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Topic: ~SPIRITUAL~ A DAY AT A TIME
01/12 REFLECTION FOR THE DAY
When I sit quietly and compare my life today with the way it used to be, the difference is almost beyond belief. But things aren't always rosy; some days are a lot better than others. I tend to accept the bad days more easily on an intellectual level than I do emotionally, or at gut-level. There are no part answers, but part of the solution surely liesin a constant effort to practice all of the Twelve Steps. DO I ACCEPT THE FACT THAT MY HIGHER POWER WILL NEVER GIVE ME MORE THAN I CAN HANDLE -- ONE DAY AT A TIME?
TODAY I PRAY
That I may receive strength in the knowledge that God never gives us more than we can bear, that I can always, somehow, endure present paid, whereas the trials of a lifetime, condensed into one disastrous moment, would surely overcome me. Thanks be to God for giving us only those tribulations which are in proportion to our strength, never destroying us in our frailty. May I remember that fortitude grows our of suffering.
TODAY I WILL REMEMBER
Present pain is endurable.
When I sit quietly and compare my life today with the way it used to be, the difference is almost beyond belief. But things aren't always rosy; some days are a lot better than others. I tend to accept the bad days more easily on an intellectual level than I do emotionally, or at gut-level. There are no part answers, but part of the solution surely liesin a constant effort to practice all of the Twelve Steps. DO I ACCEPT THE FACT THAT MY HIGHER POWER WILL NEVER GIVE ME MORE THAN I CAN HANDLE -- ONE DAY AT A TIME?
TODAY I PRAY
That I may receive strength in the knowledge that God never gives us more than we can bear, that I can always, somehow, endure present paid, whereas the trials of a lifetime, condensed into one disastrous moment, would surely overcome me. Thanks be to God for giving us only those tribulations which are in proportion to our strength, never destroying us in our frailty. May I remember that fortitude grows our of suffering.
TODAY I WILL REMEMBER
Present pain is endurable.
It is good to have an end to journey towards; but it is the journey that matters in the end. ~Ursula K. LeGuin
Topic: RE: Support for those w/Alcoholism after surgery
I learned something interesting in my court mandated DUI Risk Reduction Class (yes - me too.. m too)
There is an "invisible line" or switch (they tell you this in AA too) that one crosses when they go from being a problem drinker to an alcoholic. I learned in this class that part of that happens from continuous drinking above one's tolerance level. Think about it. My tolerance was NIL due to how I processed alcohol. So every time I drank a little bit, I got drunk, and it was over my tolerance level. The brain adjusted and began to depend on that effect.
I got sober in 2006, had a relapse and will have gotten a year once again this March. I think part of it is indeed transfer, but part of it is physiological too. Plus I think there is just a component of "ism" type personality too, and I certainly fit there.
You are in good company here!
Love all you guys,
Michelle
There is an "invisible line" or switch (they tell you this in AA too) that one crosses when they go from being a problem drinker to an alcoholic. I learned in this class that part of that happens from continuous drinking above one's tolerance level. Think about it. My tolerance was NIL due to how I processed alcohol. So every time I drank a little bit, I got drunk, and it was over my tolerance level. The brain adjusted and began to depend on that effect.
I got sober in 2006, had a relapse and will have gotten a year once again this March. I think part of it is indeed transfer, but part of it is physiological too. Plus I think there is just a component of "ism" type personality too, and I certainly fit there.
You are in good company here!
Love all you guys,
Michelle
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"God does not care about our mathmatecial difficulties - he integrates emperically!" - Albert Einstein
"God does not care about our mathmatecial difficulties - he integrates emperically!" - Albert Einstein
Topic: RE: Post op depression
I was already in psychotherapy long before my WLS, so I had a terrific support system already in place when I went through my post-op depression. My depression was compounded by the sudden death of my younger brother two month post-op. To add to my confusion, my other brother died suddenly this past winter, while I was recuperating from hernia surgery.
