Smoking !!!!!

[medo]

Hello,

I want to quit! I am heavy smoker and cigarettes are expensive in Australia (health ....).
Any personal experience, advice ....

Medo

http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

P.S.
Don't tell me Sysopt is a smoke free zone.


[This message has been edited by medo (edited 03-22-2000).]

[jman01pa]

Cold turkey is the only way to go. Lay the DEATH STICKS down and walk away. Occupy your time with a new interest and begin to start tasting food for real. Watch your weight. I dont smoke and never have so this is definitely my 2 cents worth. Good luck!

J http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[chipbgt]

I have never smoked but had an older brother that smokes. I have never known anyone who will sit near and smoker and say "Boy, that sure smells great! I wish they would blow more of that in my face!"

There are millions of reasons to quit smoking....you'll be healthier, you'll be more active, you'll have more time, you'll be more attractive, you'll save money. Its not an easy thing, because nicotine is a drug and is an addiction, and a pretty hefty one at that.

Good luck in quitting. You'll have better luck at it because you already realize its the right thing to do. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[UncaDanno]

I agree with jman. Cold turkey is the only answer.

Just like breaking (or forming) any other habit, you gotta want to do it. Really and truly WANT to do it. Inside of YOU. NOT because someone else tells you to.

And quit.

And when you're on the verge of doing it again (and you WILL be), concentrate on the reasons why you quit in the first place.

And if you really want to STAY quit, you will.

[jdekonty]

I'm no poster child for success (many attempts to quit, many failures) but the best success I had was with the patch. It eased the physical symptoms of addiction while I got my head around the idea that I was a non-smoker.

The biggest thing, as UncaDanno points out, is the desire to quit.

One thing to think about, although I have no scientific data to back it up, I've heard the physiological addiction to nicotine (you know, the one all those tobacco executives say doesn't exist) is reported to last only 72 hours. If you still want a smoke after day three - it's your head telling you and not a physical craving.

Best of luck!

[This message has been edited by jdekonty (edited 03-22-2000).]

[ytay]

actually the 72 hour time frame may rid the craving for nicotine, but the habit is harder to break, and scientific studies show day 22 is when you break your habit

good luck, oops, another ash just fell on the keyboard

[Axel]

another thing that may help is that every time you crave a ****, take out your wallet and your change and put all of the money there somewhere you aren't likely to reach for it to buy more. Then use the money you accummilate to buy something else you'd really like like a vacation or a new PC.

best of luck - hope you kick it.....

It always made me wonder people would be willing to pollute their lungs, but don't want their car smelling like smoke..... it's a mean addiction....

[grandslammer]

Obviously what I went through isn't something you can plan, but here goes.

Last weekend, I fealt it. You know, that sractchy, funny feeling in the back of your throat like the day before you get sick. Yeah, I knew by noon the next day I'd be done in. I could hardly breathe, matter of fact, I'd wake up in the middle of the night not able to breathe.

I know you're wondering, "where in the hell is this going?" But that's it... The only way I've ever been able to stop was after a bad illness. I know you can't plan on getting sick, and who would? BUT, that's the only way I've ever been able to quit. I'm way past the 72 hour point, I guess I'm at 5 days right as we speak (or as I speak!)

There are still cigarettes around, right by the computer matter of fact... Barbara still smokes, but she's coming down with what I had, maybe I can get her to quit too.

Do you have any kids? All I can say is hey, would you want them to smoke? Would you like to live the maybe 10 - 20 years extra by not smoking? Would you like you retirement years to be active ones where you can walk up the steps with your grandkids? It's not easy. You just have to think which is more important to you.

Do you have a retirement fund in place yet? If so, or even if not, think of it this way. How many cig's do you smoke in a typical day? Say 20. Every day you don't smoke - figure you're putting another hour and a half in your retirement fund. Each week, you'll have another 10.5 hours in your account.

Maybe this seems strange or even idiotic to you, but figure a way to rationalize it to yourself. Whatever works for you...

