The Sober Squad- Alcohol Free Living
Replies
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@salleewins I'm so sorry to hear of your brother and the stress it's putting your family through.. hugs to you!4
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I've never before seemed to be able to line up the three main aspects of life, (spiritual, physical, and financial), and have them all going in a positive direction at the same time. Get any two headed the right way, and the third always seemed to be lacking... this challenge has me focused like never before.
Sorry to hear of the struggles, @salleewins. I've never had anyone close to me with any problems, until my parents health started failing recently. I crutched pretty hard on the booze, just to cope... it's so hard to watch someone you love struggle. You and your brother are in my prayers. Stay strong!
Day 9 ~ Started back to CrossFit the day I started AF. Work out at the box I used to own. It's amazing how far and how fast you lose your health when you don't focus on it.11 -
kevinrfletcher wrote: »I've never before seemed to be able to line up the three main aspects of life, (spiritual, physical, and financial), and have them all going in a positive direction at the same time. Get any two headed the right way, and the third always seemed to be lacking... this challenge has me focused like never before.
@kevinrfletcher It sounds like you are doing great and getting things in the order you want. Day 9 - Awesome!
Are you finding it easier to work out now?
I am not sure if you have seen this before, but it is a good example of putting important things first...short fun video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0hqBIugr7I
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Thank you everyone! This is temporary and will pass. I just have to keep reminding myself. So glad my sister may be joining us on the visit. We are already laughing. Making sure we bring the essentials like t.p. One time my bro had newspaper only. It is his illness issues, lack of help etc. and sad, but if we don't laugh with him somehow..... Oh my gosh, I don't know what.....8
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@Ed_Zilla thanks for the video! I enjoyed it. Cute ending!3
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Thanks, @Ed_Zilla! Enjoyed the video. Yeah things are going good at the moment.
Day 10 ~ Dreamed last night I was camping with the wife, a common occurrence, and I cracked open a half-pint of Fireball and started sipping on it... also a common occurrence. I woke up so pissed off at myself for having blown a 9 day streak, then realized I was just dreaming, and whistled a happy tune on the way to the shower and then on to work. Got a few friends at the gym that are supporting me on all this, so we high five, and chest bump, and do all the regular bro stuff to celebrate. It's a testosterone infused celebration to say the least... Haven't felt this good about myself in quite a while.12 -
Hey guys, checking in here.....2 months and 1 week AF for me.
But, gotta be honest, i'm really considering going back to having a drink or two here and there. I miss the atmosphere, the familiar faces, the good beer. There's just not a lot to do around this town and enjoying a beer is kind of the thing to do in your downtime. Especially with the warmer weather FINALLY sneaking in..... makes me want to sit out on the patio and have a beer or two. Part of me feels really guilty for feeling this way, because I really wanted to live an AF life, but I don't know if that's reasonable. Maybe I should just cut out liquor, that's what got me messed up in the first place. I think I might be able to handle 1 or 2 beers on occasion. I just can't make it a daily routine again.
Ugh, I don't know what to do. I don't like failing at things and I feel like if I went back to drinking, even if only occasionally, i'll feel like a failure, like I let myself down. But damn, I don't think I can last without having a drink.
Anyways, that's how i've been feeling. Rant over. Just needed to get that out.9 -
errydayimmusclin wrote: »Hey guys, checking in here.....2 months and 1 week AF for me.
But, gotta be honest, i'm really considering going back to having a drink or two here and there. I miss the atmosphere, the familiar faces, the good beer. There's just not a lot to do around this town and enjoying a beer is kind of the thing to do in your downtime. Especially with the warmer weather FINALLY sneaking in..... makes me want to sit out on the patio and have a beer or two. Part of me feels really guilty for feeling this way, because I really wanted to live an AF life, but I don't know if that's reasonable. Maybe I should just cut out liquor, that's what got me messed up in the first place. I think I might be able to handle 1 or 2 beers on occasion. I just can't make it a daily routine again.
Ugh, I don't know what to do. I don't like failing at things and I feel like if I went back to drinking, even if only occasionally, i'll feel like a failure, like I let myself down. But damn, I don't think I can last without having a drink.
