Cannot quit - too old, too far gone!
Hears The Voice
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Unshackled
Posts: 7,901
Great post Sao. Makes me think you replaced your wrong opinion about whether or not you could quit drinking with a wrong opinion about whether or not you can give salient advice to other people who are struggling. 
Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 25,373
I love your story, Sao. You've been a positive force on these forums and someone I consider an internet friend.
Exercise and a healthy nutritious diet has done wonders for me physically, mentally (psychologically) and spiritually. Without my Nature walks I don't know where I'd be. For me it IS meditation. Yeah, not able to sit still for the other kind of meditation, but an hour long walk puts me in the same headspace. Often at the beginning of a walk my mind is all over the place, but 30 minutes in I'm calm and restored.
When my body is working as designed and my mind is clear, everything is easier.
Exercise and a healthy nutritious diet has done wonders for me physically, mentally (psychologically) and spiritually. Without my Nature walks I don't know where I'd be. For me it IS meditation. Yeah, not able to sit still for the other kind of meditation, but an hour long walk puts me in the same headspace. Often at the beginning of a walk my mind is all over the place, but 30 minutes in I'm calm and restored.
When my body is working as designed and my mind is clear, everything is easier.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: MN
Posts: 8,704
Fantastic post. Inspiring. I agree that the most important thing we can do is force ourselves to get active in sobriety. Those early morning walks, while I'm sure not pleasant at times, was a smart move. Congrats.
Member
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Where I’ve longed to be all my life…..here, now.
Posts: 7,338
Originally Posted by Finalround 
Sao, your title leads to believe you relapsed somehow. I try to avoid those type posts but I have read and seen your posts so frequently I was hesitant to read. What a powerful read. Incredibly encouraging and hopeful. After struggling for traction over the pat year, I dragged my bike out of the shed, blew off the dust and started riding. More and more each day. It has helped quell the cravings. I am putting all the tools to work for me now. None of which in themselves has helped me to stop.
I see so many looking for that reason, or perfect plan to start getting sober. Ripping off the bandaid and diving in got me started.
I hope this thread finds many of those struggling and motivates them to just do it!
Awesome thread. Thank you.
So good, I just read it again.
I see so many looking for that reason, or perfect plan to start getting sober. Ripping off the bandaid and diving in got me started.
I hope this thread finds many of those struggling and motivates them to just do it!
Awesome thread. Thank you.
So good, I just read it again.
Ditto FinalR
Both very well written
saoutchik
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: London
Posts: 16,202
"Great post Sao. Makes me think you replaced your wrong opinion about whether or not you could quit drinking with a wrong opinion about whether or not you can give salient advice to other people who are struggling."
LOL! Thanks Nonsensical, if I just said "getting up early and exercising helped me quit" that would be true and is of a handy bite size to post in a reply but it is also bland and uninspiring without all those lines of background and context. It a bit like a boxer planning to stay out of range for eight rounds and soak up the pressure then counter attack towards the end of the fight with the opponent tiring. It's easy to say but it takes weeks of gym work to execute properly. I was just trying to show my gym work
Spot on, me too bim. I think there is some actual since that confirms walking/exercise is good for you emotionally.
Thanks once again for all your kind responses.
LOL! Thanks Nonsensical, if I just said "getting up early and exercising helped me quit" that would be true and is of a handy bite size to post in a reply but it is also bland and uninspiring without all those lines of background and context. It a bit like a boxer planning to stay out of range for eight rounds and soak up the pressure then counter attack towards the end of the fight with the opponent tiring. It's easy to say but it takes weeks of gym work to execute properly. I was just trying to show my gym work
Originally Posted by biminiblue
Yeah, not able to sit still for the other kind of meditation, but an hour long walk puts me in the same headspace. Often at the beginning of a walk my mind is all over the place, but 30 minutes in I'm calm and restored.
Spot on, me too bim. I think there is some actual since that confirms walking/exercise is good for you emotionally.
Thanks once again for all your kind responses.
Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: St.Petersburg, FL.
Posts: 1,077
Hey, Sao--thanks so much for the inspiring post. My sobriety date is Dec 23 2015. I'd wrecked my car in a blackout drunk suicide attempt and when I left the hospital after a week/rehab for a month I had to adapt to life without a car. Luckily I love cycling and have a nice Bianchi (but of course had neglected riding and taking care of myself) so began my vehicle-less, alcohol-free life. In the nearly 2 years 10 months since the. I've lost 60 lbs, lowered my blood pressure to althletic levels, and feel and look invigorated. I've learned how to repair my bike and it gives me a great feeling of accomplishment. I also go to yoga twice a week and have become vegan. I am 58 years old and starting school again after many years; my goal is to get my BA in social work and help others with addictions.
You are absolutely correct; you're never too old to start again.
You are absolutely correct; you're never too old to start again.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Glen Allen, Va
Posts: 2,589
A wonderful read, Saoutchik! Exercise and keeping busy helped me as well. One of my biggest problems with quitting was about not being able to sleep. Wearing myself out daily did help with that
Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,055
Thank you for posting this. I thought about this all weekend and decided today was the day I would implement the workout plan. I’m back at day one, but I forced myself to get out of bed this morning (hungover and tired!) and get outside for one hour. This is a major step for me since I love to sleep as late as possible! But I’m so tired of nothing changing, I figured I’d make a dramatic change somewhere.
I am excited to fit my exercise/prayer time in before my family needs me.
Thank you again!
I am excited to fit my exercise/prayer time in before my family needs me.
Thank you again!
Currently Active Users Viewing this Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
