Monday, June 25, 2012

12 Weeks...

Well today I hit 12 weeks,

12 weeks what you say?

12 weeks with out a smoke.....yep smoke free for 12 weeks.  Doesn't sound much, in fact sounds a bit average really, but for me it is an achievement.

I have smoked since I was 16, (43 now) gave up once for a few weeks but never stuck at it.  I was also quite a heavy smoker, at one time easily putting away 40 a day.  Over the last year though I have cut back.  

Now of course it is a social evil.  You are relegated to back alleys and seeking shelter from the rain in unattended bus stops.  You cant smoke in bars, malls, even out side watching Taylor's football game, all the grounds are smoke free. It is a far cry from when I grew up as a kid with two parents that smoked.  Although Mum was just casual.  Still I remember when they had friends over and the house being full with smoke.  Never thought anything of it back then. But social pressures have come to bear and it was time I took control and got rid of them.  It seems now smokers are social outcasts.  I went riding with the gravel guys one day and out of 19 riders I was the only one that smoked.  Felt a bit embarrassed really.  Kept having to hide behind the trees.

No body forced me to give it away,and the cost is irrelevant.  Ask most smokers the cost of ciggies annoys them but is not often a factor in giving up, well I should rephrase that, cost is not normally the only factor.

So I was standing outside having a smoke on April 2nd, and I decided there and then I had had enough. Mentally I just flicked a switch or something, and made a conscious decision not to smoke.  I threw  the remaining smokes I had in the bin and have just got on with it.  It hasn't been easy, but then it hasn't been as hard as I thought either.  I realize the cravings don't last for long , a few minutes and then they pass, and it is then a while before they come back.   

I dint tell many people I gave up, kept it to myself for fear of failure and embarrassment.  But 12 weeks on I have no desire to start, feel good, and firmly believe I am going to stick at it.   It has become to hard to be a smoker, and it will only get harder.  Sooner or later I was gonna have to can it.  The government is talking about making New Zealand smoke free by 2025....I am sure it will probably happen, not sure how they intend to replace the 1.5 billion they make off tobacco sales, but  they will find a way!

So here I am now making myself accountable to you. So do I feel better? Not really.  I have put on a bit of weight which has me feeling a bit lumpy,  but that has settled down now and I am back under control on that side of things...man the appetite kicked in big time the day after I quit.

Now where did I put those MM's.......






35 comments:

  1. Hey! Congratulations! No small feat. I don't know about social outcast but you are right, there seem to be fewer smokers these days than before. The university here tried to put in a "tobacco surcharge" as well as a ban on hiring smokers but it was defeated not because of an uprising from smokers but it just felt discriminatory.

    Good job!

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    1. That is amazing that the uni tried to hire only non smokers. It is though a sign of the times.

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  2. Well done, Rog! I wouldn't know about giving up smoking (I never started in the first place) but I know a thing or two about giving up on stuff that's bad for you, and implement the changes in lifestyle that go with it to make it happen. You can be proud of yourself.

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    1. Thanks Hon, always hard to make life changes to one's life. Glad I have though.

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  3. That's brave move making it public mate and yet something else to admire you for your transparent honesty. Not only is it good for you of course but it's especially good for those that love you!

    Have no doubt you'll make it but I'll be your conscience too ;-)

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    1. I have no doubt you will be my conscience! The kids are certainly happy I have given it away.

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  4. Good one Rog! I'm no expert but I'd say you've probably got the habit kicked after 12 weeks eh?

    And more cash for fuel & farkles...

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  5. Great work Rog, disgusting habit that and with all the spare cash you'll have, you can buy more booze.

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  6. You've done a terrific job, roger. The hardest part is now behind you. But everyone now and then you will get an association craving: and I seen as the thought goes through your mind, it is instantly followed by another one, that reminds you, that you don't smoke anymore.
    Good feeling....

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    1. Thanks Tricia, and your support has been great. Yep sometimes I forget that I even use to smoke....it is often along time between even thinking about it now.

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  7. So did self medication work on this too? Should I send more emergency M&M's? Been on mind that you might be lusting for some. ;)

    Seriously though, congratulations!! As Oilburner can attest to, you will get some cravings at the oddest times, but you have the mentality to overcome those now.

