I agree with EL: if you can get an AF, great. But if it's not comfortable, don't push it - it could backfire or discourage you, and you are very early on.

Good luck to you w/ your current stresses. I've been thinking about WHY Sinclairs rats get to be cured in a few weeks, and humans take so much longer??? I think it's because rats don't get divorced...or worry about money...or rehash their fight with their siblings, etc...On the other hand, my pre-med niece who cares for lab rats has told me their life is not just...free rat kibble - they have their own problems.

all for now - back to work everyone

Chrissie

Hi Zippy,

Welcome to the board. I'm glad that you have reached out for friendship and support. You will find it here as we all support each other on our TSM mission. I'm also glad to hear you have support from your boyfriend. That is a big plus. My husband is also very supportive and i've found it to make a huge difference for me.

Best wishes to you and happy holidays...

Cute Chrissie!

Thanks! Needed a smile. I also wonder how long the rats had time to program their drinking behavior.? We certainly have bigger brains and my bet is we had much longer time to develop our drinking behavior.

It's a better day today, way too hard on myself, and letting small stuff bother me way too much.

Have a good one!

Zippy

Yeah, that's one of my specialties, too (beating up on myself and stewing in general)

Well...I didn't hit my 2 - 3 aus goal last night, but stopped @ 4 so I'm going to remember that is way better than the old days! I'm glad you're feeling better, too!

Chrissie

Congrats!!!

It is way better than the old days! When we're having a bad day I'll remind you and you remind me.

Cheers

Happy new year, Zippy! Hope it brings lots of success in TSM!

Happy New Year EL!!!

Thank you so much for your support. I am confident to hit the cured list this year I want better for myself and I have so much hope this is going to work.

I'm a little shakey today I have been really enjoying myself this holiday season. It's time to set some goals and start working for what I want in life. My craving level is pretty high today going to try and not drink.

Blessings to you in the new year with much success and happines.

Zippy

I just read some other posts, now I am getting kind of worried that I am still enjoying the buz. Is this typical?

Okay I'll cop to that: I still enjoy the buzz. But less, MUCH less. And I have to "work" to get to the Magic Carpet Ride stage. Last night was a good example: I had two beers with dinner, and then afterwards I was feeling restless and wanted to get loaded, so I had a 3rd beer, quick-like, which did pretty much nothing, other than to make me feel a little bit...sloppy, but not euphoric. So...I switched to wine. I mostly drink beer, but sometimes I go to the wine now because it has a much stronger "punch". Sure enough, I felt my foot stepping onto the Magic Carpet...WHEE!!! I had a second glass of wine, for a total of 5 aus. I felt like having MORE, but fortunately it was late and more wine was not readily available, plus I didn't want to have a hangover.

This morning I was musing over this whole experience and the thing that really struck me, was how "optional" it was for me to decide to drink more last night: those first two beers did NOT compel me to drink more, no, it was a decision I made. I'm getting to the point now (12 weeks in), that I'm going to challenge myself a bit more...like go for 2 AFs each week, and follow some of the other moderation techniques.

So to answer your question, "yes", and "yes" I've tended to feel guilty about that, but from my reading here I think my experience on this journey is well w/in "normal" in most regards, so why not this? Thanks for putting up that question, Zippy.

Chrissie

Hi, Zippy! Happy New Year! Reading through your thread, I noticed you are worried about the AF days, I was too. I am a daily drinker, so those are coming hard for me. I pushed two through and ended up with a huge spike. Now, I am content to accept they will come when they come. My advice would be patience. Just do the golden rule of TSM, keep your diary and be patient! And I am impatient, too!

Also, as to enjoying the buzz. I do too. It's not like before, though. It's not warm, it's missing something. That something is the endorphin rush. But I am still buzzed when I really want to be. Lately, I don't get drunk. That doesn't mean not buzzed, it simply means I am not drunk. Going into my fifth month, I am much less concerned with drinking. I am not where I want to be, but I am much closer to where I will be comfortable.

Best of luck!