Sporina's Quitlog

sporina

So, today is Day 1. I am off work today - I think that is probably a good thing with regards to my not smoking decision. For those of you who would like a bit of background to my smoking habit, see link:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055777228

So last night I smoked my last and broke up the cig's left in the box.
When I woke up this morning I felt relief that I did not have to smoke. However as the morning proceeded, I found myself automatically thinking of having to have a ciggy, and then I had to remind myself that I was off them. Strange. Anyone get that feeling too?
So I have been getting cravings but they they do not seem to last long so far. I am giving myself little pet talks (reminding myself of the advantages of not smoking, how its just the little nicotine monster sitting on my shoulder whispering no goods into my ear and to just ignore him).
I only just remembered that I have patches to put on.
So I am going to go about my day.
I can see that this is going to be some work. Smoking seems to be built into my subconscious.
But i feel relief too. Bring on getting rid of the evil addiction - i will fight it!!

Thanks all for reading….:)

(ps if some could show me to how rename the above link I would much appreciate it. Googled it but I can't seem to make it work. pss. I am using a macbook incase that is of any significance).

sporina

So, I read the Alan Carr book and while there is a lot of what he said in my head, I am not convinced by his theory. I mean, there is a part of me that is happy to not have to smoke, but I can feel cravings from true nicotine addiction. That is real, whether it is psychological or physical. It is taking will power to not smoke.
I do not think I would ever be able to be totally happy to quit smoking, like the way he describes.
Some day when I am well into recovery from smoking, I will read more about his theory.
Anyway, I think his book is helping me, but I am using patches too, to help with the physical addiction, as I will have a very tough time coping with the emotional and psychological side of things.

locater7

hi soprina
by 3 pm yesterday i was off cigs one week
second half of last week was really hard--still have moments and am grumpy
went cold turkey after giving up on champix after one week--too strange
best of luck on your journey and i reckon you will suceed-you have prepared yourself for this and now its down to will power
wishing you best of luck

username123

Hey Sporina, delighted for you that you took the plunge - welcome to the Clean Lungs Gang lol!!

When I woke up this morning I felt relief that I did not have to smoke. However as the morning proceeded, I found myself automatically thinking of having to have a ciggy, and then I had to remind myself that I was off them. Strange. Anyone get that feeling too?

Thats more or less exactly how Day 1 was for me as well.

You should start finding that life is less stressful without always having to work out the where and when of having a smoke!!

Day 2 was very similar to Day 1 for me, with the massively positive exception that I KNEW Id survived a day off them - so that made the prospect of another day off them doable.

Keep posting!

sporina

username123 wrote: »

Hey Sporina, delighted for you that you took the plunge - welcome to the Clean Lungs Gang lol!!



Thats more or less exactly how Day 1 was for me as well.

You should start finding that life is less stressful without always having to work out the where and when of having a smoke!!

Day 2 was very similar to Day 1 for me, with the massively positive exception that I KNEW Id survived a day off them - so that made the prospect of another day off them doable.

Keep posting!

thanks a million for the lovely encouraging post.
Yeah I think if I manage one day off them, it will make the next day easier.
I thought I would feel really anxious but I don't at all. I think I use to get anxious before smoking as I knew how bad it was for me but I am only realising that now.
I do have a slight fuzzy feeling in my head though - not sure if it is psychosomatic or because of the patches. I am going to ignore a whole load of symptoms.
I am going to the cinema later so that will be nice.
Anyone had any side effects from using nicorette invisi 15 mg patches?

sporina

locater7 wrote: »

hi soprina
by 3 pm yesterday i was off cigs one week
second half of last week was really hard--still have moments and am grumpy
went cold turkey after giving up on champix after one week--too strange
best of luck on your journey and i reckon you will suceed-you have prepared yourself for this and now its down to will power
wishing you best of luck

thanks but do not be fooled by my awareness - i am good at that - will power though does not come easy to me,. But I am doing good so far..

username123

sporina wrote: »

thanks a million for the lovely encouraging post.
Yeah I think if I manage one day off them, it will make the next day easier.
I thought I would feel really anxious but I don't at all. I think I use to get anxious before smoking as I knew how bad it was for me but I am only realising that now.
I do have a slight fuzzy feeling in my head though - not sure if it is psychosomatic or because of the patches. I am going to ignore a whole load of symptoms.
I am going to the cinema later so that will be nice.
Anyone had any side effects from using nicorette invisi 15 mg patches?

