ALCOHOLICS: RECOVERY & FITNESS (Serious Only Please)

[boathead]

the whole issue of anonymity had two main concepts at its root.
1. humility. bill w. and a few of the other founding members of a.a. were tempted to become "big shots", if you will, one of the very behaviors believed to feed the drinking lifestyle.
2. fear. it took a.a. a while to get some legs. i mean by the time the big book came around, at the 4 year mark, they only had some 100 members. the traditions came down in 1955. the fear was that, in the desire to attract drunks, if someone was too public with their affiliation with the fellowship, that once the fell off the wagon, the public would view a.a. as ineffective.

ugggh. how did i walk down this path..... don't drink, go to meetings, and lift heavy things.

[chodan9]

the whole issue of anonymity had two main concepts at its root.
1. humility. bill w. and a few of the other founding members of a.a. were tempted to become "big shots", if you will, one of the very behaviors believed to feed the drinking lifestyle.
2. fear. it took a.a. a while to get some legs. i mean by the time the big book came around, at the 4 year mark, they only had some 100 members. the traditions came down in 1955. the fear was that, in the desire to attract drunks, if someone was too public with their affiliation with the fellowship, that once the fell off the wagon, the public would view a.a. as ineffective.

ugggh. how did i walk down this path..... don't drink, go to meetings, and lift heavy things.

I remember an ice skater lady who had a people magazine interview several years ago, in the article on her recovery from alcoholism she said "I attend AA meetings occasionally, which has allowed me to be able to drink light wines again"
I thought I don't know WTF she was going to but it wasn't AA LOL. I was thinking at the time "I hope my sponsee's don't see this article"

[Baldiewonkanobi]

BJC such wisdom for a young grasshopper. YES we are a work in progress. Always.

Annonimity. I can see where is serves keeping the braggert, oportunist and bleeding heart from emotionally of financially profit from bandying their name and association all over town. AA purists cringe at name exposure. I never cared a rats ass.

Hello my name is Bill Mortimer and I am a certified drunk and amature pharmacologist. I am proud and damn fortunate to be clean and sober for the past 24 hours and 29 years this March 1st.

[BigDaddy33]

I was posting on a thread a while back and mentioned that I was in AA, the next day I had a PM telling me that AA is an anoymous program.
I was curious on others opinions here.
here is how I see it.
our traditions state we are anonymous in press, radio and films. I do not consider an internet message board any of those things. I don't worry about my own anonymity as it relates to personal communications, verbally or online or in written letters etc, I will not break another members anonymity though, nor would I broadcast my membership in on TV radio etc, even though there is no rule against it.

I know some folks guard there own membership, but I do not, my employer knows I am a recovering alcoholic/addict and I will talk about it freely when asked.
Heck, when I decided I was an alcoholic and addict it became unanimous in my town LOL

I think if soeone in AA wants to say he's in AA whats the problem, I mean its his alcoholism right?

Hello my name is Bill Mortimer and I am a certified drunk and amature pharmacologist. I am proud and damn fortunate to be clean and sober for the past 24 hours and 29 years this March 1st.

Well said Sir!!

[jellodirt]

Hey Kevin. I noticed your sig. Have you ever seen the "Lord's Gym" shirts?

My favorite shirts are the ones that make reference to MMA (Ultimate Fighting). They say "Jesus Didn't Tap"...

[Baldiewonkanobi]

I spent one of my almost 3 decades of sobriety in and around the fringes of AA. An argument I would always get into within the AA family umbrella happened whenever I brought into the conversation what I believed to the seperation of the physical and the psyche/spiritual (if you will) aspects of alcohol addiction. I was told that time itself would fade away the physical part of the addiction. I argued back...."Why not address the physical portion seperatly and attack that from the get go?" "Why suffer the physical cravings, shakes and jammers?"

I was fortunate to run into Harry Pearl (Bill's brother) on day 2 of my sobriety. (AA did not begin for another 9 months). I let Harry know that I was a sober drunk and drug user. Harry sent me home from my first workout with a laundry list of suppliments and a new strict diet. This approach was structured around the premise that alcohol addiction was similar to Diabitis and sugar metabolism....especially if the drunk drank a lot of beer. ME. Harry believed that I could burn off excess sugars with a structured workout which would also tap me into my brain's Endorphins which would satisfy to some degree my "fondnest" for THC and *******.

Well either it was smoke and mirrors or I just bought the Koolaide...it worked. Aside from my F'ed up thinking part of recovery, the physical part was smooth and rather easy I must say.

