Who here has actually taken the steps with a sponsor?

I’m gonna watch that vid you shared. Thank you! I gotta do more but slower.

50 days is incredible bro, when’s the last time you went that long? Just imagine in a couple months you’ll be over 100 days!!

I’m still struggling with some stuff but it definitely does improve slowly. It took me months just to feel healthy enough to even attempt exercising, and months for my swelling to go away fully. I’d imagine the brain needs time as well to heal.

God knows we have done some major damage. But it’s also miraculous how resilient we are. I think wanting it and having a positive mindset actually makes a difference, too..not just with staying sober, but also with actual the actual process of recovery.
I went to AA a bunch of times after I went to rehab for a month about 9 years ago, didn’t like it one bit but that’s not fair since I only went to the one location and didn’t really wanna give it a chance anyway.

The main factor of why I didn’t like it is because one woman would bring snacks to the meeting and eat them loudly while the meeting was going on, including while she was sharing her experiences. I have major dysphonia (I know, I am a huge ‘tard) and stuff like that actually enrages me.

Nobody ever approached me or even said hi to me once, nobody ever talked to me or acknowledged my existence in all the times I went. I was a total wreck and didn’t really have the confidence to even speak at those things.

Congratulations! 50 days is no joke!I have not and I don't usually go to AA/NA or any of the other 12 step meetings. I like SMART Recovery. I know people who have worked the steps with their sponsor and that has been helpful to them. If that's something you're interested in, it wouldn't hurt to get a sponsor from a particular AA group you like and try working the steps. Having that accountability with a sponsor can help a lot.

If you like the video he has a part 2 as well!

I’ve done this long sober a couple times. Probably 2-3x the last 15-17 years lol. Last time was actually somewhat recent, last fall.

If I can make it another 4-6 weeks I’m confident that will have been the most I’ve ever gone. Alcohol is such a poison and kindling is terrrifying.

Yea man, your brain will keep healing! There will still be ebbs and flows, but I’ve read a ton of recovery stories and it’s just steady upward trend over the long haul. Definitely agree with the positive mindset.

I did AA about 17 years ago for awhile, worked the steps with a sponsor and then moved out of state for a different job and then proceeded to throw my sobriety away for another 12 years or so.

I went to a bunch of different groups and some were awesome and some were a little freaky. Some of the best people I met in life were in the program.

Something clicked in my head, maybe some miracle from God (even though I didn't believe in God at the time), the last and hopefully final time I got sober, and didn't get into AA again.

I think the first step of the program is powerful and truthful for me: "We admitted we were powerless over alcohol — that our lives had become unmanageable." I agree with that and it speaks to me.

I think reading the Big Book is really powerful too, even if you don't get into the program.

I'd absolutely go back again if I felt my sobriety was in jeopardy. It definitely helps some people, and from my experience it seemed to help many people who were willing to walk through the door.

Edit: I don't worry about my future sobriety, I stick with focusing on each day as they come, and those days just so happened to stack up into years after getting enough under my belt.

Edit 2: I found r/stopdrinking on Reddit very helpful the last time I put the drinking down. I got a sober badge, had a few relapses, and reset my badge, and then boom it stuck for me.

One day at a time boyo.

Agreed with Reddit stopdrinking. Some great stuff on there. Cautionary tales as well as hope and amazing turnarounds

How's it going guys? I hope that your weekend is off to a great start! Today has been a really good day. Had a good shoulder/trap workout, then some good grocery shopping, and then played some Terraria on stream for a bit. I am extremely thankful for this room that I have. Looking back in my life, I definitely took having my own apartment for granted. I believe you truly don't realize the value of something in your life until you lose it. Also, definitely took my car for granted; how nice was it to hop in an air conditioned car with a bumpin' sound system and drive only five minutes to the store and back. However, I do enjoy my treks to the store which takes 30-45 minutes each way. It's like walking with a weighted vest after I'm down shopping lol.

Sorry for the rambling, I was just doing some reminiscing and reflection. I am very appreciative of where I am in live and I am especially thankful for my recovery because I would not be where I am today without it! I would most likely either be dead or in jail. Can you guys relate to feeling the same with losing something and then getting it back, thinking about how we took it for granted?

Nice boyo! Tough day for me. Felt really weird. Anhedonia was very high, but it’s just my brain healing and normalizing.

Waking up with no hangovers is a huge blessing.

I'm sorry to hear that, anhedonia is a ****ing bitch, especially because it can lead to worsening depression because you aren't interested in doing self care. That is a great attitude and re-framing to put the emphasis on it being a healing process. Also, practicing gratitude like waking up with no hangovers, as you said, can be helpful!

