SMOKERS... LETS KICK the HABIT!!

[OS Butch]

Hey! I just realized I have completed 3 weeks and am being beginning my 4th week of being a non smoker!

Have a grand smoke free week everyone

[gaea]

Originally Posted by Incubus

Y'all are doing brilliantly!

Go you gaea getting past using the patches.

I've had visual cues all weekend as I've spent time with two smokers. One of them is a heavy smoker and I've been breathing in her second-hand smoke whilst I've been teaching her things on the computer which has been quite unpleasant. Just that breathing in what has become vile tasting smoke has made it really easy to put any thoughts of smoking out of my head.

Don't give up giving up!

i deal with visuals most days and mostly they dont bother me in fact ive started to look at what is odd about smoking, perhaps this way of thinking will help me on my journey....

being around it can trigger instant heart burn for me or not i think it depends on the brand...most brands i can handle they smell different as well...

when it comes to the brand i chose the scent is distinct and almost tempting and no heartburn occurs its really strange.

10 full weeks behind me as of today beginning my 11th....wow...go me...too


digging my in

[OS Butch]

10 complete weeks! That is grand, gaea. If you don't mind, tell me how many times had you tried to quit, if any, and the longest period you made it previously.

I cannot count how many times over the past 40 years. I had quit for 9 years about 30 years ago. Boy, now there is a regret!

Originally Posted by gaea

i deal with visuals most days and mostly they dont bother me in fact ive started to look at what is odd about smoking, perhaps this way of thinking will help me on my journey....

being around it can trigger instant heart burn for me or not i think it depends on the brand...most brands i can handle they smell different as well...

when it comes to the brand i chose the scent is distinct and almost tempting and no heartburn occurs its really strange.

10 full weeks behind me as of today beginning my 11th....wow...go me...too


digging my in

Originally Posted by OS Butch

Good morning Incubus. If I remember correctly. don't you have COPD? I have a very good friend that has this and as a curosity we never smoke around her and if we even have sniffles of a cold, we do not go visit, it could be deadly to her. Small price for us to pay for our friend.

If it were me and I had that, I would certainly ask people to not smoke around me. I never have people smoke inside my home, even when I was smoking. I believe that they could abstain for the short time they are visiting or they could out to the back porch as I had always done.
Of course out in public, it is your choice whether or not to go into a place where there is smoking. Here there are more and more smoking bans so it is pretty easy to dine and do most things without having to deal with the smoking folks.

Please put you and your health first

I do indeed have copd OSButch. To be fair, I think it is the first time I've ever sat so close to a heavy smoker in the whole time I've not been smoking, so it's not usually something I have to deal with.

It just doesn't feel right to ask smokers not to smoke around me, not if I want to visit them in their own houses where they usually smoke inside. I'm going to be telling them about how fabulous it is not to smoke and how much better I feel because I gave up and that I am the example of what happens if you don't give up anyway.

My friends were shocked at how debilitated I have become due to copd so I know I've made them consider their own smoking habits.

Originally Posted by OS Butch

Hey! I just realized I have completed 3 weeks and am being beginning my 4th week of being a non smoker!

Have a grand smoke free week everyone

Woooohooooo...almost a whole month if the universe and you will it.

Originally Posted by gaea

i deal with visuals most days and mostly they dont bother me in fact ive started to look at what is odd about smoking, perhaps this way of thinking will help me on my journey....

being around it can trigger instant heart burn for me or not i think it depends on the brand...most brands i can handle they smell different as well...

when it comes to the brand i chose the scent is distinct and almost tempting and no heartburn occurs its really strange.

10 full weeks behind me as of today beginning my 11th....wow...go me...too


digging my in

Whoa! You've come so far gaea.

I'm glad I can't smell. It means it's one less trigger. The visuals are an odd one. They don't get me all the time, just sometimes.

D'yanno, I see folks smoking around town nowadays and it almost always makes me think, 'jeez I'm glad I don't smoke now'.

I've had the bestest excuse to smoke. I've had one of the worst bits of news I could possibly get. My housemate (and ex) is selling the house we've lived in for 13yrs. If that's not a good excuse I don't know what is but I'm diggin' in m'Harley boot heels and I'm not going to give her that power over me.

[gaea]

Inc I'm gonna rep you when I get home right now I'm
just coming from the doc 3rd time strep in six months got me a trip to the surgeons to remove the tonsils we will see I'm exhausted.

Originally Posted by gaea

Inc I'm gonna rep you when I get home right now I'm
just coming from the doc 3rd time strep in six months got me a trip to the surgeons to remove the tonsils we will see I'm exhausted.

