As the title says I have a lot to be grateful about. Of course I am especially grateful about not smoking for as long as I have made it without a cigarette. I also believe that be being grateful I don't think that I have this cigarette thing whipped. However I have put together over a half year without a cigarette and I feel good about that. I also just feel good in general.
However the one bad side effect has been that I am now weigh more than I ever have. I am anxiously awaiting summer and or warmer weather. I will then resume riding my bicycle and start to work out and hopefully lose some of the weight that I have gained as a result of not smoking.
Given the choice of once again smelling like cigarettes, coughing, wheezing and spending up to 30 dollars a week on cigarettes. I will take the weight gain and deal with this side effect once the temperatures warm up. Peace all!!
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Starting the New Year Right
I am grateful to be going into 2010 with having not smoked for a while. Hopefully the longer I go without smoking the more that my commitment will grow. As this point in time my lungs are cleared out pretty good. However to be frank I am still addicted to nicotine. By that I am saying that I am still doing the lozenges way past the suggested stop time. I have been using the lozenges for about 3 months longer than the recommended time. I can say that I don't feel guilty about this but will have to tackle this issue sometime. I am using the weaker of the 2 types of lozenges, the 2 milligrams.
As is to be expected on days that I don't have work scheduled is the days that I use more lozenges. I also like to pop a lozenge in my mouth when drinking a cup of coffee. Not recommended. I am so much less than perfect as we all are but much better than I was when smoking. I can also say that the lozenges are much less expense than smoking. I am not sure what a pack of cigarettes is at this time. When I quit I was paying about $5.50 per pack and was smoking about 3/4 of a pack a day. I was burning up approximately 28 dollars a week. I know that I spend less than that on lozenges especially since I am working 5 days a week and don't use many lozenges on a weekday.
Either way life is definitely much better without cigarettes. Peace all!!
As is to be expected on days that I don't have work scheduled is the days that I use more lozenges. I also like to pop a lozenge in my mouth when drinking a cup of coffee. Not recommended. I am so much less than perfect as we all are but much better than I was when smoking. I can also say that the lozenges are much less expense than smoking. I am not sure what a pack of cigarettes is at this time. When I quit I was paying about $5.50 per pack and was smoking about 3/4 of a pack a day. I was burning up approximately 28 dollars a week. I know that I spend less than that on lozenges especially since I am working 5 days a week and don't use many lozenges on a weekday.
Either way life is definitely much better without cigarettes. Peace all!!
Sunday, January 10, 2010
6 months
Well it's a New Year and I did not have to make quitting smoking a "New Year's Resolution". I am grateful for that. However to be frank I of course have to make a re commitment to not smoking as I sometimes have to do on a daily basis. I still don't want to take not smoking for granted.
6 months is now my second longest time that I have quite smoking in my many attempts at stopping smoking. As I read about the process of not smoking. I am quite aware that for most people that stop smoking that it's not unusual to have stop several times before finally one becomes a non-smoker.
Several years back after I had stopped smoking for about 8 months I went and took some cardiovascular tests. Namely the stress test performed on the treadmill. Prior to taking the test I had paper work filled out for the test. One of the questions of course is "Are you a smoker"? I answered that I used to smoke, but had stopped 8 months ago. The woman administering the test informed me that I would still be considered a smoker until I had stopped for 1 year. A little FYI.
Well I had not yet posted in the New Year and wanted to post and wish everyone a Healthy, Happy New Year! Peace!
6 months is now my second longest time that I have quite smoking in my many attempts at stopping smoking. As I read about the process of not smoking. I am quite aware that for most people that stop smoking that it's not unusual to have stop several times before finally one becomes a non-smoker.
Several years back after I had stopped smoking for about 8 months I went and took some cardiovascular tests. Namely the stress test performed on the treadmill. Prior to taking the test I had paper work filled out for the test. One of the questions of course is "Are you a smoker"? I answered that I used to smoke, but had stopped 8 months ago. The woman administering the test informed me that I would still be considered a smoker until I had stopped for 1 year. A little FYI.
Well I had not yet posted in the New Year and wanted to post and wish everyone a Healthy, Happy New Year! Peace!
