Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Another Day without Smoking

Hi, how is everyone? Staying Quit I hope.
Yeee gads, why do men piss off their wives - don't they understand it's detrimental to their overall well being? Well, mine has managed to start our day off on the wrong foot, complaining about what I'm not doing while he still isn't doing what I asked of him months ago (and continue to remind him of doing).
We have someone coming to stretch our carpeting this morning, doctor's appts and errands this afternoon and Halloween tonight (the "holiday" I like the least).
I have a lot to do before this time next week which is probably good as it will give me little time to think about smoking or cigarettes.

Not much to say today.

I am an addict, I understand I will always be one cigarette away from my pack a day habit.
I vow not to smoke today.

Monday, October 29, 2007

Day 34 without a cigarette

Another gorgeous day in South Texas - Wow, I can't ever remember this many glorious days in a row since we moved here in 1992.
I've really been wondering lately why I've been wanting to smoke, there is no other way to describe it except to say, I'd really like to sit outside on my patio with a cup of coffee in one hand and a cigarette in the other. This isn't to say that the wantings/urges/cravings or any other words used for it, are anything like they would have been prior to the Chantix but they are there nonetheless. The Chantix is lessening it's overall effect on me - dreams are less pronounced, difficulty sleeping is less pronounced, constipation is less too............OMG, could it be that the Chantix has hit it's apex with me and will continue to loose it's effect? I guess there are stranger things and everyone is different.........hmmmmm, I will tell my PCP about this when I see him next.
But, even with everything I said above, I have fought off those cigarette thoughts and I am still smoke free.

I hope everyone else is doing well with their quit.
Have a wonderful Monday friends!!!!

I am an addict, I understand I will always be one cigarette away from my pack a day habit.
I vow not to smoke today.

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Lost count of the # of days but still not smoking

Another gorgeous autumn day in South Texas. My dear husband and I went outside early this afternoon and cut tree limbs to drag out front for trash pick up - was exhausting but felt good to get the exercise.

The family crap continues and makes me happy as hell that I live here and they live 1000 miles away.

I was thinking......there have been a number of stressors present in the last few weeks that I have gotten through without smoking - yes I've thought about wanting a cigarette and yes even one time lit a cigarette for a single drag but I've made it through and unscathed. I tried something today that someone told me about (and it actually worked), I took a large long bolt and a nut and when I thought about a cigarette I instead would play with this nut and bolt, screwing on the nut and then unscrewing - urge went away and I kept those hands busy.

I think I'm making it though and that brings a smile to my face and a real sense of satisfaction to my spirit. In the process of this struggle I have also come in contact with some awesome men and women who share my struggle and without you all and the encouragement and love of my family, I would still be a smoker.
Thats my Ahhhhhh for today.

I am an addict, I understand I will always be one cigarette away from my pack a day habit.
I vow not to smoke today.

Saturday, October 27, 2007

Another Day WITHOUT SMOKING

Wow, I'm writing late today!
I hope everyone is doing something wonderful and relaxing this weekend and of course, not smoking :).
It was another gorgeous autumn day in South Texas, I slept wonderfully last night (only my second tremendous nights sleep since I started taking Chantix). My back injury is barely noticeable at all today so maybe life is returning to normal.
I have wanted to smoke a good part of the day but I've been working things out with a couple issues relating to the change in my computer operating system yesterday and when I'm messing with technology stuff I always get a little nervous (although I love tech toys).
I'm also dealing with a family issue............since y'all are about as close to me as family.............I'm the oldest of 7 children and I found out yesterday that my baby brother (the youngest of 7 and 16 years my junior) attempted suicide yesterday. I live in South Texas and the rest of the family lives in Missouri. Well anyway, he's alive and has been involuntarily committed for longer than the official 72 hours.

I guess this would make anyone want to smoke right?
I haven't smoked and I don't plan on smoking but damn it, I want a cigarette!!!!!!
I want that Ahhhhhhhh feeling, just for awhile (knowing me, I'd love that long lost friend so much I'd never stop). Okay, I'm talking myself out of smoking just knowing it would be a return to my old habit.

I hope everyone else is relaxed and enjoying their weekend smoke free.