You're getting the right bits of you fixed gaea...bad throats are smoking related surely? Get it all done. I've had two chest full-on chest infections since I stopped instead of the usuall 5!! Get yer throat sorted out and maybe you can stop them huh?

It was fantastic to prove to my ex-lover that all my tooth infections over the last few years since I've known her have been smoking related. I know she's going to try give up........again! I shall support her every step if necessary.



<<<had tonsils out at 6yrs old

[gaea]

Originally Posted by Incubus

You're getting the right bits of you fixed gaea...bad throats are smoking related surely? Get it all done. I've had two chest full-on chest infections since I stopped instead of the usuall 5!! Get yer throat sorted out and maybe you can stop them huh?

It was fantastic to prove to my ex-lover that all my tooth infections over the last few years since I've known her have been smoking related. I know she's going to try give up........again! I shall support her every step if necessary.



<<<had tonsils out at 6yrs old

Well ill be darned if they don't go cutting on me Ive had it with the strep this year...and then some i average strep twice a year...

no one has ever brough up removing my tonsils before now.

[OS Butch]

Good morning and Happy Smoke-free Thursday!

Good morning gaea and Incubus!

Gaea, I hope you get that strep taken care of even if it means surgery! At 53, I still have my tonsils and I guess I am pretty lucky to never had strep! Maybe I did when I was really young and just don't remember!

[gaea]

Originally Posted by OS Butch

Good morning and Happy Smoke-free Thursday!

Good morning gaea and Incubus!

Gaea, I hope you get that strep taken care of even if it means surgery! At 53, I still have my tonsils and I guess I am pretty lucky to never had strep! Maybe I did when I was really young and just don't remember!

I see the ent today at 9:20 am the thing aout strep is it isnt just a sore throat its physically exhausting and wipes me out every time i get it...and thus far this is the third time this year...i also loose my voice near completely and have to strain to be heard...as of today my throat still hurts and i am on some strong antibiotics.

diggin my :blkueheels: in

Originally Posted by OS Butch

Good morning and Happy Smoke-free Thursday!

Good morning gaea and Incubus!

Gaea, I hope you get that strep taken care of even if it means surgery! At 53, I still have my tonsils and I guess I am pretty lucky to never had strep! Maybe I did when I was really young and just don't remember!

Hallo to you OSButch...I hope you're having another great smoke-free day.

Originally Posted by gaea

I see the ent today at 9:20 am the thing aout strep is it isnt just a sore throat its physically exhausting and wipes me out every time i get it...and thus far this is the third time this year...i also loose my voice near completely and have to strain to be heard...as of today my throat still hurts and i am on some strong antibiotics.

diggin my :blkueheels: in

How'd it go gaea? I hope you're feeling less wiped out.

[OS Butch]

Good morning Incubus and gaea.

Starting another smoke- free day....I am coming up on 4 weeks in a short 3 days! I can't believe it. Thank you for your support, it truly has made it a bit easier knowing I can come here post a successful day!

I hope those that have tried to quit, come back and try again. It is worth it!

Have a great day and weekend.

Originally Posted by OS Butch

Good morning Incubus and gaea.

Starting another smoke- free day....I am coming up on 4 weeks in a short 3 days! I can't believe it. Thank you for your support, it truly has made it a bit easier knowing I can come here post a successful day!

I hope those that have tried to quit, come back and try again. It is worth it!

Have a great day and weekend.

Hey there OSB

Almost a month, how damn cool is that. You've done one month you can do another. And so it carries on. You're doing brilliantly. Do you feel a different, "this time I'm going to succeed" mind-set?

I started a thread thread like this on a UK based BF site when I was giving up and like you found it a 'comfort' to post my progress most days. I was the only one giving up at the time but still received support from those that had already done it. I found that in writing the posts I was supporting myself. If no-one else had said anything I would still have continued posting and giving up. I guess it was more a blog than an interactive thread but it worked for me.

As you can see I still find visiting the giving up smoking thread somewhat comforting. Infact it's supporting other folks that I gain comfort from now. I am the lesson of what happens if you don't give up and if I can help another from learning that lesson the hardest way then I'm happy.

Keep the faith and don't give up giving up.

[gaea]

Originally Posted by OS Butch

Good morning Incubus and gaea.

Starting another smoke- free day....I am coming up on 4 weeks in a short 3 days! I can't believe it. Thank you for your support, it truly has made it a bit easier knowing I can come here post a successful day!