Every single day it gets easier!!!

Thats great youre not feeling anxious. Its empowering not HAVING to smoke!!

I felt fuzzy, dizzy, mildly drunk on and off for a few days - it wasnt constant, and it didnt last, but it came and went - nothing you cant handle - a glass of water would take care of it.

Im really delighted youre getting on so well today, imagine how BRILLIANT you will feel in the morning when you realise you lasted a whole day off them!!! Whooo hooo!!!

sporina

so I survived day one. Last night I went to the cinema and it was a relief not to have to smoke when the show was over and that is the truth.
Also, it is nice to be able to share a kiss with a non smoker without the guilt of having a stinking breath!!!:P

But, last night I dreamt that I smoked and I was really annoyed about it in the dream. I was sooo delighted when I woke up to find that it was only a dream. Strange how the mind works. But looks like the non smoking effort has really gotten into my subconscious which is great.

username123

OMG Sporina!!! Are you me???

You have described exactly how I felt over the first few days - relief at not having to smoke, guiltless kisses, smoke dreaming and being so annoyed in the dream and so glad that it was only a dream!!! Thats so funny!!!

Im delighted for you now, you have passed a whole Day 1 - which is the biggest day of all, the first step is the hardest and all that.

I had a stressful dental appointment with some bad news this morning (have to get nasty expensive things done) and even after it I didnt feel like smoking. I did cry the whole way home in the car though, but was still relieved that I wasnt trying to jam a ciggy into my numb lips!!!

sporina

username123 wrote: »

OMG Sporina!!! Are you me???

You have described exactly how I felt over the first few days - relief at not having to smoke, guiltless kisses, smoke dreaming and being so annoyed in the dream and so glad that it was only a dream!!! Thats so funny!!!

Im delighted for you now, you have passed a whole Day 1 - which is the biggest day of all, the first step is the hardest and all that.

I had a stressful dental appointment with some bad news this morning (have to get nasty expensive things done) and even after it I didnt feel like smoking. I did cry the whole way home in the car though, but was still relieved that I wasnt trying to jam a ciggy into my numb lips!!!

wow - thats cool. Yeah I read somewhere else about smoking dreams so I guess it is typical for some. I am sorry to hear about your bad news on the dentist. But on the up side, at least you were able to go to the dentist as a non smoker. When ever I go to the dentist, he asks me when am I going to quit and I always feel guilt ridden. Hopefully next time I go I will be a non smoker - that will be another plus. He attributes my minute gum disease to my smoking. I am actually thinking of getting some teeth whitening done too in the future.
Again sorry about your bad news - but it would be worse if you came back from the doc having learnt that you have a smoking related illness.

username123

sporina wrote: »

He attributes my minute gum disease to my smoking.

Normally I get a check up and cleaning and he sends me on my way (unless there is work to be done), but this time after the cleaning he said to come back next week for more cleaning as now that Im not smoking my gums actually have a chance to heal and the second cleaning will be really worthwhile - they never told me that before!!

You are so right about doctors and smoking related illnesses though.

sporina

Hi Folks, well near then end of day 3. This was my first day at work and not smoking. I was worried about it but it turned out that I was relieved that I did not have to cut my dining part of lunch break short to go out in the rain and smoke. And I didn't even feel the need to eat extra after my lunch - I just had a cuppa and sat back and relaxed.
Actually, I mentioned earlier that I might find it difficult to quit smoking because I tend to be an anxious person - but I honestly have found that I am now more relaxed. Maybe it was the smoking that was contributing to my anxiety; the fact that I was smoking even though a major part of me hated it?!. I don't know - but the thought occured to be today.

sporina

Day 4:
Not been sleeping the best for the past 2 nights - not sure if that is not smoking related or not. But got mad cravings this morning. I have no urge to give into it - but I got no cravings yesterday. Strange.

username123

Hi Sporina, well done, youre a trooper!!

