A blog about quitting smoking

Have and wants

July 22nd, 2008 Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

In this world, there are “have tos” and “want tos”. Quitting smoking for me is a little bit of both. Yesterday, I had to really monitor my smoking because of the stress I am under and wanted to smoke more. Yet, as I dwindle my intake, I remind myself that I want to be a non-smoker for all the reasons I started my journey. My will is at stake here. Sometimes I wonder if I am strong enough to walk away when I get to one or two cigarettes a day. All I know for sure is, I am at five a day and that is a far crier from the nearly forty I was at. My baby steps have produced results for me so I will be happy with that-for now.

One small step…

July 21st, 2008 Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

So my husband got a bird’s eye view of what it is like to shop with Hailey in tow. We took a trek to Albany since the short stock locally was non-existent. In planning for our upcoming vacation to Florida, I unpacked my summer shorts and found that I am not exactly my pre-pregnancy size and those I bought post pregnancy are falling down. I am in between sizes so needed to expand the wardrobe a bit. Hailey, of course, did not want to be confined to her stroller in the mall and anyone within earshot knew it. I have to share that this was the first shopping trip that I did not pop out the door to get a cigarette. A small milestone but I was extremely proud of myself!

just a little lag…

July 18th, 2008 Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

I apologize for not writing the past two days. After our building renovations were complete, we planned a VIP Open House and needless to say, planning and cleaning took a priority to get our plant ready for this event. It was a very stressful few days but with that behind me, I can now focus on kicking my habit. I have certainly dipped into the candy dish more lately than in the past to get the cravings out of my system and will convert to using toothpicks next week. I want to try to, in essence, fool myself and curb the oral fixation. This weekend is the annual Schenevus Fireman’s carnival (my hometown) and I look forward to seeing folks I only run across once a year at this event. I will be proud to walk around not toting a cigarette in my mouth and worrying about cupping it in my hand so I don’t burn anyone. It will be a nice change.

Tuesday help

July 15th, 2008 Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Every Tuesday my in-laws come to our house for a few hours to spend time with Hailey. It is my opportunity to get stuff done that can be easily accomplished when an almost two year old requires every ounce of your attention. I usually take me time as well, going for a long walk around town, water the plants, check personal emails, call some friends… The one thing I do find is that Tuesday nights are extremely easy to stay on track. I rarely light up when they are at the house. It’s a win/win. I have a confession, the reason I need to take a long walk each Tuesday is because it is also ice cream cone night for Hailey. We tend to coordinate the treat around bath nights because she makes such a mess. I need to walk of the pounds before I start adding them back on.

Eight hours and not even a thought of smoking!

July 14th, 2008 Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

My mom and step father visited this weekend. They have not seen Hailey in about two months so they were itching to squeeze her chunky little cheeks. While I had the extra help (my husband was working and parading with the volunteer fire department this weekend), I utilized the time to get the basement organized. I am being longwinded about my weekend because getting shifted out of my normal routine did wonders on the smoking front. Chatting with mom, getting household stuff done, and finalizing plans for our upcoming vacation kept me busy and I didn’t realize that I went about eight hours with even wanting a smoke!

My wisdoms have gone

July 11th, 2008 Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Pain, Pain, go away!! If you have been reading this blog, you are aware that I had my wisdom teeth out yesterday afternoon and my mouth is not feeling so well today. I have a new respect for those that have had it done-my husband had it done earlier this year and I had limited sympathy for him but boy, I should have babied him more than I did. Hindsight is 20/20 I guess. Well, the dentist gave strict instructions that smoking was out for 24 hours so it has been difficult to say the least. However, I have only had one cigarette since the procedure at 2:00 yesterday so I am doing well. Opening my mouth hurts and inhaling sends twinges of paid also. I guess it is one way to make me cut back!

It’s like pulling teeth, literally.

July 10th, 2008 Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

For the next two days, I should be under my daily five cigarette allotment. Now, I know you may be wondering why since as recent as last week I was above my quota. Well, the reasoning is not great but valid. I will be getting my wisdom teeth pulled and from what I am told, the next two days I won’t feel like doing a heck of a lot. My worst times tend to be after eating and I don’t envision much food chewing after the extraction. So, good things will come out of the pain I will endure I guess. I don’t think the phrase “don’t look a gift horse in the mouth” applies here. I think there is a correlation between pulling cigarettes and teeth away-both are extremely hard and most of the time, painful!

Random commentor really gave me a boost

July 9th, 2008 Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

I have been extremely busy and not diligent in taking my daily walks and need to get back to it. The heat has been a factor at lunchtime because who wants to spend the rest of the day all sweaty, right? Well, I was walking around the town of Worcester last night and a random car of which its occupants I did not know stopped me and had a few words of encouragement after reading my column earlier in the day. The time people are taking to talk to me about my quest to be smoke-free really means a lot and usually give me the boost I need right when I need. Funny how those things work…

It is an uphill battle

July 8th, 2008 Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Good morning to all. If you have tuned into my column this morning, you are aware of my stumble last week but I have held firm since. Not something I wanted to admit to the masses, but, my honesty was needed. I beat myself up over the weekend and hated to write it down in black and white knowing I was disappointing everyone, including myself. Someone recently told me that quitting cigarette smoking is one of the hardest things to give up while another told me it was mind over matter. I think it is a combination of both and I know my body is still getting doses of nicotine daily and I am worried of what will happen once it doesn’t get its fix. Will I go crazy, restore back to smoking double the amount I was at, or will I be able to walk away and lead a smoke free life? Time will tell all.

Times are tough

July 7th, 2008 Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend. Mine consisted of a parade on Friday, some BBQs and work, work and more work. On the smoking front, it was a tough go this weekend. Some personal and work things have added huge amounts of stress to my life and I have some tough decisions coming up. We are still completing our month end requirements so that always adds to the bustle around here. I was able to stay under ten cigarettes a day this weekend although not to my five. I don’t want to resort to throwing in the towel at this point. After Tuesday things should improve so I will keep you posted.

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