Mac's quitlog

Cork Boy

First off - big congrats to Marcos and everyone else.

Even if you only managed to quit for 1 day you've lost nothing and gained €8.50 and a bit more health so yay to everyone

I'm on Day 5 now after reading Mr Carr's book (which i highly recommend, even if it doesn't work - what have you lost?).

The cravings are abating gradually and i think i've found a motivation i've never thought would be possible - COFFEE IS WAY MORE ENJOYABLE WITHOUT A SMOKE!!!! :eek:

This is my third serious attempt (i'm 26, smoked for 50% of my life, roughly 20 per day, Fck you Benson, and Fck you Hedges!) but this time I'm enjoying quitting, i'm excited for my future, and i'm really confident that this time is THE TIME!

Now the big question is... what to do with my €2200 saved at the end of the year? (new thread idea right there!)

dollyk

so then macros, which one you gonna feed

Orion

Well I didn't feed the nasty one today. Day 3.2 complete. Again no major cravings - only a couple of minor ones.

As I mentioned I did that session today. It was good. Most of the stuff covered I'd learnt already but some interesting bits. One suggestion was to keep a bowl of oranges/tangerines/satsumas handy. If you get a craving grab on and peel (and eat ofc). It's something to do with your hands and when you're finished the craving will have passed. Good for you too

One other bit she mentioned which is now a goal. While nicotine takes three days to leave the body habits take 28 days to break. That's the new goal. Day by day to Day 28.

dollyk

28 days:eek: . ok min by min for me then. youve given me some food for thought .. pun intended. ill buy some oranges vitimin c;)

dolliemix

Macros42 wrote: »

Well I didn't feed the nasty one today. Day 3.2 complete. Again no major cravings - only a couple of minor ones.

As I mentioned I did that session today. It was good. Most of the stuff covered I'd learnt already but some interesting bits. One suggestion was to keep a bowl of oranges/tangerines/satsumas handy. If you get a craving grab on and peel (and eat ofc). It's something to do with your hands and when you're finished the craving will have passed. Good for you too

One other bit she mentioned which is now a goal. While nicotine takes three days to leave the body habits take 28 days to break. That's the new goal. Day by day to Day 28.

I keep eating chocolate

donna1000

Hi Dolly and Macros, just came across this thread WELL DONE, i gave up a year ago, it was hard in the beginning but now no desire what so ever for a ciggie, i feel so much better i can run with the children without stopping for a ciggie, i can go for a nice meal with the oh and not want to rush out for a ciggie, i can go on holiday get of a plane(And not wonder where can i light up) I can go to a airport then through to departures and relax(usually fly ryanair furthest away terminal then walk back to security and ask can i go out for ciggie and then q then on the way back to get back into departures beleive me done this a few time) And most of all being a public sector worker i have only felt small cut as the money i save on ciggies go back to the bl***y goverment:mad:.
I wish you both luck, oh another thing my life insurance has just gone down 75% as a non smoker.
Stick with it, if at first you dont suceed try try try again
GOOD LUCK YOU CAN DO IT!!!

mariebeth

Well done guys. I'm on day 5 and today I only had one strong craving, and that was going out the door when i'd finished work, and just wanted one but I didn't give in

So I've 23 days to go before I've broken the habit, gonna keep going, because on day 31 I'll let myself buy an ipod touch if i stay smoke free incentives and bribery work with me!

dolliemix

Thats brilliant mariebeth. One ipod touch on the way

I had no cravings today. I'm on Day 12. But tomorrow I'm going to have a few drinks so thats a big test. Hopefully I'll be nicotine free on Friday. I'll be so proud of myself if I am

TomTom

On day 11 now for me. It's getting alot easier for me now. I have been shamefully smoking since I was 11 (parents have pub/offlicence so I kept nabbing them) so at 28 I have spent more than half my life smoking.

Two years ago I gave up for 6 months and 4 months the year before. Both times I gave in while drunk abroad. This time I am very determine to stay clear of them.

I worked it out the other night I can buy my wife a brand new VW polo for the same price a month as smoking was costing me.