I hope those that have tried to quit, come back and try again. It is worth it!

Have a great day and weekend.

Keep up the great work OS yes 4 weeks is amazing...soon you will be saying months as well as in 1 mos which is coming up yes? remember no matter what this is a choice you make every day all day


I am returning to work today with all my lil info in hand that they need...blah is how im feeling tired, worn down cant shake it kinda tired...tuesday they will call me to schedule the surgery.....i think the benefit of this is no more strep...im just tired not sleepy im getting plenty of sleep this is a just plain ole tired feeling...


diggn my in

[OS Butch]

Originally Posted by Incubus

Hey there OSB
Almost a month, how damn cool is that. You've done one month you can do another. And so it carries on. You're doing brilliantly. Do you feel a different, "this time I'm going to succeed" mind-set?

Thank you, Incubus. I am getting there. Most day are getting easier. I still have moments. They are passing faster.

Originally Posted by Incubus

I started a thread thread like this on a UK based BF site when I was giving up and like you found it a 'comfort' to post my progress most days. I was the only one giving up at the time but still received support from those that had already done it. I found that in writing the posts I was supporting myself. If no-one else had said anything I would still have continued posting and giving up. I guess it was more a blog than an interactive thread but it worked for me.

That is how I feel about it, too. It certainly is helping me.

Originally Posted by Incubus

As you can see I still find visiting the giving up smoking thread somewhat comforting. Infact it's supporting other folks that I gain comfort from now. I am the lesson of what happens if you don't give up and if I can help another from learning that lesson the hardest way then I'm happy.

I hope to be supportive to those trying to quit. I have tried and failed so many times. It is the hardest thing I have ever done! I truly believe in paying things forward. It is a reward all in itself.

Originally Posted by Incubus

Keep the faith and don't give up giving up.

Thanks Dude, I am

[OS Butch]

Originally Posted by gaea

Keep up the great work OS yes 4 weeks is amazing...soon you will be saying months as well as in 1 mos which is coming up yes? remember no matter what this is a choice you make every day all day


I am returning to work today with all my lil info in hand that they need...blah is how im feeling tired, worn down cant shake it kinda tired...tuesday they will call me to schedule the surgery.....i think the benefit of this is no more strep...im just tired not sleepy im getting plenty of sleep this is a just plain ole tired feeling...


diggn my in

Well, I certainly hope you work day is an easy one. Hopefully a weekend will help. Not fun having that tired feeling.

I walked into a 7-11 yesterday. My choice to not buy a pack. It felt grand. Thanks for your support and wisdom

Originally Posted by OS Butch

Thank you, Incubus. I am getting there. Most day are getting easier. I still have moments. They are passing faster.

Ooooh the moments still come even after a year or so. They're just easier to rationalise and deal with.

Originally Posted by OS Butch

That is how I feel about it, too. It certainly is helping me.

I'm glad you feel that way. I'm 'enjoying', if that's the right word, watching both you and gaea walk this walk. It's a privilege to be able to offer any hand-holding that's needed.

Originally Posted by OS Butch

I hope to be supportive to those trying to quit. I have tried and failed so many times. It is the hardest thing I have ever done! I truly believe in paying things forward. It is a reward all in itself.

Just by writing your experience of giving up this time with the positivity you're showing after many a failure is supportive.

Originally Posted by OS Butch

Thanks Dude, I am

[Daywalker]

I am proud of you all!


I quit once for 8 years.



I have cut down, but am not quite at the 'quit' stage again.
We decided to start off with the 'eating better than we ever have' first.
This way I don't cave straight for the junk food fix during the no-smoke stage.

[gaea]

ok im gonna whine a bit....

yesterday i wanted to take myself to the hospital and just "check in" for a few days s that even possible? i somehow think that if i went and stated i just need a rest they would probably throw my ass in the looney bin and perhaps rightly so...

this has gone in my chest and im just tired...just plain ole exhausted.

ok done whining now.

2 days from 11 full weeks....damn im friggen stoked

Day, once you have made up your mind its difficult to not get on that train, your baby sis

Originally Posted by Daywalker

I am proud of you all!


I quit once for 8 years.



I have cut down, but am not quite at the 'quit' stage again.
We decided to start off with the 'eating better than we ever have' first.
This way I don't cave straight for the junk food fix during the no-smoke stage.

