Palin's Bra: Support for Quitters (of nicotine delivery products)

[Ruckus]

How you doin', Ruckus?

I'm good Yac.  Thanks for asking.  Drinking a healthy amount of vodka and cooking.   I'm holding strong.  I've been down this road so many times and I've had the willpower to make it through the first couple of months many times.  It will be the moments of weakness later down the road that I fear.  BUT, I feel as if I've learned enough from my past collapses to put up a better effort when the time comes.

[johnnYYac]

How you doin', Ruckus?

I'm good Yac.  Thanks for asking.  Drinking a healthy amount of vodka and cooking.   I'm holding strong.  I've been down this road so many times and I've had the willpower to make it through the first couple of months many times.  It will be the moments of weakness later down the road that I fear.  BUT, I feel as if I've learned enough from my past collapses to put up a better effort when the time comes.

Couldn't have said it better myself.  Keep it up.  No matter what happens Sunday, don't let football be the trigger.  Its just a game.

[tdb810]

How you doin', Ruckus?

I'm good Yac.  Thanks for asking.  Drinking a healthy amount of vodka and cooking.   I'm holding strong.  I've been down this road so many times and I've had the willpower to make it through the first couple of months many times.  It will be the moments of weakness later down the road that I fear.   BUT, I feel as if I've learned enough from my past collapses to put up a better effort when the time comes.

You guys are doing so great!!  It sounds corny, but just stay in the moment - as Bob, my personal Zen Master would say, who  knows, you could get hit by a bus tomorrow :)

[the_wizzard]

You go, girl.  This thread was inspired by your post.  Its helped me immensely.

Awww....
Thanks for starting this thread, you guys are my quitting buddies and you all help me keep moving forward....SMOKE FREE!!!

[TheBigChicken]

Very proud of ALL you peeps...Hang in there . You get better a little bit EVERY day !!!!

[the_wizzard]

Just checking in on everyone!  Today is day 30 and my progress report is such:

Smoke Free bitches!  Recently I have had some attitude problems (I am a tad surly and have zero patience).  I guess I am still battling the psychological addiction.  Went for a run with the dogs last night, and it really felt great to be able to run the whole time with them and not feel serious pain in my lungs.

[tdb810]

Awesome news, and so great that you are feeling the difference already!

Hope everyone else is doing ok...still fightin the fight.  Don't EVER give up!

Look at these MF'ers still at it...your FRIENDS at newport.  Pleeeeeeeze.

grrrrr i can never get a freaking picture to post on here....

[johnnYYac]

Well, today's Jan. 18th, so its day 18 smoke free! 

I was definitely challenged and tempted numerous times on Sunday, when me and some pals tailgated outside Gilette Stadium during the Pats v. Jets debacle.  We ended up staying in the lot, with a color TV giving us prime, free HD signal of an embarrasing game. 

Despite my letdown and the number of opportunities I had around me, cigarette smoke has not entered my body since 1:40 am on January 1, 2011.  Nicotine continues to make an appearance in the form of these 2 mg mini lozenges, but (with the exception of Sunday) I rarely have more than 3 or 4 a day.   

Hope everyone else is doing well.  Congrats, Ms. Wiz, on your continuing success.   

[tdb810]

bah!  your friends at newport

[Hawkeye]

I had a few on Saturday, but none since.  My lady-friend has agreed to quit with me, so I have a good feeling that if she quits, I won't smoke either.

I know that I shouldn't want to quit for her...I should want to quit for me...but it provides a good "excuse" to quit for now.

I still keep fighting this internal battle...that since I'm such a "light smoker" in my mind, it's okay to keep smoking.  Until I shake this thought, I'm not sure I'll ever totally quit  :-\

I think I need to watch that movie that someone mentioned earlier...and read some stats about "light smoking"...maybe that will convince me.

[tdb810]

Hey Hawkeye!

Glad you mentioned the light smoking topic again...there have been quite few recent publications on this, and the bottom line is that, there is NO safe level of smoking.  to quote this out of Harvard Heart Newsletter:

Hazards of light smoking
Dr. Rebecca Schane and her colleagues at the Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education at the University of California, San Francisco, reviewed nearly four dozen studies of light and intermittent smoking, along with data in the U.S. Surgeon General's report, The Health Consequences of Smoking. They compiled this list of health hazards associated with light and intermittent smoking:

heart disease due to high blood pressure and cholesterol-clogged arteries

weakened aorta (an aortic aneurysm)

premature death from cardiovascular disease

lung, esophageal, stomach, and pancreatic cancer

respiratory tract infections

delayed conception in women and poorer sperm function in men

slower recovery from torn cartilage and other injuries

cataract

increased frailty in older men and women

poorer health-related quality of life.