I am an addict, I understand I will always be one cigarette away from my pack a day habit.
I vow not to smoke today.

Friday, October 26, 2007

Day 31 without smoking

Hello there fellow quitters!
I'm in a great mood today, my new Operating System (Leopard) arrived for the Macs in my house and it's so exciting, it's like getting a new toy!!!!!
BUT (yes there is Always a But)
When I play with new technologies and I have time while it's downloading, etc, I (used to) loved having a cigarette and then another to toast my victory. It was anti-climatic as far as that was concerned :( but then again, we woman are used to anti-climatic right :):):).

Y'all are my strength, keep that quit going!!!

I am an addict, I understand I will always be one cigarette away from my pack a day habit.
I vow not to smoke today.

Thursday, October 25, 2007

30 Days of being a NON-SMOKER

I don't know if I figure 27 days or 30 days to be my month but either way, I have a month under my belt - Wow! I'm doing my best not to think about smoking or cigarettes or whatever and just let life happen - do you think a blog is counter productive at a point? My only want right now is to stay a non-smoker and not even think about it. I want to just go on my merry way living life without cigarettes and not thinking about them. Are we our own worst enemy when it comes to the urges?

How is everyone else doing? I hope you are all keeping on your quit.
Thanks everyone, I couldn't do this without your encouragement!!

I am an addict, I understand I will always be one cigarette away from my pack a day habit.
I vow not to smoke today.

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Day 29 Still not smoking

Hi Everyone! How are the quits coming?
With only one drag in over 4 weeks, I'd say "So far, So Good". I never thought this would happen, never did I think I could go 4 weeks without smoking without hurting another human being ;). The anxiety I felt the one time I tried to quit was enough to never try again but that was before Chantix. I sure am happy that I wasn't one of the people that experienced the worst side effects that could happen with this drug.

When I look at my quit meter, I'm shocked at how many cigarettes I would have smoked (those numbers are on 20 cigarettes a day), it's no wonder I was coughing all the time and smelled like a dirty ashtray. ICK!!!!
Those days are behind me now and there are better days on the horizon.

To all of my quit buddies - thank you so much for being there, for your encouragement and companionship - Thank You!!!!

I am an addict, I understand I will always be one cigarette away from my pack a day habit.
I vow not to smoke today.

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Been a busy day - Day 28

Sorry I'm late today but I've had "stuff to do". How is everyone doing on their quit??

It's been a month now, 4 weeks, oh yes!!! Still not smoking and feeling a little more confident today, maybe that's because I got an awesome nights sleep last night. It was down in the 40's here (which is alot to say about South Texas) and I slept cuddled under my down comforter and I slept like a baby. I can hardly wait to sleep again tonight ;).

My smoking sister and her husband will be arriving two weeks from tomorrow and I'm in hopes my Chantix can keep me grounded enough not to be miserable wanting to smoke the whole time they are here. I know, cross that bridge when I get there.

Do any of you use a Mac?

Well, I'm going to go outside and enjoy some more of this fabulous autumn day.
Thanks for being there, Maggie, and Sue, and Chris - couldn't do this without you all!!!

I am an addict. I understand I will always be one cigarette away from my pack a day habit.
I vow not to smoke today.

****EDIT****
Husband pissed me off and I lit a cigarette and took ONE DRAG - damn it tasted sooooo good. Yes that is all - ONE DRAG and the Devil made me do it - Damn Him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Monday, October 22, 2007

Day 27 and still not smoking

How is everyone's quit coming along?
I'm still quit and still want to smoke..........maybe everyone is right, maybe this is just a faze I'm going through in my quit and it will lessen as time goes on.
The weather has finally turned to autumn, a real honest to goodness autumn. The front came in through the night last night with storms and howling wind and left us highs in the 50's today with lows tonight in the low 40's expected - yes, perfect smoking weather - Hahhaaaahaha
Every time my husband leaves the house I fantasize about having a cigarette but then I realize that he'd be able to smell it the minute he came home and I leave the thought. In fact, I was thinking about it last night after I got into bed and within record time he was sound asleep snoring and I thought, I wonder if he'd notice if I went and had a cigarette.........No I didn't.
I'm amazed that for the first few weeks of my quit that I didn't really "think" about smoking and now it's in my thoughts constantly.

