The Sober Squad- Alcohol Free Living
Replies
-
Going to see my youngest Grandboy play Lacrosse again...I try to go every time they play in town. THEN we are having a sleepover here. It will be the first he's had since I moved and then tomorrow we're doing a hooky day...plug your ears all you teachers out there. LOL. He's 11...12 in November so there isn't much time left before we won't be doing that anymore...he's already quite busy with friends and activities and Granny isn't as much of a thrill as I used to be....they grow up way too fast!!
It's 2 weeks till school ends here & I'm certain he won't be missing much. I'm taking him for breakfast & then we're going to a private lake with a public beach to swim...it's one of my favorite spots cause there's a small beach and a grassy section with a few trees for shade and because it is mid week & school is still in all the tourists will still be in the city and we will likely be the few there, if not the only ones...woohoo !!
Hope everyone has a good evening!4 -
Hello everyone, I'm enjoying this thread and seeing all the positivity and perspectives. I'm new to MFP and would love to make some friends. I'm a friend of Bill W and I've been sober over 4.5 years now. Lost quite a bit of weight when I got sober but gained it all back, not through drinking luckily!
One day at a time!6 -
Hello everyone, I'm enjoying this thread and seeing all the positivity and perspectives. I'm new to MFP and would love to make some friends. I'm a friend of Bill W and I've been sober over 4.5 years now. Lost quite a bit of weight when I got sober but gained it all back, not through drinking luckily!
One day at a time!
Welcome to our thread! Congrats on 4.5 years!1 -
I just saw Rocketman about Elton John. It was excellent and surprisingly intriguing. Some of it focused on his alcohol and drug addiction. There was a lot of drinking in the movie too. He had a sad childhood.
It made me quite proud of him - 28 years sober. I never knew much about him except I remember being little and seeing him perform looking so unhealthy and bloated (didn’t know he had addictions). Highly recommend the movie for your music fans.2 -
@lorrainequiche59, that sounds perfect! This teacher gives you a hall pass. Those precious times with kids and grandkids are irreplaceable. Have a wonderful time!
@RubyRed427, thanks for the recommendation. My mom also loved the film and felt great compassion for Sir Elton. He was my first concert in 1972. Big jeweled glasses and all in a fairly small venue in Houston. That must have been pre-bloated days. His recovery will be inspiring I’m sure.4 -
Diet update. I've lost 4 lbs (insert happy dance here). There is no way I would be doing this while imbibing. No way. I wake up happy and motivated every single sober day. I'm wishing you all a wonderful Wednesday. Just typing that out reminds me of when I used to go to happy hour at a great waterfront bar near my old neighborhood that has Wino Wednesdays. Half price bottles. As you can imagine, it is quite popular. Wino Wednesday. Makes me shake my head now. Is not appealing to me at all right now.9
-
Morning friends, RubyRed,I wanna see that movie,I watched a documentary on Elton and yes he did have a hard childhood and his struggles with addiction were sad but yep he's on the other side of it now,yay! Jen,that was an awesome post,so positive! I think just moving forward from any blip is the key to beating the Al trap,last week I felt so sad,insure and defeated in myself but you know what? I know it was just a bad couple of days and I have had fabulous AF time so I'm going with that and being proud of myself for accomplishing most of my goals, even though I haven't been"perfect" congrats on the weight loss too! Wishes for a happy AF day for us all!6
-
Hey folks - It’s been a couple of weeks. I’ve got a lot of back reading to do! I got a Fitbit and I’ve been hyper focused on fitness challenges which are going great... I even lost a couple more pounds. I haven’t been fully on track with not drinking but it hasn’t been that bad - a sip here and there and I can’t say I’ve been drunk or hungover and certainly not daily drinking like before and I was feeling ok with that - until yesterday. I got some not great news (and not great but also not surprising or unexpected and not an immediate emergency by any means - just not great and it made me sad) and that’s when I really feel like I lost my grip. I drank yesterday - way more than a sip. And the second that started I decided I didn’t feel like cooking - so there goes the takeout. And then 2 slices of brownie cheesecake. All because I was sad - thanks emotions. Anyway I felt like a zombie just automatically going through my old motions yesterday. And now here I am today - I feel like garbage and am just full of regret and disappointment in myself and trying to see the path through the haze of my bad decision so I can get back on it. Ugh.12
-
@Sunshinelinzee I am so sorry about your bad news. No doubt that would be a trigger for most of us. Try not to beat yourself up and think about how well you have been doing overall. You will be back on track once you feel better.3
-
June26th 2019=3 years!:)14
-
dlbohl1991 wrote: »June26th 2019=3 years!:)
Congratulations!2 -
Six Months Today!
