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The Sober Squad- Alcohol Free Living
Replies
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Just checking in. Day 637.13
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Hoping everyone had a happy AF weekend and has a productive week ahead. I have two biggish things this week: signing my lease, getting the keys & beginning to haul my "joyful" possessions over to the new place AND I meet my new therapist. I put my name on a waiting list at our hospital a few months back for therapy around CPTSD...did not expect a call this soon. Anyhoo, some good changes coming
and lots of WORK LOL
Happy week to All
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@Fitness327wk I only knit rectangles. Scarves and blankets. I do not want to have to count and think. I do it as meditation.
Me either! I knitting a scarf. 👍💃❤️4 -
Good morning friends. Nothing new to report except for a big head cold. Hey a cold is good for one thing - your diet. I dont feel hungry. Sounds like everyone is staying the course despite life changes. Wishing you all a fabulous AF week! 8
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I keep reading "AF" not as alcohol-free, but as something else entirely -- and I love the wonderful emphasis it puts on your messages! For instance, @RubyRed427, your wishing us all a -- as I first read it, "fabulous as f**k" week -- just made me feel awesome! A guy needs those strong, powerful, Monday morning sentiments!11
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I had a bit of a success last evening. The neighbors who live in the adjoining lot are a real trigger for me. They are heavy drinkers and I've usually had too much to drink whenever I've socialized with them. They are also the last people I really want to discuss not drinking with because I'm sure there would be push back. But they are nice people, my husband bikes with the husband and, with their property next to ours, they're not going away.
So I had bottle of FRE alcohol removed brut champagne I was waiting to try and I thought, "Why not?" I measured how much a glass held (so I could later record the calories) then I took my glass of bubbly and trotted next door. We toasted and I had my drink and we chatted for a while and that was that. Victory!
Plus, if you were a bubbly drinker like me, this stuff is really not bad at all. It is like alcohol-free beer in that there is a trace of alcohol in it, which I know some of you don't want. But for me, it is an ideal way to use my rather expansive collection of champagne flutes, toast with friends, watch bubbles, and drink something tastier than super sweet carbonated apple juice. Win, win, win!12 -
I generally just read the posts and it serves to remind me of how frail being AF can be but I wanted to post a conversation and some events that I have experienced.
This week I am AF for 10 years and 10 months and lost around 170 pounds.
January 25th I turned 71 and I have developed a Bday tradition of running .10 miles per year some I ran my 7.1 miles, we were in California visiting our daughter so the weather was much better than having to run it in NJ. A casual friend who I was out to dinner with as we discussed my running the 7.1 miles asked me as they were ordering drinks why after 10 years did I still not drink as surely by now I could control myself and not go back to the pint a gin a day I was drinking 10 years ago. I looked him in the eye and I said I live everyday as if my life depends on it and I was lucky enough that my drinking didnt kill me the last time and I would never risk my health again. I swim run go to exercise classes wake up clear headed every day and love it. Last Thursday we went to a Billy Joel concert at the Garden and made the choice when leaving to take the stairs rather than wait on long lines for the elevator or the escalators went down 6 floors and didnt give it a second thought.
The motivation is simple, a better life style EVERY Day rather than high BP head aches and physical limitations
Have a great day week month everyone
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@Ke22yB Thank you! Your words and experiences are inspiring. Congratulations on so many goals met. You made my day brighter. 6
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SweatsOnSunday wrote: »I keep reading "AF" not as alcohol-free, but as something else entirely -- and I love the wonderful emphasis it puts on your messages! For instance, @RubyRed427, your wishing us all a -- as I first read it, "fabulous as f**k" week -- just made me feel awesome! A guy needs those strong, powerful, Monday morning sentiments!
Same here... I was actually going to comment on that very quote.
Day 15 ~ Still kicking.
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Wow, some inspiring posts lately! Thanks to everyone for sharing their journey.
Another weekend down AF! This weekend I jumped up on Sunday morning and got a workout in before I went to work. Sundays used to be my day to sleep in, mostly because I was hungover. Now I find I don't really even want to sleep in. I am seeing more of my weekends now, I have a lot more time to do things and more energy.
