TheOtherErik Posted September 16, 2003 Share Posted September 16, 2003 I finally decided to quit smoking after 10 years. All the reasons were good.... my health...my family....and most important... my money. $1700 a year!!! Its been a little over two weeks now and its been a bumpy ride. At first, just about every one that annoyed me induced the urge to strangle them 'til their eyes pop out. The patch helps but its nothing like the real thing. Dry fire helps alot to calm the cravings, but I can't do that at work where I smoked the most. Shooting my first match one week after quiting really was horible. I was way to edgy, and couldn't relax. I made many mental errors and I hit a no shoot 3 feet in font of me. It really upset me all my errors were due fact that my body fet I was witholding somthing form it... a stupid cigarette. I also found myself eating more and have gained some weight, wich is even worse because I am allready overweight. I am running out of notches on my safariland belt! The second week has been alot better. The cravings are few and far between. People say that I have been more plesant to be around. Im going to shoot another match in two weeks, hopefully my head will be in the game. Shooter Grrl, your going to have to find a new smoking buddy... or maybe you should quit too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dunn Posted September 16, 2003 Share Posted September 16, 2003 That's great, every ex-smoker I've ever talked to was happy with their decision to quit. It's a tremendous accomplishment, keep up the good work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigDave Posted September 16, 2003 Share Posted September 16, 2003 Kudos!!! As it would happen, I recently put the smokes down after 10 years also. Actually, as it would happen, this time is going very, very well. I have attempted to quit before and have been clean for as long as 3-4 months, so I have some time to go yet, but somehow I believe this time will be different for me. I think what has helped me is I replaced smoking with other activities, namely a bicycle and a couple of dumbells. And, as luck would have it I have not only managed to stop smoking, but loose weight also. Its almost as if I'm burning (literally, the lactic acid is a wonderfull punishment ) the habit out. When it really kicked in was yesterday at the Colts game where we had seats all the way at top in the last row. The other guy with us is a smoker and a bit overweight, and I could see sweat beading on his brow and him breathing hard. Me? Hardly noticed. I know what it would have been like if I was still on my pack a day habit though. Made me smile. The only downside to this is that I have noticed myself going through a bit of a depression. My mood definately has changed, but it seems to be getting better as time passes (nearly 7 weeks now). Anyway, congrats TOE, I know what you are going through, exactly. Keep it up, its going to be worth it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdh Posted September 16, 2003 Share Posted September 16, 2003 Hang in there, it keeps getting better as every week goes by, I haven't smoked one in 9 months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twix Posted September 16, 2003 Share Posted September 16, 2003 A little over a year now and 30 lbs. But hey, $80 for a new belt compared to $1700 a year? Better diet, more excercise. If you can quit the addiction, you can handle that. One guy told me I would see better after quiting smoking. Ah, maybe getting older canceled that one out. Good job, keep it up. TommyB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhgtyre Posted September 16, 2003 Share Posted September 16, 2003 I don't feel your pain anymore but I quit 14 years ago. Keep up the good work. You will be glad you did. -ld Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flexmoney Posted September 16, 2003 Share Posted September 16, 2003 Great work guys!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tightloop Posted September 16, 2003 Share Posted September 16, 2003 Congratulations. Remember you must do it for yourself, no one else. Not trying to dissuade you, but there are few enough pleasures now days, I'd hate to give up single malt scotch and good cigars... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhgtyre Posted September 16, 2003 Share Posted September 16, 2003 Not trying to dissuade you, but there are few enough pleasures now days, I'd hate to give up single malt scotch and good cigars... I would hate to trade a cigar for even ten minutes with my kids, or maybe someday, my grandkids. -ld Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tightloop Posted September 16, 2003 Share Posted September 16, 2003 jhgtyre When your kids get to be in their mid to late teen years, they start offering you tobacco products, or anything to shorten your life and to reduce the number of times your life and theirs have to intersect. At least that was the way I felt during those years. As my older son told me a few years ago; Dad when I was 18, you didn't know crap, but by the time I had turned 25, you had learned a lot. As we get older, we realize that we can go at any time, and that one cigar a month, probably isn't what's going to take you out of here. That is how I rationalize it... I applaud anyone who quits. It is all about choices... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiG Lady Posted September 16, 2003 Share Posted September 16, 2003 Breaking ANY negative habit is proof of self-will, self-motivation and self-mastery. We ultimately walk our paths alone, but in the meantime you are to be applauded and wished the very best of sentiments from here on out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricW Posted September 16, 2003 Share Posted September 16, 2003 Cigar smoking and cigarette smoking are not the same animal. When I was little, I begged my dad to quit smoking cigars because the government came out with the "execution" commercials and I thought someone would come kill my dad for doing it. The truck has never smelled as good since. Every time it rains, I hate myself for making my dad do it, because I can smell the stogies in the truck and I know I denyed him what was probably a harmless occasional pleasure. That said..... Awesome job on ditching the cancer sticks!!!! You rock. If someone asked me to ditch sugar, I couldn't do it. You are a better man than I. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ironman Posted September 16, 2003 Share Posted September 16, 2003 Good Job! I am setting myself up to do the same thing. It a hard addiction to beat but I am sure you can do it. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old shooter Posted September 16, 2003 Share Posted September 16, 2003 I quit about 4 years ago, and haven't had one since, oh yea, that was about the 20th time I had tried to quit. Giving up a 30+ year habit is hard, hell, giving up any cigarette habit is hard. It will only get better for you. Pretty soon people that smoke will stink to you and you won't believe that you ever smelled like that. Keep up the good work, there are always a lot of people pulling for you. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trader Posted September 17, 2003 Share Posted September 17, 2003 You are doing well, being off the evil weed . Its been 17 years for me . After about 6-8 weeks of fresh air you will realize that you have an increase in energy. After about 12 years, I had an occasional cigar. They never brought the craving back for cigarettes. As for sugar, quitting cigarettes was great discipline training for the challenges of type II diabetes. Keep up the good work Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheOtherErik Posted September 20, 2003 Author Share Posted September 20, 2003 Thanks for all the encouragement guys. Im on the 3rd week and doing great. I dont really get many cravings any more and the attitude is much better. I still eat too much but its starting to slow. I moved a step down on the patches and havent really noticed much difference. In fact twice the patch fell off during the day and didn't notice. I should be done with them in another week or so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AikiDale Posted September 23, 2003 Share Posted September 23, 2003 Congratulations TheOtherErik. I quit after 20 years in 1984. Welcome to the club! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merlin Orr Posted October 22, 2003 Share Posted October 22, 2003 Erik - dont let down your guard... 17+ yrs quit and I smoked a cig after a couple - to many - beers. Took about a week before I was back to 2 packs a day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shooter Grrl Posted October 24, 2003 Share Posted October 24, 2003 Hey Big Erik... you still not smoking? We're both rooting for ya! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheOtherErik Posted October 27, 2003 Author Share Posted October 27, 2003 havent touched a single one...its your turn kath. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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