23 Years of Sobriety: Reflections

Wow, another year! I, too, always look fwd to this post! You're one amazing and strong gal. (not just in plyos :D) I know this past year was a toughie but you always come out stronger. Gooooo AJ!!!!! Congrats on another YEAR!
 
Aquajock - thank you so much for this post. I really needed it yesterday when I read it. I'm on Day 7 of sobriety and yesterday was extremely difficult. Then I read it last night and realized if you can make it 23 years that I can certainly make it one more day. :)

I am a regular poster but created a different username as family and friends read this and I'm not quite ready to share with them yet. I've hid my problem fairly well.

THANK YOU.
 
You said it so well.

Congratulations to you! It's so very important what you did. I'm bursting my buttons because I'm so proud of ya. What a huge and positive difference you made to other people and to yourself, also a great example from someone who was at their lowest spirit to a person who inspires everyone around them.

I take my hat off to you. Bravo!

Janie
 
goforagoal said:
Aquajock - thank you so much for this post. I really needed it yesterday when I read it. I'm on Day 7 of sobriety and yesterday was extremely difficult. Then I read it last night and realized if you can make it 23 years that I can certainly make it one more day. :)

I am a regular poster but created a different username as family and friends read this and I'm not quite ready to share with them yet. I've hid my problem fairly well.

THANK YOU.
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Any time, honey, any time. You're welcome to PM me too if you wish, under goforagoal user name. May you be granted the serenity to accept the things you cannot change, the courage to change the things you can, and the wisdom to know the difference - one day at a time.

Love,

A-Jock
 
caseysmomgo said:
A-Jock, have you ever thought about writing a book? Your posts are always so eloquent and packed with insight and inspiration, as well as humor, and I think so many people could benefit from your words of wisdom, whether they're fighting addiction, health/exercise issues, or just to get through life in general. I envy you for being able to put things into words so beautifully. If you wrote a book, I'd buy it in a heartbeat, and I'm sure I'm not the only one!:)

Take care,
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Denise, I'm very flattered at your question! However, I find it far more gratifying to interact with my Cathlete sisters than attempt to reach a broader audience; you Cathletes understand me and my quest for fitness far more than the general population. There is that old saying: "When the student is ready, the teacher appears." When people come here to this forum, that's when they're ready to hear what I and others who have learned the truth about health and fitness have to say.

Love,

A-Jock
 
@JanieJoey, DebbieH, KadetKim, lala1, EarlyExerciser39, Jaypea, JAFitMama, and Rapidbreath - THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR RESPONSES AND ENCOURAGEMENT!

And my Beeloved Jo-Jo . . . we must needs have a Meating after you and Booley come back from the RT!

Love,

A-Jock
 
Wow!!! Talk about success story. I think it is wonderful of you to come here and share this HUGE accomplishment. Through your courage you can inspire and help others in your position know that there IS hope.
 
A-Jock,

Congratulations on your success!!! You are truly an inspiration to us all.

Your story hits home as my mom lost her dad to alcoholism when she was pregnant with me, and her mom (my grandma) has been sober for 10+ years now (she just turned 90!).

I admire you for your courageous achievements. Thanks for sharing your story and having a truly positive impact on the lives of others!

Julie
 
Hey A-J! I'm so glad I stopped in or I might have missed your annual post. Congratulations on 23 years!! You are the greatest, my dear. And I hope it is not too presumptuous of me to say that you cannot have a "great life's failure" while you still have more life to go, and I am sure that you have lots more life to go, and lots more inspiration to spread!

P.S. I have an Elie Tahari suit to send to you. Brand new, never worn. The tailor let the pants out and they are still too small, and the jacket couldn't be let out at all. The darn saleslady had me convinced I was a size zero, but I will never fall for that again! I've given up on it, but if you can wear it, I'll feel absolved of all guilt for buying it! :)
 
What a wonderfully written post A-Jock. You have great wisdom, keen insight and an eloquent way of expressing your thoughts. I'm always intrigued and inspired by your introspective posts.