Kinda recovery related, it’s been like 30days in a row since I have been flossing every day. Also 30 plus days since I have had caffeine. Down about 10 pounds in 2 weeks. Not gonna lie Iv been hungry this whole time. Might sounds cheesy but I think food and porn were my first drug of choice.

That's definitely recovery related! I am a firm believer that everyone has their own unique definition of recovery! That's great to hear, nice work on the amazing progress, quitting multiple things isn't easy lol. And I don't think that sounds cheesy in the slightest, food and porn act in a very similar way on our brains and neurochemistry! There's a reason why food/fast food and porn are so prevalent lol.

How have you been dealing with the hunger? Are you white knuckling it or do something to distract yourself or ease the hunger?

I grew up poor and I sometimes think that messed with my relationship with food, when there was food I ate until I was full, I kinda believed that’s how you were suppose to eat, maybe it is maybe it’s not, but recently I started eating just enough to be satisfied, I think what helps me with the hunger pains now is knowing that I for sure have something to eat later. Even if it’s just a few boiled eggs and a cup of oat meal.

Iv lost 30 pounds a few times that last few years; and have just gained it all back, hoping this time I can lose the 30 pounds and keep it off for good; I will say the times I have gained it back, I also relapsed on weed and alcohol,

Recently I decided to give na a try instead of AA, and I am hoping I can work the steps with a sponser and finally recover from my addictive personality.

That's understandable! Our childhood experiences definitely shape and define us throughout our lives. I think I've mentioned it before, but I'd like to reiterate that there are other groups/meetings out there that don't involve the 12 step process. SMART Recovery and Recovery Dharma are two that come to mind. Also, there are sometimes even more specific meetings like ******* Anonymous and I even saw a site for an eating disorder anon when I googled it. Above all else, I think the most important things is to find a meeting that you really jive with and meets your needs. Pretty much most meetings vary a bit, so it can take some time to find one you really benefit from.

Alright. I'mma gonna quit. no more.

What is it that you plan on quitting? Is this a sudden change or have you been contemplating it for a while now?

I did 22 days straight,
I then nothing for 90 days.

I just want challenge myself. I want to be in control again.

I mean, what is it that you want to quit? Alcohol? *******? Fapping?

Conditioning is feeling good lately. BW is about 225 which is about 20 lbs heavier than 9 months ago. I am way stronger and in much better shape.



More DB snatches 100lbs, for 5 sets of 8 reps




Guise…if you just don’t drink then your life improves tremendously. It’s like a cheat code for life (srs).

Been sober for 37 days now.

People are finally noticing I lift (after being a DYEL all my life).

Recently been lifting srsly for 2 years and this is the first real month of progress.

RHR is way down (10 bpm average).

Dreams at night are super intense (not sure I like this part...).

Feel superior to everyone I see drinking any bit of alcohol or smoking ciggies/doing coke.

The only thing I was unable to quit was caffeine...

Your dreams get happier over time

Coffee is healthy, alcohol is not

You should feel superior, you should feel proud srs


Imagine the benefits after only the past month. Iterate those positive changes for another 6 months, and imagine your rewards. Iterate it now for 6 years. Iterate it for 30 years.


The “you” 30 years from now after having remained sober, isn’t even the same person as the “you” who drank that whole time.

Squat is taking forever to improve. Form just feels off in my old age. Used to destroy squats and now I’m such a baby.



One thing I really enjoy is doing some forms of cardio like running or the stationary bike. It’s probably good for me in some way related to my destroyed liver.

Overall I just feel pretty tired most of the time, I wonder if I have low testosterone levels. Just kinda feel off sometimes, not like I used to. Just getting over a cold or some kind of sinus infection I had for like 2 weeks, too.


I guess in the old days I would have just drank to mask the feelings of tiredness, or pain, or illness, or sadness, or loneliness, or hopelessness. That instant dopamine boost made anything feel better.

However, it was like chopping away at the base of a tree every time I did it. Now I am a huge redwood teetering on a fukin twig.

Don’t drink guise, it’s not worth it.

I’m like 10 months sober, not sure if I said that yet.

Some PR’s from todays workout:

185 Shld Press



2x Dips +90lbs at 225 BW



80lbs DB Shld Press x2



135 Shld Press x9



275 Pause Bench



100lbs DB Bench x3




I just feel so dissatisfied with my progress but I guess I am still making progress so that’s good. I just keep comparing myself to 10-12 years ago. That’s probably pretty stupid. I had been lifting for like 5 years straight without ever taking a break, and I was around 250 most of the time, I’m only 225 now.

I guess this is a better addiction than booze. I’ll take it.


Oh also I didn’t get out of breath at all during this 2 hour workout, doing high intensity intervals on the stationary bike is unreal for me cardiovascularly.

