It is a proven fact that men who smoke gradually lose their ability to keep it up as the smoking constricts their blood vessels thus leaving less and less "volume" to fill their willies when desire strikes. (Give a whole new meaning to Lucky Strikes doesn't it?) I am told this improves once they quit.:-)

daylia, Jeri and LH have got it right. When we sludge our bodies up with gunk for years on end, it can take a while of feeling rotten and worthless, etc. as it purges before we start to really feel better. I've been working on this with my acupuncturist after years of not the best eating habits plus effects of being highly sensitive to prescription drugs. We've been working on it since last August and I still have days when I feel like one big backed-up swamp. It's getting better with exercise and better eating AND PATIENCE.

Those three things are very important for you, too, IMO. Be patient with yourself, keep up the exercise, be sure to eat well. Maybe try a glass of water each time you feel the urge to smoke. Most people never hydrate themselves enough. I'd be sparing with the sunflower seeds as they are high in fat and if you get the salted shells the sodium content goes out the roof. Not a good idea if you have any blood pressure issues.

To alleviate concern about weight, try to eat small, low calorie meals throughout the day with lots of fresh veggies and fruit, heck you can suck on baby carrots, esp. if you dip them in a low fat dressing!**bg**

Another thing you might try is making a tape of affirmations to which you listen as you go to sleep at night. Your voice carries authority with your subconscious. If you program your subconscious it will do its best to manifest whatever you dictate. If you'd like to talk about this some more or need suggestion, just give me a holler by PM, okay?

Every minute, every hour, every day that goes by that you are successful at being smoke-free is a Victory!*

All the best,

kat

*IMO it's okay that you yelled at your kid considering what you are going through. Personally, I'd ask him to make darn sure he didn't leave any butts anywhere, not even outside. You need his support, not sabotauge.:-)