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Da Weekly Post
First of all Happy Holidays to all! I kind of have a rant this evening though. I am doing the blog on Google and I thank them for giving me place post about not smoking. It has helped a lot in my latest and second best effort at not smoking. However I see that all the ads always for the most part continue to be about different ways to be assisted in quitting smoking. I wish that the ads were varied and might perk someone's interest that maybe reading the blog but not necessarily trying to quit smoking.
People in general I think are interested individuals dilemmas whether it is addiction to food, alcohol, sex, drugs, and cigarettes. So essentially I wish that if indeed Google representatives read the content of this blog that take notice of what I have said and vary the ads on here so as to possibly only include one area that includes remedies for not smoking and other content that may appeal to a broader audience.
On to the main topic of this blog which is about not smoking. My neighbor of whom is a friend of mine and fellow smoker yesterday has taken the plunge into the non-smoking world. He seems to be quite sick. I can't be sure if it is directly related to his smoking or a something else or as I suspect a combination of all the prior. I will continue to encourage him though. Pretty much since I stopped he has said that he would also and as of Christmas that was his last day. He is expecting his girlfriend to quit also. I let him know that is her business. We all know that we can't wait for others to do what we should be doing for ourselves.
Seeing him so sick and just the fact that he has stopped helps me to try to not entertain and thoughts of a cigarette. I know that I will be off and smoking and making myself sick again. Whatever helps has got to my motto. Peace all and Happy New Year!
People in general I think are interested individuals dilemmas whether it is addiction to food, alcohol, sex, drugs, and cigarettes. So essentially I wish that if indeed Google representatives read the content of this blog that take notice of what I have said and vary the ads on here so as to possibly only include one area that includes remedies for not smoking and other content that may appeal to a broader audience.
On to the main topic of this blog which is about not smoking. My neighbor of whom is a friend of mine and fellow smoker yesterday has taken the plunge into the non-smoking world. He seems to be quite sick. I can't be sure if it is directly related to his smoking or a something else or as I suspect a combination of all the prior. I will continue to encourage him though. Pretty much since I stopped he has said that he would also and as of Christmas that was his last day. He is expecting his girlfriend to quit also. I let him know that is her business. We all know that we can't wait for others to do what we should be doing for ourselves.
Seeing him so sick and just the fact that he has stopped helps me to try to not entertain and thoughts of a cigarette. I know that I will be off and smoking and making myself sick again. Whatever helps has got to my motto. Peace all and Happy New Year!
Saturday, December 19, 2009
My Weekly posting
Did not want to forget about posting on the blog this week. Still not smoking. Thank God! My mind kind of reeled backwards and I gave some deep thoughts about having a cigarette. I did not have any of course and was too lazy to ask for one. I also realized that I have a little bit of time behind me without smoking and I don't want to give that up and "be for not".
As I think out the process of having a cigarette I am re calling that there is a lot of effort that goes into to smoking a cigarette. Especially now days. One is definitely ostracized by having to stand out in front of a place of business and or retreat back to their vehicle. Although even people that smoke, will not smoke in their vehicle. I know that I always opened the window. I would end up with some kind of ear blockage from the air blowing around inside the vehicle, while driving. Ahh the little reminders of the hassles is another good deterrent. Peace!!
As I think out the process of having a cigarette I am re calling that there is a lot of effort that goes into to smoking a cigarette. Especially now days. One is definitely ostracized by having to stand out in front of a place of business and or retreat back to their vehicle. Although even people that smoke, will not smoke in their vehicle. I know that I always opened the window. I would end up with some kind of ear blockage from the air blowing around inside the vehicle, while driving. Ahh the little reminders of the hassles is another good deterrent. Peace!!
Friday, December 11, 2009
Winter Smoking
Living in the midwest and being a smoker is a tough go. I see the folks where I work at having to dress to the hilt before they head outside to smoke. With the weather being so cold lately it makes it doubly tough to do this. A few years ago that was I. This time last year I was not working, but still smoking and had to endure this weather while trying to get some smoke in me. Wow what a hassle!
