Weight gain in early sobriety

[Karl_Bonner_1982]

I definitely experienced it. For the first seven months, despite a two-month period of nearly daily running, I put on a lot of weight (probably 20-30 pounds, maybe even more!) Since then I've begun losing again, but I'm still not as slender as I was last summer despite months of various forms of exercise.

Several other guys I know have put on a little padding since they started recovery. One dude's belly has puffed way out since he quit drinking (not fat so much as the stuff underneath expanding) and other guys seem to be getting thicker necks (kind of cute if you ask me...) as a symptom of mild gain.

Have any of you struggled with weight gain in sobriety? Was it just a short phase or did you find yourself struggling to stay slim for a long time afterward?

[NMDemDist2]

1. my early recovery's motto was "Fear, Fellowship and a high sugar diet"

yeah, I can relate

:rofl:

[Karl_Bonner_1982]

2. It's leveled off now

Still too many sugary drinks and such, and the occasional binge on fatty food, but with a return to frequent running, my metabolism is back in order. My goal is to slim up my neck and lose 1.5 inches off my waist by the end of October when running season gets iffy.

[old mark]

3. I went in big for Ben & Jerry's.

Your body is used to running on heavy sugar from the booze. It needs to taper off.

At least you will be alive to lose the weight.

Keep going.

All the best.

mark


PS: After a few more months, get a physical and get checked for diabetes.

[Stuart G]

4. I also suggest if you think it is really out of control.......try...

Overeater's Anonymous...same as AA..just OA..Yes it works....

http://www.oa.org/index.htm



OA Program of Recovery

Overeaters Anonymous offers a program of recovery from compulsive overeating using the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of OA. Worldwide meetings and other tools provide a fellowship of experience, strength and hope where members respect one another's anonymity. OA charges no dues or fees; it is self-supporting through member contributions.

Unlike other organizations, OA is not just about weight loss, obesity or diets; it addresses physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. It is not a religious organization and does not promote any particular diet. To address weight loss, OA encourages members to develop a food plan with a health care professional and a sponsor. If you want to stop your compulsive eating, welcome to Overeaters Anonymous.

sure I go to both..OA and AA...one day at a time...sound familiar???

[Karl_Bonner_1982]

5. Losing weight rapidly now

The good news is that the weight splurge appears to be long gone for me. If anything I'll end up in Overexercisers Anonymous. :)

[old mark]

6. Karl, we tend to be extremists one way or another.

I went back to college (sober) in my 40's, and we had snow about 3 times a week in my last semester, enough to make driving very difficult.
(I was also working full time evenings 30 miles away and living far out on a farm.)

I knew 5 other people in recovery in the same semester - we ALL made the Dean's List, despite the weather, family problems, whatever.

I still have the letter from the college, and have to laugh about it.

It took me several years to learn to relaxn and at least 2 years to discover that the odd, unknown feeling I was having was...happiness.


Good luck, enjoy your life.

mark

[Iggo]

7. I put down the spoon and picked up the fork.

I went from 128 on the last day of my 18 yr run all the way up to 192 about eight years later. I'll have 12 yrs clean this year and I'm back down to about 175. I still think there's another 20-25 pounds there to lose. But hey, it's better than being dead or in prison...or the walking dead, which is what I was.

(Edited for verb tense.)