Sober Discussion (Ongoing)
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Morning sober friends hope your day is going well.
A few Tuesday tidbits for you!
1. Quit selling yourself cheap and know your value. Value your time. Time is finite. Give time to things that serve you.
2. Men have to create and provide in order to feel useful and needed. Create and provide, and build something of value.
3. Men and women need each other.
4. Learn how to take advise.
5. How you spend your time, is how you spend your life.
6. Gratitude will create true happiness. Gratitude with the act of giving creates a cycle of happiness that will grow.
7. The most productive thing you can do is nothing. Take your time to reflect, rest and relax.
8. A Perfectionist is somebody who makes excuses for procrastination. Perfection is an impossible goal; no situation will ever be perfect. Perfection is a thief of success.
9. You can only control your feelings; you are not responsible for other people's feelings.
10. You cannot change someone else's mind. You can only present your perspective.5 -
@xbowhunter Well said! Thank you for sharing. This is inspiring!2
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Checking in! Still AF Strong. Checking into MFP helps keep me going. Expressing gratitude to ALL of you since if it wasn't for you all, I may not be doing this or doing this well. Even reading about the honest struggles helps because it's a real reminder of the effort we go through and how totally worth it the real benefit really is -
Being AF is a really good anti-depressant too.
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Hi everyone,
Aaaarrrggghhhh! I was so "good" on Sunday and walked right past my favorite haunts and going straight home after early voting in the afternoon, but then yesterday I met up with a friend for dinner and ended up having two glasses of (red) wine!
Oh, nooooooo!
I'm aware that it was I who started this discussion, and I started it because I know I can't do this alone. I quit for a whole year before (and lost 77 lbs.) so I KNOW I can do it again. I MUST! There's no room for alcohol in my budget and health-wise I can't afford it either. I won't be able to achieve my wellness goals and desired weight if I don't abstain 100%. I'm so glad no one's giving up on me.
I wasn't going to admit this lapse, but how could I lie to this great group (and not be true to myself)? Part of recovery is taking responsibility and owning up for your mistakes. So...HERE I GO AGAIN!
The "key for me", I think, might be to review the posts here before I head out on weekends or days off and right before heading home for work - DAILY and consistently! I'm sure that if I bring my intentions top of mind before going near any temptation it should reinforce my efforts. I really need to STOP!
I truly enjoy reading these posts and hearing about your successes and milestones along the way.
I will open this board before leaving for the day and I will check back in once I'm "safe at home base" to report my clean slate and New Day ONE alcohol-FREE. (I WILL get this!)
Have a wonderful day everyone!
Carole 5 -
@Walela617 not admitting in here doesn’t hurt anyone but you!! Hugs to you if I could!! The key is try try again!!! You’ve got this!!!!❤️3
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@Walela617 I agree with Renae. Keep trying. Even a few days AF at a time is better than 7 days a week drinking. Little by little you are making progress!!! Never stop posting and sharing. It really helps all of us. Sending hugs. I applaud your honesty too!!3
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My fresh, new Day ONE!💞
Safe at Home Base!
10/22: 001 day AF
Thanks so much for your supportive words of encouragement! I'll never give up trying! 💗
Here are my latest chosen milestones:
Have a nice night!🌟2 -
@Walela617 thinking of you this morning. And @RubyRed427 is correct, each day you don't drink is better on your body than drinking everyday.
@xbowhunter great words of wisdom!
@RubyRed427 can't wait to hear how you celebrated your 30!
The next 3 days for me are dedicated to honey-do's. Feeling optimistic that these days will be overly productive due to no hangover effects!2 -
I am a day behind @RubyRed427 so today is my day 30. I haven't lost weight because my sweet tooth is absolutely raging, missing it's nighty wine, but that is OK. Ice cream is better for me at this point. I will deal with the eating later. Observations at 30 days:
WAY better sleep
glowing skin
happier with my husband
saving so much money
ability to remember what happened the day before, what the TV show was about, etc
waking up without shame, regret, anxiety out the wahzoo...etc.
knowing I am able to respond to a 2 am emergency without alcohol in my system. I have a daughter with 3 little children as well as an elderly mother. I need to be available.
I admit I do miss it sometimes but really, if you just surf the craving it does go away. No drink is worth resetting my alcohol clock to day one. Dr appt tomorrow with blood work. I hope my liver enzymes have returned to normal. I will know about that next week.
The support I get here is wonderful. Thank you to all!3 -
Good morning! Happy 1 month Sunny Days!! So happy for you.. for us!