I am grateful that is not I this year. Looking back it seems like a prime way to get a cold. Of course it is sure hard to enjoy anything when one is cold. Breathing in the cold air and the smoke probably makes the health consequences that much worse. As I have said before "but for the grace of God there go I". Blogging this evening reminds me to not take newly found freedom from cigarettes for granted. Peace!
I am grateful that is not I this year. Looking back it seems like a prime way to get a cold. Of course it is sure hard to enjoy anything when one is cold. Breathing in the cold air and the smoke probably makes the health consequences that much worse. As I have said before "but for the grace of God there go I". Blogging this evening reminds me to not take newly found freedom from cigarettes for granted. Peace!
Sunday, December 6, 2009
5 months
For lack of a better title I used the words “5 months”. It has been 5 months since I last smoked. I feel good about that. Today being a Saturday and somewhat of a lazier day, I had the urge to smoke, but did not give in. This too shall pass! I do know that a part of me will probably always want to smoke. Hopefully I will always think it out before I go puffing on a cigarette. I think when the urge comes on strongest is when I am spending time with people that I used to smoke with as I did today.
As I am writing this I am thinking of the damage that my friend is doing to himself through his insistence on not quitting cigarettes. I know that his doctor has told him to quit and he has access to be able to get a prescription for Chantix, which I think, is the best way to quit. However but for the grace of god there go I. So in essence I need consider myself lucky that I have quit for a while and that I have this tool called blogging. I probably won't be around smokers for a while now so I should be able to more at ease about continuing to not smoke.
I now understand why reformed smokers such as myself are sometimes very reluctant to spend anytime around a smoker. It is just to easy to say "let me borrow a cigarette". However that is an odd thing to say. What are you going to do, give the butt back to them? Well anyways peace.
As I am writing this I am thinking of the damage that my friend is doing to himself through his insistence on not quitting cigarettes. I know that his doctor has told him to quit and he has access to be able to get a prescription for Chantix, which I think, is the best way to quit. However but for the grace of god there go I. So in essence I need consider myself lucky that I have quit for a while and that I have this tool called blogging. I probably won't be around smokers for a while now so I should be able to more at ease about continuing to not smoke.
I now understand why reformed smokers such as myself are sometimes very reluctant to spend anytime around a smoker. It is just to easy to say "let me borrow a cigarette". However that is an odd thing to say. What are you going to do, give the butt back to them? Well anyways peace.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Thanksgiving
I am of course grateful that I am not smoking and it has been a while since I have smoked. I have quite a cold but I was thinking that maybe my lungs are still clearing themselves out a bit. I was at my aunt's and uncle's yesterday for Thanksgiving and it was nice. I took a walk with a few of my cousins and one of them lit up a cigar. I briefly thought about asking for one, but realized that could be the slippery slope that leads me back.
In my past attempts to quit I smoked cigars and the usage and or the number of cigars I smoked increased until finally I did go back to cigarettes. This time before stopped I smoked up all the cigars and made sure that there was no smoking materials in my house. So far so good. The other thing that I have done differently is of course this blog, which really helps. Peace!
In my past attempts to quit I smoked cigars and the usage and or the number of cigars I smoked increased until finally I did go back to cigarettes. This time before stopped I smoked up all the cigars and made sure that there was no smoking materials in my house. So far so good. The other thing that I have done differently is of course this blog, which really helps. Peace!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Great American Smokeout
In honor of the "great american smokeout" being today I though that I should post a link to the site.
Great American Smokeout
Great American Smokeout
Friday, November 6, 2009
4 months
Feeling a little antsy this evening but that is okay. If not antsy the term would be energetic. I can say for sure some of it can be attributed to my increased energy as a result of not smoking. When smoking I was always aware how smoking zaps one's energy, especially as I got older.
As I do some reflecting I was once again able to see people smoking at my place of employment and how they were trying to get the smoke into their system. I guess that its kind of like one might take in food. Of course that is where the comparison stops with cigarettes being unhealthy. I could see the sense of urgency as one might eat with limited time, kind of a gulping.
As I was driving home from work I was thinking of a couple of my cousins that are social smokers, if there is such as thing. They can take it or leave it and would occasionally get a cigarette, from me when I was smoking and have one with me. They rarely had there own pack and were not at all concerned if they had cigarettes in their possession. Of course as I thought more I do realize as I have said many times before I don't smoke like that and will not try to kid myself. "One is to many and a thousand is not enough". Keeping that in mind I stopped daydreaming about the cigarette smoking and popped a lozenge in my mouth.
