Hello everyone!

Stacyanne324

I am new to the group, happy to be here, and wanted to say hello! My name is Stacy. I am a 38 year old stay at home mother of three (ages 2,4, and 6) . I have been drinking since I hit college and haven't looked back (except during my pregnancies and even then I'd have the odd glass of wine or single beer). I have tried to cut down many times but haven't ever been successful for long if at all. Lately, I have been really looking at my relationship with alcohol and all that it costs me and I've decided I need to stop drinking. It has caused me to gain a lot of weight, I am not as present for my kids as I want to be and should be, and it costs us too much money when we already have enough debt to tackle. And then there is how terrible I feel a lot of mornings.

Over the weekend I read Allen Carr's Stop Drinking The Easy Way ...twice. It really hit home and sunk in. Saturday night I had my last drink(s) and haven't looked back. I'm only a couple days in but so far it's going better than i expected and I definitely owe it to the book. Normally if I try to abstain a day I fret all night about not drinking and I'm miserable. Right now I feel great and haven't been tempted. I can't believe it and I hope it lasts! I know the road probably won't always be easy but I'm confident I can do this and I'm happy to have others along for the ride!

mistyladidah

Hi! Welcome to the group! Besides our age being different, I could have written your first paragraph! What was your poison? I had my last for a long while back in August, and it's been awesome! I don't intend to have any for a few more months. Are you drinking anything to substitute?

Stacyanne324

Thanks!!

Back when my husband and I were first dating and married my poison was Jack and Coke. Since becoming a Mom I mostly switched to beer before and after dinner and wine with. Every now and then a rum and coke but not very often. I'm not really drinking anything as a substitute persay...just what I would normally drink when it wasn't time to start drinking alcohol (meaning it wasn't 5pm yet).. iced tea, coffee, maybe an odd diet coke, and water.

mistyladidah

Ewwww Jack! :noway: I was a Jim girl myself back in the day.

Stacyanne324

LOL!!

jplord

Hello Stacy,

WElcome and thanks for the book tip - I've never heard of it but will now look it up.

I stopped October 7. So far so good. I think we were in similar places. I loved alcohol in all it's tasty forms. grew up in a family that made drinking a social ritual and topic to be knowledgable about. Now I see that for me, personally, I crossed the line and my relationship with alcohol was stronger than my relationship with my 4 daughters and wife. Recognizing that (and going on a spontaneous binge that nearly killed me) was the motivation to quit.

Today I feel good. I hope you do too.

Fitorbust73

Hello,

I am 53 days with out alcohol... I didn't drink during my pregnancies but I sure made up for it after.... I realised how damaging it was for my kids to see me drinking everynight and for the first time since uni I stopped drinking (besides pregnancy). I feel so much better... I dont know if this is a for now thing or a forever thing... Just taking it day by day!! Hang in there!

Stacyanne324

Hello Stacy,

WElcome and thanks for the book tip - I've never heard of it but will now look it up.

I stopped October 7. So far so good. I think we were in similar places. I loved alcohol in all it's tasty forms. grew up in a family that made drinking a social ritual and topic to be knowledgable about. Now I see that for me, personally, I crossed the line and my relationship with alcohol was stronger than my relationship with my 4 daughters and wife. Recognizing that (and going on a spontaneous binge that nearly killed me) was the motivation to quit.

Today I feel good. I hope you do too.

Hi there!! I'm glad you found the motivation and the book is definitely worth checking out. I loved it but my husband not so much so it may depend on the person. But for me it was definitely key and I'm feeling great!

Stacyanne324

Hello,

I am 53 days with out alcohol... I didn't drink during my pregnancies but I sure made up for it after.... I realised how damaging it was for my kids to see me drinking everynight and for the first time since uni I stopped drinking (besides pregnancy). I feel so much better... I dont know if this is a for now thing or a forever thing... Just taking it day by day!! Hang in there!

Hey! I'm right there with you!! I'm not sure this is forever either but I do know that I need to take a good long break and get away from the cycle I was in and get this weight off me. I know if I have a drink anytime soon I'll fall right back into that pattern and I'm not willing to let that happen.
And it's definitely helping that I feel wonderful since I've stopped and the scale is starting to drop down.

janellep1966

Hello to All

Stacy thanks for the recommend on the book.. will see if the libary has it ... I certainly need some HELP!!! I have been drinking a bottle of wine every night for years... funny how it creeps up on you started with a just a glass then two now at a place that my Relationship is with the my big Red and Not my gorgeous son.

I am hoping that with some support on MFPal some healthy lifestyle changes I too can be successful as you all have been.

I llok forward to finally saying to myself you feel wonderful!!! Will let you all know how I travel

Cheers