Needless to say, I highly recommend psychotherapy with a good, licensed therapy who has experience with eating issues and addiction issues. Food, for me, is an addictive substance that has helped me with my emotions. In controlling my food intake, I relapsed on alcohol, as I am also an alcoholic.
Feel free to PM me, if you need to talk.
Trish
Needless to say, I highly recommend psychotherapy with a good, licensed therapy who has experience with eating issues and addiction issues. Food, for me, is an addictive substance that has helped me with my emotions. In controlling my food intake, I relapsed on alcohol, as I am also an alcoholic.
Feel free to PM me, if you need to talk.
Trish
Seek always to do some good, somewhere. Every man has to seek in his own way to realize his true worth. You must give some time to your fellow man. For remember, you don't live in a world all your own. Your brothers are here too.
Albert Schweitzer
Albert Schweitzer
Topic: RE: Support for those w/Alcoholism after surgery
Hi Pat,
I am Trish, and I am an alcoholic. I differ from most here because I was an alcoholic prior to my surgery. I have been in AA since 1989, and have had periods of sobriety as long as 8 years one time, and 6+ years the last time.
At the time of my WLS, I had over 5 years of sobriety. I was working my AA program well, and doing well in all areas of my life. A year ago, in December, I relapsed and began the downward spiral into the Hell of alcoholism. My bottom is ugly, and I have struggled for the past year to get more than three months put together.
What has not helped is that I have lost my two brothers suddenly since my surgery, and have also learned some serious things about myself in my psychotherapy.
Most recently, I have been in an outpatient rehab program, and have been so resistant to it, I can't stand it. I first spent 5 weeks in an intensive outpatient program, which met three times a week, for two and a half hours each time. After that, I transferred to a weekly group that is an hour and a half long.
I have yet to make goal weight, and really do struggle. If I don't drink, I find my eating is worse. I have pushed the limits of my sugar intake to learn just how far I can go without dumping. My exercise has slacked off, and I am not making my protein goals at all.
I have found AA support online by joining a Yahoo group that is called AA2. I have a terrific sponsor, who has 16 years of sobriety. I am really blessed with support and encouragement. I just hate feeling the feelings and dealing with life on life's terms.
I would love to be part of the support we have here more actively. Please feel free to PM me if you wish.
Hugs,
Trish
I am Trish, and I am an alcoholic. I differ from most here because I was an alcoholic prior to my surgery. I have been in AA since 1989, and have had periods of sobriety as long as 8 years one time, and 6+ years the last time.
At the time of my WLS, I had over 5 years of sobriety. I was working my AA program well, and doing well in all areas of my life. A year ago, in December, I relapsed and began the downward spiral into the Hell of alcoholism. My bottom is ugly, and I have struggled for the past year to get more than three months put together.
What has not helped is that I have lost my two brothers suddenly since my surgery, and have also learned some serious things about myself in my psychotherapy.
Most recently, I have been in an outpatient rehab program, and have been so resistant to it, I can't stand it. I first spent 5 weeks in an intensive outpatient program, which met three times a week, for two and a half hours each time. After that, I transferred to a weekly group that is an hour and a half long.
I have yet to make goal weight, and really do struggle. If I don't drink, I find my eating is worse. I have pushed the limits of my sugar intake to learn just how far I can go without dumping. My exercise has slacked off, and I am not making my protein goals at all.
I have found AA support online by joining a Yahoo group that is called AA2. I have a terrific sponsor, who has 16 years of sobriety. I am really blessed with support and encouragement. I just hate feeling the feelings and dealing with life on life's terms.
I would love to be part of the support we have here more actively. Please feel free to PM me if you wish.
Hugs,
Trish
Seek always to do some good, somewhere. Every man has to seek in his own way to realize his true worth. You must give some time to your fellow man. For remember, you don't live in a world all your own. Your brothers are here too.
Albert Schweitzer
Albert Schweitzer
Topic: RE: Support for those w/Alcoholism after surgery
Pat -
Thank you for your message. As a new person to OH and a new person to AA, I was glad to see that there were others out there who were balancing recovery from alcoholism with WLS.
