Day 325 - Freedom of Nicotine Trumps Pain

Another set of days has passed, and there are still challenges afoot. The emotional pain and growth of change are enourmous.

But no smokes have entered into my life. No nicotine at all.

I'm glad to be free of nicotine. The rest of my life will walk strong again someday.

Life hurts bad right now. Maybe it will let up.

Nicotine DOESN'T Ease The Pain

I've been nicotine-free for 312 days. I can tell you that the addiction is a strong force. Been there. Done that.

Now, many months into my life as a non-smoker, I go whole days (sometimes even many strings of days) without even thinking about smoking at all.

I can truthfully say: Nicotine does not make emotional pain easier (that's the addict talking in one's head). It hurts just as much (with or without nicotine).

If I can quit, so can others. Hang in there. Hold On. Keep Quitting. Listen to music. Talk to friends. Talk to people on the "Q" (http://quitnet.com.)

Stay clear of it. Don't start. And if you have. There's no time to quit like NOW.

307 Days into a new light, life

I've now lived more than 300 days without a cigarette. I am just past 10 months smoke-/nicotine-free.

Live hands one different things to handle at different times.

I am going through changes to my very basic self, my world, my job, my inside. And Nicotine has not been there for any of it. I'm glad to be without it. It would only make things harder.

Nicotine is not a crutch. It is a noose.

Freedom is good.

Great pain. A test. Day 297

The past few days have been a serious test for my fight against nicotine.

The pain I feel is massive, and deep. The grief is huge and unrelenting.

And yet, I've not struggled against nicotine (all but a few moments last evening).

I mourn loss, but not the loss of my old addict's buddy, nicotine.

I can make it through this without nicotine.

You can, too.

Not smoking is easier...

I've found truly that there are many things that are harder than not smoking.

Quitting takes lots of your brain when you first start - the addiction is a strong and difficult mind-altering experience.

But when you've been down the road of no-nicotine for a while, other parts of life are where your energy focuses.

Sometimes life itself is just plain harder than smoking - I'm glad I have not returned to smoking - it would make life harder.

Day 280 - Relief - I can even hold a pack in my hands

I've been without nicotine for a long time now. I can even hold someone's pack of smokes in my hand and not even be tempted. What a relief.

I'm so glad I'm free of the demon.

Day 273 - Quitting Smoking and You

We are all different, even with all our similarities.

But we do have something always in common: smoking hurts us.

Quitting is good.

I hope my cubs never smoke.

Cruisin' down Route (Day) 266

No Smokes
No Nicotine

I do miss it, but I like my life better without it.

CDC BMI and Smoking/Not Smoking

I'm 6'5" tall. I weigh in at between 215 and 222 pounds (depending on the day of the week, it seems).

According to the U.S. Centers For Disease Control (http://www.cdc.gov), I'm

OVERWEIGHT.

Gimme a break.

I gained those five to 12 pounds after I quit smoking.

And having a spare tire is worse than smoking, how?

So there.

Day 261 - Intermittent cruise control

It has been 261 days since I've had nicotine.

I don't miss it very much. I think I miss the nicotine drug effect from time to time, but otherwise, I don't miss the smell, feel, cost, damage, and self-loathing at all.

I've had some challenging times recently. Only once was I thinking about smoking. I talked myself out of smoking in less than 60 seconds.

You know you're getting better when it takes longer to talk yourself into smoking (than it takes to talk yourself out of it).

Cheers everyone!

I love breathing freely.

Smoking urges from positive events.

Much gets said about people who have strong urge(s) to smoke during times of stress. Indeed, most of the smokers and ex-smokers I know have a serious thing about smoking as a crutch.

However, I've observed that the strongest times for me are because of my previous life's reward system. I used to smoke to reward myself for doing something well, or for going outside and working on cars/yard/house. I have to get a mindset BEFORE I step outside for yard stuff and car stuff.

I'm 252 days without nicotine now. I've not been pushed over the edge at this point - I've much more to lose than to gain if I start smoking again.

The Old Ball And Chain

Did you know that Ball And Chains come 20 to a pack, and are sold at convenience stores throughout the US?