Orion

Yesterday went well. Couple of cravings last night but manageable. Very tired this morning - my sleep patterns are very disrupted at the moment. That's probably why I've had a couple of cravings today already. Just ate an orange instead of smoking. Just as well I like oranges It's strange when they hit. When outside I can watch people lighting up and not want to join them. But sitting at my desk working I get sudden urges. Still they seem to be decreasing in intensity as well as frequency - hope that keeps up.

dubsgirl

Keep it going Mac
At times of craving just remember how much you didn't even enjoy the fags you had in the 1st lapse. At least i presume you didn't enjoy them

Orion

Whadda you mean my "1st" lapse. Surely you mean my only lapse

Today was fine. Got a craving at about 3:30 - same as every other day this week. Not sure why that time is significant. None since. Mind you - I'm just back from a cycle, showered and about to eat with a glass of wine - we'll see how I feel then

TomTom

Anyone know of any specials on Extra Chewing gum, at this rate I am going to be spending more on them than I did on the smokes.

Orion

Was in Lidl today - some excellent gums - half the price of Extra.

TomTom

Thats where I have been buying the multi packs. Think I need a jumbo box

syngindub

prefer blue extra over green all day long

dollyk

do you know when you have a crave, it passes whether you smoke or not. clever clogs or what;)

Orion

Mad day yesterday. Things going pear-shaped in work until well in to the night. Managed to get through it without a smoke. It's now 16 days since I quit with one hiatus smack bang in the middle. I really want to get through this weekend without one. Then next week. Then the week after. Then I'll tackle that chewing gum habit.

Orion

syngindub wrote: »

prefer blue extra over green all day long

The blackcurrant ones from Lidl are fantastic.

mariebeth

I survived my first week Even went out drinking last night, and I didn't want to smoke once! So proud of myself, I've been pleasantly surprised that this time round has been so much easier than I thought it would be

TomTom

I went for a few pints last night. Felt like I was going to start chewing the stair case behind me everytime the lads went for one.

dolliemix

Do any of you feel like you're getting drunk quicker when not smoking?

I had to go home after three glasses of wine last night because I was feeling really drunk!

Orion

Not going to beat around the bush here - I really want a smoke right now. I pretty much have wanted one all night. This weekend has been tough - cravings haven't been that frequent but strong. But tonight has been a series of them - all night. I almost had myself persuaded that just one smoke would relieve it the pressure and then I'd be ok again :eek:

Made it through tho. Getting through this weekend has been important to me. I ****ed up last weekend right at the start of it so I needed to get through this one. And I did. I've got strong support at home. My parents were over this evening as well and were supportive too. My dad was an 80-a-day man when he quit so he knows well what I'm going through. It all helps.

So that's eight days on the trot. 17 days since I actually decided to quit. I'm getting there. 28 days is the charm right? I'll settle for tomorrow - every night I'll settle for getting through tomorrow.

dubsgirl

Come on Mac keep going please!!

Have a read of this - some really great posts on this forum

http://forum.nosmokingday.org.uk/showthread.php?t=6672

Orion

Oh I intend too. I'm a stubborn bastard when I want to be. Had a couple of strong cravings today but not as strong as yesterday's. And another day feeding the white wolf

Read that thread - well read page one of it. First post was good but it degenerated into crap from post 2. I thought I was in AH for a minute. Won't be reading much of that forum if that's the way the threads go. They'd just make me want to smoke to avoid being one of them

battser

Thought this thread was a great idea so said id get involved as I have wanted to have one for a few days now. Started off well on the 1st didnt crave and was suprised at how easy I was going got back to work and thats the killer going out with the lads for a smoke 5 or 6 times a day but never even batted an eyelid. Was doing really good and still am off the cigs. Got a craving to sneak out of my room and just enjoy one on the couch last night. I didnt. thank god!

Orion

Good work battser. Welcome to the club

When I started this thread it was more for myself than anyone else. A record that I could refer to and a journal of how I got through the bad days as well as the benefits (more of that anon). As I said at the time if it helps other people too then great but the primary purpose was to help myself quit. Yet it has picked up a bit of a following which I'm delighted and amazed at. 2500+ views implies that there are a few lurkers here just reading - don't be shy - pop in and say hi. Even if you do still smoke if you're reading this then you're considering quitting and that's the first step. I 'considered' quitting for about 2 years before I finally did it.

Benefits I'm feeling after 2 weeks. Breathing - so much better. Smell - no smell on my clothes, hair, house. Taste and appetite - I'm tasting things I've not tasted in years and eating much better.

Fitness - still crap of course but that takes work. At lunchtime today I went for a job/walk. I've started the couch to 5k program. At lunchtime today I did Week 1 Workout 1. And completed it - out of breath but completed. I'll do workout 2 on Thursday and 3 at the weekend. I wouldn't have been able to manage that a month ago. But my lung capacity and breathing are so much better already that I could do it. Probably go for a cycle this evening and mayeb a swim at lunchtime tomorrow.

