November Navigators ~ AF -Week 1

[dill]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 1

Greetings Navigators!

Red, thanks for the reminder! I slept really well last night, too, and sometimes I forget what a gift that really is. I spent so many years as you did, sleeping the fitful, alc induced sleep. YUCK.

Finding, It is amazing how much of this problem is tide up in just plain habit, as opposed to need. And it takes going at least 30 days AF to begin to understand some of that pattern. The more AF time I accumulate, the more clearly I see.

My song, Like Finding, I hope you made it through the evening. I have been in the middle of that tug of war many, many times. This quitting is NOT easy. I sincerely hope you made it to a hang over free morning!

Mountaingirl, going to bed sober is one of the early gifts of being AF! It is sometimes the motivator that gets me through the witching hour, in and of itself! Going to sleep naturally, not passing out, is sweet.

Middlepath, I found that even 2 glasses in the evening messed with my sleep.

Emmy, well done on racking up all those AF days! You have done great! To drink or not to drink? Only you can decide. But most of us on the thread have found that it soon leads to a return to old habits.

Lav, It is such a gift to have your grandson in your life. I know. It is so much fun watching the process of them going from baby to boy!!! We are lucky.

Lodestar, Waters, My New Beginning, mg72, Sparkle, Patricia, Brightlight, Hope you all had a good beginning! Hi, JC, and Lil! Soots, I looked up the time difference between you and me: you are 5 hours ahead. So, as I type, it is about 6:30 am here in Ohio. In UK it is 11:30am. You must be having lunch by now?! Hope to see you later.

Well, may we all have strength today. Do what it takes!

[lilmea]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 1

Red-It took me quite a while to get my sleep pattern straightened out. But it's been one of the best gifts I've gotten by being af. I also use to have terrible nightmares when I was drinking and those are all gone.

Finding-Good job on bypassing the wine section. I actually picked out a different driving route so I wouldn't go by the liquor store. My car just automatically stopped there.

LHB-do You think that "doom on my shoulder" feeling might really be grief? I know when I finally decided to be af I was very sad for a while. I've read on other threads where this is common in the beginning.

Lav, Dill- You know I don't have any grandkids. I so enjoy your stories about yours. I also had girls, no boys so I double enjoy hearing about your 'little men'

This is going to sound funny but last night I did a little figuring. In the 3+ months I've been af I have saved approximately 94,080 usless, sugar filled calories and $1,372. Pretty amazing when you see it on paper.

Hello to all the older peeps and all the newbies. I hope everyone has a great af day.

[my song]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 1

Morning, not good, just morning. I tried to post here again last night but something happened and it didn't post. Ended up with 1 1/2 glasses of wine (my "glasses are the size you get in a restaurant). That was after hubby was in bed and after I would have normally been there too. Going to bed with out drinking something scares me. Red, your description of how you sleep now really helped. How long did it take til you could get a good nights sleep on your own? And lilmea, you said it took quite awhile to get yours straightened out - how long. I get frustrated so easily and if I had an idea of what to expect it might help. I am disappointed in giving in, but what I had was far less than what I would have had. I guess that is how I will look at it. My dr's appt is today. I am anxious to have that conversation. It really is good to read how good you feel being AF. Thanks for the that! Have a great day!

[Lavande]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 1

Good morning Navigators!

Wow, sunshine 2 mornings in a row, I'm impressed

Today is catch up day - I have so many things started, need ti get them finished! I always do that.......
Good to see everyone up & at it today. my song, hope you have a good talk with your Doc today.

Lil, the process of raising a boy & now a grandson is a humbling one........they are characters......no kidding!

I'm jumping right into my day so I'll just wish everyone a great AF Tuesday!!
Lav

[mg72]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 1

This a newbie back again. I am now 14 days AF. I have been a long time drinker so I am already seeing changes with my new life style. I sleep much better(the first few nights were not as restful), have bigger appetite(I could gain a few pounds anyway), more mentally alert, more energetic, etc. etc.