9 months later I was a sober physical miracle baby. Emotionaly I was bankrupt. Enter AA. I worked the steps the best I could as an Agnostic. It helped a lot. My meetings now take place when I exchange in here, under the power rack at World's Gym, and in the quiet of the morning as I awake to face another incredible sober day.

Baldie

I believe that we Bodybuilders have an edge on sobriety. I imagine it is the same for serious runners and cyclists.

[GreenWave1]

Hey Kevin. I noticed your sig. Have you ever seen the "Lord's Gym" shirts?

Sorry, I missed this post. I haven't seen those shirts, I'll look them up online.

[Baldiewonkanobi]

Hmmmm. Everyone behavin out there? Sure is quiet in here....guess you are all recovered...cool.

[GreenWave1]

Still behaving. One day at a time.

Had a great workout this morning, despite waking up feeling like I hadn't slept. In the past I would have crumbled as the day went on and gone home high. Now, I get up, pray, lift and go home straight and smiling.

[BigDaddy33]

Hmmmm. Everyone behavin out there? Sure is quiet in here....guess you are all recovered...cool.

Everything is all good here Baldie. Still an alcoholic and had a great workout this morning as well... How is that cough coming along?

[Baldiewonkanobi]

Ya know...I'm still a little clogged up. Thanx for asking. Here is the rub. I'm an L.A. boy OK? Monday Tuesday next week I'm gonna be in Quincy along the Miss. river and it's gonna be 7 fricken degreees. I've had p nu monya twice,oh oh. Tomorrow I gotta dig out my ski clothes.

This morning was possible the best workout I have had in 12 years. I'm stoked and I'm sober. Can't beat that.

[eddied27]

Hmmmm. Everyone behavin out there? Sure is quiet in here....guess you are all recovered...cool.

Are you kidding me Baldie?

I was cured the first day I walked in a hall.

Then the "steps" squashed that ego!

[eddied27]

I'm stoked and I'm sober. Can't beat that.

Worth repeating!

[BigDaddy33]

Ya know...I'm still a little clogged up. Thanx for asking. Here is the rub. I'm an L.A. boy OK? Monday Tuesday next week I'm gonna be in Quincy along the Miss. river and it's gonna be 7 fricken degreees. I've had p nu monya twice,oh oh. Tomorrow I gotta dig out my ski clothes.

This morning was possible the best workout I have had in 12 years. I'm stoked and I'm sober. Can't beat that.

Im a Buffalo boy, used to the cold... wish you luck...

[Baldiewonkanobi]

I have a few Buffalo burgers left in the frig. I'll be sure to eat them Sunday as I pack. 11 Months ago I was in Providence, RI where my bro in law maintains the plows. Their plows happen to be the brand of truck I sell. We plowed all day in a sideways blowing blizzard. That was kicks for this son of La La Land.

One thing that makes business trips easier these days is that the 3 martini lunches of the 70s have gone their way. If someone orders more than one beer during a business dinner these he is frowned upon. Since I have ZERO tollerence for slurry people around me these meetings are now a breeze.

[chodan9]

I have a few Buffalo burgers left in the frig. I'll be sure to eat them Sunday as I pack. 11 Months ago I was in Providence, RI where my bro in law maintains the plows. Their plows happen to be the brand of truck I sell. We plowed all day in a sideways blowing blizzard. That was kicks for this son of La La Land.

One thing that makes business trips easier these days is that the 3 martini lunches of the 70s have gone their way. If someone orders more than one beer during a business dinner these he is frowned upon. Since I have ZERO tollerence for slurry people around me these meetings are now a breeze.

its amazing how many times I have become the defacto designated driver on business meetings or when entertaining clients. One of the draw backs of everyone knowing I dont drink.

[eddied27]

its amazing how many times I have become the defacto designated driver on business meetings or when entertaining clients. One of the draw backs of everyone knowing I dont drink.

As is the case for probably all of us chodan. Had to do it myself at 3 a.m. New Years Eve. Bothered at first but then took comfort that I got a family home safely. Yes.....family. Couple with their two 12-13 year old boys. Like to think I showed the boys an example of being responsible in helping others in their "time of need".

[boathead]

As is the case for probably all of us chodan. Had to do it myself at 3 a.m. New Years Eve. Bothered at first but then took comfort that I got a family home safely. Yes.....family. Couple with their two 12-13 year old boys. Like to think I showed the boys an example of being responsible in helping others in their "time of need".

excellent.

i have a deal with my 17 year old daughter. she can call me for a ride at any time for a ride, and i promise no lecture. i don't want to be naive that she is not partying. she has actually called a few times.

