Smoking?

[emujo2]

Re: Smoking?

Now in my 50s, but in late 20s I met my future wife. On our 1st date I lit up.."I don't date smokers". Put it out, threw the pack away and never lit another one. (started at 14 yrs old BTW). Fast forward 3 years or so...out at sea (navy) and bored as hell. Friend gives me a dip to try. Hooked on that shit for nearly 20 years...kept it from my wife for 10 years after we were married...She absolutly hates it and it almost caused a divorce...We did come to terms..(I continue to hide it from her, and she doesn't bring it up) but the smooch level went to almost zero...Finally started getting gum/jaw problems (nothing scary) and last week I threw the crap out once more..The dip cravings are much worse than the cigs..I find myself sitting at my desk and reaching for that can 25 times a day..but I think I have it under control...The wife is very happy..lol

Been just over 1 month and I have not fallen back into the habit...Even found a can in the car last week about 1/4 full..Threw it in the shitcan..Not saying it's easy...every day my hand drops to that non existent can at least 1 dozen times. I can feel the affects (or lack of negative affects) now..Gums don't screech out in pain when I eat spicy food, stomach not rolling around as nicotine gets swallowed, don't have to spend $10 per week on breath mints, (let alone the $25 per week for dip, and this was the cheap stuff). Teeth cleaning actually stays whiter for a few days now..The only thing I don't get is the wife...She was constantly nagging me about this, and never missed an opportunity to get a dig in about it. Not nagging me anymore, but very little positive results from her...I guess I really didn't quit for her anyway.

[Hansen88]

Re: Smoking?

Been just over 1 month and I have not fallen back into the habit...Even found a can in the car last week about 1/4 full..Threw it in the shitcan..Not saying it's easy...every day my hand drops to that non existent can at least 1 dozen times. I can feel the affects (or lack of negative affects) now..Gums don't screech out in pain when I eat spicy food, stomach not rolling around as nicotine gets swallowed, don't have to spend $10 per week on breath mints, (let alone the $25 per week for dip, and this was the cheap stuff). Teeth cleaning actually stays whiter for a few days now..The only thing I don't get is the wife...She was constantly nagging me about this, and never missed an opportunity to get a dig in about it. Not nagging me anymore, but very little positive results from her...I guess I really didn't quit for her anyway.

Well you have to do it for yourself. Also if you fail you have to just wait till next time you are ready and try again. Most people take multiple times before they are successful. I know I quit many times and thought it was for good and till went back to it. Just kept trying till I was successful.

[allan]

Re: Smoking?

Been just over 1 month and I have not fallen back into the habit...Even found a can in the car last week about 1/4 full..Threw it in the shitcan..Not saying it's easy...every day my hand drops to that non existent can at least 1 dozen times. I can feel the affects (or lack of negative affects) now..Gums don't screech out in pain when I eat spicy food, stomach not rolling around as nicotine gets swallowed, don't have to spend $10 per week on breath mints, (let alone the $25 per week for dip, and this was the cheap stuff). Teeth cleaning actually stays whiter for a few days now..The only thing I don't get is the wife...She was constantly nagging me about this, and never missed an opportunity to get a dig in about it. Not nagging me anymore, but very little positive results from her...I guess I really didn't quit for her anyway.

Hey feeling it. Are you using a nicotine replacement? I can not recommend this for i am not a doctor but the oral use of 18mg vape liquid was a super help.
Forgot to take it with me the other day, and was still close enough to home to turn back to go get it. Then only realized i have not used it since noon the previous day!
That is where the psychology kicks in where your lie to yourself telling yourself you will not make it and that you need it. Its post dramatic bullshit that can blow by in 5min if you can make it so far.
Funny thing is when i got home i forgot about it until about 9pm when i saw it on the table.

As a busy copier tech i get how difficult is can be and what a great stress relief tobacco can be.
For greater understanding of the issue i found the ironic topic of the "health benefits of nicotine" to be very helpful.

Some non smoking people seem to use nicotine for its qualities but so others use kiddie coke aka Ritalin for similar reasons.
Used Ritalin to try and get me off the party powder back in the good old days.
Well that stuff made me remember 10 digit numbers at a glace and made focusing on a problem seem effortless, BUT lost empathy and interpersonal interest completely.
Kind of know how a psychopath feels after that... Scared me senseless.
Get why people go thru with it if they had any form of suicidal fantasies before using psychotropics. Or what the criminally inclined will get up to in that state.

Just could not do it cold turkey after all the years, not smoking is really weird.
At the end i really hated it and resented my self for continuing and knowing it could turn fatal.
Really good job on fighting this battle.

Next coffee...

[emujo2]

Re: Smoking?

No, nothing in the way of replacements..but I am visiting the fridge a lot more..Hard to eat with a big pinch between the chhek and gum. 5 weeks now and have't fallen off the wagon..Going on a 2 weekend hike at the end of the month, that will be the real test..

[allan]

Re: Smoking?

