Day Nine

Made it to day nine. Today is my first day back to work since last Tuesday. Getting back into a routine is not that easy. Driving to the train seems crazily difficult today. First there was a kitten that darted under my car as soon as the light I was at turned green, so I had to wait, while people were beeping at me to go until I saw the cat was safely out from under my vehicle. Then I almost turned onto the wrong street, and barely made it to the train before the doors closed. Didn't get my normal seat, basically my day has just started off completely well... off. I need to get back to a routine, and alter it enough so that I don't think about smoking. Having the time away for my first week really helped in breaking routine, but now it's time to get back.

Day 8
Made it past and through the one week mark! The journey is not over yet, it will be when I am able to get through a full day without thinking about smoking. A wise person (Suzy) told me that it takes 21 days to form a new habit, so if that's true, I'm a third of the way there!

It's been one week!

What a difference a week makes, it has officially been one week since I last smoked! I made it, and now I jst have to keep going with my new life. I think the hard part is over. I have gone out drinking with friends, I went out to dinner with Mike, I've done it all, and didn't smoke. One last test before going back to work, is going shopping and driving in the car with my parents tomorrow, if I can do that I can do anything. I still want to smoke I just consistantly make the decision not to. Again, thank you everyone for the support, I would not have made it this far without all of you.

Day 7

Made it through to day 7, if I can make it until 11:15 tonight, then I will have made it one week without smoking. I am feeling a lot better every day that goes by. It's still hard, I miss it most while driving. Thankfully during the week I'm not in my car too long, just to and from the train. This weekend I put on a few miles, but the gum and holding something in my hand and talking on the phone seem to at least take my mind off of it.

keep going

I made it through day six, if I can make it another 23 hours I will be one week smoke free, and can't wait. I already celebrating by buying an awesome pair of shoes!
Had a great night out with Mike tonight celebrating our 6 year anniversary, and the first incrediable dinner that was topped off with dessert and Bailys instead of a cigerette, and boy did it feel good. I am enjoying my new life, just can't wait until I have a day where I don't think about smoking at all, will that day ever come?

Day Six

Welcome to day 6, almost one week. Met up with an old friend last night and caught up on 10 lost years, it was a great time! One of my Awesome cousins met us out for a while, we had a really good time. After a couple of drinks I really wanted to smoke when we were leaving, but I worked my way through it, chewed some gum and eventully moved on. Tonight Mike and I are going out for our anniversary dinner, can't wait to see how I enjoy a great, expensive, fancy meal without smoking. Tomorrow will be one week!

Day five

Day five and I'm feeling great! Haven't even had any gum yet today. Feel like I'm on my way to a new life. I don't have much else to say other than HAPPY FRIDAY! I am about to begin my first weekend smoke free, let's see how that goes.

4 days down

A full four days has finally passed, and although last night and this morning were probably the toughest, I have been feeling great since about 9am. I am finally feeling relaxed, and more like myself. Strange change tonight though, Mike and I were watching 30 Rock, and I laughed, and my laugh was different. Not quite as naselly annoying loud, but quieter and somewhat creepier. I really need to work on that, it cannot be my new laugh!

Breathe in, Breathe out, move on

Day four is going WAY better than I was feeling this morning. I guess mornings are going to be the hardest part, for now. Had to take some tynol PM to fall asleep last night, the physical withdrawel should almost be over, I guess it's just mind over matter now. So many changes already, I never realized all the great and horrible smells I've been missing, it's so acute! Taste is also starting to be more sensitive, I was to get something really spicy and see if I can still handle it. It's a whole new world out there and I'm ready for it!

I thought this was supposed to get easier after the first 3 days. I had a very hard time getting to sleep last night, but I got up, got ready and finally popped a piece of gum. Eating breakfast now, I will make it through today!

72 hours (I get by with (more) than a little help from my friends)

Ok, made it past the 72 hour mark, and boy this was the hardest day so far. I almost completely broke down and bought a pack, walked into Walgreens ready to buy one, and at the last second decided to get nicotine gum instead. I have been given so much support from SO many wonderful people, I couldn't let everyone down. Really mom, dad, Mike, Chris, Nic, Angelina, Loretta, Fran, Mariko, Aunt Karen, Donna, Anthony, Tom, Lisa, Nicole, Aunti Di, Grace, Dave, Jim Suzy, Vince, Catherine, Kathleen, Tony, Marando, Betsey, Derek, Angela, Marlene, Gina, Sal, Tracy, Susan, and so many more. I have to thank you guys SO SO much for the support, I couldn't have gotten through today without all of you, it really does mean the world to me.

Broke down (almost)

 I finally could not take it anymore and REALLY wanted to smoke today, so instead I went and bought the nicotine gum. I have not chewed any yet, afraid of having to go through the withdrawel process all over again. Not sure what I should do now, but at least I didn't smoke right?