You can e-mail me anytime if it'll help. I'll answer your e-mails as soon as I see them. If you have stressful situations in your life, talk to someone about them. We all here want you to live as long as you possibly can, dude!

But realize this my friend, every hour you don't smoke, your body is getting cleaner, and you're getting healthier! You smell better, your teeth are getting whiter, and you're gonna live longer!

Speaking of longer, I'd better shut up here, I figure I've worn out my welcome for this topic, and maybe the next 7 or 8...

HA!

Take care, and Best Of Luck!

Mike P.
www.bigfoot.com/~mikeprettyman (http://www.bigfoot.com/~mikeprettyman)

[Amorpheous]

It seems that some of you have never experienced the maniacal and persistent grip of a nicotine addiction (which is a very good thing). quitting cold-turkey is extremely hard, unless you have the willpower and nerves of hercules. i was a heavy smoker (1 - 1.5 packs a day for 7 years) and i used Nicorette Gum to help myself quit. i recommend it...it tastes a bit funky but works good. nicotine is said to be more addictive than heroin, and i can pretty much agree with that. even a month after i quit, i still craved them. it takes willpower and the desire to quit. removing yourself from smoking environments is a big help (i.e. don't hang around people that smoke...although that doesnt mean you have to make new friends) chewing regular gum helped too. its been proven that cigarette smoke contains arsenic, benzene, and carbon monoxide, all potentially lethal chemicals...and who knows what else is really in there.

symptoms i noticed include chills, shakes, aggravation, stress, increased appetite, etc. try *medical* help to quit... http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif GOOD LUCK and the best of health http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif
and don't give up, your health is worth more than a crappy cigs. Plus, why should we continue to support tobacco companies, who've known for years the dangers of smoking

It's not the actual smoking of a cigarette a smoker enjoys, its the momentary freedom from cravings of addiction that they enjoy.




[This message has been edited by Amorpheous (edited 03-22-2000).]

[rotax]

this is going to sound stupid but what the hell im miles away!!! it is not hard to stop smoking..... the only real problem is its hard not to resmoke ...so after a while its not phisical but only mental when you will have a craving just tell you this; is that small vegetal paper tube going to win over ME ...f**k no. after you know what to do to pass the time every time you want to smoke ,it is just going to be that way forever and the more time passes youll get prouder and prouder of you (and the longer it is the more stupid it is to resmoke i stop smoking cold turkey, i was ready, its about 12 years now without the smallest puff . sometimes i still think of how i liked it and how good it would taste , but i know that if i take a puff i will smoke as bad as i did , like i never stopped ,not to mention that i would have scrapped all that time as a non smoker and thinking to stop again...no way. good luck

[This message has been edited by socalgal (edited 03-23-2000).]

[jad1097]

This is from http://www.quitnet.org/Library/Guides/ICQ/
As grandslammer said I have always been able to quit after being sick, but always go back after a week of less.


Cope With Withdrawal
Withdrawal symptoms you experience are actually good news. They mean your body is flushing out the harmful tobacco chemicals. They won't last long; usually between a few days and two to three weeks. Few people experience all of the withdrawal symptoms below. Symptom Cause Duration Relief
Irritability Body's craving for nicotine 2-4 weeks Walks, hot baths, relaxation exercises
Fatigue Nicotine is a stimulant 2-4 weeks Take naps, don't push yourself
Insomnia Nicotine affects brain wave function 2-4 weeks Avoid caffeine after 6 pm, relaxation techniques
Coughing, Dry Throat, Nasal Drip Body getting rid of mucous which has blocked airways A few days Drink plenty of fluids, try cough drops
Dizziness Body is getting extra oxygen 1 or 2 days Take extra caution; take positions slowly
Lack of Concentration Body needs time to adjust to lack of stimulation from nicotine A few weeks Plan workload; avoid additional stress
Tightness In the Chest Tension from body's need for nicotine; or from sore muscles from coughing A few days Relaxation techniques; deep breathing; hot bath
Constipation, Gas, Stomach Pain Intestinal movement decreases for a brief period 1-2 weeks Drink plenty of fluids; add fiber to diet (fruits, vegetables, whole grain cereals)
Hunger Craving for cigarettes may be confused with hunger pangs Up to several weeks Drink water or low calorie drinks; have low calorie snacks on hand
Craving For A Cigarette Withdrawal from nicotine, an addictive drug Most frequent first 2-4 days; can happen for months or even years Wait out the urge. Urges last only a few minutes; distract yourself; exercise
Headaches More oxygen in your system and less carbon monoxide 1-2 weeks Drink water; relaxation techniques


