Momof3 has 4 years af!!!!!

[mario]

Momof3 has 4 years af!!!!!

Well done mom of 3, You where and are a great inspiration to me when I started of on my journey,well done and thank you for being still here sharing and helping everyone.great achievement x

[Marshy]

Momof3 has 4 years af!!!!!

Fantastic, well done!

[BlondeAFAmbition]

Momof3 has 4 years af!!!!!

WAY TO GO MOMOF3!!! You continue to inspire us all. THANK YOU!!!

[momof3]

Momof3 has 4 years af!!!!!

In case any of you need any more encouragement to stop drinking for good, here are a few accomplishments I have achieved over the course of 4 years.

Completed my first marathon
Have run in several races
Lost over 20 pounds
Went off anti-depressant and anti-anxiety medication
My brain works better--memory, processing, focusings, etc.
Feel stronger, healthier, and happier than I have in years
Became a better mom and role model to my girls and just a more pleasant person to be around
Ramped up my business and made more money
Joined a wonderful church community
Made some awesome new friends (whose lives don't revolve around drinking)
Became less angry and impulsive (wow, didn't realize how much of a role alcohol played in my being an angry, impatient, and resentful person). I am a more emotionally mature person now. I think alcohol plays a huge role in stunting emotional growth.
No longer feel shame and guilt (well maybe just a little because I am Irish and raised Catholic). Seriously, this was huge. The shame that I felt over my drinking held me back in so many ways
I no longer feel like a victim and I don't let anyone mess with me (i.e., by being disrespectful, manipulative, dishonest, etc.).
Developed more patience, compassion, and understanding (alcohol made me very self-centered)
Have tons of energy that I use in constructive ways (except I spend way too much time on the computer)
Became a certified yoga teacher
Teaching yoga part time

I never realized how much alcohol messed with my brain chemistry and robbed me of reaching my full potential. It is a slow, subtle, and progressive disease that snuck up on me so gradually that I did not realize that it was sucking the life out of me.

When I first quit, I felt so deprived because I was no longer able to drink. I look at it differently now. Alcohol was depriving me of who I could truly be.

M3

[Kaslo]

Momof3 has 4 years af!!!!!

Congratulations M3! I have been travelling and working and not near the computer much the past few days, but I wanted to say that when I first came on here in April of last year with three months under my belt YOU were one of the people who really told the absolute truth. I used to read your posts and look at your avatar, and be totally inspired. So thank you. You have helped SO many people.

Kaslo

[momof3]

Momof3 has 4 years af!!!!!

You INSPIRE ME Kaslo. Your super-intelligent, no nonsense, honest, and thought provoking posts are so helpful to me. M3

[mama bear]

Momof3 has 4 years af!!!!!

Mom
you have insired me so much and I appreciate your support...I wanna be just like you some day, except for maybe the marathon part!!
Mama

[FlyAway]

Momof3 has 4 years af!!!!!

When I first quit, I felt so deprived because I was no longer able to drink. I look at it differently now. Alcohol was depriving me of who I could truly be.

What a great way to think of it! We get deprivation thinking when we quit, thinking that we're missing out by being without alcohol, but we're really missing out when we drink alcohol. I love hearing how exercise and nutrition made a difference in your life.

Congratulations Momof3!

[Unwasted]

Momof3 has 4 years af!!!!!

M3, thanks for posting about what you've been doing the last 4 years. Absolutely amazing and what a testament to the rewards of being sober. You can't imagine how inspirational your story is to those of us just starting out.

[mylife]

Momof3 has 4 years af!!!!!

Momof3 - thanks for the quiet inspiration. You have been so firm in your committment and a wonderful example of the rewards an AF life can bring. Thank you! :goodjob::goodjob::thanks:

[momof3]

Momof3 has 4 years af!!!!!

Unwasted;1301656 wrote: M3, thanks for posting about what you've been doing the last 4 years. Absolutely amazing and what a testament to the rewards of being sober. You can't imagine how inspirational your story is to those of us just starting out.

I see it is almost 6 months for you Unwasted. That is awesome. You are well on your way!!!

Mylife. It was really helpful to write about my story here and reflect on my 4 years. Reaffirms my commitment to never having a drink again.

[Wildflowers]

Momof3 has 4 years af!!!!!

Thank you for taking the time again to offer those of us who are new or may be still struggling encouragement! I found this too be so encouraging that I printed it. So when tempted I will have one more piece of real life evidence, to prove to myself, that a life without alcohol is much more rewarding! I just have to continue to remind myself as I continue to feel better, that there were so many bad times with alcohol. My mind sometimes seems to have a built in forgetter.

Congratulations On 4 Years Again & Thank You For The Encouragement & Inspiration Momof3!....