[BigDaddy33]

My favorite shirts are the ones that make reference to MMA (Ultimate Fighting). They say "Jesus Didn't Tap"...

Where can you get them??

As is the case for probably all of us chodan. Had to do it myself at 3 a.m. New Years Eve. Bothered at first but then took comfort that I got a family home safely. Yes.....family. Couple with their two 12-13 year old boys. Like to think I showed the boys an example of being responsible in helping others in their "time of need".

Good job! Way to be there for them.

excellent.

i have a deal with my 17 year old daughter. she can call me for a ride at any time for a ride, and i promise no lecture. i don't want to be naive that she is not partying. she has actually called a few times.

That sounds great, now that I am sober, I should do something like that!! Kudos to you!!

[boathead]

anyone got any funny "triggers"??? i know none of it is funny, but, as they say, we are not a glum lot...

my biggest is electronic gadgets....ask me to hook up a dvd player, and i'm wanting to drink. ask me to hook a dvd into a vcr and then into a t.v., and well, i might as well head off to in-patient treatment.

in fact i think that is where i am headed, as i am trying to figure out this mp3 player i just got. after i smash some things, i'll head over to the rehab.

[Baldiewonkanobi]

Very funny indeed. I am a rather (WAS rather) good cartoonist. Ever since I went dry I still can draw but I go really slow and get creeped out. It's as if a pathway to the artistic side of my brain has been closed and I have to take all sorts of back roads. The humor part is still in tact...just the brian to hand thing is frazzled.

Baldie

[Baldiewonkanobi]

Brian brain....can't type either.

[chodan9]

anyone got any funny "triggers"??? i know none of it is funny, but, as they say, we are not a glum lot...

my biggest is electronic gadgets....ask me to hook up a dvd player, and i'm wanting to drink. ask me to hook a dvd into a vcr and then into a t.v., and well, i might as well head off to in-patient treatment.

in fact i think that is where i am headed, as i am trying to figure out this mp3 player i just got. after i smash some things, i'll head over to the rehab.

its weird,
once I got clean and sober it was like a switch, I haven't had a desire to touch it since.
edit: well after about 3 months clean and sober

[bjc12]

I believe that we Bodybuilders have an edge on sobriety. I imagine it is the same for serious runners and cyclists.

I agree with you on this. The fact the I don't drink or use drugs is not as big of a deal in the bodybuilding community. Most of the ones i've met don't drink or use either just for the health reasons. Outside of the gym and close friends and family, the fact that i don't use anything can be looked at as just as strange as using everything and anything. In the gym and bodybuilding community it is not of big of a deal. Just one of the reasons the gym can be a sort of a refuge at times.

[thepainter5]

its weird,
once I got clean and sober it was like a switch, I haven't had a desire to touch it since.
edit: well after about 3 months clean and sober

I agree.
Once my "habits" were changed and the "pattern of addiction" was changed, my "stinking thinking" also cleaned up. After I went through a 3 month rehab and was first clean, I moved back into a very hostile relationship with the ex. I soon came to learn that if I could stand that abuse without relapsing, then nothing would break me.
Through out all of my rehab and life since recovery, exercise has always been part of my life. It has been almost 20 years with out relapse. I do break with "tradition" however as I say I am an "ex addict" (not recovering).

[BigDaddy33]

anyone got any funny "triggers"??? i know none of it is funny, but, as they say, we are not a glum lot...

my biggest is electronic gadgets....ask me to hook up a dvd player, and i'm wanting to drink. ask me to hook a dvd into a vcr and then into a t.v., and well, i might as well head off to in-patient treatment.

in fact i think that is where i am headed, as i am trying to figure out this mp3 player i just got. after i smash some things, i'll head over to the rehab.

I guess it is kind of funny... after sex with my wife I wnt a beer...

[BigDaddy33]

Hows everyone coming with their training!! Mine is going fantastic...

[charlesbrian63]

Hows everyone coming with their training!! Mine is going fantastic...

Been on here a couple of times and thought I would hop back on. My training is actually going well, been with my trainer 8 months now and continue to be amazed at what a difference he makes for me. I attempted to do pushups on 4 medicine balls last night and found out that it is a lot harder than it looks, new challenge there that I can't wait to get good at. Thanks Big Al for putting that question on here, thats an easy one to answer.....keep shinin man!! (my first sponsors was called Big Al)................peace everyone...

[chodan9]

Hows everyone coming with their training!! Mine is going fantastic...

going really well this year, my discipline on the nutrition and workouts is paying off,
losing bodyfat and not losing too much strength.

[bjc12]

4 years today my friends!