Cardinal Rules for Recovery - Part 3 of 3, Change Your Lifestyle
Sobriety is a lifestyle change NOT a diet from your addiction.
We’ve all done it. Swim suit season is upon us so we try on last year’s suit, and notice a budge or a roll. We decide right then and there to cut out the sweets, carbs, etc... We deny ourselves those treats hoping for a dramatic change. We are excited about the future us, and charge into our week full of confidence that, with a little will power, we are going to rock the poolside this year. Then we get to work and someone brought donuts, someone else offers pizza for lunch. And you just sit there starving, longing for the things you can’t have. Every commercial that evening is about food. Happy people eating delectable food with nary an ounce of fat on them. You cry out at the injustice of it all. Why can they have all the food they want, and I can’t have any?! For a week this goes on, and then you hop on the scale only to see this seemingly herculean effort has resulted in negligible results. At that moment, your will power evaporates, and you decide to cheat. Just a little decadent desert. Something to reward all your efforts. Two tubs of Ben and Jerry’s and a supreme pizza later you’ve lost everything you’ve done so far. So you just give in, and accept the fat.
Unfortunately, people try the diet approach to sobriety all the time. “No need to change anything else, I’ll just quit____.” They start off with such high hopes only to fail because, while their heart was in the right place, their mind wasn’t. Sustainable weight loss and sustainable recovery require a life style change, not the mere avoidance of certain things. To be sure, the new life style will involve the absence of things. But, the key is the introduction of healthy, equally satisfying things. The mindset should not be to give up things, but to replace them with things that will lead you closer to your goal. People often feel overwhelmed with the loss of their substance. It was literally an integral part of their everyday life. In a sense, it is similar to losing a loved one. That loss is so complete. There are two paths forward; think of nothing but the loss, or forge a new life without them. You’ve probably seen examples of both in those around you. The man who loses his spouse, and remains broken hearted the remainder of his days. The lady that loses her spouse, and goes forward to volunteer or devote her time in other worthwhile endeavors. Addicts have the same paths. Look at the loss, or look forward. Finding healthy, beneficial activities does not have to be a big obstacle. Simply find a recovery community in your area and participate in some of their activities. Phoenix Multisport is a fun, sober, physically active community that may be in your area. Step Seven Ministries is a faith-based community. There are hundreds of others made up of recovering addicts that are banding together to celebrate life. If you are stuck on where to begin a search for a community near you, give us a call.
Thought for the day: When your mindset is not “look at what all I can’t have or have lost,” but “I am working toward a better me where I will be able to ____,” that mindset will produce results because it is set on a better future. Look forward. Seek new activities. Broaden your reach!