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14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 19

Hi All,

Glad you´re having a good day Scruffy, great news about the au pair as well. Must be a weight off your mind. We´re all suffering from awful head colds at the moment. It´s not quite flu but enough to knock the stuffing out of you for a day or two. Of course we can blow our noses, take some pretty strong medicaction and complain alot. Baby Jamie doesn´t have that luxury, so we were up all night with him, coughing and spluttering, poor little sausage.

Anyway, we´ve all spent the day on the sofa with our duvets, the blinds closed, and a series of classic family films - Star Wars (Original 1977 cut), Shrek and The Jungle Book. After this post there will be a short intermission for cups of tea, toast and marmalade and then the evening´s entertainment will continue with "Kung Fu Panda".

It´s kept my mind off the evil tobacco all day, and if I´m honest, I´ve quite enjoyed myself.

Hope to write more later,

All the best

Steve

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 8/24/2009
Smoke-Free Days: 29
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 1,015
Amount Saved: �152.25
Life Gained:
Days: 4 Hrs: 4 Mins: 41 Seconds: 0

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 47

Anxious 1,

Thank you. Yes all the kids are better and we have a new au pair. Seems so far to be working out. It takes alot of pressure off you when you can trust the person minding your kids. Anyway, not as oppressed today by thoughts of nicotine. Thanks for your support.

Regards,

Scruffy.

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 9/6/2009
Smoke-Free Days: 16
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 384
Amount Saved: �164.16
Life Gained:
Days: 2 Hrs: 10 Mins: 4 Seconds: 8

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 47

Orinico,

Thank you. Today is easier than yesterday. Alot of stress at work as usual but not as many cigarrette thoughts.

Regards,

Scruffy.

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 9/6/2009
Smoke-Free Days: 16
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 384
Amount Saved: �164.16
Life Gained:
Days: 2 Hrs: 10 Mins: 3 Seconds: 45

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 90

Scruffy, Ornicco, Kelly, I know exactly what you mean regarding the kids. My family history isnt that flash due to smoking and I am determined my kids arent going to go down the same path and have to watch me destroy myself. They are so glad I have stopped and so am I. Its cool though because it really does get easier every day. .and this is a cool place to visit and get support..Keep the faith.
My Milage:

My Quit Date: 7/1/2009
Smoke-Free Days: 82
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 2,050
Amount Saved: $615.00
Life Gained:
Days: 12 Hrs: 8 Mins: 24 Seconds: 52

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 967

Scruffy,

You are doing a wonderful job, and I think that having the kids as a motivator is great. I did that too. You have to stay determined, and you will get this done, we will all help you.

Hope you and the family are feeling better,

Kelly

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 7/12/2007
Smoke-Free Days: 802
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 24,060
Amount Saved: $3,007.50
Life Gained:
Days: 66 Hrs: 18 Mins: 26 Seconds: 38

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 47

Orinico,

Sorry for the delay in reverting to you. As you can imagine (know) with 4 kids under the age of 8 years, life is hectic.

I have actually spent a lot of time in Spain and so I know what you mean about smoking being a national sport over there. By the way - nice photos of your kids. I think my main motivation for staying off the cigs this time is derived from the kids. I have put up a star chart in our bedroom so that the kids tick it off each day that I stay smoke free. My eldest Sam asked me while on holidays this year when I was going to give up smoking. I told him soon - "You said that last year and the year before" says he. "You are so silly to smoke. The people who sell you the cigarrettes are trying to kill you .... well maybe not kill you, but they certainly don't care if you die or not.... they just want to make money". This was all from my 7 year old boy who had not yet turned 8. It really struck home that smoking is a mug's game. It is so stupid to smoke, such a waste of health, wealth and self respect. I need to start setting a good example for my kids and I am delighted to say that I feel that, I am at present, simply by not smoking. It sounds easy but it is a struggle each day. This forum really helps me to refocus my thoughts and my determination to stay quit.

I loved Spain. I worked for several months in various parts of Spain teaching English as a foreign language. Madrid - Calle de los desemparados. Albacete, where believe it or not, I played rugby for about 6 months. Santander, Comillas and ofcourse I have been down South on holidays with my parents when I was young. Spain reminds me of my youth, mucha marcha, fiesta y fun.

Slipping because of stress or boredom. You are right, it is an excuse. It is a hell of an addiction though - I feel like I am clawing my way out of a giant spider's web (the one that Frodo had to deal with in Lord of the Rings) but I also feel heroic. I will make it. Don't let the lure of the ring overcome me. Maybe I am being a bit dramatic but it helps and so I don't care. I am now 15 days off the cigs and I do feel stronger but no way out of the woods. Triathlon training for beginners and this forum definitely helps.

Onwards and upwards. Keep up the good fight.

Best of Luck,

Scruffy.

