kcn2bluesky Member

Congrats on 38 days, Stephanie! A month AF is a big accomplishment!. I don’t think about alcohol every day. Sometimes I go for weeks and it doesn’t cross my mind. But then if I’m super stressed, and generally over-tired, it pops back into my brain. I’m a little over 2 years AF, and I’m comfortable remaining that way the…

Hi, Everyone! Count me in as another person grateful to be AF, especially during these crazy and unprecedented times we are living! As we were taking stock of food and supplies we have at the house, and figuring out what we need to get our family through for a few weeks, I found myself so grateful to have quit drinking in…

Thank you! I thought I wanted to be AF for years, but that just wasn't true. I wasn't ready for whatever reason. I tried moderation, but always escalated back to drinking 1-3 glasses of wine most nights of the week. I found moderation attempts to be riddled with failure & guilt. Committing to AF was the path for me. Thank…

Hey, Everyone! Popping my head up to say hi and hope everyone is doing well with their goals! Hope you get well soon, @RubyRed427! A few days ago, I hit 2 years AF :smiley: I looked back at my journal entries for that first month...the Less Alcohol thread started by @RubyRed427 was instrumental in getting me started on…

That's awesome, @lorrainequiche59 ! I think you'll enjoy having a creative outlet. I hope you'll let us know the outcome of your new adventure! Thanks! I wasn't exaggerating when I said it took me years to get around to redoing that room. There just never seemed to be time, and I never made it a priority. It has been so…

It's sure quiet around here! What is everyone up to? Any strategies for the holidays that you find particularly useful? This will be my 2nd holiday season AF. I thought it would be tough last year, but it really wasn't. I declined offers for glasses of wine, and that was pretty much it. Lots of pre-worrying for nothing!

I find this to be so true as well! It is much more difficult to make new friends as adults. I'm thinking of taking some quilting & knitting classes, which might open some opportunities to make friends. @RubyRed427 I liked the article you linked to. Personally, I am finding I have so much more time for creative pursuits and…

Hey everyone! Just checking in at the start of day 655 AF. There is something really good in every single day. :smile: My family, friends, and co-workers make me laugh : I see a lot more humor in life these days My home is cleaner than it's ever been : I have a lot more energy these days I've completed projects around the…

Thank you for your posts, ladies! I really needed these today :heart: Jen, I love the way you phrased how we can become acutely aware of having fewer tomorrows than yesterdays. I regret the many ‘yesterdays’ I squandered. You wrote exactly how I was feeling. I think we can only work to make the tomorrows better. Lorraine,…

Hey, everyone! The thread has been quiet, although I still pop in here just about every day. I enjoy reading how everyone is doing on their journeys, which also helps me stay focused on mine. I'm at exactly 1 year 6 months of AF today! I had been feeling a bit sad lately. I just turned 56 this past Wednesday. Not that I…

I would recommend not over-thinking it :smile: Do what works best for you! I do my workout first thing in the morning ~5am. I have a protein shake while I'm getting ready for work because it helps me hit my protein goals for the day and because I'm not usually hungry for actual food that early in the morning. I do…

Thank you for your kind comment, @donimfp! I like how you phrased it as a "reset". Yes, that is what it is, isn't it? After decades of routinely drinking, I do feel reset. AF is my new normal! No one around me expects me to be drinking anymore, not even when we go out for lunch at our favorite micro-brew eateries, not even…

Hey Everyone! Just checking in at 16 months AF! I haven't counted days for a while now, but every once in a while I check to see how many months I happen to be at and today is 16 months exactly :smile: For everyone just starting out...put your seat belts on! Your life will change in so many positive ways. My life has…

I had no idea these other nut butters and butter blends existed until this thread! I picked up a jar of almond + cashew butter yesterday. You guys just rocked my world! :lol:

Fun! I came close on a few items, but was far enough off on many others that I'm thankful for my food scale and that we only eat out one meal a week :lol:

I always read it that way too! :lol: 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…

I experienced this as well when I stopped drinking any alcohol in Jan 2018. For a few months after quitting alcohol I ate a dessert type item every day. I gained ~5 pounds over the course of the past year, but I'm still within a few pounds of my maintenance range, so I'm not worried at all and am working now on losing…

@size102b I'm 55 and felt the same way about lifting at the gym! I've been a runner for ~10 years, primarily half-marathon and marathon distances but felt I really wanted to improve my overall fitness and aesthetic. It really can be so intimidating to start lifting! What I did was start with StrongLifts 5x5. I read through…

Congrats on 1 year, @salleewins !! That is a huge accomplishment!

Thanks for the book referral, @lorrainequiche59 ! I will check out the website and book today when I have a few moments. I've rediscovered a love for reading...sitting quietly for at least 30 minutes a day, and just reading for pleasure. I used to read quite a bit many years ago, then life seemed to get so busy and I never…

Good morning! The books I ordered from Amazon have arrived and they are so awesome I want to share with everyone! Thank you to @Fitness327wk for the recommendation! Both of the Flow books are workbooks with insightful essays followed by activities that are perfect for anyone that loves doing any kind of craft. The books…

Thank you so much for the book reference! I just popped over to Amazon to check it out and it really resonated with me as something I would love to do. It's now on it's way to me, along with a couple other items from the same publisher. Thanks again!

This is a journey and there isn't anyone that doesn't stumble in one way or another along the way! Having some drinks isn't a failure, it's just part of the journey. You'll feel better in a day or so and continue back on your journey :smile:

My daughter and I saw big needles like that at the store the other day! That's wonderful that you created a lovely, useable gift for your daughter! It will be treasured, I am sure!

We use Duolingo too! My hubby, daughter, and I are using it to learn Spanish. It’s a great little app! Regarding keeping busy.....I think this is so important. In the past year, I have completed several knitting and sewing projects that languished for years, unfinished. I find that having a cup of tea in the evening and…

Happy New Year, everyone! I’m a year into being AF and wow this feels good! I started this journey spontaneously a year ago as we were headed out for vacation, and I’m so thankful for that spur of the moment decision. I spent the first weeks of 2018 allowing my body to heal, and I spent the rest of the year healing my…

@lorrainequiche59 Since this is your friend, and you are approaching this from a place of genuine concern, I would bring it up with her once. Then let it go. What she does with the information is up to her. How she reacts to what you say is up to her. Yours might just be the voice she needs to hear! I also think you do…

I had 4 or 5 bottles of wine in the house when I quit drinking in January. I kept them around for ~6 months and then put them in nice gift bags and gave it all away to friends as a "just because" gift. My friends liked the wine and it got them out of my home, so a win for everyone :smile: I did receive one little Baileys…

Congrats and Happy Birthday! You are inspiring!

Hey All! I woke up this morning and am 11 months AF today! Life is so different for me from a year ago and I will never go back. There have been moments recently where I thought it might be challenging to be AF (Thanksgiving was a big one!). Every single time I've been worried, though, it turned out to be nothing at all.…