Six months ago I woke up with a huge anxiety attack after too much wine the night before. It was winter. I was visiting my parents in Minnesota. I could not remember if I'd said or done or eaten anything foolish. I knew I probably had not, but that did nothing to relieve the horrible anxiety. And I said, "Enough."
I'd read This Naked Mind a few months earlier, but I fooled myself into thinking I would make rules for myself that I could follow. I could not. Still, the seed was planted. There was so much that made sense. I took good care of my body in every other respect and then I did this? I knew it was the piece of me that was out of alignment.
That night, I went for a walk. I still thought of giving up wine as a sacrifice. I still had images of myself sitting in a church basement, styrofoam cup in hand, claiming to be powerless—something I felt, on the deepest level was simply not true. And then I "heard" or felt a voice say to me, "Without alcohol, you can do anything."
I walked a long time that night, thinking this over. It was not a sacrifice; it was an exchange. Every limitation on my personal growth was imposed by alcohol. It was the thing that stood in my way in my career, my artistic life, my relationships, my health.
"Anything?" I questioned. And this deep assurance came back to me. Anything.
If I simply listed everything that has happened—or I have made happen—in the last six months, it would be hard to believe. To say this time has been transformative is not an exaggeration. And yet, I know a lot of that time has been spent healing and I am likely only now coming into my full potential.
I had one topple off the wagon at about day 75, but I chose to keep counting. That spill proved to me that this was not an experiment anymore but a way of life and no—once and for all, no—this was not something I would grow out of.
I don't write here very often because my weight is where I want it and my life is now so filled with things I love to do. My career has gone mad in the best possible way and I am genuinely reinventing myself at 56 years old. I try not to think of where I would be if I had not wasted so much time the last few years drinking. I only get today. Today is enough.
I just want to say to anyone struggling or sitting on the fence: Believe. Believe in yourself and the life that is waiting for you. Things WILL change and some of those changes will be uncomfortable because alcohol has been very busy limiting your life and a life that is growing and becoming richer takes some getting used to. It is worth it. It is worth it. It is so worth it.18 -
Very inspiring posts!! Thanks @lagoscarrie for your well written, amazing post. Very inspirational!
@Sunshinelinzee You've done so well! Keep perspective that one blip will not undo all your positive changes. In fact, those blips cement our goals and desires even more. Sorry you're going through tough times.4 -
@donimfp I saw an article about burnout and self care and thought of you. It’s way too long of an article but it can benefit some of us who use alcohol to cope with burnout and feeling of being overwhelmed.
https://apple.news/AIpff5DBdSoWrDu8Pqk6-Sg3 -
lagoscarrie wrote: »Six Months Today!
Six months ago I woke up with a huge anxiety attack after too much wine the night before. It was winter. I was visiting my parents in Minnesota. I could not remember if I'd said or done or eaten anything foolish. I knew I probably had not, but that did nothing to relieve the horrible anxiety. And I said, "Enough."
I'd read This Naked Mind a few months earlier, but I fooled myself into thinking I would make rules for myself that I could follow. I could not. Still, the seed was planted. There was so much that made sense. I took good care of my body in every other respect and then I did this? I knew it was the piece of me that was out of alignment.
That night, I went for a walk. I still thought of giving up wine as a sacrifice. I still had images of myself sitting in a church basement, styrofoam cup in hand, claiming to be powerless—something I felt, on the deepest level was simply not true. And then I "heard" or felt a voice say to me, "Without alcohol, you can do anything."
I walked a long time that night, thinking this over. It was not a sacrifice; it was an exchange. Every limitation on my personal growth was imposed by alcohol. It was the thing that stood in my way in my career, my artistic life, my relationships, my health.
"Anything?" I questioned. And this deep assurance came back to me. Anything.
If I simply listed everything that has happened—or I have made happen—in the last six months, it would be hard to believe. To say this time has been transformative is not an exaggeration. And yet, I know a lot of that time has been spent healing and I am likely only now coming into my full potential.