Never realized how much drinking was holding me back until I wasn't being held back by it...12 -
I can't seem to find the post to reply to, but someone offered up Facebook messenger for support. To whoever that was, it was an extremely generous offer and truly appreciated.. For me personally though, the anonymity is what allows me to be open and to share things. And I need this to be truly anonymous for a few reasons, but primarily a professional one. So I just wanted to acknowledge your thoughtfulness even though it wouldn't work for me to take you up on that offer.8
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We are on vacation in Clearwater Beach, FL. Every restaurant is essentially a bar that serves food. Yesterday evening was hard, but I made my wife promise me an ice cream if I was good 😎. We ended up paying close to $5 for a nestle crunch ice cream bar in the hotel because apparently ice cream shops close early around here. Bottom line is I won and beat the hardest temptation since going AF.13
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@Ed_Zilla Way to go!! That was one well deserved Nestle Crunch!!6
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I am on day 44 AF, and I appreciate all of your posts so much. I have lost fifteen pounds in the last six weeks, and I am excited to move forward with better health. Thank you all for sharing and being an inspiration!10
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We are on vacation in Clearwater Beach, FL. Every restaurant is essentially a bar that serves food. Yesterday evening was hard, but I made my wife promise me an ice cream if I was good 😎. We ended up paying close to $5 for a nestle crunch ice cream bar in the hotel because apparently ice cream shops close early around here. Bottom line is I won and beat the hardest temptation since going AF.
Nice! Man, I don't think I could handle Spring Break... Good work!
Day 17 ~ Still plugging along. Looking forward to the 1 month mark.7 -
@Ed_Zilla 5 dollars is nothing compared to what drinks would have cost! Good job!
I dragged my lazy a55 out of the house for a SLOW jog this morning. It felt good once I got back lol. Wishing you all a happy AF rest o' the week! XXOO7 -
SweatsOnSunday wrote: »I keep reading "AF" not as alcohol-free, but as something else entirely -- and I love the wonderful emphasis it puts on your messages! For instance, @RubyRed427, your wishing us all a -- as I first read it, "fabulous as f**k" week -- just made me feel awesome! A guy needs those strong, powerful, Monday morning sentiments!
I always read it that way too!
Here's my new journal that cracks me up in the same way mis-reading "AF" does:
And it's companion book, which I haven't purchased, but completely cracks me up:
P.S.
Haven't checked in for awhile....I'm at Day 448 AF! I've hit a few rough spots along the way recently, but stayed strong and powered through them. Months will pass by and I won't even think about alcohol...then all of a sudden, I'm thinking about wouldn't it be nice to plop on the couch with some wine.
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Hey all, still plugging along,for some reason mfp is still acting like a brat for me on/off so I hafta post quick, congrats on the milestones!! Feels good to be in the drivers seat
wishes for a Fab AF day! 9 -
Good Morning! I have stalked this thread before - but never became active. I did post on the other "less alcohol" thread.
Today is my DAY 3 AF... again. Other than being extremely irritable (like PMS irritable) things seem to be going fine.
I had a long REAL convo with my husband last night about changes that I want to and need to make. He agreed, but did not feel he can go AF yet. I have noticed this week that he has cut back significantly. I hope and pray this is signs of things to come.
The turning point this time....
Sunday - My mom visited unannounced and I was drunk cooking. I only remember about half of our conversation. Then, I decided to go drunk hiking I met my new neighbors and vaguely remember my speech slurring significantly. I showed them the trail to the river, but remember NOTHING after that. The next thing I remember was sitting in my bestie neighbors yard. She was giving me lemonade and offering to drive me home. I declined and walked thru the woods back to my house. My legs are cut to pieces.
I am so embarrassed by my actions. It is so time to make a change. I realize that ALCOHOL LESS will not be an option for me this go round. I understand that my brain has selective memory and will forget the hangovers, nausea, headaches, lost memory, lost items, drunk shopping, drunk cooking, etc.
This is the 3rd time that I have verbally said "I want to quit" THIRD TIME IS A CHARM- RIGHT?13 -
@Beka3695 I have had numerous times in the past where I didn't remember stuff, blank spots in my memory from drinking, but there was always a good bit of time between them... this time around it was getting regular. Days in a row where I couldn't remember the evening before, or going to bed. Congrats on making the choice, and for Day 3!
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GENERAL QUESTION:
I feel like my head has been all over the place this week. I know part of it is the newness of "HEY, I'M NOT DRINKING." But, I have had more "OH LOOK A SQUIRRLE" moments than I would like to admit.