I have been going through the pre-operative testing phase of WLS since 9/08. When faced with the idea of giving up drinking, smoking and caffeine prior to surgery - I began to question myself as to whether I was an alcoholic. My bottom came in October 08 and I have been sober for 80 days. (90 & 90) is on the horizon.
Though my AA sponsor and family are supportive - many have serious reservations about me tackling smoking cessation (quit goal 1/24) and then WLS (April 09) so early in sobriety. The way I look at it is this- My higher power has placed a great opportunity in front of me - Time in which I am receiving unemployment, am able to receive great support through 12 step fellowship daily and Cobra insurance which covers WLS.... and a time to really be honest with my self on a new level. I want to be a sober, healthy and happier me.
Thanks for being there-
Tisha
Thank you for your message. As a new person to OH and a new person to AA, I was glad to see that there were others out there who were balancing recovery from alcoholism with WLS.
I have been going through the pre-operative testing phase of WLS since 9/08. When faced with the idea of giving up drinking, smoking and caffeine prior to surgery - I began to question myself as to whether I was an alcoholic. My bottom came in October 08 and I have been sober for 80 days. (90 & 90) is on the horizon.
Though my AA sponsor and family are supportive - many have serious reservations about me tackling smoking cessation (quit goal 1/24) and then WLS (April 09) so early in sobriety. The way I look at it is this- My higher power has placed a great opportunity in front of me - Time in which I am receiving unemployment, am able to receive great support through 12 step fellowship daily and Cobra insurance which covers WLS.... and a time to really be honest with my self on a new level. I want to be a sober, healthy and happier me.
Thanks for being there-
Tisha
Topic: ~SPIRITUAL~ A DAY AT A TIME
01/11 REFLECTION FOR THE DAY
The experiences of thousands upon thousands of people have proven that acceptance and faith are capable of producing freedom from dependence on chemicals. When we apply the same principles of acceptance and faith to our emotional problems, however, we discover that only relative results are possible. Obviously, for example, nobody can ever become completely free from fear, anger or pride. None of us will ever achieve perfect love, harmony or serenity. We'll have to settle for very gradual progres*****tuated occasionally by very heavy setbacks. HAVE I BEGUN TO ABANDON MY OLD ATTITUDE OF "ALL OR NOTHING ?"
TODAY I PRAY
May God grant me the patience to apply those same principles of faith and acceptance which are keys to my recovery to the whole of my emotional being. May I learn to recognize the festering of my own human anger, my hurt, my frustration, my sadness. With the help of God, may I find appropriate ways to deal with these feelings without doing harm to myself or others.
TODAY I WILL REMEMBER
Feelings are facts.
something *cute* but often true
The experiences of thousands upon thousands of people have proven that acceptance and faith are capable of producing freedom from dependence on chemicals. When we apply the same principles of acceptance and faith to our emotional problems, however, we discover that only relative results are possible. Obviously, for example, nobody can ever become completely free from fear, anger or pride. None of us will ever achieve perfect love, harmony or serenity. We'll have to settle for very gradual progres*****tuated occasionally by very heavy setbacks. HAVE I BEGUN TO ABANDON MY OLD ATTITUDE OF "ALL OR NOTHING ?"
TODAY I PRAY
May God grant me the patience to apply those same principles of faith and acceptance which are keys to my recovery to the whole of my emotional being. May I learn to recognize the festering of my own human anger, my hurt, my frustration, my sadness. With the help of God, may I find appropriate ways to deal with these feelings without doing harm to myself or others.
TODAY I WILL REMEMBER
Feelings are facts.
something *cute* but often true
It is good to have an end to journey towards; but it is the journey that matters in the end. ~Ursula K. LeGuin
Topic: Grateful Post..
Good Morning OH'ers.. IT'S FRIDAY !!
Today I am grateful..
That my big project at work is almost done..
That I will be having a good day.. I have my mind set on it..
That I can wear jeans to work today..
For being able to be me..
That I am a blessed man..