Very interesting what you said about anxiety. I too feel that it is in fact less stressful not having to smoke. There seems to be a few aspects to it. One is that you simply dont have to be wasting the mental energy of thinking about when and where you can fit in a smoke at appropriate times. Then there is the ease of not having to finish things quicker to go stand in bad weather. And then the internal battle of hating being a smoker but still doing it is gone. Oh yeah, and no more being super conscious of the smell of smoke of yourself when you dash back in from a having a cigarette.

I think its far less stressful to not have to smoke anymore. Its not something I ever thought of before I stopped. I suppose thats all part of the evil of the trap of smoking isnt it?

The Irish Riddler

Well done S. A positive attitude seems to be the most important thing. Not having to sit in a full car of non smokers and have someone say jesus lad the smell of those cigarettes is brutal is great.

sporina

thanks 123 - you are dead right.
but i felt terrible this morn - cravings and then i had palpitations all morning and felt really shaky. i am feeling better now though. not sure if the symptoms are from the patches or tiredness - hardly nicotine withdrawl as i am on patches. I will stick with the current plan though for now.. i will ride through the crap...:)

sporina

day 5 nearly over. Had a relatively ok day not smoking. Head incredibly fuzzy all morning but I guess thats part of the withdrawal. Went to the cinema again and I was home 10 minutes before I realised that I did not even think about not having a ciggy after the show. During my smoking days, I would be running out of the place to light up - funny isn't it?

Anyway here's to a fuzz free day tomorrow.

sporina

whoo hoooo.. day 6. Off work and up early and hitting the gym for a step class before heading away for the night. This quitting the smokes lark is great as it has inspired a whole new healthy me as the cinema was chosen over the usual bottle of wine for my friday night.

username123

Youre doing great Sporina, imagine, your other thread had you thinking about it for 2 years and now here you are, nearly a week in already!!!

Well done!

sporina

yeah 123, to refer to Alan Carr again, it was the fear of failure that took me so long to pick a time to quit. But also, I think it just took a lot of time for my mind to really come full circling to really WANTING to quit as well as feeling READY to do so.
Oh and I had a few glasses of wine last night and still no major craving.:)
Good luck to all.

username123

sporina wrote: »

Oh and I had a few glasses of wine last night and still no major craving.:)

Thanks for this bit, I still havent had a night of drinking, Ive had 2 small glasses of wine at home, but not been out - I wouldnt drink that often anyway but it is a fear of mine that I will fail then. I feel more positive that it was ok for you.

As for being ready, I honestly think its the key to it isnt it? I told some friends on Saturday afternoon that Id quit and they were amazed and delighted for me, but one of them said that Id been making it harder and harder for myself for years, cutting down, not smoking at home, less socialising, not smoking in the car if I had a passenger etc.... So I guess that was all part of the mental preparation.

sporina

username123 wrote: »

Thanks for this bit, I still havent had a night of drinking, Ive had 2 small glasses of wine at home, but not been out - I wouldnt drink that often anyway but it is a fear of mine that I will fail then. I feel more positive that it was ok for you.

As for being ready, I honestly think its the key to it isnt it? I told some friends on Saturday afternoon that Id quit and they were amazed and delighted for me, but one of them said that Id been making it harder and harder for myself for years, cutting down, not smoking at home, less socialising, not smoking in the car if I had a passenger etc.... So I guess that was all part of the mental preparation.

oh, i wasn't out - it was in my friends house…

I am however dreading meeting and drinking with a few mates in particular, as they are smokers. As sad and all as I am to say it, I think i will have to avoid them for some time. A few months anyway.

sporina

day 9 nearly over and its getting strange. On reflection, I was so worried about failing on day 1 that I was almost anticipating cravings as oppose to having them. Or I wanted a cig out of habit as oppose to wanting one, if you know what I mean.
Now on day 9 - i realise that over the past few days I have not really wanted one at all. It feels strange. In a way I am worried about it. I would nearly prefer to have cravings to battle. This way, I feel that I could have a moment where I would give in too easily as I do not feel that I have had to work very hard to stay off them so far. Does that make sense to anyone? Or maybe I did all the hard work before I actually quit.

sporina

got some bad news on day 10 and really really wanted a cigarette

Day 11 now and feeling sorry for myself and really want a cigarette but I won't give in.
Its difficult to think of all the reason's why you quit when you get the compulsion to quit. God dam it.

