Hi Classmates,

Checking in... doing pretty well. I had a weird day yesterday with all sorts of mood swings, second guessing myself, and alcohol cravings, but did not make a big deal of it, just trued to view my mind in a sort of detached way. Also meditated quite a bit with Brain Sync tunes, I think it's really helping me.

I guess a lot of people are excited about Super Bowl today. I'm not really a sports fan so I won't watch the game or do any social etc activity related to it, but enjoy if you are into it and stay sober! I am just working at home quietly today.

Keep up the good work, everyone! :)

Has anyone had success with weight loss after the last month of sobriety? I'm going to weigh myself tomorrow and I feel like I haven't really lost anything even though I am now taking on hundreds less calories per day through not drinking!!

Arteh - I have. I think most of it for me has been water and some proportional changes, eg. much less bloated on the belly area, so can say I'm pretty much back to the shape and figure I had before heavy drinking, already after ~a month. ~10 lbs minus. I also started exercising again, but truly feel most of the bodily changes are due to not retaining water in the wrong ways. I personally think it's enough for me in the weight loss department: I'm a 5'7" woman now ~110 lbs...

Are you supplementing drinking with sugar or processed foods?

Did you really mean to type 110 pounds? Gosh I hope not, it seems that would be dangerously skinny??

Morning everyone, welcome back Kat!

Just sitting here having my morning coffee reading SR before I head to my water aerobics class. Didn't go last week because of holidays and work but having been someone when drinking that never stuck anything out for long I want to change this pattern for once and for all!

We don't have Super Bowl here but Oz is a big sporting nation so I understand the connection with drinking. Think of all those people that make such idiots of themselves (there are always some of them around) and never even make it thru the game! For some these events have nothing to do with supporting a team, just an excuse to get ridiculously drunk and make an absolute fool of themselves. Who wants to be that person?! Be strong everyone....

All of a sudden I am pissed I cant drink like a normal person...that is all.

I was there yesterday irelander - it's so freakin frustrating I could cry. Hang in there !! :)

What is "normal" Irelander? I bet tomorrow the all wish they felt as good as you!

Thanks everyone for the stress relief ideas, I made it....I will be trying the meditation audio that was posted when I can get in a quiet place.
Adee I will def be scheduling some time alone. Can't wait!
Hope all is well, hang in there. Not a fan of either team in Super Bowl, so I will be finding something else to do while the hubby sits and watches.

Arteh, I didn't begin to lose weight until I started walking and watching what I was eating. I began to keep a daily log of everything I eat and the calories (approx.). I find that it keeps me accountable and more conscious of what I'm consuming. In the past 3 weeks I have dropped 7 lbs. with very little effort.

Arteh - I also haven't lost any weight. I decided that I would just focus on not drinking the first 30 days at least. My system is so screwed up and I was drinking a lot of my dinners, and skipping meals so I could drink more later etc etc. I know I have WAY cut down my calories just by not drinking, but it's probably just that I'm no longer gaining because I'm also eating well.

For me, eating a calorie deficit can be really triggering of the "I'm deprived" AV so I have to be really careful and do this slowly. In my self defined phase two (which I'm starting tomorrow), I'm going to start counting calories and adding in exercise 3x a week and see what that does to my weight.

IreLander, you've got to change that mindset! Don't romanticize drinking; try to view it as a toxic substance (which it really is) and be thankful that you aren't poisoning yourself any longer.

You don't know everyone else's real story, it could be many of the people you view as being "normal" have issues themselves. You stay strong today; your mind and body will thank you tomorrow! :DA

Don't forget to 'play the tape right through to the end' IreLander.

A drink is never just a drink to us - it can mean the loss of weeks months or even years...it means sadness it means tragedy and it means despair and self hatred.

Is it fair? probably not - but it's the way it is.

I look at my life now and I marvel that all I needed to do was let go of a toxic relationship I had with booze and drugs

don't spend today feeling miserable and sorry for yourself...count your blessings today IreLander.

you have a new life and a great future ahead - we all do :)
D

RIP Philip Seymour Hoffman. Another tragic loss to addiction:-(

At least we're no longer eating (drinking) empty (sugar) calories.

Our body is now craving real food. Once it gets what it needs your consumption will probably go back down. It will also take time for your brain, to realize THAT. Be patient. Maybe pamper yourself in other ways.

Rest in peace Philip Seymour Hoffman. Another victim of addiction.

Sadly a good reminder for all of us. May he RIP.

Just watching for the commercials today :)

30 DAYS TODAY!!! :c029:

I couldn't be more proud of myself.

Thanks for all your support SR!!

You GO Girl!

Congratulations Sunny :)

D