Why I'm Not Doing Dry January

I was going to try. I started out okay. And I made it a whole 7 days. But then I had a rough day in the office. My husband had an equally rough day at work. Add to that some issues with phone plans and having to replace phones which made it 8pm before we could even relax and think about dinner and I was ready! We decided to go to our favorite Mexican restaurant. Much too late to cook dinner at home. And as we walked in, there was the sign. $5 Melon Margaritas! Yup! You guessed it. A very appropriately placed sign combined with a stressful day and Dry January was over.

I did feel bad...for a moment. As the child in a family where several members had a troubling relationship with alcohol, I am all to aware of the problems it can cause. I know the benefits of abstaining. And as someone who is actively to lose weight and improve her health, I know that the extra calories in that Margarita didn't help me reach my goal.

But as I was joking with my husband on the ride back to the house how I had caved to temptation after only 7 days, I had to ask myself. Was "caved" really the right word? Was I fighting a craving for alcohol that I was unable to control? Was there a reason I felt I needed a month-long break from alcohol? Do I have a drinking problem? The answer to all of those questions is "No." I was jumping on the Dry January bandwagon for no other reason than it seemed like the thing to do at the time. I had been involved in a conversation about the trend and when asked if I was going to do it too, I just said yes. But the truth is, when it came right to it, I was relaxing with my husband and I simply wanted to enjoy a Margarita with my dinner. 

Having a drink is not necessarily a bad thing. There is some research to suggest that in certain circumstances the occasional glass of wine or beer can be beneficial. Having a drink doesn't mean you have to drink to excess. I'm 65 years old and I think I have been drunk twice in my life, back in my college days. I did it and determined I did not like the feeling of not being totally in control of my actions. I definitely did not like waking up with a hangover. And so I simply refuse to drink excessively. An occasional drink or two with dinner is my limit. I believe it's all about moderation, no matter what. Food, spending, whatever. (Okay, maybe not shoes. Shoes are different. One can never have too many pairs of shoes). I enjoy the occasional glass of wine or sherry and I am not going to spend an entire month of my life feeling guilty because I slipped up. I am not going spend 31 days feeling deprived if I'm out with friends and they are enjoying a REALLY good bottle of wine while I sip my unsweet tea. 

Yes, for many, Dry January is a great way to examine your relationship with alcohol. You may be drinking more than you realize. Most people do. And giving up alcohol can definitely impact your health. Just one drink per day can increase your risk of breast cancer. If you already have a higher risk due to family history or lifestyle, Dry January may be the kickstart you need to give up alcohol all together. If you're trying to lose weight, Dry January can possibly help you cut over 3000 calories from your diet. Giving up or at least significantly reducing alcohol consumption can help your skin look better, help you sleep better, and improve your mood. 

If you are doing Dry January for any of those reasons, go for it! I applaud you. But if you're like me and just going along with the crowd at the time, do yourself a favor. and stop stressing yourself over succumbing to temptation, stop torturing yourself when you slip, and do what's right for you. And if that means a Margarita with your Carne Asada Burrito, then relax and enjoy it. I did.