The Sober Squad- Alcohol Free Living

Beka3695

RubyRed427 wrote: »

30 pounds to lose challenge by March 2021 - this is the thread title; it's under "challenges".

@JenT304 Thanks for the plug.

I just arbitrarily picked March but everyone sets their own goal.

Found it!!! I'm in for +/- 20!

donimfp

I made the “Healthy Hot Chocolate “ from Well Plated today. It’s definitely the best I’ve ever made and maybe the best I’ve ever tasted. I used one square of Lindt 70%. I’m going to try her Mexican variation with cinnamon and cayenne pepper. This will be a regular AF treat for me. It’s only 160 calories but tastes much richer. And no artificial anything. And it takes about 2 minutes. Two thumbs up. 👍

Beka3695

donimfp wrote: »

I made the “Healthy Hot Chocolate “ from Well Plated today. It’s definitely the best I’ve ever made and maybe the best I’ve ever tasted. I used one square of Lindt 70%. I’m going to try her Mexican variation with cinnamon and cayenne pepper. This will be a regular AF treat for me. It’s only 160 calories but tastes much richer. And no artificial anything. And it takes about 2 minutes. Two thumbs up. 👍

I am curious and will have to try!!!! Here is the link:

https://www.wellplated.com/healthy-hot-chocolate/

lorrainequiche59

HELLO My Lovelies

Tis a beauty day to be alcohol free!!! I got an alert from my quit drinking app the other day and when I looked at it this morn it shows that I am half way to another important milestone in my non-drinking career which is the 3 year mark. Stats are as follows: 2 years 6 months 9 days and 3 hours (923 days & 3 hours for the one-day-at-a-time crowd) without a drop of poison aka ethanol in my system which has resulted in $6,594.00 saved (not literally ugh!!) ~ 3956.4 drinks PASSED ~ total health 93.10% improved with cancer & stroke stats due to alcohol intake decreased but a length of time to go before those are at an optimal level.

It isn't so much the time I've been AF, but what that has resulted in. I've had 3 siblings die in the past 15 months & some other tough emotional stuff and IF I were still drinking, I'd be anxiety ridden & hopelessly sad. BUT, not drinking has gotten me through these sad events and helped me to pick up the pieces instead trying to numb it all out and digging a huge bottomless pit of grief!!

What I want to always remember is this: Alcohol is NEVER the solution, it is ALWAYS the problem!

Happy AF week to all of us AF warriors...sometimes it is like a war, but there are lots of victories along the way. Let's just keep fighting together

SunnyDays930

@lorrainequiche59 Totally inspiring! I am so happy for you! Way to go!

RubyRed427

@FeelinFooFoo Yeah! That is so great to say I don't drink! 45 days and counting!
@lorrainequiche59 I know you have suffered great heartache and heartbreak. I'm so proud of you for carrying on without alcohol as a crutch.

SunnyDays930

@FeelinFooFoo I can't wait to say that to my Dr. when I see her in January. Good for you! I hear that drs always take what you say about how much we drink, and double it in their minds. Well double none is still none!

RubyRed427

mainelylisa wrote: »

@donimfp I understand about not putting yourself out there, but I challenge you on the wayyyy too early--you've done fabulously and you still are. Now is all we have and you're rocking it (as are many on this thread--woot!)

Got to my cabin today and there is beer and wine everywhere. (But so is there at home.) Wanted a drink. If I weren't taking a break (who knows how long--maybe forever), I would have had one immediately. I know in my head no good would come of it. Brain cell killer and thigh fat maker. :-)

Brought my NA beer. PBR NA. Don't laugh. I think I like it better than Heineken AF.

I think the whole first world country is full of anxiety because of our "advancements." Lucky for me, one of the advantages that comes with age is not giving so many *kittens* which greatly reduces anxiety. (Of course when I'm drinking, that's a different story.) I've had sleep issues ever since menopause and finally turned to medical edibles for relief. Work well. No hangover. Deep sleep. Delivery faster than a pizza. BTW, @FeelinFooFoo I had bizarre dreams last night where I had to keep remembering I'm not drinking. I heard the tiny over-the-counter blue pills (which I had been taking) are not good for the brain. Of course, I usually washed them down with Chard. Also not good for the brain.

I will have to try the PBR NA then. I have been buying Heineken OO but the shelf was empty where it used to be. Then, I noticed a few more craft NA beers. It's impressive that we have more choices than O'Douls these days.

mainelylisa

I'm almost 2 weeks into my already planned Turkey to Santa alcohol break, and while I wanted to drink really badly yesterday to escape a really bad mood, I didn't. Today was a 180 degree feeling. Happy, silly. I wogged (walk/jog) in 28 degrees! And even did some weights-ish after dinner. Had I given in last night--even to 2 glasses of wine, I would have felt like poop and probably drank again to try to relieve it. And not exercised. And eaten junk. And then it's so difficult to escape. It's like being on a rotor ride at full spin and trying to unstick yourself from the wall.

My favorite slogan of all times is Nike's "Just Do It." I absolutely believe we have to push through "not feeling like it" until eventually (hopefully) we do. In the case of alcohol, it's more like "Just Do NOT Do It." And hopefully eventually, we don't feel like drinking. As much, anyway.

So inspired by so many here! And @RubyRed427 don't shoot the messenger if you have to spit out the PBR! I usually put a lime in it. And plug my nose (jk!)

