Day 31 and Beyond: Hello, I'm a non-drinker

[meditation mama]

Day 31 and Beyond: Hello, I'm a non-drinker

I'M STILL HERE!

OMG.. would I have been bummed if I had blown it last night... I would have felt like I had let you all down. I will never let myself get that close again.

THANK YOU GUARDIAN ANGEL!!!!!!!!!!!!

:bow :bow :bow

MM

[Noelle]

Day 31 and Beyond: Hello, I'm a non-drinker

WTG Believe!!!!! That's what you have to do sometimes, let go of the people that have drinking as their only connection. That's hard, so good job! Being on Xbox live is better than sitting at a bar. (Although my daughter's boyfriend sorta disappeared into it when Halo II came out, so you don't want to fall into that all the way. LOL)

Your drinking friends will be disappointed because you have escaped their drinking life, something they probably don't like as much as they think they do.

Again....WTG!

[Noelle]

Day 31 and Beyond: Hello, I'm a non-drinker

MM, I'm glad you're still here too. That was a close call last night! :**

[Thankful]

Day 31 and Beyond: Hello, I'm a non-drinker

Hi everyone!!

MM ~ so happy your crisis was avoided! Good job!

Livinglost ~ welcome! Stay with us ok? I'm glad you find some hope in this thread. Wonderworld is so wonderful for starting this. She has helped more people than she probably realizes.

Noelle ~ stay strong. We are in this together.

Believe ~ I also agree with Noelle. Your friends might not be mad you quit drinking, they just might be jealous that you were able to. And don't you worry about the stigma with adults playing video games. I know someone who went to college for about 20 yrs. I swear I'm not exagerating. They finally got their PhD and now work for NASA with a massive salary. He spent/spends all his free time playing video and on-line games! When I hear moms complain about their kids playing video games all the time, I tell them to relax. They could be raising little rocket scientists! :H

Love to all.

Love, Me
:l

PS - just discovered I miss counted my AF free days :upset:. Thought Superbowl Sunday was day 40 and it was only day 39!! Ok, no drama. I was only off by 1, but it was in the wrong direction darn it!! ops!:

[BELIEVE]

Day 31 and Beyond: Hello, I'm a non-drinker

Noelle;277733 wrote: WTG Believe!!!!! That's what you have to do sometimes, let go of the people that have drinking as their only connection. That's hard, so good job! Being on Xbox live is better than sitting at a bar. (Although my daughter's boyfriend sorta disappeared into it when Halo II came out, so you don't want to fall into that all the way. LOL)

Your drinking friends will be disappointed because you have escaped their drinking life, something they probably don't like as much as they think they do.

Again....WTG!

Lol Thanks Noelle! pretty much EVERYONE (including me) disappeared when Halo 3 came out. Now its all about Call of Duty 4 though. But I agree its better doing that or going to the gym or whatever then sitting around drunk and doing nothing...now THATS a waste of time!

[BELIEVE]

Day 31 and Beyond: Hello, I'm a non-drinker

Thankful;277768 wrote: Hi everyone!!

MM ~ so happy your crisis was avoided! Good job!

Livinglost ~ welcome! Stay with us ok? I'm glad you find some hope in this thread. Wonderworld is so wonderful for starting this. She has helped more people than she probably realizes.

Noelle ~ stay strong. We are in this together.

Believe ~ I also agree with Noelle. Your friends might not be mad you quit drinking, they just might be jealous that you were able to. And don't you worry about the stigma with adults playing video games. I know someone who went to college for about 20 yrs. I swear I'm not exagerating. They finally got their PhD and now work for NASA with a massive salary. He spent/spends all his free time playing video and on-line games! When I hear moms complain about their kids playing video games all the time, I tell them to relax. They could be raising little rocket scientists! :H

Love to all.

Love, Me
:l

PS - just discovered I miss counted my AF free days :upset:. Thought Superbowl Sunday was day 40 and it was only day 39!! Ok, no drama. I was only off by 1, but it was in the wrong direction darn it!! ops!:

I think one of them may be jealous Thankful, he's always talking abot how he can and will stop...just for a week or a few days or whatever. Unfortunatley I don't think its in the cards for him. Much better to be 37 and gaming than to be 42 and be where he's at. You know where he's at is pretty scary when viewed through sober eyes! Plus most people don't even think I look like I'm in my 30's (thats what they say anyway) , and he's aging pretty badly...sooner or later certain lifestyles will catch up with us.

Congrats on your AF time BTW!

And MM, BIG congrats on not drinking! Sounds like you had a close call but alls well now

[livingfree]

Day 31 and Beyond: Hello, I'm a non-drinker

Joining up here

Hello all - I'm :jumpin: in with you on this great thread. I'm 55 days AF today and I really need some friendship (:h Thankkful) I know this journey is better traveled together.
Liv

[BELIEVE]

Day 31 and Beyond: Hello, I'm a non-drinker

WHats up LF! 55 days is awsome, good job. Nice to have you along! We have quite a crew here and Wonder has started quite a thread...you're right its cool to have lots of people to mob through this together

[meditation mama]

Day 31 and Beyond: Hello, I'm a non-drinker

Welcome, LF!!! Glad you have joined us.

OK, guys... I need input...

