The Sober Squad- Alcohol Free Living

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

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!

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 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

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.

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.

@Ed_Zilla Way to go!! That was one well deserved Nestle Crunch!!

Ed_Zilla wrote: »

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.

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.

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?

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.

Beka3695 wrote: »

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 pass

@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!!

@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

@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!!