BS: Help,I'm giving up smoking

Subject: RE: BS: Help,I'm giving up smoking
From: Ebbie
Date: 23 Dec 00 - 01:59 AM

Another perk that not smoking has given me: I'm able to stand still as long as needed when I'm on a walk so I can watch live animals in their own habitat. In the past, within 10 minutes I needed a smoke- and there went any chance of sneaking up on an animal. Not to mention that I was odorous enough to advertise my presence to everything around.

Since I quit smoking I have been growled at by a nutria, barked at by a deer, have watched a deer busily feeding, flicking its tail, have stood at a pathside water puddle, watching a busy flock of small birds dipping and bathing and lifting and landing and chirping in their high sweet voices, have stood frozen close enough to a coyote in the forest to count the pointy hairs around his throat while he tried to ascertain whether I was something to fear, even had a black bear pop out of the brush within 7 feet of me and for a heartstopping moment we measured each other... and more. I treasure all of these experiences and they would never have happened if I were still smoking.

Ebbie

Subject: RE: BS: Help,I'm giving up smoking
From: Naemanson
Date: 23 Dec 00 - 06:04 AM

There speaks a woman with no dog! (Sorry, it was an old complaint with my wife. "I never see any animals when I go for a walk." "That's because you always take the dog, dear." "I can't leave her home!" "[exasperation]"

All that is unimportant now. Nutty, you're doing fine but be careful. Davecoje said not to worry about substitution of food for nicotine. His normal appetites returned but you cannot be sure yours will.

A few pounds are NOT easier to lose than the cigarettes. Look at it this way. To quit smoking you stopped the cigarettes completely. You cannot go cold turkey from food. You have to keep eating. The problem is regulating something that is so central to your life. When you give up tobacco you are cutting yourself off completely from something that gave you pleasure. When you diet you have to regulate your food intake. You're always playing at the edge of your bad habits and never able to give them up completely.

Subject: RE: BS: Help,I'm giving up smoking
From: Terry K
Date: 24 Dec 00 - 01:36 AM

And there speaks someone who "never had to walk in those moccasins" - (with all respect, could'nt resist).

The few pounds are MUCH MORE ACCEPTABLE than the cigarettes, please don't weaken in your resolve, eat and be happy. Comfort eating is much more widespread than is admitted and (without wanting to get involved in technical arguments!!!) is usually harmless in comparison to the original issue that caused it.

Cheers, Terry

Subject: RE: BS: Help,I'm giving up smoking
From: sophocleese
Date: 24 Dec 00 - 09:51 AM

Just checking in to see how things are going nutty and wish you well. Enjoy your Christmas dinner even more this year.

Subject: RE: BS: Help,I'm giving up smoking
From: nutty
Date: 24 Dec 00 - 06:29 PM

Christmas dinner is one of the hurdles I have to overcome
Spending any time with my mother is fraught with difficulty and she usually manages to insult everyone at the table at least once during the meal, although I have to admit that she did mellow slightly after she turned eighty -- old age took the edge of her more outrageous insults
Anyway wish me luck for tomorrow

Subject: RE: BS: Help,I'm giving up smoking
From: Terry K
Date: 24 Dec 00 - 07:53 PM

So you've got a typical North Eastern mother, so what's new?

Nutty, I wish you a Christmas to beat them all - you deserve it. What you have achieved so far is something VERY, VERY special - whatever you do, don't underrate yourself - you're in control now. Millions of people in the world can't get close to achieving what you have achieved and you've got a whole Mudcat behind you, so you can't let US down (even if you're tempted between main course and pud!!).

Stay good

Cheers, Terry

Subject: RE: BS: Help,I'm giving up smoking
From: Ebbie
Date: 25 Dec 00 - 03:36 AM

refresh

Subject: RE: BS: Help,I'm giving up smoking
From: GUEST,Frank Hamilton
Date: 25 Dec 00 - 04:20 PM

Right on Big Daddy!

Unfortunately, Catters, Bush is thinking of appointing Tommy Thompson as Sec. of Health. He has worked with Phillip Morris and will probably attempt to limit the class action suits against tobacco. He may as well be pro-tobacco which nobody really needs.

I like the idea of calling it "nicotine addiction". Yeah!

Frank Hamilton

Subject: RE: BS: Help,I'm giving up smoking
From: kendall
Date: 25 Dec 00 - 04:47 PM

Believe it or not..it does get easier! Another point of fact..it is not the smoker who smells bad, it is the residue of the the tobacco. I have a few friends who smoke, and, I cant bring myself to say "THEY" smell bad. One of the things that helped me quit was knowing that my clothes took on that odor whic is so off putting, but, it wasn't ME who smelled bad!

