I'm going alcohol free and need accountability...anyone want to join me?

[beatrice]

Hi !
I have been off the LC lifestyle for way too long now, and I used to think that it was just the addition of carbs in my diet that made me groggy, gain tons (30 pounds!) of weight, lose sleep, make me too lethargic to exercise, and feel like I had a hangover...

wait, a hangover? ...

Oh, perhaps it was not the carbs, but the gallons of booze I have been pouring into my body over the past five years!

I have recently admitted that I have a problem with alcohol. For me, it's not a physical addiction, but a psychological one. Come five o'clock and all bets are off...it's time for that cocktail to shut out the world and reward myself with what would turn into episodes of cursed oblivion. I have been off the stuff for only two weeks now, but feel a sense of wellness. What I don't want to do is trade one addiction in for another, and I know that sugar/carb addiction goes hand in hand with alcohol.

Sooooo, I am starting a new journey towards a healthy, low carb, alcohol free life, but I know I need help. Anyone want to join me? Let's keep each other accountable, cheer each other on, give each other advice, and just support each other in this goal.

Hope to hear from others who want to climb on board. I know I can do this alone, but it sure would be more fun to have fellow travelers on this road trip.

[Pitch]

Welcome to the best decision you have ever made, it is a choice you will never regret. I gave up alcohol 14 months ago, and it is without a doubt the best gift I have ever given myself.
I have learned a few things along the way, it gets easier with time, the more time you put between yourself and that poison the less likely you are to go back to those bad habits.

Your not missing anything, you want rewards? you will reap them every day, better health, sleep, brain function, coordination, the list is long.

There have been a few threads in this section started by people who wanted to stop, ultimately they probably relapsed and were embarrassed by their failure, its not easy but it can be done, it comes down to you, you are in control. Remember you are in control, just tell that stupid part of your brain to shut the F up when its trying to justify consuming alcohol for whatever reason. these moments will pass with time.

Dont obsess about it, you have no need to justify your personal decision to anybody, everybody seems to think they need an excuse not to indulge around their friends, when it comes down to it I just tell people Im a non drinker, at one time I drank now I dont, AND I FEEL GREAT, THANKS FOR ASKING.

My only regret is not having done this sooner, but Im enjoying life to the fullest now, dont be embarrassed if you happen to weep tears of joy at some point, because it will happen.

I highly recommend the book The easy way to stop drinking by Allen Carr, it all just common sense. congratulations on the best decision you will ever make.

[beatrice]

Thank you Pitch. I've read the book and it has opened my mind! I saw the previous threads, but they were a bit dusty with no recent posts, so I thought I would pitch this one out there and see if anyone else was looking for support.

I already feel 100 percent better! It's early days yet, but I have thrown myself into the deep end and I have a few resources outside of the virtual world to act as life rafts if I need them. I want to make this change coincide with my LC life. I have absolutely no doubt that the two go hand in hand. It's a bit scary, but I am finding my courage. I know I can do this.

Thanks again!

[HowardFarns]

I wish you the very best of luck with this.. I've had problems in the past with alcohol and it puts on so much weight, especially after years of doing it. I've been off mostly for 3 months (i have a couple on the weekend) and feel a lot better for it. I just need to make sure I don't let the weekend drinks creep up again midweek!

Best of luck

[beatrice]

Thank you Howard! Life is better when it's unfiltered. I already feel the energy returning and I am so optimistic. Have a wonderful Sunday evening!

[lkelley36]

Are you starving to death???? lol... Decided to cut back and hope to lose weight and feel better. I am soooooo tired and I am starving all the time!!! I am the same as you....as I haven't had a physical problem with not drinking, just a mental thing...a habit for noooo reason!! Hoping to lose weight thinking that has to be the reason I can't. Course I am hypothyroid too...ugggg But geez I am hungry like crazy! It has only been a week though. Is it cause I am not drinking?

[lynnport]

Bought Allen Carr's book today. Looking forward to reading it. Hope it takes me to a new place.

[lynnport]

Starting clean tomorrow!!!

[SaucyZyanya]

I'm with you Beatrice! Congratulations on your decision. I did the same and have not had any alcohol since March 24th. This is a huge deal for me. I don't even remember ever going that long in quite a few years. Although it's only been a few weeks, my life has changed dramatically in this short period of time. Although I'm not at the weight yet that I want to be at, I have not been this happy with my life in many years. My LC plan has been going great, I got a personal trainer 3 times a week, lost 3 pant sizes, depression is gone, energy is back, and there is no guilt to deal with every morning. I'm not sure why this time is different, but I just know that it is.

Pitch, I so agree with you. I also read Allen Carr's book a couple of years ago, but it just didn't click at the time. I plan on reading it again because I don't think I ever finished it. Most recently I read Rational Recovery by Jack Trimpey. I highly recommend it. I know AA has saved many lives, but I cannot agree with the whole disease/powerless philosophy. Rational Recovery appeals to my sense of taking responsibilty.

Well, I went about this all backwards. This is my first post and I didn't even introduce myself in the New Members forum. So hi and I'm so glad I found this website.

[BABYSTEPS]

Can I join too? today is day 1 for me . I started omitting beer a while ago but now I want to be alcohol free.I bet I start losing again.

[12baloozr]

Originally Posted by beatrice

Hi !
I have recently admitted that I have a problem with alcohol. For me, it's not a physical addiction, but a psychological one. Come five o'clock and all bets are off...it's time for that cocktail to shut out the world and reward myself with what would turn into episodes of cursed oblivion.

