7 MONTHS OF SOBRIETY BLOWN

[allswell]

7 MONTHS OF SOBRIETY BLOWN

Hello everyone,

Back from a trip in rural Ohio that had no internet or TV, I didn't think places like that still existed in Ohio but I now know they do. If I had known before I left I would've packed more books and brought a guitar but time went by just fine nevertheless. The caves and trails were awesome although I need to get over my fear of heights, some of the trails and walkways had me shaking in my boots while everyone around me was carefree as ever.

I feel for you FAL, hopefully the two weeks away on your hike will ease any temptation. I absolutely agree with you on the state of the planet. When we think about certain things it just brings this sinking, hopeless feeling in the gut. Of course alcohol only makes it worse, I think we can all attest to that.

Have a good weekend everyone!

[mylife]

7 MONTHS OF SOBRIETY BLOWN

Hi Alls! That trip sounds like a lot of fun! I love finding places now that don't have internet or TV. It's such a rarity that it's a novelty these days. If I could throw my blackberry in the ocean I would - and one day I will! LOL. :H:H

I'm enjoying my morning coffee and getting ready for the day. One of my "rewards" for this AF journey is really enjoying morning coffee. Or enjoying the morning for that matter! Something I denied myself for years.

I agree with you and FAL on the depressing state of the planet. I try not to focus on it too much - it's just too overwhelming. For me, part of this journey is finding my mental balance - something I've ignored for years or drowned in wine. I got out my yoga mat yesterday with intentions of starting a stretching and medidation routine. I figure if it sits there long enough I will start to use it! LOL.

Have a great AF day all.

[NoSugar]

7 MONTHS OF SOBRIETY BLOWN

Hi, MyLife

I wrote to Free just the other day that although I firmly believe we need to be informed, involved citizens, I have somewhat selfishly stepped back over the last several months. I still have a general idea of what is going on in the world but do not immerse myself in it or perseverate - my natural inclination.

In some ways I think I used the sorry state of the world to justify my drinking (to myself). Since I lacked obvious personal "excuses", that had to do.

Increasing my involvement in some volunteer activities - and actually making a difference instead of just wishing I could change things - also has been very rewarding.

We need to do what we can to be as healthy as possible and give meaning to our lives. AL takes both of those away.

:h NS

[Unwasted]

7 MONTHS OF SOBRIETY BLOWN

Great posts here everyone! We are all on the same wave length on many levels. I too let the state of the world get to me and I would say it was an enormous part of why I drank. But, the saying "don't throw the baby out with the bathwater" comes to mind and I know I won't do any good by letting myself sink into a depression because of it. So, I try to do some things, stay apprised of some of it, become active in some of it............and then go away from it all. If I try to save the planet I will become totally hopeless because it's impossible on my tiny level - I can do only little things. And, of course, now that I'm not drinking the very things about it all depress me less, and I'm able to handle the news better. (Same theme different subject, right). As we say repeatedly, al makes everything worse.

And, speaking of dire situations - we've been cleaning outside storage areas getting ready for our move. Totally yuk, dirty, awful. But now, way, way better. Such a good feeling once you can force yourself to do it!!

No sugar - your drinking circadian rhythms describe mine to a T.

Mine exactly also - hmmmm imagine that :H Except.......I didn't even get the luxury of the extra couple hours of fitful sleep - I was up and then endured an entire day hungover on 5 hours of sleep. Totally unsustainable. I've been sleeping so fantastically the last week plus. I think once I got over the shock of making that final decision to move, I got back into my good non-af sleep. WHAT A DIFFERENCE IN BEING ABLE TO COPE WITH ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING!

Free, when you get back - a couple of things I forgot to address. Yes way back when Telluride was a tiny, quiet town....... It's been at least 25 years since I had the cabin there. I'm curious as to how it's developed. Luckily the "town" area was boxed in by mountains, so hopefully no one was able to ruin it. It was so beautiful - we plan to visit again soon. Also, I felt for your puppy when you described how he knew he wasn't going on the trip with you. Animals are so intuitive and amazing. I love them - oftentimes much more than people. I know we're not supposed to feel that way, but I feel a kinship and connection with critters that's truly profound. Anyway, hope you're in the middle of a lovely time.

Alls, I would have that fear of heights too. But, it sounds like it was very cool.

ML, I hear you about the al thoughts coming out of nowhere, but I feel sure they will continue to lessen. I was reading a post the other day by Jenniech (I believe) and she was saying how amazing it was because she was starting to have big chunks of time where she didn't think of al AT ALL!