Subject: RE: BS: Help,I'm giving up smoking
From: nutty
Date: 26 Dec 00 - 12:08 PM

Today I would have killed for a cigarette but managed to resist
I know that after all the activity yesterday I just wanted to recreate that feeling of well being that I always associated with cigarettes
I'm still in there fighting though -- not ready to give in yet (if ever)

Subject: RE: BS: Help,I'm giving up smoking
From: sophocleese
Date: 26 Dec 00 - 03:12 PM

Good for you nutty, not giving in now makes it easier to resist next time and the next and so on. Excellent work!

Subject: RE: BS: Help,I'm giving up smoking
From: R!
Date: 26 Dec 00 - 04:31 PM

Well done, Nutty. We're proud of you.

Subject: RE: BS: Help,I'm giving up smoking
From: Naemanson
Date: 26 Dec 00 - 10:38 PM

I just got back from my Christmas trip and checked in to see how you are doing. Keep up the good work. You'll be much happier in the end.

Subject: RE: BS: Help,I'm giving up smoking
From: Terry K
Date: 27 Dec 00 - 12:50 PM

The danger is that the novelty of the achievement wears off and you get weak moments. Don't let it!!

The achievement should NEVER be underestimated. I recommend you brag to people about it until they're sick of hearing you.

Cheers, Terry

Subject: RE: BS: Help,I'm giving up smoking
From: Amos
Date: 27 Dec 00 - 01:12 PM

Snuff is a fine powder which is inhaled and makes you sneeze; chew is a gummy leaf which you treat like chiclets. Both are orful.

Nutty, a wise friend once pointed out that you only have to quit one cigarette (the one just ahead); but when you start, you are starting a trainload of them. That makes it a lot easier to not smoke.

Keep up the great work! You're gonna be happy for the rest of your life about this.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Help,I'm giving up smoking
From: Ebbie
Date: 27 Dec 00 - 01:14 PM

My biggest problem was finding something new to reward myself with. I had always used a cigarette as a break in a chore, as a tool to while away a wait, to settle my nerves, to give me a moment to think before responding in a tense conversation, as an aid when in strange company, to stave off hunger... Without a cigarette, my hand was empty, my lips unemployed, and my spirit unsettled.

Does anyone have a suggestion that worked for you? You can only stay in a shower so long...

A year or so after I had quit, someone brought me a pack of pseudo cigarettes, made of citrus peel and sawdust, I think. I leaped on them but mostly to hold one in my hand. The taste was not to write home about.

Ebbie

Subject: RE: BS: Help,I'm giving up smoking
From: Amos
Date: 27 Dec 00 - 01:50 PM

My uncle, god rest his soul, walked about for years with a pack containing one cigarette in his shirt pocket, just deferring it indefinitely. I doubt I could resist the temptation, myself! But it worked for him.

The pain of taking your attention off cigarettes and onto the real world (which they are always a convenient dodge against) is a big hurdle for some; I know one executive who to this day chews toothpicks and has a blob of plastic meant for hand-strengthening always handy -- he squeezes it and rolls it around at odd intervals. The combination seems to handle it for him. Maybe steel ball-bearings would do the trick? (Whoooo ate the STRAWBERRIES?).

I suspect that if you could bring yourself to constantly finding interest in the moment, forsaking all gimmicks except your own clear attention to the instant and those things and beings in it, that you could surmount the snare of habit. Not that I have managed it myself, yet. :>)

A

Subject: RE: BS: Help,I'm giving up smoking
From: Terry K
Date: 28 Dec 00 - 02:24 AM

Nutty, no doubt you're following the latest posts in your thread and we all hope it's helping. But the most powerful post of all is your own first one which started the thread - read it again, and again, and again....

Cheers, Terry

Subject: RE: BS: Help,I'm giving up smoking
From: sophocleese
Date: 28 Dec 00 - 09:59 AM

I have to go away for a few days Nutty, but I'll wish you well on your way before I go and check back on this when I get back. Your doing GOOD!

Subject: RE: BS: Help,I'm giving up smoking
From: okthen
Date: 29 Dec 00 - 05:16 AM

How's it going Nutty?

You're an inspiration to me, keep checking in to let us know the pitfalls and triumphs.

cheers

bill

Subject: RE: BS: Help,I'm giving up smoking
From: nutty
Date: 31 Dec 00 - 02:10 PM

As it's New Years Eve I thought that all you lovely people might like an update

I am nearing the end of DAY 18 and am now a non-smoker. I have friends staying with me who smoke and can't quite believe that I have no interest in joining them. tO ALL WHO ARE TODAY CONTEMPLATING MAKING NO SMOKING A RESOLUTION -- GO FOR IT AND GOOD LUCK

Subject: RE: BS: Help,I'm giving up smoking
From: Allan C.
Date: 31 Dec 00 - 02:46 PM

Best wishes to you, nutty. Keep up the good work. It is a real sign of recovery when you discover that you no longer find yourself reaching for the non-existent pack of cigs in your shirt pocket. I hope that happens soon for you.

