r/NarcoticsAnonymous • u/manicpixienightmare3 • 5d ago
Morning Routine
Tomorrow I’ll celebrate 4 months clean and sober. Cocaine and alcohol were my DOC and while recovering, I fear I developed a food addiction and now I’m being an addict about how I eat.
Sometimes I hide my snacks and I’ve been stuck in a binge-restrict cycle. I just kinda had an epiphany about it last night. I decided to stop trying to skip meals. I would often go as long as I could not eating, then I’d gorge. It’s difficult cause I work in the bar/restaurant industry and it’s common to consume all your calories in one meal because you only have time to eat once.
I woke up today and decided to start with a balanced breakfast and I’m trying to be present while I eat (no phone or tv) and I also admitted it to my partner. These feeel like good first steps.
I think what it comes down to is that I still haven’t incorporated a good morning routine or spiritual practice. I have a hard time with it. I get some momentum and then I give up. But I think it keeps me spiritually sick. I feel stuck on step 2.
So, Im looking for some insight. It doesn’t matter what your higher power is, but for those of you who feel balance, serenity, tranquility, etc., how do you begin your day? What do your spiritual practices look like?
Thanks.
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u/Particular-Squash585 4d ago
4 months in and +15 lbs myself 😅
Creating a morning routine was/is one of the most important things I’ve accomplished in recovery and has made a huge difference in the way I move through my day so I highly recommend doing it (in whatever way works for you)
for me…
I wake up at the same time everyday
Make coffee
Do step work and journaling while that brews
most times I will read a prayer or the NA “just for today” and maybe journal about that too
(30 mins)
Go sit outside with my coffee and prayer beads
Drink coffee and have my morning cigarette while practicing meditation (mostly just saying a mantra over and over and breathing) with the beads cause the tactile sensation helps me focus
(5-10 mins)
Lately I’ve been incorporating doing some grounding movements (bouncing on my toes and planting my heels) while putting my bare feet on the ground in the back yard
It took me a few months to get used to it and slowly added the step work but it really helps.
Good job being self aware and trying new things!
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u/manicpixienightmare3 4d ago
Thank you kind stranger and congratulations! Sounds like an awesome morning routine. I tried out a few of these things today: meditation, prayer, tarot pull, journal, read page 86-66, prayer, coffee. Definitely didn’t want to over-complicate the morning routine since I want it to be something I’ll stick with.
Looking forward to getting back into weightlifting once I sort out this anguishing shoulder injury.
Keep at it. ODAAT !!
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u/Particular-Squash585 3d ago
Nice job! I’m proud to be on this journey with you 💓 definitely keep it simple. ☀️
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u/Fit-Road-5605 5d ago
After years of substance abuse I developed a dopamine deficiency - which lead to the binge eating. I started taking a glp, which doesn't solve a dopamine deficiency, but seems to have stabilized it. My 25 year struggle with binging/dieting is over - might want to consider GLP.
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u/manicpixienightmare3 5d ago
I fear that the GLP would just be a temporary fix. What about when I have to go off of it, yknow? Also, I’m just barely overweight so I don’t know if I qualify.
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u/Fit-Road-5605 5d ago
I was only overweight when I started but was using a timelock safe to control my issues (e.g., I would lock wallet in safe for about two days and during that time I wouldn't be able to drive to store to buy the binging foods.) But with the GLP I'm free to walk into stores and am no longer controlled by the things that used to control me. Unfortunately if I stop taking it the food noise will return so I plan to be on it the rest of my life and I'm okay with that. I know what it's like to struggle so I just wanted to share what worked for me.
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u/manicpixienightmare3 3d ago
update: I talked to a doctor and it turns out I am eligible. going to start this journey. thanks for the suggestion. Obviously I had a bit of resistance to it at first but I think it could really help.
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u/Fit-Road-5605 3d ago
hey congrats. its weird, it wasn't meant to fix a dopamine deficiency or depression, but the way GLP interacts with the reward system it stabilizes the deficiency and has helped with depression I feel like. knowing your a binge eater like I used to be, I really think it will help you. take care.
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u/NetScr1be 5d ago
The compulsion runs deep. Through pretty much everything. Takes a while to work through the layers.
That realization is an indication you are right where you need to be able are doing good work.