[This message has been edited by jad1097 (edited 03-22-2000).]

[smokin1]

I've tried to quit so many times I can't count them. I went to my doctor and got a prescription for zyban....now I still smoke and am higher than a kite from the prescription ........I think I'm addicted to that now too...I guess the idea of the drug is to keep you gooned until you forget to smoke...uh...hmmm....right.....maybe zyban, the patch, nicorette and...boy would I ever like to be not...smokin1
http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

[medo]

Hello,

Thank you.

D day -8.

Installed WIN2000 and I need some time.

Medo

http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[rotax]

the challenge has begun........ http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

[narayan]

I tried several times and it finally hit me like a Mack truck that I was sick of smoking. Just freakin' sick of it. stopped halfway through the pack. I would still smoke if it wasn't unhealthy, expensive, and make me feel out of breath, smelly, have to go outside in the winter, giving smokes to the deadbeats at work, the awful feeling that you left them at home and are halfway across town, being chastized by my parents, "coffee-smoker" breath, etc etc etc..... Other than that, I loved smoking!!!!

[alan]

WELL DONE to grandslammer
i have smoked ...(wait for it)... since i was 8 yrs old i know its a filthy disgusting habbit that is repulsive to all who dont smoke and some who do the longest i have been off of them is 2 yrs and i allways go back to them i just started again after 6 month break. i allways go cold turkey i find that way by far the best way aslong as you really want to you will, i know and understand full well the medical implications of carrying on doing it, if its something you really really want to do then you will, my girlfriend/partner smokes like a trooper and i find it real difficult to stop while she is on 30 a day so you need to have something to do if you have another member of your household who is also a smoker even if you have to sit on the toilet and read a mag while they have a quick one after a week you'll find a whole new meaning to your senses you'll taste the food more your sense of smell will astound you and you wont have to scrub your teeth so hard to get rid of those nasty stains and you wont have to chew gum when your talking to someone who dont smoke.
i used to run for my school before it got that bad i was on about 10 a day then but managed to be quite fit at the same time
1 full marathon and over a dozen half marathons i played cricket for the school and had a chance to play badmington for essex u/16's and i threw it all away for a ciggarette now i get out of breath just going up the stairs and im only 33, what a life eh!
all i hope is my kids dont go the way i went and if i could i would turn back the clock and never have started...
to all those who want to give up think of the benefit to your family of you living longer grandkids/great grandkids and more and to those who might want to try it DONT.
i've said my peice on this and i hope for those of you trying that you succeed...
alan http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

[medo]

Hello,

I know it will be very hard. I will do my best to do that, so I will decrease number of cigarettes in next few days and stop (I hope so)
D DAY -7

Medo

http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[chipbgt]

anyone wonder where the term cold turkey came from? I do.....anyone know?

[yaroa]

Medo, I dont know if it would work for you, but after many years trying to quit, I was convinced that I dint have the will power to do it, then one day out of the blue I said to myself "this is my last pack", not really believing that I would be able to do it. One of the first thing that I did was to tell you guys about my decision. well I recieved so many positive and encouraging words that up to this day I'm convinced that you guys are partly responsible for my success so far.
I havent had a smoke since August 30th of last year.
So Medo keep checking this thread. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[narayan]

Are you excited about Q-Day yet? Day 3 and Day 7 suck the worst. Then after that it is largely mental. Supposedly.