So I am defo an emotional smoker.
One thing quitting has given me is a bit of pride - I would feel so **** if I smoked.. i would be disgusted with myself..

markesmith

Stick with it Sporina, you've become an inspiration...I'm on day 2 now, mates want me to go to the pub and I'm tempted, but I know if I get a few pints in me...

Stay strong!

sporina

markesmith wrote: »

Stick with it Sporina, you've become an inspiration...I'm on day 2 now, mates want me to go to the pub and I'm tempted, but I know if I get a few pints in me...

Stay strong!

thanks mark - fair play to you. Yeah the pub is a tough one. I was out last night, had a few beers and on the way home I had a thought "if i meet someone smoking i may ask them for one". Thankfully I didn't. I am not sure if I would have had, but its a wake up call. I would hate to think that all my hard work would be ruined by a drunken impulse. I am going to do a little revision now to remind myself of why I gave up so that I will be stronger in a situation like last night. Bloody drink - maybe I should give that up too.

So did you go out Mark?

sporina

Day 14 - ha ha - still off them. Still getting cravings but I am beginning to feel a little distance from them now unlike previous days where i felt they overwhelmed me and I could not really think clearly on the reasons why I wanted to quit. All I knew was that i had not worked this hard for nothing.
So I am happy to keep going - I think it is getting easier.

I am not sure that the patches are helping me at this stage though - aren't they just keeping the nicotine buggar lit? But I am afraid to stop using them in case I fall off the wagon.

Nah actually on reflection, I will keep using them. Smoking for me is a lot more psychological than physical. I will keep using them until the psychological associations are weaker.

sporina

Hi All, ok Day 18 and i am very happy today as the sky is blue and the sun is out. Yes, I suffer from SAD too, so today's weather is very much welcomed. And its Spring - and I do indeed have a spring in my step.

However, with the nice weather and all, comes a change in mood from meh to excitement. And with excitement comes….. CRAVINGS for god dam Nicotine!!!

I would have thought that by day 18 they would have subsided? And it feels like a physical craving as oppose to just an emotional association????

I am very confused. I mean, I am wearing patches, so shouldn't I be free from Nicotine cravings (physical)?

Or could it be just an emotional craving but feels like its physical???

And are the patches helping or not??

I would love some professional insight to all of this.

Either way, I will not smoke.

Off to the gym with me now to get an endorphin hit!!

I would love some insight so if anyone has anything to share, please feel free..:)

sporina

day 21. Went for a hill walk yesterday and it was great to not have to light up on the hills and have my fellow hikers comment on my smoking habits. Again, I actually find not smoking less stressful, contrary to what I imagined before I quit, as I do not have to worry about when I can smoke etc.

Still avoiding the big night out though. But I am planning one for a birthday party which will be in two weeks time. I will be in the right mind frame then.

sporina

Ok, day ? Well it will be 6 weeks on Monday - smoke free that is. Though I have to say, I am not a happy camper. I was out last night and while I did not smoke, there was a little green eyed monster on my shoulder saying "ok, first chance I get I am going to go out to the smoking area and nab a ciggy from someone". It felt like I had another personality, looking back on it now that is. But I didn't give it. But I felt a bit like jackal and hyde.

I am annoyed at myself for having had these thoughts. I wish I was able to go out and have a drink and not have these thoughts. I am worried that sometime that monster will be stronger than me.

I know I should be happy that I did not smoke - but why am I getting these notions when I have a drink? Its not even that I get cravings - they are more like naughty thoughts.. can anyone relate?