Hey there Daywalker, can I ask what made you go back to tobacco after 8yrs?
Wishing you luck on the healthy preparations for giving up. Is it junk food that is your downfall or is it just substituting one oral fixation for another (any sort of food?). I tried really hard not to substitute cigs/joints for food. I still gained weight because my metabolism wasn't artificially speeded up by nicotine - not to mention hitting man-o-pause and becoming a sedentary student all at the same time . 25 whole pounds all round my middle sucks but at least my poorly-sick lungs aren't being tortured by all the toxins in tobacco. Btw. I did check with my copd nurse that I could still smoke 'erb as long as it was sans tobacco and he said "...yes, as long as it's through one of those 'water bung' things" *insert bong tokin' smiley*

Originally Posted by gaea

ok im gonna whine a bit....

yesterday i wanted to take myself to the hospital and just "check in" for a few days s that even possible? i somehow think that if i went and stated i just need a rest they would probably throw my ass in the looney bin and perhaps rightly so...

this has gone in my chest and im just tired...just plain ole exhausted.

ok done whining now.

2 days from 11 full weeks....damn im friggen stoked

Day, once you have made up your mind its difficult to not get on that train, your baby sis

lol gaea...what I'd give for a break in the hospital right now, even the loony bin (I'd probably fit right in )

Make sure you rest (and sleep) lots, drink lots of liquids and rest some more.

Almost 11wks...just a week away from 3 whole MONTHS if the universe wills it. I'm stoked for you dudette

[Daywalker]

Originally Posted by gaea

ok im gonna whine a bit....

yesterday i wanted to take myself to the hospital and just "check in" for a few days s that even possible? i somehow think that if i went and stated i just need a rest they would probably throw my ass in the looney bin and perhaps rightly so...

this has gone in my chest and im just tired...just plain ole exhausted.

ok done whining now.

2 days from 11 full weeks....damn im friggen stoked

Day, once you have made up your mind its difficult to not get on that train, your baby sis

Yer Big Bro demands U get rest.


I will be talking with Drew after 3pm today to make plans for our
BV Fundraiser meeting dealio. U have to be better, so whine while
U can cuz Lady Day will 'nurse' that whining right outta ya.

Wee.

Originally Posted by Incubus

Hey there Daywalker, can I ask what made you go back to tobacco after 8yrs?
Wishing you luck on the healthy preparations for giving up. Is it junk food that is your downfall or is it just substituting one oral fixation for another (any sort of food?). I tried really hard not to substitute cigs/joints for food. I still gained weight because my metabolism wasn't artificially speeded up by nicotine - not to mention hitting man-o-pause and becoming a sedentary student all at the same time . 25 whole pounds all round my middle sucks but at least my poorly-sick lungs aren't being tortured by all the toxins in tobacco. Btw. I did check with my copd nurse that I could still smoke 'erb as long as it was sans tobacco and he said "...yes, as long as it's through one of those 'water bung' things" *insert bong tokin' smiley*



lol gaea...what I'd give for a break in the hospital right now, even the loony bin (I'd probably fit right in )

Make sure you rest (and sleep) lots, drink lots of liquids and rest some more.

Almost 11wks...just a week away from 3 whole MONTHS if the universe wills it. I'm stoked for you dudette

Well I was going thru a break-up and wanted to self destruct for
a couple weeks, lol...what that turned into was a few social outings
where just one smoke with a cocktail here n there was do-able.

I now had my house to myself and would have 'just one smoke' before
getting on the bike and heading across the bridge to work. That turned
into 'just one here' and 'just one there'...but it kept me from delving in
to the icky world of drugs which can be easy in the Bay Area.


So in a way it saved me, but then it stayed...to kill me. LOL.


I know from past experience that eating was a quick replacement for
the occupying of the hands and jaws, and what with my love of all things
resembling Ding Dongs, etc. we have decided that if we were going to have
a chance at not replacing one evil for another then setting one pattern at
a time would be best. Therefore we have embarked on the eating healthier
project first. Once we are confident it has become second nature to grab
fruit instead of pastries...lol, then we can consider ourselves
ready for Phase 2 ~ Operation Kick da Butts.


I had quit for short periods of time since...once for over a year, etc.
Somehow it was easier when I was 25 to go cold turkey.
Over 20 years later it seems more a precarious
journey thru smoking hoops of evil.


And yes, the 'erb smoking is healthier thru a water bong, I am more apt
to roll mine in Job Crystal papers. They're see thru...it's paper before it
goes thru the chemical process to become white.
Burns clean and smooth and slow.


Hope that answered yer query and to all who have begun their journey
already...just remember there is no map, this journey is
driven by your mind not your feet!