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    1. Thanks Lori....MM's for me and Vodka for you, to help with your "crud" Hope you feeling better soon.

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  8. I quit for three years once upon a time. And, then I started it up again. I realized in that experience I probably never would be able to say I quit smoking. I can say it has been 28 years since I had my last cigarette. I don't have any plans to smoke today. Tomorrow? I don't doubt, but we'll see. I still get the occasional craving, but seldom. Good luck and good job. You've probably got the physical addiction stuff behind you and that is a very big part of the battle.
    ~Keith

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    1. Thanks Keith for your support, I am still counting weeks so you are a long way ahead of me. THe cravings do disappear, but sometimes you get them at the strangest times.

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  9. Congratulations! That's not an easy thing to do. I've been smoke free for a little over 6 years now. Like Circle Blue, I still get a craving now and then, but I've been able to ignore it.
    Hang in there! It gets easier every day.

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    1. Thanks mate, I have to many bikes now and cannot afford to smoke anyway.

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  10. Way to go Roger!! Good for you for giving up cigarettes.

    I've never smoked so I can't say what it is like but Troubadour quit smoking when he met me. I never heard him complain, I just made him more chocolate chip cookies. :-)

    Just think how much longer you will live. You may not feel different but I bet your body knows the difference.

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    1. chocolate chip cookies......I will email you my address. I love baking but trying not to do to much of that at the moment because I start eating them before they have even cool!

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  11. Well done mate. Think of it as an investment in the rest of your life.

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  12. Well done Roger!!

    I'll admit when you were talking about your smoking it sounded just like me, I'm up to 40 a day at times until I realise and cut down again. I hear you about the social stigma attached with smoking now too, tho I actually didnt mind very much when I was kicked to the outskirts to smoke, being pretty introverted it is a great escape for me to go have a smoke in social situations where there are too many people for me to cope with. And I like having to go outside to smoke at work, it means I get to leave work behind me for 10 mins or on my breaks before I head back into the madhouse.

    But like you I've had moments when I've thought I really want to quit, I agree it's not the money. I just havent managed to find that switch yet, I still see the positives I've just mentioned, if they kick me outside to eat then I reckon I'll be able to do it :)

    Congratulations mate .. dont look back :)

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    1. Brenda: Thanks for stopping by and for your honesty. It is hard to give up and when people pressured me it would make me more determined not to!!!!.. One day you will decide that enough is enough....thanks for your support.

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  13. Well done!

    It's not the easiest path to tread! As a former smoker - stopped over 15 years ago - can assure you that it does get easier but there will always be that little stone to trip you up. It's then that you need all that inner strength to resist the temptation: "Get behind me nicotine!"

    Kia kaha,
    Mark

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    1. Thanks Mark, Couldn't give why I was trying to pass the IAM test could I!.(To much stress) Thanks for the encouragement.

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  14. Congratulations Roger! That's a wonderful thing you did for yourself! Harley put them down about 5 years ago himself (also smoking since he was and early teen).

    Every now and then I ask him if he still misses it. His response was... "smokers stink to me now, but if they have one lit, I could follow them around for days." I think it's funny that the strong tobacco odor that gets in your clothes and possessions are repulsive to him, but a freshly lit one smells good. He swears it's not the same thing. Have you noticed this as well?

    Enjoy the freedom!
    Lady R

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    1. Di, I am with Harly, smokers do stink but when one lights one up....well it can be tempting. It has been the right time to give it away, and I am sure I will stick at it. Glad to see you back on two wheels too!

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  15. I'm shocked that you used to partake in such a dangerous activity!

    Congratulations....

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    1. Nikos.......if you though that was dangerous you should see my off roading skills!

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  16. Congrats!

    My wife and I quit last year on March 21st. After a few weeks, it's all in your mind. Best of luck, I know you can stick with it!

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  17. By the way, now you can put that money towards a bike or other fun stuff.

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  18. Well done to you Roger,
    Keep it up, I mean Not Smoking LOL....TT

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    1. Tony...Trust you , you bloody smart arse!

      (I will do my best)

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