Hi all, good 16 months sober from alcohol over here, cravings are gone, everything is going well.
I don’t like being around drunk people anymore. I must have been awful when drunk, I’m sorry I didn’t stop 10 years ago, but here we are.
I do things I love more dilligently now and I have more time for them. I started to learn new things and finished the unfinished stuff.
I haven’t lost a single pound.
I didn’t get fat either but I hoped I’ll loose just something. Nope. Training every day while being hungover every day was a special kind of torture tho.
My sleep got a little bit better but it’s still not great. I still wake up almost every night at 3 or 4 and can’t fall back asleep for at least an hour. I learned that weight lifting (after work) will not help with sleep, it will do the opposite. So all you gym rats in recovery, take a note.
Since sleeping has been such a little bitch, I tried everything to get it in order (without sleeping pills or melatonin). First I cut down on coffee, then I completely stopped. I was never drinking coffee after noon anyway, but still. No effect. I never drink coke or soft drinks either.
Another reason I would wake at night and couldn’t fall back asleep is excessive, I mean excessive peeing. Sometimes every two hours during the night. Sometimes during the day AND night. I went to the doctor, bloodwok - fine, blood sugar - fine, kidney function - fine. The doctor actually said DRINK LESS WATER AND STOP DRINKING WATER AFTER 5 P.M. (After I proudly told him I do not drink alcohol, or soft drinks, or coffee.) So I cut down on water and then I completely stopped. Joking, lol, gotcha, but I did cut down. No effect.
Now that, I think, is the wierdest thing, what is that?? It’s like body detoxing and getting all the beer out 7-8 and more months after last beer has been drunk. And now I can’t drink water, “doctors orders”. And coffee is not attractive anymore and it’s also a diuretic.
And I still haven’t lost a pound.
I totally get the sleeping thing and I know I sleep somewhat better not drinking but I still wake up lots and use the bathroom at least twice a night. I am older and figure that waking up in the middle of the night is an age issue. It is so nice not having regrets when I wake up.
I am a bit surprised by your doctor’s advice on the water. Get another opinion prior to cutting back on drinking water.
Wish you all the best and BIG congrats on your 16 months of sobriety.
Stay strong 
With the sleep thing, what are you stressed about? I am no stranger to the 3am wake up, only to fall back asleep at 5:30, right before my alarm goes off. The only times that happens is when I’m stressed about something; bills, medical issues, my kids, my future.
My wife also has 3am wake ups ever since she lost her job. I am confident it’s most likely stress and anxiety related.
That could also explain the lack of weightloss. How’s your sugar intake? Often people replace alcohol with sugars, sometimes unknowingly (raises hand). I’d suggest tracking your food for a few weeks, since it really is calories in/calories out, barring some thyroid issue, if you’re not losing then your not cutting enough calories. Without tracking your macros, it’s hard to know for sure.
Congrats on 16 months, that is pretty rad!