Stopping smoking Feb 28th (Page 4)

Another one just getting to this thread.

Keep it up.  You will love it.

I was a 2-pack a day smoker at the age of 18.  I quite when I turned 19.  Didn't have one for almost 3 years.  Then I became a social smoker.  Got worse and worse.  4 years ago, I was almost at a pack a week.  Then I quit.  For good.  Haven't had one since November of 2005. 

Like everyone says, get past the first week or two and you are good to go.  I think I remember reading the chemical addiction to nicotine goes away fairly quickly (week or less?) but the physical addiction to "doing something" takes the longest.

And yes, the smell was THAT bad.  Worse was your breath.  You may start to get more "lovin" from the wife because she will no longer be kissing an ashtray. 

Congrats brother.  We are all here for you.

In a few more you will be able to whiff people smoking a few cars up at stoplights, it kills me, I must look like a freak trying to shut my vents at stoplights!

Thanks Crowny and Nevergiven.  I at almost through day 6 and except for the constant snacking I am doing quite well.  My problem right now is should I cut back on the mints and such too see what happens or just go with it for another week and weight be dammed.

KADAMS...I have been watching your logs...Way to go with those runs...Great job!!!

One step at a time, man. Get the cigs out of the way, then worry (or not) about the mints. And yes, the smell coming from other cars occupied by smokers is the weirdest sensation when you first encounter it.

I bet your breathing has vastly improved!

Agreed.  You've shown this attitude in past posts so I'll just give you a gentle reminder...this is a powerful addiction you are fighting.   Something you have done regularly for years and years and years.  6-days is (a) phenomenal and (b) no time to worry about your substitution strategies yet.  Just do whatever it takes.  Honestly, I wouldn't even worry about it until you are 6-weeks out.  Try to do gum/mints vs. eating of course, but the priority right now is eradicating the addiction by whatever means necessary.

Thanks Morey...Have to keep an eye on the prize. 

Breathing may improve once I get past this stuff in my throat.

Dude.  I SOOOO forgot about that part.

You are probably going to be hacking up some serious phlegm for a while.  Till your lungs completely get rid of it all.

Good times. 

I used coffee stirrers, and I never drank coffee.

Brian: I swear my breathing actually got worse in the beginning, but perhaps it was all that hack (I can't spell phelgm) breaking up?  As for the smell, you'll soon be able to pick out all the closet smokers in a second.  My wife sneaks and doesn't think anyone notices..I smell her from 20 feet away now...Stay Strong!! 

But you die smellin' good! 

YOU ARE DOING A GREAT JOB.  You can do this - keep it up!

Do what you can, but dont overwhelm yourself with goals. Your main focus it to get past the next craving and so on. You are doing awesome, there is no perfect way to quit! Just realize you are doing it and there is no turning back now, you are a non smoker!

Thanks again Never.

Just for the heck of it here is what I have been eating most days:

BETWEEN 5AM and 5PM

1 cinnamon raisin bagel (every other day)

1 cup baby carrots

1 cup red grapes

1.5 cups 2% milk with protein powder (52grams)

2 slices whole grain bread w/ 5 deli slices of lean ham (35 cals)

3-4 wintergreen mints 10 cals

2-3 pieces plus 5 gum = less then 5 cals

When I get home is when I start the carb binging.  

4-8 saltines

1-2 cookies

2-3 graham crackers

2 mints and maybe a gum

Dinner a about 5 varies:  Chicken breast and brown rice.  Filet mignon, corn, baked potato.  Had soup last night w/ crackers.

To tell you the truth I don't know if I am eating more because I have an excuse or because I need to to keep my thoughts off cigs.  I will say my BF% and waist is staying the same even though I have gained 8 lbs in the last few months.  I do chest/back/ab work most every day.  Run every other day and just started getting back on the bike.  I have been quite lazy.  Okay ramble off.

Thanks for putting up with me everyone.

In much the same way you've helped people in the Weight Loss threads/challenges...we'll put up with you for as long as you want to post...many of us have been right where you are and this is the time when you need friends most...  I think the daily updates also forces you to be more accountable than to just yourself.....way to go on getting through another day!! 

In some ways it will get a little worse and in other ways better.   In the long run it will get LOADs better.

Really proud of the way you have been keeping it up.  Good job.