ODAT - Friday

[patricia]

ODAT - Friday

Hi everybody

I've found these posts really useful - Cinders - thanks for explaining. When my brain trys to say okay tonight I'll try and remember it's the damaged part of the brain that's telling me its okay - thanks so much. Tylyr and Clockworkorange (and anybody else) lets all pull together and win this just one day at a time - it would be absolutely brilliant to give our bodies time to heal - one side effect over the years has been that I am nervous to go away from home on holiday - I do go but not without struggling - when I'm drinking I also hate meetings and don't like to commit myself to anything - I see others drinking far more than me and I wonder how they do it but know that they're not me and probably they don't drink five nights out of seven. Mstall, I'm also hoping to lose weight. I stopped drinking a few years ago for about a year and lost l.5 stone. I've now put that back on. Everytime I stop - even if it's just for a month then I lose weight. I'd lay odd on that everybody else does as well?

I read earlier on one post that Failure Is Not An Option and that the more we try then we are more likely to succeed in the end.

Px

[DancingGirl]

ODAT - Friday

Good Morning All,

Yes - those "witching hours" (a good way to put it) are the real problem. I think the first step is just to recognize them for what they are (as you have already done, Patricia, Tylyr and Clockworkorange) - name the beast in order to vanquish it! Fabulous advice from Cinders and of course Anders is spot on.

My struggle is still around 4:30-5pm, after I finish work (if I'm working at home) or when I come home (if I'm working at the office). Just yesterday, I found myself in a great debate inside my head while on the bus (well maybe I can have 1 or 2 today; I am "modding" afterall; I didn't drink yesterday; why not? etc etc). Part of the answer is with the question - so why do it? How is "just one" going to enhance my evening? Then I bring in my small arsenal of avoidance tools - have a glass of something else "first" (often by the time I've finished, the moment of craving has passed); eat something that doesn't go with wine at all; brush my teeth (toothpaste and wine - yuck!); do something outside of the kitchen (ideally outside the house). I also take a childish joy in putting a zero in the Drink Tracker at the end of the day (go figure, but whatever works...), so I remind myself about that.

Hang in there fellow strugglers! Join us for an AF day. Way to go on 8 days, Mstall! Good luck on a string of "yellows" Bessie.

[Guitarista]

ODAT - Friday

Hi all.
Tylyr, I found i had to really work on my thinking, and attitude to booze, and always keep in the forefront of my mind why i want to stop. You are still here, and in the arena fighting. And that, my friend, is a winning attitude. Get your plan, stock your toolbox, and go for it!

Great post Cindi!

Best wishes everyone...........

[DancingGirl]

ODAT - Friday

You're fabulous too, Greeneyes - you just posted while I was writing!

Have you tried sashimi? That way you just get a piece of fish. Hmmm - now there's another type of craving starting ... But I guess I can't have raw fish for breakfast (sigh).

[greeneyes]

ODAT - Friday

I love sashimi. This place has a thursday night special that advertised 50 cent sushi. I had to go see what the deal was.

[My New Beginning]

ODAT - Friday

Good Morning!
Wow, it's so good to see so many on here this morning.
Stay strong and I hope we can all have a sober day! ODAT!

[patricia]

ODAT - Friday

Yes - it's brilliant isn't it - really really helpful. Strange though because here in England it's 1.30pm and from some of the posts it's morning somewhere! Something about wine just snapped into my brain connecting with tonight but I rejected it - hopefully Cinders words about that part of the brain being damaged will keep resounding . . . . . I'll be happier when I'm through day one - . . . . . if we keep this thread strong I've a feeling it will really help, particulary as it seems a lot of us are right at the beginning again.

It's really a beautiful day here and I really could enjoy it so much more - a liking for alcohol has dogged me all my life but hey ho - they're the cards I was dealt and so I'd better get on with it . . . . . .

Px

[clockworkorange]

ODAT - Friday

I couldn't sleep last night lol I've been off and on this site all night reading posts, its all been very inspiring.

[tassimo]

ODAT - Friday

Good morning everyone..ODAT is the truth,,sometimes it's one hour, or one minute at a time. Like all of you, I'm fine til about 4 or 5, then I usually drink non stop til 10 then pass out and wake up feeling like crap and full of regret. Today will be day 3 AF. I feel great. I don't feel that bloated "pregnant" feeling as badly as before. We were invited up to a friends place at the lake and I had to send my regrets. Awesome people, awesome friends, but the drinking starts at 10 and i think it's just way too soon for me to be exposed to that. My ultimate goal is moderation but that will take a while, as i think right now I should be AF. When it comes to happy hour, my plan is to take a walk to get away from the house and clear my head..I think tylyer the trick is to have a plan and stick to it...good luck!

[tylyr]

ODAT - Friday

Good posts. Guitarista - thanks for your comment - you're right, I need to work on my thoughts, and not give in so quickly. Patricia, and others I'm with you. I feel so much better after a few days - I wonder about becoming ill after years of drinking that bit more than you should, how long can you abuse your body like this? Cindi - wonderful insight, plenty to think about.

[ladybirdheart]

ODAT - Friday

It is so good to see so many people encouraging one another. Every time we pass one time of day, one activity, one event, one stressor, one joy, or one catastrophe where we would normally reach for drink, we plant and foster the growth of a new habit and all of the changes in our brain chemistry that go along with it. It is all just built on little moments where we make a different choice. On day fifteen now and it makes more sense to me every day. Far, far better than the alternative. Love, Ladybird.

[Boss.man]

ODAT - Friday

I had my share of slips and bad days. But I'm finding it's easier and easier to get back in the saddle. It's almost becoming a new habit to be AF now. I don't panic any more at the thought of an AF evening. I don't worry I can't get to sleep without my nightcap.

I guess I've picked myself up from slips enough times, that picking myself up is my new habit.

I have an outdoor concert in a park tonight. Picnic dinner with bread and cheese, and a nice bottle of sparkling pear cider. Should be fun to watch the stars come out. I'm looking forward to it.

[patricia]

ODAT - Friday

Hi,

It's 8.30pm here and well into my usual wine hours but have logged on to say thank you to you all for all the posts which have helped inspire me . . . . I know that tonight I won't drink but I don't believe in myself anymore and am beginning to worry about feeling confident tomorrow but I'll cross that when I come to it. All the good advice in the posts today are ringing in my head - particularly those of Cinders who put it so sucinctly. Hope everybody is on target for what they want to achieve. I'm going to read and re-read all today's posts - what absolutely brilliant advice and support - can't thank you all enough and hope that everybody who posted got something from today's ODAT thread.

Px

[Bessie]

ODAT - Friday

Logging in before bed time ..... and that big fat zero is in today's drink tracker. YAY!! I changed my habits a bit this evening and was outside riding and gardening during the 'drinking' time. Came in to cook dinner and hubby produced a bottle of wine. I was actually really annoyed with him (he does know how difficult I find it to resist) but actually I didn't feel like it. The time and the moment and the temptation had passed and I was in control of my brain and its wierd ways!

It's been a good thread today.

Night, night. :l

bessie xx