14 Years of Sobriety!

Aquajock

Aquajock

Cathlete
Hi, all! Just wanted to share a little personal tidbit with my friends in fitness - today marks 14 years of freedom from alcoholism for me. On July 20, 1987, when I first heard the voice inside my head say, "I can't do this anymore," I never, never imagined life could be like it is today, full of productive, meaningful work, loving husband, friendships with wonderful people, bursting good health/fitness, and the knowledge that there are still more and better days ahead. The old saw really rings true - I wouldn't trade my worst day sober for my happiest day as a drinker.

I so enjoy participating in this forum; it's a little tough to find a coterie of people who PRACTICE health and fitness rather than just talk about it outside of CyberWorld.

HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A GREAT DAY!

Annette
 
WOW!!!!

Annette, you go girl!

There aren't many challenges in life that could possibly be as difficult to overcome as an addiction, and to sustain that for 14 years is just phenomenal! We are so proud of you!

What an example you have set for all of us -- if you can do what you've done, surely I can pass up that doughnut, get myself out of bed to do my workout on a rainy morning, and take the time to make myself a healthy lunch instead of slamming down (and raionalizing) a peanut butter and jelly sandwich!!!

Your cyberfriend and great admirer,

Kathy S.
 
Congratulations Annette!!
You must be so proud!!
What wonderful news - thanks for sharing!
Erica
 
Congratulations from me too. I had an aunt who died a couple of years ago from alcohoism. It was not a pretty sight or a dignified death but a sad needless waste of life in the pursuit of having fun. Even on her last day she was denying she had a problem and blaming others. It is so great to hear from those who have managed to recognise the problem and overcome it - it certainly can't have been easy. You should be so proud of having turned your life around. I wish you well for many fit, healthy sober years to come.(and lots of fun)
 
more congratulations!

i quit smoking 20 years ago...and i still say its the hardest thing i ever did!!! That accomplishment upped my self confidence like nothing else too.
i think you must feel the same...

So how many pushups are you going to add on to your routine to celebrate!
 
Hi Annette,
:-jumpy:-jumpy:-jumpyCongratulations on your 14th anniversary!!!:-jumpy:-jumpy:-jumpy:-jumpy
I myself will be celebrating 6 years of sobriety on Aug. 16th, so I understand the joy you are bursting with today! Being sober has given me such a love of life, and made me realize what a precious gift life is!!--and I am grateful every day to be sweating thru Cathe's fabulous workouts instead of planning my next drink or recovering from my last one:-tired. Know what I mean?
Sooooo happy for you!!!!! :)
Deb
 
DEB! WOO HOO YOU TOO!

Deb -- six years is tremendous!

Please remind us all on August 16th so we can send off the cyber-fireworks.

Wait til Cathe gets back from vacation and sees this thread -- she's going to just burst with happiness and pride in you ladies!

Way to go--- WOO HOO!!!!! :-jumpy :-jumpy :-jumpy

Kathy S.
 
RE: DEB! WOO HOO YOU TOO!

Hey, Deb! SIX YEARS! YEAY, SISTER!

Yeah, it's funny - being "sober" lets you have a lot more real fun! Instead of worrying about whether I have enough money, clean laundry, excuses for mediocre performance and The Demon Rum to get thru the day, now I "worry" about how many split-set variations I need to build into my fall strength training program, how I can increase the intensity of the water aerobics classes I teach, whether I can extend out the intervals even further on the "Interval Max" tape, and how I can get out of a plotting snag on a short story I'm writing.

YOU GO GIRL! Glad to have a sister on The Forum.

Annette
 
I am so impressed. I am having a hard time just giving up my habitual glass of wine at night. I think it sabotages my efforts to lose weight, but to give up alcohol altogether is a real achievement--with all its associations with socializing and holidays. It must have been a real act of willpower. Give yourself a present!
 
Hey Annette!

Glad to hear your "worries" are healthy ones! Might you share your short story with us when you finish??? How fun! Sounds to me like "You've Come A Loooong Way"!

Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH http://www.plaudersmilies.de/wavey.gif If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!!
 
RE: more congratulations!

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Jul-20-01 AT 02:37PM (Est)[/font][p]You go girl, I'm proud of you!

My husband quit smoking a few months ago and he's doing great! I'm so proud of him! It's been pretty hard for him but I think it's going to take.

Unfortunately, a couple of weeks ago his uncle passed away. He had a rare adrenal cancer but he was also suffering terribly from emphysema, which was caused by smoking. He was only 61. What's ironic is that he quit drinking about six or seven years ago but he just couldn't kick the cigarettes. If my husband hadn't already quit, he probably would've after that. I don't think there's any chance of him starting again now. If people only realized what they're doing to themselves!
 
Congratulations Annette. That is a long time. I celebrated 3 years of sobriety in January myself. It is definitely a whole different world. I just wish that my ex fiance, ex boyfriend and lastly ex friend that I had to finally leave 3 months ago after a 5 year relationship could see the light before it is too late. He is in really bad shape and only 40 years old. I pray for him every day. I know that is all I can do at this point. Congrats again and have a great day. Mary
 
Congratulations Annette! That'a a tremendous accomplishment. Keep it up!!
Trevor :)
 
EXCELLENT

i so admire and respect WILLPOWER: WHETHER IT BE OVER ALCOHOL, NICOTINE, CAFFEINE, SWEETS, TEMPER, LAZINESS, HATE, ETC.

You guys have done a wonderful thing--!!!
 
Thank YOU.........

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Jul-21-01 AT 10:03AM (Est)[/font][p][font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Jul-21-01 AT 00:57 AM (Est)[/font]

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Jul-21-01 AT 00:11 AM (Est)[/font]

for the reminder of the lives behind the posts on this forum.
I hope this doesn't sound too corny but in an "older" Madonna song, "You'll See" (from the perspective of a woman who finally leaves a destructive relationship-isn't that what we are talking about?-and tells her former lover that, much to his surprise, she WILL be able to live without him) are two lines;

"you think that you are strong and I am weak,
It takes more strength to cry-admit defeat."

The story of the strength of the women (and men-Trevor and Brad!) on this forum is not told in weights used in bicep curls or at what point in the low end squats series did we collapse onto the floor in a helpless, shivering heap.

Thank you Annette, and everyone else, for your courage and strength to cry (this August I will celebrate 15 years since my last cigarette, unless deliberating inhaling someone else's second hand smoke twice a year counts as a relapse)

Other forums have come and gone for me - I'll be reading this one as long as it's around. You people are truly wonderful.

Janet
 
This is a great thread! Congratulations to those of you who are recovering, whether it be from alcohol or cigarettes! It all starts with us and our ability to admit THAT WE HAVE A PROBLEM, WE, AND NOT THOSE WE LIVE WITH!!!!!!!! I married two alcoholics, and they both blamed me for their problems. One quit drinking, and I doubt that the other has, but I have not spoken to him in 6 years.

I quit cigarttes in 1992 with the help of the patch, and still battle with a food addiction....too much sugar when I get started. I have control over that, too, I just have to exercise it. It's my choice.

Here's to all of you who have beat your demons, and to those of you who want to....you can do it, you just have to try! Take responsibility for your own actions!

Go get 'em!
 
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