They seemed so light weight...

Day 240, A reposted thought

"Good things smell better, bad things actually smell worse."

My quiterick #2 (Quitting Limerick)

There once was a demon named Nic
Who trapped us in velvet so slick.
We saw its true face
And then with great grace
We gave the monster a kick!

No Nicotine for 238 days - observations of a non-smoker

Another weekend has passed without a smoke. I have not even gotten to the "jones-ing" stage with nicotine in a very long time.

I think there's no doubt that I would enjoy smoking just as much as I used to. The little addict in me likes to point out that smoking is no big deal, it feels great, and is a gamble as to whether or not it will make me sick.

The non-addict non-smoker me knows better. It's much easier to get by the urges now. Why give up now? I've gotten by most of the hard stuff, so there's no reason to have to start all over again.

I like the fact that I've not spent more than $1000 on cigarettes in the past 238 days. (Where is it, I wonder? Where did it go? Oh well...) I like the fact that I don't have to play the defensive mechanism every time someone wants to know if I smoke.

Headed towards a year. See you on the other side.

234 days - onward to 567

I love it when time/day/date numbers are a series of numbers.

234 is good.

I'm still free of smoking, of nicotine, and I'm keeping my wits about me.

I'm glad to be here, to share.

Just remember this: sometimes, quitting is cool.

231 days as a non-smoker: The dreams return

It's day 231. The vivid smoking dreams I had in the first month have long faded.

Somehow or another, the dreams have resurfaced.

Inevitably, I start having a bizarre dream, then during it all, I suddenly decide to light up a smoke (like, "it's a natural thing to do."). Then, I remember that smoking isn't natural or good - the addict is talking.

The best part is, though, when I wake myself up and think: "I didn't really smoke... whew, it was only a dream."

I'm glad to be free from smokes.

Day 224 - Why not-special is special

Seriously: I feel special for staying away from nicotine. But why? Zillions of people go through their entire lives without nicotine - aren't they special? After all, I did start smoking on my own (well, with lots of help from my friends, lying tobacco-funded studies, lying tobacco-funded doctors and lawyers, but that's another story).

So, does quitting smoking make a person special? Well, to be truthful, maybe.

Life is good without smokes. Breathing and smelling good is cool, too.

Quitting Smoking is contageous...

A friend of mine at work has quit smoking for about two weeks. She's using Chantix.

She's optimistic. She smoked 15 years and is on the road to recovery.

Awesome.

My stat? 221 days and counting. How cool is that?

Day 219, some more

I'm going to the gym now. I'm quite sure I'll always be goofy and gangly, but at least, I will lose a pound or two and feel better. I don't go very often, but I do go - and I am good about concentrating when I'm there.

So, maybe I'm not ready to be on the cover of PlayGirl - But I'm glad to be strong enough and full of stamina for life.

219 Days. Quit Smoking. Feel Better.

It has been 219 days since I had my last nicotine fix.

I'm smober, and happy about it.

I've finally gotten to the point where I look forward to people asking me, "Do you smoke?"

I answer, "No. Let's move on to something else!" Or, "No. Of course not!"

I had an Orthopedic Doctor lecture me about smoking (and not talking about my stress-fractured vertebrae). He was impatient, rude, condescending, and was obsessed with telling me what a freak I was for being a smoker. He was so obsessed with it that he never discussed the issues I'm having with my spine.

I'll go see him one more time before it is all over. It will be worth the copay just to shove it up his ***.

Rant off now.

Day 209 as an ex-smoker

Hello everyone!

It has been many days since I put down my last cigarette. Quitting smoking has been a great thing...

I still want a smoke from time to time, but nothing strong enough to get me to go to a store and buy any. I keep telling myself that if I make it to 75 or 100 years, I can think about smoking a few... but I've got LOTS of years before that happens.

For now? My breath is noticeably sweeter and my teeth clean up very nicely. My clothes smell like me (plus some deodorant). And my hair smells like shampoo. Nice...

It's delightful to answer "I don't smoke" when asked. Really it is.