Last night I passed a test. I had a negative experience that kind of set me off. I came home and thought a drink would be good to settle me down. I said to myself "no, I am commited to being AF in Nov. and need to see life without the stuff" I resisted and decided to read and watch tv instead under a blanket.

I woke up early this morning, taught a yoga class at 6:00, going to hit some tennis balls now, have meeting later at a non profit organization before having dinner with friends tonight. They and I my wife drink very little and I will have a tonic and lime. This new life style is a good gig!

Have a great day to all and thanks to all that share on this thread.

[JackieClaire]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 1

Hi all that are too many to mention and another :welcome: to the Newbies.
I'd like to stay a Newbie rather than an Oldie.

My Song, the sleep will come.I'm lucky enough to be able to take a nap during the day. So all in all I get a good 8 hours.
I also log on here everyday before I even put the kettle on.

MG :goodjob: on 14 days. Now talking weeks you know.

Yep 4 months is creeping up fast but I still keep it One Day at a Time.

Love and hugs Jackie xxx

:l

[mountaingirl]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 1

:thanks: Thanks for all of the words of encouragements from everyone Today is a good day so far at work. It is sunny and in the 50's. I hope everyone has a great day!

[sooty]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 1

Just wanted to pop in to say hi. Been busy today and not stopped yet - nothing exciting just day to day stuff but all seems to be happening on the same day.
Lovely to see everyone, oldies and newbies alike.
Got my evening class tonight so if its too late I'll catch up with you all tomorrow.
Have a good Tuesday everyone -
love sooty

[Pamina]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 1

Afternoon Navigators!
Welcome to all newbies. Good to see loads of determination on the thread! Lil, you'll be a slim millionnaire before you know it!
I wanted to stop by and let you know I'm really busy at work these days in anticipation of taking some time off to get my dad's roof fixed. Things are going well, but I don't have that much time to keep up with the ever growing crowd here. It's time to take a nap in the back seat (or is it steerage - how big a boat are we talking about?) for a while. I hope to be back later in the month. Meanwhile, I wish you a steady ride in calm waters. Be well everybody. :h

[FindingMyself]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 1

Red, I was in the same boat as you, feeling like crap every morning and sometimes for half the day or more and accepting that as normal.

Mysong, I remember times when I was drinking regularly but didn’t have enough to make me pass out and I found I couldn’t fall asleep easily. So I associated the two, falling asleep and alcohol. But then when I drank so much that I passed out it was, as others have described, fitful sleep, tossing and turning, and overall not very restful nights. I found in the beginning without alcohol there were nights when I couldn’t fall asleep right away, but still felt better rested than nights I was drunk. It took less than a week for me to get into much improved sleeping pattern. Part of what helped was that I was doing things that helped keep me calm in the evenings, reading, listening to the MWO CDs, drinking herbal teas (NEVER thought I would be a tea drinker). I no longer put myself through that cycle of drinking: feeling a bit relaxed, then getting a buzz/energy high, then getting to the sloppy stage where I was out of control physically and emotionally, then too tired to get off the couch, then pass out. That is a lot of “stuff” to put myself through in a single evening, night after night. I much prefer the even keel of being AF.

Sorry if this is a rather self-indulgent post, but I’m glad folks were bringing up the topic of sleep, helped me think through some of my own stuff.

…and Red, I’m glad I’m in the same boat with you now!

Lil, $$$ money saved! I’ve definitely noticed my bank account is not as flat, and my tummy is getting flatter! Alcohol=inflation in more ways than one.

Dill, clarity of mind is such a gift.

mg72, congrats on 14 days, it is really exciting to feel good isn’t it!

Hi Pam - glad to see you!

Hope everyone's day is good!

[lodestar]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 1

Hi all,

I'm already losing track of days and it's only day 5. I didn't know if I wanted to count anyway, so I guess we'll see. I'm still AF and have to agree the sleep is brilliant. Also, the ability to exercise and eat right like I used to is a total blessing. Yesterday I had a tough day at work, which would have been a trigger, but nope! Came home, read boards, went to chat, exercised, had a salad and watched a movie.

