JAMMIN JANUARY KICKOFF FOR A SOBER 2012 - NEWBIE SUPPORT THREAD

[mylife]

JAMMIN JANUARY KICKOFF FOR A SOBER 2012 - NEWBIE SUPPORT THREAD

Good evening Januaries.

I'm watching TV and eating a bowl of ice cream. I don't feel at all like drinking but I still feel irritated with myself. Oh well, this too shall pass.

Anyway, thanks everyone - I'll get there eventually. K9 - your conversation today is so funny. How obvious, right? But we just don't get it for some odd reason year after year!!

Winewrangler - I agree about the complete lie that AL is good for you. IMO it just causes a host of other problems - I was so much better off when I didn't drink. (I really never drank much until I was in my 30's believe it or not!)

I hope everyone has a wonderful AF evening.

[canadian gal]

JAMMIN JANUARY KICKOFF FOR A SOBER 2012 - NEWBIE SUPPORT THREAD

Good morning Jammers!

K9- Glad to hear that you are feeling better. Enjoy your weekend!

RC- Do you have a plan for after the 30 days? IMHO, I think just keep going al free. It’ll add years to your life, you’ll have more energy and you’ll sleep much better. No one ever said they felt so much better from drinking. For me, I can’t mod. It’s all or nothing. What does your heart tell you? Don’t ask your brain, cause that sneaky addictive voice will jump right in. How’s Mia?

WW- You are doing great! Keep it up! Don’t think about the danger zone just yet. Just take it day by day.

MyLife- Don’t feel depressed or angry that you are in single digits. We’ve all slipped. Treat it as a lesson. What did you learn from it? And remember, it is a stepping stone towards your ultimate goal.

Jolie- You are doing great on 19 days! On my 19th day, it didn’t even phase me that people around me were drinking and I wasn’t. In only 19 days! Keep it up!

Well! I’m on my 23rd day here and now I am off to hubby’s town. The car should be here in 15 minutes. Have a great weekend sober weekend all!

[Unwasted]

JAMMIN JANUARY KICKOFF FOR A SOBER 2012 - NEWBIE SUPPORT THREAD

Good Morning Jamamamas,

Just stopping by to say hi ..........not much new in my world, just maintaining my sober days and feeling confident. Day 68!

CG - you are doing so well - day 23. And the best part is that you haven't felt challenged when you've been around drinking. I'm impressed! BTW, when do you go back to your official "home" (assume that's the U.S. but not sure)??

My Life - I think feeling irritated with yourself is actually a good thing if it motivates you. It would be a natural feeling for sure......just don't punish yourself too much and as everyone says, look at it as a stepping stone. I know the last time I drank was a particularly bad night and the memory of it helps me maintain. I'm actually not struggling right now, but then I haven't had any super hard "tests" either.

Jolie - Day 20 - I can so relate to the movie thing. I could never stay awake to finish one. K9, I can't believe drinking would give you energy - it totally wiped me out!

Wine Wrangler - hope you're still with us and can check in regularly. You would be an inspiration to this thread!!

MWOL, Bell, Hypernova and any other jammers stopping by today - hoping that you're remaining strong and creating the building blocks to your new AF life!!

[canadian gal]

JAMMIN JANUARY KICKOFF FOR A SOBER 2012 - NEWBIE SUPPORT THREAD

Hey Jammers,

Well we arrived here at 3:30. By 5 we already had plans to go for dinner. Just to my hubby's uncle's house. But he brought out his most expensive red wine and was very surprised when I said I wasn't drinking. I told him I couldn't cause my health isn't so good right now. He offered throughout the meal but I always said, No I can't. As soon as I had said the first No, the rest of them were easier. Day 1 oh holiday, done!

UW- I really haven't been around any one drinking. Today was my first day. The story I wrote about the dinners was what happened in my previous experiences here. I am fine when I am by myself, but when everyone else is drinking I tend to cave. That is why this holiday is very important to me and my sobriety. My first ultimate test. I am not sure when I am going home home. Home is Canada hence the name. I've been in Beijing for 6 years in a month. My husband is Chinese and I don't know if he would survive in Canada with the freezing winters.

You are doing great though on day 68! I am really glad that everything is going well with you.

Well that's it Jammers! Tomorrow is New Years Eve but usually we don't drink for that. We play Ma Jiang!!! Woo!!! I hope I win some money! Wish me luck! Have a great day everyone!

[Unwasted]

JAMMIN JANUARY KICKOFF FOR A SOBER 2012 - NEWBIE SUPPORT THREAD

Well, duh on my part :H:H I'm so used to just saying CG my alkie brain slipped a cog! And regarding your first test - sounds like it's going to be a doozie if they drink like what you've described (but good for you getting past what sounds like you're first evening).

I do well when alone, too and if I have a weakness or could be tempted, it would be in a situation like you'll be facing. Do you have any special technique you're going to employ for the upcoming events (are you going to keep saying health reasons)? Let's keep this discussion going. I think it's a critical one - and I'll be facing it too next weekend. I'm thinking of taking something sugary that I can pop in my mouth - did Byrdie say something about blowpops?