Oh yeah, my son called me this morning and our first grandchild is going to be a BOY!!! The baby is 17 weeks and 3 days along. Mother and baby are doing fantastic!

I am an addict and I understand that I will always be one cigarette away from my pack a day habit.
I vow (hopefully) not to smoke today.

Sunday, October 21, 2007

This new Chantix prescription

I swear this new prescription is not the same strength! Within 24 hours of taking the new prescription my cravings returned and they continue. I'm going to have to make a trip to the pharmacy cause this just isn't right. I'm having the kind of urges/cravings I have experienced without any medication, like you want to hurt someone to get a cigarette, like I'm a dope fiend or something - this is horrible!!!!!
I'm not ready for this and I'm afraid I'm going to start smoking again - HELP!!!!! No I haven't smoked a cigarette but I've been tempted more in the last 3 days than I've been since I quit just shy of 4 weeks ago. DAMN IT!!

I'm an addict and I understand I will always be one cigarette away from my pack a day habit.
I vow (hopefully I can keep this vow) to not smoke today.

Saturday, October 20, 2007

Day 25 - Still not smoking

Good Morning! I hope everyone is being successful at their quit.
I'm moving right along but intermixed with some tough times. I hope the last two days were the last I feel of the strong urges for awhile at least - yeeee gads, it was horrible.
There sure will be a lot of trigger times ahead to finish out 2007; cooler temps, family visits, holidays, vacations..........OMG!!
Don't get me wrong, I really am proud of this accomplishment, happy about physically feeling much better, and definitely smelling better, not to mention I will someday save a good amount of money (right now affording the Chantix without my insurance covering this drug means it's as expensive as the cigarettes). The trade offs for not smoking are immeasurable in importance to my life.
I will be glad when my back stops hurting and I can maybe start walking now with cooler weather. Being able to get my wind back to be able to walk was another reason I quit smoking.
I'm putting on some pounds (unusual for me), my pants are beginning to tighten and I need to loose this weight like right now!

Storms moving in tomorrow night with another cool front. More gorgeous weather on the horizon.
Until next time...........keep staying quit!
Thanks everyone for your support and friendship.

I am an addict, I understand that I will always be one cigarette away from my pack a day habit.
I vow not to smoke today.

Friday, October 19, 2007

Day 24 - Still not Smoking

What's going on, why are the urges back strong as ever? Go away, I don't want you anymore, you aren't welcome in fact, I want you to leave and never come back!!!!!!
On a serious note (actually, the above statement is true and I was being serious), I do want a cigarette, after 4 weeks on the Chantix it doesn't seem to be doing the same thing any longer, I want to smoke and the urge is really strong, strong enough that it's possible I will give in - OMG NO!!!
The funny thing about this is that this started happening with the new prescription, the one in the bottle, the one my doctor wrote out incorrectly - what I'm taking now is the 1mg tablet twice a day. That's correct isn't it?

Thank you in advance for your input and support.

I'm an addict and I understand I will always be one cigarette away from a pack a day habit.
I vow to not smoke today.

Thursday, October 18, 2007

I Had a Dream....

In my dreams last night I was smoking, and so darn real that when I woke up I wondered if it had been a dream or if I had really smoked cigarettes. OMG it was so vivid, so unbelievably real. I will admit that when I got out of bed the urge to actually smoke was rather intense and I quick had two pieces of toast and took my Chantix.
I'm thinking that my dreams were prompted with the news that my sister and her husband (both smokers) will be coming for their visit in 3 weeks. I'm probably going to be crawling the walls wanting a cigarette but I'm not going to smoke, I can't go backwards, I just can't.
This will be good practice for my upcoming flight and cruise. I need a dry run to make sure I'm not going to want to jump off my cabin's balcony the first time I'm faced with smokers en mass.

My back is slowly but surely recovering from my fall earlier this week and I'm beginning to move without constant pain.

Thanks for the support friends!

Admission & Vow:
I am an addict, I understand I will always be one cigarette away from my pack a day habit.
I vow not to smoke today.