[Brydon]

Well done grandslammer..I have given up now for two years and three months and I would still love a smoke. I smoked for 15 years and I used nicorette gum to give up and I know for sure I couldn't have done it without the gum. I lost my lost my 9 week old daughter in Jan. this year after spending 8 of them with her in intensive care...one thing I learned is that lfe is precious and should not be taken for granted so don't deliberately smoke youself to death.

[smurfin]

I smoked for 7 years starting around age 14. There is only one way. Cold turkey. If you have a lot of willpower then you only have to will yourself to stop.(I am told that I am very very stubborn, therefore lost o' willpower) For most it is not easy. I have a friend who quit last year. He said that he took an extra day on his weekend and went on a camping trip alone. He took no cigarettes so he had none to smoke. The first three days are the ***** of it so you have to get past that first. He said he had enough will power to make it after that to not restart but he could never before make the first couple of days. (He also said he was glad he had not taken his wife or he would have been divorced!) Just do what you gotta do.

[medo]

Hello,

It is really sad. There are no words that can condole you and substitute your loss.

Medo

http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[seti]

Pretty interesting anti-smokeing site. Some great use of flash IMO. Though it's not really about quiting.

The Truth (http://www.thetruth.com/)

[This message has been edited by seti (edited 03-26-2000).]

[Missing the point]

My dad smokes, my mom used to smoke, but my dad has tried to quit smoking 12 tiomes now, once, going for over a year, but he always goes back. I am really getting on his case about him though. My mom quit, becasue she decided, it was wasting too much money. She used the patch, and it worked! My dad never EVER smokes around me or my brother though. He is the opposite of a hevy smoker. He only smokes about a pack a week, and I think thats pretty good. I know one of these times, he is gonna quit for good, and I am hoping....

[medo]

Hello


D day - 5

It's coming.

Medo

http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[PIrSquare]

Well, I can say whole heartively that I hate smoking yet I've been doing it for 8 years now. I starded when I was 21 and haven't liked it at all. But it is soooo adictive and is really hard to quit. No one else in my family smokes but me. I've tried to quit several times and agree that cold turkey is the only way to go and you must have will power to do it.

Anyways, we in British Columbia have TV add where they show really ugly scenes of smokers inner parts. Works for me. Also, I went hiking on Sunday and barely made it up a short mountain without coughing a lung up. I want to do a 2 week mountain biking trip this summer and I figure if I don't stop smoking now I might as well forget about that one.

Anyways, support for anyone trying to quit. I've been trying for 8 years!

[Mattyb]

I am not a smoker, but the nicotine god still had me under his spell. I chewed tobacco for 6 or 7 years before I quit. I found the nicotine wasn't the addiction. Every time I watched a baseball player put a chew in his lip or spit a stream, I felt the urge to put a dip in. When I would go out with the boys for an evening, sure enough they all would be dippin. The turkey day came when I just couldn't handle putting another dip in the lip. I found after two days, I was able to get up in the morning and was motivated. I had twice the energy to start off the day. I still get the urge to occasionally start back up, in these instances I place my self farthest away from those who do chew and the places I can acquire tobacco. After two hours of the craving, it subsides and life is back to normal. It has been two years now. The rough periods of desiring to return to the habit have become more sporadic with time. I am now experiencing a greater period of time between cravings and they are easier to cope with. The time frame of the craving has decreased also. I can now simply go buy a soda or something else to drink, and by the time I have finished the soda the craving is gone (**** caffeine your next). Just remember the tough time is the first week to 3 months, then after that it is fairly easy to handle. Good luck

Mattyb

[grandslammer]

I'm sorry Brydon, I can feel for you... And I hope you find a way to ease your pain.

But, I feel that God takes care of his children. Even though you only spent a few weeks together, I'm sure you'll meet again.