No, nothing in the way of replacements..but I am visiting the fridge a lot more..Hard to eat with a big pinch between the chhek and gum. 5 weeks now and have't fallen off the wagon..Going on a 2 weekend hike at the end of the month, that will be the real test..

Glad you are hold strong.
Started collecting hiking gear a month or so ago. The decent stuff is expensive so its going slow!
Where about?

[gneebore]

Re: Smoking?

Just thought i would pop in and pass along some encouragement tot he ones still struggling with quitting smoking. It can be done and just keep up the efforts you all can do it. Don't let the struggle get you down . I know it is tough and there are going to be days when the "I only want one to get rid of the shakes" will strike. But pick up a book or even turn on the radio to see if you can find some good old dance to music and then dance away the urge.
Good luck and keep up the fight you all can do it.

[emujo2]

Re: Smoking?

Glad you are hold strong.
Started collecting hiking gear a month or so ago. The decent stuff is expensive so its going slow!
Where about?

I have been slowly hiking the Appalachian Trail for a few years now, I go twice a year and have almost made TN, from Amicola Falls. Going to try my local Fl Trail in the Ocala area. Might be a little hot, but I can shave quite a few pounds of my base weight w/o sleeping bag, cold gear, extra clothes ect..and less food since it's only a weekend. I only hammock these days as the ground seems to get harder the older I get.

[allan]

Re: Smoking?

That is some hardcore stuff. Would love to see how nature looks around there.

Was busy collecting hiking stuff until fishing got my attention...
My hammock arrived yesterday but there was a small hole in the pouch so it will go back.
Can't find a good tarpoline around here yet.

Clean from smoking for more than 2 months now! Live changing stuff.
Just tired all the time and will eat the tyres off of my car.
Left coffee too...

[emujo2]

Re: Smoking?

For a Fl boy the At is tough..I can hike 10 miles around here and get maybe 10 ft in elevation..The AT mountains kick my ass every time..I have a Hennessy tarp, Ozark Mountain hammock, a 30 degree bag that I can use as a mummy pod and a bug net. It took a little while, but now I can jump in and sleep 8 hours straight. Adding a small pillow really helped me figure out how to sleep well in a hammock. I don't purposely camp in winter, but I have had a few upper 20s nights and my system has kept me quite warm and dry

[skelband]

Re: Smoking?

Clean from smoking for more than 2 months now! Live changing stuff.
Just tired all the time and will eat the tyres off of my car.
Left coffee too...

Well, we are right behind you.
As I think I posted earlier, both my mum and dad were longtime smokers until they were shaken by the death of a neighbour and that was what they needed.
Neither of my parents ever regretted that decision.

Probably put 20 years back onto their life expectancy. Food tastes better, activity is easier, money saved, better outlook. The benefits are endless, but when the craving strikes, I know they all seem rather distant and irrelevant.

All I can say is there will come a time (and soon) when you thank God in the heavens that you made this commitment and saw it through.
We're rooting for you.

[emujo2]

Re: Smoking?

Leave coffee?? That's just crazy talk!!!

[allan]

Re: Smoking?

Well, we are right behind you.
As I think I posted earlier, both my mum and dad were longtime smokers until they were shaken by the death of a neighbour and that was what they needed.
Neither of my parents ever regretted that decision.

Probably put 20 years back onto their life expectancy. Food tastes better, activity is easier, money saved, better outlook. The benefits are endless, but when the craving strikes, I know they all seem rather distant and irrelevant.

All I can say is there will come a time (and soon) when you thank God in the heavens that you made this commitment and saw it through.
We're rooting for you.

Started with a dream where Yahweh showed me what would happen to me if i choose to continue.
Thanks for your support!

Still going strong and now really appreciating the changes. Find myself intentional focusing on my breathing from time to time and enjoying it!

Yes the coffee needed to go, my restless leg syndrome is gone completely sleeping like a rock for a change. From 4 cups of the best freshly grinded beans every day to almost none. Found that i am now drinking more clean water.
Will still once a week go and sit down somewhere to get served a cup like it should be.

[mikadonovan]

Re: Smoking?

Ok, I have gone 3 days now without a cigarette. I am vaping, and it seems to be working. I have no desire to smoke at the moment, and I have not smashed anybodys face in yet from being too crabby. I hope it sticks this time.

[Copier Addict]

Re: Smoking?

Ok, I have gone 3 days now without a cigarette. I am vaping, and it seems to be working. I have no desire to smoke at the moment, and I have not smashed anybodys face in yet from being too crabby. I hope it sticks this time.

Congrats on deciding to quit, and not smashing in faces.
I hate having something control me. So when I quit three years ago I had a mantra of "You won't control me again". It helped during the first tough couple of weeks.

[allan]

Re: Smoking?

Ok, I have gone 3 days now without a cigarette. I am vaping, and it seems to be working. I have no desire to smoke at the moment, and I have not smashed anybodys face in yet from being too crabby. I hope it sticks this time.

Great stuff. Make sure you don't run out of battery...
What nicotine strength are you using?

Just the vape liquid did it for me no vaping.