Nothing new to report here. I feel like Sunny Days that I do not want to reset my clock to day 1 ever again. It's a power deterrent. I play the record forward. Nothing has changed. One drink leads to many and it never quenches my desire.
Stats:
31 days sober
My app says $877.15 saved
61 hours saved4 -
@renae149 Enjoy your three productive days hangover free!2
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SunnyDays930 wrote: »I am a day behind @RubyRed427 so today is my day 30. I haven't lost weight because my sweet tooth is absolutely raging, missing it's nighty wine, but that is OK. Ice cream is better for me at this point. I will deal with the eating later. Observations at 30 days:
WAY better sleep
glowing skin
happier with my husband
saving so much money
ability to remember what happened the day before, what the TV show was about, etc
waking up without shame, regret, anxiety out the wahzoo...etc.
knowing I am able to respond to a 2 am emergency without alcohol in my system. I have a daughter with 3 little children as well as an elderly mother. I need to be available.
I admit I do miss it sometimes but really, if you just surf the craving it does go away. No drink is worth resetting my alcohol clock to day one. Dr appt tomorrow with blood work. I hope my liver enzymes have returned to normal. I will know about that next week.
The support I get here is wonderful. Thank you to all!
Excellent progress. Once you break the grip of the poison your life will take a dramatic change for the better! 5 -
Safe at home base!
10/23: 002 days AF
I "entertained the notion" going home today, but fortunately, I don't have any $ to go drinking. I was so relieved when I got home! 💗
I can appreciate the "ride it out" observation. So true! That goes for eating too, I find.
Have a nice night everyone!4 -
SunnyDays930 wrote: »I am a day behind @RubyRed427 so today is my day 30. I haven't lost weight because my sweet tooth is absolutely raging, missing it's nighty wine, but that is OK. Ice cream is better for me at this point. I will deal with the eating later. Observations at 30 days:
WAY better sleep
glowing skin
happier with my husband
saving so much money
ability to remember what happened the day before, what the TV show was about, etc
waking up without shame, regret, anxiety out the wahzoo...etc.
knowing I am able to respond to a 2 am emergency without alcohol in my system. I have a daughter with 3 little children as well as an elderly mother. I need to be available.
I admit I do miss it sometimes but really, if you just surf the craving it does go away. No drink is worth resetting my alcohol clock to day one. Dr appt tomorrow with blood work. I hope my liver enzymes have returned to normal. I will know about that next week.
The support I get here is wonderful. Thank you to all!
So happy for you @SunnyDays930 !!! And more truer words have not been spoken when you say "just surf the cravings". Can't wait to hear a great Dr. report for you next week!4 -
Safe at home base!
10/23: 002 days AF
I "entertained the notion" going home today, but fortunately, I don't have any $ to go drinking. I was so relieved when I got home! 💗
I can appreciate the "ride it out" observation. So true! That goes for eating too, I find.
Have a nice night everyone!
Great way to take it one moment at a time @Walela617 !! Win! Win!! And I need to take your advise to apply everything here to food! That is the one addiction I can't just quit and have to learn moderation with....4 -
Yesterday was so productive!! The dog woke me up about 12:30. Tried going back to sleep until about 1:30 but couldn't shut my mind off. Soooo, I was painting a room by 4am...
Got a couple of fall deep cleaning items knocked off my list. Still have a long list to go but thankful that I have the energy to do them!
AF Day 5 in the books! I am the only thing in control of my life.5 -
Yesterday was so productive!! The dog woke me up about 12:30. Tried going back to sleep until about 1:30 but couldn't shut my mind off. Soooo, I was painting a room by 4am... Got a couple of fall deep cleaning items knocked off my list. Still have a long list to go but thankful that I have the energy to do them!
AF Day 5 in the books! I am the only thing in control of my life.
Nicely done! 3 -
Day 32 AF - getting a bit easier.4
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Last night the hubs came home from work and had what sounded like a trying day. His first reaction was to grab a beer. I went and grabbed my wine glass with water and orange and we sat on the patio and talked it out. Now, "normally", I would open a bottle and join him and that would be the evening. Instead, he drank his beers and I continued with 2 bottles of Perrier. Then I proceeded to get up and patch walls in the room I am painting then made supper. And feeling great this morning!
The feeling of accomplishment, both with the things I am getting done and staying AF, is amazing! Glad to hear from all of you that have made it farther than me! Definitely helps keep me going. After last Friday's debacle, I vow to make better choices tonight...
