Anyone who blogs to himself must have broad shoulders or be a glutton for punishment. He needs feedback of some level so he anxiously awaits the return of the daughter from Kilamanjaro so his efforts receive some level of comment.
This is about giving up smoking and needs all the support is can muster.
Now, I have put the box away.( at least out of sight until next time)
The lack of smoking is still going OK. I am not crawling up the wall. I am not biting my nails off.
I had the best reason to forget any urges today as it was my turn at the dentist for my 6 monthly teeth clean. Shit I hate dentists. Shit I hate pain in my mouth. I am the only male I know that has a needle to get his teeth cleaned. Its over 12 hours since the work and my gums are still feeling like they have experienced a grenade going off inside the mouth.
At least it takes my mind of cigarettes.
Moving on to Day 19 tomorrow and then another milestone at Day 20
Friday, 27 February 2009
Thursday, 26 February 2009
WHY ARE PEOPLE SO UNKIND
For every optimist, there is also a pesamist and I keep hearing from people who have nothing but bad news to say about these tablets ,CHAMPIX, that I am taking. The pesamist lives to do Google searches all day to find out the negative stories about everything and I think they pay Google to get the do gooders to write adverse comments on anything and everything.
I did my research on Champix before I undertook the course of tablets. Yes- I know there has been a number of deaths linked to Champix in both the US and UK, most related to suicide. Depression has been listed as the primary side affect together with nausea and lack of sleep. I continue to watch anything out of the normal and am alert to stop taking the tablets as soon as I am able. The course of tablets lasts 12 weeks and I am almost at the end of week 4.
Today was good, no urges,plenty of sleep and 1 packet of sugarless mints.
I did my research on Champix before I undertook the course of tablets. Yes- I know there has been a number of deaths linked to Champix in both the US and UK, most related to suicide. Depression has been listed as the primary side affect together with nausea and lack of sleep. I continue to watch anything out of the normal and am alert to stop taking the tablets as soon as I am able. The course of tablets lasts 12 weeks and I am almost at the end of week 4.
Today was good, no urges,plenty of sleep and 1 packet of sugarless mints.
Wednesday, 25 February 2009
TODAY WAS DIFFERENT.
TODAY WAS DIFFERENT AS I WAS AWAY FROM THE COMFORT ZONE. Travelling to Sydney and return by car clearly increases the urge to light up. I have always smoked when driving so looking for a cigarette was not unusual. What was unusual was how relatively simple it was to think about something else to get the mind away from the urge.Home is definately a comfort zone, allowing you to go do something different and take away the urge. In the car is not so simple but I was still able to manage the urge. Things must be getting easier, my head keeps telling me so with little prompting.
I have yet to match alchohol with the tablets. Some people say you smoke more when drinking. I rarely have more than two beers or wines at the same time these days so I do not expect this will result in any increased difficulty.
By the way, my finger nails are almost due for another cut again- told you non smoking increase nail growth significantly.Maybe I am just looking at them more to see if the nicotene has worn off.
Tomorrow is day 16- keep em coming......
I have yet to match alchohol with the tablets. Some people say you smoke more when drinking. I rarely have more than two beers or wines at the same time these days so I do not expect this will result in any increased difficulty.
By the way, my finger nails are almost due for another cut again- told you non smoking increase nail growth significantly.Maybe I am just looking at them more to see if the nicotene has worn off.
Tomorrow is day 16- keep em coming......
Monday, 23 February 2009
ITS ABOUT TIME
Despite not providing any update for the past 4 days, I have not fallen between the cracks and picked up a cigarette. Its now up to Day 14 and I am feeling so much about about the whole thing. No major cravings and no apparent side effect from the Champix tablets.
Blogs are shorter as the daughter is somewhere up Mt Kilamanjaro or at least trying to get up there.
Enought for today.
Blogs are shorter as the daughter is somewhere up Mt Kilamanjaro or at least trying to get up there.
Enought for today.
Friday, 20 February 2009
TODAY WAS SIGNIFICANT
SIGNIFICANT.
I had been up about three hours this morning.Had finished breakfast and was catching up on emails at the computer.All of a sudden I realised I had not taken my Champix tablet for this morning. Nothing wierd about that except three hours into the day I had not even thought about the need for a cigarette.In fact I could not recall even thinking about a cigarette. Went and took my tablet. THAT WAS SIGNIFICANT.
Everything is tracking along well and will probably take up the suggestion about the Ipod and Podcasts.
The other thing I am finding is about not having to go out every day to purchase anything including cigarettes. I was always finding a reason to go to the shops for something-many times of which it was for cigarettes and the odd rock cake or apple turnover with cream.
The count up to today-
Cigarettes NIL
Rock cakes NIL
Apple turnover with cream NIL.
Must admit there are a few sugarless mints being devoured.