P.S. If any other quitter wants to join me in getting fit I'm doing the jogging down the quays by the IFSC and the cycling/jogging at the weekends in Maynooth. Feel free to PM me and we can go through the pain together.

dubsgirl

Macros42 wrote: »

Oh I intend too. I'm a stubborn bastard when I want to be. Had a couple of strong cravings today but not as strong as yesterday's. And another day feeding the white wolf

Read that thread - well read page one of it. First post was good but it degenerated into crap from post 2. I thought I was in AH for a minute. Won't be reading much of that forum if that's the way the threads go. They'd just make me want to smoke to avoid being one of them

Ha lol you could at least pretend it was a help...
So funny though...

I'll send on any more gems I come across

dollyk

just checking, good work. im still a loser:(

minniecork

Hi Macros
Yup I'm one of those lurkers logging in everyday but not contributing so I've decided to take the plunge!??!
I want to thank you firstly for keeping me sane.

I gave up on Monday 4th - first week a breeze, think I was so determined that nothing was going to make me fail. Took the lozenges for first 3 days and clean since. I found last week a little tougher and weekends are by far the worst. Overall it hasn't been that bad though - its more there are moments as opposed to hours where I doubt myself but I find if you busy yourself with anything at all - a cuppa, the internet, whatever - it passes!!

The other big bit of advice I have is exercise - I started jogging 2 months ago (trust me not a pleasant sight, heaving after 200m) and am flying now, I try to get some in most days - think it just balances off my mind and combats the grumpy side.

Please try to keep it up - your posts really really helped me during the first 10 days.

Orion

minniecork wrote: »

Hi Macros
Yup I'm one of those lurkers logging in everyday but not contributing so I've decided to take the plunge!??!
I want to thank you firstly for keeping me sane.

I gave up on Monday 4th - first week a breeze, think I was so determined that nothing was going to make me fail. Took the lozenges for first 3 days and clean since. I found last week a little tougher and weekends are by far the worst. Overall it hasn't been that bad though - its more there are moments as opposed to hours where I doubt myself but I find if you busy yourself with anything at all - a cuppa, the internet, whatever - it passes!!

The other big bit of advice I have is exercise - I started jogging 2 months ago (trust me not a pleasant sight, heaving after 200m) and am flying now, I try to get some in most days - think it just balances off my mind and combats the grumpy side.

Please try to keep it up - your posts really really helped me during the first 10 days.

Welcome and good luck. I really happy that my random mutterings can actually be a help

It is moments I find too. For some reason 3:30ish in the afternoon is my worst craving still. I don't know why - I don't recall that being a regular smokebreak time. But is only for a few minutes. Evenings sometimes with a glass of wine or a beer I crave one but it's not that strong anymore. I just sip the wine and remind myself that 3 weeks ago I couldn't taste it properly (that doesn't help with Bud - tastes like catpiss regardless ).

I'll keep this going for as long as I've stuff to report (and as long as I'm smoke free). The cravings are weakening and becoming less frequent. I don't desire a smoke in the mornings at all anymore which I find astounding - my first smoke was always my favourite. It was delicious. I'm sure you know what I mean. But no craving in the morning. First one is usually about 11am - tea break time. Today I didn't take that teabreak as I was busy and I didn't have a craving - go figure.

And yes - exercise! It's a winner. Between the cycling, swimming and now the jogging I'm a new man already. I'm determined to do Gael Force in August and that will take some commitment. I've signed up for a duathlon in March and there's three more in May, June and July that I've my sights on. Aside from the obvious health impact being able to run a little further for longer, or cycle further, or swim further, is a real incentive to stay off the fags. Plus it will help with the practically inevitable weight gain that most people have when quitting. Hopefully anyway

InTheTrees

Macros42 wrote: »

my first smoke was always my favourite. It was delicious. I'm sure you know what I mean.

That made me laugh.

oh how i loved to feel dizzy and numb first thing in the morning, and a jug of coffee was the perfect compliment.

Anyone else noticed how your coffee consumption has declined? Mine did.

minniecork

Giggles - ya reckon Bud possibly has always tasted that bad and coffee def is no longer the holy grail - I've no interest in it since I quit!

Quick ques - do you think we'd be better spending our money (saved daily in a jar) on a treat every week/month (optimistic I know:p) or putting it aside and go on a F**k off holiday down the road???

Mac - reckon we're going to turn into complete exercise fanatics the way we're going but as you said I have to do something to combat the gorging every evening.

Orion

InTheTrees wrote: »

That made me laugh.

oh how i loved to feel dizzy and numb first thing in the morning, and a jug of coffee was the perfect compliment.

