Day 14!

As of11:15 tonight, it'll be 2 full weeks that I have not smoked. This is going to be a short post today, since we are on our way to Soxfest! I feel good, and can't wait to go to games this season without missing 2 innings to smoke. Go White Sox!

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.

Day twelve, smokers alley

I'm onto day twelve. The hardest part continues to be walking to and from work. You see I take the blue line and get off at Washington and work on LaSalle. The quickest way to get to my building is to cut down a couple of allys, that is also the only place that people downtown can smoke since the smokingn ban laws. So I walk past about 20-50 smokers each way in a two block strech. I am tempted each and every day to ask someone for one. Now the simple and obvious solution would be to just simply not walk through the ally. Going around would, however, add another two blocks to my walk, and while I could use the extra exercise, it's Chicago, and it's Janurary, it's just too damn cold to do that! So I will continue to cut through smokers alley, and fight the tempentation. It builds character, right?

Day Eleven

Wow, I can't belive that 10 full days went by this fast. I am already getting used to my new life. Getting to work was a bit easier this morning, no reaching in the purse, no wrong turns. I did have to get gas and the guy at my station brought me a pack, and I had to tell him no and I'm quitting, so just need gas this morning. Which struck up a conversation while he was pumping my gas, which was a nice way to start the day. I usually don't like talking to people first thing in the morning, but didn't mind too much today. The one thing that did bother me was the girl in the seat in front of me on the El had REALLY long hair and kept putting it over her seat and it was all lover my newspaper. I was SO tempted to pull it or tell her to move her hair, because it's disgusting, but I kept my mouth shut, and just kept swatting at her when I turned the pages. I know passive/agressive, but it was really gross.

10 Days

I've made it to the double digit in days! I don't know what it is, but getting to work seems to be the hardest part. I am ok with driving any other time, but this morning I got to my car started it and reached in my purse for a cigerette without even thinking, it took me a few seconds to realize that I don't have any and won't have any anymore. I guess it's just too early to really think clearly and rely on my old habits too much. After all i have been smoking since before I started full time in the real world, so it will be a hard habit to break, but not as hard as the first week of quitting was.

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.