I'm on my way to work but wanted to update you on my "quit smoking" week or days. No, I have not totally stopped. I've hit so many sites and talked to so many people. Every successful smoker who has quit has devised a plan that works for them. Some stop cold turkey, and then there are so many ways others quit that worked for themselves but not for everyone.
I smoked a pack a day, on a good day; more likely a pack and a half if I was being honest about it. Cold turkey turned me into a withdrawal freak. Honestly, I do swear I looked like I was needing my next fix of heroin on Tuesday. My plan and what I'm doing: I take a few puffs off of a cigarette. It started with five or six; now it may be two or three, then I snuff it out and save it. It was every hour that the cravings came back. Yesterday, I extended it to two hours. I bought a pack of cigarettes Tuesday evening. I still have six left which will take me well into tomorrow. One pack of cigarettes has lasted four days. For me, that is a monumental step.
I've had a cough since my ear infection is October. Amazingly, it has cleared up in the past three days.
I know this is a bandaid approach. Two girls I worked with at my old position told me this is how they quit. Actually, they told me about this a couple of years ago, as did a friend of my son's father who is a pulmonary specialist. He has been adamant frequently with Joey and me about the smoking. This way of stopping was also his suggestion to us. I'm ridding my body of the need for nicotine slowly. Once I get down to three cigarettes a day, then I will stop completely.
Some things I've heard and read which blow my mind but I totally believe: In the past 10 years, the American tobacco companies have added more components to cigarettes to make them even more addicting, and some health insurance companies have their fingers in the pot which totally floored me. Another thing I read is that people in other countries prefer American made cigarettes. Hmmm...wonder why?
I'm stepping off of the soap box for now. I'm not on my computer as much because I always had a cigarette lit when I was on. This is one area that I really have to work on.
Here are a few snags or tags that I've made; most were for my PSP groups little challenge things.
LOL...the top one is downright strange. Shelly, Missie, and I are in Angela's PSP group. This tiger thingy was a tube we were supposed to use. I have to get my butt in gear or I'll miss my bus.
Thanks for all your prayers and support!
HUGS Chris