Honest Bob

Hi Sporina,

Day 3 and sucking NiQuitin Lozenge. Physical withdrawls have never really been a problem but being out for a drink without a smoke-that's my downfall.
Keep it going

sporina

Honest Bob wrote: »

Hi Sporina,

Day 3 and sucking NiQuitin Lozenge. Physical withdrawls have never really been a problem but being out for a drink without a smoke-that's my downfall.
Keep it going

Hi bob, thanks for the post.
So what is your strategy this time round?

sporina

climbed another mountain today.. ah felt great to not be a smoker up there.. and my ability to climb is much better no doubt since I ceased smoking the filthy things..

Freeddommmmmmm!!!!!!!!!

MaryMaryMary

Hope you dont mind me joining in....
Im on Day 2 - day 1 went suprisingly well, went to bed early, so that was half the battle. This morning i woke up with the longing to smoke - thought - oh ill have one on the way to work and then realised i had quit!
for me its the associations with different times of the day - the first smoke on the way to work, the 10am smoke break, the after lunch cigarette etc etc... I am determined to stop - I will be a non-smoker, i will be a non-smoker! Just need to keep telling myself that!
Dreading the long days at the weekend - but promised myself a treat at the weekend, so might hit the shops and spend the money i would have normally wasted in cigarettes!

sporina

MaryMaryMary wrote: »

Hope you dont mind me joining in....
Im on Day 2 - day 1 went suprisingly well, went to bed early, so that was half the battle. This morning i woke up with the longing to smoke - thought - oh ill have one on the way to work and then realised i had quit!
for me its the associations with different times of the day - the first smoke on the way to work, the 10am smoke break, the after lunch cigarette etc etc... I am determined to stop - I will be a non-smoker, i will be a non-smoker! Just need to keep telling myself that!
Dreading the long days at the weekend - but promised myself a treat at the weekend, so might hit the shops and spend the money i would have normally wasted in cigarettes!

Hey Mary, your contribution to my thread is as welcome as that of your decision to quit smoking!!! Congrats.
I totally hear you on the associations with smoking.
But believe me it WILL become normal that you do all those thing WITHOUT thinking of smoking.
In a way, you will be glad that DO NOT HAVE TO SMOKE anymore.
You can proceed to the next task at hand e.g washing the dishes, taking the dog for a walk, what ever, without having to smoke. You are free!!!

Ok, but smoking is an addiction right - so the addiction will make you struggle a little - but only for a while.

In the mean time you will reap the rewards of a non smoker.
Enjoy no longer being a slave to the fag. Excuse my poor rendition of Alan Carr but I guess it makes sense - otherwise it would not have stuck so firmly in my mind.

keep up the good work.

MaryMaryMary

Thanks so much for your encouraging reply!
Today Day 3, I am really really struggling. I had a very bad nights sleep. When i got up this morning, all i wanted to do was smoke. I'm seriously struggling to concentrate in work, feel dizzy but i am determined to be a non-smoker.
Dreading the weekend already - I have no social plans and hubby is working, so long days at home on my own! Need to get some plans in place to do something.
I am now a non-smoker and will continue to be, I will not smoke, i will not smoke,.......!!!!!

sporina

MaryMaryMary wrote: »

Thanks so much for your encouraging reply!
Today Day 3, I am really really struggling. I had a very bad nights sleep. When i got up this morning, all i wanted to do was smoke. I'm seriously struggling to concentrate in work, feel dizzy but i am determined to be a non-smoker.
Dreading the weekend already - I have no social plans and hubby is working, so long days at home on my own! Need to get some plans in place to do something.
I am now a non-smoker and will continue to be, I will not smoke, i will not smoke,.......!!!!!

hi mary, oh you will be ok - you have to persevere. How many did you smoke a day? how long you been smoking? what is your plan for quitting? NRT? Did you read Alan Carr?

You should totally have something planned for the weekend - even if it is just being good to yourself. Like have a relaxing weekend. Visit people. Watch movies. Go shopping. What ever it is that you like to do.

