May 4 - May AFers

[Loppy lugs]

Looks like I am first up today so will start the thread.

Haven't posted much since I have found this physically quite difficult. Trembles, sweats and a bone aching weariness that I can't describe. Thankfully it is a long weekend here so I have been in and out of bed since Friday night.

I wonder whether it is the antabuse that has been making me so tired. Here they start you on 4 tablets day one, 3 on day etc... So a big hit to the system all in one go.

So anyway I have now been AF for 3 days. Feel quite proud of myself.

While I was wasting a sunny day I pulled out all the self help books I have for giving up alcohol. The oldest is from 1997 "How to give up alcohol for a month" It is a very sweet little book but I think it is aimed at the sort of drinker I was in 1997. So nothing in it about sweats etc and panics so bad that you can't breathe.

I got hold of a copy of the book Believer recommended last week, "changing for good" and although I haven't finished it yet it is helpful to know I have done a lot of the work already. Looking forward to getting to the stage on staying quit. This time I am determined.

Hope the weather is good where you are. It is a beautiful dawn here, with loads of birdsong and I am both noticing it and enjoying it, what a change!

[Mohun]

May 4 - May AFers

Hi Loppy. It's still May 3rd here. :goodjob: on your 3 days. It does get much easier, just get some rest and drink lots of water. Come here lots.

24 days for me. Looking forward to no hangover tomorrow morning.

Good luck to all.

Mo.

[wantrealmeaning]

May 4 - May AFers

Morning all:hallo:

I never got to post on yesterdays thread, had a busy day plus it's also hard for me to get on the PC when my kids are around.

:welcome: all newbies, I can see your all trying really hard, please, please stick at it. After day 5 it really does start to get better physically, hang in there best you can, I know how hard it is, but please believe me, it is SO worth all the discomfort. I'm at day 26AF today, never thought I'd do it, I've been trying on and of for the last 7yrs, but I'm doing it:waving:.

One of my tools for attacking AL has been the South Beach Diet. I believe it has helped me immensely with the bad, bad, sugar/AL cravings, which I don't have at all now, I've been on it for 20 days now. Even if you don't need to lose weight I'd strongly advise anyone struggling with cravings to give it a go for 2wks. Google it and check out phase one of the diet.

Lila, I'm a single mum of 2 girls aged 15 and 13 and 1 boy who will be 12 in July. In April my 15yr old had 6 friends sleep over for her b'day, yep they made a mess, they did tidy up somewhat but they were rushing to go into town, it wasn't tidy by my standards so I did a proper job after they'd gone. In general are my kids messy? YEP. It used to really get me down, I don't let it bother me that much any more, it's just one of those things with pre-teens and teens. However when they do clean and tidy they do a brilliant job and even better when there's a cash incentive.

Janice, Mary, Beck & Aqua thanks so much for sharing how you're all feeling or have felt about the honeymoon period of AF beginning to wear off. It's very important for me to be aware of these sort of things. Whats that saying? Forwarned is forearmed. At the moment I am still enjoying my honeymoon though.

Beck :grouptrophy: congratulations on your 90days AF yesterday, keep going.

It's raining here today so I think I'm going to clear out my closet under the stairs. There's a good days work there, I know I'll feel good when I've do it.

Hope everyone has a good day, stay strong

want
xxxxx

[Popeye]

May 4 - May AFers

Good morning folks,
I haven't been here for a while. I woke up very early this morning and my first thought was for someone I miss terribly and my second was to get legless as soon as possible. I haven't had a drink for three weeks now and I've done 200+ days but I can't remember feeling like that so early in the day. I'm not going to drink. It just got me thinking how easy it would be. The beast still lurks somewhere in the back of my head. I need to be careful.
Anyway, I hope you all have a peaceful Sunday.

[Loppy lugs]

May 4 - May AFers

Popeye, hope your day improves. I've never been able to resist on days like that if they were the weekend. I am only new at this absintence thing but know that everyone here is really surportive. Weather down south still bright and sunny, so am planning to go for a short walk don't know if that will work for you.