Anyways, that's how i've been feeling. Rant over. Just needed to get that out.
If you can moderate all power to ya. Many of us have these exact same thoughts after couple months of sobriety. My own experience is that the single beer becomes 2 then 6 and so on....slippery slope11 -
@errydayimmusclin I'm not certain how to encourage you not to cave to the crave, yet that's what I want to do. I can hear the struggle within. Perhaps if you remember why you stopped in the first place, even write it out that might help you to make your decision.
I can relate to Norm's comment about one becoming more & sliding down the slippery slope. I've had several attempts at stopping, but never with the goal of being AF until this time. I hope that if you do decide to drink & it doesn't turn out how you'd like that you know we are all here for you.
I'm really glad that you shared this, you could have just commented after the fact, but you are reaching out before you have a drink which makes me wonder If you're looking for encouragement to stay AF. Craig Beck & Annie Grace may be able to help you if that's what you're looking for....hoping the very best for you
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I had my first blood test since going AF. You might recall I was stoked when going AF resulted in me getting off of BP meds...I was really hoping for ALL good news. BUT - now my cholesterol is high - I mean really high - like I need to take Lipitor again high. Stopping drinking dropped my good cholesterol to make my "ratio" now in the uber-high cholesterol range.
I am an upbeat person but this irritates the -kitten- out of me. I eat right, stopped drinking, work out hard at least 4 hours per week...and now this. Don't get me wrong...I am still so very thankful for my good health. But I feel like I lost a race that I should have won.
Of course I diagnosed all of this myself on the internet. I will get the results into my doc and see what she says - like she would know more than the internet
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lorrainequiche59 wrote: »I'm really glad that you shared this, you could have just commented after the fact, but you are reaching out before you have a drink which makes me wonder If you're looking for encouragement to stay AF. Craig Beck & Annie Grace may be able to help you if that's what you're looking for....hoping the very best for you
Yeah, I was hoping to hear something that might change my mind, but it was too late, I was too tempted and I had 2 beers at the brewery tonight. ***sigh*** the limit there is 3, but, after the 2 I had, that was enough.
I enjoyed myself, but not fully. I feel disappointed. I'm not sure where to go from here.
Thanks for all the support though, I appreciate all of you, regardless of my choices.
Day 1 tomorrow?.......8 -
errydayimmusclin wrote: »lorrainequiche59 wrote: »I'm really glad that you shared this, you could have just commented after the fact, but you are reaching out before you have a drink which makes me wonder If you're looking for encouragement to stay AF. Craig Beck & Annie Grace may be able to help you if that's what you're looking for....hoping the very best for you
Yeah, I was hoping to hear something that might change my mind, but it was too late, I was too tempted and I had 2 beers at the brewery tonight. ***sigh*** the limit there is 3, but, after the 2 I had, that was enough.
I enjoyed myself, but not fully. I feel disappointed. I'm not sure where to go from here.
Thanks for all the support though, I appreciate all of you, regardless of my choices.
Day 1 tomorrow?.......
I give you credit for stopping at 2! And I hear you about the friendship, the spring fever, the being out with friends that you haven't seen in a while. I remember being out for brunch one day last summer with friends and I could smell the champagne from across the table.
Anyway....you had 2 beers. Not a big deal. And today? Maybe you don't have one today. Congrats on starting a new Day 1, and a new streak.6 -
errydayimmusclin wrote: »Yeah, I was hoping to hear something that might change my mind, but it was too late, I was too tempted and I had 2 beers at the brewery tonight. ***sigh*** the limit there is 3, but, after the 2 I had, that was enough.
I enjoyed myself, but not fully. I feel disappointed. I'm not sure where to go from here.
Thanks for all the support though, I appreciate all of you, regardless of my choices.
Day 1 tomorrow?.......
I was AF for almost 8 years back in my 40's... took the kids to Disney, then a few days camping at the beach to recuperate, and figured, surely I can nurse a beer and it would be ok. And it was, for about 4 months, but slowly built back up from a couple beers, to six, back to a twelve pack, all the while starting to mix the bourbon back in, until I finally ended up where I'd stop on the way home from work to get bourbon if I didn't have enough at the house to make it through the evening. And, since I had bourbon in the truck, I might as well have a shot or two to ease the tension...
If you can moderate, like Norm said, more power to you. I knew the slope was there when I got on it, and figured I could beat it... why get on it in the first place? It's so much easier to never start down the slope than it is to stop once you're snowballin'. Whatever your choice going forward from here, I hope it all works out for the best for you!
Day 11 ~ Went over to my parents house yesterday evening, like usual. Mom has alzheimer's, and the conversations are always interesting, even if confusing. She sees extra people that are either not there, or maybe I'm lacking in a special ability to see them. It's hard to watch the people who were always so solid for you come unraveled. Dad is sharp as a tack mentally, but physically is failing... I was pretty used to blunting the edge of all that with a good supply of Jim Beam. It's been a trip the past 10 days being stone cold sober around them. Have been a little bit of a grump, according to the wife, who wouldn't lie to me about such things. Need to work on that. I was nothing if not a happy drunk. Need to be a happy sober dude... Still working on it.12 -
@kevinrfletcher I'm sending you a hug. My late father was in the mid stages of dementia when he died and it is hard to deal with. I wasn't drunk all the time but I was using wine to sand the edges off that painful time in my life. My heart goes out to you. @errydayimmusclin It's funny but when we give in to the urge after not having alcohol it is never as fun as we imagined it was going to be. Not for me anyway and I've read the same from others here. Anyway you only had 2 so don't beat yourself up. Think about how many days you were AF instead of focusing on the one you drank.
I am thrilled to finally say, Happy first day of Spring!
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Hello all,mfp has been acting sooooo weird for me the past few days! Still here,still AF but getting this post in while I can! Wishing you all happy AF days 8
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Hi All! Just checkin in. St. Patrick's MONTH is almost over for me..thankfully! Being in a bagpipe band this time of year is quite the challenge for the AF journey! But I have survived so far and there is only one event left this weekend and I will make it through this one too! Still AF...Four months and counting.;-)
@Normlnv...please add me to your 90 day challenge.
@kevinrfletcher....Your slippery slope is a familiar one to me too! But for me it's more like leaning over a cliff with the wind at my back. I just can't take that chance anymore.
Hugs and encouragement to those of my friends here who need it. You are ALL very awesome!13 -
@errydayimmusclin try not to focus on the one day. My new mantra (new for drinking anyway) is 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it.' I plan to try to use this to my advantage when I have cravings. The spring/summer will be hard for me too. We camp up in wine country and that's what people do. However, if I continue to make other changes that make me happy while also not drinking (i.e. really getting laser focused on weight loss and using my time more productively, which I can't do while drinking) then hopefully I can fall back on that mantra to keep going. Try not to beat yourself up and just get back on the horse9
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@kevinrfletcher I can't imagine how hard it is to watch a loved one's cognitive decline.. Hugs to you. And congrats on staying AF8
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@Drummer913 that's so inspiring! Congrats on 4 months and managing to stay AF this month!6
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Wishing everyone a wonderful Thursday! We have an upcoming trip in May to Italy. We enjoy going over there visiting the wineries, etc. This trip will be different from the past. I know I have an issue of stopping at one drink. We have plans going through Tuscany for a few days. I had thought about starting to have a glass of wine here and now prior to our trip to show myself that I can have only one glass of wine. Slippery slope I know....4
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Good morning everyone! Thanks for all your comments and suggestions, they're much appreciated. I'm still trying to figure out where to go from here. I THOUGHT I wanted to live an AF life, but maybe that's not really what I want. Time to do some deep thinking. 🤔
Congrats to all of you that are doing through hard times and remaining on your AF path!
Hope you all have a wonderful day. 😁6 -
I know that it sucks to break a streak of any kind. It must be the way our brains are wired. Currently i have over 500 days logged on MFP and each day, I debate whether I should break that streak just to give my mind a break. It’s pressure.
I had 120 days AF this past July-December 10th. Then, I thought I could moderate and drank a few glasses of wine which turned into a binge for the day and then the most wicked hangover. Since Dec. 10, I have been dabbling in wine here and there.... because once I broke the streak, it has been so difficult for my brain to go back to my rigid way of thinking. While I was AF, I told myself it was non-negotiable that I would not drink. And I kept that streak going and it became easier and easier. I was really satisfied being a non-drinker. Then, BAM, I broke the streak and haven’t gotten it back.
