Day 8

Helloooooooo Surf People!

Today we celebrate ONE WEEK ABS!!!

I raise my glass (of pomegranate juice of course!) in a toast to all of you for your courage to continue this brave journey! CLINK!

I want you all to know that I'm really enjoying this opportunity to lead the abs group this month. Each & every one of you brings something unique to this board, and it's great getting to know you all a little better!

I do wish I had more time to spend here. But, a girls got to make a living right? I promise, as soon as I meet my sugardaddy I'll quit my job & be around a lot more! :smokin :D

So, I'd like to ask you all as we enter our 2nd week (or however many days/weeks you have) - how are you doing with the program? Are you coming up on any obstacles in your way? How do you like the CD's? Are you exercising? Let's hear your rants and raves ok?

For all our talk of Rational Recovery the other day, I forgot to mention another website that I like to check out now & then - WFS (Women for Sobriety) has some interesting ideas too so check it out when you get a chance - you guys too!

I was reading some of my early posts - I just can't believe how fast things can change doing abs. I was in a completely different zone just weeks ago. So for anyone that's getting discouraged or impatient, hang in there! It does get better! MUCH better!

Have a great day all!

Don't forget to drink lots of water!

Deirdre

That which we persist in doing becomes easier, not that the task itself has become easier, but that our ability to perform it has improved.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hey Deirdre--love the quote! I'm so glad that you're leading the abs group--and REALLY glad you're enjoying it! I keep telling people that this site is better than any AA/NA meeting I ever went to!

Actually, this isn't my official "check in" for day 8--i'm off to bed! I'll check in properly when I get up...then I'll know what tomorrow really looks like! Oh, before I forget, here's the best quote on the Rational Recovery site: "If you wait until tomorrow, it will be now, only then." Fabulous!

Thanks for all your work here--
hugs, susan

Another day...but still on the horse. Had to laugh when work colleagues invited me to a function tonight. The same time last year I turned in a really lovely little performance for them all and felt like a right D#@%head. So despite the smirks and innuendo I politely declined, citing a mountain of bookwork as my reason for being unable to accept. They didn't push it and the subject was dropped but I thought about what I've learned here from everyones' experiences. I felt embarrassed all over again (I was the new boss from out of town...) but also empowered. Instead of focusing on my less than subtle episode I instead thought of how far I had come (well for 23 days anyway).

I'm not the same person I was a month ago or even a year ago. I was far more careful, at least in public, after the event but now I don't feel like I have to hide or feel like a failure. Sure I'm human, and we've read about the slips and slides, but we have demonstrated a commitment to healing ourselves and refuse to moan about being the victims of some nasty addiction. I feel stronger, and today reminded me unexpectedly of my inner strength and determination.

So can I remind all of us today WE ARE POWERFUL especially when we have set goals for ourselves.

Be strong
Alison

Hi everyone, just checking in. These days it seems to be so hectic that I dont even get near the computer. Doing well, taking the supplments, drinking the water, doing the exercise. Cd's I plan to go back to when I get a chance, I was one of the people who never managed to stay awake during them. I would suddenly wake up when they were over! Maybe some of it was going in I dont know. I have been coming to the site since March and have been mainly abstinent during that time. I did go back to taking a few glasses of wine here and there but nowhere near the bottle a day habit! Really enjoy reading the posts when I do log on, you guys are an inspiration.

Good Morning
Some really great thoughts on yesterday's board.I find it so helpful when I read posts from those who are having a hard time.It really stinks to be down;especially when we are not drinking as we have to face these fears and problems head on. No dulling of the pain now.
As far as the program goes,I take the supps(no topomax),listen to the cd's and exercise 6x per week. Ihave always been an exerciser and believe in some ways my need to exercise curtailed my drinking on many occasions.It also is great for the mood.
What I find difficult is when doubt gets in the way. There are times when I believe that I can't do rk for some but not for me.
Women for Sobriety is a great organization.Their 13 program statements are great.You just feel empowered by them. I especially love the statement about enthusiasm. We do lose our enthusiasm when we drink.
Have a wonderful day all
Janet

Another AFD. I have been on the road all this week. It is tough to be away from my bicycle for exercise and other distractions. Last night I really wanted a beer...no...I really wanted at least 6 beers. I was able to satisfy the craving with club soda. Yipppeee.
Anyway, I head home Friday. If I don't drink this will be the first road trip in years that was alcohol free.
Wish me luck.
congrats to y'all that are hanging in there.
Love and Peace,
Phil

Wow--you guys are doing great! Alison, I KNOW how you felt about effing-up at some function! New job, too! People love a soap opera! And I remember how weird I felt when I saw people afterwardsl..just keep in mind that people have really short memories (look at our news--things just fall off the radar!)--and you're right, you ARE a different person! Everyone will notice that too! Keep it up! The beer/wine or whatever just isn't worth your dreams--or your soul!