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Need to smoke averted

I got up this morning to my husband telling me my daughter (28) was planning a surprise to thank me for quitting smoking.............I have to tell you, I hate surprises, I'm a planner, I guess almost a control freak. Anyway, she was bringing my sister and her husband down here from rural Missouri. WRONG! You don't surprise me with wishing I had rewashed the sheets in the guest bedroom, dusting, and vacuuming. You don't surprise me with company when there is nothing left in the refrigerator except leftovers. You don't surprise me when your husband has had plans to attend a seminar for weeks the same time they will be here.
He told me about the "surprise" and I was furious, the first thing I said was "I want a cigarette right now, in fact, I want to chain smoke."
I got online and told my sister I knew, she was a little upset but we talked about it and all is fine, they will come, stay here and we'll have a nice time. AND, I get to plan.

I like surprises when they look like an upgraded room when my sister and I go to Vegas, a gift certificate for airline tickets, etc - not surprising me with family staying at my house and I need to do housework to get ready.

Still not smoking so that's good.

My admission & vow:
I am an addict, I understand that I will always be one cigarette away from my pack a day habit.
I vow not to smoke today.

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

3 Weeks without Smoking - Whaaahooooo!!!

3 weeks, I'm amazed and proud of myself but I will never let down my guard because I know it will be easy to slip in my quit (my friend Maggie showed me just how easily that can come about). But like Maggie, should I slip and fall, I will get right back with the program and my Original Quit.
I'm beginning to fill in the spare time I found I had not smoking or at least it feels that way, maybe I'm just adjusting to not smoking anymore.
Does there come a time when you don't think about not smoking anymore, don't think about what you are doing without, thinking about your quit, the Chantix, the side effects?
I sure hope so cause I'm tired of thinking about it, I want it to just be my life now - no cigarettes, no smoking.

How is everyone doing?
Thanks encouragers and supporters and friends - I could not have gotten this far without you!!

My admission & vow:
I am an addict, I understand that I will always be one cigarette away from my pack a day habit.
I vow not to smoke today.

Monday, October 15, 2007

Day 20 - No Cigarettes

I was tempted big time last night. Went to eat with hubby and FIL at Taco Cabana and we sat outside (which incidentally was miserable due to the high humidity), when I was finished eating and sitting there bored to tears, all I wanted to do was to smoke a cigarette, I had even entertained the idea of panhandling for a cigarette! No I didn't smoke, but I sure wanted to!!
After we left and drove home, I was fine and continue to be fine. Just a weak moment I presume. Now I'm worried about going on my cruise and having a miserable time without a cigarette!!!
Damn this addiction!!
I'm going to beat this lifelong smoking sickness even if it's the last substantial thing I do with my life!

Hey Maggie, how are you and your husband feeling?
I read your post from today.........I'll post to your site instead of here.

Thanks everyone for continuing to encourage me and others.

My admission & vow:
I am an addict, I understand I will always be one cigarette away from my pack a day habit.
I vow not to smoke today.

Sunday, October 14, 2007

Day 19 - No cigarettes

It's almost 6:30am and way to early for this chick to be awake, especially on a Sunday. Still having a horrible time sleeping on the Chantix and to make matters worse, dear husband is a snor freak! I don't mind the dreaming but can't handle the in and out of sleep cycle. I'm the kind of person who could put their head on the pillow and that's all she wrote for at least 8-10 hours, I didn't even move once during the night, could never remember dreaming. I liked that dead as a rock sleep and hate this Chantix sleep.

I was about to finish up my first month of Chantix and called the pharmacy about needing the rest of my prescription (I brought in two prescriptions for the Chantix in the beginning). I went to pick it up yesterday afternoon and instead of the boxes, I got it in a pill container and there was only 30 blue pills inside with instructions for one pill a day. I didn't notice what appears to be an error until I got home. I don't know who made the error, the pharmacy in filling it or the doctor in writing it. What I think happened is/was this - the pharmacy read the prescription for the initial prescription to be one month instead of one cycle (12 weeks or 3 months) and then the second prescription was for the tapering off and instead of continuing with the first cycle they filled the second prescription.
I can call and bitch out the pharmacy later today when they open or call the doctor on Monday - your opinions please.........both you say (smiling), yes, I can do that too (LOL).

