Good for you, my bd is July 19th(AA for date of last drink). I am a nervous wreck right now thinking about it. I have alot going on in my personal life that has me with alot of sleepless nights. I have tried the gym, it is great when I get to go. I am a full time student, mom, and a wife and caregiver for a vet so coping has its challenges, I just find different things to do (reading, spending time with my son, listening to positive affirmation soundtracks on my amazon music) that I used to enjoy before I became a alcoholic. Stay focused on the positive and read something daily reminding you of how strong of a person you are and how much more you have to offer the world now through less blurry vision.

Good job, Lostgirl!!!!!
Checking in with this group every day has made a difference for me this time. Just reached day 50, and in spite of the up and down roller coaster of my emotional state lately, still no desire to go back to that craziness. After reading all the stories here, I understand now what is going on. There is no 'just one drink'.
Best of luck to you!!!! You are doing great!!!

That's impressive. Keep going. It's a better way of living when you are free of the chain to alcohol. Have you got sober friends to talk to. It was the only way I found lasting sobriety. I just couldn't do it on my own. I tried a bunch. I found the strength in a group to stay quit. You can do this. Keep going! 1is2many

Excellent!

Working out regularly is a great idea to help you stay on track. What are other things you can do to help remind you that you cannot have "just one drink?" Some people put an inspirational note or reminder on their bathroom mirror or in their wallet. Some people use journals to track cravings and help figure out coping strategies. And of course there is counseling, AA, SMART Recovery, WFS and other support groups.

You can do this. You KNOW it doesn't work for you to drink and "Just one" is not an option. You have to make that stick. We are here for you!

Wonderful! We all started by stringing one day after another until we had solid sobriety. Just one sober day at a time.

May I suggest something to combat the "R&J" - rationalization and justification - of "just one, I can handle it this time and if I don't I can start tomorrow"? Because we all know it isn't the last drink that does us in, it is the first. So when you want that drink, tell yourself yes, you can have the drink - tomorrow. And if when tomorrow comes and you still want that drink, you can have it - tomorrow.

That thought process of just not today kept me sober during my tenuous early sobriety.

Keep up the good work. You can do it.

Yay! we have paragraphs!!!

This brought up memories of all the day 3s that I had. That is what it took for me to realize that I cannot handle just one. Good Job. Day 3 is a tough one.

Thanks everyone - just got back from the gym - now that is a much better obsession :)

I need to use reverse psychology with my workouts - If I don't want to go to the gym, tell myself "if you go today, you don't have to go tomorrow". What kind of workouts do you do? Cardio? Weights? Classes?

I actually go to classes at Orange Theory (it is like group personal training)... I am also a runner and I average about 25 miles a week...

You did it all yourself! Good for you! Exercise use to help me also. I couldn't afford to go to the gym at the time but I did a lot of running through the streets where I live.

Keep up the good work!

God Bless!

Keep it up. All any of us have is one day t a time. I learned this time that there is no such thing as one drink and that it leads to another and another. Hang in there

Once you get over that ugly first 2 weeks of the physical withdrawl symptoms, you can move on to working on your mind. Stay involved in new hobbies, hang out with sober people, set aside time for setting an intention for the day and saying thanks, read as many books about addiction as you can, and try to get healthy! We are all blessed to have each day when we wake up.

I really liked this article I saw on fb the other day and I may share it later.
http://brightside.me/article/20-absolutely-vital-pieces-of-advice-from-people-over-60-82905/

Namaste.

GOOD for you. Hope this note finds you sober and happy. Now what? Have you tried AA? Tried therapy? If you are an alcoholic; why try to do it alone?

Still good - and still sober. Thanks for all the advice, much appreciated. As for going it alone... well my options are limited, most of my family drinks (quite a bit) and they don't think there is anything wrong with it, they do not respect my choice to be sober and think I am being silly. It is better if they do not know, then they do not notice... If I tell them, I deal with lot's of pressure and arguments. As for AA or therapy - I have been in therapy in the past for other issues, I love therapy, but I pay out of pocket I refuse to run it through my insurance because I am terrified anyone would find out. I am a successful business owner and much of my business is dependent on partnerships... and if it got out that I was not "perfect" I might lose a substantial amount, I am in an industry where I am a tiny minority as a female so I already have to be twice as good. And despite that fact that I understand addiction is not a "personality flaw" - they will always be those who judge. I have employees so I cannot risk their livelihoods and their families. So alone I go - but I am doing great and I will be sure to post if I start to struggle. Thanks again.