Do your best to keep the faith, and we'll say a prayer for all of you here....

Mike


[This message has been edited by grandslammer (edited 03-27-2000).]

[grandslammer]

Medo, keep us posted! Best of luck... I haven't had one for 9 days. Still want one all of the time. Especially after a meal, or when I'm "computing" and getting aggrivated. But that's part of it, you know?

Well, the bed's callin' my name, so...........

Good Luck!

Mike

[Chainsaw]

Medo,
Patches helped me, but you just have to really make up your mind that smoking is just not worth it. Since I quit, I can take deep breaths without even coughing now.
Some days are really easy, others are tough, but if you can get past the first week, it just keeps getting easier. It will never go away (at least in my experience I crave a cigarette at least once a day), but it gets much easier to accept the craving and go on to better things. Try to find new things to do. Treat yourself to a walk outside or make a trip to a new and different place, it will help.
As Grandslammmer said, feel free to e-mail me too if you like. Life is too wonderful to waste, enjoy the fact that you are not smoking it away! Take a deep breath, relax and you can do it easy.
You will feel good about it I assure you.

Chainsaw

[This message has been edited by Chainsaw (edited 03-27-2000).]

[medo]

Hello,

upssss, yes, I will ................

D DAY -3


Medo

http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[NukieMan]

Hey Medo,

I think you are heading in the right direction - counting down to a specific day and anticipating that last coffin spike. I smoked for 32 years and had been hating the habit more and more over the last few years. My wife and I had twin boys born in April of 98, so all smoking was restricted to the out of doors and away from the babies. My wife smoked, but had quit for the duration of the pregnancy. Unfortunately, she started back up again after they were born, mostly I believe, because I "wasn't ready" to quit. It was a social habit for the both of us; a "time out" with whatever we were doing and we would head outside to puff away a quick one. The costs had become outrageous; over $3.50 per pack times two of us smoking times two packs a day. That's one PIII-600e per month (costwise).

Finally, last October, a series of visits to the doctor convinced me that if I expected to see these little guys graduate from high school, I had better quit smoking and I had better do it fast. The doctor put me on a prescription of Zyban and told me to select a quit day, no sooner than 30 days after starting the Zyban. I was convinced that it was NOT going to work - a large part of me still "enjoyed" the social side of smoking. Thanksgiving Day was the designated quit date, so my wife stocked up on the Nicoban patches, chewing gum and so forth and on the night before Thanksgiving, we both had our last cigarette. I guess I thought that we'd get through Thanksgiving day and reward ourselves with "just one more" cig, but we were good and sweated out those first 24 hours; then the next 24 hours. Then the next 7 days, and the next 30. We've both been smoke free for 4 months now and we still have those moments where, in the past, we would have taken that time out and headed outside for a smoke, but we are handling it. You will also. Our most important aid, I believe, was the fact that we both quit together. I wasn't going to fail and let my wife down and she felt the same, so it has worked.

I was able to quit the Zyban after 6 weeks and no nicotine patches any more either. That is how we've been able to afford building a new PII-400 system in January, a new PIII-600e system in February and we're gathering the components for our new PIII-700e system to be built next week. My teenage daughters will be inheriting the PII-400 system and I'm sure the twins will be breaking in the other systems before long.

Good luck and don't let yourself down.

[bdunn]

I'm Jewish but I used the Catholic method t oquit back in 1988. I had a roommate in college who was Catholic and he gave up cigarettes fir lent. I told him I'd give it up too in order to make it easy on him.

Neither of us haved picked up a cigarette since.

Good Luck
Bruce

[medo]

Hello,

D Day -2

I am a little bit nervous. Managed to cut numbers of cigarettes to 5 (from 20-25) in last two days. Keep on grandslammer.

Medo

http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[narayan]

Way to go, Grandslammer! Brydon your family and your daughter are in my prayers.

[medo]

Hello,

D day -1

Narayan - you did not mention me at all. I feel abandoned in this difficult moment.

