breaking the cycle - i did it

[The time is now]

hi

well i set my goal of stopping drinking on sunday so of course had far to many drinks on friday and saturday , normally after a big sat night i enjoy nothing more than a hair of the dog on a sunday arvo to get me through the late afternoon and some wine with dinner etc. i was so close to do my normal and re set my goal of non drinking from monday but somehow i stuck to my plan , it was hard saying to yourself stop stop stop . but i did and feel very pleased i didnt cave in as i normally do

its the 1st day i havent drank a `few beers and wines` in a very very long time - so the re building starts i have set a long goal of not drinking but lets just go for 7 !!!

any tips ?

[Cornczech]

breaking the cycle - i did it

Good luck to you! I was going to stop tomorrow....and go to the Gay Pride Parade where I normally drink until I am useless for the next day....but I have a new job I'm starting tomorrow....so here I sit...an Ativan in my tummy and praying this agitation will stop....

good luck to you and all!!!

[aihflvt]

breaking the cycle - i did it

Jumping off the merry-go-round is always the hardest step to take.

[briseus]

breaking the cycle - i did it

I agree...day one's are always the toughest to get through...you are fighting with yourself and your emotions...whether you should drink or not to run away from your problems and such. I know I am having a tough time myself. Guilt. Shame. Regret.
I have gone through day 1s before so I can do it again (hoping this is the last time).
All I can offer is to keep yourself busy the first week. As busy as you can so you don't even have time to think about alcohol. Go out. For walks or to the store, something, anything.

I am going to probably spend my entire day in bed today...fighting through the anxiety...and then this week I plan on getting my bum on the health and fitness track to keep occupied.

I wish you all the best.
You can do this.

[Nelz]

breaking the cycle - i did it

Seems you've already taken a page out of my "tips" book.

I totally believe in setting small goals that are easily reached. You made it through the first day and your next goal is 7..........thats what I call perfect...same model I used.

Other tip, hang around here, post, read, laugh, cry, just do whatever it takes to keep your mind off of AL when it creeps in.

[Byrdlady]

breaking the cycle - i did it

Good for you for "not wanting to play" anymore. I want to invite you over to the Newbie's Nest...Lilly has just implemented a 30 Day Boot Camp and we are having lots of success over there. It's not easy, but it is so worth it. Remember, HOPE is not a strategy...it takes a plan. Hang on...let me see if I can find something....

Ah...The Plan. I thought this was a bunch of hooey. I don't need a plan, all I need to do is stop drinking! Well, how do you do that? Therein lies the rub. This is just my take on that, please other nesters, chirp in. Figure out what you are going to tell other people when you go out or are going to be around other people that will be drinking. This seems like a small thing, but I've seen many nesters derailed by this, myself included. You must come up with a rock solid answer and get it out of your mouth before your head has a chance to get involved. One moment's hesitation can cost you your quit. Get your excuse down pat. Mine is this: " It's like battery acid to my insides". Anyone with a Type A personality can identify with this one, and most of us are Type A's. Secondly, get ALL the AL out of your space. No, you can't have that hidden bottle in your drawer as a safety net, cause guess what? When you say that, you are planning to fail. YOU are planning to win! Thirdly...surround yourself with things you love to do and eat. I really enjoyed having Charm's Blow Pops at the ready. They are sugary sweet suckers with bubble gum inside. When you get a mind blowing craving, pop one in and see if it doesn't work!! They last about 15 minutes and this is just the amount of time a real craving lasts. They keep your hands busy (it's a sucker, after all) and keeps your mind occupied and distracted. I bought them by the bags my first several weeks. Also, I found that having high carb food on hand was helpful. I'm not a dr, but I understand that our bodies are craving these carbs we aren't getting from AL. I also wanted potatoes, in all forms... (how odd) Lastly, put yourself in the service of others. Take the focus off yourself and what you can't have. If you put your mind to helping someone who is having a need you can fill....it's very rewarding. Just pick up the phone and call somebody that's old...who doesn't get many calls. Write a note and send it to someone. It's all Lav's preaching....be grateful for what you have ...and stop thinking of what you don't have. The pity party is very hard to resist. But this is the difference in success and giving in. After a while...you will see things very differently. I see other people drinking...and for a second I get a twinge...then I think, dam, I just feel so much better, I move on...and I want to jump for joy that I'm not tied to that demon anymore. Many fewer people are actually drinking than I thought. My mind said...EVERYBODY else is drinking but me...(sniff, sniff) but that is not the case. I am in much better company by not drinking. It just isn't that odd anymore!! So stand tall! Get your story together, and take off! I wish I could tell you that there is nothing to fear....well, actually, I WILL tell you there is nothing to fear! It all GETS BETTER! The fear should be in staying inside the bottle hell. When you have a thought about caving...say, NO, HELL NO!! I will NOT give in to you! And shift your mind to something else. Do not cave in no matter what and no matter who. You can do this, if I can do it....you can do it!! Byrdie

Hot Dang...I copied and pasted!!!
There is nothing more important to me than being sober...if I don't have that..it all falls down. Hang in, you will be so glad you did!! B

[The time is now]

breaking the cycle - i did it

boom day 2 done

thanks for all your help and tricks day 2 done went for a swim at 530am this morning for 1 hour then in the spa and now off to work ..... feeling quite incredible actually . mind you i did a big hard 60 mins bike ride last night that probably got rid a lot of the booze in the system .

i look forward to the improvements in my mind body and soul in the next few days

last night i didnt even feel like a drink which is amazing in itself

[Wildflowers]

breaking the cycle - i did it

Well, I'm going to buy a bag of those bubble pops tom when I go shopping.

Family is coming from out of state Wed. One of who drinks alcoholically. I told them no booze in our home. It's to early for me. I had almost two months blew it. I just got another month this past Sat. I can't take the risk yet. I think I could handle being around social drinkers in the near future.

They & possibly myself are going out to dinner that night. I'm afraid my Niece & her BF will order drinks, than he will need & want to stop at the store as his switch in his brain will be on. I may have to lay the law down. I can't deal with this in my home Byrdie. I have to put my sobriety above everything else or I won't have anything!.... Even if it means they think Auntie is a Biotch.

I really appreciate your posts, tips & all your time you give to helping new people. Along with many
others who provide this service. Thank you

Good luck to The Time Is Now. You sound like you already are implementing a good healthy plan. I use to love swimming & working out. Something I lost overtime due to my chronic progressive alcoholism. One day soon I will graduate from walking to swimming. I miss those days!

AF 3/18/12 ~ 5/12/12
AF 5/23/12