SOBER CHALLENGE (Ongoing quest to be Alcohol-FREE!)

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Sober Discussion (Ongoing)

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  • RubyRed427
    RubyRed427 Posts: 4,501 Member

    Day 2 AF done! I was tempted and my hubby did have a few glasses. But I am starting to get a cold, so I just didn't feel like it.. On to day 3 tomorrow. Congrats on day 004 Carole!

    Let's just take it one minute at a time. That's what I'm doing. I just can't keep yo-yo-ing. It's all or nothing for me. Sleep well!

  • RubyRed427
    RubyRed427 Posts: 4,501 Member

    Day 3 AF done. Tomorrow, we are going out. We shall see.

    I had a terrifying sleep last night; so much violence and fear in my dreams. I also couldn't sleep for three hours. I even meditated for 30 min. before bed, read a book and did yoga. I will need to do a digital detox; I am reading news articles that are terrifying me. And then, I can't sleep because I keep overthinking. I may take a Lorizapam tonight just to get one good night this week.

    Goodnight friends!

  • SunnyDays930
    SunnyDays930 Posts: 1,743 Member

    @RubyRed427 I need a digital detox too. The news is terrifying.

    We just finished "Life on our Planet" on Netflix. It is visually stunning and overwhelmingly beautiful. It was a nice diversion from everything else out there.

  • RubyRed427
    RubyRed427 Posts: 4,501 Member

    @SunnyDays930 One of the sweetest, amazing shows I have seen is "Love on the Spectrum" on Netflix. It's so well done - about autistic people trying to find love.

    3 AF

    1 A

    But today I had two white claws. Not bad- but not AF. We went out to our usual place and it's a habit to order something.

  • LowTechForever
    LowTechForever Posts: 356 Member

    Another round of family birthday celebrations over the weekend derailed me but I am back on the wagon. Thank you everyone for posting here.

  • RubyRed427
    RubyRed427 Posts: 4,501 Member

    @LowTechForever I'm happy you to see you. Have a great day!

  • RubyRed427
    RubyRed427 Posts: 4,501 Member

    I've fallen off. Darn! I had three days AF and 2 days A. And with the holiday weekend coming, I don't know if I have the fight in me to be AF. Hope you are all doing better than me.

  • Walela617
    Walela617 Posts: 1,197 Member

    Hi everyone,

    I'm so happy you all are still here and hanging tough. Once again, I too, have lost my way along the sober path, but regained my footing as of yesterday morning.

    On Thursday and Friday, I "checked out" and practically went off the deep end with eating and drinking. Fortunately, I didn't miss work, but people were asking me if I was "okay", including my manager and her manager, who appeared to observe me closely a couple of times. I can't risk my job - I need to pull it together and take better care of my health and finances!

    I have decided to begin my count again on Earth Day, Tuesday, April 22nd. Yesterday, today and tomorrow will be a "detox and reflect" period for me.

    I am boycotting the news feeds for now. It's making me crazy!

    I will check back in on Tuesday, when I resume my official count, naming Earth Day as my Soberversary. Every time I resist, I will say a prayer for our Earth and everything good within it, including all of YOU! If I remember to do this, reach and every time I "entertain the notion" to (you know), I know I can have the strength to keep going.

    Best to all of you and have a peaceful day!

    💗 Carole

  • RubyRed427
    RubyRed427 Posts: 4,501 Member

    @Walela617 I can relate in so many ways. I was thinking about you and am so happy you are back. I like that you are starting fresh on Earth Day.

    Yes, I have to take a news detox often. I get all caught up and feel hopeless.

    It's good to hear from you. Happy Easter!

  • Walela617
    Walela617 Posts: 1,197 Member

    Happy Easter to you too, @RubyRed427!

    20250316_110447.jpg
  • RubyRed427
    RubyRed427 Posts: 4,501 Member

    @Walela617 What beautiful flowers!

  • SunnyDays930
    SunnyDays930 Posts: 1,743 Member

    I hope those that celebrate had a beautiful Easter. Mine was very non traditional. My daughter and grandkids were away so after church my husband and I took his 94 year old father out to lunch. He is such a light eater that we decided a traditional buffet was a waste (not to mention highly caloric) so we went for sushi which was really fun, not crowded, and delicious.

    I was AF yesterday. One day at a time.

  • SunnyDays930
    SunnyDays930 Posts: 1,743 Member

    Carole, we have ALL been there.

