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Browse through 411.742 posts in 47.053 threads.

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11 years ago 0 32 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Introduction

Hi, Dave.  Why don't you post your own introduction and say a little bit more so we can get to know you.  I think it's great that you are preparing already for your quit date.  If you post your own introduction, I will respond more to what you have in mind.
11 years ago 0 32 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
3 days and counting...

Congratulations!  Sounds like you have a great attitude and are putting up with harder aspects with bravado.  You are almost at the same point as me so it's nice to see that someone else is finding their way through just like I am.  Can't wait till it's old hat and there's not such a battle about it.  Then relaxing with a cold one will be even better.
11 years ago 0 32 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Day 5.....

Hi, Jennifer.  Congratulations on your decision to quit.  I like you had stopped for a while, but started up again.  I find it very common when you read people's stories.
 
I also read that the nicotine basically leaves your system after 3 days, but there's more to smoking than nicotine.  It's a habit with different roots and meanings for different people.  So your cravings may be partly physical from lacking nicotine, but they may also be part of the psychology of your smoking past.  
 
I use two different things when I have cravings.  One is to do something to replace it with something simple or positive.  I like drinking fizzy flavored water.  It satisfies the oral craving and makes my mouth tingle and feel fresh.  Then I can compare it to lighting up and realize I like it better.  
 
The other thing I do is try to write in a journal and pin down why I'm feeling the way I'm feeling.  I don't always come up with an answer, but usually it distracts me.  And at times I've made real breakthroughs that help me later on. 
11 years ago 0 32 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Random reason Number _____:

Random reason #1) I can actually smell the ocean!
11 years ago 0 32 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Freedom

A word used a lot, but what does it mean to you?  How does quitting smoking relate to the ideas of freedom you have?
11 years ago 0 32 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
How could deep breathing help me?

I learned this technique from qualified health professionals.  It is a similar breathing exercise, but there is a little difference.  It works to relax the vagal nerve, which stretches through the torso and controls what we might call stressful reactions.
 
Only 3 breaths are necessary.  Breathe in through your nose, mouth slightly open, and pull down your diaphram until you feel like you may run out of room and go just beyond that.  Then squeeze the muscles of your pelvic floor (the ones you use for peeing and such).
 
Then blow out the breath through your mouth with a bit of push to it, again until you think you won't be able to breathe, and then start over again.  
 
Repeat 3 times.  It works.  It's physiology.  The vagal nerve ends in the pelvic floor and it controls the sympathetic nervous system, which is largely what creates a sense of anxiety and panic. 
11 years ago 0 32 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
How could deep breathing help me?

Well, I learned it from a doctor because I have an anxiety condition called Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.  Common ways to treat the symptoms include the use of benzodiazepines, which are like sedatives.  The benefit of using breathing in the way that they showed me is that it feels like you've taken a pill when in fact it's just your own nervous system reacting to muscular tension and release.  It actually has less to do with breathing than with the squeezing of the muscles that contract around the vagal nerve.  The sympathetic nervous system is the one that goes into overdrive when we are in a panic say, and the reverse is the parasympathetic nervous system, which comes into play if you do the breathing right.  It produces calm and focus, increases blood flow and digestion, the norm for most people.  I use it instead of taking a pill because the pills make you drowsy, whereas the breathing makes you feel fresh and alert though caution because some people get a bit of a head rush if they get too much oxygen.
11 years ago 0 32 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Food Cravings

I'm having strong cravings for salty, crunchy foods.  I don't usually buy snack foods so I don't have anything in the house but some light popcorn, which doesn't seem to satisfy the craving anyway.  I have some healthy crackers which I eat with a ripe tomato.  Occasionally I'll add a bit of sharp cheddar cheese since I don't eat enough protein in general and then it's like a very tiny meal.
 
I don't have a scale so I don't know if I've gained weight or not, but I do feel bloated and uncomfortable in my gut.  I thought that was due to the fact that I'm also stopping an anti-depressant at the same time and it's been less than a week.
 
I also just moved and got settled in a new city and apartment.  Started getting up lots earlier to prepare for school which starts in a few weeks.  Lots of changes all at once. 
 
Though it may seem like too much, my mood and determination remain high, but I'm not taking any risks.  I'm staying on the 7 mg patch for a while and I've also quit drinking even just one little beer because I don't want to lower my ability to resist any temptation since the stress is pretty high right now.
 
I did find a good walk in my new area so I'm exercising again after a few weeks off for moving and settling.  That will probably eventually keep the weight off and make me feel better in general.  Right now though I feel a little edgier than I'd like to and I think it is the stress that is producing the cravings for salty stuff.  I read somewhere that cravings for salt are connected to adrenaline.
 
 
 
11 years ago 0 32 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Experiencing a lot of tension and anxiety

The problem isn't due to my quit, but the fact that I just moved to a new city, and the apartment has a shooting range across the street that they of course didn't mention before I signed the lease.  The apartment is really nice so many days it isn't a problem, but on the days that they are shooting, I tense up and can't do anything.  I have a few traumatic associations with gun fire so it's not surprising that it's bothering me so much.
 
I tried playing music and ear plugs, but they don't really help that much.  So I'm trying just pure exposure, letting myself hear it so I can absorb the shock and get used to it.  Still it's making me a bit crazy.  And when I get triggered psychologically, then I start worrying about whether I might go back to old habits.
 
 I've thought about going to a cafe or something, but it's hard for me to study.  Plus my books are large and heavy.  I don't think it would work out.   School has a few weeks before it starts so I still have time to figure this out.  
 
Any suggestions? 
11 years ago 0 32 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Food Cravings

Thanks for the response.  The message about trying to be superwoman rings true.  I realized it myself while I was journaling, which is one way I stay on track and also a reward because it's down time to myself.  
 
I did indulge my cravings yesterday with some pretzels, but after a little bit, I realized that I'd rather have a crunchy salad instead.
 
As to the question of not being superwoman, I decided that while I still have a little time before school starts that I'm not going to push as hard first of all.  Then I'm going to explore the City a little bit, maybe a walk on the beach and in the park.  Maybe a visit to a museum.
 
I added some fiber to my morning protein shake and it's started to help make my system feel better.  I've bought some African mango, which is a superfruit supplement used to remove toxins and improve metabolism.  I bought a scale and I have put on some weight, but I've lost a few pounds already, just with diet and exercise.  The African mango I hope will also help.
 
I realize I'm making a lot of changes all at once so my body isn't going to like it though my mood is good.  Also I've just turned 50 so I'm not taking that in really.  I feel younger so I feel like I can do more and more drastically than probably is reasonable.  To give myself a little credit, I had to move when I did and have a timeline before school starts so I feel like it's better to try to make these changes and feel uncomfortable when I can afford it, before I have a busy schedule and can't really take naps or relax with a TV show or my journal.