how many of you smoke?

I'm not on an anti-smoking crusade. If you want to smoke fire away. I was a smoker until midnight last night, who knows maybe I won't make it and will be a smoker again.

I don't believe that my group is representitive at all nor did I say it was. There is no doubt it was skewed by the socio-economic composition of the group. You could take a survey among truckers and the results of the survey would be skewed because truck drivers have a higher percentage of smokers. Another thing is that people seldom have a single unhealthy habit, usually multiple unhealthy habits. If you're convinced smoking is good for you, go for it. My experiences while smoking : shortness of breath, higher blood pressure, higher and erratic blood sugar readings, and lack of energy compared to periods when I wasn't smoking have convinced me it is not good for me. It is no concern to me what you put in your body, I only have to watch what I put in mine and that is a 24 hour/day job.

 

Ive been trying to quit. But Im not doing very good. 35 yrs of smoking is taking its toll on me. To make things worse Im nervous about starting a new company Tuesday. The orientation thing. Havent driven pretty much since April. That tends to make you smoke more.

 

Maybe now is not a good time for you. It is best if you can set a date when you know you can relax and not be under pressure to quit. You will start seeing positive changes quickly and try and think of these rather than how much you miss a cigarette. Just do your best. I've stopped smoking numerous times, still trying to quit after 59 years of smoking. Let us know how you do. Best of luck to you.

 

Thanks Native Dancer. I appreciate the input. Ive been trying to just cut back a little. Theres a little tension in the house right now too which doesnt help. I leave for that long trian ride tomorrow. ugh.

 

If you have quit...keep up the fight....and fight hard! I admit it is the worst habit I ever picked up...and I regret to this day that first cigarette I stole from my mothers pack! I have (in a sense) quit quitting! I figure the day I wake up and just don't have the urge will be the day I quit. You know that argument for sure...I'm sure you have been there!

As to putting TW on your ignore list...I read both sides and to me, it seemed you were both "circling the wagons" and not changing your arguments. Keep in mind a person quitting is an ugly cuss, and the ex-smoker can be the ugliest to the smoker. I can see your point of view, and it differs from mine...but not so much as to push you over the wall. Perhaps you could rethink your ignore position...TW does enjoy your religion points and thoughts, I would hate to see a good disagreement end with a blocked wall!

 

Some people can quit by cutting down, say from one cigarette every 15 minutes to one every half hour to one every hour. Other people, like me, have to quit cold turkey. Most people get over the physical withdrawals in 3 short days. Then we begin the psycological changes. A lot of our smoking is habit. I don't know how many times I've reached into my pocket, took out a cigarette package, took out a cigarette and lit it and didn't realize it until I saw a lit cigarette in my hand thinking "Where did this come from?" This was often done while half a cigarette was burning away in the ashtray. Fumbling for a cigarette gives you time to avoid you answering the tough question: DOT officer "Why does your log book showing you driving 637 miles in 3 hours?" Cigarettes were my reward system: I'll have a cigarette after I fill out my logbook, after I make my bunk, after I tighten my straps etc.

Unfortunately there is no quaranteed method that will work for everyone. The important thing is if you don't make it this time don't beat yourself up, just try again. Keep thinking of all the things you have posted why you want to quit. If we get enough people on here trying to quit we can all help each other.

 

Thanks Native Dancer, Again. I will keep what you said in mind. I feel like if I dont do it soon Ill end up like my grandmother. Even to the end she was still a spitfire, She was full blooded Native. She went to the Creator at 66. Im only 48. Thank You.

 

I watched my mother die at 71 from lung cancer. It wasn't fun, but it didn't stop me then. Her sisters are now in their 80's because they don't smoke. My mom could still be with me if it wasn't for cigarettes. I really want to quit now because of my own health problems. Everything I have read on my ailments, maybe smoking was not the root, but it sure complicates matters. Smoking even has an effect on the health of your spine. With diabetes, your kidneys are constantly trying to flush your system. It has to work that much harder to clean the smoking toxins from your body. I'm a little edgy this morning, so watch out.
Maybe native dancer and me can get in a fight since we're both withdrawing?
I might go buy some Nicorette today.

 

Hang in there. I'm still with you. We're not going through this because we are trying to quit but because we started in the first place. If you think the gum will help get some. I use it for the worst of withdrawal times. I use the Nicorette Fresh Mint 2 mg for the really bad times. Check the sales flyers for your area. Many of the drug chains have Nicorette sales this time of year for those New Years resolutions. Often in the coupons there will be Nicorette cuopons.

This too shall pass. Try going for a walk, breathing deeply. Try to avoid your smoking triggers : with your morning cup of coffee. Instead of sitting for 3-4 cups have one cup and get up and walk around. If you, like me, enjoyed your post dinner cigarette get up from the table and walk. Millions of dummies have quit so if those dummies can do it two wonderful people like us shouldn't have a problem.