I’m not saying that to depress anyone, just for me, I should have not broke my streak. I was feeling on top of the world. I felt so strong and lost weight. I know that I will get that determination back one day hopefully soon. But I guess what I’m saying to anyone who is debating on trying moderation, think carefully. Weigh the pros and cons. And if you do break your streak, don’t beat yourself up. Make some honest reflections in your journal. Write down how you felt, feel today.... I know that many of us have had many Day 1s. And that is OK! We are human. We are doing the best we can.
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One more reflection... I know that I am not good at moderation. And if I keep dabbling here and there with a drink, I will slide quickly. I know that. I totally agree with you all when you say it’s a slippery slope. I’ve got to do some serious goal setting because that slippery slope is so painful to recover from. Xo Much love to you all. Like I said, we do the best we can. And on any given day, our best is different. That’s paraphrased from the philosophical book “The Four Agreements.”. 8
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errydayimmusclin wrote: »Good morning everyone! Thanks for all your comments and suggestions, they're much appreciated. I'm still trying to figure out where to go from here. I THOUGHT I wanted to live an AF life, but maybe that's not really what I want. Time to do some deep thinking. 🤔
Congrats to all of you that are doing through hard times and remaining on your AF path!
Hope you all have a wonderful day. 😁
Some people don't want/need to be alcohol free and that's ok if it works for you,take my hubs for instance,he has 2-4 beers every night,he gets up at 4 goes to the gym,leaves for work at 6:30 and has a productive day,I on the other hand could NEVER stop at 2-4 beers(I drink that in 15 minutes!) I don't stop once I start,I can't so even toying with the idea of drinking is not for me,I hafta push the idea out as soon as it starts or it grows legs and takes over my whole mind and body and I'll give in drink,drink,drink and lay in bed trying to get with it the next day,upset stomach,dry eyes, shakes and most of the time rely on a "hair of the dog" to get going-even on work days so yeah I can't drink and I'm ok with that(most of the time) there's no judgement here at all,we all hafta do what works for ourselves 11 -
All these stories about slippery slopes are what is keeping me AF right now even though I had intended to go back to moderation after Dry January. I'm afraid I'd dive back in the deep end after a glass or two of wine. Luckily at this point, I'm not the least bit tempted to have a drink.10
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I am in total agreement with Ruby Red. I am strong if I am on a streak. And I am HAPPY. Depression free, just wonderful. Then I think, "Oh I am doing so well, what can one drink do?" Well for me, one is never ever one. This is what happened to me yesterday. There was some wine in the house (I never have it in the house for this very reason) that someone had brought over, and I opened it up and drank it all. I had told myself I will have one glass...you know the rest. I don't feel hungover but I do feel low grade depression that was not there before, and I am mad at myself. I will never lose weight or meet other personal goals I have for myself I go down that road again. Back to day one.10
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Man, I never realized so many people struggle EXACTLY like I do. Makes you feel not so alone.
@Drummer913 I got a cousin that plays pipes for The Krooked Kilts in Tallahassee. Celtic rock stuff. They stay pretty busy this time of year...
@JenT304 You got this! I'm with you on the "One is never one." Welcome back! Really, every day is Day One. We have to make that same choice every morning... I've just got 11 consecutive Day Ones under my belt at the moment, looking for a whole lot more! March 22, 2020, we will be celebrating your "Year 1". Let's do this!
Day 12 ~ Kicking this thing square in the nards! Been on a pretty good calorie deficit along with it all. Cut off is 1700 a day. Feel like I run out of gas a soon as the workout gets going, but the weight is coming off, I'm sleeping better, and actually waking up on time to go to work...
Thanks to everyone for all the encouragement!10 -
@kevinrfletcher This will be an easy date to remember as it is our anniversary. We are going out with family tonight and I will not be indulging in any wine/spirits. I want to feel happy again like I did when I was 100% AF.6
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@JenT304 HEY HEY!!!! Happy anniversary! Man, what a date to make it stick on!7
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