Until next time,

Listen to some nice music, keep the faith, and don't let tobacco rule your life.

194 days without Nicotine

I've now surpassed the half-year mark by a good bit...

I've really thought about smoking lately. I've almost felt like I could start again and just quit later. But my body doesn't want it any more, and my brain is learning (still)...

Really, nicotine is a forever addiction, methinks.

But the nicotine demon can stuff it where the butt don't shine. I'm still free. Free at last...

Observations after a vacation, day 183

WOW.

More than half a year. No smokes, no nicotine.

Still, the nicotine addict says, "Look at those people outside the restaurant. They're lucky. They get to smoke."

But, the ex-smoker says, "Maybe not as fun as smoking, but wow, smell that mountain air!

Observations of an Ex-smoker, 7.11.2007

I had a *real* urge yesterday. The strongest in a long time...

I got through it. I kept focusing on the benefits of NOT smoking... the benefits of NO junk in my system...

Whew. Diet Coke really causes issues with smoking. I have to stop drinking Diet Coke.

Got through it. Again.

Day 155, Observations of an ex-smoker

Dear Diary... Oh, that's right... that's not it...

It's been nearly a month since my last note. I still think about posting, but I'm just too busy right now.

It has been One hundred fifty-five days since my last cigarette. I can honestly say that my breathing ability is significantly improved. Things smell better (or, worse ;-)).

I still think of smoking from time to time. I don't have overwhelming urges (haven't for several months). But, I still think about it. I wonder if it will ever go away.

When I smell/see others smoking, I think, "Lucky. THEY get to smoke!" But, at the same time, I know that the whole addiction thing is just noise.

Getting past urges or desires for nicotine is getting a little easier each month. I just keep focusing on a set of important things:
Feel Better
I'm Free of the chains
I might get to see my grandkids
Save money
Less public pariah feelings

Cheers, until next time!

P.S. Don't forget about music2quitby - site now closed and owned by someone else

I used to have a site named music2quitby. Let go of it for financial reasons. Someone else owns it now. The storm that followed the dissolution of my earlier life ate it.

Perspectives of a Tobacco-Free life

It has now been more than 4 months since quitting... 129 days o' the calendar. My health is reasonable, and breathing is definitely something that is improved.

Curiously enough, my nasal passages must still be freaking out (after stopping the nicotine and smoke trash coating they got every day for about 30 years). I still get a sticky nose and little bits of nasal congestion almost every day. The good news is that I can breathe better through my nose these days. Breathing is good. Breathing without thinking of smoke is better.

I still get quit-zits on occasion. I don't get them like I did when I first quit, but still do... well, at least one part of being a teenager has returned...

I don't equate smoke to reward any more (at least, not several times a day). There are urges here and there, but most of the time the urges are nostalgic and not gnawing craves. The addiction part of my brain still things it is a good thing to get nicotine, so that part of my brain wants to "guilt" me into "feeling good again" with cigarettes. Sorry to tell you, addicted-part-of-my-brain, I'm not going to fall for it.

I have stamina, but my body has returned to its normal (pre-quit) rhythms - I don't get enough sleep (4-5 hours), so I don't have boundless energy... maybe if I ever take a leap and work into a life where I can get reasonable amounts of sleep, I'll become more energetic. The good news: I feel better about myself - not smoking is good.

Four Months, No Smokes

Wow. It's been four months to the day since I quit smoking.

I've not had one bit of nicotine since January 22, 2007. I've been off Chantix since March of 2007. I'm free. (My heart health is much improved.)

There have been urges here and there. Recently, I was drinking Diet Caffeine-Free (rhymes with 'bloke') - and I noticed something I have felt many times, but couldn't put my finger on it: when I drink (rhymes with 'bloke'), it makes me want to smoke. It makes nicotine urges fairly strong. When I don't drink (rhymes with 'bloke'), I almost never get urges to smoke. This is surely a personal thing, since smoke and (rhymes with 'bloke') went together for me for decades. So, I don't drink (rhymes with 'bloke') very much any more.

Besides, I've been a big water-drinking guy for a while. I just drink more plain water now...

