Put that out!

Off cycle…

This morning I had a meeting in Edmeston and it has really thrown me off my normal schedule. Everything seems to be back-logged which has its good and bad points. First, the bad. The three meetings I needed to reschedule to the afternoon to accommodate my attendance at the first one will only add to the hectic day I am already having. The good news is that I will have very little time today to be idle. So, that means little time to have the urge and the time to break to light up so the seven limit should be easy to overcome today!

Little time today but that was good!

I apologize to all that are diligent in viewing my blog. Today has been a particularly trying day on the Publisher front. I have has several issues that have come up that needed to be resolved so now is really the first free moment that I have had to report on my progress. So at this point in the day, I only have two cigarettes left to reach my new benchmark of 7. I have agreed to assist in a final at SUNY Oneonta so that will take up about two hours of the evening so I should be able to hold true to my goal. I am lost this week without my walking partner (she’s on vacation and I am just a little jealous) so walks have not been taken. Lunch time continues to be a struggle and now I am finding that my driving is not helping the situation.

Ugh…

So the three cigarettes I gave up are greatly missed. I never imaged that the minuscule amount would be so tough. It is almost like it was when I went cold turkey-I am fixating on those that are no longer there. Last night was particularly hard with Hailey going to bed earlier than usual so there was more idle time to just think of popping outside for a smoke. But, I am pleased to announce that I held true to only the seven cigarettes so I am proud of myself because I know it would have been very easy to have another one. What will today bring, I wonder….

It’s not over, but early results show progress

OK, so I am feeling better about my undertaking to give up the smoking habit because over the last several weeks I have seen improvements. Although many reformed smokers say that their food tastes better, I have not had that experience. It just tastes the same. However, I am breathing and feeling happier as a whole. Along with giving up cigarettes, I am also bound and determined to not gain weight in the process, so I have begun an exercise routine. (I’ve lost 18 pounds, but who’s keeping track?)

Lunch breaks include eating (rabbit food consistently for the last three weeks and lots and lots of water) and a 30-minute mid-afternoon walk. I joined a gym and go at least three times a week, concentrating on cardio. I find myself breathing easier as time goes by and my stamina has improved as well. I can tackle the extra five minutes on the treadmill before going onto the elliptical machine. Family and friends were telling me that I seemed out of breath and exerted on the phone when I had just climbed the stairs from doing laundry or chasing my daughter, Hailey, around the house in her favorite “Mommy’s gonna get you” game finished with “tickle monster.”

The only thing I can attribute this to is giving up the cancer sticks. Another noticed benefit is that my skin seems to be clearer, although I don’t know if it is from not smoking as much or all the water I’ve been drinking _ or of course, it could be a combination of the two. My teeth are whiter, too, which makes me happy that I don’t have to spend the more-than 250 bucks to get that done.

Many have inquired about what I am doing with the additional money that is staying in my pocket. To that I reply, shopping. (It can be therapeutic, I’m told.) And lastly, and I think those in the office will agree, I simply smell better without the cigarette stench lingering from my clothes and office. From a pack-and-a-half a day to 10 and now seven cigarettes a day _ my goal of quitting smoking is in its third stage.

If anybody thinks I’ve got my life all figured out and everything is clear sailing from this point on, forget it. I’m clearly just a work in progress. Quitting smoking cold-turkey failed miserably, so the stepdown approach is now my method of choice, and I’m grateful that it seems to be doing the trick.

Surprisingly, I have also been told that I am a happy quitter _ meaning that folks expected me to be cranky and short as I went through the nicotine withdrawal. But keep in mind with seven cigarettes a day, I am still getting the fix, just not as much. I am really trying to stay calm and not let it affect how I treat my colleagues, family and friends, so I guess my efforts are paying off.

Now if I can keep that same personality through my progressive plan and the first few days with no cigarettes, that will be the bonus to all who come in contact with me over the next few weeks.

Did not think it would be this hard…

So today has not been so bad. I only have three cigarettes left in the allotment of seven so tonight may be harder. I plan on putting together a outside play set if the weather holds off to fill the evening but time will tell if that is in the cards. I am having a tough time even weeding back the three-it doesn’t seem like a big deal but its just plain hard. I was hoping that the cutback would go unnoticed and right now I am dreading what it will be like at 5, then 3, 2, 1-then none. Hobbies, meetings, keeping generally busy, and just filling my day may be more difficult as time goes by but I am just taking one step at a time. I was told to “not sweat the small stuff” so that sounds like a plan.

First step down

I hope everyone had a happy Mother’s Day. I sure did. I actually slept in for a change (Hailey seems to be an early riser-she just can’t wait to say good morning so she starts talking around 4:30am and if no response, the scream is not too far behind)! Then off to grocery shop without Hailey (I almost forgot what that was like) and I leisurely made my way through the store. After putting the food anyway, off I went for a long walk then ordered a pizza so I didn’t have to cook. So all in all, it was a good day for me. As for smoking, that’s been going well too! Today is my first step down to 7 cigarettes a day so only 6 left. I need to be diligent in not going out for my “normal” breaks. Today is an extremely busy day with meetings so that should help. I will write later to update you on my progress to cut another three smokes out!

Dog gone it!

Well, I guess the sunshine gods were not smiling on me today. The lunchtime walk I was planning is now out as it is raining in Oneonta and I might melt if I get wet (now, now, don’t laugh too hard-I have some people fooled that I am made of sugar!). Well, meetings have kept me busy this morning but then the stress level rises as the pile gets bigger of work to do when I have back to back meetings. We’ve started time out with Hailey. It is 1-2-3 then timeout so I will try that same approach to relieving the stress. 1-get some more water, 2-pop in a fresh piece of gum, 3-get up from my desk and the ever growing pile of work and chat with staff for a break. Then finally, timeout! Write another blog to get my mind off of smoking. I’ll keep you posted on how it works.

Where to begin this morning…

Well, yesterday evening was a trying one. My husband needed to work late, Hailey is cutting teeth and was very, VERY grumpy, it was bath night, I forgot to take something out to make for dinner, and my house is in need of some major TLC (as I am sure most of you can relate with full time jobs and a family to nurture). But with all those things, last night I only had time for one cigarette so that is the positive. Keeping extremely busy during the evening hours is really keeping me on track. Today I hope the forecasted rain holds off so I can get a walk in at lunch becasue the days I skip it really make the afternoons a struggle.

Community support at its best

Last night I attended the Scholar Recognition Dinner at SUNY Oneonta. There was great food, company, and reason for celebration. I was razzed by those that are close to me about how I was doing. The interest in my success is tremendous and I am just so happy to learn that when I am out and about in the community. Failure is not an option for me and in sharing my journey; your questions on my progress really give me that extra push to push forward. If I have failed to mention this lately-THANKS!

After meals the worst!

Sorry to all for the delay in writing today. Month end and meetings have consumed my morning so now that I have time to breathe (which by the way is better these days), here I am. I find myself directly after meals being the toughest time for me in wanting to light up. I struggle with those urges the most so I need to do something about it. Weather is not always cooperative so that I can walk it out so I am looking for something else to help. Any suggestions?