slayeroffice - web experiments gone horribly awry

07.06.2004 - So long, flavor country.

As most usual readers of this site know, I never make personal posts - though I'm going to make one today simply because I predict that the event is going to have a rather polar effect on updates to the site.

I have quit smoking.

I "enjoyed" my last cigarette the night of July 4th just before passing out from over-celebrating, and I've not had one since. I'd made up my mind about a month ago to quit smoking on July 5th for the following reasons:

  • I'm tired of waking up with lungs full of phlegm.
  • I'm tired of waking up with sore lungs and a sore throat.
  • I'm tired of being winded from walking up a flight of stairs.
  • I'm tired of not being able to comfortably sit through an entire movie without dieing for a smoke two thirds of the way through.
  • I'm tried of going outside to smoke, especially when its cold or raining or both.
  • I'm tired of getting the stink eye from non-smokers.
  • I'm tired of having to go to the store at 11pm to buy smokes because I've run out.
  • I'm tired of spending over $6 for two packs of smokes every other day.
  • I'm tired of stinking of cigarette smoke.
  • I'm tired of having erratic blood pressure problems because of smoking.
  • I'm tired of having such a short temper, which I believe to be directly related to the blood pressure problems from the smoking.
  • I'm tired of coughing all the time.

Most of all, I'm tired of it making Kate unhappy. Sure, she says she doesn't mind, but I know she does.

So, here I sit wearing a 21mg nicotine patch, armed with a sleeve of vaguely orange flavored nicotine gum for when the bad cravings come and enough hard candy to sink a small ship.

Why am I telling you all of this? Well, the way I see it, I'm either going to be adding stuff to the site at an incredible rate in a desperate attempt to occupy myself and keep from thinking about smoking a cigarette, or I'm going to be so constantly distracted by the want of a smoke that I'll end up drinking beer and playing video games all the time because I can't keep a thought in my head for more than five minutes. So if you notice an absence in updates, you'll know I'm downstairs drinking beer and having the crap beat out of me in Fight Night 2004 as part of a bid to keep myself smoke free.

Comments

Congrats on starting to wean yourself off those cancer-sticks :)

Just think how many years longer you get to spend with your wife now!

I never smoked (quit the easy way), but here's a few things I heard/seen from those who have quit:

- sunflower seeds with the shells still on helps

- watch diet/excersize; many gain weight after quiting

- nicotine patches can give weird dreams, since you're "getting a buzz" still when sleeping

Best wishes!
Posted by tomByrer on July 6, 2004 @ 12:09 pm

Well, I quit a few months ago and ahve to say: keep it up. The first month was rough, but after that only my brain wanted the nicotine, not my body. And I need one hour sleep less, which is great as there is always so much to do (...)

I used water as substitute. Everytime I wanted to have a smoke, i drank a bit water (out of a sports bottle to suck at). Doctors tell you all the time to drink *at least* 3 liters (? 3/4 gallons ?) a day, so it won't hurt.

Keep it up!

(Sorry for the measurment, as a european, I'm not used to non-metric measurements (besides screen sizes, that is) )
Posted by kronn on July 6, 2004 @ 12:45 pm

That's so excellent! You should be really proud of yourself; keep up the good work. Nicotine has been found to be more addictive than cocaine, so you're body's up for a fight, but you can win. Soon your breath will start to smell better, you'll no longer have that smoky smell on your clothes, your sense of smell will improve, your fingernails will clear up... just keep it up! You'll also have more energy, and you'll be helping your heart, too.

I've seen cancerous, emphysematous, and chronic bronchitis lungs, and it's a terrible end. You'll thank yourself as you age.
Posted by Graham on July 6, 2004 @ 1:21 pm

Congratulations... I stopped about 20 years ago and still can remember how I dreamed about falling back for about six month. Sometimes I woke up crying... which shows how deep inside the craving resides. But also from day one I felt like reaping all those benefits - my whole body and my clothes started to smell better, but also my food, the world and especially the girls - and I really wondered why I didn't stop earlier. Glad that I did though, as you will be too!!!
Posted by Henk de Boer on July 8, 2004 @ 12:48 am
Quitters rule! http://www.cadence90.com/wp/index.php?p=2853
Posted by Lisa Williams on July 8, 2004 @ 2:21 pm
Well done Mr. C.
Posted by Darren Heaphy on July 9, 2004 @ 11:53 am
Well Done - Keep it up!! You CAN do it!
Posted by Mary Lou on July 10, 2004 @ 10:42 am
You will make it this time!

Love Ya
Posted by Mom on July 13, 2004 @ 4:02 pm

Congradulations!!!

We wish you all the success in quiting smoking!!!
Posted by Mibi on July 16, 2004 @ 6:45 pm

Good luck. You don't say how long you have been smoking, but the longer its been, the longer the "mind" part of quitting will take. I quit on June 10, 2003, after over 20 years, mostly for my family. Its been extremely difficult, but it does get easier, slowly. To me, getting outside and exercising (I hate exercising, but it really helps) made was the biggest help. Also, I chew/suck on cinnamon sticks all the time. Pistachio nuts also help. You have to keep the hands and mouth busy.
Posted by dstelow@hotmail.com on July 19, 2004 @ 3:22 pm
Good on you! I quit about 10 years ago after smoking from 15 yrs old.

The worst part is the craving doesn't go away for years and you do have to be strong willed. Some tips. Get outside and walk or exercise in some form, it really helps. Change your coffee break habits. Steer clear of the pub and those after work drinks. (A smoke and a beer was always such a nice combo.) DON"T EAT to compensate for not doing something with your hands. The really great news is your sex life is going to be so much better!

Enjoy the fresh(er) air. Good luck and don't give in.
Posted by Zane on July 22, 2004 @ 5:39 am

I am, and probably always will be, a smoker. From what I saw you need to quit; and just as importantly; I guess you need more exersize!! People blame too much on smoking. If you sit at a desk all day, I'd bet that's just as unhealthy.
Posted by Rick Mosher on August 1, 2004 @ 9:23 pm
>>If you sit at a desk all day, I'd bet that's just as unhealthy.<<

Right, sitting at a desk is just as unhealthy as inhaling cancer producing smoke.
Posted by Barclay on September 1, 2004 @ 1:41 pm

-Your body heals faster. ie cuts heal in a day or threee vs a week.

-Bags under eyes go dark all the time after years of smoking.

-It takes an average of seven times trying to quitt before acheiving success...so go easy on yourself!

-Coffee actually doesnèt give you energy; the cafeine stimualtes the adrenals, which means your body is running on adrenaline. (More than 2 cups a day) drinkers are literally exhausted. So, next quit stop: coffee.
Posted by Mike Motorbike on December 9, 2005 @ 6:04 pm

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