Anyone else noticed how your coffee consumption has declined? Mine did.

Never a coffee drinker - my vice is tea. Have about 6 or 7 types of tea in the press at home (not calomile or green crap - real tea like Earl Grey, Irish Breakfast, Assam etc). On my desk in work I've got boxes of Earl Grey and Darjeeling teabags. And no - my tea drinking hasn't declined at all. It never will. I think tea is different to coffee. I never associated tea with smoking. Tea breaks yes - but not the drink itself. I would enjoy my tea then maybe have a smoke afterwards. But I know coffee drinkers who bring it outside with them for a smoke.

But that first smoke in the morning. Fond memories of an old friend

Orion

minniecork wrote: »

Giggles - ya reckon Bud possibly has always tasted that bad and coffee def is no longer the holy grail - I've no interest in it since I quit!

Quick ques - do you think we'd be better spending our money (saved daily in a jar) on a treat every week/month (optimistic I know:p) or putting it aside and go on a F**k off holiday down the road???

Mac - reckon we're going to turn into complete exercise fanatics the way we're going but as you said I have to do something to combat the gorging every evening.

Bud was always catpiss. Smoking didn't make it taste any better. Still love my tea tho - see above.

Moneywise. I've plans for my savings. 40/day is about €600/month. That's a lot of money. At the end of March I'm going to buy myself a very good bike if my job still hasn't brought in the Bike2Work scheme - bloody joke - it's been available for over a year and they still haven't done it. We've got promises but that's all. I'll also be paying for the summer holiday for my family from the savings. I'm not putting it aside daily myself. I don't really want to. I know I'm saving. I'd rather watch my account not dwindle the way it normally does than put it in a jar.

Guessing from the name that you're a rebel. There's a 10K I'm considering in Kenmare (http://www.runireland.com/events/2010-04-24/jack-and-jill-run-hill-2010) in April. If I do sign up for it let's run it together with a giant blow up cigarette in our hands

Orion

Shhh - don't tell that getwellsoon person but it's getting easier. I had my 3:30 craving today but that was the only real one. I'm feeling good about myself. My energy levels are higher. I'm not getting out of breath from simple tasks* and I really feel my quality of life is improving.

This Saturday will be tough tho - will I get through watching Leinster beat LI in the pub without wanting a celebratory smoke? I think I will.



*Mrs Mac can vouch for that

Orion

Macros42 wrote: »

This Saturday will be tough tho - will I get through watching Leinster beat LI in the pub without wanting a celebratory smoke? I think I will.

11-11 and Leinster through In pub watching a crap game of rugby. And didn't want a smoke even once. Even though the guy I was watching it with was popping out for smokes regularly. Didn't bother me at all - didn't feel any desire to join him. Ran 5K this morning too with Donadea Running Club. This is all working out well.

mariebeth

Macros42 wrote: »

11-11 and Leinster through In pub watching a crap game of rugby. And didn't want a smoke even once. Even though the guy I was watching it with was popping out for smokes regularly. Didn't bother me at all - didn't feel any desire to join him. Ran 5K this morning too with Donadea Running Club. This is all working out well.

Well done! :D:D That's the hardest hurdle over, not smoking when you're drinking!

I'm on day 15, the longest I've been off them before is 14 days, so I'm on a roll! The sheer determination to stay off them is what's keeping me off them at the moment. Some days I don't even think about smoking, but other days like yesterday I just want one. It's not cravings, just niggling reminders that I want one. But NO, I'm not going to have one, I will not give in!

dolliemix

Well done Mac and Mariebeth. It's such a great feeling, almost like a high, coming home from a night of alcohol and not smoking. You've many more highs to come!

I'm on day 22. This is my third time coming home from a night drinking smokeless. Every night I go out I doubt myself for some reason. But then when I'm there it's not so bad. It's like the fear and anticipation is worse than the actual action. Sort of like an interview or oral exam. Then that feeling of - I really underestimate myself after all. I'm well able to do this.

Another weekend done - Congrats everyone

martingore

keep up the good work everyone, enjoying reading this , helps a lot

Orion

Well still hanging in there. Some evenings I get cravings but nowhere near as strong as before. Enjoying the new addiction of endorphins. This fitness lark isn't too bad. Played an hour of handball last night. Going jogging at lunchtime today. I've entered an event every month from March to August - mostly Duathlons - April is the Great Run 10K in Phoenix Park. The most surprising part is that I'm actually enjoying the running. And this addiction is a hell of a lot better than the last one

mariebeth

Day 18 and i'm hanging in there I went for a walk tonight, trying to get back in to it, both myself & the dog need to get fit, and it's definitely a lot easier to go walking without being short of breath!

