My story is nothing out of the ordinary. I’m a busy account manager and in a sales environment, there is a drinking culture which can be normalised as well as in wider society. I had tried Dry January a few times before it finally clicked for me in 2022.
January 2023 |
6 minutes
Sunderland saleswoman Claire, 50, was gearing up for a hysterectomy. She decided to do Dry January to be in the best position for her op. Not long after, Claire experienced some brilliant benefits.
I was going to have a hysterectomy in the middle of January, and I wanted to be in the best place -both mentally and physically before my op.
I was going to have a hysterectomy in the middle of January, and I wanted to be in the best place -both mentally and physically before my op.
So, I decided to plump for Dry January and this time, I was extremely motivated.
I’m a dance fitness instructor so I did more classes than I usually do, and I started to eat in a healthier way as well as not drink. I also announced the fact that I was planning to do Dry January on my social media channels and my clients could see it. This was the right choice for me, as I felt accountable, not just to myself but to my circle.
My sleep improved and I had more energy.
I also made use of the Try Dry app. Ticking off the teacups was great and receiving the Dry January daily emails also helped.
Luckily, I experienced health benefits very soon. My sleep improved and I had more energy. I lost weight because I wasn’t consuming alcohol, and my diet was also healthier. But best of all, I felt in the best possible position to have the hysterectomy.
After the op, everyone told me they couldn’t believe I’d just had an operation as my skin was still glowing and I looked so well. This was because I wasn’t drinking.
My best advice to anyone wanting to try Dry January is to link it to a goal: big or small.
My partner also decided to complete Dry January with me, so we saw a reduction in the cost of our supermarket shop as we weren’t buying alcohol. I know some people feel motivated by alcohol-free drinks, but it’s not really my thing. During Dry January, I drank water, decaf coffee, and a glass of skimmed milk before bed (good source of protein).
I think the other times I tried Dry January, my reasons were wishy washy. This time, I linked my Dry January to my goal – being in a fit state for my operation in order to try and make an optimal recovery.
My best advice to anyone wanting to try Dry January is to link it to a goal: big or small.
The free Try Dry app can really help with this. I found getting the teacups and getting the notifications fantastic. It really is a great resource.
