Lucky 13

Today I feel the most conent about not smoking than I have in days previous, the reason: bit of a hangover. If I felt like this everyday, wouldn't want to smoke ever again. Then again in order to feel like this I would have to feel good enough to go out and drink. Had a great time last night with friends, Mike, and Mike's friends.

When I smoked and went out, obvisouly I smoked a wee bit more than I normally would, the result, or at least what I thought was the result was waking up the next morning with a sore thoat. Last night I went out, didn't smoke and still woke up with a sore throat. Smoking was not the reason, it was due to shouting accross the table in order to have a conversation with friends. The sore throat does not seem to be as bad as it was when I smoked, so I guess that smoking made it worse.

I have been asked from a few people how I have gotten to almost two weeks. I really don't think this is that big of an accomplishment, once I get to a month, I will feel like I have actually done something.  Regardless, they still want to know. The first thing I tell them  is tell everyone and hold yourself accountable, I did this by not just telling my family, close friends, and coworkers, but by announcing to the world via Facebook and Twitter, which actually ended up being an awesome resource and created an awesome support network, more than I ever thought possible.

The other tool that I use is a blog that I found by a guy named Joel at http://www.whyquit.com/. He is completely different and refeshing. He was a stop smoking counselor and ran clinics. You can watch his video's if you'd like, but read his material, it is powerful. He is not like others, he doesn't tell you it's ok if you slip up, instead at the end of all of his articles is "never take another puff". It's tough love, he says that NO it is not ok if you slip up, one puff will very soon bring you back to your old habits, you are an addict, so treat yourself like one.

Here is a little piece from his website, something I read almost daily, I hope this will also help someone else, it comes from http://whyquit.com/joel/Joel_04_11_Smokers_Vow.html

"The Smokers Vow"

With this puff I enslave myself to a lifetime of addiction.

While I can’t promise to always love you, I do promise to obey every craving and support my addiction to you no matter how expensive you become.

I will let no husband or wife, no family member or friend, no doctor or any other health professional, no employer or government policy, no burns or no stench, no cough or raspy voice, no cancer or emphysema, no heart attack or stroke, no threat of loss of life or limbs, come between us.

I will smoke you forever from this day forth, for better or worse, whether richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do us part!

I read this over and over everyday. Along with "My cigarette, my friend" http://whyquit.com/whyquit/joelcigfriend.html
It's pretty powerful and puts things in perspective real quick.

So that is what has helped me. Any former smokers out there, let me know your story.