March AF - a beginning

[nonamegirl]

March AF - a beginning

in the dumps

Hi, all, this is a copy of a post I put in the Newbies site...
So, today is day 11 AF for me, and I know that is something to celebrate. And I've been exercising and writing and talking with people who care and petting my critters... and I know I should be feeling better but I am really so very very sad in my heart. And for no reason. I do know that I was self-medicating before... but $#&@ it, it made me feel better! So, I have made an appointment with my doc to get antidepressants again. I don't like the side effects, but this black hole spiral doesn't seem to be a good thing. Sorry to be a downer. I will write again when I feel better.

[Persephone1]

March AF - a beginning

Hey Gang, How's everyone doing?

NoNameGirl ~ Please don't apologize and/or stay away until you 'feel better'. I believe one of the benefits of starting a thread (specifically) to have a 'circle of support' is to utilize it when you're: down/depressed, tempted, angry, weary, lonely, etc...Feel free to share what's going on. Will def support you, wherever you are. You don't need to edit or filter your feelings here, let 'er rip! It may prove to be cathartic.

So, what's going on in everyone's world? :hallo:

I have been dealing with a tremendous amount of neck pain and trying to figure out what's causing it. I haven't been on the forum much lately due to this, chronic pain is very depressing. I also quit smoking almost 3 weeks ago and THAT FEELS GREAT!

Hope everyone stays connected and checks in!

All the best, P

[nonamegirl]

March AF - a beginning

HI, Persephone!
Congratulations on your three week smoke-free! That is simply marvelous. I am really really proud of you. Any chance that the stress of doing that is settling in your neck and causing your neck problems? Here is a hug for you:l

Thank you for your kind words about coming back when I am still sad...
I realize that I need to be here especially then, not just when I am feeling good. People have given me such good advice, and I have taken it to heart. Mostly I need to get over myself and quit throwing myself a pity-party. Valuing each stage I am in, realizing there are going to be good days and bad days is important.

The next really big mile-stone I am looking forward to, and I am confident I will reach it, is finally being able to say in my heart of hearts that I am doing this FOR ME, and not because my husband wants me to do it. Step by step in the right direction and I will get there. :h

[Eve11]

March AF - a beginning

On vaca so little time to write. Just remember all that studies have proven that those who seek support from like minded folks (or folks with the same struggle as we all have) actually have an endorphin rekease when they communicate and support each other. For those of you feeling down, keep posting and think of exercise to release the natural endorphins too so go to the gym, take a run with a friend, etc. Will post more when home.
:l
Eve11

[nonamegirl]

March AF - a beginning

Oooohhh, Eve11, have a little vaca time for me, okay? I mean, life is good, but when is spring ever going to come?

[Persephone1]

March AF - a beginning

Hello Nonamegirl, Blossoms and Eve11, How's everyone doing today? It's friggin' freezing in my little neck of the woods...brrrrr! I am ready for spring!

Looks like we may have lost a few folks...hope they return soon.

Good day, P

[Eve11]

March AF - a beginning

We just returned from D.C. and it was C-o-l-D! Phx is SO much warmer. Hi to all, will post more when I unwind from the trip. Hope everyone is doing fine. Come here for sure if you're not!
:l
Eve11

[nonamegirl]

March AF - a beginning

Hi, All!
Thanks for all the wonderful support and hugs and happiness you are giving me. We stick together, we can get there, yes?
I celebrated 14 days AF by doing my first race of the season. A SLOW 5k, run/walk. oh my goodness am I slow. I don't care... I was out there, and I did NOT line up for the free St. Paddy's Day beer afterwards.

And guess what? It did not snow on us! Hurray!

[Stewarts]

March AF - a beginning

Well, I'm back! Nonamegirl, I loved Montana and the week was good up in Big Sky Country. No big powder dumps, but there was still great skiing. The end of the week got a little crunchy. I did conquer Marx and Lenin though.

So, the verdict on the drinking......I actually did, but I do not feel bad about it and it did not effect my vacation at all in a negative way. I very much drank, well, moderately. We had some great dinners that deserved wine....and a beer or two after skiing feels good.

The first day/night, I did not drink, which I think was good because that was the flight day and I felt much better than everyone else the next morning ready for the slopes. Then I thought about it, the lent thing was excuse to keep people off my back, I am not religious at all. I am on vacation. I am working out a lot (everyday actually, even the trip to yellowstone we walked around a lot). So the second day I said "f it" and asked my roomate for one of the beers he had. The rest of the weekend went off without a hitch and no problems. I never drank too much any of these days. I also came back weighing the same I left, so whatever indulgences I had - both food and drink, did not effect me physically, nor mentally for that matter. I am an excellent skier and I was skiing top form this trip.

So, I'm back. I think I'm going to go back to AL free for now, vacation is over.

I have some other thoughts, but got to get back to work.

j.

[paulywogg]

March AF - a beginning

i too broke my march streak last wednesday i was grilling steaks and i just wanted a beer,so i had a few,it gave me a headache so i went to bed early,but im not trippin cuz it didnt turn into a binge,i was back in the saddle the next day,but the rest of march af for sure!

[Lasha]

March AF - a beginning

Hey Paulywogg, just noticed you've changed your sign off from "get me" to "getting myself off this rollercoaster"
Good for you!

[paulywogg]

March AF - a beginning

for sure lasha! nobody can help me but ME!! duh it finally clicked

[kuya]

March AF - a beginning

paulywogg;1479895 wrote: for sure lasha! nobody can help me but ME!! duh it finally clicked

:l.

People can still care though Pauly :h

[Stewarts]

March AF - a beginning

Actually, a little follow-up, even though I pretty much had some sort of alcohol everyday except for the day I flew in and the day I flew out, people have said I look 10 years younger since I've been back. I think they're exagrerating a little, I didn't lose any weight, maybe toned up a bit from skiing, I was definitely off my diet, both food and drink, so the point...many things depend on the circumstance and of course, moderation is key....I'm not suggesting you go on vacation and binge, unless that's what you want to do. I think a major factor was I was working out everyday and drank a lot of water...I was in bed rather early every night. (and up early).

j.

[nonamegirl]

March AF - a beginning

WOW, Stewarts! That's great! I wish someone would tell me I looked 10 years younger. I am glad you had a good time in Montana. We had a fresh two inches of snow on the ground the day before yesterday...

SO, since I started this thread, today is DAY 20 for me, AF. Hurray! There have been some really rough patches, some days when the depression was sucking me back in pretty deeply. But my body is healing itself, and I am doing good things, step by step.
Did my first race of the race season on this past Saturday, and have another one coming up this coming Saturday - though we will probably have snow to slog through.

Step by step in the right direction is my motto. We'll get there, my friends.:goodjob: