Hey friends! Nothing new to report- still sober 50+ days.. I lost track. My goal is to get to November 5 which would make 2 months. And I inadvertently am doing sober October so that's good. @FeelinFooFoo Keep on going!! No matter what anyone else says. I agree with what someone said that when people question our goals to keep sober, it makes them take a look at their own dinking patterns. Typical behavior. Just keep laser focus on your goal- your body, brain and mind will thank you. And your skin too!
I read "Mrs. D goes without". It was great!
Typical sober evening is filled with hours and hours of free time. Tonight, I went to the trainer. Baked cookies and banana bread. Worked on my puzzle. Took a bubble bath. Cooked ahi tuna for myself with peas. And a few more things. Seriously, it's amazing what you can accomplish while sober. I am no longer wasting my time sitting on a bar stool, and then coming home for more booze. I am no longer tired early in the evening. I have a lot of energy most nights.
Still craving once in awhile. But it is getting a little bit less.
Looking forward to a tasty dinner (Spagetti Bolognese & a few cheeky slices of garlic bread ❤) and a cup of herbal tea for after and some fruit. Trying to eat better as suggested by Bex in SS. I knew i had to clean up my diet, but Bex has given me that extra needed push to do it.
Last night (Friday), my husband was drinking bourbon. He normally doesn't overdrink at all, but I felt like he was pushing it a bit last night. I didn't say anything, but I thought to myself, "Yeah, I remember when I started drinking right after work and pretty much drank until bedtime. Glad that's over with." I think it might have been the first time I was truly happy not to be drinking and not wishing I could join in at all. It was just something to observe. Day 118 today. I'm saying that as a point of reference for when that non-regretful feeling happened. I'm finding it an interesting experience to just observe how this all progresses.
Oh, and I had a virtual check up with my GP yesterday. It was so nice to be able to tell her I quit drinking and to report my weight loss (26.2 lbs. since July 5). @FeelinFooFoo, I've found that not drinking has sort of automatically shifted me into healthier eating, except for the occasional craving for an ice cream bar, which I never ate before. I do indulge that craving when it happens.
Thanks to those recommending Bex Weller. I just watched the video about sobriety vs moderation. Wow that was super motivating and really resonated with me. Happy Weekend y'all. Americans, don't forget to VOTE!
It is a beautiful fall day here in the Midwest. Happy Halloween! I do remember Halloween nights when the kids were little. They would go trick or treating with my husband and I would keep sneaking drinks out of our liquor cabinet.
Today, I will be sober. I do not miss those morning headaches or queasy stomach. It is getting easier, little by little, to abstain. I am pretty determined to get to two months on Nov. 5th. That will be the longest streak in the last two years.
@FeelinFooFoo sounds like the Bex program is all around excellent! 7 days is fabulous. @donimfp congrats on the weight loss too. Yes, now I look at others who are drinking and think , I'm happy I won't wake up feeling yucky. @JenT304 Love sharing our sober journey together. @MissMay I also check your thread. Both threads give me motivation.
I cannot say I will never drink. I am learning to just drink moderately.
I'm planning to complete this 90 days alcohol free just to REALLY give it a go. I plan to see how I feel and make a desicion afterwards. I am pretty scared but also excited to see how I feel after 3 months completely free of alcohol. It's nerve wracking and exciting at same time!!
You can do 90 days easy. They say it takes 30 days to break a habit. After 90 days you will feel soooo much better and see the positive effects from not drinking you will not want to go back
Love seeing your posts. The profile pic is so pretty!
Last night (Friday), my husband was drinking bourbon. He normally doesn't overdrink at all, but I felt like he was pushing it a bit last night. I didn't say anything, but I thought to myself, "Yeah, I remember when I started drinking right after work and pretty much drank until bedtime. Glad that's over with." I think it might have been the first time I was truly happy not to be drinking and not wishing I could join in at all. It was just something to observe. Day 118 today. I'm saying that as a point of reference for when that non-regretful feeling happened. I'm finding it an interesting experience to just observe how this all progresses.
Oh, and I had a virtual check up with my GP yesterday. It was so nice to be able to tell her I quit drinking and to report my weight loss (26.2 lbs. since July 5). @FeelinFooFoo, I've found that not drinking has sort of automatically shifted me into healthier eating, except for the occasional craving for an ice cream bar, which I never ate before. I do indulge that craving when it happens.
