11 Days Sober - First Timer

[3June2013]

11 Days Sober - First Timer

I'm not cut out for Canadian winters. Since. I've been home from Costa Rica I've gained 5 lbs. eating ice cream and hibernating. It's getting me down. I almost feel drunk on all the sugar and some nights I'm so exhausted I leave the messy dishes and pass out. I tell myself each day I will stop and get healthy and every night I abuse my body. Feels a bit like how I used to be with AL.

I'm hoping longer days and warmer temps will help.

[NoSugar]

11 Days Sober - First Timer

You'd be welcome in the No Sugar world :l.

[3June2013]

11 Days Sober - First Timer

Thanks NS, I have some L Glutamine leftover from when I first quit, I will start back using it, and I think that throwing out the ice cream will help. I have a food tracking app that seems to help when I use it. I will get that up and running again. Thankfully, the weather is getting better and that really boosts my spirits as well as makes me more apt to get out for walks! I was really shocked last night at how I felt going to bed. I have no desire to drink again but I didn't realize I was going to have to use the same tools to get my sugar habit under control too!

[lead366]

11 Days Sober - First Timer

3June2013;1635287 wrote: Thanks NS, I have some L Glutamine leftover from when I first quit, I will start back using it, and I think that throwing out the ice cream will help. I have a food tracking app that seems to help when I use it. I will get that up and running again. Thankfully, the weather is getting better and that really boosts my spirits as well as makes me more apt to get out for walks! I was really shocked last night at how I felt going to bed. I have no desire to drink again but I didn't realize I was going to have to use the same tools to get my sugar habit under control too!

Hey you) Hello

I have the same problem......Im into cakes and ice cream and have gained a few pounds....But its ok for now...the key is NO BOOZE...we are still very early in recovery....and while I get used to this I wont deny sweets. BUT?...like you I wish to get a handle on it. I have been reading alot on eating well and DO EAT carefully prepared meals...and just cheat with dessert. I would advise to first get as educated as you can on eating right...it truly does affect moods big time! Dont fret too much...just ease into it...you'll get the hang of it. My plan is to really hunker down on diet once Im around 60-90 days and for now just eat decently and only cheat with dessert. It will be much easier than going AF...especially if you do daily exercise...just a bit.

[3June2013]

11 Days Sober - First Timer

lead, I am over nine months AF now, I used sugar in the beginning weeks, but had a grip on it. For some reason (I think it's this depressing winter) I am not in control now. Still, I agree, if it's a choice between chocolate and a glass of wine I'd rather be fighting the sugar thing.

[3June2013]

11 Days Sober - First Timer

BTW if you're new and reading this...I go days at a time where I don't give AL a fleeting thought. Really. I love my tea at night, in the summer it's iced herbal tea with soda. I have lost 15 pounds. I sleep like a baby. I am healthier than I have been in years. I have time now at night. I do yoga, I floss my teeth, I read. If spring ever gets here I will walk. I won't be so hammered by 7 o'clock I can't do anything. I have control over my life and I am loving it.

You can too. Start with day one. Grit your teeth, come up with a plan, next thing you know the time has gone by and you're not yearning, you're living.

[3June2013]

11 Days Sober - First Timer

Nearly ten months now. I can't say I don't have the occasional thoughts, but they're easy to ignore. I know if I have one drink I will slowly but surely build up to being out of control. I will never give up that control again. I feel too good.

[3June2013]

11 Days Sober - First Timer

Great articles:

[3June2013]

11 Days Sober - First Timer

Good Friday

Easter weekend, another family social event avoided. I am looking back at how I managed them before, drinking mainly. Now that I don't drink there is nothing more boring than watching my brothers get hammered. I opt out of these things now, it's much healthier and I end up much happier. I no longer live my life for others, I might only have another 30-40 years, spent the first 55 pleasing others, now it's my turn!

[3June2013]

11 Days Sober - First Timer

Posting this so I can find it ... thanks Sunbeam!

Originally Posted by johnnyh View Post
1. Cultivate continued acceptance of the fact that your choice is between unhappy, drunken drinking and doing without just one small drink.