SONG OF THE WEEK.. "OH GIRL BY THE CHI LITES
Oh, girl
I’d be in trouble if you left me now
‘Cause I don’t know where to look for love
I just don’t know how
Oh, girl
How I depend on you
To give me love when I need it
Right on time you would always be
All my friends call me a fool
They say, “Let the woman take care of you?
So I try to be hip and think like the crowd
But even the crowd can’t help me now, oh...oh...oh...oh...oh...oh...
Oh, girl
Tell me what am I gonna do
I know I’ve got a guilty face
Girl, I feel so out of place, oh, yeah...yeah...
Don’t know where to go, who to see, yeah
Oh, girl
I guess I better go
I can save myself a lot of useless tears
Girl, I’ve gotta get away from here
Oh, girl
Pain will double if you leave me now
‘Cause I don’t know where to look for love
And I don’t, I don’t know how
Oh, yeah
Mmm...hmm...
Oh, girl
Why do I love you so, yeah
Mmm...
Better be on my way, I can’t stay
Have you ever seen such a helpless man
Oh...oh...no...
MOVIE QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"TO CHANGE THE WORLD SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO CHANGE YOURSELF. From Notorious
Today I am grateful..
That my big project at work is almost done..
That I will be having a good day.. I have my mind set on it..
That I can wear jeans to work today..
For being able to be me..
That I am a blessed man..
SONG OF THE WEEK.. "OH GIRL BY THE CHI LITES
Oh, girl
I’d be in trouble if you left me now
‘Cause I don’t know where to look for love
I just don’t know how
Oh, girl
How I depend on you
To give me love when I need it
Right on time you would always be
All my friends call me a fool
They say, “Let the woman take care of you?
So I try to be hip and think like the crowd
But even the crowd can’t help me now, oh...oh...oh...oh...oh...oh...
Oh, girl
Tell me what am I gonna do
I know I’ve got a guilty face
Girl, I feel so out of place, oh, yeah...yeah...
Don’t know where to go, who to see, yeah
Oh, girl
I guess I better go
I can save myself a lot of useless tears
Girl, I’ve gotta get away from here
Oh, girl
Pain will double if you leave me now
‘Cause I don’t know where to look for love
And I don’t, I don’t know how
Oh, yeah
Mmm...hmm...
Oh, girl
Why do I love you so, yeah
Mmm...
Better be on my way, I can’t stay
Have you ever seen such a helpless man
Oh...oh...no...
MOVIE QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"TO CHANGE THE WORLD SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO CHANGE YOURSELF. From Notorious
Ramon Lopez
Co-Founder
http://www.rydobesity.com
Interview on www.weightlosssurgerychannel.com Please check it out.. http://www.weightlosssurgerychannel.com/programs/wls-journeys/wls-journeys-guest-ramon-lopez.html/
Video, about me, made by my best friend Yvonne.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gCxNTyRUo0
PEACE
464/409/200
Thanks Obesityhelp.com
Co-Founder
http://www.rydobesity.com
Interview on www.weightlosssurgerychannel.com Please check it out.. http://www.weightlosssurgerychannel.com/programs/wls-journeys/wls-journeys-guest-ramon-lopez.html/
Video, about me, made by my best friend Yvonne.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gCxNTyRUo0
PEACE
464/409/200
Thanks Obesityhelp.com
Topic: ~SPIRITUAL~ A DAY AT A TIME
01/09 REFLECTION FOR THE DAY
In the past, and sometimes even now, I automatically have thought, "Why me?", when I'm trying to learn that my first problem is to accept my present cir****tances as they are, myself as I am and the people around me as they are. Just as I finally accepted my powerlessness over my addiction, so must I accept my powerlessness over people, places and things. AM I LEARNING TO ACCEPT LIFE ON LIFE'S TERMS?
TODAY I PRAY
May I learn to control my urge to control, my compulsion to manage, neaten, organize and label the lives of others. May I learn to accept situations and people as they are instead of as I would like them to be. Thus, may I do away with the ongoing frustrations that a controlling person, by nature, faces continually. May I be entirely ready to have God remove this defect of character.
