EvolutionHealth.care

Home
Main Forum
Quit Smoking
Introduce Yourself!
Just quit and just joined

Advanced Search Form

Just quit and just joined

17 years ago 0 +0 / -0 3368

The feeling that your concentration is not as good or that your mind now lives in a fog is experienced, to one degree or another, by almost two-thirds of recovering nicotine addicts. The return of our clearness of mind and concentration levels may seem gradual but within two weeks most begin experiencing concentration levels very close to those of never-smokers. Poor concentration, focus and thought can also be associated with low blood sugar. It's important to understand that nicotine force-fed us stored fats and sugars with each new puff. It's why so many of us could skip breakfast and/or lunch and yet not feel hungry. Smoking nicotine caused our brain to release adrenaline which in turn prepared us for the "fight or flight mode" by pumping stored fats and sugars into our blood stream (the bad artery clogging fats). Once we stop putting nicotine into our body the adrenaline fat feedings end. If you continue to attempt skipping meals, your blood sugar will plummet along with your concentration, as nicotine is no longer your spoon. It isn't necessary to eat more food but only to spread your normal daily food intake out more evenly over your entire day. Women would be well advised to put a very small amount of fuel into their stomach about every three hours and men at least every five. During only the first 72 hours (as it can be fattening) natural fruit juices (cranberry is excellent) will not only aid with helping stabilize blood sugar but may actually help accelerate the rate at which nicotine metabolizes just a wee bit. Even if you can't correct the entire problem by stabilizing blood sugar and you're forced to push yourself a bit more than normal in order to live up to your old expectations, concentration improvement appears to be fairly steady and relief won't be long in coming. You may also want to temporarily reduce or avoid alcohol use, which reduces brain oxygen, and obviously impairs concentration. Brisk walks or other physical exercise and slow deep breathing will deliver additional focus giving oxygen to your mind. Remember, life-giving oxygen is a far healthier brain stimulant than any addictive substance. Trust in you. It�s only temporary. Flash - a new medical study was released in May 2002 indicating that heavy nico

Quit Meter

$54,512.40

Amount Saved
Quit Meter

Days: 5957 Hours: 5

Minutes: 58 Seconds: 3

Life Gained
Quit Meter

45427

Smoke Free Days
Quit Meter

136,281

Cigarettes Not Smoked

17 years ago 0 +0 / -0 3368

I didn't want to turn into one of those people either. I swore I never would ... LOL! But I have read too much information since I've quit. I did not quit to then expose myself to secondhand smoke. [IMG]http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a17/Daniwiz/full-poste777.jpg[/IMG] ROFL!! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/12/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 68 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 2,053 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $272 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 5 [B]Hrs:[/B] 18 [B]Mins:[/B] 10 [B]Seconds:[/B] 28

Quit Meter

$54,512.40

Amount Saved
Quit Meter

Days: 5957 Hours: 5

Minutes: 58 Seconds: 3

Life Gained
Quit Meter

45427

Smoke Free Days
Quit Meter

136,281

Cigarettes Not Smoked

17 years ago 0 +0 / -0 3368

After you've gotten through Hell & Heck Week ... don't forget to come to the Cliff Top Cafe to CELEBRATE! [IMG]http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a17/Daniwiz/a122.gif[/IMG] [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/12/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 74 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 2,246 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $296 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 6 [B]Hrs:[/B] 7 [B]Mins:[/B] 12 [B]Seconds:[/B] 45

Quit Meter

$54,512.40

Amount Saved
Quit Meter

Days: 5957 Hours: 5

Minutes: 58 Seconds: 3

Life Gained
Quit Meter

45427

Smoke Free Days
Quit Meter

136,281

Cigarettes Not Smoked

17 years ago 0 +0 / -0 8760

Hi Caddie, Glad to hear you're doing well on day 3 and you're finding the support you need. Surf the forums, many members have had to find ways to cope with the temptation of having spouses who smoke. Danielle ________________________ The SSC Support Team

17 years ago 0 +0 / -0 8760

Caddie, Good job! Did you reward yourself for your first smoke free day? Don't forget to have a look through our quit program. Have you given any thought to the temptations that may present themselves when you're husband returns? How will you resist this temptation? Keep up the good work, Danielle ____________________________ The SSC Support Team

