End of Day 3. No cigarettes, but one small cigar.

[Scout1071]

Not a bad start considering where I came from.

I'm not a huge fan of cigars, but I was at a breaking point. Someone offered one to me to talk me off the ledge. I only smoked part of it and sadly, my behavior changed for the better. However, all in all it's going well.

Three days down. God willing, decades to go.

[bigwillq]

1. Good for you!

You said you're on the patch, right?

[Scout1071]

2. Correcto mundo.

Or is it correctomundo? No matter.

I've been struggling, but keep telling myself it's going to be better. I even had a glass of wine (one!) with friend's tonight and politely declined a fancy, schmancy dinner - which I would normally love. I know this bunch, fine food and fine wine. That would be the end of things. Overindulgence is our specialty.

So, here I am on DU and not smoking! I just keep thinking that if I can get through a holiday weekend and complete the week, I can really make it.

[bigwillq]

3. I just know you're

going to make it.

Send some of that willpower my way. I need to quit.

[Scout1071]

9. Come on Big Will! Repeat after me......

I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.

Bro..If I can do it, so can you. Seriously, I'm tired of giving my money to "the man." I'm tired of being a slave to it. I'm tired of not feeling well. I'm tired if it having control of me. It's over. I'm taking myself back and you can too.

I stopped in at Best Buy tonight and I saw a couple get out of their car and they were smoking. Taking a long last drag as if their life depended on it on their way into the store and tossing their butts. I just looked at them and thought...."man...that is not pretty. I can't believe I looked like that. I do not ever want to look like that again."

Think positive Big Will! You can do it!

[bigwillq]

10. I quit for a year and a half

Then I turned 21 and started going to the bar and what goes better with beer than a nice Newport Light!

I am really going to try. I need to do a few things first, actually a lot of things to prepare. I need a big lifestyle change, that may be the hardest part.

[Scout1071]

14. Need to be real and stay out of those joints for a week or two

or more till you kick it. I mean, I did have glass of wine tonight, paced myself and left early. Had to do it. I know what you are going thru...the alcohol will trigger for sure. Just do what you've gotta do. It has been hard, but it's getting easier by the minute.

[Scout1071]

12. On a side note......a little chocolate hasn't hurt either!

Just in case.

[Goldmund]

4. Same here!

Day 3, no smoking! Except, no cigars for me. My mindset is such that if I did anything at all that resembled smoking, all would be over.

[bigwillq]

6. Nice job!

Keep it up!

[Goldmund]

13. Thanks much!

I'm having a fairly easy time, actually. :)

[Scout1071]

7. Great job Goldmund!

And yes, I felt guilty about the cigar, but it was small and I didn't enjoy it. I knew if I had to snap, it should be something that I would never normally smoke. Believe me, this lady is not a cigar smoker. In a way, I think it was kind of rock bottom. And I only took a couple of puffs. No inhaling (insert your own joke here). Honestly, it made me kind of nauseous and I deserved it.

Other than that........did I mention the no cigarettes part?!?

[Goldmund]

11. Excelent!

Are you doing patches or gum?

[Scout1071]

15. Patches.

But I may couple with a piece of gum when I'm feeling really anxious. I would say that's only once, twice, maybe three times a day. I found that just having the cigar in my hand eased it somewhat without even lighting it. I kept it hand to puff on without lighting and that helped. Then when I finally did light, it made me feel bad.

Also found that drinking water and deep breaths are helping when the strong urges come on. Regular gum has been helpful as well.

[Goldmund]

16. Cool, I use patches

I love how it gives me a 15-minute high in the morning when I put one on. :evilgrin:

When I get an urge, I go for a run. Even when I was smoking, cigarettes were the last thing on my mind after a run.

[Scout1071]

17. That's true. I've been trying to run with my dog in the morning

But I have tried to give up coffee (the double whammy) because it is such a trigger. Mornings are rough. Very rough. Just trying to drink water because I once read that a glass of water can have the same effect "waking you up" as a cup of coffee. Feckin' liars.

[Goldmund]

18. LOL That IS a lie

If nothing else, try caffeine pills. Going through caffeine withdrawal at the same time as you're nic-ing is a bad time. :)

[mike_c]

5. congratulations-- when I quit smoking I told myself...

...that an occasional slip was NOT a decision to not quit. It was just a slip. And also I knew that if I used that as an excuse to weaken my resolve, the struggle would never be over-- it's only by actually quitting and getting it behind you that the addiction eases and the constant struggle ends. Good for you, and best of luck in achieving a smoke free life. It's SO worth it!

[Scout1071]

8. Right on. Thank you for the encouragement.

I think with each day I will find new empowerment. I always did like a challenge!

[jukes]

19. 11 days

& i loathe all of you!

[Scout1071]

20. I've been locked in my apartment.

I can't seem to have regular contact with people outside of DU during this transition. I was an absolute ass to my co-workers on monday - the one day I had to actually go in the office.

Each time I try to go out, I talk with people and all I want to do is slap them. Is that wrong?

[jukes]

21. just keep

the kitchen knives out of reach.