Christmas has always been a time for excess, mainly in the food department. So it’s not unusual to see January become the traditional starting point of the annual diet. But for others, it’s a time to kickstart Dry January and reduce, or cut out altogether, alcohol intake for a month. But as well as cutting out alcohol, can Dry January help you to lose weight as well?

Dry January detox and diet

As many of us celebrate the festive period, it’s ridiculously easy to gain a few extra pounds along the way. As we navigate our way through work parties, meet-ups and meals with friends and family, and an avalanche of crisps, nuts, and chocolate to munch our way through, it can mean we’re all a bit sluggish in the festive aftermath.

On top of that, there’s usually an excess of alcohol that we might not ordinarily partake in as we celebrate the season. To help us take a break from alcohol and detox our bodies, for a month at least, Dry January has become a great way to abstain and clean up.

While people have used the phrase for many years, ‘Dry January’ gained mainstream popularity back in 2013 after the charity Alcohol Change began promoting a national campaign to get people to give up drinking for a month. By raising awareness of alcohol abuse, now, over 3m people across the UK take the alcohol-free, Dry January challenge each year.

Can Dry January help you to lose weight?

It’s no secret that all boozy drinks are loaded with calories. But the amount in some of them might come as a bit of a shock and it’s worth remembering that the liquid calories in alcohol don't fill you up in the same way that food calories do. Here’s the average of what’s in some of the most popular drinks according to drinkaware.co.uk:

• 1 x pint of cider = 216 calories (time running to burn them off: 21 mins)
• 1 x pint of beer = 182 calories (time running to burn them off: 18 mins)
• 1 x 50ml glass of Baileys = 175 calories (time running to burn them off: 18 mins)
• 1 x 175ml glass of wine = 159 calories (time running to burn them off: 16 mins)
• 1 x 125ml glass of Champagne = 89 calories (time running to burn them off: 9 mins)

So depending on your choice and how much you drink across the festive period, alongside a healthy, calorie-controlled, and balanced diet, a dry January could go a long way to helping you lose even more weight. It’s a great start to the year, encouraging more exercise and a healthier lifestyle overall.

Stay hydrated and dry with Thirsty Work

So are you taking the Dry January challenge? If so, remember to stay hydrated throughout the day by drinking plenty of water. And with our full range of bottled water coolers and mains fed water coolers, you’ll benefit from great-tasting, pure-filtered water whether you’re in the office, relaxing at home, or out exercising with your water bottle.

To find out more, contact our customer service team today on 01392 877 172 or email us at hello@thirstywork.com to get your free quote or start your no-risk, 10-day free trial.