoying; that's not my point at all. But I think it is sabotaging your effort. When the month is up, post a followup about what you did instead (I drink a lot of diet Ginger Ale.) Meanwhile, experiment with a new hobby (yogurt making? target pistol?) or read a book or something.

Good luck!

HUSH! Hush it down!

Some of us are enjoying the entertainment!

But for real, yeah? Kudos to Arizona for his efforts! I know it would be hard to do. After work I usually have a glass of some beer while working on a project. I don't know what else to drink since I am pretty much not drinking soda, tea is "meh" (Except Ice Tea in the summer) I can't stand coffee past work hours, and fruit juice is nasty to me.

Beer helps me not throw wrenches through the garage wall when I break the bolts on one of these 20 yo cars I try to maintain! lol!

I could try to drink less beer, but I'm already eating healthier and working out, so I don't want a total shock to my system.

This weekend of filling in for Arizona was a challenge. For some reason, just like it was hard for his to say no, it was hard for me to say yes. Saturday was a stay at home and putz around the house. Barely had the urge to pour a glass. I powered through, though, and poured a glass of homebrew pale. Sunday I rode an exercise bike, and then went to a friend's house to help him put fiberglass insulation in this upstairs remodel, then finish hanging drywall in that portion of the house. After getting home the wife had Beef Stew ready, so I had a glass with dinner while we watched Con Man.

After that I think I had water while playing WoW. Just didn't feel much like drinking more beer.

 

[chris0879]

I started a Dry out after Jan 1st and was surprised at how easy it has been. Can't remember the last time I went 2 plus weeks so we shall see what happens. I came close to giving in after removing 19 inches of snow on Saturday but didn't give in. Cheers on Feb 1!

 

[brick_haus]

My wife and I are going from Jan. 1 until Feb. 15 without alcohol. So far it's been easy for me and she says the same.
If you are having problems abstaining, you should seriously consider giving it up completely...Just sayin'...

I have lost loved ones to addiction so I'm a little sensitive...

 

[ArizonaGoalie]

DAY 9 of 31.....1/9/17

Weekdays feel easier now. Watching the college football championship, would love a glass of hoppy goodness to go along, but settled for a cup of decaf coffee after a delicious dinner of chili and avocado.

Enjoying all the replies and banter. Thanks for the support!


FYI

I write my updates for two reasons:
1. accountability
2. support

I know what works for me. I'm a best selling author and have a podcast with 30,000 downloads a month, so I'm disciplined when I want to be, but I find public accountability works well. I also walk my talk.

Cheers!

 

[AlpacaBrew]

Just remember when you get to the end you will only remember the days you missed out on drinking good beer!