Want.. Read your post and dug out my copy of South Beach. Since I don't have a sweet tooth (up until now) I wondered why I had read it and not followed it. Page one and it all became clear " No beer or alcohol of any kind........ Not a drop for the first two weeks". Was never going to be a starter with the old me.

I'll give it another read and maybe have a go, although I do eat a load of fruit which I will miss. Prepared to try anything that could help.

Thanks

[jinja]

May 4 - May AFers

Good morning all,

Congrates Loppy, Mo, Want & Popeye for reaching your various AF days!!

I think I feel abit confused & demoralised. Don't get me wrong - I'm so greatful for this forum to be able to talk & learn about various landmarks in the journey. I just thought that when you hit a point - 3 months, 6 months etc that the daily battle, discussions would fade and 'normality' would grown. I feel quite scared about being ambushed at day 190 or whatever!!

I'm visiting family in the UK in August so that gives me a cool 3 months under my belt - if successful (still thinking ODAT, but that's my ultimate goal!!)

Messy kids - 2 girls aged 5 & 7. Ooohhhh yes, but I'm also messy. I live in 'organised chaos' - I can always find what I need as long as no-one has interfered. Hubby is the tidy one. My 7 year old is already starting with the 'attitude'!!!! Oh what joy to come. :H We are all fire signs too, so we are not a quiet family - one aries, one leo and two sagges'.

Good luck & have a great day.
Take care all
xxx

[time2change]

May 4 - May AFers

Good Morning All
Today is day 6 for me. Last month I had 20 days and for some resaon as good as that felt I still went back to my old ways.

Jinja- I think that altought the thoughts fade that his is something that we will deal with for a long time. We need to learn how to deal with life without alocohol so when the tough times come it will be easier to say no.

Popeye- Post here, read and use whatever tools you have to make this an AF day.

To all- Last night I was feeling lonely and went on chat for the first time ever. I can't recommend it enough to all of you. I was warmly welcomed. laughed so hard I cried and forgot about AL for the entire time. There were two peopl there who know who they are that for me were a god send last night. I am sure that you will find the same help if and when you need it.

I am here for all of you and thank you all for being there for me.

I take antabuse and am finding it very helpful for me. It takes away the option to drnk and as long as I take it when I am feeling strong in the morning I think this may be My Way Out. Not just the antabuse,but that and everything I get from being here with all of you.

I hope you all meet you goal for today.

[retteacher]

May 4 - May AFers

Hi Everyone: I got through a very emotionally difficult day yesterday. I think the stress of my husband's cancer caught up to me a week after the surgery. People have been coming by to visit w/him which is good in a way (seeing supportive friends/family) & bad in another (bottles in the house). I'm feeling strong right now. I'll be walking my pup (2 year old mini-poodle) w/my friend...she has a Jack Russell & the 2 little dogs ALWAYS make us smile & laugh.

Yes, the honeymoon: I just know what everyone who has some time accumulated is facing. I think the 90 day mark was pivotal for me. The constant urges were gone, but the thoughts still lingered. Then the denial crept in:
-I'm not really THAT bad.
-I can have just one.
-blah, blah, blah.

I won't let that happen this time. I won't even say how many AF days I've accumulated, because I'm afraid that will jinx me. I just want to say that I will be sober today. Take care everyone. I'll try to check in later.

Mary

[flyinhigh]

May 4 - May AFers

mornin' may afers!!!

Good Mornin' all....glad to be here again and able to say that I was Af again last night. I am on day 8...I went a whole week!!! Feels great and am looking to the future days with strength!

I have support from strong Afer and they have talked a bit about the honeymoon, but they have also expressed that at 6months, something deeply physical and mentally changed within them. I am looking forward to understanding for myself what they are talking about.

As to chat....time2change is a hoot herself, she can bring laughter and tears to us all there. Thanks for hanging out with the Darrens last night!

I have a friend who is also going AF and doesn't want to count his days, the jinx thing...is this a point you reach after going AF for a while? For me now it is something I need, a motivator. I understand both sides of the coin, myabe it's just different folks, different strokes.