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 9/6/2009
Smoke-Free Days: 15
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 360
Amount Saved: �153.90
Life Gained:
Days: 2 Hrs: 6 Mins: 42 Seconds: 13

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 47

Jim,

Sorry I didn't get to finish my previous e-mail. Had to rush out with the kids. Booted out by the wife who had been with the kids all morning while I was playing golf. You are a man after my own heart as regards a cold beer or two at the end of the day. Once you have conquered nicotine addiction I imagine the fear of falling for any other addiction is diminished greatly. I therefore imagine that you felt fairly confident that you wouldn't become addicted to the painkillers for your ankle.

There are 4 people with whom I work and they all smoke as I used to on the roof of our building. It doesn't really bother me - I just ignore them. My wife smokes a little at night but I tell her to go outside which she does. I don't think I could stand her smoking in the house. Anyway hope your ankle is better soon. What exercises do you do to stay in shape?

Regards,

Scruffy.

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 9/6/2009
Smoke-Free Days: 13
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 312
Amount Saved: �133.38
Life Gained:
Days: 2 Hrs: 0 Mins: 19 Seconds: 57

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 47

Jim,

Yes I am having another smokefree day. 13 days without nicotine. I feel very proud of myself. Went out to play golf this morning, played absolute rubbish but it was great to get out in the fresh air. I would have smoked about 10 cigs a round before and so it is another area of activity that I have managed to get through without smoking. Another addictive taboo broken.

Sorry to hear about your ankle. Very frustrating when you want to take exercise to get in shape and you cannot because of an injury. You sound like you have a very good relationship with your wife and she is supportive. You are lucky - I am also lucky with my "ball and chain". We are both solicitors, we both manage our own firm and we have a very good relationship. Ofcourse we fight but we don't have time to dwell on arguments or mope about. Have to go will finish this e-mail later.

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 9/6/2009
Smoke-Free Days: 13
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 312
Amount Saved: �133.38
Life Gained:
Days: 1 Hrs: 23 Mins: 30 Seconds: 58

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 2606

Orinoco,

Thanks for sharing all of that with us! It really helps other members when they can read about others experiences. I'm really happy to hear that with each day things are getting easier, and breakfast is a great thing to think about first thing in the morning! Yum!

Also, I'm really glad that my quit video hit home for you. I was a little hesitant to put it up as it is very emotional but I figured if it could have impact then it should be viewed. So i'm very thankful that you benefit from watching it, and I invite all other members (especially parents) to check it out.

Keep posting, check back soon!

Samantha, Health Educator

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 2778

Hey Scruffy!!!

I hope you are having another great smoke-free day! In answer to your question... yes, things did dramatically change for me! I went from being a 1 1/2 to 2 pack a day smoker to a non-smoker! I'm almost 53 and I started experimenting with smoking before I was 10! I finally got hooked around the age of 14. So, not smoking was a dramatic change, but I didn't want to change much in my life except to get into shape. Well, I started walking the dogs with my wife after work and my right ankle and foot started hurting more and more. You see, I had rolled my ankle severely in high school and never actually had it "fixed" and it had been hurting off and on since 1974. The ankle kept getting worse this time so I finally decided to get the thing fixed.

Well, I had surgery to repair a torn tendon, a completely severed tendon and the hamburger-like ligaments last November. There were complications in the healing process and the incision separated and didn't scar over until June. Since then I have been going to Physical Therapy 3 times a week to get it working again! I was on pain killers for those 6 months while it was healing inside of an immobility boot. So, yes, I suppose that my life did change quite a bit after I quit! I'll probably stop therapy within the next week and continue to do strengthening exercises for quite some time, as the ankle is still healing... like sub-dermal tissue and severed nerves. The good thing is that I didn't get addicted to the pain medication! Even though the doctor and my wife were worried that I may become addicted, I told them both that I have already beat one of the worse addictions there is and that nothing else will ever get me addicted again!

Through all of that, I still didn't smoke, even though there were periods of stress and boredom! When I became bored, I just logged on here and read posts and supported my fellow quit buddies as best I could! One thing that I really didn't want to change was having a refreshing beer in the evenings after work with the wife! I knew it might be a terrible trigger for me in the beginning, but I convinced myself that having a beer would be my reward for not smoking that day! Well, as you can see, I'm still smoke free and still rewarding myself daily with a glass or two!

I really think that picking a reward that will be worth getting through the day without a smoke is VERY important!!! I do hope that you are rewarding yourself well each and every day!!! It is as important as avoiding triggers and having great coping mechanisms in place if you ask me! Your brain needs those rewards... Cheers!!!

Jim

PS.... There is one change that was pretty dramatic, though... I have avoided visiting friends that smoke in their homes and anyplace indoors that smoking is allowed! In general, I avoided anyplace there were smokers! I think that really helped me, especially early on in my quit!

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 3/5/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 561
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 14,025
Amount Saved: $2,314.13
Life Gained:
Days: 95 Hrs: 1 Mins: 52 Seconds: 49

Quit Meter

$44,280.00

Amount Saved
Quit Meter

Days: 1059 Hours: 19

Minutes: 35 Seconds: 37

Life Gained
Quit Meter

5904

Smoke Free Days
Quit Meter

177,120

Cigarettes Not Smoked

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