I had been up about three hours this morning.Had finished breakfast and was catching up on emails at the computer.All of a sudden I realised I had not taken my Champix tablet for this morning. Nothing wierd about that except three hours into the day I had not even thought about the need for a cigarette.In fact I could not recall even thinking about a cigarette. Went and took my tablet. THAT WAS SIGNIFICANT.
Everything is tracking along well and will probably take up the suggestion about the Ipod and Podcasts.
The other thing I am finding is about not having to go out every day to purchase anything including cigarettes. I was always finding a reason to go to the shops for something-many times of which it was for cigarettes and the odd rock cake or apple turnover with cream.
The count up to today-
Cigarettes NIL
Rock cakes NIL
Apple turnover with cream NIL.
Must admit there are a few sugarless mints being devoured.
Thursday, 19 February 2009
INTO DOUBLE FIGURES
Today was a test. Today was a mind test. Today was a bloody major mind test. Today was fishing day. Today was sitting for three and one hours whilst fishing and not having a cigarette. Today was a day where I only thought of a cigarette three or four times and only two of those thoughts was when fishing.
There were two other guys fishing around me. Both were older than I and both of them smoked.I wondered how they felt about smoking and thought they looked as though they enjoyed it. One of the guys told me he should not have been fishing as only last night he had a cataract operation on his eye. Went back to the Doctors this morning, the patch was removed and less than 12 hours after the operation he is back fishing. Boy- how times changed. I then wondered how the cigarette smoke would affect his eye.
Score for the day
Me- 3 fish, no cigarettes,quality air around me, health improvement,more money to spend on VW stuff.
Them, - no fish, improved vision in one eye, continued enjoyment from smoking,health deterioration
Legs eleven tomorrow
There were two other guys fishing around me. Both were older than I and both of them smoked.I wondered how they felt about smoking and thought they looked as though they enjoyed it. One of the guys told me he should not have been fishing as only last night he had a cataract operation on his eye. Went back to the Doctors this morning, the patch was removed and less than 12 hours after the operation he is back fishing. Boy- how times changed. I then wondered how the cigarette smoke would affect his eye.
Score for the day
Me- 3 fish, no cigarettes,quality air around me, health improvement,more money to spend on VW stuff.
Them, - no fish, improved vision in one eye, continued enjoyment from smoking,health deterioration
Legs eleven tomorrow
Tuesday, 17 February 2009
DAY 9 HAS GONE TO OBLIVION
Getting continued support for this activity is an important aspect so I enjoy reading comments for the daughter regarding my ongoing efforts.
Day 9 was fine and I even went into a shop selling cigarettes and just told myself that I dont smoke anymore so there was no point of even looking.The urge subsided very quickly and I dont even remember how long the urge was with me. I will continue to control any urges. Non smokers dont even have the urge so I can manage that as well.
My wife is fully supporting me to give away the weed by taking a view that involves not saying anything to me about smoking, cigarettes or giving it away. This may sound like a strange approach but she has lived with me and my outrageous habits for over 30 years and has a fairly good grip on what jerks my chain. Nagging is a major chain puller and she know that only tooooo well.I am comfortable with her approach.
Tomorrow I move into double figures, an achievement in itself.
Day 9 was fine and I even went into a shop selling cigarettes and just told myself that I dont smoke anymore so there was no point of even looking.The urge subsided very quickly and I dont even remember how long the urge was with me. I will continue to control any urges. Non smokers dont even have the urge so I can manage that as well.
My wife is fully supporting me to give away the weed by taking a view that involves not saying anything to me about smoking, cigarettes or giving it away. This may sound like a strange approach but she has lived with me and my outrageous habits for over 30 years and has a fairly good grip on what jerks my chain. Nagging is a major chain puller and she know that only tooooo well.I am comfortable with her approach.
Tomorrow I move into double figures, an achievement in itself.
DAY 8 HAS SLIPPED PAST
Still free of the noxious weed and finding that my former friendship and reliance with Uncle Nic is diminishing rapidly. Its a feeling that is getting better and better BUT Day 8 aint a long way into the tunnel.
One thing that is missing is a Q & A forum or similar to answer some of the many questions that are now floating around the space in my skull in place of the smoke haze. I need to know why finger nails and toe nails grow so much quicker without the use of Nicotene. Mine appear to have grossed themselves out in no longer than 24 hours and I think it will be necessary to trim them every 2 or 3 days to keep up with the growth spurt. Anyone else experienced a similar occurrence?
On we go
One thing that is missing is a Q & A forum or similar to answer some of the many questions that are now floating around the space in my skull in place of the smoke haze. I need to know why finger nails and toe nails grow so much quicker without the use of Nicotene. Mine appear to have grossed themselves out in no longer than 24 hours and I think it will be necessary to trim them every 2 or 3 days to keep up with the growth spurt. Anyone else experienced a similar occurrence?
