It’s been more than a week since my last post and the Quit Effort is still going pretty well.
I’l admit to a couple of lapses over the last weekend when I gave into al-fresco drinking & smoking but I am pleased to say that this didn’t lead to a full on relapse and I’ve spent the vast majority of the last 8 days smoke free. Continue reading
That’s better!
After the drama of day 3, yesterday seemed much more manageable. Granted I was a totally grumpy bugger for the first half of the day but I was more than capable of acting that way when I was a smoker so I’m not letting that discourage me. Continue reading
Let me start my round-up of day 3 with this:
So far I have not smoked a single cigarette since my quit date on Sat 25th June and considering the events of yesterday I deserve a bloody medal for that! Continue reading
2 days in to the freedom of no more cigarette dependance and I’m feeling really good about the process so far. Of course today is the first day back at work which brings a whole new range of associations and other challenges to the fore but I’m confident that these little niggles won’t pose any kind of problem.
Having chosen Saturday as my “Quit Date” I am happy to say that the first day has past without a single ‘orrible cigarette being smoked by your truly.
This morning I had my first meeting with the Help2Quit programme member – a very nice bloke by the name of Richard.
With his help I’ve set a timescale for quitting which starts first thing tomorrow. It was an interesting session and raised some points I didn’t know about the process. For example I was not aware that, chemically, a craving for nicotine only lasts for 6 minutes. Richard recommended that I look at setting up a series of “Six Minute Strategies” to handle these cravings in a positive manner. I’ve got a couple of days to come up with activities that can be used at home, at work and whilst I’m out and about.
I’ll be using Nicotine Replacement for the first few weeks (mostly for the benefit of those around me) but am already looking forward to the point where I can wean myself off these and go completely nicotine free.
I’ll also be using the tried and tested chewing gum (normal sugar free stuff not nicotine gum) technique to handle the first weeks worth of associated anxiety and to act as an apetite suppressant.
All in all I’m feeling positive and am almost looking forward to the challenge. I’ll be documenting my progress here (so apologies of you find it all rather dull) and am grateful for any messages of support you may wish to send my way.
So here’s to the beginning of the end of my life as a smoker!
During a slightly drunken conversation towards the end of last year’s Big Birthday Bash I made a commitment to a friend of mine … that I would have quit smoking by the time my 31st birthday rolled around.
Well, my birthday is rapidly approaching (no need to send gifts by the way … unless you feel you have to) and I’m gearing up to give up.
A bit of history; I started smoking late (well compared to a lot of my friends) aged 18.5, mostly due to being at university and redefining boundaries.
I have previously managed to quit for approx. 6 months when I was 24.
This means that, based on an average of 20 cigarettes a day I have now smoked more than 90,000 ciggies at a cost that is easily in the £1,000s.
I’m not trying this on my own. The local government here in Jersey runs a campaign called Help2Quit which offers support (both financial in terms of free patches or other aids and mental) for 8 – 12 weeks … which should be sufficient to get me past the worst of the process.
Whilst I’d be lying if I said I was “looking forward” to it, I am feeling positive about finally kicking a habit that has really started to intrude on my lifestyle and am looking forward to meeting my 31st year as an ex smoker.
Wish me luck!