I feel like I am going crazy the past few days. As you know I had my little blip - almost drank (whew), got through that. But I am still feeling very anxious. The last few nights I have been eating more than usual (whaa). It is a craving type eating. I ate two pieces of pizza last night AFTER I ate my little Chef's Diet dinner (still dieting). I have lost 12 pounds, but it has stalled because I have not been able to stick to my diet completely the past week. Popcorn, eating out - just getting back to my old ways.. I do know I am under a lot of stress right now, so I am TRYING to give myself the benefit of the doubt (I tend to be so hard on myself), but I really feel like these are CRAVINGS. I was wondering if anyone else is going through, or has gone through this lately?

I sure hope so...

xoxo

MM

[livingfree]

Day 31 and Beyond: Hello, I'm a non-drinker

Carb Watch

Thanks Believe! Looking forward to finding OWO toghether!!

MM Funny this subject should come up. I GAINED 4 pounds in the past 2 weeks. So much for the topa effect. I thought I'd been eating so healthy?? Maybe just to much volume!!:H In my snowy part of the country I just think winter is getting to long. You know - to many days without sunshine makes one eat more. February bla's. Plus - now that we aren't drinking all that "sugar" we are going to have to go on CARB watch. Should we go on a carb watch together MM? You know nothing big - just report here if we kept our carbs in check? I don't want to gain more weight! I had already gained 10 pounds over the past 6 months the way it was! (Stress, lack of exercise, eating out more, etc)
Ok - I'm on carb watch for this afternoon :specs:
Liv

[wonderworld]

Day 31 and Beyond: Hello, I'm a non-drinker

:H :H on carb watch!! Count me in. I agree- winter gets me craving more carbs.

As far as anxiety MM and craving. No magic answer here of course - but what pops into my head - have you tried opening an L-Glut capsule and disolving under your tongue? I know that taking it in that way when a craving hits (for me sugar and alcohol cravings are similar) can kill it quick. As far as anxiety, or stress, that's a trickier thing to address, I guess. Especially with someone as self aware as you.I don't know anyone who works as hard at it MM.

I think it's a natural reflex to ask "what am I doing wrong?" when I feel anxious or uncomfortable. But this thinking can lead to painful self-judgment, perfectionism and more neurosis. And it turns self-realization into an annoying "project". It's the notion that the feeling needs to be "fixed" that's problematic (I know you know this). It is what it is. And it's just a feeling, as powerful as it may seem in the moment. And yet, you need, want and deserve relief!

I think being a sober alcoholic (AF problem-drinker, whatever), is learning to relax and live a happy life despite the fact that a loaded gun is pointed at your head. Dramatic okay, but true. And So, if you add to that early sobriety, MAJOR life changes (excuse me - moving and ending a relationship!), and the pressures of being a single Mom and a business owner, well, c'mon!!!! Transitions are so anxiety producing, even in the best circumstances.

Be gentle with yourself MM. Don't be mean and tell yourself you "should" be feeling anything else than what you are right now. It's just intense emotional energy - get it out! Cry. Exercise. Put on loud music and dance. Hit a pillow. Anything but drink. Don't let your anxiety erode your confidence or your resolve. Don't interpret it as doubt. Don't abandon yourself because you feel squirrely. You know what to do. It's all about the love. You're awesome. You are a fierce female who is engineering some serious changes for the better in her life. Keep walking! Don't buy into those old tapes. They're played out. In the garbage please!!!!!!!!!!!!


I think we REALLY try to "figure things out" MM, in an attempt to move on. It's also okay to NOT know. Sometimes (often!) just getting through the feelings sober IS the process. There's always something good, some small (or enormous) McNugget of wisdom, waiting on the other side.

I'm with you all the way MM, and I can post all day and night if necesary -

Off to read more and catch up-
WW xx

[BELIEVE]

Day 31 and Beyond: Hello, I'm a non-drinker

MM I think those vravings you speak of are just a natural part of dieting. Don't be too upset over them, they just kinda come with the territory. The fact that you're not drinking is the most important part, you know? 2 pieces of pizza is nothing compared to getting drunked up, so really, you're still doing good.

I'm curious, do you have your cheat meal once a week? They really help, they give you something to look foward to each week, and they don't affect your progress if you keep your diet clean the rest of the week. I ususally cheat with a whole pizza , 4 of those cinnomon dessert pizzas (love those things) and a few cokes with no problems. I dunno, just a thought!

Anyway just keep up the good work staying AF, thats a HUGE accomplishment that keeps the doors open for lots of other positive things to come into your life :goodjob:

[BELIEVE]

Day 31 and Beyond: Hello, I'm a non-drinker

Oh yeah when counting y'alls carbs don't forget the King (Arnold's) quote: "Calories are consumed in the furnace of the carbohydrate". An imbalaced approach to marconutrient intake will severley hamper your metabolism. Believe me I know!

[wonderworld]

Day 31 and Beyond: Hello, I'm a non-drinker

Okay sorry that last post was really long! Just wanted to say a quick hi to everyone else too.

Hey Livingfree ! - woo hoo on those 55 days !!! Glad you jumped in. Such a nice crowd here. Hope to hear more......

WW xx

[wonderworld]

Day 31 and Beyond: Hello, I'm a non-drinker

Believe are you saying to not NOT eat carbs? I'm just not clear