You know my motto when it comes to exercise Anna?

NO PAIN........ NO PAIN! LOL

Yes, I love this too! I've been jumping on the treadmill every time I have the urge to drink. Good job on not throwing in the towel. Kudos to you. :)

Yeah Olive! I love it! It does really work!!!

Ha ha, you speaka my language!! GOYA!! Works for me. Replaced those old routines and got rid of the boredom, and I've met some great mates in the process. Started out with small steps, just a walk up the track, and now I've found a sport I'm passionate about.

Also got involved in my daughters sporting clubs. Takes volunteers to keep kids clubs going, and it gives them a good kickstart to the GOYA attitude in life. HTL, I am so glad you got your soccer boots back on :}

pray

I can see the sense in all these suggestions as healthy and positive alternatives to drinking and that is great for those who are beginning to realise that their drinking is getting out of hand but it is relative to how far down the scale you have gone. Alcoholism eventually takes a real toll on our physical state.

Alcoholics Anonymous basic text tells us that probably many of us could have stopped while there was yet time but very few have the desire to do so.

Because I am an alcoholic, alcohol was ALWAYS a good idea and I thought I really could stop some day but I had crossed an invisible line and eventually only prayer and putting total trust and faith in God was the solution.

ahh, HTL, you've found a healthy way to run the dopamine chase. Before booze, drugs and tobacco, exercise ( as a young teen we called it playing sports) was the only thing that truely relaxed me. I'm trying to get back into it, but I have a very different and reluctant body!

YES, YES, YES! It works for me, and I do a lot of it. Takes off the edge and keeps me busy. There's something else too......when I was drinking, I used to convince myself that I was doing something "risky". Actually, it was just abuse to my body and spirit. I've replaced drinking with the adrenaline rush that you can only get from certain sports and I've lost a lot of my fear with sobriety.

Don't be surprised to find yourself mountain-biking down a bigger hill than usual in your new-found sobriety.

The problem with using exercise to stop the urge to drink is that I want to drink late at night. How safe is midnight kayaking in the moonlight alone?

I don't think HTL believes soccer is going to keep her sober on it's own guys lol. Exercise is a good inclusion in your life. I was encouraged to start walking early in my sobriety plan, and it's been a huge influence in changing my lifestyle, having alternatives to the old drinking time. It's a job lot. Mental, spiritual AND physical. Praying for good health's fine, but faith and works go hand in hand.

The BB and AA teaches us how to LIVE. This should be a part of living- healthy activity as a part of your overall wellness.

As I gain more sober time, I'm enjoying activities that I'd long forgotten and I'm even trying some new things. I'm thankful to God for enabling me to do these activities. This is one part of a balanced life.

With a ten month golden retriever who is a bundle of energy, walking has definitely helped a lot. Of course, where I am, walking is not always a good idea in the winter, too much snow, ice and/or cold can put a big no no on it for a day! And I have been painting my dining room this week so she is ready to walk. Probably back to the routine by Sunday, But yes, to answer your original question and ignore my little rave, it helps a LOT!

Karen

Great going!

I was going to gym and it helped but I blew my knee out. Have to have MRI today.

But you are soooo right. Exercise definitely helps. With sleep, too!

Chris

Yep, as broke down as my body is, I still jump on the treadmill for 30 minutes with my heart rate above 120 4-5 times a week. Gets those endorphins goin'! Yahoo!

Great post HTL! It's called self help, lol!

Great thread Olive...the flip side. Two years ago I quit playing competitive (team) tennis. Told myself I was too busy being nanna..body was getting old...etc..etc. TRUTH was alcohol had taken its toll. My body was out of shape...mind and spirit alcoholic...wanting to drink more than lose weight and get in shape.

NOW at almost 9 months sober I am back in the game..have a new partner, signed up for boot camp to get in tennis shape..new attitude and my body feels better...miracle has happend for me..don't give up before the miracle happens!!!!