As I was writing the last few sentences of the last paragraph it comes across to me like I'm now an addict of the Chantix.......look, I just don't want to smoke anymore, I put those damn things down and don't want to pick them up again and that is probably the same reason I won't go back regardless, I'm stubborn and once I do something, I don't want that first attempt to be in vain, bottom line, I'm a **TCH - hey, can we use that word in our blogging? Seriously, I hate to start something and not finish it and I hate even more starting something and feeling like a failure or needing to do it over, I'm the do it and move forward kinda gal. At 52, I don't have lots of extra time to screw around with failed attempts at anything :):).

Enough of the moaning and groaning, I continue to be smoke and cigarette free and I'm loving the feeling more everyday. If I can get my sleep straightened out I'll be a happy camper.
Thanks buddies for your continued encouragement - couldn't do this without you. Good luck and continued success on all your quits. Another day, another dollar (or is that $4).

My Admission & Vow:
I am an addict. I understand I will always be one cigarette away from my pack a day habit.
I vow not to smoke today.

Saturday, October 13, 2007

Day 18 - Still not smoking

Another weekend without cigarettes and each one is easier to handle, in fact, each day I don't smoke makes the next day easier. I really do like not having the habit anymore and hopefully I'm stubborn enough to never go back. Everyone in my family is proud of my accomplishment and I'm grateful to them but the most important person to impress is myself and I've done just that.
The cost was never a reason for quitting (although I'm sure it's one for my husband), my health was. I used to say "everyone is going to die from something and my time might as well come with a cigarette in my mouth" - can you believe I said that? The fact is, when it did come down to quitting or dying, I quit thankfully.
I was talking to my son the other day who is a doctor (anesthesiologist) and he was telling me how big of a difference being quit for just this long would mean to him in surgery. He said doing cardiac surgery on a smoker is very dangerous and recovery is much longer and harder.

I'm looking forward to trying out my quit flying and on my cruise. Flying was always icky for me, all the waiting around and then the time on the plane and I couldn't wait to get off and find the quickest exit to have a cigarette. Of course I never wanted to check in too early and go through security cause I couldn't have another cigarette then........OMG, the cigarettes were controlling ME. The cruise experience is another thing all together, that relaxation time on my veranda with reading and smoking.............I think I may just miss that but alas - I do not smoke anymore and I will not allow myself to be tempted. There is enough food on the cruise to keep my mouth occupied :):):).

Thank you again blogging friends for helping me stay cigarette free for the last 18 days, I appreciate your support more than my words can express.
Have a Wonderful Saturday!!

My Admission & Vow:
I am an addict and I understand I will always be one cigarette away from my pack a day habit.
I vow not to smoke today.

Friday, October 12, 2007

Day 17 - Oh What a Beautiful Day!!

Having some issues with my sleep again, can't seem to stay asleep even with my Tylenol PMs. I love my sleep so I'm not a very nice person these days. Gas continues but who cares. I seem to be carrying all my stress right in the middle of my shoulder blades and it's a continuous uncomfortable feeling. I'm thinking some of this may have to do with the amount of time I spend bent over at the computer instead of sitting correctly.
I'm looking forward to the weekend here in south Texas - cool front is suppose to come through and cool us down to highs in the mid 80's with lows in the mid 60's - can hardly wait to wake up tomorrow!
Have a great weekend everyone, be safe and stay on your Quit.

My admission & Vow:
I am an addict, I understand I will always be just one cigarette away from my pack a day habit.
I vow to not smoke today.

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Day 16 - Still no Cigarette

Good Morning!
Yesterday I forgot to take my morning Chantix (and along with it my Plavix) and never had and urge all day long - yes I took my evening dosage.
What did start yesterday was gas - OMG, at 4:30am this morning I farted awake both husband and puppy dog!!! LOL! I've always been prone to being gassy but this is ridicules, I'm blowing stinky wind continuously. The Chantix has also made me constipated and today I'm doing something about that!

Otherwise, all is fabulous - I don't even want to smoke.
As my reward, we are going to take a cruise in December to the Mexican Riviera (it's only 7 nights but a cruise of any length is better than being on land). This will be my 9th and hubby's 8th.
Who else likes to cruise? What is your favorite cruiseline and do you cruise for the time at sea or the ports of call?