NS, as ML says, you are so wise - you always have a way of putting things - and knowing when to say them that rings true and hits home for me.

Have a super day and evening everyone - and to anyone stopping by - MS ??

xx,
UN :lilheart:

[NoSugar]

7 MONTHS OF SOBRIETY BLOWN

Dear UN,

Thank you for what you wrote to me. The only thing that can make what happened to me - no, what I did - tolerable is if I can help someone else reclaim their lives, too. It will give great meaning to the life I am living now if I am at all able to help someone the way many on MWO, especially FallenAngel, Kuya, and Byrdlady, have helped me. And this is a process that goes on and on and loops back and around -- people at all stages of becoming sober benefit those ahead and behind. It's a pretty powerful place and I'm very happy to be here with all of you !

NS

[free at last]

7 MONTHS OF SOBRIETY BLOWN

Hi all,
A quick note to let you know I am doing well. We are hiking 10-15 km every day and climbing close to 1000 meters. Today, we managed to arrive at a hut just before a hailstorm. The hut was completely booked but since we are carrying our tent, we are ok. Right now handing out in the stinky shoe/mud room with the dogs that are accompanying hikers.

The wine and beer is pretty pervasive but I am remaining AF. The AB is helping because it removes the option. I also have no idea what is going on in the world and that, too, is helping with my attitude.

Ok, time to sign off before I loose the connection.

[mylife]

7 MONTHS OF SOBRIETY BLOWN

Hi Guys,

FAL - thanks for popping in - your hike sounds so exciting compared to mine! Huts and Dogs and Hail! Good for you staying AF. The AB does just take options out, for me it's a relief sometimes not to have to reason with myself, and that's precisely what that does.

UN - I can't agree with you more about the difference in being able to cope with everything. Sleep and no anxiety created by putting poison in my own body...what on earth were we ever thinking?! I'm going through a really stressful time at work and my attitude is SO different without AL. I just kind of think - oh well, if things don't work out I'll move on. In the past I would have tossed all night over it. (Except when the booze knocked me out).

NoSugar - I'm with ya on the stepping back thing when it comes to hearing about the state of the world. For one thing, our news in the US is so slanted I just don't even know what to believe anymore. And on the other hand, unless I know what to do about something it will just depress me. I agree volunteering and trying to do something to help is a great way to be involved.

Today, I got up and did my workout for an hour again, I think it's actually becoming a habit now. (Fingers crossed!) I'm flying out of town again this week for a few days on business - but plan to bring my gym clothes and stay on track. As time wears on, my "fears" about Alcohol are getting dimmer and dimmer. That is a great source of hope for me that someday all thoughts of it will be gone.

Have a wonderful day everyone!

[Unwasted]

7 MONTHS OF SOBRIETY BLOWN

FAL - how about you posting from the boonies!! Great to hear that you're doing well. I plan to use the AB just like you and ML are doing - an occasional deterrent! Hope you're having a good time. Not drinking just has to make you a better hiker/climber, eh? Be careful!!

NS, you are welcome - we appreciate your sage advice!

ML, you're motivating me to work out - please keep posting so I'll feel guilty!

Not too much excitement in my world - mostly tedious stuff.........but all working toward a better life.

Take care everyone and have a great remainder of your day/evening.

xx,
UN :lilheart:

[NoSugar]

7 MONTHS OF SOBRIETY BLOWN

Good morning!

Free, HOW GREAT TO HEAR FROM YOU! I sure wasn't expecting that treat . Your horizontal hike sounds very do-able if not for the vertical rise!! That sounds challenging. Are you wearing one of those Strava watches so you can see what you did at the end? My son wears one of those on his bike rides and runs - it is cool to see the elevation changes. There is essentially no vertical rise where my husband and I live.

You're not missing much in the world (unless, unlike me, you're really fascinated with the birth a baby who might be the king of England in about 70 years...).

It sounds like everyone who posts here is into exercise. I did medium-intensity, long-duration cardio and high-rep weight training for most of my adult life. Lately I've been experimenting with the short duration, high-intensity workouts (both cardio and weights) and have found that I really like them and that I accomplish the same results (maybe even better metabolically) in a fraction of the time. Have any of you tried those types of workouts?

I just read a novel (quite a nice switch from all the nonfiction reading lately!!!) that was recommended by someone on MWO: Best Kept Secret: A Novel: Amy Hatvany: 9781439193310: Amazon.com: Books. Have any of you read it? It is entertaining and parts of it, sadly familiar. I sort of felt like I was reading MWO posts that had been organized into a story.

