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Hi - looking for support

9 years ago 0 +0 / -0 34

Hi Mike, congrats on your first week! You should be very proud of yourself. If ice cream is part of your strategy, don't fight it, at least in the beginning. At least that's what I would do. I have been working with a personal trainer twice a week so I'm trying, a bit, to make up for extra sweets. I find the personal training sessions are very helpful, not only because exercise helps so much with the stress, but also because the night before I know I cannot drink because of the anticipated workout. And because I'm committed and I pay whether I show up or not, I always go. Good luck - remember it's only the day you're living that matters...Maggie

9 years ago 0 +0 / -0 34

Thanks Dave. I have a few coping mechanisms in my quiver - I plan on bringing a bunch of Perrier with me! I also think it's important to "ground" yourself prior to these events. I need to spend some time a few hours before I go out just doing a body scan or a meditation to remind myself, deep inside, how important this is to me. I have a family wedding as well. There will be a lot of unhealthy drinking at that event. However, I find with that group, seeing how really badly off they all are, I can stay sober very easily. If you've ever tried to lose weight, you'll understand how you can look at someone who is morbidly obese and it just reconfirms how you have to stick to the diet. That's how that particular family group has always struck me - like watching The Days of Wine and Roses in the very worst parts. So I think I'll be ok. Had a dinner out and a theatre show last night with friends and they had wine but I ordered a large bottle of San Pellegrino and that was just fine. Still sober! Maggie

9 years ago 0 +0 / -0 8

Hi Hunsister-

Im dealing with a similar situation. I am a binge drinker as well, and im not a huge fan of AA. I ve had several DUI s and had to attend classes per court orders. Every time i went i didnt feel i got a whole lot out of it. I ll have one week tomorrow sober and have been using camprall to help with urges. Funny you mentioned eating sweets. I ve had big bowls of ice cream every night this week! Hang in there and keep posting and use the tools available on the site.

9 years ago 0 +0 / -0 1009

Hi Maggie,

Anytime :) Please do share your thoughts because we all benefit from working through these challenges together. I felt very much the same as you when it comes to visiting friends. Plan ahead, work through it in your mind how you want to handle the situation. You are the one in control and each time you work through these tests you take back a sense of yourself and you free yourself from an unnecessary burden. Stay strong and stay in touch.

All the best,

Dave

9 years ago 0 +0 / -0 34

Thanks Dave. It's good to have people to share with. I hope you're having a great day. Maggie

9 years ago 0 +0 / -0 34

Hi Ashley, thanks for checking in. For sure there are so many advantages to not drinking - you sleep better, you're more proud of yourself, you're losing weight and looking healthier, you're saving money, you remember everything you did last night (or at least as much as a 63 year old remembers!) and you feel so much more in control of you life. There really isn't anything good about drinking. The only time I panic slightly is when I imagine never, ever, having a drink again. But then I pull it back, remind myself that it's just today I should abstain and I can do whatever I want tomorrow. It's working so far. I will say I'm snacking on sweets too much but I'm going to get that under control.

9 years ago 0 +0 / -0 1009

Hi Hunsister,

Always glad to help. The most important thing is to reach out and share your thoughts. You're doing great. Stay focused because you are the one in control, no one else. I like you attitude. Inspired :)

All the best,

Dave

9 years ago 0 +0 / -0 11221

Glad to hear you are doing well and feeling good

Are you noticing any positive benefits to being alcohol free yet?

Ashley, Health Educator

Here to help :)

9 years ago 0 +0 / -0 34

Hi Dave, thanks for getting in touch - it is comforting to know there are people out there to turn to. I abstained from alcohol last year over Lent for the first time. It was primarily to create a connection to my parents, especially my Dad, who were Catholics and who always abstained over Lent. I found that it was easier than I had expected because there was a purpose and a timeframe. This year it was a bit harder but I mostly succeeded. So I have managed now to feel that abstention is almost a habit if you know what I mean. I've reached a period where there aren't constant urges. I found the hints on this website were very helpful, and were approaches I've taken in the past. I find thinking about health and respect and calories (!) is all helpful. I find the bad urges are the ones that sneak up on you - one minute you're out buying a loaf of bread and the next the desire for a beer at a sidewalk cafe in the sunshine! Those are the hardest. I try to put it off for 15 minutes or until I get home or whatever. In BC liquor stores are open until 11 pm. I tell myself that if I still want a drink at 10:45 I can go buy something. By the time that happens, the urge is gone. I'm not saying this is a walk in the park but it's not terrible. I am heading to Toronto to visit old friends at the end of May and I'm already trying to work out my strategy to avoid drinking. Again, thanks for checking in. It is a comfort. Maggie

9 years ago 0 +0 / -0 1009

Hi hunsister,

Welcome to the site. Well done maintaining your focus and goals of not drinking. I can relate to the binge drinking. I found this site to be an excellent support system as many could understand the challenges I experienced when I decided to stop. Great plan to take advantage of that. How do you deal with urges when they come up? Do you have specific strategies?

All the best,

Dave

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