So you're staying in China! That sounds so interesting.......do you like living there overall? Canada would be too cold for me too!!

[broken halo]

JAMMIN JANUARY KICKOFF FOR A SOBER 2012 - NEWBIE SUPPORT THREAD

Just wanted to say well done Canadian Girl! I really struggled last night with offers of wine and daughter and niece drinking it with the meal. I might have slipped if it wasn't for the fact I was driving.

Unwasted,it would be good to have suggestions, so thanks for suggesting it! So driving and offering to take others home is my first suggestion for those difiicult social situations. Not great, but the best I can do for now. I think you asked how many days I had UW?

I started on 2nd Jan so this is day 19 and my third sober weekend. This one is proving to be tougher than the first two for some reason, I find myself romanticising bout having a 'glass' of wine. Reality is it wouldn't be a glass, more like 2 bottles, so I am not going to go there.

Hope everyone is having a good and sober weekend without too many challenges :l

[Unwasted]

JAMMIN JANUARY KICKOFF FOR A SOBER 2012 - NEWBIE SUPPORT THREAD

BH - I'm having those kinds of thoughts too - just trying to keep my eye on the ball -- I really don't want to get back into that struggle again. I know it will go away, so I'm just eating instead Just asked my hubs to bring home some gummi bears:H:H

[WineWrangler]

JAMMIN JANUARY KICKOFF FOR A SOBER 2012 - NEWBIE SUPPORT THREAD

Good day everyone, hope everyone is well and sober. This concept of wine and romance, wine and food pairings is so BS. I read a statistic recently that 70% of the wine produced is consumed by 5% of the people that drink wine, whats that tell ya? The most common pairing is wine and a paper bag. Well of to the shop to work on some equipment. Have a great weekend.
WineWrangler

[mylife]

JAMMIN JANUARY KICKOFF FOR A SOBER 2012 - NEWBIE SUPPORT THREAD

Hello Jammers and happy Saturday!

I had a lot of energy today and got up early and went for a walk then decided to tackle some "projects" I've been ignoring. I threw away a bunch of junk in our garage and got my bike in working order again so I could actually use it maybe!! What a concept.

I also decided to get focused on eating healthy and have got some menu plans together and broke out my old weight watchers books.

Winewrangler - wow you really put that "wine pairing" myth in perspective!! I will keep that statistic in mind - thank you!

CG -my hat is off to you. What a fantastic job you are doing avoiding alcohol. I have a hair appt next Friday evening and at my particular salon they always offer wine and I've already planned to walk in with a diet coke or something so that I don't have to even say "no". Yours sounds a lot harder - but I think that you planned ahead for it is really helping you - congratulations!

BH - good job on getting through day 19. It does get harder as the days go by for me, too but I think there's a point where you've invested so much in your quit you don't want to go back to day 1 - at least so I've been told!

UW - you are just racking up the days in such an amazing way! Thanks for all the inspiration.

Wishing everyone a great AF rest of the day!

[RingingCedars]

JAMMIN JANUARY KICKOFF FOR A SOBER 2012 - NEWBIE SUPPORT THREAD

WineWrangler;1248787 wrote: The most common pairing is wine and a paper bag.

:H:H

[RingingCedars]

JAMMIN JANUARY KICKOFF FOR A SOBER 2012 - NEWBIE SUPPORT THREAD

Popping in to let you all know I'm still AF and NF. Congrats to you all for either racking up the days, starting out for the first time or getting right back to starting over. Never give up giving up as they say. Jenny, I hope you're ok. Kinda miss seeing our stats updated.
K9 Mia is a mastiff/rottie. She's an absolute doll. You can see a pic in the Canucks thread.
As for a plan, I have nothing but choice at my disposal. I will do my best to chose well.

[canadian gal]

JAMMIN JANUARY KICKOFF FOR A SOBER 2012 - NEWBIE SUPPORT THREAD

Hi Jammers!

Happy Chinese New Years Eve! We just had dinner...I am so stuffed I could explode. At dinner, hubby drank half a beer and MIL sipped wine in a glass the size of a shot glass (seriously, who can do that?). MIL offered me a glass of wine, but I said no. I drank my water and now am drinking artichoke tea from Vietnam. Yummy! The fireworks started around 6 pm and will continue until midnight or so. It’s actually really beautiful but noisy. My poor dog is shaking under the desk.

UW- You must be close to day 70 now! You are doing great! Don't give into those drinking thoughts. I am sticking with my health excuse. Actually, it's not really an excuse. I have Ulcerative Colitis (I was diagnosed when I was 14). I took meds until Uni and then it seemed to be ok. I still didn’t really drink during Uni cause al paired with stress always equaled a flare up. I’ve never had a problem in Beijing even with all my drinking. No idea why. Maybe cause my diet has changed (I’m veganish) or because I try to deal with my stress in a different way. Anyway, at Christmas my best friend in China came to Beijing and we drank for about 3 days. We also ate Japanese food one night. A few days after she left, I had a flare up. It was the most painful one I have ever had and there were no symptoms leading up to it. I’m not sure if it was the food or the booze, but I am staying away from both Japanese food and booze. So even tonight when my MIL (who is a doctor) offered me the wine, I said I was scared and didn’t want to chance it.

