My first full day as an ex-smoker

[HarryCaray]

My congrats on this important change! I quit smoking a year ago. Still think it was my best desigions ever. Was a bit difficcult in the beginning, but it's mostly a psychological thing as you get used to hold something in your hands while chatting, thinking, just for a break. I read a book of Allen Carr, it didn't help immediately but put a seed into my head. I quit bcz I really wanted to, one day just woke up with this thought. Have been smoking for 12 years. Good luck!

Thanks Bernardo.

I have read that book. It is incredibly popular. It didn't really do much for me right away either, but I wasn't ready to quit anyway (got it as a gift).

I still find myself thinking about certain concepts from that book though, so it must have planted a seed, as you suggested.

Congrats on being smoke free for a year. :toast:

 

[HarryCaray]

hahaha..

It's brutal.

Situation:

We are watching the Dodger game, having a few beers.

he is dying for a smoke so we all chimed in. He is at $168.00 if he does not smoke during the game (top of the 4th). Owes noting if he fails.

Did he win?

 

[brendanjack]

Good luck bro , Buy some tea tree chewing sticks there flavored did me wonders years ago when i quit the nasty habit.

 

[HarryCaray]

Good luck bro , Buy some tea tree chewing sticks there flavored did me wonders years ago when i quit the nasty habit.

I forgot about those things! Used to chew them in high school. I'll have to order a few packs.

Thanks

 

[Keef]

Did he win?

He lasted the game but by the end of the night smoked a few he bummed off of
others.

Talked to him today and he is at his typical half a pack for the day.

Man, the social aspect seems to be as hard as the physical aspect.

 

[HarryCaray]

Some douchebag rated this thread 1 star. Hahahaha. I don't care but God there are some miserable fucks running around the internet.

Because he's probably a smoker. Great job so far.

How can you tell if someone only gives a thread 1 star

A little birdie told me who was doing this. Greenbacks is going into every thread I start and rating it 1 star. Pathetic.

Guy says I have no life. Hahaha

 

[HarryCaray]

17 days smoke free now.

I have been off the Chantix for 4 days. So I was only on it for about 3 weeks total.

I am sensitive about being on meds for too long a period of time. Cut my dose in half for 3 days and then stopped all together.

There was definitely a second wave of withdrawal/cravings for the first 2-3 days, but they seem to be subsiding now.

 

[ML Dog]

17 days smoke free now.

I have been off the Chantix for 4 days. So I was only on it for about 3 weeks total.

I am sensitive about being on meds for too long a period of time. Cut my dose in half for 3 days and then stopped all together.

There was definitely a second wave of withdrawal/cravings for the first 2-3 days, but they seem to be subsiding now.

I Hope you never smoke again. You're strong enough to do this, and you know this. You and every ChicagoLand Guy prides themselves on their Strength, part & parcel of "surviving" a ChiTown-Region Upbringing. Surviving "this" and emerging a Non-Smoker is 100% down to That Strength, which you do have.

Only Question is: will you summon That Strength? If Challenge comes? Or will you submit to Weakness? Make an Excuse to yourself ( A BARGAIN), to Surrender? To let yourself Get Beaten by Impulse & Habit & a Temporary Craving (that would pass), things so so so so much Less Strong

than You are? Or, that is to say: Are Capable of Being?


I Hope that you're able to Summon That Strength, that you do have cuz...

stopping this smoking shit is among the best decisions you will make in your life.

 

[valium]

Harry, if IIRC you also stopped alcohol a year or two ago. Your going so straight if you quit gambling you can go on tv as a evangelist and make some big money. LOL But really keep up the good fight against the cigs and Greenbacks. He can be the biggest D-bag at times.

 

[HarryCaray]

Thanks man. Appreciate it.

Nothing is for sure but I think I will beat it for good.

 

[HarryCaray]

Harry, if IIRC you also stopped alcohol a year or two ago. Your going so straight if you quit gambling you can go on tv as a evangelist and make some big money. LOL But really keep up the good fight against the cigs and Greenbacks. He can be the biggest D-bag at times.

Yeah I quit drinking in 2012. Drank once 2 years ago, that lasted about 24 hours, then back on the wagon.

Anyway yeah, no shit, I'm turning into Ned fucking Flanders over here. I'm only going after the vices that are literally going to kill me though. So gambling is fine for now.