The risks ranged from a 50% increase for slower recovery from torn cartilage to a 500% increase for lung cancer in women. Light or intermittent smoking may also contribute to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (chronic bronchitis or emphysema), stroke, peripheral artery disease, breast cancer, and other conditions, but there aren't yet enough data to say for certain.

One aspect of light and intermittent smoking that puzzles experts is the role of nicotine dependence. Nicotine is the most addictive substance in cigarette smoke. The physical symptoms of nicotine withdrawal (which include drowsiness, irritability, difficulty concentrating, anxiety, and craving for tobacco) are what prompt smokers to reach for a cigarette again and again. Some light smokers feel the need to smoke every day. Others can go days or even weeks without smoking, but then experience a deep, sudden urge to do it.




I think it's very helpful that your partner is quitting with you.  I always found it toughest to be around other smokers, and regardless of your reason for quitting - the environmental triggers or cues will improve if it's not around you as much.  Good luck!

[Hawkeye]

Thanks for that TDB!  The nicotine dependence thing has always puzzled me too.  I just don't seem to really have a dependence (or at least I don't think I do).  In other words, if I don't smoke for days, weeks, months, my body doesn't have any sort of craving for it.  The only "craving" I have seems to be purely social and psychological, and only when drinking.  If I gave up drinking, I have no doubt whatsoever that I would never smoke again (at least not tobacco, haha).  When I smoke, after not smoking for awhile, I don't seem to get any pleasant "buzz" or feel any better, just some sort of satisfaction from being able to smoke...like a restriction has been lifted...you know, the whole, "if you can't do something you want to do it more" thing.

Anyway, haven't had one since Saturday, and it's sounding gross to me right now, actually, so that's good.  I'm sure I'll have no temptations until Thursday night (dart league).

[the_wizzard]

I still keep fighting this internal battle...that since I'm such a "light smoker" in my mind, it's okay to keep smoking.

Or, you could see this statement as I see it, that you only smoke a tiny bit so why even bother? You know? I think it is great that your lady is quitting. Together you can definitely do it!

I think I need to watch that movie that someone mentioned earlier...and read some stats about "light smoking"...maybe that will convince me.

The Insider...watch it. You will not want to pad the pockets of the tobacco industry when you are done. Like I said before, it is great motivation.

[johnnYYac]

Hey now, we can't have this thread vanish to the back pages! 

How is everyone doing?  I fear the lack of posts means folks have fallen of the wagon.  If I can resist a smoke while the Jets were anally raping the Pats last week, anything is possible.

I'm not here to brag, but its day 23 TOTALLY SMOKE FREE.  Approximately $160 saved.  Reduced beer consumption is collateral damage (no more puff-sip-puff-sip...).  That's more $$$ saved.   

Don't give up.  Start over if you must.  Good luck.

[tdb810]

Hey now, we can't have this thread vanish to the back pages! 

How is everyone doing?  I fear the lack of posts means folks have fallen of the wagon.  If I can resist a smoke while the Jets were anally raping the Pats last week, anything is possible.

I'm not here to brag, but its day 23 TOTALLY SMOKE FREE.  Approximately $160 saved.  Reduced beer consumption is collateral damage (no more puff-sip-puff-sip...).  That's more $$$ saved.   

Don't give up.  Start over if you must.  Good luck.

Nice JY!!!  Hoping that others aren't giving up hope, there is always hope.......it's never too late to quit!

[Sticky Icky Green Stuff]

Hey now, we can't have this thread vanish to the back pages! 

How is everyone doing?  I fear the lack of posts means folks have fallen of the wagon.  If I can resist a smoke while the Jets were anally raping the Pats last week, anything is possible.

I'm not here to brag, but its day 23 TOTALLY SMOKE FREE.  Approximately $160 saved.  Reduced beer consumption is collateral damage (no more puff-sip-puff-sip...).  That's more $$$ saved.   

Don't give up.  Start over if you must.  Good luck.

do you feel healthier?   cleaner?  sexier? awesome job man. 

[Ruckus]

Have some faith in us johnny.  Jeebus ;).  22 days all good.  Roll on

[tdb810]

Have some faith in us johnny.  Jeebus ;).  22 days all good.  Roll on

Nicely done!!!

[johnnYYac]

Have some faith in us johnny.  Jeebus ;).  22 days all good.  Roll on

Oh, I have faith.  That's why I reached out.  I knew I'd draw you back in for a report.  Glad you're holding on. 

Also appreciate you not rubbing your Jetness in my face.

[the_wizzard]

Hanging in there with y'all. Day 38 and I am mostly craving free.  Except for the afternoons when someone pisses me off, annoys me or I am feeling stressed.  I just get this overwhelming desire for a cigarette.  How do non-smokers handle this?  I can't just go off on someone....well I could.  But that wouldn't be very nice.  And I try to be nice.  Any suggestions? 
*(counting to 10 does not work, fyi)