Subject: RE: BS: Help,I'm giving up smoking
From: sophocleese
Date: 31 Dec 00 - 03:56 PM

Excellent news nutty! I'll lift a drink in your honour tonight. How are you doing okthen?

Subject: RE: BS: Help,I'm giving up smoking
From: okthen
Date: 31 Dec 00 - 07:52 PM

Am 50 minutes into the new year, and no I've not had a ciggy,but I don't think this really counts as an achievement yet.

please keep on at me,and I'll keep you posted.I know it makes sense, but sense was never one of my strongpoints.

cheers

bill

Subject: RE: BS: Help,I'm giving up smoking
From: Allan C.
Date: 31 Dec 00 - 08:18 PM

Go for it, okthen, (bill)! As you have said, you did it before; you can do it again - only this time you'll be quitting forever.

Subject: RE: BS: Help,I'm giving up smoking
From: JWR
Date: 31 Dec 00 - 08:44 PM

Nutty: I quit smoking seven years ago, and dumb little book called Meditations for Surviving Without Cigarettes by Esther manning helped a lot. Don't know why, but it did. Good Luck.

Subject: RE: BS: Help,I'm giving up smoking
From: Biskit
Date: 31 Dec 00 - 10:00 PM

Heyya Nutty, Partner,...I'm gonna give it to ya straight.Quitin' cigarettes SUCKS! but as time passes it seems to suck less They even stink now when other people are smokin'(most of the time)which I think is a good sign. didja ever hear the old saying,.."this too will pass" well it really will,it might not pass as quickly as you might like it to, but pass it will. Personally as a crutch I found that tootsie roll pops work best,don't bite them!!! the longer it is in your mouth the longer you're not thinkin' about cigarettes.You can do it!! If I can quit, ANYBODY can. I liked the first one I smoked, and I liked the last one I smoked. It's that out of breath, wheezin',coughin'spittin' feelin' like a mule kicked me in the chest, after smokin' for 32 years that I didn't like. Stick with it, it gets easier. But you can't play with it!!If you smoke even one, all the symptoms come back, and ya got to quit all over again. I guess it's one of those things that ya gotta want to do more than anything else.Good Luck,-Biskit-

Subject: RE: BS: Help,I'm giving up smoking
From: okthen
Date: 01 Jan 01 - 06:47 AM

Now nearly 12 hours, but, 8 of them I was asleep.That first one in the morning (you know the one that makes you cough so hard it kick starts you into the reality of a new day?)I'm looking for a ritual to take the place of rolling a ciggy,so I shall probably be posting here on various topics, even tho' I know nothing about the subject and my reply will superfluous to the theme,(I shall probably become the original thread creep)

thinking of starting a seperate thread, also intending to get 'round to sending in a profile , 'photo etc.

will be in touch

cheers

bill

Subject: RE: BS: Help,I'm giving up smoking
From: nutty
Date: 01 Jan 01 - 11:06 AM

Go for it Bill - I'll be with you all the way

If you want to send me a PM at ant time , please feel free and yes please start your own thread -- mine has helped me so much

Subject: RE: BS: Help,I'm giving up smoking
From: sophocleese
Date: 01 Jan 01 - 12:10 PM

Good for you bill. You saw how nutty managed and the difficulty he faced at times and you know its possible to get through that and feel a lot better. I'll keep checking to see how you and nutty are going.

Subject: RE: BS: Help,I'm giving up smoking
From: okthen
Date: 02 Jan 01 - 06:45 AM

36 hours and 2 ciggies, this is not an unqualified success, these patches don't seem to working as well as they did first time 'round.Have had more success in avoiding alcohol which I know would weaken any resolve I have.

nutty, still free?

cheers

bill

Subject: RE: BS: Help,I'm giving up smoking
From: nutty
Date: 02 Jan 01 - 12:51 PM

still in there - 21 smoke-free days but I have had some help with a drug named Zyban - you get it through your doctor

It's helped me in a way nothing else has and apart from the first few days I have been unbelievably calm
I've even had friends staying over New Year who are smokers and haven't been bothered at all
I just know that after 20years of trying to give up this is my best shot yet
I'M HANGING ON TO THE DREAM THAT THIS TIME I WILL SUCCEED

Subject: RE: BS: Help,I'm giving up smoking
From: GUEST,Steve
Date: 02 Jan 01 - 05:29 PM

Why? Because it is the fad or because you are tired of spending the money? I can't afford it so quit for the last couple of years - What I think would work better is about 20 sutures in my lips! Really - GO FOR IT - and I wish you the best!!