Admission & Vow:
I am an addict and I understand I will always be one cigarette away from my pack a day habit.
I vow not to smoke today.

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Day 15

Good Morning!
Autumn has started to rear it's head......I'm going to miss sitting outside wrapped in my robe on a brisk morning with a cup of coffee and cigarettes, for some reason it started my day out just perfectly. This year will be different but I'm determined for it to be just as perfect minus the cigarettes.
I'm doing okay, the urges are fewer and farther between one another, and less intense. I'm only 3 weeks into using the Chantix but I can't imagine coming off it any time sooner than is absolutely necessary.
I'm coughing (productive) a little more than I have been recently. I wondered where all the phlegm I was coughing up (when I was still smoking) was going to - I guess it's a delayed reaction. It isn't constant but it's for the first hour I wake up and then again at least one other time of the day. I'm happy to be rid of the constant nagging cough I had while I was smoking, it drove my husband crazy - he really hated it and commented about it constantly.

My admission and vow:
I am an addict and I understand I will always be one cigarette away from my pack a day habit.
I vow not to smoke today.

I wish continued success to all my supporters and other ex-smokers out there - STAY QUIT!

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

2 Weeks - Whaaaahooooo!!

I was so excited at 10pm last night when day 14 (2 weeks) started, I had a hard time falling asleep.........I guess you caught me, I have a very uneventful life - LOL! It was exciting though to think I quit smoking 2 weeks ago and I am still resolved not to light a cigarette or smoke. I would love to take all the kudos but I am afraid the kudos go to Chantix because without this medication, I'm certain I would still be smoking. AND of course to my non-smoking blogging buddies, y'all are the inspiration and encouragement the emotional side of me doesn't want to do without.
I really need to thank another person in my life, my husband. You have been so supportive and encouraging with this trial in my life - thank you.

I am an addict and I understand I will always be one cigarette away from my pack a day habit.
I vow to not smoke today.

Keep going everyone, you can do it, you can stay quit and be free from cigarettes!

Monday, October 8, 2007

Day 13 - Still Cigarette Free

Good Morning Everyone!
Up early so we can get my husbands computer into the shop for the 9am appt.
Another aspect of quitting that amazes me is how much more alert I am when I wake up. I have to admit that there are many aspects of my life that are improving now that I have quit smoking....this alone may make the finishing touches on my quit. The only real negative aspect of quitting are the occasional cravings and urges, otherwise there is nothing that would have me turning around and going back to smoking, nothing, nada, zip.
I rather enjoy being a non-smoker.
Have a Great Day - No Smoking!!

I am an addict and I understand that I will always be one cigarette away from my pack a day habit. I vow that today I will not smoke.

Sunday, October 7, 2007

Day 12 - No Cigarettes

I went to the wedding and reception last night and most everyone was smoking and it didn't bother me at all, I saw them smoking but I didn't think about it. Maybe I am making headway!
I've been researching a cruise today - we love to cruise, not so much for the destination ports but for the cruise itself. There is nothing like sitting on your balcony/veranda and staring out at the sea, sometimes with a book or listening to music.

Admission & Vow:
I am an addict and I will always be one cigarette away from my pack a day habit.
I will not smoke today.

Saturday, October 6, 2007

Day 11 - No Cigarettes

Another day without smoking..........I wonder if blogging about not smoking is keeping me thinking about smoking. I wonder too if the day will come when the thought of a cigarette or smoking it does not come to mind - I hope so. I would be miserable if it takes an active "fight" to not smoke for the rest of my life, where I was feeling like I gave something up that I really wanted and I have to think about it every single day.
Tracee talked about just needing to find things to do with all her free time now that she is quit, I find the same thing to be true.
I really do feel good about myself now that I have quit, that I was able to prove to myself and others around me that I still had willpower (there were times when I wondered about that).
I love Las Vegas, I wonder how difficult it will be to sit at a slot machine for hours with people smoking all over the place - anyone have any experience with this? My next trip there will probably be in May or June of 2008 - my sister and I meet up there for 5 days and nights (she is a smoker) and we play the slots, lay out at the pool, eat, and walk around. I hope by then it will be something I can do, that I will not be one of those anal ex-smokers that complains about the smoky atmosphere, etc - I promised my sister I wouldnt we one of "those" people. She quit a couple years back for 11 months and went back to smoking - she did not have the advantage of Chantix and gained lots of weight and wanted a cigarette every minute for those 11 months until she gave in, body and soul.

