One Smoke Free Year!!

On January 21st was my anniversary for quitting smoking. Although I feel great, I still have the occasional and rare craving. The difference? Now I KNOW I don't need it and can easily push it out of my mind. I am now moving on to my next challenge, weight loss. Come join me in my new blog as I venture out into the world of self control, food measurements and that four letter word... DIET!!

Still around. Still smoke free!!

So, I've been busy dealing with our recent move and getting ready for the baby and sort of forgot about the blogs. Well, I'm back and still smoke free. Not only that, I am also NICOTINE FREE!! I stopped using the lozenges about 2 weeks ago and haven't looked back. They were great, but I found myself reaching for them constantly so I decided to quit for real.

I am seeing the benefits of my new life. We moved from a 2nd story apartment to another 2nd story and I did most of the moving- she used the pregnancy as an excuse to bail...LOL- and I was amazed that I wasn't gasping for air, or hurting (lactic acid builds faster in smokers) as I used to. I feel better, sleep better and breathe better too.

The only draw back are the 13 lbs I have suddenly found sitting around my waist. I'm not sweating it though, I can always go to the gym and/or start a diet. I'm just glad I get to tell my kid about smoking and quitting and not look like a hypocrite.

'till next time...

I think I'm Done With Smoking

Well, it's almost a month and I continue to be smoke free. If I didn't run back to the store for a pack of smokes this past week, I'm pretty sure I never will. To say it was a bad week would be putting it mildly although I am sure that by most standards my week was OK.

I found out today that we were not approved for the home loan we had applied for. This piece of news, by itself, is not such a big deal. Typically you would look elsewhere. The problem is that our current apartment has been rented already which basically meant that, as of February 28th, my pregnant wife and I are homeless unless we can find an apartment this coming week. Still, I am stating positive. We looked at a place today and filled out the paperwork, we'll know on Monday when we can move in. Hopefully it will be next weekend.

Other than that, things are good. Our baby is growing well and mommy feels good. We started looking at the items that will go on the registry and colors for the nursery. These are the things that keep me off the cigarettes. Thinking of my baby and the things that I need to do to make sure he comes into a good home. We're working hard at getting everything set up.

When I think about all these things, I'm pretty sure I'm done with smoking.

Will They Ever Stop?

Well, here I am, 2 weeks later. I haven't smoked a single cigarette in all that time. I'm not sure how long the cravings will last, but it seems they are hanging around for a while. I've noticed that it depends a lot on what's going on during the day. I hardly have cravings on the weekends, but during work, it gets really hard.

At times, things slow down and boredom sets in, other times, something happens that boils my blood and a HUGE craving comes along with it. I guess I should stop coming to work since I am supposed to avoid situations that make me want to smoke...LOL!

Maybe I can convince my boss that this is a health issue and I need some LOA or something. At least I can say that I'm proud of myself. I really never thought I'd make it this long without falling off at least once. Maybe after I've been smoke free for a while I'll stop thinking about it every time I see someone smoking in traffic or when I go out. It's not so much the smell that gets me, it's the idea since I always enjoyed it so much.

Funny, I was talking with Jack, an old guy that works at the same place I do and he told me he quit after 53 years of smoking 3 packs a day and doesn't even think about it any more. Maybe one day I'll be as lucky as Jack.

Still going strong!

Yep! I'm still here and still smoke free after almost 2 weeks. I feel calmer now. It's funny that I have been this relaxed considering how I would react to anything the first few days. Today has been great. I'm trying the new flavor of lozenges and it tastes OK. I guess I'm getting used to the taste. I'm trying to wean myself off these things though and have started alternating with Jolly Ranchers (apple is the best!!).

As for the cravings, they are not as frequent, but when they come....damn! They're stronger for some reason and absolutely random. The first few days I expected to get cravings while driving and after eating since I ALWAYS smoked during or after these. Just the other day I was talking to my wife and had a reaaallly strong craving mid sentence, it was the weirdest thing. But, I mentioned it to her and she helped me get my mind off of it by keeping the conversation going.

Two more days to my second smoke free week. That's half a month...almost there. One day at a time.

A week later...still going strong!

IT'S BEEN A WEEK!!!!!!!

I quit a week ago and have been doing great! This is defiantly a milestone in the process. Lately, I have been going longer between lozenges and have started noticing how bad cigarettes smell. I finally came up with the courage to empty the ashtray that was sitting in my balcony. I had been avoiding this because I wasn't sure if the smell would make me crave, it didn't. I also went out to diner with some friends last night and, although they were smoking, I didn't feel the need to smoke myself. I have noticed that eating sweets causes more craving than anything else, so I'm stating away from them.

All my clothes have been washed already and I changed the cabin filter in my car and sprayed it with Fabreeze to get rid of the smell. I'm starting to get more confident that I can do this. I will keep going, day to day and finally become an ex-smoker.

Don't forget your lozenges!!

I forgot my Commit Lozenges today. This had not been a problem until now that I am having a really bad craving- I just ate- and my leg started shaking again. Well, I guess this is one way to separate the men from the boys. It's a good thing I was leaving early today and can stop at home on my way to where I'm going. Otherwise, there might be hell to pay for anyone coming in to my office with anything other than good news and pleasant thoughts. A hard thing when you're the guy that handles insurance claims and on the job injuries.

Thanks GOD I leave in 10 minutes. I'll be itching by the time I get home. Or I might just go into that Zen place in my head and think about pink elephants and flying cows to help soothe my mind...all together now, Ommmmmmm!

Ah, I feel better now. A little raving, a little chanting and I can go on.