Day 3

The cravings and withdrawal are supposed to be gone in 72 hours right? If not I don't know how much longer I can keep this up. I feel like I am crawling out of my skin, but I know that it's going to get better. I'm off my normal routine today, going for some training, so my mind will be busy with that, hopefully.

48 hours

I'm through with my first 48 hours, and according to Mike, my boyfriend, I am a "cranky pants".  I need to thank him for understanding and not getting mad when I snap on him. He has been a great support to me, and I just hope that he joins me and completely stops himself. He's on his second week of Chantix and has cut his smoking in half, which is good, so hopefully by next week we will both be smoke free.
I couldn't have gotten this far without all of the support from my parents, and my family, and friends, and most of all my Facebook and Twitter friends who every time I feel a real urge to smoke, someone magically knows and gives me a bit of encouragement to keep on going, as well as a lot of tips and their stories. What has worked so far for me is the picture of my wonderful and beatuiful nephew and niece, Nicholas and Angelina that I keep in my bag where I usually kept my cigarettes, all I have to do is look at that picture and smile and keep trucking.

36 hours

So I am past the 36 hour mark, so I'm half way there? Maybe.
I'm still feeling good, WAY better than I did at this point yesterday, feel like I am really going to make it. Ate a pretty good lunch, haven't been snacking, so it's all good. Been reading a lot on Joel's website whyquit.com, it's really helping a lot, every time I feel like I can't do this any longer I just read one of his articles, and I move past that craving, towards a better life for myself and everyone around me.

Day two

So far so good, I am now on day two of my smoke free existance, and feel good about it. I slept better that I thought I would last night. I was contemplating taking something to help me sleep, but I wanted to try to get through the night on my own first. It did take about an hour or so of tossing and turning, but I was able to finally shut my mind down and get to sleep and sleep through the night. This is also the last day of work for me for the week, so I'm hoping that being off schedule the rest of the week will help me through it. So far my biggest struggle has been getting to and from the train. That 2 block walk all I think about is smoking, which is weird because those were the cigarettes that I hated the most, I would rather have my gloves on and hands in my pocket than freezing my fingertips off and walking. That's what I think about to get me through. Also after I eat I feel like my stomach won't settle correctly, but deep breaths and gum seem to help. I haven't been eating more than normal, which is good, in fact I think I've been eating less since I don't feel quite right, so hopefully this will help me loose weight as well. I've been drinking a lot more water too, and lip gloss, lots and lots of lip gloss. That's all for now, I'll check back mid day.

24 hours

So I made it 24 hours smoke free. I feel really good about it and proud of my small accomplishment. I know that it is going to be one day at a time hour by hour. The best part of my day was when my collegue asked if I wanted to go outside and I firmly said "NO". Never felt so good to say those two letters. I felt empowered, and I feel like if I can do this, I can accomplish anything. Thanks again to all my facebook and Twitter friends, you made this day so much easier for me.

lunchtime

Ok so I made it through lunch, that has to be the hardest part of the day, when no matter how busy I am I go smoke, but not today. Although I really do want to smoke, I'm also proud that I made it to this point, and want to see how much longer I can go. Even though my jaw hurts from grinind my teeth, and I can barely control my left hand, I'm going to make it!

Day one

So today is day one in my experiment to finally quit smoking after 15 years, literally I have wasted half my life and most likly thousands of dollars puffing away.
I woke up this morning feeling good, finally knowing that I am off to a brand new start! I was able to drive to the train and endure a ride from hell and not really crave one all morning. But now it's 9:15, and I feel like I have a rock in the pit of my stomache and I am grinding my teeth trying to get through this. I at least hoped that I would be able to make it until noon before feeling like this. I need to think of something to reward myself if I can make it until 4:30 without smoking, maybe a nice cold beer when I get home, or a bottle of wine, whatever it takes to get my mind off things. Breath in Breath out, move on to the next task. I need something to keep my mind and hands busy.

2010

Well a new year is here and I'm going to actually start writing. My resolutions for the year are to quit smoking (starting that on Monday the 11th) while at the same time loosing some weight. I will post how I am doing with both of those throughout the year. I would like to try to post daily how I'm feeling and doing. I have been smoking for the past 15 years, and now that I'm 30, I really think it's time for me to stop. I am not going to use a patch or gum or medicition, I'm doing this all on my own out of shear will power. This is the first time that I am making a real attempt to quit, I know it's going to be hard and I'm going to be pretty moody, but I think I can do it.
My reasons, well my health, and money and all the normal stuff. The biggest reason is my nephew and niece. I don't want them to grow up seeing Auntie smoke and think it's an ok thing for them to do. I also hate stealing away time from them because I need a cigarette. My boyfriend, Mike, is going to quit with me, he is starting on Chantex, but I think I'll be ok on my own. We shall see, wish me luck!