Physical Changes After Going AF

[TheSunFlower]

Physical Changes After Going AF

I read

something recently that stated that Non-alkies change their drinking to reach their goals...Alkies change their goals to accomodate their drinking. For me it made sense.

[patrice]

Physical Changes After Going AF

The results of giving up drinking can be physically seen in 4 days... thats been my experience .. and it only gets better. ( unfortuneately, I only ever see these changes very fleetingly because I have been stopping and starting for so long now!)
So today 49th birthday and being concerned with my overall health and looks... I am pulling the reins in.

I think the drinking of water when we give up hugely accelerates plumped up skin... On Thursday my skin looked glowing..after 4 days AF... having a few drinks on Friday and Saturday and minimal water??... back very swiftly to dehydrated, red dry wrinkled skin, posture slipping and no energy for exercise or healthy eating.
So back to it
Take care eeryone
x
patrice

[hope10]

Physical Changes After Going AF

Happy Birthday Patrice!!! Keep up the healthy attitude and take a look at what sausage mentioned above, "doggy girl's" before and after pics. Wow, what a transformation! She looks 20 years younger! I am on day 5 and I am only seeing a bit of a change in the bags under my eyes. I feel happier but my body still feels pretty bloated.

[patrice]

Physical Changes After Going AF

Thanks Hope.. yes that bloating is horrible, uncomfortable and energy sapping. I have seen the pics of DG before and after and read the accompaning text...Wow is all I say too!!!

A wonderful and encouraging testament to Af, healthy eating, optimal exercise and a positive mind...

[LibraryGirl]

Physical Changes After Going AF

I have noticed thinner ankles.:H Seriously, I was suffering from edema, I believe, from AL consumption. I was constantly bloated and my ankles were always horribly swollen at the end of the day. Needless to say, I never wore dresses or skirts.

Other than that, I can't really tell. I think my face looks better, but it never really looked bloated to me, except when I'd see myself in pictures, lol. I still can't seem to get on a regular sleep schedule, and find myself up late at night...usually 1 am on week nights. As a result, I'm still struggling with early rising, and something's got to change.

I also am having crushing headaches seemingly all the time. My diet has gotten a bit better, but I need to change it radically, and start seriously hydrating with water, not sodas (as I have been). I am also still smoking, which we all know has it's (huge) set of issues. I felt that I could not stop both addictions successfully simultaneously, therefore, I have put off quitting. It is the next step for me, however, although I have not set a quit date or even a strategy. Do any of you, with experience, have any helpful tips for me?

Lastly, I want to start exercising. My dream me is DoggyGirl, lol. What an inspiration. I would love to exchange all of my addictions for an exercise addiction! How wonderful that would be!

[westiesrock]

Physical Changes After Going AF

Hi LibraryGirl!
I too am a smoker. When I decided that both needed to go, I went with the AL first (12 days AF now). I guess I didn't want to second guess what was causing what with the withdrawals. And drinking would only ruin the resolve to not smoke. That being said, I had such great results with the Quit The Drink Easily by Jason Vale perspective I'm getting out my Quit Smoking book by Carr (similar to Vale's) and plan to re-read it this week. My quit date is this Friday. Some say giving up the smokes is harder, others say the opposite. Either way, I'm up for the challenge!

[WastrelWallow]

Physical Changes After Going AF

I've been off alc nearly seven weeks now...since around 2007/2008 I was on a long course of Roaccutane/Accutane (for cystic adult acne) and it worked but left my facial skin verrrrrry dry and flaky and very red/ruddy, meaning that I have to moisturise about 4/5 times per day. At the same time, I was drinking heavily nightly, though strangely never had any liver anomalies when doing both (had to get blood tested regularly on the 'Tane). Always assumed that my face would be red n' ruddy due to the Roaccutane.

BUT...after 7 weeks off drink, there has been a small but noticeable improvement in my facial skin...I'm no longer so red, nor is the skin quite as flaky/peely...and I only have to moisturise twice now....definitely got to be something in that, surely?

[Miklo]

Physical Changes After Going AF

A lot of changes actually, besides the fact that my liver dosnt hurt anymore, I look healthy over all. I had a lot of swelling in the hands, stomach, feet, and face. I also had high uric acid levels, which now, no longer causes pain.

[K9Lover]

Physical Changes After Going AF

I've noticed a lot of changes, I am not bloated and puffy, my eyes are no longer bloodshot and my skin is a lot clearer. My hair and nails grow much faster. I no longer get heartburn, and I am not shaky all day. Amazing how our bodies heal when we stop poisoning them!

[GingerDust]

Physical Changes After Going AF

My skin looks much better too. My eyes don't look like they are in pain anymore.

My stomach settled considerably, and my appetite returned (not necessarily a good thing).

The best part is that I feel stronger inside. AL no longer feels like a nefarious element that I have to battle with to gain control of my life.

[BlondeAFAmbition]

Physical Changes After Going AF

Where oh where did my bloated stomach go? Who hid it on me...fess up! Oh, wait, it disappeared during the last 2 weeks of detox, that's where. Well, it can stay there and never come back; I am enoying my new svelt figure due working out at a gym and not sucking down at least 1,000 calories of wine a day...empty calories at that. My body is transforming! I always like to work out but drinking too precedence. Now that drinking is out of my life, I am able to enjoy a kick ass work out and wake up the next day to see real results...not a bloated belly, puffy face, bloodshot eyes and dry mouth. During the last week, people have commented on how "good" I look, and I do think it has everything to do with giving up the booze. My skin is glowing, my eyes are clearer and I am well rested. I am almost 40 and feel like I've taken a few years off myself just in the last few weeks. This is a great motivational thread! Although, now I must look into botox...geesh!

[YouKayBee]

Physical Changes After Going AF

My skin cleared up pretty fast, went from oily, red, blotchy, having to wear lots of make-up to lovely natural healthy calm look.

[ImaClean]

Physical Changes After Going AF

OH! this is a wonderful thread! I cannot wait until I can post the changes that come with giving up AL!

Keep them coming, what extra motivation! yes, i'm vain.

[hope10]

Physical Changes After Going AF

Great motivation!!! k9lover...my hands are SO less shakey. I am on day 7. This will be a tough day for me but I can get through it. My stomach is looking less bloated and I just feel so much more confident!

The biggest change though are these bags under my eyes...and my face is thinning out again! Loving it!!

[BlondeAFAmbition]

Physical Changes After Going AF

I forgot to mention that a few days after I quit drinking, I had to pee like crazy for about 2 days. I think my body finally got it that I wasn't sucking down a bottle or more of wine a day and since I was drinking water to rehydrate myself, it started to let go of the water it was retaining due to chronic dehydration from the AL abuse. I remember a similar thing happening last year when I first gave up drinking. It was after that "flush" of bloat water that I really started feeling much better. Also, to the ladies...it has gotten me off track with my period and I think my system is just in shock from not drowning myself with poison. Again, I remember this happening last year. Eventually, it got back on track so I am not worried about that as I know it can't be anything else if you know what I mean. Anyway, just thought I'd share in case anyone has similar experiences as a woman.

PS, Imaclean...I guess I am vain too. That's a good thing when it comes to motivation to stay sober, don't you agree?