One thing though, I've had some pretty vivid dreams about smoking. Is that normal? I'm grand during the day, well most of the time, I do get the ocasional urge but I wouldn't call them strong cravings. And then I have the dreams, where I'm either wanting to smoke or I'm smoking, and in the dream I'm like 'no! what are you doing???' but I'm still smoking!

Oh well, this time I'm determined I'm going to stick it out, only 10 more days before it's no longer a 'habit' although I think it'll take longer than that to get over it all together.

InTheTrees

The dreams? God, yes. They were never a problem though, almost positive actually.

I would have vivid dreams where I'm happily smoking, then I'd notice i'm smoking(!) and feel so depressed and upset that i'd failed to quit.

Then I'd wake up and feel better realising I was still on the wagon.

Orion

I've had vivid dreams too. Oh wait ... not those kind of dreams

Not a craving today at all. Sometimes I actually find it easier to be around smokers (and pity them ). Had a meeting in the kids school this evening and dropped the board secretary home afterwards. She's a smoker. She just got into the car with her cigarette not knowing that I was off them. When she realised she just gave me grief for being a quitter Secretly she's happy I'm sure but now she's the only one on the board of management who smokes. So it's my fault ... she's only kidding anyway.

There was a point ... oh yeah ... she smoked in my car. I didn't mind. And it didn't cause a craving. I had no interest. I opened the passenger window to blow out most of the smoke but that was it.

Does this mean I've moved from being an "off the smokes" person to being an "I don't smoke" person? It's starting to feel that way.

I hope I haven't put the mockers on it though. This weekend is the main event. 64 lads from 4 clubs going to Belfast for a bowling weekend. (that's lawn bowls not the 10-pin variety). If the last two years are any indication we will go through a ludicrous amount of alcohol in the name of our sport :eek: Last year this was my most drunken weekend of the year. If I can get through this then I can get through anything. If. IF.

Biggest test yet. I was reading another thread here with people saying 35 this year, 30 this year etc. I'm 40 in 4 months. Life begins at etc. Hopefully Life begins at 40 as a non-smoker. You others are just kids

dollyk

macros 42. if you are not 100% sure that you can drink :rolleyes: lots of alchol and not be tempted to smoke, dont drink. i cant believe how well you are doing so far. im on day 4 , might not seem much but most but its a big YES for me. btw i had to go down the road of no alcohol, not a drop till im 100 % sure i wont cave whilst drunk. if it takes a year well thats what i have to do. have to sdmit my sleep pattern is all over the place, i feel im having an outer body experience these past 5 days. well i know now that i want to be a non smoker more than i want to be a smoker, so i will keep going. great reading your honest posts. thanks.. oh welcome to the big 40, although im 45. im now making it the new 40 in my head. dont know how my hubby putting up with mood swings , im going from super bitch to crying like a baby in a space of mins. well good luck every one. you too dollymix. viv

Orion

dollyk wrote: »

macros 42. if you are not 100% sure that you can drink :rolleyes: lots of alchol and not be tempted to smoke, dont drink.

On this weekend away? No chance It's a mad weekend. But you can't smoke indoors up north now either. I'm going up in a non-smokers car, I'm in a no smoking room in the hotel and sharing with a non-smoker. In the stadium I just have to not go outside. Easy right?

dubsgirl

Mac you should just get so drunk you can't physically smoke

Seriously though what a pain it would be to have to go back to 1:3 thats day 1 - 3rd attempt - Keep strong and enjoy the weekend. Never realised lawn bowlers had such a great social life!!

There might be a sport out there for me after all. Did try softball before because it was perfectly acceptable to smoke on the sidelines but nearly passed out and made a show of myself in the middle of a match so that put a stop to it

Orion

LOL - that's a plan alright And from my hazy memory of this weekend last year not far off where I was

dollyk

only 24 more to d day. opps day 5 sorry, im not in charge of my own brain these days

dolliemix

Go on the Mac!

Have a wonderful and nicotine free weekend!

Can't wait to hear how you get on......

Dolly - great stuff! Those days will add up much quicker than you expect. You're doing so well so far.

Writing to no one in particular here on boards and getting replies has made things easier for me I think, cos I somehow think, there are a group of anonymous people out there in the same boat as me willing me on, and I don't want to disappoint. So keep the accounts up. Maybe some day I'll get over my addiction to the 'Giving Up Smoking' thread!!!