I had one topple off the wagon at about day 75, but I chose to keep counting. That spill proved to me that this was not an experiment anymore but a way of life and no—once and for all, no—this was not something I would grow out of.
I don't write here very often because my weight is where I want it and my life is now so filled with things I love to do. My career has gone mad in the best possible way and I am genuinely reinventing myself at 56 years old. I try not to think of where I would be if I had not wasted so much time the last few years drinking. I only get today. Today is enough.
I just want to say to anyone struggling or sitting on the fence: Believe. Believe in yourself and the life that is waiting for you. Things WILL change and some of those changes will be uncomfortable because alcohol has been very busy limiting your life and a life that is growing and becoming richer takes some getting used to. It is worth it. It is worth it. It is so worth it.
Congratulations on 6 months! Amazing job1 -
Wonder how @salleewins is doing? I haven't seen her in a bit,I feel bonded with her somehow cuz we both lost someone we loved not too long ago,seems the pain never really goes away and that really sucks! Just dealing with that and work but doing ok here,the thought of AL makes my stomach churn which is helpful haha,dumb commercials for so many new summery booze drinks grate on my nerves, everyone is at the beach all happy with their sparkling booze in a colorful can,the reality for me would be barfing that sparkling booze up,all dehydrated and hardly able to walk on the beach,I know the truth about where all that fake happiness on TV would lead for me! Tired here this morning cuz my dog is scared of fireworks and kids have already been letting them off in the hood so I have a scaredy cat under my bed all restless and bent outta shape haha,waves to all and wishes for a happy and healthy AF day!5
-
@RubyRed427, thank you for keeping me in mind. That is an interesting article. This week I got a super painful crick in my neck which didn't allow me to turn my head to either side so ruled out driving. I also got more bloodwork back from the doctor and learned I am/was "extremely" deficient in Vitamin D (Duh! I've been in a sun-less jail for a year!). She also recommended some changes in my diet because of creeping sugar and lipid levels.
This medical report has a point. I truly believe my body has had a mini-collapse because it did carry me faithfully through this mentally and psychically stressful teaching year. This forced me to go to the doctor and stop neglecting my health. I've been actually thanking my body for supporting me all year and promising I will now return the favor and care for this miracle we've all been given. Along with that, I have promised that I won't poison it with alcohol just because that might make "me" (separate from my body) feel better for a minute. I've always taken my good health for granted and haven't been appropriately thankful for and to my healthy body. At my age (63), I've finally realized this blessing isn't going to last without serious care on my part.
Bottom line for this discussion is that all this has helped me see that alcohol (along with unhealthy sugars and chemical crap from food, diet drinks, etc.) is something I really have no right to put into the beautiful body God gave me. As Oprah says, sometimes the universe whispers, and if we don't listen it has to shout. I'm hoping I'm smart enough to pay attention to these whispers. So far, jettisoning unhealthful food, along with staying off the alcohol, has made me feel better than I have in years, even if I can't move my neck much for a few days.
Happy Summer Solstice, everyone. Have a great weekend! We're expecting a 113-degree heat index here today, so just as well that I'm still being forced to rest.5 -
@dIbohI1991 Congrats on 3 years AF
@Sunshinelinzee
@lagoscarrie Congrats on 6 months AF
@WhitPauly Sorry for your pain
2 -
@FeelinFooFoo You Will do this!! You did so well through the 30 day challenge. Annie helped you before & she can help you again. I can relate to you pouring booze down the drain and it being "so NOT me!!" I think that's when I started to realize I was getting sick & tired of myself drinking. I went from thinking that "maybe" I don't have that much of a problem if I can pour booze down the drain to, IF I have to pour booze down the drain to keep from drinking it then I definitely have a problem. If I could control my drinking, I wouldn't need to pour it out...obviously I didn't trust myself...@lagoscarrie's post is a keeper to re-read also...some profound points in there!!4
-
@donimfp GREAT post...your focus is in the right place4
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 392.7K Introduce Yourself
- 43.7K Getting Started
- 260K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.8K Food and Nutrition
- 47.4K Recipes
- 232.4K Fitness and Exercise
- 412 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 152.9K Motivation and Support
- 7.9K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.6K MyFitnessPal Information
- 23 News and Announcements
- 1.1K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.5K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions