Participants IkPas speaks

Taking a break together is more fun than alone. But of course you don't know all your fellow pausers. Today the story of Els and Klaas. They drank and pause for various reasons. You can read their story here.

Els (65) has been participating in the 40 days no drop challenge for a number of years. This year she decided not to stop at those 40 days. She does not want to drink alcohol until at least December 31. “Pause doesn't cost me a penny,” says Els. “It is much easier to quit than to moderate. I don't miss drinking and I can see other people drinking alcohol just fine. But start again and then stop in time? That is much more difficult.”

nightcap

Drinking alcohol helped Els fall asleep. Els: “I'm a bad sleeper. Always has been. Then I drank some wine, so that I fell asleep faster. That worked, but eventually I needed more and more wine to fall asleep quickly. Not a nice idea. I don't want to become dependent on alcohol for any reason. In addition, I just became a grandmother for the first time and that is a great motivation not to want to drink anymore. I want to be a fit grandma. And I want to see my grandchild grow up.”

'I'm thinking about giving up drinking alcohol for good. Because quitting is easier than moderating.'

Take advantage

Does Els notice any benefits? "Secure. Previously I did not lose a gram in those 40 days. Now that I'm taking a longer break, I've lost 5 kilos. I also go to bed earlier. Alcohol keeps you busy for longer and therefore longer. It also makes a difference financially. I drank an average of 5 bottles of wine a week for an average of €10 each. Do the math!”

Klaas (60) is a so-called 'weekend drinker'. And on such a weekend he saw himself drinking much more than he would have liked. “During the week I was able to leave the alcohol alone, but at the weekend I made up for it. Because I didn't like that, I've been participating in Dry January for a few years now. I often took an extra break in between. Then I didn't drink for a month in the spring and I also took an alcohol break in the summer. Last October I made a promise to myself not to drink for a year.”

'My tip to other pausers who suffer from the craving for a glass: find a distraction. This sentence will pass after 10 minutes.'

Never say never

Don't drink alcohol for a year. Klaas does it for a reason. Klaas: “I am sensitive to addiction and I allow myself this challenge. I'm also very curious what it does to me. And if I succeed. The month of December is the first real big challenge. I'm not saying I'll never drink again. I think a year of not drinking is a great milestone. Then we'll see again."

More energetic and happier

What Klaas is experiencing so far? More luck. “I wake up refreshed and fit every Saturday and Sunday morning,” Klaas explains. “I have enough energy to tackle all kinds of things in and around the house. I walk, I do crafts and I read a lot. I really do feel happier.”