 

[valium]

My mother and father both smoked all their lives. Both tried to quit many many times. Never successful long term. Father did not quit even after my Mother died from a miserable smoking related cancer. At 85 father gets the news that the tumor on his lung is cancerous. He never smoked again. i use to kid him, now you quit, you might as well smoke now. the odds of him beating it at his age and the cancer he had was almost nil. He lasted a year and never did smoke after the cancer diagnosis. Quitting is extremely difficult. My hat is off to anyone who has.

 

[Bernardo]

The funny thing is that when I quit smoking I started to be really interested in sports. I also reduced beers, because I wouldn't be able to do sport (and feel good) after. Now voila - I lost weight, nearly don't drink, don't smoke. My life changed a lot within just a little over a year. I am very happy about that. I believe everybody can quit (if he/she wants), because if one does it for another person (wife, kids..) the effect won't last long.

 

[HarryCaray]

3 weeks in today.

I don't want to paint the picture that this is all peaches and cream. Every once in awhile I hit a rough patch. Last night was brutal. For some unknown reason I had bad cravings all night after dinner. Not sure what's going on - I exercised and ate normally yesterday. Just one of those things.

I still made it through. Hopefully those days get fewer and farther between.

I probably went off the Chantix a bit too early, but it is what it is now. I'm without a net.

 

[MattyMatt]

3 weeks in today.

I don't want to paint the picture that this is all peaches and cream. Every once in awhile I hit a rough patch. Last night was brutal. For some unknown reason I had bad cravings all night after dinner. Not sure what's going on - I exercised and ate normally yesterday. Just one of those things.

I still made it through. Hopefully those days get fewer and farther between.

I probably went off the Chantix a bit too early, but it is what it is now. I'm without a net.

I feel ya. For some reason,I was craving the ganj last night as well,but I held strong,somehow...lol

Way to stay strong and keep at it my dude...

 

[HarryCaray]

I feel ya. For some reason,I was craving the ganj last night as well,but I held strong,somehow...lol

Way to stay strong and keep at it my dude...

Thanks matt

Why'd you quit smoking herb? I don't think you ever told me.

 

[MattyMatt]

Thanks matt

Why'd you quit smoking herb? I don't think you ever told me.

Several reasons I guess...

New outlook on life in a way. Admittedly,gotten a little lazier than norm and it's time to get back after it hardcore. And mainly,I want a new job as I quit mine to be a SAHD last year,and it's now that time again. This has made it the roughest part of quitting bc looking for a job is more stressful than having one,honestly. Really would like to entertain relocating too,but I can't get anyone to bite. Sucks.

Ole girl is burning beside me as I type this. Smells good! Lol

 

[HarryCaray]

Several reasons I guess...

New outlook on life in a way. Admittedly,gotten a little lazier than norm and it's time to get back after it hardcore. And mainly,I want a new job as I quit mine to be a SAHD last year,and it's now that time again. This has made it the roughest part of quitting bc looking for a job is more stressful than having one,honestly. Really would like to entertain relocating too,but I can't get anyone to bite. Sucks.

Ole girl is burning beside me as I type this. Smells good! Lol

Where are you willing to move? What is your background?

PM me. Might be able to help.

 

[HarryCaray]

Finally put down the cigs for good after smoking a pack of Reds a day for the last 21 years.

Started taking Chantix 9 days ago. On day 3 I cut down to 8 per day. On day 5, five per day. Yesterday I had three, and my last pack was gone, and I will not buy another.

I'm posting this for 2 reasons. First off to hold myself accountable, even if it is to a bunch of internet strangers.

Second, and most important, is to hopefully inspire someone else who doesn't think they can quit to give it a shot. If I can do this, trust me, anyone can.

So far I have already noticed major improvements in the way I feel, which I'm sure will only get better. I felt better waking up this morning than I have in a decade. I'm sure today will be a little rough, but Chantix is supposed to help with the w/d, and I'm excited to start my life as a non-smoker. I have no idea what it feels like.

I will document the journey - both good and bad - here.

1 month since this post. Still haven't had one puff of a cig or any nicotine whatsoever.

It has started to get easier, I find I am pretty much out of the habit and almost never think about it.

The other thing it has done for me is create positive momentum. I have been motivated to make some other healthy changes in my lifestyle.

If you're thinking about doing this, just know that you CAN do it and it IS worth it.

 

[Betallsports]

1 month since this post. Still haven't had one puff of a cig or any nicotine whatsoever.

It has started to get easier, I find I am pretty much out of the habit and almost never think about it.

The other thing it has done for me is create positive momentum. I have been motivated to make some other healthy changes in my lifestyle.

If you're thinking about doing this, just know that you CAN do it and it IS worth it.

Great job Harry ... keep it up

I 100% plan on joining you Jan 1st