BOOZE BUSTERS - Week of 7/21 - (A)bsolutely (F)abulous Hangover Free 30 Day Challenge

[A Work in Progress]

BOOZE BUSTERS - Week of 7/21 - (A)bsolutely (F)abulous Hangover Free 30 Day Challenge

I can't figure out how to enter data on the calendar-thingie for how many drinks each day?? It says my regular login is no good, is there some special way to get onto that thing? I think it's a good idea.

Thanks!

[livingfree]

BOOZE BUSTERS - Week of 7/21 - (A)bsolutely (F)abulous Hangover Free 30 Day Challenge

Congrats to everyone! DG - I didn't get to post on your success thread before it moved down somewhere ... I couldn't remember the forum!! But I want to Congratulate you ... you have been working so hard and such a HUGE inspiration here. Go Girl! Rock on!

[Prodigal Son]

BOOZE BUSTERS - Week of 7/21 - (A)bsolutely (F)abulous Hangover Free 30 Day Challenge

Hello everybody,

I've been lurking around reading MWO for a wee while now. I'm sure there are many others like me too. I'm very pleased to tell you that I've just got to 31 days AF & pot free. I had been using for 24 years. These forums made it easier to achieve, as I didn't feel so alone & having a goal helps. Previously the thought of doing anything like this seemed impossible. I did it on my own terms.

So I'd like to thank you all for your stories, honesty & support. Also like to wish everyone well reaching your goals.

[eksil]

BOOZE BUSTERS - Week of 7/21 - (A)bsolutely (F)abulous Hangover Free 30 Day Challenge

Strange Story

Congrats Doggie on 61. What kind of supplements have people thought improved healing / detox?
Bandit go for it!
Marlon are you doing AF and smoke free at same time? Brave Brave.
July good going almost 1 year!
Jez come back and post tomorrow - where did you wake up today and does it feel better?
Great work Prodigal Son... keep it rolling....

Myself - I decided on popping a bottle of wine 10 days ago so I guess that was around 50 days AF. I have craved it only limitedly since then, and it's times like these that make me question why I had / have a problem [was drinking 1 bottle / night]. I guess it's my lack of moderation control when I do drink. It tastes and feels so good it's hard to have 1 glass or 2 only. Maybe it's the realization that I can't moderate and since a bottle of wine is out of the question my mind does not let me crave it. I think I am a few times a year drinker. I enjoy it, but when turned into a regular habit, I go overboard. It's like knowing you love pizza and eat the whole thing all the time - don't order it but once in a while. Sorry for the blabbering...

Anyhow - on to stranger things....

My wife has had this thing where she has pain in her neck after just a sip of any kind of alcohol... this had been happening when we shared a drink. Separately she went in to see Doc to complain about lymph node pain / swelling. This was 3 months ago.

Well after that bottle I recently cracked 2 weekends ago, I implored her to share a glass, and bam, the pain was there again. So we started to google and all these links came up between Hodgkins Disease / Lymphoma and this pain she was having. I kept nagging her to go to her doctor again and mention it - finally she did last Friday. So the Doc said there is no other explanation and she probably has Hodgkins.... we were devastated. Anyhow this week is all this testing and we find out more Friday. Just a note to anyone who experiences this pain - get it checked out.

[Doggygirl]

BOOZE BUSTERS - Week of 7/21 - (A)bsolutely (F)abulous Hangover Free 30 Day Challenge

Good Day Booze Busters!!!!

Jez, the same user name and password that you use to log on to the MWO web site should work for drink tracker. Speaking of which, I have not updated that in a long time either!! I can't wait for the feature where we can see more than the current month. But it's a nice way to acknowledge the accomplishment each day!

Liv - thanks for your note! I'm glad to be AF.

Prodigal son - Welcome & Congrats on 31 Days AF & PF! Someone close to me has had to work hard to get PF so I know that one isn't easy either - and both together.....Great Job! Post more often if you feel like it - we'd love to get to know you better!

eksil - I am VERY sorry to hear that your wife might have Hodgkins. I'll be hoping that it's a mistake and the tests are negative.

Since there have been some questions about supplements, here's what I started with, and have migrated to. Maybe others could post what they take as well.

I started with the complete MWO Starter Pack. That has evolved into:

All One - seems to be a good foundation. Get on the e-mail list from Powdered Vitamins and Minerals at ALL ONE and take advantage of sales.

B Complex - I still take the MWO version.