Medo

http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[NukieMan]

Stock up on the chewing gum, Medo and think positive.

Vince

[socalgal]

Hi Medo

Sorry it took me so long to post here.

I don't have anything to add to the fine suggestions and information already posted, but I want wish you the best of luck and good strength on kicking this dreaded addiction.

[medo]

Hello,


D DAY


Medo

http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[chipbgt]

this isnt a april fools joke now is it medo???? your gonna do it right??

[chuckiechan]

Well, here is how I did it...

I used "The Patch". I started at the strongest level, which was quite strong..(see note)..I stayed on this patch for ten to twelve weeks to get all of the associated psycholical habits out of me...and there are many- pick up the phone & lite up, get in the car & lite up, etc....you know what they are.

Finally, I dropped to the next lowest patch and felt a little "funny" for a day or two while I adjusted. After about three weeks, I forgot to put one on and "Viola" I realized I could make it, and I did!!!

When you first try the patch, peel the cover in such a way that you can put 1/2 of the surface on your skin at first until you get used to the dosage..they were quite strong for me.

Good Luck, let us know how it goes!!!

[medo]

Hello,

No, it is not chipbgt.

D day +1.

I had a bad, bad, bad day but first day is behind me.


Medo

http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[NukieMan]

Medo,

The toughest day is behind you and you did make it through it. One day at a time is all that it takes.

Keep the chin up.

[NoCtrl]

Medo - Welcome to another smokefree day! I smoked for probably 25 years before quiting. The chest pains, hacking, and realizing I was smoking some generic crappy cigarettes that I didn't even like helped me decide to stop. I spent two months smoking as much as I wanted but outside - in the winter. I was down to about 5 a day then quit cold turkey. My wife says I drank heavily. I don't know . . . I can't remember. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif Haven't had a smoke since. Now I'm a drunk. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif Jusk kidding.

Everytime you want one, don't say no, just say not right now and find something else to keep you busy. I carried one cigarette in a pack for a year just to keep from going frantic. Never smoked it.

Anyway, whatever works. Good luck Medo!

[Richard_Cranium72]

Medo, The most succesful and easiest way that I've seen is to get a operation at the hospital. It seems that the anesthesia(sp?)kills the desire to smoke. Your health is paramount. If you don't need any operation, get pectorial muscle implants http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif. Seriously, I come in contact with literally thousands of people in my work and this seems to be standard for almost everyone who enters the hospital.. sincerely, lotsa Luck! DrVette

[dos7]

i try to quit sometimes, but just can't hack it after about a week or two, but i keep trying.

hey medo, im in australia to. nsw,sydney, but im from the states, only been here 5 months, and i love australia : )

dos7

[medo]

Thank you everybody.

D day 4 in the progress.

It's hard. I can't be on easy. Nights are the hardest.
Welcome DOS7 http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif.
I’m not so enthusiastic about Australia.


Medo

http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[Dune]

If you need a way to cut back on your smoking while paging through all these responses... this is my tip

take a straw...cut a third of it off...and chew it all day
its non-obtrusive and more accepted than smoking (same action though)

I'm down to about 3 cigs a day...doctors say that 4 a day with addequit exercise is not detrimental to your health

best of luck

[codybear]

I smoked for 30+ years and one day my 7 then 5 yr old daughter came to me with tears in her eyes and wanted to know why I keep smoking when I knew it could make her sick..this she learned in school and from tv comercials..it was like WOW quite a concept there but she was right because I did know it could affect her health and still I puffed away....that night I made a promise to her and never have I broke one to her..that I would quit and the reason I could do it was the fact that I had made a promise and did not intend to let her down...I have been smoke free for 2 years now and it seems like I never did and the smell....if you smoke you STINK!!

bottom line..you have to 'want' to quit first..needing to and wanting to are quite different...

[This message has been edited by codybear (edited 04-04-2000).]

