A new start for 2010 - who's in and what's your plan?

[Horsegirl]

I would like to join you all with this commitment. I have been lurking on this site for nearly a year now and have learned so much from so many brave people who are willing to share their success and their failures so openly. I have observed that the ones here who are having the best success are attending AA meetings, so I'm seriously considering that approach. I'm not a very outgoing person, so I am a little frightened by that, but I do think that I need to find people who understand and perhaps can help me deal with this.

This site has been a wonderful tool to help me become aware and gives me inspiration to make changes.

Thanks !!!!!!!

Horsegirl

[Chief]

I'm in. Looking forward to getting this monkey off my back......

It's time to take back my life. Day 1.

Don

[Kimberley]

Welcome Com, Horse and Chief - Day 1 it is, it's a very good place to start

[Liath]

I am really excited! Fortunately, I took it easy last night, bowing out of a party invite and only having a few drinks at home. Even though I spent half of Dec. AF, I have been feeling demoralized after winter holiday excess. I intend to do LOTS of reading, save money, and make jewelry with my new found spare time.. I have always said I would make an effort to sell it one day. Now is the time!

Lets let 2010 be the brightest, happiest year yet... anythings possible when we are free of ALs heavy, and insidious burden!

Off to work! One shift until a free weekend!

[happydays]

I am in and starting today for a 30 day AF commitment. My husband knows about it and that will help a lot. He has recently become aware that I "might" have a problem...and I know I do - so this 30 day period is really important for me and my family. I am ready. Last night was my last drink - I am embarrssed to say that I hid the one bottle of wine and had what appeard 3 glasses from the other bottle...total had almost 2 bottles - I knew I would be making this commitment for 2010 and guess I wanted to have one last time. The night ended bad and I cannot keep doing this
Plan: No white in in the house
"witching hour" make tea - take my daughter for a walk outside. As I am writting this I am thinking may even try to cook dinner earlier so I am not in the kitchen
Telling family and friends that I am not drinking in January and then again give up alcohol for lent.
Get back into scrapbooking and reading and yoga at night
Going for an outdoor walk always helps
Get back into training for marathons / events - helps so much with focus and discipline.
Check in on this site

One positive step I already took: This morning when I woke up and regretted / ashamed of last night I decided to call a family member who asked me to run a part of a triatholon for him - he was going to bike. Well, the event is the morning after a wedding that I am in - at first I told him "no way" thinking I am going to be drinking and partying at the wedding. Well, this a.m. I called him and said I am in because right now I think I may need to do things / events like this to keep me focused.

Thanks - I am looking forward to sharing this journey and 2010 is going to have lots of HAPPY DAYS!

[Kimberley]

Welcome HappyDays and Liath I am glad to hear you sounding so positive. I have had a really lovely Day 1 and am looking forward to Day 2 with you all

[MauMcL]

Hi everybody. I'm new here and too hungover to give my full story. I'm just going to come right out with it. I am a "binge" drinker. I do not "crave" alcohol 6 out of 7 days of the week, but on the 7th day -- watch out. I am so tired of losing a whole day of my life every weekend either to a mild/moderate/severe hangover!

Last night was particularly troublesome. I drank way too much. Unfortunately, and no one
knows this but my husband I fell off the toilet, into the tub, and hit my head. I think I am OK, although I am aware of what to watch for and will go get a CAT scan if anything changes is not feeling right...

I'm so ashamed of myself today. Basically, I hate myself right now. I am so tired of this cycle...Party-Hangover-Self-Hatred, Party-Hangover-Self-Hatred...

I do not think I am a candidate for drinking moderately. I've tried every trick in the book incl. changing my poison according to what sort of phase I'm in. I 49, a Mom of three, a wife: I have to stop doing this to myself. I need help doing this.

I am going to check out AA as well. God Bless everybody. AF 2010 for us all who are seeking.

[biba bee]

Hi Kimberley and all, the snow is coming down here and I'm feeling inspired about the prospect of a sober January. Beginning to realise that I may not be ever able to drink moderately as it doesn't take long to slip back into a bottle of wine a day...
the things that will help are;
support from you lot- we can do it!!!
yoga with a lovely new friend who doesn't know about my problem. helping others, gardening, being aware of triggers (preparing food in evening, social occasions). socialising with another, lovely teetotal friend. its going to be a great year!

[cuckoosnest83]

Good morning all. Just a quick note to say hi and hope everyone did well on the first day of the new year.

[com1]

Hello to all the 2010 AF newbies!

I had a wonderful day being AF and now a no illness morning. I can only look forward with hope as I go ODAT for today.

Thanks to all and have a great one.

com