Day 6 in the books... Nothing changes if nothing changes.4 -
I had my last Dr.s visit yesterday with my dear Dr that will be moving on to something new. For 9 years she has been hearing me lament about my drinking habits. I was so proud to tell her yesterday I was 31 days AF. I told her about my liver pain and she said we will see what the bloodwork shows on my enzymes, then get a sonogram on it if it is high, but she did not seem too concerned. She said it was probably swollen from too much alcohol but has most likely gone down with complete abstinence. I'll post results when I get them. Day 32 AF today.4
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@renae149 That sounds like a perfect evening!! It must have been so nice to drink Perrier and yet get some more painting done. That probably would not have happened if you had the wine. Building "muscle" memory one day at a time. Congrats on day 6!2
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@sunnydays930 I'm happy you had the appointment and now you just have to wait for test results. I'm sure they have improved since your last blood work! Congrats on 32!
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Good morning friends! Mornings are the best! Waking up with no guilt or shame. Having coffee without nausea. No quick trip to mcdonalds for something to soothe a hangover before work.
It's 33 days for me.
Today, I'm going to plan my weekend fun. I don't have to fear being on the couch nursing a headache. I can do anything I want. 2 -
Still AF Strong.
@Walela617 you've shown amazing success being AF for so long in the past, you will succeed again and do ever better. From what I read, a few lapses and relapses are normal and typical. I've messed up dozens of times and the more I failed myself, I saw how important it was to not get down about it, accept it as part of the process, but get up fast, shake it off, and get right back to business asap and never look back.
@RubyRed427 I feel the same - don't want to go back to day 1 Ever and start from scratch. Confessing I do have great fear of Day 1. And yep, life is better on the AF side for sure.
I read 38% of American adults don't drink alcohol at all (2023 survey, likely not exact). We're not alone!!1 -
Hi everyone,
@globalhiker, many thanks for your encouraging words and great advice!
@SunnyDays930, very best wishes on being pleasantly surprised once your receive your test results!
@renae149, WOW, you're doing wonderful and getting so much done! I agree that it's really challenging controlling food intake because like you say, unlike alcohol, we can't quit eating! You've got the most important part down so far, staying alcohol-FREE! I think I've been overeating lately for comfort (in place of drinking), but I will make a greater effort with keeping calories at 1,350-1,500 per day going forward. I will find other, non-food sources for comfort. We can do it!
@RubyRed427, CONGRATS on your 33 days! That's GREAT!
I've been lax in reporting over the past few days but holding steady.
10/25: 004 days AF
The app I use to count sober days, "Sober Time", doesn't count the AF day number until midnight (my start time) on the following day; so it awarded my three-day milestone on Friday, October 25th. That's okay; the actual number is not as important as staying the course, because it's all about staying alcohol-FREE for GOOD!
I have been overeating for the past few days, however, so I need to get a handle on that as well. I'm not looking forward to my next weigh-in, but I will report honestly on my other boards and call "Do-Over"! (Wednesday is only 9 weeks until January 1st. 2025, and I hope to lose at least 9 lbs. by then.)
I will switch my weigh-in days to Wednesdays. That will give me a few days to make up for this week's overdoing it. After January 1st I will go back to weighing in on Sundays.
I will count the day number in the evening when I am home for the night.
I will go back to daily reporting tomorrow.
Have a great weekend!
💗 Carole5 -
I too have been eating too much. With abandon actually. I will get back on track today though I am having a football party tomorrow afternoon. I will make a veggie tray that no one will eat but at least I will. Now if I could not eat the wings etc, it will be a miracle.3
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34 AF
Feeling good. Just don't want to break this streak, so I won't. Got my Food & Wine Magazine in the mail. Thought the pies looked good on the cover and ignored the wine glasses.
Nearly finished listening to "The Easy Way" by Alan Carr. I have 1.5 hours to go. It's monotonous but I think that's on purpose. They keep saying you are not missing anything when you don't drink. Most people on the planet are non drinkers. Basically, you have to say to yourself why would I want to drink? Why would I want to injest that poison?
Quote from the book: It's a highly addictive drug that tastes foul and will shorten your life. A drug that will destroy your nervous system, your confidence, your courage, your ability to relax?
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55 AF days done. Today is AF. Off to the gym I go to start the day de-stressed.
Enjoy your weekend AF!3 -
Have fun at the football party, @sunnydays930! You GOT this! 💞
Congratulations on your 55 days, @globalhiker!
You too, @RubyRed427! I look forward to getting to 33 straight days alcohol-FREE!🌻3 -
Though my liver enzymes are a bit high, they are in the high-normal range. This motivates me to stay AF. Day 34 today.3
