Today's My Big Day

[Dee]

Hi everyone.:new: I have been reading the posts for a few weeks so I feel like I already know so many of you. I finished reading the book last week and I started listening to the CD's a few days ago. I set my official start date for today even though I started taking my vitamins and listening to the CD's last week. As of today, I am going to abstain for 30 days and then see where I want to go from there. I don't want to completely abstain from drinking long term. I would just love to be able to have 1 or 2 glasses of wine in the evening instead of 1 or 2 bottles.I'm a flight attendant and I'm nervous about making it through the layovers because it's really hard not drinking with the crew after a hard day's work . I've decided to not do the Topamax. I just really don't like medications. They usually affect me quite negatively.So today is my first day of 30 of not drinking and I leave for a 4 day trip tomorrow so wish me luck. I quit smoking on Sept 7 last year so at the end of my 30 days, I will have 2 reasons to celebrate--30 days without alcohol and 1 year of not smoking. How cool would that be!!!!!!!! I am looking forward to getting to know some of you and getting and giving lots of support here. Can anyone tell me how to start a meter so that I can track my alcohol intake?:thanks:

[YoungAtHeart]

Today's My Big Day

Welcome Dee

Hi Dee!

Good luck as you begin your journey! You have a drink counter right here on the site, and you can make it public or private, just as you wish! Just go to the bottom of the topics page and there is a category called "Tools", there is a drink counter under that. It is pretty self explanatory.

Congratulations on almost a year not smoking. You can let go of the drinking too. Maybe if you listen to your hypno tapes during layovers or think of something else to do that will help.

Again, good luck and welcome!:welcome:

Kathy

[mountainmama]

Today's My Big Day

Congratulations!!!

:good: Hi Dee~

So happy that you are here. I know how hard it can be to change old patterns, especially when around those that expect you to act or behave a certain way. Much of my habit, I believe, stemmed out of feeling anxious or nervous in social settings. Sometimes had to have one before going out, just so I could have fun, and that sort of thing. Yikes, to admit that out in public, but I know that I am not alone here, and appreciate that feeling so much.

I am proud of you for deciding to go abs for the 30 days. I am also contemplating that, myself, since moderation has not been going so well. Guess I always have been the all or nothing type in that regard. I am going to follow suit with the smoking, as well. "I only smoke when I drink", but when I drink everyday, that pretty much makes me a smoker, right? right.

I will be rooting for you, little lady. I could just sense how excited you are about this by reading your post. This site is sooooo amazing. I am also looking forward to making some friendships and having some support, so its cool that we are starting at about the same time. If you need any encouragement, I'll be here for you!!! Good luck, and we'll all be here pulling for you!!! :welcome:
:l Krystal

[Newyear]

Today's My Big Day

Krystal.....

I quit smoking Jan1 2006. I was just fed up with it- but quitting was not easy.
But I wanted to mention that one reason I looked for a site to help me with drinking was that I found a great site that helped me quit smoking. It is a little similar to this site in that it is very supportive but in case you're interested I thought I'd pass it along it is www.quitnet.com I actually got involved with a study they were doing and had calls from someone to help me with quitting.
I started trying to quit in August....really quit in Jan.
Anyway- good luck if you decide to try quitting.

Smoking and drinking just kinda go together though....it was hard to drink every night without smoking but I managed!!
terrible but very true...
Lisa

[Dee]

Today's My Big Day

Hey Everyone. Thanks for all your kind words, encouragement, and advice. It's funny that you mentioned the quit smoking board, Lisa, because that's exactly the reason that I found My Way Out also. I used a similar board, it's www.network54.com. It was a major tool in helping me to quit smoking so when I decided to tackle this drinking problem I googled to see if I could find an "alcohol support board" and one thing led to another and here I am. I am so thankful that we live in this era where we have so many tools right here at our fingertips. If you think about it, we really don't have many excuses to fail at anything that we wish to take on. I'm so glad I found this place. I know it's going to make a world of difference for me.

[deanie]

Today's My Big Day

Hi Dee,

Welcome. I have been doing mods now for 32 days. This site has been inspiring and humbling. I must say it is a safe place to vent, talk and learn from others. I have to travel periodically for work and I will be going away at the end of the month, first time since starting. I am a little concerned. Lots of alcohol at our meetings. I always had a glass of wine in my hand at the dinners and mixers. I haven't given much thought yet how I will be handling it. I have not drank Monday thru Thursday or Friday since starting mods. Then only once "blew" it. I have been trying to have only two glasses of wine on Saturday night. So far, pretty good. This national meeting is Monday thru Thursday, so I am not sure if I will have one or two glasses or abstain some nights or abstain completely. You got me thinking about it. I guess what I am trying to sort out here, is if you have a plan before hand you will be in a better shape. On your layovers, you may want to make time just for you. Shopping, museums, site see, work out in the gym, get a massage, go for a walk, see a movie, you get the picture. We are all pulling for you!

