One Week
Monday, September 4, 2006 at 8:00PM 
And still smoke free. I cannot believe it!
I do miss smoking. I don't know if that will ever stop missing it but I know that I cannot do it any longer if I want to keep my sweet (but difficult to buy for) size 14 feet.
The patch is my friend. I still have not ended up on any rooftops with an AK in hand. I am not feeling those moments of craziness I did going cold turkey. So great but please, continue to keep your fingers crossed, hands clasped, or whatever you do to send some positive energy my way. It is working! Thanks.
On the D front, I tried changing my site to my thigh. So great! I wish I would have checked that out sooner. I went swimming with my kids and the family today and my site was completely hidden under my trunks. I must admit, shaving the area was a little wierd but I figured I better so it would stick well and not hurt like H.E. double hockey sticks taking it off.
My exercise streak did not last. I stopped exercising this week. You are probably saying, "Why would you not exercise when you are quitting smoking!??!?!?!" Well, the main reason is that exercise is a total smoking trigger for me. After my work out, believe it or not, I would go outside, sit at my patio table and have a cigarette. Stupid I know but it was the routine. I went outside last Monday night and I felt the need and desire to smoke. I turned around, came back into the house and said, "Not yet. I'll go back to that next week." So now begins another attempt at exercising each night. I think I am ready for it and even if I am not, I am going to do it.
I have to.
Reader Comments (15)
Wow! Keep up the good work with the smoking. I hate giving shots in my thighs, so the thought of putting my site there totally gives me the willies. Just saying the word "thigh site" makes me wince.
Congratulations!!! I'm sure it's been hard, but you're accomplishing so much each day you don't smoke! I'm rooting for you!
Keep up the good work, George! You will be so glad you kicked the habit. I'm sure the first days are the toughest and then it will get easier as you develop new habits.
Good call on the exercise (can't believe I said that!). Get on by this tough part of not smoking before you re-introduce those 'triggers'. Maybe you could go for a walk or ride a bike before you do the garage workout thing. Just a suggestion.
BTW, love the 'H.E. double hockey sticks' quote. I haven't heard that since my kids we're much younger.
Best wishes and keep up the good work!
An entire week is like a major big deal. The momentum has started. When I got to work today we had a flier saying that a new "breakfast bakery" had opened in my building and I thought, "well, I just have to go down and get something to try the place out - I can start on my diet tomorrow" but then I read your post first and now I'm going to have my oatmeal instead.
Breaking those triggers is key. I used to love to have a cigarette with my coffee and especially when I'd have a beer. So I switched to tea and didn't drink alcohol for a while.
Keep up the great work!
Congrats one one week!
YOU ROCK MAN!!!
An ENTIRE WEEK!!!! Holy Smokes!!
That is AWESOME man! I can hardly describe how excited I am for you!!
And man - size 14?!?! Damn - I thought I had big feet!! (I wear 12.5's or 13's). Remind me to never get into a karate sparring match with you - the ninja pose in the picture, those big old sh*t kickers - I'd have no chance!! LOL!!
I was the same way with smoking. I've never been physically addicted to cigarettes (still am not), but I was a fairly regular social smoker. Probably a cigarette or two (or three) everyday for about a year. Well, maybe not everyday, but still. I got used to going to the cafe for coffee and a cigarette after class with a friend. When I decided to really pull back, I essentially stopped going to the cafe for 3 weeks.
I still occasionally smoke, but I think I've had like 5 this month, compared to the pack a week I was at. And okay, I know this is a lot harder for you, but the entire point of this comment was to say: I understand (kind of), I have complete confidence in you, and woot woot!
Excellent choices! Cliff, my mom's 2nd husband, quit while we knew him. He said that he never lost the desire to smoke, even though he had intellectually committed to a smoke-free life. Post-lung-cancer-surgery, however, his anxiety level was so high, I don't know what his struggle was with the desire to smoke at that point. Keep on going!
George, you're doing great!! I love your tenacity. Keep it up on the quitting smoking and getting back to exercising, it will all become second nature (now to follow my own advice concerning the exercising)
4 years quit... and I still miss it. Good luck.
George, I am so proud of you!!!
Awesome! Keep up the effort!
George, you are a hero! I am so very proud of you. I know how hard this is, you are an inspiration. Keep us updated and know we are all in your corner. If you need someone to talk you down off the ceiling, we are here. :o)
Viv
Thank you all so much for all of your support! You guys are awesome!