How to Crush Dry January

It’s that time of year when everyone is setting their health and fitness goals after yet another indulgent holiday season. Let’s kickstart those goals into high gear together. This is what you need to know to crush Dry January.

Set Your Intentions

Why are you doing this? Think about the reason and write it down in your journal or planner. Do you want to cut calories? Wake up in the morning without a hangover? Or simply feel and look better? Whatever the reason, look back at this when you need the push to keep going and remember why you started in the first place.

Enlist a Friend

Dry January is so much easier with a friend. Even better if you can get someone in your household or at work to do it with you. Having the ability to text someone when the going gets rough or to post up with at an office get together could make all the difference in you crushing your goal. And you can encourage each other to get through those 31 days together.

Be Social Not Solitary

Don’t feel like you need to hide away from the world just because you aren’t drinking alcohol for a little while. There are tons of beverages you can have at an outing instead, like a crafted coffee or infused water. And don’t be afraid to tell your friends you are you doing Dry January, you don’t have to hide it. Actually, after you say it a few times, by day 31 it’ll be as easy as a Key Lime Pie Mocktail.

Forget the Haters

There is no doubt there will people who question why you are doing this or make you feel shame. You don’t have to answer to them. You are doing this for you, so ignore the negative comments and forget the haters.

Start a New Habit

Get rid of the alcohol in your house and try something else that you will enjoy instead. If you are in the habit of opening a bottle of wine at 5pm every night, make some tea and honey or go for a walk around the neighborhood instead.

Hydrate

Drink water. A lot of water. If you set out to drink 90 ounces of water a day, I guarantee you will still be drinking water at night instead of alcohol in order to reach your goal. Make a game of it and download the My Water app on your phone to track it.

Document Your Progress

There is nothing better than documenting your progress at the end of each day. Before bed, mark off what day you are on in your planner. Every day you will look forward to feeling sweet satisfaction on your way to crushing Dry January.

Reap the Rewards of Dry January

Not only will you feel like a badass for crushing your goal when January comes to an end, but I guarantee you will feel so amazing physically and mentally.

After getting through the harder weeks in the beginning, you will soon realize that you don’t “need” to drink as much. That opening that bottle at 5pm was just a habit. When your body starts to transform, feel leaner and you’re more clearheaded in the mornings, your health and fitness goals will skyrocket, and a new perspective for the rest of the year will emerge.

So with a glass of cucumber water, here’s to you crushing your Dry January goals!