    I was just reading an article in The New York Times about being "sober-ish". That is a slippery slope for me for sure. I think drinking in moderation is great for people that don't have alcohol use disorder. For those that have it…..I'm not sure this is possible. The age old debate.

    I'm as big as a bus. I am going to make a big pot of that famous diet cabbage soup and try to eat mostly thing for a while. I can't do that 100 %, I would be bored to death, but will eat some fruit and lean meats and try to eliminate carbs. My hip pain returned with the weight gain. That needs to go.

  • LowTechForever
    LowTechForever Posts: 356 Member
    edited April 24

    Hello everyone, I am still here and back on the AF bus. I just need to stop getting off it before the final destination! Anyway, I’m settled in my seat for now.
    Best wishes

  • SunnyDays930
    SunnyDays930 Posts: 1,743 Member

    LTF…yes, get off before the final destination. I look at my drinking like an elevator. I had better get off before it goes down to the basement.

    I'm going back on semiglutide for weight loss but it actually really curbs my drinking too. Win Win.

  • Walela617
    Walela617 Posts: 1,197 Member

    Hi everyone; so I'm back. Doing good on foregoing alcohol, but my eating has been off the charts!

    That changes NOW. My weight this morning read 161.4 - that's the highest it's been in awhile; so I've got to get my act together and be more consistent with tracking and intentional physical activitiy. I have been walking more, but the benefits have been canceled out by excessive food intake!

    @SunnyDays930,"Semiglutide" - is that an injection? I go for my annual physical on June 26th. At my last doctor's appointment on March 17th, their scale read 159. I pledged to my doctor that I would lose at least 10 lbs. by my physical. If I lose 2-3 lbs. by May 1st and average one pound down for each week thereafter, I should be able to do it. I'm going to try to keep my daily intake at about 1350-1400 calories. If I do that, plus walk at least 150 minutes per week and throw in some dance videos, etc., I should be able to get there! Someone else has used the elevator analogy as well. It's Belle Robertson, the lady who wrote "Tired of Thinking about Drinking" - a very good book!

    https://a.co/d/ioYbHvp

    I have naltrexone that's supposed to inhibit alcohol cravings. The thing is, I don't really crave alcohol. I just do it for socialization. I've got to find a healthier way to socialize, like coming here and reading your posts.

    @LowTechForever I know exactly what you mean. I've got to stay on the Sober Bus too! It's URGENT!

    Have a nice evening. I will try to be more consistent about checking in daily.

    AF since 04/22/25 (2 days completed)

  • SunnyDays930
    SunnyDays930 Posts: 1,743 Member

    @Walela617 Yes semaglutide is the generic name for Wegovy, Ozempic etc.

  • Walela617
    Walela617 Posts: 1,197 Member

    Hi everyone,

    Thank you @SunnyDays930, I would love to take something to suppress my voracious appetite, but I think they won't prescribe it unless your BMI is at a certain level, but I could be wrong.

    AF since 04/22/25 (3 days completed)

    Best wishes for your weekend!

    💗Carole

  • Walela617
    Walela617 Posts: 1,197 Member

    Hi everyone,

    Happy Weekend!

    AF since 04/22/25 (4 days completed)

  • Walela617
    Walela617 Posts: 1,197 Member

    Happy Sunday!

    AF since 04/22/25 (5 days completed)

    Screenshot_20250427_104349_Sober Time.jpg

    Enjoy your day!

    💗 Carole

  • SunnyDays930
    SunnyDays930 Posts: 1,743 Member

    I have reset my NOMO clock after quite a bit of chardonnay yesterday. I started my semaglutide and am recommitting to good health. Wish me luck. Thank you for your support.

    Carole, 5 days AF is awesome!

  • Walela617
    Walela617 Posts: 1,197 Member

    Hi everyone,

    Very best wishes @SunnyDays930!💞

    AF since 04/22/25 (6 days completed)

    Screenshot_20250428_185906.jpg

    Lots of walking today, but I need to do better about going to bed on time!

    Have a great night

    💗 Carole

  • RubyRed427
    RubyRed427 Posts: 4,501 Member

    Hi Friends,

    I am resetting my clock (for the millionth time) but it was a special occasion and although it was fun while it lasted, last night's sleep was horrible. Today AF. Had a little bit of chocolate and my new friend, club soda, hit the spot.