Did others have this experience? If so, how long does it take to pass. I have been less than a stellar employee this week... I know eventually I will be a better one - just not this week.7 -
And obviously I can't spell squirrel... And the edit feature isn't working
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GENERAL QUESTION:
I feel like my head has been all over the place this week. I know part of it is the newness of "HEY, I'M NOT DRINKING." But, I have had more "OH LOOK A SQUIRRLE" moments than I would like to admit.
Did others have this experience? If so, how long does it take to pass. I have been less than a stellar employee this week... I know eventually I will be a better one - just not this week.
Welcome Beka,everytime I quit drinking I have a week or so of feeling spacey and just kinda "dumb" I dunno if my body/brain is just getting back to normal or what but it does pass8 -
@Beka3695 welcome to the group!
Good evening friends.. Just writing to stay accountable. Tonight's a mildly tough night as I find that it was always easy to have wine when my husband works overnight. I'm reading about benefits of quitting while little man is sleeping. And trying to keep Craig Beck in mind, more specifically 'the kick' as he calls it. Today is day 13 this time around.. I know the urge will pass. I just hate that at these times I think of the summer habits my husband and I have vacationing in wine country and romanticizing it. The summer will be tough.. Right now I'm shooting for a straight 90 days though , so I feel like I should just focus on that for now. Hope everyone has a great AF evening!8 -
@Beka3695 Yeah, you got hit by brain fog. It happens in the beginning. I would walk into a room and forget what I went in for. I'd walk back to where I was before and suddenly remember...so I'd go back into the room and forget again! It's temporary but be kind to yourself and know this will pass.
And yes, I would get distracted by a lot of things. Not necessarily a squirrel, but hey, if that squirrel was holding something shiny, I would be your gal!!
Congratulations on day 3. Before you know it, you'll start noticing some great things! Your skin will start to look great, your eyes will clear up, you'll be reliable and you'll feel good about what you're doing. Sending positive vibes your way!! 8 -
And trying to stay within the same fun spirit as earlier posts concerning AF
I'm 10 Amazing AF weeks today!!9 -
@Beka3695 YES, irritability!!! This too shall pass, BUT it's annoying till it does! Congrats on Day 3...I love @kevinrfletcher's comment about the drinking faux paus becoming more regular. That's when things start getting scary, because the regularity becomes a dependence and there's a fine line between dependence and alcoholism.
I can totally relate to the slurring, & memory gaps due to a few more than I planned. I remember waking in the morning with a vague recollection of talking on the phone with my bestie or the like & having to check my phone to see if my foggy memory was correct and then felt a punch in my gut when I saw that we had spoken for an hour or so and I could not wrack my brain to remember ANY of it!!!! YES, embarrassing! Or when I DID remember things I wish I could have forgotten. As difficult as it can be to get through the first bit of being sober, it is totally worth the struggle to get free.
Hoping the best for you & so glad you are here with us 7 -
@Beka3695 Well all I can say is.. most of us have been in your shoes one way or another. Forgetting what you said, vaguely remembering walking home... and on and on. I wasn’t surprised by a thing you said because I have been there! You are not alone. And we are so happy you posted. So honest and so real. I cringed when I read your post because it is so personal to me- as I said because I’ve done all those things.
Wishing you a successful “one day at a time”. This is your time to shine and evolve. Three times is a CHARM.
Just today I rewatched one of my favorite youtube Craig Ferguson speaking about his alcoholism. What made me chuckle from his video is when he said “And people say drink responsibly “ and he thought “I’ll TRY.....” I would recommend watching some good youtube videos (Craig Beck, Ferguson, Annie Grace, etc). Lean on us when you need anything. Xo
https://youtu.be/kI-BhQGwDO8 8 -
@MountainLaurel787 Happy 10th week!!
@Yellowstone1983 Summer can be tough because so many activities lend themselves to alcohol and there's the "summer habits" that were your routine. Like you said focusing on the first 90 days and keeping Craig Beck in mind are great ideas. I watched him and others every day, and more on the days I was particularly vulnerable; that is what kept me determined to stay AF. I don't feel the need to do that so much now, but every now & then I browse his videos and remind myself that there is help when I need it. That is a great resource when the cravings hit...you CAN do this!! 7
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