Alcohol Free Week 1
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Anonymous
| Over the last several years my drinking habits have changed from drinking only on weekends (couple glasses of wine on Friday and again on Saturday) to drinking almost daily, a whole bottle of wine each time. I'm tired of it and decided to make a change. I can't believe how crappy I feel. I thought after one week of no drinking I'd feel really great. I'm so tired. I slept over 9 hours each night this past weekend and was drowsy and fatigued all weekend. It's really nice not having a hangover, but I was expecting to feel better than this. Also terrible headaches, and all the aches and pains that used to go away when I had some wine are now constant. I've learned this is all typical, but man, how long is this going to last. I'm eating healthy, drinking water, cardio every morning, walk on lunch hour, moving more in general, going to bed on time. The only thing I haven't added in yet is the free weights I'd like to start doing. I feel like shit and I'm depressed. |
Anonymous
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So sorry, OP! All I can say is hang in there and it will get better. One thing to consider is that the fact that this is taking so long to recover from is an indication of how really unhealthy your level of drinking was.
Also, if you want to go to AA and get some social support - and I'm not saying you should - but if you yourself want to go, the only requirement is that you want to stop drinking. You don't have to be an alcoholic, believe it or not. |
Anonymous
| Hang in there, you'll feel better in a a week or so more. It can take more than 10 days to get the alcohol out of your system. I'm doing it as well and I was doing the same drinking as you. |
Anonymous
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OP, give it some time to feel better. Your body needs time to recalibrate.
I would recommend joining the community at reddit.com/r/stopdrinking. It's extremely supportive, not obsessed with any one right way to do it, and can be a big help. |
Anonymous
| You are in withdrawal. It will get better. Keep it up. |
Anonymous
| Keep going! Drink lots of water!! |
Anonymous
Agree. If you can, find other people working on the same thing. |
Anonymous
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Get this book through Audible and start listening to it today: https://thisnakedmind.com/purchase-naked-mind-control-alcohol-book/
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Anonymous
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I think you are on the right track and I applaud you for doing this! It's going to get better.
I would make sure to start taking B vitamins because alcohol depletes them. Don't substitute bad food habits for the wine. Make sure you're eating enough calories (especially veggies, protein, and plenty of healthy fats) as you may have just drastically cut your calories by cutting out that bottle of wine and really increased your exercise. If you don't eat enough, you're not going to have energy. You don't have to tackle all your goals like lifting weights right now -- wait until you have these other healthy habits nailed down! You are doing so much right now to take care of yourself -- don't make it unachievable by trying to do all. the. things. More generally I think you should follow up on this self-care by making an appointment for a physical with your doctor. |
Anonymous
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Also keep a running tally of how much you're NOT drinking and how much money you're saving. Then go spend it on a massage or an expensive haircut or something. Even $5 bottles of wine will add up!
Good luck, OP. It's just the first week. Nothing even changes in only a week. |
Anonymous
NP: I'm doing something like this. Google the author: annie grace. |
Anonymous
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OP here. I appreciate the support everyone! All these suggestions are great. Tallying it up, I think DH and I have probably been spending about $8,000 per year on alcohol. Wow.
I guess I need to relax a bit and not expect overnight changes. I know it's only been a week, but it feels like forever. |
Anonymous
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I’m trying not to drink for 100 days. I like the site www.tiredofthinkingaboutdrinking.com. I think
the way you are feeling is normal. Good-luck! |
Anonymous
| Just want to say good for you, OP! You can do it! |
Anonymous
Just listen to her podcast for free. |