TODAY I WILL REMEMBER
Control for the controller (me).
In the past, and sometimes even now, I automatically have thought, "Why me?", when I'm trying to learn that my first problem is to accept my present cir****tances as they are, myself as I am and the people around me as they are. Just as I finally accepted my powerlessness over my addiction, so must I accept my powerlessness over people, places and things. AM I LEARNING TO ACCEPT LIFE ON LIFE'S TERMS?
TODAY I PRAY
May I learn to control my urge to control, my compulsion to manage, neaten, organize and label the lives of others. May I learn to accept situations and people as they are instead of as I would like them to be. Thus, may I do away with the ongoing frustrations that a controlling person, by nature, faces continually. May I be entirely ready to have God remove this defect of character.
TODAY I WILL REMEMBER
Control for the controller (me).
It is good to have an end to journey towards; but it is the journey that matters in the end. ~Ursula K. LeGuin
Topic: RE: Grateful Post..
Hi Ramon! Was looking at my pebble on my bedside table and thought of you and what it symbolizes. It was just what I needed, so thanks again for giving them to us!
Today I am grateful...
...for refocusing on helping others and being of service
...for the grace of realizing where I was slacking, and having the opportunity to get back on track
...for my awesome, sweet hubby and my great boys - I am SOOO blessed
...for friends - community - support, what a great gift
Have a great weekend y'all,
Cathy C.
Today I am grateful...
...for refocusing on helping others and being of service
...for the grace of realizing where I was slacking, and having the opportunity to get back on track
...for my awesome, sweet hubby and my great boys - I am SOOO blessed
...for friends - community - support, what a great gift
Have a great weekend y'all,
Cathy C.
"One man's ways may be as good as another's, but we all like our own best." Jane Austen
Topic: RE: ~SPIRITUAL~ A DAY AT A TIME
Wow that's wonderful!! :) I'm wanting a bat-wing-ectomy and a gut flattener...but I'm afraid I won't stop there! LOL...I figure I've just started back exercising damn near daily, so I'll wait and see. I've put myself through so much surgery wise, I'm not sure I want to do it again this soon.
I've had some lapses (but not relapses as my shrink put it) with food and stan. NOT going to do the domination thing again, and just did a three day liquid protein de-carb fest. My sugars bottomed out so bad I lasted only 2.5 days...but it helped. I never thought a liquid protein detox would really make a difference but it did! I feel better, my sugars are stable again and I'm finally less constipated. (what's not to love, right?) LOL...
My daughter had a reduction a year ago and loves the results. She went from a DDD to a C and is much happier. No more back pain, off her thyroid meds and the migraines are all but gone too! I just want mine put back where they belong! LOL... The tummy thing sounds good though. But I want to try tightening up what I've let spread out first. I'm so glad you're happy iwth your results! It does so much for our self-esteem and outlook on life! How long do you have for recuperation from work? Is it hard to raise and lower yourself like it was after the bypass? I remember it was almost a month before I could move up and down from bed as I did pre-op. You'll be the next Victoria's Secret model now!!
I've had some lapses (but not relapses as my shrink put it) with food and stan. NOT going to do the domination thing again, and just did a three day liquid protein de-carb fest. My sugars bottomed out so bad I lasted only 2.5 days...but it helped. I never thought a liquid protein detox would really make a difference but it did! I feel better, my sugars are stable again and I'm finally less constipated. (what's not to love, right?) LOL...
My daughter had a reduction a year ago and loves the results. She went from a DDD to a C and is much happier. No more back pain, off her thyroid meds and the migraines are all but gone too! I just want mine put back where they belong! LOL... The tummy thing sounds good though. But I want to try tightening up what I've let spread out first. I'm so glad you're happy iwth your results! It does so much for our self-esteem and outlook on life! How long do you have for recuperation from work? Is it hard to raise and lower yourself like it was after the bypass? I remember it was almost a month before I could move up and down from bed as I did pre-op. You'll be the next Victoria's Secret model now!!
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