I started doing a bit more exercise when I quit. You have more motivation to do so as you will be able to perform better. I feel great after a fitness class - knowing that I am being good to my body and this is reinforced as I can feel the benefits of not smoking i.e. being able to push myself harder now that I am not smoking.

Its all good. When you get a craving separate it from YOU!!! Its the addiction speaking - not you. You have to be stronger than it for a while. But then you will not notice it less frequent; its power will diminish!!!!

Be good to you. You are doing great!!!!!!

MaryMaryMary

You are soooo encouraging - thank you for taking the time to reply to me!!
I am on the nicorette patch - I know i wouldnt be able to go cold turkey. I went to the chemist at lunch time to get nicorette chewing gum - as i felt i needed the instant hit, but the lady said, no way to use both of them together, so i left it at that - went to the shop and got regular chewing gum.
I'm hoping the saying ' the first 3 days are the worst' is true and tomorrow, ill be on top of the world!!!
Plan is to get out running - but am going to start next week, as I'm far to busy wallowing in self pity at the minute!!!
I know that i can do this, I just need to avoid all smokers for the next few weeks and avoid social occasions for a while.
I will defo be treating myself to something nice at the weekend, maybe even go to the cinema to see a chick flick!!

username123

Well done MaryMaryMary, youre doing great, urrrgh, Day 3 - take a lemsip and treat it like youre not well because it sure feels that way!!!

Definitely try to keep busy over the weekend. For me, glasses of water and fishermans friends were my craving kickers!

Dont be thinking in negative terms of avoiding people and places. Dont put yourself into silly situations like very drunk with a group of smokers, but enjoy your life!! Do things you wouldnt have done before without smoking. Ive rediscovered the joy of going to a restaurant, its so nice not to HAVE to keep leaving the table to smoke, and me standing out in the cold, my husband left sitting alone - looking back I honestly dont know how I thought my smoking was enjoyable!!

Definitely get into the exercise. And buy yourself something nice with the saved smoke money! I bought myself nice leather boots after the first month - they cost almost 4 weeks of smoke money (which was approx 40 euro a week for me). Now Im considering a particular pair of binoculars that I dont really need, but they only cost 2 weeks of smoke money so I feel Id be justified lol (Ill have a different habit to quit if I keep carrying on like this!).

Sporina you good old quitter - hows the smoke free life treating you? Are you doing the nrt or done with that now? Enjoyed your 'climbed a mountain' post - thought it appropriate on many levels!!!

sporina

username123 wrote: »

Well done MaryMaryMary, youre doing great, urrrgh, Day 3 - take a lemsip and treat it like youre not well because it sure feels that way!!!

Definitely try to keep busy over the weekend. For me, glasses of water and fishermans friends were my craving kickers!

Dont be thinking in negative terms of avoiding people and places. Dont put yourself into silly situations like very drunk with a group of smokers, but enjoy your life!! Do things you wouldnt have done before without smoking. Ive rediscovered the joy of going to a restaurant, its so nice not to HAVE to keep leaving the table to smoke, and me standing out in the cold, my husband left sitting alone - looking back I honestly dont know how I thought my smoking was enjoyable!!

Definitely get into the exercise. And buy yourself something nice with the saved smoke money! I bought myself nice leather boots after the first month - they cost almost 4 weeks of smoke money (which was approx 40 euro a week for me). Now Im considering a particular pair of binoculars that I dont really need, but they only cost 2 weeks of smoke money so I feel Id be justified lol (Ill have a different habit to quit if I keep carrying on like this!).

Sporina you good old quitter - hows the smoke free life treating you? Are you doing the nrt or done with that now? Enjoyed your 'climbed a mountain' post - thought it appropriate on many levels!!!

you know, reading a post like yours 123 makes me so glad we have access to forums such as these. Virtual or not. I mean we can talk to our loved one's about quitting smoking or what ever, but no one gets it like those who are going through it themselves.

you are so right about the lemsip in a metaphorical way.. when quitting you are kinda ill as the body tries hard to fight the withdrawals of an addiction. So Mary, even more reason for us to be nice to ourselves for a while.

