My NEW Story Starts Here...

[Doggygirl]

My NEW Story Starts Here...

Nurse, thank you for posting in my journal. I was in very bad shape mentally and physically, and it's exciting just to feel "Alive" again.

I am sorry about the headaches!!! I feel funny suggesting this to a nurse, but are you drinking lots of fluids? detox is a bitch.... Stick with it so you don't have to go through this part ever again! Best wishes to you!

DG

[Ed]

My NEW Story Starts Here...

Hi Doggygirl,
Your pictures brought a tears to my eyes! How fabulous you look and what an incredible inspiration you've been to so many of us. You should write a book and inspire others out there who haven't been lucky enough to find this site. All the best! :wow3:

[Doggygirl]

My NEW Story Starts Here...

Thank you Ed. Believe me, if I can do it, we can all do it! Best wishes to you.

DG

[Pamina]

My NEW Story Starts Here...

WOW, DG, what can I say but join the chorus of admiration!! Your energy throughout this project has been amazing, and the results speak for themselves. Well done, you!! :yougo: And also for putting it all, including the pictures, out there to help everyone else.

Speaking of which, it is just as equally amazing that you take the time to support others and to consider their circumstances individually. I've always marvelled at how you stop to think through other people's problems and find the appropriate words of encouragement (not to mention the speed of your typing c: - LOL).

It sometimes makes me wonder whether you receive as much support in return. I'm as guilty as anyone of getting my head stuck in my own issues. Or deciding that I'm fed up with spending so much time thinking about (not) drinking and taking a break from MWO. Anyway, if you want our collective input on something (not just our undying admiration...) do give us a shout, OK?!

Meanwhile, I do have a few thoughts on the weight maintenance issue you mentioned in monthly abs. First, I think it's important to find a way to view it as an accomplishment in its own right. The obvious parallel with AL is that the challenge is not just to stop but to 'stay stopped'. Similarly, the weight needing to 'stay lost' is actually a new challenge. Just as people keep going to AA after years and years AF, so they kept coming to the Weight Watchers meetings I've attended even though they'd already reached their goal weight. They'd be reminded of a process they'd never want to go thru again, they could help others struggling along and they'd receive tips on how to carry on. Crucially, they'd ALWAYS receive acknowledgment of their success in both losing the weight and in keeping it off. You haven't lost the weight in a group, but maybe you could still enlist the folks at Curves and Mr Doggy to give you periodic pats on the back. Sticking a 'fat' photo of yourself on the back of a kitchen cupboard door might also do the trick. Besides, you're very motivational and would make a great group leader for a slimming class if you wanted the ongoing feedback.

Second, just as your sobriety was a prerequisite for the weight loss, so the weight maintenance can be a prerequisite for other positive changes you're now working on. Health is the obvious one that comes to mind - blood pressure, sugar levels etc. Or new forms of exercise, like yoga. I say this from experience because I used to be quite flexible before piling on loads of weight. Try bending over into yoga poses with an extra 20 pounds on your stomach! You can't even see your toes, never mind touch them!! So even though you're no longer shifting into smaller dress sizes, your body can gradually DO more things, which becomes motivational in itself.

Third, it may well be that you've already internalised the different components of healthy living, that they've become a part of your daily routine, and that you're going thru a mental transition. One that frees up the energy you've spent on figuring out how to do all this and which can now be spent on new projects that bring you a sense of accomplishment.

Keep us posted on what they are!

[brightlite]

My NEW Story Starts Here...

Wow! What a transformation! Congrats on your hard work...you look marvelous!

[Doggygirl]

My NEW Story Starts Here...

Pamina, thank you for sharing your thoughts. I'm so glad you posted about the "connection" you see between the "what now?" part of AF - moving from just not drinking to creating a life where there is no place for AL and weight loss / weight maintenance. Duh. I have to laugh when I completely miss those things that are right under my nose!!! You are so right that it needs to be about goals in my new life style - not just about "weight." Exercise, way of eating, those elements are sure common between AF and weight maintenance for me. Not to mention just living an "active" life.

Thank you for reading my story and for the great compliment brightlite!

Since it's becoming part of my story now, I should mention that I have taken up yoga in addition to Curves. It's all brand new but I'm hoping to increase strength and flexibility, and also incorporate meditation in there somewhere. I found a place to take some classes and I also got two DVD's and a matt, blocks and strap for home. The title "Yoga For Inflexible People" just screamed BUY ME!! LOL! After a couple times working with the DVD I realize I am for more inflexible than I thought!

The Beast has been very quiet lately and I'm grateful for that. During stressful moments I am far more likely to fight off an urge to go buy a huge bag of gummy bears than have to fight off a Vodkapade. Life is good.

DG

[Ripple]

My NEW Story Starts Here...

DG=girl .. you are amazing.. i've been reading your astounding tranformation. I too thought about taking photos of myself. Holy Mackeral.. you are a complete different person!!! I am impressed.. I'm getting ideas now. Thank you for your input. This rarely happens. WOW!

Love Ripples. :l

[Doggygirl]

My NEW Story Starts Here...

Ripp, if I can do it, you can do it. YOU ARE WORTH IT!!!!!!

DG

[MissDoodleBug]

My NEW Story Starts Here...

WOW DG!!!! You are beauooootiful : )

Love,

Doodlebug

[Gerrard]

My NEW Story Starts Here...

:welcome:

diamond;167263 wrote: Well done- you are an inspiration to all of us.

Thank you for telling us your story xx

[hulagirl]

My NEW Story Starts Here...

:bump: Just want to keep this in view for inspiration and reminders

[Sisyphus56]

My NEW Story Starts Here...

Hi. This is my first post. I just wanted to say that this story has inspired me beyond words. I haven't stopped yet but my history (which I'll post later) is similar to DoggyGirl's. Today I ordered the starter kit and hope it gets here very soon.

Thank you DoggyGirl and congratulations on your huge life changes

[Doggygirl]

My NEW Story Starts Here...

Hi Sisyphus. If your problems with alcohol are anything like mine, then I am happy to provide some inspiration for you to change the game. You do not HAVE to live in a desparate, miserable, hopeless way. It's not easy to get sober, but it is so worth it!!

Hula, love you AND your classroom!!!

DG

[retteacher]

My NEW Story Starts Here...

DGirl: This thread is so great! I read it from where I first posted. I love the before/after photos. Your husband is probably on cloud 9. I especially loved reading about all the gyrations you (& I) went through in order to hide the drinking. Who were we kidding? Everyone knew something was wrong...maybe they couldn't put their finger on exactly what...but they knew they weren't interacting w/the real Mary when I was under the influence. I will come back again & again just to keep myself going. Love, Mary

[retteacher]

My NEW Story Starts Here...

DG: Sometimes I ask myself if you (or I) should mind putting so much time & energy into MWO & other forms of recovery. Then, I have to remind myself of the days & weeks that were wasted on drinking. Whole days went by in a blur. I plowed through what would have been meaningful work &/or other experiences because I was drinking (or planning to drink). The planning, buying, drinking, & hangovers alone took up so much time & energy, it's a wonder I could do anything at all. So, any time & energy I put into MWO or AA or reading recovery literature is time well spent. I'm finding I still have plenty of time to fool around w/my family &/or doggie. Mary