    Congrats Carole on day 6. WOW, that must feel good.

    Happy to be on this journey with you, Low tech forever, and Sunny Days and all our other posters.

  • Walela617
    Walela617 Posts: 1,197 Member
    edited April 28

    Hi @RubyRed427! Great to hear from you. That's okay; we can take as many "do-overs" as necessary to get where we need to be. It's totally not worth slipping up, but how many times have I asked myself "Why???" How many times have I pledged, "Never again!" More than I'd like to admit, that's how many! This is a judgement-free zone!

    I found an AF brand beverage called "Recess" at Target and it's really good and all natural! They have mocktails too, though I haven't tried those.

    https://www.amazon.com/stores/DrinkRecess/page/665AD15B-D650-498F-AFE9-3F230EF4F05D?lp_asin=B0CW3QFY7F&ref_=cm_sw_r_apann_ast_store_QSE06JK7FPY8XYF9BATR&store_ref=bl_ast_dp_brandLogo_sto&dplnk=Y&dplnkId=37ae91d0-7d61-44af-9e94-c5879c904978&tag=mshop-android-tmobile-ampd-all-phone-pre-us-20

    (Hoping the above link works so you can find out more.)

    Have a nice night! 💞

  • RubyRed427
    RubyRed427 Posts: 4,501 Member

    Those look great Carole! I will try them some time.

    It feels so good to be sober. And for five minutes, it feels good to have that wine, and then the compulsion hits. It's relentless. It's a miracle that I don't binge every day, but even one day a week of binging is too much. I slept so poorly. My poor little heart beat was at 84 bpm all night -without alcohol it's typically 74 bpm. That is so scary to me.

    Thanks for sharing about Recess. I love the colors, too.

  • SunnyDays930
    SunnyDays930 Posts: 1,743 Member

    I am on day 2 AF too and though I did not sleep very well, at least my heart wasn't racing. My mood is so much brighter when I haven't been drinking. It is so obviously a poison to me and like Ruby, once I start I cannot stop. I just can't have the first one because it won't be the last.

  • Walela617
    Walela617 Posts: 1,197 Member

    Hi @RubyRed427, I'm "safe", as long as I don't have that first alcoholic beverage! That is the key and I know it, but sometimes the safety switch goes off. I need to be 100% aware of when I'm talking myself into it before I make the decision to have a drink! I have the power. It's my decision.

    I'm the same way with heart rate, except my resting heart rate is usually in the 60's. My blood pressure goes "through the roof" for a few days after a binge. Not good!

    Hi @SunnyDays930, I'm glad you're starting to feel better again! I'm the same way about not stopping at just one (or two, or three, or)…it's toxic to me also. I can't handle it as well as I could when I was younger, even though I didn't handle it very well then either! @RubyRed427, I hope you're feeling better too and getting enough rest!💞

    AF since 04/22/25 (8 days completed)

    Screenshot_20250429_093736_Sober Time.jpg

    My allergies have really kicked in now, but I don't care... It finally looks and feels like SPRING in Boston! 🌷

    I have two weigh-in days for two different challenges: Thursdays and now Sundays. I think I'll be pleased with tomorrow's weigh-in, because I've done a LOT of walking this week!

    Have a nice night. I will check in tomorrow!

    💗 Carole

  • LowTechForever
    LowTechForever Posts: 356 Member

    Hello everyone, I’m still here and trying to stay AF. I have given myself a severe talking to and have found some more quit lit to read. I’m hoping to rack up a good few days from now on.

    Congratulations Carole @Walela617 on your latest sober streak!

    @RubyRed427 and @SunnyDays930 I totally get not having that first drink. I regret it almost immediately but the damage has already been done! I aim to exercise more mind control.

    Best wishes

  • Walela617
    Walela617 Posts: 1,197 Member

    Hi everyone,

    Thanks so much @LowTechForever, welcome back! Glad you're hanging in there!👏

    AF since 04/22/25 (9 days completed)

    Have a great night!

    💗 Carole

  • RubyRed427
    RubyRed427 Posts: 4,501 Member
    edited May 2

    @LowTechForever @Walela617 @SunnyDays930

    I'm hanging in there. Last night, I limited my alcohol to 2 glasses over 4 hours. I slept very well. I was so tired when I went to bed because of work and errands. That helps my sleep.

    Congrats Carole on 9 days completed. xo

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