Today (February 23, 2011) is my quit day and, wow, it's hard but so far, so good.
I'm a Newfoundlander, now working in Winnipeg. I've smoked more than a pack daily for the past 15 years.
I want to be wealthier and healthier. I've tried to quit several times in the past but never with any formal support (lots of support from family and friends, of course). I've made it as long as 6 months but usually give up earlier, as soon as I notice myself gaining weight.
So today it's carrot sticks and mint toothpicks...
My Mileage:
My Quit Date: 2/23/2011 Smoke-Free Days: 0 Cigarettes Not Smoked: 0 Amount Saved: $0.00 Life Gained: Days: 0 Hrs: 1 Mins: 39 Seconds: 13
So far I find playing with mint toothpicks, eating baby-cut carrots, deep breathing exercises, walking up/down a flight of stairs, and taking a quick walk around the city block to be the most effective... coping mechanisms.
Withdrawal is worse than cravings, in the long run, right? Hahaha... I forget. I do remember being surprised by how unexpectedly difficult it was the second/third week last time I tried to quit.
One question - how do I update my Support Group Settings? It uploaded my avatar, but everytime I try to change any of the settings and click save, it just reverts back to default. So I can't add a signature, etc.
Also... just got home from work. I'm making supper and simultaneously throwing out my (full of tempting butts) ashtrays.
Still doesn't work. I do see the picture I uploaded under "Your current picture icon:" but I can't change any of the other settings:
Show me this many posts per page: 15
Show your picture icon: No
Show if you are male or female: No
Show what country you are from: No
Show your age: No
My Occupation:
My Hobbies:
Your signature:
I change the defaults and enter what I want into the appropriate fields - but when I click Update my Profile it goes through the motions, returns to the main Support Group site, but saves nothing. If I click on Support Group Settings again, everything is back to default.
I made it through yesterday. :) I had some pretty bad symptoms though - I couldn't even sleep properly. But that's fine. I'm tired but proud today, hahaha...
And now I'm sitting at my desk, eating fresh berries, drinking green tea, and chewing mint toothpicks.All of my coworkers have already caught on and are either no longer asking me to go for a smoke or are stopping by to wish me luck. Feels good - we'll see how it goes today... I'm doing it regardless, but I hope it's easy.
I'm only on my second day but this post already helped, hahaha. It helps me keep the right mindset.
I struggle because I've tried to quit so many times before, and I've told my family, friends and coworkers so many times before, that I feel the need to tone down how I feel. I feel like I have to say things like, "Well, maybe this time, hahaha!" because if I say things like, "This time I'm doing it!", everyone will roll their eyes and I won't get the kind of support I will if I'm a little timid and submissive about it.
But, whatever. ;) I'm staying strong in my mind and I've got a small, core group of people who want me to be successful so badly they support me like every time is my first try.
Since Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011, I've been smoke free: 2 days, 8 hours, 32 minutes.
I have saved $43.75 by not smoking 58 cigarettes.
Woohoo!
But, wow, it's hard. The only difference this time is that I'm so happy about it. I even jumped around a little out of joy before struggling to fall asleep last night, hahaha. So we'll see! I'm keeping my fingers crossed and my motivation up.
Last night was bizarre. I felt exhausted and went to sleep on the couch at around 7:30 p.m. (on a Friday night, hahaha!). I woke up around 10 p.m. and stayed up for 30-45 minutes just watching television. I fell asleep again. I woke up several more times throughout the night but didn't turn around to check the clock. And I woke up this morning for good at 6 a.m. I don't feel tired at all, just... mentally exhausted, hahaha.
I think I may have successfully transferred the, "OMG, GIMME!!!" psychological part of my addiction from cigarettes to mint toothpicks. I felt terrified and overwhelmed yesterday when I couldn't find them. I hope it's true. I can deal with that months from now, who cares. And it could make these coming weeks easier.
Menjy - I've only done that once this quit. A coworker was having an especially stressful day so we went outside. I brought my toothpick. It was hard - I zoned out for a bit of the conversation, just talking to myself, "No, no, no, I don't want one..." etc., hahaha.
Well, I'm still doing well! It seems to be getting easier and easier.
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