Such a nice way to put it 123 - fair play to you. It would almost make me wanna set up a quitting smoking night out!!!:)

I am getting on great. Still on the patches - gonna stick to the course - a month left. I know I will have to get off them but I have broken all the associations I had created with smoking thanks to the patches so I am still glad I used them. I needed the crutch as well.
But otherwise I am so glad to be a non smoker - or ex smoker. God its crazy how I use to torture myself, waiting and looking for opportunities to get out and poison myself. Like yesterday at work, I went for a tea break with the others in the tv room and as I looked out the window at the rain I thought "8 weeks ago, I would have been out there puffing away, increasing my risk of chronic diseases as well as that of pneumonia.

happy non smoking days.

Oh, I have not done the big night out yet with smokers but I am pretty well prepared for when it does happen. Have a good few nights out this weekend but I will be with non smokers so I can't see it being an issue.
And also, the thoughts of the guilt of smoking is enough to prevent me from doing it, I think; I hope.

Well done to you too 123...

username123

sporina wrote: »

I am getting on great. Still on the patches - gonna stick to the course - a month left. I know I will have to get off them but I have broken all the associations I had created with smoking thanks to the patches so I am still glad I used them. I needed the crutch as well.
But otherwise I am so glad to be a non smoker - or ex smoker. God its crazy how I use to torture myself, waiting and looking for opportunities to get out and poison myself. Like yesterday at work, I went for a tea break with the others in the tv room and as I looked out the window at the rain I thought "8 weeks ago, I would have been out there puffing away, increasing my risk of chronic diseases as well as that of pneumonia.

happy non smoking days.

Oh, I have not done the big night out yet with smokers but I am pretty well prepared for when it does happen. Have a good few nights out this weekend but I will be with non smokers so I can't see it being an issue.
And also, the thoughts of the guilt of smoking is enough to prevent me from doing it, I think; I hope.

Wow. Isnt that just the business? Delighted to hear its all going so well for you. Thats grand, youll have no bother finishing up with the patches Im sure. The crutch could well have been the difference between saving yourself a smelly smokey future or not - so AMEN to the patches I say - Hail to the Patches!! lol - we gotta do what works eh?

Stop - i used to indulge in self torture every single day!

One of my most looked forward to cigarettes was the one after a session in the gym - I mean seriously? I needed my head examined!

I think you'll be grand on a night out with the smokers. I havent had one either, mind you theres not many smokers left I know, more so at a wedding or something Ill probably notice it. But i think itll be fine, the longer we are off the the stronger our resolve, and as Ive found, alcohol has not turned me into some crazy cave woman bludgeoning people for their cigarettes Not yet anyway!

sporina

cheers 123..

So did the night in with a bunch of gals; there was only one smoker among us but there was no temptation. Strange but true. I guess the fact that there were other ex smokers there too helped. Maybe.

Also did the big night out with all the smoking area's etc but I was grand. Ok, I was not very drunk on either occasion but even so.

I think I am really starting to treat this fear that is smoking when drunk, as another entity to myself. Like its another voice. And I am not listening to it.

8 weeks off them today.

Started on the lowest dose of patch.

The buzz of not quitting has kinda worn off - but I know how disgusted I would be with myself if I ever smoke again.

username123

sporina wrote: »

So did the night in with a bunch of gals; there was only one smoker among us but there was no temptation. Strange but true. I guess the fact that there were other ex smokers there too helped. Maybe.

Also did the big night out with all the smoking area's etc but I was grand. Ok, I was not very drunk on either occasion but even so.

Well done. I think a lot of our fears are totally needless, just goes to show how strong that addiction was eh?

I have been out for dinner, had a few drinks, been out with girls, walked through smoking areas etc... I havent been very drunk - but I wouldnt be drunk terribly often anyway, maybe 5 or 6 times in a year, so its not really a big issue.

Yeah I agree you lose the buzz a bit, novelty wears off I guess! Although Im enjoying observing my improving cardiovascular system - Im doing a couch to 5k, I find myself warming down after a run thinking 'never in a million years while I was smoking would I have done this'. I used to take plenty of exercise, but it was mostly anerobic or endurance based as opposed to really getting the heart rate up!