I know this has been a very difficult year for you but you have hung on with a tenacious grip and pulled through it all. We are happy that along with your family and friends, we could be here for you too.

Congratulations on 23 years of sobriety!!!! I'm already anticipating next year's "24th year", because I know you will make it happen :D




Aquajock said:
This past week I marked 23 years of absolute sobriety and abstention from alcohol. This has been a year of one tiny personal triumph, two profound tragedies within my family and the confrontation of my great life's failure which has left me humbled but also with a renewed resolve to do more and do better. I won't go into details about any of that, but suffice it to say the year has been anything but "serene", which the A.A. people keep yapping about. But that's okay.

I still feel there are many similarities between the practice of sobriety and the practice of fitness. Both involve an ongoing daily commitment, usually in the face of great social pressure to do otherwise. Both involve an extreme sense of personal responsibility, in an era where it's all about wretched excess, finger-pointing and hiring others to do one's own work. Both have benefits that are gradual and incremental at times, and psychological and emotional at times, and aesthetic at times. And, when you think about it, both practices are eminently economical. The health care cost savings of an alcoholic who abstains from alcohol (not to mention the cost savings of the booze itself), and the person who practices fitness week in and week out and avoids the myriad illnesses concomitant with sedentary living, could probably buy a house. I know for sure it buys a life.

Ah well. It's another hazy summer morning here in A-Jock Land; I have the day off from work and will - of course - kick it off with a Cathe mish-mosh. Something steppy and IMax2-ey for cardio, some do-it-myself barbell leg work (maybe), and Ab Circuits No Equipment Abs to polish it off. Not bad for a former useless drunk.

Cheers, peeps, and thanks for reading this.

A-Jock
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Cathe Friedrich said:
What a wonderfully written post A-Jock. You have great wisdom, keen insight and an eloquent way of expressing your thoughts. I'm always intrigued and inspired by your introspective posts.

I know this has been a very difficult year for you but you have hung on with a tenacious grip and pulled through it all. We are happy that along with your family and friends, we could be here for you too.

Congratulations on 23 years of sobriety!!!! I'm already anticipating next year's "24th year", because I know you will make it happen :D
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Thank YOU, Miss Cathe, for your warm sentiments and your vote of confidence. I am also already anticipating an announcement for a delicious new nosebleed series! (hint, hint, wink, nudge) (something with those new wonderful Mountain Climber Lunge Kicks, and a revival of Butt Kick Lunges from Body Blast series, pretty please?)

.

Love,

A-Jock
 
Enabler....that's what I need to call you :p



Aquajock said:
Thank YOU, Miss Cathe, for your warm sentiments and your vote of confidence. I am also already anticipating an announcement for a delicious new nosebleed series! (hint, hint, wink, nudge) (something with those new wonderful Mountain Climber Lunge Kicks, and a revival of Butt Kick Lunges from Body Blast series, pretty please?)

.

Love,

A-Jock
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You Go Girl!

Congratualtions A-J! :D I am so proud of you and so honored to be your friend! ((((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))
 
Congrats, A-Jock!!! What an absolutely elloquent update!! You are a total Rock Star in my books (except- the clean kind of Rock Star)!!! Keep up your AMAZING committment! And yeah- get that book goin' girl!! Or go on tour to spread your amazing success and inspire the heck out of others!! :D:D

Big healthy hugs,
Pam
 
A-Jock, thank you for your inspiring thoughts and for sharing your triumph. I've got a wonderful case of warm fuzzies for life after reading your post. Life isn't easy, but it can sure be wonderful, no?
 
Wow, I can't believe it's that time of year again A-Jock. It comes around fast. Congratulations and keep on fighting the good fight. You are one cool dude!
 
Congratulations Annette -- that is definitely an accomplishment! I admire your commit to both sobriety and physical fitness. Definitely keep up the good work!!
 
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