Have a good day, everyone. :h NS

[mylife]

7 MONTHS OF SOBRIETY BLOWN

Hello All,

Just checking in. I just posted on the 100 reasons (or 1000 reasons can't remember) I don't drink thread, and was thinking - maybe the Jason Vale thinking is finally kicking in. I'm seriously starting to wonder what I ever liked about drinking Alcohol. I admit I still love the taste that I developed for wine, but really, threre are a lot of other tasty drinks out there that don't include AL. And I really did not "enjoy" feeling dazed, tired, fat and depressed. I don't even remember the last time I really enjoyed a drink if I really analyze it. Hmmmm....just some food for thought.

Wishing everyone a fantastic AF day.

[mylife]

7 MONTHS OF SOBRIETY BLOWN

Hi Nosugar! Cross Post!

Thanks for the tip on the Novel! I will definitely check it out! Also, I haven't tried the short duration workouts - but I've really gotten into just doing an hour on the eliptical watching a netflix movie or TV episode on my Kindle...lol. It's kind of mindless and cathartic.

Have a great day.

[NoSugar]

7 MONTHS OF SOBRIETY BLOWN

Hi, MyLife

If you ever want to mix it up, give this a try:
The Scientific 7-Minute Workout - NYTimes.com
There is an app that does the countdown for you.
The first time I tried it, I could only do it once. Now I go through it twice each time. I should try 3 rounds but haven't psyched up for that yet .

I also like the meditative aspects of long-duration cardio but since my dog needs a long walk every day (at least once), that works for me.

Like you, I've expanded my beverage options and am shocked to learn how much I like some low/no calorie AF drinks that I had never even considered trying.
Man, AL helps us limit ourselves in just about every aspect of our lives, doesn't it??!!

[Unwasted]

7 MONTHS OF SOBRIETY BLOWN

Hey Everyone,

A quick check in for me.

ML, I'm doing exactly what you're into at the moment - an hour (I do 45 mins about) on the elliptical while I watch t.v. It's not ideal - (No Sugar - your description of a workout is supposed to be better)..........but it works for me at the moment. I have this great machine at home, and the extreme heat this time of year keeps me inside. I just can't get into the gym that's close enough for me to go to, so this is it for now. HOWEVER, when I get to my cabin I'm hoping to do more of what Free is doing - hiking. The very ideal to me is when you're doing something rigorous outside. That's a big part of why we are looking forward to the mountains. Anyway, I think exercise is key to escaping the bad stuff and giving us a MUCH higher quality of life -- keeping the blood pressure down, etc.

OH, ML, I just reloaded the Jason Vale Book on my Kindle. As you know, it was one of the first really impactful books for me. Like you, I think reading it now will really solidify the track I'm on. You know, initially you're rewiring (which he doesn't address), and THEN, when you get some traction on that front, you can really get into what he's saying in a different way -- looking at it intellectually.

NS, thank you for this book recommendation. I am a voracious reader and am always looking for new things! Here's a link to the book I'm just finishing - the story of a young, female heroin addict. If you think you have problems or that quitting drinking was hard - just read this. It's pretty mind-blowing!

Amazon.com: Dying to Survive: Surviving Drug Addiction: A Personal Journey through Drug Addiction: Books

Have a super day everyone.

xx,
UN :lilheart:

[free at last]

7 MONTHS OF SOBRIETY BLOWN

Hi all, am beginning to figure out how to post from my bb, but the font is still too small to read so forgive typos. The hiking is fantastic, and I must say that stopping for a mid morning latte and an afternoon soda (and yes, today we endulged in french fries) sure beats dried fruit and beef jerky anyday.

I have not tried the workout you mentioned, NS, but I have younger friends who are totally into. Have to do something to get this body back. Or at least lose some of it.

Remaining AF, even when hanging out in a pub to avoid the late afternoon showers. May be a few more days before I have internet again.

MS, if you are reading this, I am sending thoughts your way to stay sterong.

Warmest,

[allswell]

7 MONTHS OF SOBRIETY BLOWN

Hello everyone,

Hey NS, I got through half of a fitness program called Insanity that is based on a series of shorter term high intensity workouts but I got burned out on things that heavy duty. I'd really be interested in your program since it sounds like something that can become a routine not some sort of high intensity boot camp kind of thing that requires an hour a day.

FAL, I hope getting on the trails for you does the same it does for me which is getting away from the daily worries and getting to a relaxed, freeing state of mind.

UN, ML, and everyone else - have a great day/evening!