It's so good to hear how y'all are doing (Phil, Rust, Janet and, of course, our Deirdre! I'm doing good too (58 days abs!!). I felt not so good yesterday...kept seeing that lovely glass of wine-then I remembered how not so lovely I was after drinking it and the endless glasses that would follow!! DEFINITELY not so lovely! It was never enough--NO amount was....

So today IS a better day after all... Yesterday I felt down and today I feel good...and so it goes....:D (Actually, I probably LEARN the most on the down days--the good days are my reward!

Have a great day, everyone!
best, susan

Good Morning Ya'll

Day 3 here. 2 down!

Yesterday, while out running an impossible amount of frustrating errands, I had a race to the finish line with my personal demon...

"Hurry home so you can have a beer. WAIT! you only have 4 at home. That won't be enough once you get started."
"Well, I'm NOT going to the store AGAIN today. I have all these groceries already melting in my car now. Plus I promised to pick up so-n-so from that B-day party."
"Yeah, but you can ask hubbie to pick her up."
"I can't disappoint her again. I just can't."
And on and on it went...

I totally forgot about the 2 L-Glut I started carrying in my purse in an envelope marked "EMERGENCY"!

When I finally got home I tried something... well... different! I got out the coffee mug I usually sneak wine into and poured it half full of.... APPLE JUICE! Looks like wine right? As I was sipping I realized I was starving... I forgot to eat lunch again. Out came the whole grain bread (Yes, I am starting to eat carbs) and healthy stuff to squeeze between the slices. Well, don'tcha know I was just hungry and prolly had low blood sugar at that crisis time? Cuz the insane craving demon was GONE! The rest of the day went by without a hitch...

This is the thing I like about this approach to not drinking. It's not about simply suffering whiteknuckled abstainance. Rather, for me at least, it's PROACTIVE! It's about doing something...anything... different to get healthy... and stay healthy... body, soul and mind.

Retraining my responces is going to be a challenge. I can see that oooh sooo clearly...

I GOTTA get those cd's! Still waiting for my book to arrive. But in the meantime, ya'll are teaching me loads n loads of helpful stuff. TY! TY! TY!

Keep up the good work. And remember... poor slobs like me NEED poor slobs like you!

HAPPY NOT HUNGOVER THURSDAY YA'LL!

Hi:

Congrats to all. Here's to one week abs! *raises glass of milk*

Phil: congrats & good luck! I was mulling over my drinking history yesterday too, and figured that this was the first time I've gone a week without drinking in about a decade. That's a quarter of my life. Yikes.

Janedoe: 'And remember... poor slobs like me NEED poor slobs like you!' LMAO!

Andrew

Hi everybody! Day 21 for me!!! The good part is that the cravings aren't so bad, no physical just mental! feeling abit better it's 1.18am here in Oz and I can't sleep so decided to get up, have a camomile tea and check out the boards! Boy am I glad that I have some place to come to when I can't sleep:p
Booked an appointment for the gym today as I feel I don't do enough physically anymore. I was feeling a little overwhelmed yesterday as I think once you stop drinking and the cravings aren't that bad you start to notice and take stock of all the things that could be improved and or need to be changed and it can be a big job! So I think for me small steps at the moment. I don't want to go back to the way I was! I have a tendency to take on too much and then fall into a heap.
Its funny because I read about all the young mums on this site trying to look after the house, husband & kids as well as work and I do remember how hectic that can be as well as trying to control the drinking too!! I do admire you all:D
I had my children young so by the time I was 45 they had all left home. I think drinking maybe filled that gap. While I was young I didn't have time for me, now I have the time but don't know me:\
I am just abit confused at the moment but I do know that I will figure this out.
Love to all
Shas
P.S. I have a pet bird who hasn't been happy with me lately been biting my ear when I am on the computer, but I think its because he loves his cup of tea of a morning but now of a nightime just gets water or camomile tea! I think he misses his semillon sav blanc!:evil