Peace,

Deanie

[Newyear]

Today's My Big Day

Hi Deanie-

I travel for meetings sometimes too for work and I work in a very social/drinking rich environment so I think know what you are talking about. I know you didn't ask but can I make a suggestion? I would suggest abstaning completely. I was in the same situation a few months ago at a meeting and for two nights I did really well - 1-2 glasses of wine. Then because I was doing so well.....I kinda let myself go and let myself say yes to one too many.
I tend to worry a lot anyway about what I say when I drink but when combined with work it is 10 times worse. Anyway- thought I'd share. Hope you have great trip and hope it goes well whatever you decide to do.
Lisa

[alexc]

Today's My Big Day

Hi to everyone,

I am kind of a newbie. I posted on this site months ago and had a two week stint of abs on the programme (without the topa) but life events got in the way. I separated from my partner (we have a baby) and my father died suddenly. Needless to say my coping skills are not great and I reached for the bottle.....

Am going to start the programme again soon. In the middle of a custody battle and I am telling myself to get that out of the way before I start again.. Hoping to do 30 days with meds and all the bells and whistles and moderation after that. Have moved house due to the separation and hoping to create a new space and life.

Reading others' stories makes me all the more determined to do this properly. I am just having problems getting topa as I don't have a doctor who is sympathetic in Sydney and who won't dob me in, so to speak.

Am going to keep on posting and hope to meet some wonderful people..

Good luck

[Dee]

Today's My Big Day

Okay..So Far So Good

About 15 minutes after I got into my hotel room, one of the girls from my crew called to see if I wanted to meet downstairs for a drink. :upset: I declined and made myself a Diet 7 Up and Crystal Light concoction that I brought from home. It's really yummy.I have to admit, I reaaaaaly wanted to go... Deanie, those were some really good suggestions. I guess that's what it's going to take. Replacing all of my "fun" drinking time with "fun" something else. And Lisa, I have to agree with you. I think that at this new stage especially that we should just keep ourselves away from the temptation. At least, I know that for me, That's what I have to do because I CAN'T HAVE JUST ONE ..or 2..or even 3 most times. I reaally want to get to that point more than anything. I have so much willpower in other areas but this one has torn my confidence in my will power to shreds. I quit smoking last September and I made a vow to myself that I would not gain weight. Almost a year later, I have lost 10 pounds because I workout like a fiend. How's that for willpower? However, when I go rounds with the wine, the wine wins EVERYTIME!!!!!!!!!! I am so tired of being defeated, humiliated and controlled by something that can't even move,talk or think. The last 2 days without anything to drink has actually felt really great (although I can just taste it sometimes). Oh and get this...I had to make people drinks on the flight all day.. That wasn't cool....:upset: It's really nice to be able to come here and spill my thoughts. It puts things more into perspective. Now that I really think about it, today was a great day. All of those temptations and I'm going to bed now without a drop of alcohol in my body. Night Night.....:heart:

Dee

[trishinnebraska]

Today's My Big Day

Great Job, Dee!

I applaud you! It's one thing to decline to join your friends after a long day - that was hard I know - been there. But to have to make drinks for folks all day as part of your job and still decline - that takes real will power! I can tell - you're going to make this work!:good:

[gateway]

Today's My Big Day

you people are doing a great job. my hat is off to all of you. keep up the fabulous work.

[deanie]

Today's My Big Day

Hi Dee,

Your are amazing. Great job. I totally forgot about how you have to make people drinks all day. That is some sick joke!! I read with interest the suggestion to just do abs while I travel. I may do that. It would certainly solve alot of my problems. I can just blame it on "dieting" to discourage constant comments. I will plan my course of action before I go. So at least I have a plan. Dee, hang in there. Let us know how you are doing. I think you are my idol.

Peace,

Deanie

[chrisnewbeginning]

Today's My Big Day

Yeah! Hang in there!

I have set my start date for week after next, too many distractions before then. Keep checking in, I want to hear how you are doing, I am not certain about taking the meds or not, so am interested in your experience without.:good:

[Dee]

Today's My Big Day

Well I have made it to almost a week but it has not been easy. Having no alcohol at all on my trip was similar to torture and then I got home Friday night and threw myself a real party--A PITY PARTY. Yesterday being my first Saturday without drinking was a real bummer too. Now the good news--today has been a walk in the park. I was really thinking that every day for 30 days was going to be torture and I was worried that at the end of it I would want to down a couple of bottles of wine as my reward (which of course would totally defeat the purpose). I'm really hoping that I will continue to feel like I did today(at least on most days) and that by the time I reach Sept.7, it will seem normal to go for a few days without drinking at all. I'm also hoping that I will be totally satisfied with 1 or maybe 2 glasses. Although I have been feeling so anxious because I'm not drinking, I love the way I feel otherwise. I can't believe how alert I feel all day long. I'm enjoying not waking up groggy and spacey. I have been drinking a lot of ginger root tea and doing some other things to try to detoxify my system and I have noticed that my stomach feels happier too. I know all too well though how this works because when I quit smoking it came in waves. So we'll see what happens next week. I may be ready to tie a noose around my neck again by next weekend.Thanks for all the support . You guys are all awesome. Good luck to us all..........

[sujul]

Today's My Big Day

Hey Dee--A belated welcome! I just saw your thread here and wanted to say congratulations on getting through this past week--and also say we'd love to hear from you on the monthly abstinence board--we "abbers" post on a daily basis--no matter how many abs days we already have under our belts or how long we plan on being abs... jump on in any time you want!

Of course, this goes for everyone else who is trying to do some abs time--we'd love to see you there! It's a great group and you'll find lots of loving, gentle support and encouragement--not to mention inspiration!

It has totally saved my life to be here!
:l
susan