My new plan for life is to be fitter at 40 than ever before. Shouldnt be too hard seeing as I smoked since my late teens for 20 odd years!! Even if I sat around for the next couple of years Id probably still be fitter than I was lol!

sporina

username123 wrote: »

Well done. I think a lot of our fears are totally needless, just goes to show how strong that addiction was eh?

I have been out for dinner, had a few drinks, been out with girls, walked through smoking areas etc... I havent been very drunk - but I wouldnt be drunk terribly often anyway, maybe 5 or 6 times in a year, so its not really a big issue.

Yeah I agree you lose the buzz a bit, novelty wears off I guess! Although Im enjoying observing my improving cardiovascular system - Im doing a couch to 5k, I find myself warming down after a run thinking 'never in a million years while I was smoking would I have done this'. I used to take plenty of exercise, but it was mostly anerobic or endurance based as opposed to really getting the heart rate up!

My new plan for life is to be fitter at 40 than ever before. Shouldnt be too hard seeing as I smoked since my late teens for 20 odd years!! Even if I sat around for the next couple of years Id probably still be fitter than I was lol!

yeah I get you about the fitness - not smoking just motivates you to do more as you feel that it won't be so laborious. We can enjoy it more as non smokers. God, one can be tempted to say "why did I ever smoker etc" - but that neither here nor there really. Its all about being human. Onwards and upwards.
Dying with pain after having a wisdom tooth removed - but on the upside - I don't have the "oh when can I smoke" issue… lol.

username123

sporina wrote: »

Dying with pain after having a wisdom tooth removed - but on the upside - I don't have the "oh when can I smoke" issue… lol.

Ouch and yaaay!

Hope you also have the happy feeling that comes with being a non smoker having your teeth attended to No guilt, no worrying about what the dentist thinks

MaryMaryMary

12 days today and have to admit, i am super proud of myself!
The nicotine cravings are gone, its just the associations - ie ill have a smoke after dinner, ah hello, no i wont, i dont smoke anymore!!
So happy with myself! Have treated myself to some nice pressies and enjoying not running to the shop everyday for smokes!
Going out tonight and again tomorrow nite, but im strong and i know i will not touch them!

sporina

MaryMaryMary wrote: »

12 days today and have to admit, i am super proud of myself!
The nicotine cravings are gone, its just the associations - ie ill have a smoke after dinner, ah hello, no i wont, i dont smoke anymore!!
So happy with myself! Have treated myself to some nice pressies and enjoying not running to the shop everyday for smokes!
Going out tonight and again tomorrow nite, but im strong and i know i will not touch them!

i know - thats really funny eh?

congrats!! You just have to keep treating your addiction like "another voice" - an evil one. Its not YOU - its the addiction!!

sporina

Ok - so 9 weeks today.. and great news!!

I sat in a beer garden/smoking area all saturday night and did not smoke!!

A tiny part of me wanted to but thats still the addiction me thinks!!

I am so delighted.
Long may it live..

username123

sporina wrote: »

Ok - so 9 weeks today.. and great news!!

I sat in a beer garden/smoking area all saturday night and did not smoke!!

A tiny part of me wanted to but thats still the addiction me thinks!!

I am so delighted.
Long may it live..

Great to hear Sporina! Talk about walking right up to the Gates of Doom and flipping the bird eh??? Youve done brilliantly, many congrats on 9 weeks off the filthy feicers!

sporina

username123 wrote: »

Great to hear Sporina! Talk about walking right up to the Gates of Doom and flipping the bird eh??? Youve done brilliantly, many congrats on 9 weeks off the filthy feicers!

ha ha I have never heard that before???

Thanks - well there was a gang of us; most were non smokers but the pub was packed so we just ended up in the beer garden by default. It was grand. And actually, I noticed that there were not that many people smoking.

username123

sporina wrote: »

And actually, I noticed that there were not that many people smoking.

Ive started to notice that more myself, the number of smokers is such a minority really, yet when I smoked I thought loads of people smoked!