Need to get going here, I am in a wedding tonight.
Thanks Everyone for their encouragement - Stay Quit!

My Admission and Vow:
I am an addict and I understand I will always be one cigarette away from a pack a day habit.
I will not smoke today.

Friday, October 5, 2007

Double Digit Day - 10

I have to admit that the cravings are less intense now, yes they still come but I am also fully aware that they will leave. I find that I don't even think about a cigarette when I get myself involved in something.
One of the things that are keeping me quit is the number of cigarettes I've smoked - more than a quarter of a million of those killing sticks. I'm actually ashamed I was so stupid for so long, that I let a stick control me instead of me controlling it.
I'm definitely learning something about myself.
I feel a little better physically everyday that I don't smoke, I definitely look better too.

I want to remember telling those of you posting comments - I really appreciate your support and encouragement, thank you.

My pledge and acknowledgment:
I am an addict, I will always be one cigarette away from a pack a day habit.
I will not smoke, not today.

Thursday, October 4, 2007

Day 9 - No Cigarettes

This is my last day in single digits - I can hardly believe I have done this, that I have accomplished not smoking for 9 days!!!
I find that today I am not thinking about smoking so much, even dealt with a stressful situation this morning without wanting a cigarette.
Regardless of the situation though, I find that the busier I am the easier it is not to think about smoking or cigarettes.

Acknowledgment:
I am an addict. I will always be one cigarette away from my pack a day habit.
I will not smoke today.

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Busy Day Ahead - Day 8

Good Morning Everyone!
I hope today finds everyone strong and sticking with their QUIT.
After my moment of weakness and frustration yesterday I find I am stronger than ever. Maybe I just had to see that I could be on the cusp of returning and not light up that cigarette. Nasty assed things that they are!!!!!

Again today, I am determined to not smoke, I understand I am an addict and that one cigarette will lead to a pack a day habit again - I Will Not Smoke.

Thank you other bloggers for being my witnesses, your encouragement and belief that I will do this makes each day easier.

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Day 7

Wow, it has been a week - I made it!!
I will admit I never thought I would make it this far.
I still think about cigarettes, smoking, but trying to stay busier and it is working "some". I would always sit outside with my first cup of coffee of the day and smoke - I have stayed away from this trigger for the last two weeks (since I started on Chantix) and this morning I tried sitting out there without the cigarette and only the coffee and newspaper - it worked, I did not think about smoking.
I need to start an exercise routine as I'm beginning to gain weight I don't want, talk about stress that would make me smoke again!
Understanding I'm an addict and only one cigarette away from a pack a day habit - I promise to not smoke today, no cigarettes for me.

Have a great day and stay QUIT.

It's 10:22pm and I almost fell of the wagon today. I was trying to explain something to someone on the phone and this woman was just dumb as a box of rocks - I was so frustrated I stuck a cigarette my husband had hidden (I know where everything in the house is) in my mouth and then said "hey wait, don't do this".

Monday, October 1, 2007

Day 6 - No Cigarettes

I wondered if I would make it through yesterday - tough day, especially for my husband, I was a bitch. Today so far feels better but I do not want to get to ahead of myself, it is still early in the day.
I sure do not feel that "I do not want a cigarette, do not want to smoke" feeling that so many people on Chantix feel - I wish I did but then again I knew this was not going to be a walk in the park.
I still cannot help but feel that what I feel is the breaking of 35-36 year old habits, the kind I did over and over again 20x a day for 35-36 years. I am trying to let go of something that is probably as ingrained into me as my personality. This makes it more important to me to get rid of this "demon", I find it hard to believe I allowed anything to take this strong a hold over my life - I have never let anyone or anything do this to me and now to find that I gave it to cigarettes disgusts me.
I do feel better physically and I think I look better too, there is not longer that dingy look to my face and I find my nails are no longer yellowing and of course I smell better.

Again, I quit a day at a time and today I will not smoke, no cigarettes for me.