As always the simple act of blogging helps keep my commitment to this non-smoking thing. Peace!
As I do some reflecting I was once again able to see people smoking at my place of employment and how they were trying to get the smoke into their system. I guess that its kind of like one might take in food. Of course that is where the comparison stops with cigarettes being unhealthy. I could see the sense of urgency as one might eat with limited time, kind of a gulping.
As I was driving home from work I was thinking of a couple of my cousins that are social smokers, if there is such as thing. They can take it or leave it and would occasionally get a cigarette, from me when I was smoking and have one with me. They rarely had there own pack and were not at all concerned if they had cigarettes in their possession. Of course as I thought more I do realize as I have said many times before I don't smoke like that and will not try to kid myself. "One is to many and a thousand is not enough". Keeping that in mind I stopped daydreaming about the cigarette smoking and popped a lozenge in my mouth.
As always the simple act of blogging helps keep my commitment to this non-smoking thing. Peace!
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Happy Halloween
I have not posted in a while and needed to post. It seems that if I ever do go back to smoking that it would be on the weekend when I have free time. I am doing okay however and as you may see by the meter it has been a few 24 hours so to speak. I am still doing the lozenges as a crutch. I am not sure if I need to. Possibly I should try to transition to gum. It would be healthier and cheaper.
The one observation that I have for this writing, as probably most people know is a simple one. The world is filled with non-smokers. The other observation that as the weather gets colder as long as stick with the non smoking I won't be subject to having to go out in the cold weather. I observed the downside as people gather in the smoker’s area at work. It was cold the other day. The smokers seem to be cold and of course they’re in a hurry to suck as much smoke as they can in a small amount of time. It definitely looks kind of foolish. Let me also say that just a short time ago I could be one of those folks and could be in the future. But for today I won't. As I have heard many times "but for the grace, their go I".
The one observation that I have for this writing, as probably most people know is a simple one. The world is filled with non-smokers. The other observation that as the weather gets colder as long as stick with the non smoking I won't be subject to having to go out in the cold weather. I observed the downside as people gather in the smoker’s area at work. It was cold the other day. The smokers seem to be cold and of course they’re in a hurry to suck as much smoke as they can in a small amount of time. It definitely looks kind of foolish. Let me also say that just a short time ago I could be one of those folks and could be in the future. But for today I won't. As I have heard many times "but for the grace, their go I".
Saturday, October 17, 2009
My weekly post
I just wanted to post and let folks know that I am doing okay and not smoking. I actually have a bit of cold. However the cold is so much less than the usual colds I had while smoking. As I had said earlier the simple act of blogging about not smoking seems to help considerably.
As I write this I am running through my head how important it is that I don't smoke. I don't want to take for granted what this means to me. I have just had my first lozenge of the day and it is late in the day. However as I had said earlier I am supposed to be weaned off of the lozenges by now. I don't think twice about going a little bit beyond the recommended usage dates. I would think that it is simply a guide. My use of lozenges is so much less than they were in my initial days and weeks stopping. Also I would much rather smell like cappuccino and or coffee than cigarettes.
Lastly life is much simpler without smoking. No more having to run to the store and turn the fan on in the living room. It is certainly a "one day at a time" endeavor.
As I write this I am running through my head how important it is that I don't smoke. I don't want to take for granted what this means to me. I have just had my first lozenge of the day and it is late in the day. However as I had said earlier I am supposed to be weaned off of the lozenges by now. I don't think twice about going a little bit beyond the recommended usage dates. I would think that it is simply a guide. My use of lozenges is so much less than they were in my initial days and weeks stopping. Also I would much rather smell like cappuccino and or coffee than cigarettes.
Lastly life is much simpler without smoking. No more having to run to the store and turn the fan on in the living room. It is certainly a "one day at a time" endeavor.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
90 Days and or 3 months
I try not to place too much importance on time. The reason I say that is that one's mind set is what is truly going get someone to be comfortable with change. I am content that I have reached 3 months and or 90 days without cigarettes. My lungs thanks me as does my heart.