[yaroa]

Hey medo, hang in there buddy, it WILL get better http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[medo]

Hello,


Day 6 (almost finished).
I wan't do that again.


Medo

http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[Chainsaw]

Good job medo!
You will thank yourself for this many time over.
c:::CHNsaw

[narayan]

Medo, How does it feel? DO YOU FEEL GREAT OR WHAT!!!!!!! Keep the faith, buddy! http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif

[medo]

Hello,

Thank you, thank you.

It's my eight-day and it is not so bad like a first few days.
I will conclude my part of the story because I am out (I think).

Medo

http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[Brangwen]

Not a happy story. I smoked for years till the day we planted my old man in January, 1980. Turns out he had died of lung cancer after smoking from age 13 to 54. Fear and anger led to cold turkey, which worked for me.

Good job & good luck, Medo. KEEP POSTING!


[This message has been edited by Brangwen (edited 04-08-2000).]

[welsh wizard]

best wishes on giving up the weed, one day I'll get round to trying. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif
WW

PS
Yaroa are you still cold turkey.
WW

[This message has been edited by welsh wizard (edited 04-09-2000).]

[CMonster]

I know smoking is not addictive - I quit 8 times!

But seriously: ONE DAY AT A TIME - nothing more. Do not swear off forever, but just "today." If you smoke tomorrow you will not be letting yourself down, feeling guilty, and subsequently smoking more because of it. Surely you can quit for 24 hours - after that make a decision about the next 24 and stick with it.

Separate from whatever causes craving - "the smell of coffee wafting in your direction on a crisp morning" or "one too many cold 'Foster's' at the local watering hole."

I love being smoke & tobacco free today 3 years this time around.

[yaroa]

ww thanks for asking. I am still smoke free, since August 30th. Every once in a while I still get the craving, but not as bad as in the begining.
Medo, I'm starting to really know how food taste and to apreciate diferent smells, good and bad http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[welsh wizard]

Glad you made it Yaroa, you be able to support Medo with some tips other than pure will power. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif
WW

[narayan]

MEDO, where are you? Is there something you're not telling us? http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

[welsh wizard]

Medo if you want to enjoy Oz you will have to move to the Sunshine Coast, a few thousand K's north of you,

BTW hows the no smoking going are you at groud zero yet, or still cutting down.

Mike ( Grandslammer)
Sorry I missed you statements on the first page, man it's hard if more than one in a house hold smoke, you got no chance untill all decide it's time, I never figured out how My Ma stayed a no smoker, when my old man was a 40 a day man till he was 59, then he gave up, just finished his pack an never lit up again, he's now in his late 90's and still going strong, Ma on the other hand died when she was 71, they always sead second hand smoke was the greater danger to your health than being the original smoker, Guess there right http://www.sysopt.com/forum/frown.gif
WW

[medo]

Hello,


Thank you. I am OK. It is 12 day since I stoped.
Luckily, I had a couple of essays to do for my study so I have no much time to think about that.
WW, yes this city and area it is no a solution for me (us). Probably we will go to Melbourne…..

Medo

http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[welsh wizard]

Medo Mels get real cold in winter, and can be a real b*tch in summer without Aircon, BTW what are you studing for, may make a diff as to where would be the better area in Oz to settle later on, the worst thing about Oz is there are realy very few big city's and they are noramly thousands of K's apart
( worth remembering in the Territories a Hobby /weekend Farm can be as big as New York State, some of the farms there will take you a day to drive accross)

if you can get accomadation NSW is still the State best suited for work, more so than Mels, but keep an eye on Queensland it's changeing fast from the retirement State and they are trying to attract more Biz to the area.
WW

[This message has been edited by welsh wizard (edited 04-12-2000).]