Well, everyone is having different weather today, but I hope we all share Af together,

blessings on you all and thank you!

flyin'

[sidney]

May 4 - May AFers

I haven't been able to post for a couple of days but I am still AF for 15 days. I feel great but I am determined to keep on going for May with your help. I feel blessed to have been able to get this far with all your help. I cannot thank you enough. Keep up the fight!
Kick that sucker in the chops.

[Janice]

May 4 - May AFers

Hi everyone!!! Loppylugs, hope you have a better day....check out the books on the "What we're reading" forum......I posted on "books to help us stay AF" - there are some good ones out there. I'm enjoying the sun in the south too today, hoping to have our first BBQ this afternoon.

Beck, a big Congratulations on your 90 day milestone - amazing!!! Thats where I'm heading - I always value your posts as they give me a good insight into what lies ahead.

Hi Popeye!!! I remember you from when I first joined last year........you had relatives in Northallerton if I remember and took yourself off on holiday to one of my favourite places....Robin Hoods Bay???? Great to have you back Popeye!!

Hi Want......you know I might check out that diet......I have got to do something about these sugar cravings!!!

Mary, my "cyber-mam", thank you so much for your thoughtful and kind words yesterday.....they meant so much to me. Stay strong my friend......

To everyone else.....have a great Sunday......I'm getting the "are you finished yet???" look from my daughter so I'd best sign off!! Hopefully will get back on later......to all the newbies just starting.....stay close to MWO, read, post, read, post......it really does help!!!

love Janicexxx

[time2change]

May 4 - May AFers

Flyin
Thanks for the warm welcome last night. I really enjoyed having one eyebrow and a chin the size of China. i hope we get to do it again soon.

I want to congratulate you on day 8. That is awesome. keep up the great work. I'm right behind you with 6 days and I hope we both will be able to support each other.

Good Luck from your sister Darren.

[Popeye]

May 4 - May AFers

Hi Janice,
Well remembered......
My dad lives near Northallerton. In fact I'm not long back from there.

[Peanut]

May 4 - May AFers

Hello AFers,
Day 4 starting up for me here and another beautiful day on the prairie. Grouchy yesterday, full of head ache and body ache. I had a long sleep though, while listening to the subliminal CD - I think it actually helped me fall asleep, as I never really sleep during the day - this was about 5:30 pm, while dinner was cooking. I think those waves really relaxed me. I just wish I had gotten up less mad at the world.

I should pull out the old South Beach Diet too. I was going to try to WWatchers, but I will take a quick read of SBeach and see is that might be the way to go. I know when I did it before, I had no sugar cravings at all (I can't remember if I drank anything while on it - I may not have been a daily drinker at that time - can't remember).

Has anybody had really bad dreams since starting new on this program? I can't believe how awful my dreams are. I'm talking blood and gore!! It is horrible! Also, my aim at being so productive yesterday didn't really pan out. I worked in the yard in the sun, but didn't get anything done in the house that I had planned (too sunny outside) and then got all tired and useless. I guess I need to give it a bit of time before I feel physically normal - whatever that is.

Have a wonderful Sunday everybody!
Peanut

[Determinator]

May 4 - May AFers

Happy Sunday ABaroooos!!

darn, I didn't get on chat til 10:30 last night so I missed some of the gang....and I have to work late tonight as well. on a sunday no less! the humanity!!!!!!!! lol

Loppy and Sidney, great big welcomes to you two. keep up the good fight eh?

Jinja, love to hear more about SudAfrika if/when you have the time

i went to a nice party last night with live music etc and did just fine drinking 5 cans of soda water (my kidneys feel very 'clean' now) lol. but I did have two pieces of cake and then couldn't sleep last night. the sugar played horrible tricks on my brain which reminded me very much of the feelings I had when I drank al. hmmmmmmm. i think it's time to officially kick this sugar thing and I totally agree that carb-controlled diets are very important.

Mary, extra hugs for you dear. XXXXXXX so proud you are staying the course.

be well friends