That's fantastic weight loss results you have had. You should be really proud! Yeah I guess by putting the drink down, you are already focussing on health, so it makes sense that naturally you would be thinking more mindfully about food choices too.
I am trying to strike a good balance between being more mindful, and at same time, being kind to myself especially right now so I am allowing some dark chocolate tonight (a few squares of 70% or something, instead of what I actually had planned for celebrating Halloween prior to trying to quit drinking again......was gona DEFINITELY have a bottle of wine plus a couple of beers, a Chinese takeaway + starters + order dessert from a local sweet shop and if I'm being really honest, there would have also been more snacks involved!) Quite fitting it's Halloween cos looking at that list makes me wana S.C.R.E.A.M 😂😱🤯 no wonder I have felt so run down and tired.
Instead of all that booze & food, I'm going with my brother soon to super market, picking up a pumpkin to carve (if any leff) buy ingredients for a healthy mint choc chip smoothie (recipe on SS website) and some lemons for my new morning drink warm water and lemon....and dark choc. Gonna sit and watch some horror movies together and do that instead of me ending the evening with my head down the toilet. Sorry for the visual, but I need reminding. !
It just occurred to me I did Sober October! A few of us have!
I think on @MissMay 's thread, she posted " A November to Remember" is next.
One of the negatives of being sober is isolation. I just don't feel like going to friend's house for football party. Or out after work for happy hour. I am slowly moving out of my isolation though.
I don't think I shared this on here. If I did, please forgive the repetition. A couple of weeks ago we had a particularly stressful bit of drama at work. As I left at the end of the day, one of my colleagues said, "Go home and have a drink." I don't know why, but I said, "Yeah. I would, but I quit drinking in July." Another colleague piped up, "Well, we'll soon fix that!" Everyone including me laughed. It just made me realize I'm looking forward to our first happy hour together (The bars still aren't opened because of pandemic). That's when they'll see I'm serious. Of course, I know none of them would have ever suspected alcohol was even an issue for me. I typically had one drink at HH. But then I drove home and polished off plenty more. I'm actually thankful that COVID has given me time to get my bearings before having to socialize, but now I'm at the point that I'm looking forward to it.
Happy Halloween, everyone!
Oh, speaking of colleagues, here's a funny story that has absolutely nada to do with alcohol, so don't read unless you just want an extra laugh. One of my co-workers (in fact, the one who said they would "fix it") came in last Monday and said over the weekend she and a girlfriend ran some errands. At one crowded store, her friend let her out to run in while the friend circled in the parking lot. My colleague came out, saw her friend's candy-red Lexus, threw her bag in the back seat, hopped in the front seat, and they took off. She said she vaguely noticed her friend's jeans. They left the parking lot and stopped at a red light. My colleague commented that the store was surprisingly not too crowded. At this point, she and the driver (an unfamiliar man) looked at each other and screamed. She said, "I thought you were my friend!" He said, "I thought you were my wife!" He immediately took her back to the store and they both apologized profusely. I had to wonder if I, or my husband (!) would ever be that unobservant. I've been laughing about that all week.
@donimfp a few weeks back I was dealing with a lot of work stress and I knew I was stressed cos I was being really absent minded and just not my usual self. Anyway, I had called a taxi to pick me up from train station.....a car pulled up and I walked away over, opened the back passenger door and tried to get in and thought " how am I supposed to sit in here, with the seats down ??" Then it clicked as the driver looked at me, puzzled.....This isn't a taxi, is it?? Just somebody parked up to pick thier friend or relative up!
That's never happened to me before and it was pretty mortifing once I realised what had happened ! 😆
This is a great thread and I'm glad to find it. Last night my daughter shared a story with me about an incident that happened this week with a woman we know who had been "taking care of" her x-boyfriend. They lived in separate apartments in the same building and although the boyfriend relationship was over, she could not let go of feeling that she was responsible for his health. (She had not discovered al-anon) She came home late from work and thought to check on him but decided to wait until the next morning. The next morning she discovered that in a drunken stupor he fell, hitting the corner of a glass table with his head, and died. The funeral was yesterday and such a sad story for all, the man, the woman, his two children and many more. Alcoholism destroys so many lives, it's not just about me, when I drink. I know I use food the same way I used alcohol, but we CAN DO THIS. We can get healthy and have joyful lives.
@donimfp hahah very funny story- I laughed out loud about the car mix up.