Every single day I have realizations with my emotions more in check. Today I woke up and thought, I've been afraid to go for a run because I know how out of shape I've become from drinking. I'm tackling that today. It is beautiful out and I might have to walk a lot, but you have to start somewhere. Muscles have memory and don't think it will take long to recognize my body again. It certainly hasn't taken long to recognize other parts of me now that I'm off the sauce. Very encouraging!

I hope everyone has a wonderful day and so thankful for all of you! :h

[Peanut]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 1

WOW!!!! Only the 3rd of November, not even noon here, and already this thread is 7 pages!!! Welcome to all newbies and hi hi hi to all my old pals. I haven't been on to post in several days, but just took some time to catch up with everyone, and my! there are alot of new faces on the thread.

Not alot of time here, as I have alot of work to do today. But, my boss bought a "corporate" table at a breakfast event this morning called "Women of Achievement". Six of us went from work, and it was really interesting. Makes a gal feel that she can accomplish anything she puts her mind to!! I must remember this when i think that my will is so weak that I just have to give in to the call of wine. But so far, so good this month, and I'm taking it ODAT. I decided last night to get myself into another habit, my old habit - every night I would smoke 1-2 ciggies before bed (same as my dad did for years) with a small glass of diet coke and then go to bed. I've been doing that, except soda and cranberry, and getting to bed before 11. I had that habit before, maybe I can bring it back again (although i should drop the cig habit, which is pretty minor if I don't drink!), as it feels good to go to bed and know I will wake up feeling ok, despite my poor sleeping ability - which I know will improve over time. And ykes - the $$$ savings are quite impressive!!!

So although i'd like to greet you all individually, i must get myself to my lab and do some work.
Have a great day everyone, relax, eat well, get some exercise and feel good about your accomplishments!!
xoxoxo peanut

[dill]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 1

My song, Many positive changes will come your way with some AF time: Including good sleep.

Mg72, Fantastic on 14 days AF! Your commitment to an AF November is really inspirational! It will be great to watch you get there.

Mountaingirl, I hope you had another good day.

Soots, tell me again what your evening class is? Is it an exercise class? Getting exercise is still my weakest area. I do get out and walk a bit each day at noon, and again when I get home from work, most days. But it’s certainly not aerobic or any kind of a challenge.

Finding, your description of your nightly routine is the same as mine was, except, I didn’t pass out on the couch! I usually managed to get myself off the couch and to bed before passing out! Climbing the steep staircase in this old house was a special challenge, I must say! And then the next day, pretending to remember the story line of whatever TV show or movie we were watching was a fun little game, too. Sheesh!

Lil, that is so amazing how much you saved! It really makes you think how it has added up, year after year, while taking a toll on your health. What were we thinking?!

Lodestar, good job on day 5! I know what you mean about counting. I can’t keep count. But, I do keep a record on my kitchen calendar. I used to mark each AF day with an asterisk, but now, my deal is: no mark = an AF day, an X = drinking day (usually to drunk). I want to see NO “X”’s on my November calendar!

Pnut, I am glad you posted today. I was wondering how you were doing. It sounds like your “Women of Achievement “ luncheon was a good reinforcer for you!

On the subject of new realizations with more AF time, I noticed a small thing. My over all health seems improved. I even notice that my fingernails are stronger and healthier. They used to chip and crack easily. Not lately!!!

[mountaingirl]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 1

Thanks Dill ! I had a good and busy day at work today. Home now and finishing dinner and going to bed. Seems weird not to be out on my deck having wine and ciggies after dinner. OH WELL- I'm glad I don't have the urge to do that tonight. One day at a time Have a peaceful night.

[lodestar]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 1

Thanks, Dill! The health benefits rock already, but I'm excited about the future changes too.

Mountaingirl, did you quit smoking at the same time as going AF, or did I misunderstand? I really want to quit smoking, but my therapist gave me the "I think you're doing enough" talk (which frankly, I needed to hear, as I tend not to recognize my accomplishments and just pile on the next thing I need to fix). Anyone have experience with this?

All best!