Give Dry a Try and Conquer Your New Year’s Resolutions

New years are exciting times. They are full of promise and offer an opportunity to form new habits or drop old ones. 

 

What goals do you have in mind for the year ahead? Perhaps you want to be more mindful, set fitness goals, or focus on being present with friends and family. Maybe you’re finally going to train for that road race you’ve been putting off or you want to rise to new heights at work.

 

Whatever you’re planning, the key to achieving any goal depends on a commitment to forming positive habits. However, failure is always lurking just around the corner if you don’t remain consistent.

 

What if I told you that next week, most people will give up on their New Year’s resolutions?

 

It’s true! Research conducted by the fitness app Strava, which looked at over 800 million user-logged activities in 2019, found that January 19 is the day most people will decide to throw in the towel. 

 

So what are some habits that you can implement in order to make those goals become a reality over time? For me, it was Giving Dry a Try, and I think it may be helpful for you as well.

 

Ten years ago, I was burning the candle at both ends. On the one hand, I was trying to elevate my performance in all areas of my life. I was getting up early to work out. I was paying closer attention to the types of foods I was consuming. I was working long hours and planning to get married. At the same time, life outside of the office was incredibly busy. There were work dinners, happy hours, and weddings. It began to feel like every moment in my life had become an opportunity to open a beer, and I’d inadvertently placed an artificial ceiling on everything else I wanted to accomplish. 

 

All of the activities that should have been an opportunity to relax and unwind were actually getting in the way of my personal goals. My mindful time with friends and family wasn’t mindful at all, and ultimately I wasn’t achieving what I could personally or professionally. 

 

But then I gave dry a try, and accidentally unlocked the most significant life hack in the process. In my experience, socializing more mindfully led to more restful sleep, stronger workouts, greater efficiency at work, and ultimately a more relaxed existence. And the biggest surprise? I discovered that I wasn't missing out on anything at all.

 

So, here are my 7 tips for success as you Give Dry a Try:

 

 

Be Ready With Answers

 

If friends and family ask why you're not drinking, be ready to clear up any misconceptions.

 

Not drinking alcohol does not mean you are not ready to have fun. There's nothing to be ashamed of when you make a positive life choice. Many people think non-alcoholic beer is for people who abstain from alcohol 100% of the time. Sure, it is for them too, but few know that over 80% of Athletic customers still drink alcohol from time to time. We're not trying to bring back Prohibition, we're just looking to give people great-tasting options they can drink anytime and anywhere. 

 

Be Prepared

 

Be sure to have a fridge full of exciting options for every occasion. For all of those moments when you might have reached for a full-strength beer or a glass of wine, make sure there is a great-tasting alternative on-hand. If you’re heading out for the night, seek out bars and restaurants that take pride in their non-alcoholic menus and have a variety of options. I also recommend building a custom variety case so you have enough brews and sparkling water on hand for the whole month.

 

Make Big Plans

 

When you’re not fighting a hangover, you can wake up before the sun and get a head start on all of your weekend activities. Start a workout routine. Go for a long run. Take a day trip. Hit the trails and explore nature. Instead of hitting the snooze button, turn your weekend mornings into some of the most productive hours of the entire week!

 

Form Positive Habits

 

One trick that helped me stay committed to trying dry was setting some fun goals to keep things fresh. Try a new weeknight meal routine and revisit your weekly menu. Pair some new weekly dishes (either with fresh ingredients from your local store or a meal kit service) with an Athletic non-alcoholic beer! Crack open a can of cold Run Wild IPA on Taco Tuesday. It has roughly half the calories of a full-strength beer, so don’t be afraid to go in for seconds. 

 

Set Specific Goals

 

Do you have a fitness goal for January? How about the first three months of the year? Setting specific milestones for every week along the way will help you establish a process and stay honest with yourself. If your goal is to be able to run a 5K in the spring, set workouts and distance goals for every week. Maybe enlist a virtual coach or trainer in your community. Sign up for the Athletic Brewing Club on Strava! Do you have sleep and recovery goals? Join our Give Dry a Try team on the WHOOP mobile app and engage with over 5,000 members in the group chat!

 

Celebrate Your Progress

 

It's all about the journey and not the destination. Share what you are doing with your friends and colleagues, and be proud of it. Organize group workouts with friends and share celebratory brews at the finish. Set up weekly "rewards." For example, every Saturday, if you've hit your mindfulness and workout goals, celebrate with a special meal and grab a Free Wave Hazy IPA from the fridge!

 

Keep It Going

 

As you approach the end of your challenge, reflect and think long-term. What progress have you made? Are you happy with your sleeping patterns? Are you accomplishing your fitness goals? Have you spent more quality time with your family? Build on your progress with new goals and long-term habits that point you in the direction you want to be going for the rest of your life.

 

Good luck. Stay strong. And don’t give up on January 19!

 

Thirsty for more? Check out the latest episode of the Without Compromise podcast featuring Bill Shufelt and John Walker.