On Friday, one of my teacher friends whom I do know likes to drink a lot said to me, "I think today we ought to go to happy hour after work!". I think she was fishing to see if I'd bite. I didn't really say much but just smiled. If I would have gone I am SURE I would have had some wine and ruined my streak.
So, I understand how your colleagues suggested happy hour after work- it seems like the perfect way to end the week- and I am like you - at home afterwards I would have polished off plenty more.
This is a great thread and I'm glad to find it. Last night my daughter shared a story with me about an incident that happened this week with a woman we know who had been "taking care of" her x-boyfriend. They lived in separate apartments in the same building and although the boyfriend relationship was over, she could not let go of feeling that she was responsible for his health. (She had not discovered al-anon) She came home late from work and thought to check on him but decided to wait until the next morning. The next morning she discovered that in a drunken stupor he fell, hitting the corner of a glass table with his head, and died. The funeral was yesterday and such a sad story for all, the man, the woman, his two children and many more. Alcoholism destroys so many lives, it's not just about me, when I drink. I know I use food the same way I used alcohol, but we CAN DO THIS. We can get healthy and have joyful lives.
Welcome to our thread!! We are in this together. Very sad tale about the ex boyfriend. I am positive it happens dozens of time in a day all over the world. It is so tragic.
I remember watching a youtube video made by a young man who filmed his mom drunk lying on the floor of their house. HE was narrating it and talking to her. She was saying I can't get up and I dont want to. The young man was quite calm because he has seen this happen every damn day. He said his dad also enables his mom to drink because Dad is an alcoholic too. That sad image of a drunk mom lying on their floor is seared in my mind.
I saw a tweet on twitter that said right now 50 million people are drinking in the world. (Friday night tweet). Someone replied about what you miss from begin sober (like vomiting, hangover, embarrassment, memory loss). Then, I saw one reply that said "My mom is drunk now." and I figured it was a young person just sharing the pain on twitter. The comment was short but heartbreaking.
Finally, into double figures ! Honestly, I just can't wait to reach 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks. Cos I know how amazing I start feeling at that point, SIMPLY by not drinking.....
Early to bed tonight. Meant to do some more de cluttering tonight but I'm listening to my body, it's tired. (Although I may suffer insomnia as iv quit nicotine again and it tends to mess with my sleep for a few days but I'm so tired. I hope I sleep). 😴
Another sober first: a very important presidential election. I do know that if I were drinking, I'd be drinking a lot. I'm thankful I won't be drinking on election night--either to drown my sorrows or to celebrate. Bed with a good book and herbal tea will make this much more healthy for my body, mind, and spirit than the way I spent the last 3 elections. Let's commit to good self care on Nov. 3.
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Huge well done on your 50+ days 💖💜🎉
YESSS! A whole week without booze 😍
Looking forward to a tasty dinner (Spagetti Bolognese & a few cheeky slices of garlic bread ❤) and a cup of herbal tea for after and some fruit. Trying to eat better as suggested by Bex in SS. I knew i had to clean up my diet, but Bex has given me that extra needed push to do it.
Hope everyone has a lovely weekend 🤗
Last night (Friday), my husband was drinking bourbon. He normally doesn't overdrink at all, but I felt like he was pushing it a bit last night. I didn't say anything, but I thought to myself, "Yeah, I remember when I started drinking right after work and pretty much drank until bedtime. Glad that's over with." I think it might have been the first time I was truly happy not to be drinking and not wishing I could join in at all. It was just something to observe. Day 118 today. I'm saying that as a point of reference for when that non-regretful feeling happened. I'm finding it an interesting experience to just observe how this all progresses.
Oh, and I had a virtual check up with my GP yesterday. It was so nice to be able to tell her I quit drinking and to report my weight loss (26.2 lbs. since July 5). @FeelinFooFoo, I've found that not drinking has sort of automatically shifted me into healthier eating, except for the occasional craving for an ice cream bar, which I never ate before. I do indulge that craving when it happens.
Today, I will be sober. I do not miss those morning headaches or queasy stomach. It is getting easier, little by little, to abstain. I am pretty determined to get to two months on Nov. 5th. That will be the longest streak in the last two years.
@FeelinFooFoo sounds like the Bex program is all around excellent! 7 days is fabulous.
@donimfp congrats on the weight loss too. Yes, now I look at others who are drinking and think , I'm happy I won't wake up feeling yucky.
@JenT304 Love sharing our sober journey together.
@MissMay I also check your thread. Both threads give me motivation.
Love seeing your posts. The profile pic is so pretty!
That's fantastic weight loss results you have had. You should be really proud! Yeah I guess by putting the drink down, you are already focussing on health, so it makes sense that naturally you would be thinking more mindfully about food choices too.
I am trying to strike a good balance between being more mindful, and at same time, being kind to myself especially right now so I am allowing some dark chocolate tonight (a few squares of 70% or something, instead of what I actually had planned for celebrating Halloween prior to trying to quit drinking again......was gona DEFINITELY have a bottle of wine plus a couple of beers, a Chinese takeaway + starters + order dessert from a local sweet shop and if I'm being really honest, there would have also been more snacks involved!) Quite fitting it's Halloween cos looking at that list makes me wana S.C.R.E.A.M 😂😱🤯 no wonder I have felt so run down and tired.
Instead of all that booze & food, I'm going with my brother soon to super market, picking up a pumpkin to carve (if any leff) buy ingredients for a healthy mint choc chip smoothie (recipe on SS website) and some lemons for my new morning drink warm water and lemon....and dark choc. Gonna sit and watch some horror movies together and do that instead of me ending the evening with my head down the toilet. Sorry for the visual, but I need reminding. !
Happy Halloween ! 🕷🕸🦇🧡💚🖤
I'm also doing the sparkle experiment, I'm on day 3 ! I'm enjoying it 🙌💖💫
I think on @MissMay 's thread, she posted " A November to Remember" is next.
One of the negatives of being sober is isolation. I just don't feel like going to friend's house for football party. Or out after work for happy hour. I am slowly moving out of my isolation though.
Happy Halloween, everyone!
Oh, speaking of colleagues, here's a funny story that has absolutely nada to do with alcohol, so don't read unless you just want an extra laugh. One of my co-workers (in fact, the one who said they would "fix it") came in last Monday and said over the weekend she and a girlfriend ran some errands. At one crowded store, her friend let her out to run in while the friend circled in the parking lot. My colleague came out, saw her friend's candy-red Lexus, threw her bag in the back seat, hopped in the front seat, and they took off. She said she vaguely noticed her friend's jeans. They left the parking lot and stopped at a red light. My colleague commented that the store was surprisingly not too crowded. At this point, she and the driver (an unfamiliar man) looked at each other and screamed. She said, "I thought you were my friend!" He said, "I thought you were my wife!" He immediately took her back to the store and they both apologized profusely. I had to wonder if I, or my husband (!) would ever be that unobservant. I've been laughing about that all week.
That's never happened to me before and it was pretty mortifing once I realised what had happened ! 😆
On Friday, one of my teacher friends whom I do know likes to drink a lot said to me, "I think today we ought to go to happy hour after work!". I think she was fishing to see if I'd bite. I didn't really say much but just smiled. If I would have gone I am SURE I would have had some wine and ruined my streak.
So, I understand how your colleagues suggested happy hour after work- it seems like the perfect way to end the week- and I am like you - at home afterwards I would have polished off plenty more.
Welcome to our thread!! We are in this together. Very sad tale about the ex boyfriend. I am positive it happens dozens of time in a day all over the world. It is so tragic.
I remember watching a youtube video made by a young man who filmed his mom drunk lying on the floor of their house. HE was narrating it and talking to her. She was saying I can't get up and I dont want to. The young man was quite calm because he has seen this happen every damn day. He said his dad also enables his mom to drink because Dad is an alcoholic too. That sad image of a drunk mom lying on their floor is seared in my mind.
I saw a tweet on twitter that said right now 50 million people are drinking in the world. (Friday night tweet). Someone replied about what you miss from begin sober (like vomiting, hangover, embarrassment, memory loss). Then, I saw one reply that said "My mom is drunk now." and I figured it was a young person just sharing the pain on twitter. The comment was short but heartbreaking.
Finally, into double figures ! Honestly, I just can't wait to reach 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks. Cos I know how amazing I start feeling at that point, SIMPLY by not drinking.....
Early to bed tonight. Meant to do some more de cluttering tonight but I'm listening to my body, it's tired. (Although I may suffer insomnia as iv quit nicotine again and it tends to mess with my sleep for a few days but I'm so tired. I hope I sleep). 😴