It’s probably less bad than alcohol……makes me wish all 50 states would get with the program.
Joe
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Well, it’s looking like a damp/moist january for me. Just score some tickets to a Green Bay / Bears game at Lambeau, so will probably have a couple beers (e.g. when in rome). I believe i can get the effect i’m seeking even with a damp January (and will probably extend it into Feb).
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I’m in. For the Aussies on here, any 0% beer tips aside from Heaps Normal?
Damp January….I like that!
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Apparently I’m in.
Was told last night after I had already had a beer while baking a new years pretzel and was about to try some new gin I got Saturday at a local distillery that we were doing it. Since I had one beer before it started I think that is makes it like a didn’t turn the bath fan on until after the shower january?
Have done it before, done a whole year, done end of the year, done like jan 1 through first race, etc.
Our 10 year “anniversary” (we aren’t married) is end of the month so we’ll see if her rules change.
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Anyone else find that having an impending break from drinking was a useful excuse in December to justify almost daily drinking?
I’m sure the dramatic rise in my anxiety today is unrelated 
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I, IMO have not been a heavy drinker. But definitely 1-2 beers a night. I’ve noticed already what seems to be a change in the garmin body battery thing…2 days in a row i’ve woken up with it reading 100/100…that never happens 
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I am going dry for this month. I am a pretty light drinker, though. Usually 1 maybe 2 beers a week at most, and often I don’t even drink that often. I decided to try Athletic Brewing, especially during social settings to curb the peer pressure more than anything.
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Quick update: Week 1 was surprisingly easy. With a 15lb weight loss project in front of me, and the Rift/Iceland looming in July, my motivation was high.
This weekend is going to be damp. Big celebration tonight (1 drink instead of “a couple”) and an NFL game this weekend (go Pack, beat the bears) means at least one tailgate beer. Rest of the month should be very dry.
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Sounds like a good plan. I’d encourage you to pre-plan and get a sixer or two of some NA Beers to keep on hand for your weekend. I’d then suggest you have an NA beer as your first beer and if you still feel so inclined, have your regular beer.
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This advice certainly works for me at least some of the time. If I can just open the na beer first and make it to dinner I’ve got that day in the bag.
Joe
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I’m essentially in exactly the same boat.
A full week in, and no issues at all. Even went to the local brewery with my wife and kid for trivia night, and had a couple N/A beers while she had a kolsch.
The early returns performance wise are interesting. If’s been long enough that resting heart rate and the garmin body battery thing improvements are definitely not a blip in the data. Resting heart rate is consistently lower, and garmin body batter has been basically jammed up around 100/100 every morning.
Too early to see any real change in weight or cycling power…but I have a feeling one or both will start improving noticeably.
I’m pretty motivated to get in screaming fast (for me…) shape for intelligentsia, so planning to ride this no alcohol thing out for a while.
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I had friends over last night for cards, cocktails and dinner. One of them was doing dry january with me, two others were drinking and we all had a great time. Was great to be up past midnight and not be wrecked this morning.
Currently down 9 lbs this year but I’m sure it’s due to being very bloated from a lot of drinking during the holidays and not actual fat loss.
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Just another random update…as it’s basically 2 weeks in. No significant weight change…but I am definitely seeing fitness trends.
So, since about thanksgiving, i’ve been doing 4 sweetspot workouts a week, with a little extra very easy zone 2 thrown in 1-2 times a week.
Since dry january…i’ve nudged up my power, and have been doing the same 2x20’ or 3x20’ sweet spot workouts at 10-15 watts higher now. It’s definitely not an aberration…this has held through multiple workouts. And I’ve largely held my longer 3x20 on saturday at the same power. Heart rate was 15bpm lower than it was 3 weeks ago.
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About two weeks in. Haven’t missed the beers like i thought i would.
A couple observations:
- sleep has gotten MUCH MUCH better. Sleeping like a rock, and longer.
- No changes in my riding performance (but then again I’m doing lots of zone 2 stuff right now)
- Feeling more motivated in the mornings
- I am actually getting more done in the evenings (because i still have some motivation due to no beers)
I think the weight is a wash right now. Just feel less bloated/pudgy. Still have a long way to go to lose actual LBS though.
So far, this has been a good experience overall.
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Perhaps the best place to ask: what’s everyone’s favorite NA IPA? I haven’t explored much. I found Athletic Brewing’s to be non-descript.
As a widely distributed option, the Sam Adams Just the Haze doesn’t disappoint.
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I actually just opened a Gruvi Juicy IPA and find it to taste a little better than athletic brewings hazy.
That said, I also picked up Athletic Brewings Belgian White and it may be my favorite NA beer I’ve had, if you like Belgian whites
Really enjoying the Sierra Nevada NA Trail Pass which should be widely available. Also, the Lagunitas is not terrible. And, i’m one of those that likes Athletic.
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I have to say…I’ve found a couple that are really surprising.
I dont particularly like the NORMAL, with alcohol versions of Corona or Heineken. However…the N/A versions are really identical; maybe it’s just my taste buds…but I would not be able to discern the NA from the regular.