17 years ago 0 +0 / -0 534

Caddie, Welcome to the journey to being smoke free. It's a longer trip than you first think. That is we don't give up helping after 3 weeks. We are here 24/7 so when you need help just sign in and post for help. It usually doesn't take more that 5 minutes for someone to answer, so you start reading old threads until someone does. Keep checking back every few minutes until you get someone. What to do for the first days, Keep those hands busy, keep your mind distracted, keep your mouth busy with something else. Lots of water to flush your system, juice and fruit to keep your blood sugar up, straws and toothpicks or cinnamon sticks to keep your mouth occupied. Buy a finger puzzle, a yoyo, some jacks, a squishy ball, a deck of cards to shuffle. Do dishes, take a shower, water the yard, play with a kid in the pool, go swimming. Take a walk, a hike, a run. Plan a picnic, a date, clean the whole house, wash curtains. That should keep you busy until tomorrow. ;) Cheryl [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 7/4/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 378 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 9,090 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1077.3 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 49 [B]Hrs:[/B] 12 [B]Mins:[/B] 47 [B]Seconds:[/B] 11

17 years ago 0 +0 / -0 534

Look at you, just waltzing through this. You are doing so well! Don't forget to plan a nice reward for the end of the first week, you are getting closer each day. Cheryl [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 7/4/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 380 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 9,138 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1083 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 49 [B]Hrs:[/B] 19 [B]Mins:[/B] 2 [B]Seconds:[/B] 24

17 years ago 0 +0 / -0 2027

Hi, Caddie. You've already got a ton of great advice on the concentration issue, so I won't try to sound like an echo. :) One reality of quitting smoking, or any addiction for that matter, is that people who have never broken an addiction do not have a clue about what you are going through. That's not saying anything bad about them, it's just that they have no experience or frame of reference. As a result, they cannot provide any real support. Don't get upset with them, it's not their fault. That's why we are here. Let us and your ex-smoker friend provide the real support. Yes, second-hand smoke affects pets. Not only do they inhale it, but it settles on their fur and they ingest it when they clean themselves. If you haven't already done so, I suggest you go through this site's Online Quit Program. It's full of great information and tips to help you have a successful quit. I'm glad you've decided to join us, Caddie. Shevie [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/23/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 422 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 8,442 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1603.6 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 78 [B]Hrs:[/B] 16 [B]Mins:[/B] 30 [B]Seconds:[/B] 28

17 years ago 0 +0 / -0 586

Welcome Caddie and Congratulations! Don't worry, these folks won't be strangers long. :) This site will work wonders if you allow it to. I suggest you read everything you can during this time. Have you worked the program here yet? It's excellent...and the meter is a great motivational tool that you might enjoy. As for the lack of concentration, it'll pass. It's actually a sign that chemicals are leaving your system so it's a good thing. During the first few days, just be as kind and gentle to yourself as you can. Treat yourself as if you had the flu... plenty of rest, fluids and nutrition. (and a sinfully good treat here and there works wonders too). I also smoked 30 years and I feel I've made it and there are so many here that have smoked WAY longer and have been successful. You can do this too :) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/2/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 530 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 10,615 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1892.1 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 56 [B]Hrs:[/B] 4 [B]Mins:[/B] 47 [B]Seconds:[/B] 24

Quit Meter

$18,726.46

Amount Saved
Quit Meter

Days: 691 Hours: 14

Minutes: 6 Seconds: 50

Life Gained
Quit Meter

4814

Smoke Free Days
Quit Meter

96,280

Cigarettes Not Smoked

17 years ago 0 +0 / -0 586

Caddie, LOL at leaving the scene before the crime is committed. I'm just dropping by to congratulate you on completing hell week! Great job... Plan those rewards. :) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/2/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 538 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 10,777 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1920.66 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 57 [B]Hrs:[/B] 1 [B]Mins:[/B] 19 [B]Seconds:[/B] 53

Quit Meter

$18,726.46

Amount Saved
Quit Meter

Days: 691 Hours: 14

Minutes: 6 Seconds: 50

Life Gained
Quit Meter

4814

Smoke Free Days
Quit Meter

96,280

Cigarettes Not Smoked

Reading this thread:

today's top discussions:

This Month’s Leaders:

Most Supportive

Most Active

Most Loved

Just quit and just joined