I was never a big fan, but the guy from Smash Mouth is apparently close to dying from alcohol induced liver failure. I feel bad for him. It could have been any of us that weren't fortunate to get sober when we did.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbi...hol-abuse.html


Ausaric, you're making ridiculous progress. You have nothing to be ashamed of.

I saw that. Very sad. He was diagnosed with Wernicke’s 10 years ago. So this was a LONG time coming for him. You don’t get Wernicke’s from just a few years of drinking.

And he must have just kept on drinking and drinking even after it started really breaking him down.

His son died of Leukemia as a little boy, that must have destroyed him.



Yes, this is a very real potential future for anyone who goes beyond the point to no return. I was really lucky that I stopped when I did, almost went off the cliff.


To any brahs that are just browsing but not posting, pay attention. You may not think it could happen to you, but it can.

You are an inspiration man.

Thank you. You guys inspire me!


From yesterday:



Good workout yesterday strength wise, felt kinda tired. Definitely have ups and down at the gym energy-wise, but I guess that’s normal for everyone.


Today, I think I overdid coffee today and felt anxious and lightheaded at the gym. Didn’t really have a good workout at all. Gotta cut back on the caffeine I guess.

[QUOTE=mike6789 post_id=1689166453]Been sober for 37 days now.

People are finally noticing I lift (after being a DYEL all my life).

Recently been lifting srsly for 2 years and this is the first real month of progress.

RHR is way down (10 bpm average).

Dreams at night are super intense (not sure I like this part...).

Feel superior to everyone I see drinking any bit of alcohol or smoking ciggies/doing coke.

The only thing I was unable to quit was caffeine...[/QUOTE]Hell yeah, congrats on the clean time as well as your progression with lifting! I think that you should give yourself a lot of credit and not feel bad about not quitting caffeine!

[QUOTE=jreacher post_id=1689483633]I was never a big fan, but the guy from Smash Mouth is apparently close to dying from alcohol induced liver failure. I feel bad for him. It could have been any of us that weren't fortunate to get sober when we did.

[URL=https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-12476559/Smash-Mouth-Steve-Harwell-DEATH-BED-hospice-care-alcohol-abuse.html]https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbi...hol-abuse.html[/URL]


Ausaric, you're making ridiculous progress. You have nothing to be ashamed of.[/QUOTE]Damn, that's crazy. It's amazing how much alcohol ****s you up.

[QUOTE=Ausaric post_id=1689486773]Thank you. You guys inspire me!


From yesterday:

[youtube]LbZnPi-FqX8[youtube]

Good workout yesterday strength wise, felt kinda tired. Definitely have ups and down at the gym energy-wise, but I guess that’s normal for everyone.


Today, I think I overdid coffee today and felt anxious and lightheaded at the gym. Didn’t really have a good workout at all. Gotta cut back on the caffeine I guess.[/QUOTE]You've been killing it with all the lifts, nice work dude! I wish I was a 1/4 of as strong as you haha although I try to focus on hypertrophy and high volume instead of strength. I'm sorry to hear about not having a good workout, that's really frustrating especially when you feel anxious and ****ty on top of it.


My recovery has still been going strong. September 30th will be 18 months of sobriety for me, so I'm pretty stoked to be hitting that milestone. Mentally, I have still been having a hard time with anhedonia and lack of motivation to do much. Despite this, I have still been going to the gym almost daily despite not really wanting to lol. It only helps mildly to boost my mood, but I would likely be feeling even less pleasure and interest in life if I had not been going to the gym. I've been doing a lot of streaming on Twitch, which has been pretty fun. I've also been paired with two new recoverees this week, so I am grateful for that.

Today's muscle motivation

Damn bros if you’re not doing cardio, and you’re suffering from post acute withdrawal, depressive symptoms, etc…cardio is like a life hack bros. Cardio.

Cardio is like an actual cheat code.

1. It’s good for you

2. It cant make your feel guilty

3. It makes you FEEL good

4. It makes you feel like you accomplished something, because you did

5. Good for your brain, heart, and other organs

6. Helps your recovery in EVERY way


I’ve been doing this frickin stationary bike and it’s so simple, gives your quads a great pump, no impact, gets heart rate up, and fun!! Notice huge benefits to my mood most of all. Makes me sweat like a pig and I actually have more energy afterwards. Helps my exercise tolerance and wind big time. Getting better and better at it, and it carries over to running and other cardio.

Starting to believe I am going to make it.

Finished my second week, being back to work full time.

Have a decent job; With decent pay and room to grow, and I think I might actually like the work I do.

Kinda doing the stuff I did in the Navy 10 years ago, but with commercial real estate.