Omega Oils - I take a brand I get from my doc

Probiotic - I take a brand I get from my doc

D3 - recent research on Vit. D3 is very interesting - I take a brand I get from my doc

Calcium / Magnesium - I take a balanced version I get from Whole Approach (also a good web site if you are battling yeast problems, which alcohol contributes to)

Selenium (I have low thyroid and selenium helps the effectiveness of the thyroid meds)

I used to take Kudzu and L-Glut, but haven't felt the need in quite some time. (but took them liberally when starting out - and still would if I felt I needed to!) I also have GABA on hand which I like better than Calmes Forte or SAMe (for me)....but found that I like L-Tryptophan even better than GABA for a little calming of the nerves and mood enhancement. (not like drugged - hard to explain)

I previously took Valerian root to help with sleep. These days I'm not taking anything - but I am on Bio-identical hormone therapy, and low progesterone was identified as a contributing factor to the sleep problems. So I'm trying to let the progesterone do it's job without tossing anything else into the mix. (and sleep is better these days - I still wake up too much but can fall back to sleep easily)

I think that's it. I can't emphasize enough how important I think the All One and B-vitamins, etc. are for HEALING. We have really abused our bodies and I think part of breaking the cycle of addiction is healing what's broken.

2 cents for whatever it's worth...

Day 63 and it looks like the sun will be shining today. Wednesday is the one day of the week where I don't have any business meetings to go to, or other obligations. I will work out at Curves early, and of course mind things at the home office for our business. But no trips to see Dad or Chamber of Commerce stuff, etc. I can just stay in my ratty shorts and T-shirt all day!! (I'm glad there's no video phone here)

The visit to Dad was OK yesterday - he mostly napped. It sounds like they worked his fanny off in physical therapy which is what he needs if he's going to get out of there. He HAS to be able to at least sit down and stand up by himself, and make it at least a short distance with the walker. Otherwise Mom can't take care of him at home. I think he worked hard so that is good. No more poop which is good. Mom has 'grown a pair' too and doesn't hesitate to march down to the nurses station when help is needed now. (they ignore the buzzers that the patients have) Dad looked so frail laying there - Diabetes is one step forward, two steps back all the time. I just hope he can go home.

I REALLY want to have more gardening going on next year. This winter I need to read up and make a plan. I've got some lights and a table in the garage (need to be cleaned up of course) so I could even learn to start some flowers and plants from seed in the late winter rather than have to buy the starter plants come spring. I LOVE tending my roof top garden plants!! My hanging tomato pot has lots of cherry tomatoes on it now, and I ate the first ripe one yesterday. (better late than never with these tomatoes!!)

Well, enough babble for this morning. Got a few things to do then I'm off to Curves.

Kick some :alf: :bum: everyone!!

DG
:award: + :award: + ***

[Cinders]

BOOZE BUSTERS - Week of 7/21 - (A)bsolutely (F)abulous Hangover Free 30 Day Challenge

Hello BBers,

Eksil, sending good wishes to you and your wife. Hopefully it is not lymphoma or Hodgkins. Let us know when the results come back.

Prodigal Son, Wow!! Good on you. I imagine you are feeling really proud of yourself and rightly so!!

All the other BBers, have a wonderful Wednesday.

Love,
Cindi

[Ibelieve]

BOOZE BUSTERS - Week of 7/21 - (A)bsolutely (F)abulous Hangover Free 30 Day Challenge

Good Morning

hi

i have been away on college visists with my son. Great fun. bo i haven't had a chance to write since i could only find one wireless connection on Monday.

i appreciate all of the feedback i received on my Monday post regarding triggers and strategies and will employ all of them.

Catching up on the posts make me relaize how very important they are to me.
i couldn't wait until i got home to open them up again.

all my best

diane :thanks::thanks:

[Lila]

BOOZE BUSTERS - Week of 7/21 - (A)bsolutely (F)abulous Hangover Free 30 Day Challenge

Good morning all,
Thanks for sharing your vitamin stuff, DG. I have low thyroid too, (on ARmour) so I will look into selenium. I have always wanted to try tryptophan, but it is costly...I've had 5htp but it doesn't do much for me.
Welcome, Prog, I think this is definately an 'on your own terms' place. With lots of support.
Eksil - welcome - let us know about your wife...I hope it is nothing. How scary!
I had a bad day yesterday - I must confess I read horoscopes and it was supposed to be such a great day for me - but I was all emotional and crying. I had some complaining type posts here, and got some good encouragement, and that helped.
I am slowly losing a bit of weight - my lovely beer seems to have made my tummy stick out a bit. That is very nice and cheering!!!
I am very grateful to this site, and everyone's encouragement.
Love,
Lila ******

[Sheepish]

BOOZE BUSTERS - Week of 7/21 - (A)bsolutely (F)abulous Hangover Free 30 Day Challenge

Hi Doggy and all BBers
I havent checked in for a few days. Have been up and down- had 2 out of last 4 days AF- not what I want. But I am getting back on the train. Didnt feel like posting because it was going to be a downer.
But I am reading.
Not a lot of time now- but thank you all for continuing to share your stories. Good to see you Pamina and glad to hear your day on MOnday, while very tough, was manageable. ANd welcome to Prodigal and Eksil...
-a slightly somber Sheep

[Bookish]

BOOZE BUSTERS - Week of 7/21 - (A)bsolutely (F)abulous Hangover Free 30 Day Challenge

Good Morning to All,

Heading to the County Fair today with the boys. I will be sure to stay away from the race track (where the hard drinks are) and walk right past the beer and wine. I was a little stressed about it yesterday, so I invited my Mom-in-Law to come along. That should help keep the stress down from chasing 2 boys around the fair.

Hubby is being a big brat and picking on me too much and I am not taking it well. I have not told him I am going AF for a while. He is a drinker and will A) not believe I can do it or B) try to blow it for me. So I am going passive aggressive and not telling him. So There!!!

And I must be blind, but where is the Star AF Thingy?

Have a good day all,

Bookish (starting a book by Terry Pratchett)

[sothankful]

BOOZE BUSTERS - Week of 7/21 - (A)bsolutely (F)abulous Hangover Free 30 Day Challenge

Good morning all, Hi Sheep I am glad your back. I know what you mean I had a hard weekend.
I am also back on track. Day 3 Just keep coming back. I am also thinking of going to an AA meeting on Friday. I mean why not. my hubby would like to get a chip. he's been AF 112 days.
I ask this before I was wondering how long did it take to get the Kudzu from this site. I don't know where it's coming from. If anyone can answer this question. I have tried to call the company a few times no one has called me back.

Hello to everyone. I am happy to be here. God Bless

[A Work in Progress]

BOOZE BUSTERS - Week of 7/21 - (A)bsolutely (F)abulous Hangover Free 30 Day Challenge

Hey, Eksil, I hope you get some really good medical evaluations and treatment options for your wife. This is very hard stuff... emotionally, and also in the time that is consumed getting the medical stuff lined up and overseeing it... best wishes...

Yeah I woke up in bed this morning, where I was sposed to be... but still with my recent pattern of 3 am or 3:30 am, got up, felt OK (better than yesterday, for sure), got on the computer. Still mapping out and figuring out all these supplements. Lots of pill bottles to rassle around with!

Took mother to the neurologist today, and as the appointment was winding down, around 3:30pm, all my triggers popped up (oh good! it's time for a drink! I have spent time with my mother, I have been a good daughter, now I get to have a drink!) then I remembered. Oh yeah, not drinking. OK. So I went to Whole Foods instead and got some healthy stuff and enjoyable stuff to eat/drink. Not feeling terribly deprived, actually feeling pretty good.

So now I am past that major "It's cocktail hour!" hurdle, I'll be fine the rest of the evening. That'll be 2 days AF.

BTW I got that powder stuff, put in some V-8, still tastes like crap... Oh well.

[CS04]

BOOZE BUSTERS - Week of 7/21 - (A)bsolutely (F)abulous Hangover Free 30 Day Challenge

All-One

Jez, try combining the powder with juice (V8 or whatever) with an immersion blender, or even a wire whisk -- it blends together better and isn't as gritty. I would alaso sometimes mix it with milk and a mashed banana, like a smoothie -- but not with V8 of course!

[A Work in Progress]

BOOZE BUSTERS - Week of 7/21 - (A)bsolutely (F)abulous Hangover Free 30 Day Challenge

Thanks, but that is exactly what I actually DID do (the immersion blender)! So you are saying it is even WORSE if you don't do that, eh?? Yikes. That stuff, PLUS 10 or 15 pills every day. Well, OK...

Yeah, tomorrow I will try to disguise the powder, by the banana, and fruit juice, and ice, and maybe some peanut butter, in the blender, method...

[july232007]

BOOZE BUSTERS - Week of 7/21 - (A)bsolutely (F)abulous Hangover Free 30 Day Challenge

A year ago tonight!

I found My Way Out one year ago tonight when I truly needed it. So, I chose the date as my screen name and read the boards here well into the night. I was sold immediately on the positve philosophy that one really could find his/her way out. I ordered the supps, got the book and read it--twice. My actual first one year for going AF free will be Friday as it took me two days to get my mind prepared fully for this journey. My way out plan was fairly simple but it scared the shit out of me last July 23rd. Goal one: 30 days AF. If that worked (and I had serious doubts about it) then Goal two: AF for life.

So, I am a work in progress. Goal one is in the bag and Goal two is ever in front of me.

I plan to post something in a few days that sort of tells my story. In short, I have struggled with alcohol for many years and I knew that quite simply it was killing me. I tried mods with spectacular failure for years. I felt that I was losing my life to the booze.

A year ago tonight I was fearful that I was at risk of losing my wife, the relationship with my three small children that I cherish, and what was left of my self respect. I had cast about for several months as to what to do. I could find nothing. Then I did a web search and found this wonderful place.

The past year has been incredibly good to me and I want tell all you that it is worth the effort to go AF.

July

Day 363 AF