However my abdomen is getting larger, as I seem to eat more. I am sure that my increased weight is a result of my not smoking and that oral fixation that goes along with smoking. I am realizing that I don't want to put on too much weight as a result of my not smoking.
Also I am still using the lozenges that I was supposed to be off of as of this time period in my non-smoking life. I guess what I am saying is that I am not perfect. However I am "getting err done".
However my abdomen is getting larger, as I seem to eat more. I am sure that my increased weight is a result of my not smoking and that oral fixation that goes along with smoking. I am realizing that I don't want to put on too much weight as a result of my not smoking.
Also I am still using the lozenges that I was supposed to be off of as of this time period in my non-smoking life. I guess what I am saying is that I am not perfect. However I am "getting err done".
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Getting there
Slowly but surely I am start to get a few days behind that have been smoke free. I have to say that my lungs are still clearing themselves out. I would have thought by now that would be over by now. Little do I know? I can however say that my breathing is relaxed and unobstructed and that is good. I have been working during the week and not posting as much as I was initially.
I do know that the longest I have quit in my adult life is 8 months and that is the long-term goal. The short-term goal is 3 months, which is just around the corner. With winter coming I'll be doing myself a favor by not smoking. I won't have to go outside when the cold Canadian air starts blowing and my circulation will continue to improve.
My last observation for this evening is I was in traffic on my way to golf and the woman in front of me was smoking. I noticed that she did as I had before and I have seen others do. She put the cigarette out the window to burn when at the light so as to not get too much smoke in the car. The whole thing looked awkward as I imagined I had before.
I do know that the longest I have quit in my adult life is 8 months and that is the long-term goal. The short-term goal is 3 months, which is just around the corner. With winter coming I'll be doing myself a favor by not smoking. I won't have to go outside when the cold Canadian air starts blowing and my circulation will continue to improve.
My last observation for this evening is I was in traffic on my way to golf and the woman in front of me was smoking. I noticed that she did as I had before and I have seen others do. She put the cigarette out the window to burn when at the light so as to not get too much smoke in the car. The whole thing looked awkward as I imagined I had before.
Friday, September 25, 2009
My new smell
Today at work I think I got a roundabout compliment. I had pulled out the tube that my Comitt Lozenges are packaged in. My co-worker asked, "What is that"? I let her know that it is my cigarettes. That is what I call my lozenges that I use. She then replied, " That is why you smell like mocha". She should have said cappuccino. How many times in a week does one use the word cappuccino? Probably none. I asked would you rather I smell like cigarettes or cappuccino? Of course her answer was cappuccino.
It is the little things like that, that help to re affirm that I am doing the right thing by stopping smoking. Of course the added energy I feel throughout the day is another plus. I would have to also say that I am now able to use my time so much more efficiently as one may surmise. Cigarette smoking is such a ritual. I can now say that at times I will watch a person smoke now and can see that in most case it just doesn't look right. By that I mean it seems like an awkward struggle. I am sure that there were many times that I looked awkward smoking. Lastly I have to still keep in mind that I am not that far removed from that awkward struggle.
It is the little things like that, that help to re affirm that I am doing the right thing by stopping smoking. Of course the added energy I feel throughout the day is another plus. I would have to also say that I am now able to use my time so much more efficiently as one may surmise. Cigarette smoking is such a ritual. I can now say that at times I will watch a person smoke now and can see that in most case it just doesn't look right. By that I mean it seems like an awkward struggle. I am sure that there were many times that I looked awkward smoking. Lastly I have to still keep in mind that I am not that far removed from that awkward struggle.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Feeling Good
I am feeling pretty good today. Unfortunately the self-destructive part of my mind is telling me to have a cigarette. I won't give in, but it surprises me. This too shall pass. As I know I don't just smoke one. I'll be back and smoking. The bloggin helps me to have a commitment to this non-smoking thing.
I am still doing the Commit lozenges. The lozenges definitely help. I have switched to the 2 mg cappuccino lozenges from the 4 mg. I am definitely using fewer lozenges, as I should as per the instructions. I at this time should start thinking about transitioning to regular gum.