On we go
Monday, 16 February 2009
OFF AND RUNNING AGAIN
Following words with the Doctor I am assured that my recent sickness was not, could not, did not, have anything to do with the smoking suppressant tablets I am taking called Champix. Based on this confirmation I am now back on the tablets. It is amazing how much comfort some tablets can provide/ At least they have helped me to reach Day 7 with many more to come.
I needed to clear the air with regard to the lounge on the rear verandah. It is not moving anywhere. The lounge and I have reached a compromise in that I will still undertake occassional visits during my coffee breaks, reading of the local paper and checking out the birds.
Another strange activity that has been occuring as I move along the path of being nicotine free is the extraordinary growth rate in the nails hanging off the ends of my fingers and toes. More about this during the next update
I needed to clear the air with regard to the lounge on the rear verandah. It is not moving anywhere. The lounge and I have reached a compromise in that I will still undertake occassional visits during my coffee breaks, reading of the local paper and checking out the birds.
Another strange activity that has been occuring as I move along the path of being nicotine free is the extraordinary growth rate in the nails hanging off the ends of my fingers and toes. More about this during the next update
Sunday, 15 February 2009
LAZING ON THE LOUNGE
Today is Sunday, thats a day to rest up in preparation of a busy week coming up and to limit the amount of stress and angst. I choose to lounge about on the lounge,the one that has been feeling a distinct lack of large rounded arse. It also allows me to watch the grass parrots and quarrions we are endeavoring to breed in the back yard.
I will feel comforted when I can achieve a full week without Uncle Nic. Then I can set some other short term targets to work towards.
I am surviving- not sure that my wife agrees.
I will feel comforted when I can achieve a full week without Uncle Nic. Then I can set some other short term targets to work towards.
I am surviving- not sure that my wife agrees.
Saturday, 14 February 2009
DAYS GO SO QUICKLY
DAY 6. Cannot believe I am up to Day 6 without any major issues. Talk about needing distractions though. I am updating this blog because I wanted to go looking for a cancer stick.
Still holding off from taking anymore Champix tablets until I get advice from the doctor. I never smoked inside the house for the last 8 years.
There is this nice cane lounge on the back verandah which greatly accepted my oversize rear end each time I had a smoke previously. The lounge seat never complained about the weight or the quality of air.
Strangely, I now hear slight complaints coming from it during the day as it feels unloved and alone.
Maybe I need to do something about it.
Bring on Day 7
Still holding off from taking anymore Champix tablets until I get advice from the doctor. I never smoked inside the house for the last 8 years.
There is this nice cane lounge on the back verandah which greatly accepted my oversize rear end each time I had a smoke previously. The lounge seat never complained about the weight or the quality of air.
Strangely, I now hear slight complaints coming from it during the day as it feels unloved and alone.
Maybe I need to do something about it.
Bring on Day 7
Wednesday, 11 February 2009
WITHDRAWAL PAINS
Giving up smoking is all in the head,however for me its alot more and to be successful I think I need to set up some goals, get some support from family and friends as well as take some sort of tablets to at least think they are supporting the overall desire to give it away.
History
Started smoking at 15 years of age, will be 60 this April so that sounds like 45 years at a minimum of 30 per day add up to over 492,000 cigarettes. And experts tell you that each cigarette is doing you harm.
Today is day 3 of the battle which I am currently winning.
Not sure what happens on Day 4 but stay tuned,
BTW, I have decided not to turn to food to replace the nicotene. At 145 kilograms ,I dont need any more weight to drag around
Till tomorrow
History
Started smoking at 15 years of age, will be 60 this April so that sounds like 45 years at a minimum of 30 per day add up to over 492,000 cigarettes. And experts tell you that each cigarette is doing you harm.
Today is day 3 of the battle which I am currently winning.
Not sure what happens on Day 4 but stay tuned,
BTW, I have decided not to turn to food to replace the nicotene. At 145 kilograms ,I dont need any more weight to drag around
Till tomorrow
the first post!
CONGRATULATIONS DAD!
After over 40 years of smoking, mum and i are very proud to see that you're finally throwing in the towel! In honour of your decision, i've created this blog for you - to record your thoughts/ideas/progresses/achievements and as a reminder as to why it's worth it! For yourself - and for us!
I know you like some facts and figures, so I thought maybe we could start the blog with some of the money you're going to be saving! You're much better at this than me, but allow me to get the ball rolling.
In 45 years, you've spent an estimated $145,000 on cigarettes.
Am I even close? Come on figures man, you're better at this than me!
We are all proud of you dad. You're a very strong person, and we know there's no way you're going to let a little stick get the better of your life. Look forward to reading your daily entry - even multi-daily entry! Much love, Al xxx
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