2. Cultivate enthusiastic gratitude that you have had the good fortune of finding out what was wrong with you before it was too late.

3. EXPECT as being natural and inevitable, that for a period of time (and it may be a long one), you will recuringly experience.
(a) The conscious, nagging craving for a drink.
(b) The sudden, all but compelling impluse just to take a drink.
(c) The craving, not for a drinks as such, but for the soothing glow and warmth a drink or two once gave you.

4. Remember that the times you don't want a drink are the times in which to build up the strength not to take one when you do want it.

5. Develop and rehearse a daily plan of thinking and acting by which you will live the day without taking a drink, regardless of what may upset you or how hard the old urge for a drink may hit you.

6. Don't for a split second allow yourself to think: 'Isn't it a pity or a mean injustice that I can't take a drink like so-called normal people'.

7. Don't allow yourself to either think about or talk about any real or imgagined pleasure you once did get from drinking

8. Don't permit yourself to think a drink or two would make some bad situation better, or at least easier to live with. Substitute the thought : 'One drink will make it worse - One drink will mean a drunk.'

9. Minimise your situation. Others have greater problems, how joyful such people would be if their problem could be solved by just not taking one little drink today. Think gratefully how lucky you are to have so simple and small a problem.

10. Cultivate and woo enjoyment of sobriety.
a) how good it is to be free of shame and guilt
b) how good it is to be free of the consequences of a drunk just ended or of a coming drunk you've been never able to prevent before.
c) how good it is to be free of what people have been thinking and whispering about you, and of their mingled pity and contempt
d) How good it is to be free of fear.

11. Catalogue and RE-Catalogue the positive enjoyments of sobriety, such as:
a) The simple ability to sleep and eat properly; and wake up glad you're alive; glad you were sober yesterday; and glad you have the privilige of staying sober today
b) the ability to face whatever life may dish out, with peace of mind, self-respect, and full possession of all your faculties.

12. Cultivate a helpful association of ideas:
a) Associate a drink as being the single cause of all the misery, shame and fear you have ever known.
b) Associate a drink as bein the only thing that can destroy you newfound happiness, and take from you your self-respect and peace of mind.

13. Cultivate Grattitude:
a) Grattitude that so much can be yours for so small a price;
b) Grattitude that you can trade just one drink for all the happiness sobriety gives you.
c) Grattitude that MWO (AA) exists, and you found out about it in time.
d) Grattitude that you are an alcoholic, you are not a bad or wicked person, but you have been in the grip of a complusion.
e) Grattitude that since others have done it, you can in time bring it to pass that you will not want or miss the drink that you're doing without.

14. Seek out ways to help other alcoholics - and remember the first way to help others is to stay sober yourself.

15. And don't forget, when the heart is heavy and resistance is low, and the mind is troubled and confused, there is much comfort in a true and understanding friend standing by. You have that friend in MWO (AA).

[3June2013]

11 Days Sober - First Timer

2 weeks away from one year AF. Do I still have the odd fleeting thought that I have beat this thing? Sure. But thanks to being here on MWO I have learned that those thoughts are a fantasy. The reason I have the feeling I have beat this thing is I stopped drinking. If I start, even having one, I would be back drinking full scale in no time. I like being sober. I really do. I like being in control. I like this life. I'm not giving it up.

[Pavati]

11 Days Sober - First Timer

Hi, 3J:

My 6 month date is 2J - I look forward to celebrating these milestones with you.

I agree, this life is so much better.

Thanks for the post from Sunbeam/Johnny

Pav

[Darkest Diamond]

11 Days Sober - First Timer

3J Thanks for your solid and inspirational post! (and Congratulations!)

[3June2013]

11 Days Sober - First Timer

One Year

What a difference a year makes ! I would have never guessed that I'd be here today saying this, but I love being AF and nothing will change that. As I go to bed on day. 365 having a night cap of chamomile tea I thank you all. I couldn't have done it alone!

[Pavati]

11 Days Sober - First Timer

Yay, 3J. I have been thinking about you today.

Congratulations on your amazing year - including that long trip to Costa Rica. Pura vida!

Thanks for all of your support along the way.

Pavati (If just one, why not none!)