I am still doing the Commit lozenges. The lozenges definitely help. I have switched to the 2 mg cappuccino lozenges from the 4 mg. I am definitely using fewer lozenges, as I should as per the instructions. I at this time should start thinking about transitioning to regular gum.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Liking not smoking
I am starting to like not smoking. I definitely have quite a bit more energy and seem to require less sleep to feel ready to go for the day. I don't miss having to open my sliding door in my living room to funnel in clean air so my condo doesn't smell like smoke. I am definitely saving money as well as I am noticing that food tastes better.
On the downside I am eating probably a little too much. Did not bicycle this week. I'll have to find time one of the days this week after work. I don't want to put on too much weight as a result of not smoking. Lastly I have recently passed the 2-month mark for not smoking. It is not a lot of time but a good start.
On the downside I am eating probably a little too much. Did not bicycle this week. I'll have to find time one of the days this week after work. I don't want to put on too much weight as a result of not smoking. Lastly I have recently passed the 2-month mark for not smoking. It is not a lot of time but a good start.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Saturday, September 5, 2009
How Long Does Nicotine Stay in Your System?
It's no secret - smoking kills. While most of the harmful effects of smoking can be attributed to the chemicals and tar that's contained in tobacco smoke, the effects of nicotine should not be overlooked. Millions of people suffer from an addiction to cigarettes. Because of this, it's easy to see why nicotine is considered one of the most addictive drugs available. Like most drugs, it stays in the body, even when you are not smoking.
Easy to inhale - hard to get rid of
The length of time it stays in the body largely depends on how regular of a smoker you are. For people who only smoke once in a while, traces of nicotine can be gone in just a few days. However for someone who smokes several packs a day, it will take a lot longer. Generally these heavy smokers can expect to have traces of nicotine in their blood stream for up to 30 days after the last cigarette is smoked.
How to speed up the process
The good news is there are natural ways of accelerating the process.
Drink your water: water and other healthy beverages have been known to ride a body of all kinds of toxins, including nicotine.
Vitamins does a body good: Vitamin C is an antioxidant that has been known to help as well. In this way, not only is a person helping themselves to get the drug out of their system quicker, but also helping themselves to get their bodies healthier in the process.
Working out: not only does exercise help a person deal with the cravings, but it can metabolize all toxins that are in the body.
Conclusion
It's so important to quit smoking as soon as possible. The methods listed above will only be effective after you stop for good.
Easy to inhale - hard to get rid of
The length of time it stays in the body largely depends on how regular of a smoker you are. For people who only smoke once in a while, traces of nicotine can be gone in just a few days. However for someone who smokes several packs a day, it will take a lot longer. Generally these heavy smokers can expect to have traces of nicotine in their blood stream for up to 30 days after the last cigarette is smoked.
How to speed up the process
The good news is there are natural ways of accelerating the process.
Drink your water: water and other healthy beverages have been known to ride a body of all kinds of toxins, including nicotine.
Vitamins does a body good: Vitamin C is an antioxidant that has been known to help as well. In this way, not only is a person helping themselves to get the drug out of their system quicker, but also helping themselves to get their bodies healthier in the process.
Working out: not only does exercise help a person deal with the cravings, but it can metabolize all toxins that are in the body.
Conclusion
It's so important to quit smoking as soon as possible. The methods listed above will only be effective after you stop for good.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Old Behaviors
As of this writing I am back working regular hours at a regular job. It has been a good week. On my second day back when my break came I did think of a cigarette. It was something that I used to do. It was something that I thought relieved stress. However I did not give in and the thought passed pretty quickly. The work can be stressful, but at this point I can see that smoking would just add more stress. I would have to leave the building to smoke and go out into the parking lot into the designated smoking areas. My breaks are just 15 minutes and I know that I would be making my schedule adherence numbers drop. At this particular job I have smoked and not smoked back in 2007 and 2008. When smoking there was a time that I simply took more time than allotted and I am sure that I reeked of tobacco. A kind of nice thing happened at lunch a woman that I did not know said, " I am liking the smell of those peppers". I was having a Taco Salad with a topping of Jalapeno Peppers. If I were smoking she would have probably not smelled the peppers but the smell of tobacco that I usually smelled like.
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