But I think that any excuse can work. It’s now 2012 and you could say it ‘s a resolution because you want to lead a healthier lifestyle, you are on meds, you are driving, you are going to the doctor for a routine check up the next day and can’t have al in your system, you recently developed an allergy to some of the ingredients in al (that actually happens). No one seems to push it, and if they do, just stick to your guns! And sure, take sugary things or something to keep your mouth occupied. Mentos, mints, blowpops, Werthers, gum. I’ve been eating a lot of sunflower seeds, watermelon seeds, peanuts, and these Alpenliebe candies (German perhaps?)

BrokenHalo- You are doing terrific at 19 days. I found that at around 19 days it was actually much easier to turn down the al and the urge to drink becomes less and less. I hope it gets easier for you too. Now is quite hard because the mind game comes into play. You think you are “OK” now so one wont hurt. Just keep reminding yourself that one WILL hurt and then some. It’s just not worth it.

My Life- Isn’t it amazing what you can do when you’re not drinking? Life seems so busy with the things that never got done when drinking. And you also have more free time to do the things you enjoy like walks, reading, etc. I’ll take that energy over a lousy hangover any day! And good for you for trying to eat healthier! I find that with my veganish diet gives me LOADS of energy. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

RC- You are doing awesome! I’ll have to check out the Canucks thread to see updated pics. Is she settling in nicely? Of course, no one can tell you what to do and you have to make your own choice of whether or not you want to stay al free. I’m interested in your decision!

Jenny- How are you doing?

Hope you all enjoy the rest of your weekends! Happy new year and wish you all the best for the year of the dragon! Is anyone a dragon, btw? If you will turn 24, 36, 48, 60, or 72 years old this year then it’s you’re year. If you are, it’s your lucky year!

[Unwasted]

JAMMIN JANUARY KICKOFF FOR A SOBER 2012 - NEWBIE SUPPORT THREAD

Good Sunday Morning Jammers,

Posted kind of a long one in the nest, so thought I'd copy part of it here cuz Iz runnin outa time...

RC - good on ya for keeping it going!

It is inexplicably stupendous to wake up feeling alive, refreshed, and happy. My yesterday funky feelings have totally disappeared and I'm back to feeling over-the-top thankful for my sobriety. Day 69 for me everyone - I can't recommend giving up the poison highly enough!

CG - not sure what put me in a strange frame of mind yesterday. Interestingly, though, I had slept wrong on my shoulder night before last and woke up feeling a bit tired and sore. I think that's why I wasn't in the best of moods.........but.........voila!.........back to feeling ebullient (great word, huh?!)!!!!! And, CG, it sounds like you have the perfect excuse which just happens to be honest..........you're home free! I think I'm just going to tell the truth........that's what I've been doing so far and people are intrigued........so far no one is trying to force me in any way............I think deep down a lot of them would like to quit too but they can't imagine it! Lucky me..........I feel like I've found the secret to well-being that could never have been achieved while drinking!

And today's inspiration...........a post from Frenchman in case you missed it:



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you team for your generous responses. It does get easier weeks over weeks, not day after day as it is a very slow process... I have replaced my drinking habits with sport habits. That helps tremendously. Also, AL with juicing organic fruits and vegetables, which has a deep balancing effect. Mostly kale, spinach, ginger, apple, carrots and celery, at the rate of two small glasses a day.

My life without the fun of alcohol, ie party times, has been replaced with a feeling of deep inner peace and balance. The difference is the length of time I experience such a feeling, ie 3-4 hours with alcohol versus all day and all night with harmony of natural high. It took me about a month to start feeling happiness naturally. We have a natural high secreted by endomorphine, try it and you will see. It just takes a little bit for the body to start producing it again after all those years of AL artificial replacement.

Good luck to all of us on this journey to enjoying life to the fullest.

What a night and day difference it is for me.

[Irie]

JAMMIN JANUARY KICKOFF FOR A SOBER 2012 - NEWBIE SUPPORT THREAD

I'm so inspired by those of you who are stringing together the days. Since my stumble last week I've had a hell of a time getting back on track. I am really starting to appreciate how hard it is to stop drinking after a decision to just "take a break for one night". I am happy to say I did not drink yesterday, though, even though it was Saturday. And I won't drink today, even though I will be in football heaven.

So, it's day 2. I will never, never, never, never give up! Anyone else in early days? I could really use the reassurance of knowing there are others working as hard as I am for that final quit!

[broken halo]

JAMMIN JANUARY KICKOFF FOR A SOBER 2012 - NEWBIE SUPPORT THREAD

Well done on your sober Saturday Irie :goodjob: If helps, a couple of weeks ago I couldn't imagine a sober weekend or even remember one. I thought, if I can do a weekend, I can really show myself that I can do this.

So far so good. Make Sunday another sober day, there is a lot to be said for ODAT. :l