[Danny G]

Dpends on your preferences I prefer melbounre at the moment. I dont like Sydney. I live in Canberra and this sucks for younger people but those with familis seem to like it better. It all depends on where you live etc. I still dont like Sydney though, dont know why spent a lot of time there though (Im in the Navy)

[Danny G]

It also depends on whether you want to remain part of your old Croatioan community out here. Melbourne is a very multi-cultural place that has strong links to many different nationalites. Just take a look at our soccer sides - knights croation club, lakers/hellas - greek club and now carlton attracts the italian fans

[narayan]

I was in Sydney for a couple of days, and then we went to Coff's Harbor (sp?). I LOVED EVERY DAY OF IT! The opera house, the seafood, the shops, the people, everything. THE BEER IN AUSTRAILIA IS TO DIE FOR. To this day, I crave Toohey's beer, and I know that I may never have another one. The Foster's here just isn't the same. I love Austrailia! http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif Oh yeah, I love the girls, too! http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif

[welsh wizard]

Narayan the first time I went to C.H. it made me feel Home sick for Africa,( I know I was'nt born in Africa but it the best way of discribing the feeling)just like area of the Cape even down to same veggy, how long ago were you there, last time I was there they were doing masses of biulding right out on the Pacific Highway, half expect them to expand to Nana Glen before long.
WW

[narayan]

It will be 10 years this summer. Seems like an eternity. I was there for 4 days. I was with my HS football team. We played an exhibition game against a HS from Idaho (and killed 'em!) in Sydney and then went to CH after as part of our tour. Each of us stayed with residents from the town. I stayed with a man named Geoff Sproule. It is a great town. One day when I am a multi-millionaire I will do an extensive tour of Austrailia. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[Chef Mark]

Medo - keep it up!!!! Once you hit the 2 week mark you are almost there. You will still feel cravings now and again, but if you think about how much better you feel it doesn't bother you so much.

Quit cold turkey 20 years ago this coming May 16th (yes, I remember the exact day to this day) from 3+ packs a day of unfiltered Pall Mall Reds to nothing. Just need to remind yourself why you are quiting and how much better you feel. Don't believe the people that say you can still smoke only 3 or 4 cigarettes a day and not compromise your health. This low level of smoking has a nasty way of becoming a bigger habit without you noticing it. I have seen several friends delude themselves with this notion and now are smoking more then they have ever smoked before.

Keep your faith and remember how good you feel (not to mention the money you are saving).

Chef

[welsh wizard]

narayan forget about being a Multi Millonair it would take a life time to tour Oz properly, is that country large, no wonder up north you can buy a small house with 1000 hectres of land with it for under $70,000 Australian. mind you will take you 5 or 6 hours to drive to town for the shopping http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif


Medo hows the smoke free going, the real bench mark is day 21 ( most medics say it's 21 days to kick the habit after that its all down hill. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif
so keep up the good work.
WW

[grandslammer]

Well, it's been like a month now, and still no cigarettes! Who hoo! Maybe I'll make it this time, huh? Every time I see my kids, well that helps me greatly. Knowing that (unless I get caught in a cave-ine or hit by a truck http://www.sysopt.com/forum/frown.gif ) I should be here years longer to be with them and their kids, and maybe theirs?

Hope you're doing well with your fight, and best of luck

M

[medo]

Hello,

Best wishes to you.

It's my 17th day. It's going better.


Medo

http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[yaroa]

Good job medo, keep it up http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[welsh wizard]

Are you still both smoke free??
WW

[medo]

Hello,

Yes I am smoke free and you (WW) were right about Melbourne.
Funny rule in the CBD - about turning right if you have the tram line behind you.

Medo

http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[chipbgt]

How is it going Medo?

[medo]

Hello,

Thank you, everything is fine.
It’s almost three months and by calculation I saved about $500 AUS - $300 USA.

Medo

http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[Technohead]

Nice one Medo

I have just read this entire post and followed you deciding to kick, kicking, and ending here...kicked.

I am inspired. I have smoked for 10 years, and some of these responses you have provoked from folks have touched me and made me think.

Thanks http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/biggrin.gif

[yaroa]

Congratulations Medo, keep it up http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif