My NEW Story Starts Here...

[ATLThrash]

My NEW Story Starts Here...

I think page 17-- those are fantastic!!! And at 50 when I know it gets harder-- what was your workout regime immediately post alcohol, DG, if you don't mind me asking? Or is it buried on this thread? I am 44-- not drinking but I do feel there may be some hormonal issues that are effecting me-- not sure how to figure that out but there are some of those signs!

[Doggygirl]

My NEW Story Starts Here...

You are welcome CS04!

ATL - I started working out at Curves and just hit the workout hard about 5 or 6X per week. I did that for over a year then went to the Big Gym to change it up, then back to Curves, and now on to some other stuff. I read one of Suzanne Somers books (The Sexy Years I think) which is what got me going in the right direction for the hormones. The hardest part is often finding a good doctor to work with. But that book was my starting point.

DG

[Almostfamous]

My NEW Story Starts Here...

I'm half way through the thread. It's awe- inspiring. You are beautiful inside and out. Thanks for your humor, honesty and for taking the time to write down your journey.

[ATLThrash]

My NEW Story Starts Here...

DG--If I counted right you lost about 50 to 60 lbs in like 6 months or so? Wow! from end of May until beginning of January-- that was so incredible. I am 44 and things are happening with my body that I cannot explain in any way except hormonal. My skin that has already been good even while drinking is just insanely bad now and will nto respond to antibiotics, etc. I was always hot natured but now it is insane-- I could put the AC on when it is 40 degrees! My thyroid is normal so it is not that..but..And I used to live having sex with my husband and he gets better looking every year while the thought just repulese me-- and I had read women my age really want sex! I am getting that book. My experience with the health care system in this country has not been that good so I am sure finding a doc to work with will be challenging-- I had some serious illnesses starting in my late 20s and it has been one thing after another since then (I did not drink when I had them so AL was not the cause). As a result of overexposure to docs and the callousness of many (and don't get me going on the insurance people)-- I am loath to even go to a doctor. This thread is inspiring and I thank you for your help!

[Doggygirl]

My NEW Story Starts Here...

ATL, I think one of Suzanne's books is a good place to start. She talks a lot about where the "medical establishment" doesn't really help - especially when it comes to the sex hormones and also thyroid. I have no idea what your "normal" thyroid numbers are, but my testing would have been seen as "normal" by a mainstream doctor. I have benefited immensely from seeing a doctor who understands thyroid on a more practical level and also understands the benefits of natural desicated porcine thyroid rather than synthetic T4 only thyroid medication, which is what a lot of "mainstream" doctors push. I was very lucky to find a doc who gets it. She takes a lot of risk and no longer accepts insurance because the insurance companies dictate treatment which is different than what she does.

But...

Every six months I get all kinds of blood work done and all my numbers are beautiful. (including cholesterol, triglycerides, BG, all that stuff)

I just never trust "my thyroid is normal" when people have such symptoms and there are so many issues with testing. The range of "normal" for TSH is so broad you could drive a truck through it, and most docs don't even test Free T3 and Free T4, which are far more critical to understanding how your thyroid is doing than TSH (IMO).

Thyroid Mistreatment, Hypothyroidism Scandals, and Thyroid Treatment Problems | Stop The Thyroid Madness™ is another good web site for information about that.

Sorry for the thyroid rant.

Yes, I lost weight at about 2 lbs/week average. A little more in the early days and a little less closer to goal. I was VERY strictly low carb and did not cheat AT ALL during that time. That is important to know - it wasn't magic and I wasn't eating cookies or any sugar AT ALL or anything off my plan. About 1500 calories a day.

Well - that was another novel! Good luck to you. I'll be interested to hear what you think if you decide to start reading.

DG

[ATLThrash]

My NEW Story Starts Here...

I ordered one of the books today DG. And I had heard what you said about thyroid before. My dad had thyroid cancer and they cannot get him straight on the medication at all. He is in great shape and very fit but now he is tired all the time. I have a friend that has one of those thyroid syndromes-- Hiroshima or something like that and he went off synthroid and is using natural stuff. He feels far better. My cholesterol is good, my triglycerides are high but should go down with more work out. My blood sugar is fine but all of it could improve. I went to the gym today with inspiring thoughts-- right after I ordered the book. I am eating low carb as well-- the carbs I am having are all fresh fruits and vegetables-- no rice, potatoes, bread etc. I like salty and not sweet so the dessert thing should not be an issue. I have alot of belly fat and I know that can cause a host of issues! So I am giving it quite a try! Thanks for your help!

[BlondeAFAmbition]

My NEW Story Starts Here...

What an inspiring story DG! I am glad it was resurrected in this section!!! The photos are amazing; you should be so proud of your transformation! It is so enlightening to those of us in the early stages of recovery. Thank you.

[CollieMom]

My NEW Story Starts Here...

Great story, DG! And you are right about substituting reading this journal for AL thoughts/action. I started a couple hours ago and just finished; now, ready for bed!

Isn't it interesting how something you began 'for you,' to help you on your journey, has been such an incredible help to so many other people. I chose 'inspired' as my little mood thingie when I signed up here a few days ago - you've done that in spades. Thanks!

[Doggygirl]

My NEW Story Starts Here...

Hi again! Glad you find something helpful in here.

Collie - looks like you are pretty new here. :welcome:!

Good luck to all in your journies to sobriety. No matter how difficult it feels sometimes, it is WORTH IT!

DG

[LadyLush]

My NEW Story Starts Here...

Wow and wow!

Can't stop reading DG.

Thank-you from the bottom of my heart!


LL:l

[Doggygirl]

My NEW Story Starts Here...

LL - so glad to *see* you!! I took too many classes this semester so haven't had much time to spend here on the boards. I'm losing track of everyone!!! I hope things are going SUPER for you!!! (or at least sober for you!!) It truly is worth all the agony in the beginning to get to the other side - sober living. I hope you are experiencing some of that too now!

DG

[Bruunhilde]

My NEW Story Starts Here...

Hi DG! I am on the antabuse train with Lush. It takes the battle out of us, the drinking thinking isn't possible. Anyone reading your thread for inspiration can try using antabuse to take that thinking away, its very freeing and probably what you mean when you say in this thread that going AF is much easier after a while - I imagine because you have mostly gotten rid of the drinking thinking. Anyways, thought that might contribute something or at least update you on us! Thanks again for a great inspirational story and a huge accomplishment. You continue to help us even when you're not able to spend time here!

By the way, did you have memory problems that got fixed when you went abstinent? I'm wondering if I'll ever get mine back, or if I never had it to begin with (I am recalling my school years as ADD).

[Doggygirl]

My NEW Story Starts Here...

Bruun!!! :yougo::yougo: So happy to hear from you and also to know you are on the AB train with Lushy! Wow I am so happy for you. Yes, that's what feels easier when the stinkin' thinkin' isn't constant any more. Good for you solving that problem with AB!

My memory seemed really off when I first sobered up. I also had issues like words would come out of my mouth in the wrong order????? PAWS related stuff I think. That improved with time as did my memory issue. I feel like my memory still isn't what it used to be. But I do feel much more steady than I did at first.

Realizing what kind of stress I put on my brain with all that AL, it's a wonder I can function at all! Our bodies really are amazingly adaptable. I'm hoping to keep taking better care of mine from here on out!

You ladies ROCK!! I'm so happy for you both!!!! I truly believe there is a way out for all of us if we never give up.

DG

[Bruunhilde]

My NEW Story Starts Here...

DG, thanks for the support and for the recall recall. :l

[lukalee]

My NEW Story Starts Here...

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