Oh, and @FeelinFooFoo Being that you don't like sweet drinks, can't remember if you've tried Ginger Beer? That and Kombucha are my fav go-to NA non-sweet drinks.

Beka3695

My gratitude journal was delivered yesterday. Today I journaled morning and evening. I felt like I needed a double dose!! Can’t hurt, right?

donimfp

@RubyRed427 I like Beck’s Blue. It’s a lot like the Heineken. And if anyone is a Guinness stout fan (I am), Bravus Brewing Co. makes an AF version that tastes very close to my palate.

Foo Foo asked for a review of the Ritual Zero tequila. Not bad at all but really peppery. Reminiscent of a jalapeño margarita. I’ve been mixing it with pomegranate, orange, and lime juice all together. The AF whiskey is not doing it for me at all.

mainelylisa

Now I want a jalapeno margarita, lol. I'll settle for throwing a jalapeno in my smoothie for now. It's fun to confuse my mouth.

I read an article by someone sober for 2 years that mentioned an NA beer he really likes from a company called Gruvi (clever, eh?). I'm going to try ordering some. I do also like Athletic Brewing company's IPA's which I think I can get a the liquor store here.

RubyRed427

Took my neighbor who is down on her luck to dinner tonight. I have told her that I cannot drink with her. I picked her up and she smelled of booze. She said she had two little tiny drinks before getting in my car. *I know that means about two inches worth each in a glass, because that's what I used to say.

At dinner, she ordered two Long Island iced teas. And then started to cry and repeat herself. It did keep me sober. Once I've gotten past the three month mark, the resolve gets stronger.

She said she was one month sober until today her birthday. I told her I understand... I told her I did not mind that she was drinking. I told her it does not agree with me and I can't teach hungover. She didn't pressure me which was good.

So, it was a decent night for me. I was happy with my own decision not to drink.

RubyRed427

p.s. This neighbor spent two year in prison because of repeated DUI. She has a low class felony (not sure what that means). but it ruined her life in many ways. She lost her nursing license forever. This is her first birthday celebrated out of prison in three years.

My eyes were wide open as she spoke. This could be me!!! I would lose my teaching license and my home....

She may be homeless in March, because she is being evicted. But she truly does have a good heart.

She asked me if she could live with me in March and I just flat out said no.

*My therapist told me to stop collecting stray cats. I have to draw some boundaries with people.

Beka3695

@RubyRed427 -- we were all just one wrong move from ruin. By luck and the grace of God we are all still here to tell our stories. I remember driving home way too drunk on more than a few occasions bc if I got a DUI, we wouldn't lose the house. My husband would lose his job if he had a DUI. At least we could reason that much, but totally overlooked the fact that we could have killed someone or ourselves.

My ex husband, also an alcoholic (go figure), hit rock bottom then dug a little deeper. That was what it took for him to rebuild and be a functional person again. He is still a drinker, but not the person I divorced. He has a felony, lost a business, we lost our house when we divorced, he was also addicted to opioids... He had a motorcycle accident that resulted in a DUI where he broke 27 bones and was in ICU for 3 weeks. I could go on.

I am very proud of you for telling her no!!! NO. That is a complete sentence that requires no explanation.

donimfp

Oh yeah, Ruby. That would be a very dangerous boundary to let slip. I can’t imagine much worse than inviting a down-on-her-luck problem drinker into your intimate space! But of course your heart goes out to her. I’m sure your kindness and willingness to listen meant a lot to her.

Journaling has been a huge part of my sobriety journey since July. The other night while writing I had a serious epiphany regarding my relationship with my mother (the Jane Fonda one for you old-timers who may recall). The writing itself plus the sobriety allowed me to put pieces together with a clarity I’d never had. I realized I have always avoided and escaped some hard truths by drinking when or after things got awkward in our relationship. The act of writing things out with a clear, sober head helped me see some things I’d never understood before. I think the combo of journaling and being willing to look at rather than drown the truth is very valuable. Not fun sometimes but worthwhile. Of course it’s also a good way to see the progress of the sobriety journey, the weight loss journey, or whatever journey you happen to be on.

RubyRed427

@Beka3695 Thank you! I love when you said No is a complete sentence.

Yes by sheer Grace or luck or both we have not gotten a DUI.
It's sad that there was a lower place than rock bottom for your ex. But I get it. It is a sad tale in so many ways. And he brought you down with him in a way (losing house and husband). But you persevered and want more for yourself. I think many of us on this thread are on a personal journey to improve ourselves whatever it takes. I am so blessed to be on this journey with you and the others.

RubyRed427

@donimfp Yes, I do remember your mom (Jane Fonda). I'm so happy journaling is a huge part of your journey. Who knows you may have a book in you with your job and your life experiences all combined....

SunnyDays930

@RubyRed427 I used to have a next door neighbor that got a DUI while a causing a car accident that really messed up her knee. She moved, not too far, but it was better not having her next door. We just enabled each other all the time. We moved farther, 2.5 years ago now. She still calls me, usually drunk, every once in a while.
I know you are such a kind hearted person and you probably feel sorry for your neighbor but you are absolutely doing the right thing by NOT letting her live with you. No good would come of that for sure.

wiigelec

2 years in september for me

i substitute with reeds, *kitten*’n bull, and bundabergs ginger beer

i’m also very judgmental now about people who drink, and it doesn’t bother me cause it keeps me off the sauce