This describes me almost perfectly, the only difference is I welcomed the oblivion, not cursed it.

Earlier this year I stopped drinking for 3 weeks. I wanted to, then something just clicked and it was so easy, no cravings, no struggles or anything. So, of course I decided, no problem, I'll just have a few beers this one night for enjoyment. And I've been unable to stop until last weekend.

But every day is a struggle, especially between 4 - 8 pm (earlier on weekends and non-work days). If I can make it to 8, it's not so hard.

So, I'm glad to find this group! Although to be brutally honest, reading others' posts makes me want to go have a few drinks and start over tomorrow, so I have to be careful.

[becominglex]

Hi guys- I can relate to much of this. I just recently quit drinking but I know I will be successful this time. I also quit smoking and am committed to finally getting healthy. I don't know about you guys, but I have found not hanging around people who smoke and drinking is helping a lot (sounds obvious but pretty much everyone I know "irl" drinks and smokes like a fish- time to make new friends in the real world).

[12baloozr]

Day 9.

I'm learning that I drink (and probably eat) from boredom. I need to get away from the computer and do something active.

[becominglex]

What sort of active activities do you like? I have chronic fatigue so I generally don't feel well enough to do much (going on the computer and not lying in bed is an improvement)- but I do love swimming, hiking and walking and being in nature. I have found that I am not athletically inclined at all (I have NO coordination and do not like to play sports of any kind, never have) but I recently got interested in bird-watching (and identifying and photogaphing the birds with my digital camera) and have found I get more exercise when I am distacted and walking around looking for birds. It doesn't seem so boring to me then, I have a purpose and am compiling a list and learning things. So far all I really get on my balcony are dark eyed juncos (this is a female)
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...65819176_n.jpg

black capped chickadees
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...44009910_n.jpg

starlings
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...76443112_n.jpg

But lately I have had a huge crow visit me most days for sweetened spelt flakes. What does this have to do with booze? Ah, it's a good distraction and a good way for me to walk around and not be bored.

[healthy for life]

Have you guys noticed a big loss when you stop drinking?

[12baloozr]

Originally Posted by healthy for life

Have you guys noticed a big loss when you stop drinking?

No! and I was expecting a big one! 7 beers @150 calories per night plus chips by the bag because at that point I figured WTH? I expected to drop 3 - 5 or more in 10 days, but it's not happening.

I'm actually eating less than when I'm drinking. It's just not fair.

(btw, caved last night so starting over)

[SamiKing]

Good luck!

I used to drink too much (WAY too much!) but I've recently given up alcohol. I gave up 9 weeks ago after a particularly boozy night and I have never felt physically better. Mentally, well, the changes are MASSIVE - I no longer feel guilty, embarrassed or ashamed and I never get a hangover! It's amazing. Given up alcohol was the best thing I've ever done, and I'm really proud of myself for it. I have no inclinations to drink again and this time I know that it's the only way forward for me. I, too, linked the low-carb lifestyle with my given up drinking, and both together have worked wonders. I have been low carb for 5 weeks and have lost about a stone (14lbs) - I've never been happier ! Good luck with both the no alcohol and low carbing - you can do it!

[Jillo]

I quit drinking and lost 240 pounds. His name was Joel.

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by Jillo

I quit drinking and lost 240 pounds. His name was Joel.

[KITTYM]

Hay everyone do you have room for one more?

[Tylar]

Me too! I'm on Day 4 of the new & improved sugar-free me. That includes ditching alcohol, too, which I'm struggling with right now. But I know from past experience, it'll get easier. I don't think I could stay sugar-free & low-carb otherwise.

By the way, it's inspiring to hear the success stories of you all. I know the feeling you talk about, and I want it again!

[Peggy15]

Me too, me too! This is about the 100th time I have said I was going to stop drinking so much, but I really want to make it happen. My weight isn't budging, and I embarassed myself yet again by drinking too much last Saturday. I am psychologically addicted as well, and as it is now 5:30 p.m., the little alcodemon is nudging me. Keep posting everyone - I am finding it very inspirational.

[Tylar]

Yes, I think the psychological challenge is the worst. I love sharing a few cocktails with hubby out on the deck when he's grilling, and I miss that.

This weekend, I mixed a "legal" drink that really satisfied: Diet tonic water with a squirt of raspberry-lemonade Mio, poured over a glass of ice and freshly sliced limes. Wow, was that good! And it tasted like a grown-up drink.

[SamiKing]

How is everyone doing?? I'm still alcohol free and still loving it! Hope you're all doing well on that front, too!

[Tylar]

Hey @SamiKing... I'm still good, too (almost two weeks!). I'm feeling great, and I know it's helping me maintain my food plan. Not to mention saving a few bucks.

[Peggy15]

I'm doing well, too. I was so frustrated by my major embarassing event that I decided to seek counseling to see what was going on. I met with her today, and I think it is the right thing for me. Good luck everyone!

[Tylar]

Peggy, it took a lot of courage to seek counseling. Good for you!

Since I went alcohol-free, I've had a few social situations where I've declined a cocktail I'd normally drink. I just say, "No thanks, I'm watching my sugar," and people are very accommodating. From watching my mom & sister (both clean & sober for decades), I know that people eventually just accept it and move on.

But it's not always easy! I was having a rotten, rotten day last Saturday, and sweet hubby made me a beautiful, tall, icy margarita - and placed it right in my hands! (He "forgot" my new resolve.) It took everything I had to hand it back and get club soda instead.

But I did it, and he was really proud of me. And so was I.

One wonderful thing about abstinence is the self-respect we win back. It's a gift we give ourselves.