Observations?
I can tell when my neighbor (two houses up the street) is outside having a smoke. Really. (Glad it's not me!)
Restaurants are much more pleasant.
I don't miss the $30+ cigarette cost on grocery purchases.
My beard has returned to its natural strawberry blonde/graying color.
I haven't coughed in many days. I go weeks at a time without coughing.
The garden smells much better! The garbage smells worse.
The cars smell better. The kids like it better.
It's easier to breathe when exercising or doing something strenuous. I dug up monkey grass all weekend - and the worst problem was creaky joints (never got winded).
It is SO MUCH easier to wash cars without keeping a cigarette dry. :-)
It is getting easier to not smoke - the urges are less often.
When I do get an urge, it is easier to put down.
I have stronger hopes of living to see my kids get gray hair of their own (can't wait - they gave me gray hair ;-)).
I have stronger hopes of living to see my grandchildren grow up.

4 months.
Cool.

Observations of an Ex-Smoker, 103 days...

Nicotine is addictive. It is something that doesn't just control you - it modifies and takes over emotions and feelings.

For example: an ex-smoker sees someone casually enjoying their cigarette or cigar... and is jealous because "the other person gets to have a smoke."

I'm so glad I'm free. Lorillard owes me. Big. Time.

Day 98 - Observations of a non-smoker

Been busy folks...

I went to my son's crew regatta this past Friday and Saturday. I was in a truck (pulling the shells) for about 7 hours each way, plus tons of time out at the lake. No smokes at all, no need to sneak off for a smoke, no need to obsess about figuring out how to work in a smoke.

Freedom is great. Nicotine is prison.

Interesting... I had another one of my "smoking dreams" the other night. Dream: dream of smoking, get mad about losing my quit (in my dream), realize I was dreaming, wake up and be grateful that I was still free of nicotine....

Wow. Almost 100 days.

92 Days

92 days, wheat snacks, lots of steps, feeling OK...

Now, if I could just get enough sleep...

Perspectives of a ex-smoker - day 91

I've had no nicotine for over three months. A quarter year. 13 weeks.

I still think about smokes. Nicotine is a great liar and an ugly dictator - it likes to say, "Just give up everything, don't question me - and I'll take care of you."

I, personally, am jammin' on the fact that I'm free. Freedom rocks, and is greatly underrated.

Day 86... whew - muscle up, weight up

I've actually gained a few pounds in the past few weeks. The good news is that my middle-section is a little flatter and less jiggly. The exercise is paying off, but I've still got some distance to make when it comes to eating less-than-healthy food.

I regularly think of how grateful I am to be free of nicotine. I guess I will, at some point, think about it less.

But, as a trade... I'd rather spend a few minutes every day thinking about not smoking - than to spend even one more day wishing I had quit.

My brain is still re-wiring itself. Good.

Observations of a Non-Smoker, 4.13.2007

I think that nicotine actually calms nerves and makes deep emotional things less severe. I also think it makes me more patient.

Now, nearly three months nicotine-free, those things are having to be re-learned.

I get mad easier. How can I count to 10 better? Learning...

I get frustrated faster. How can I get myself to be more patient? Learning...

I feel more selfish about the things that are important to me. I love my family more than anything... I need to be there for them, even as a non-smoker. Learning...

81 days, and around the world?

I've been having a bit of a funk for a few days. Not being right in the right place, really... I guess lots of things are going on.

Especially since: my brain is rewiring itself to recover from a 30-year nicotine addiction. Ugh. However, I'd do it again. This is far better than smoking!

21 laps today at work, 26 minutes. Went too fast and stumbled on the last lap up. Gotta be more careful and not get in a race.

81 days without nicotine - next Monday will be 12 weeks... and Sunday-week will be the three-month-aversary of quitting (Jan 22 - April 22).

Ate too much junk food today. I love holidays. And the dollar-bin candy after the holiday loves me...

Catching up... starting day 81

I've been absent from posting for a few days... been down in the mouth...

Getting better... getting back to my exercise soon...

77 Days - 11 Weeks!

Had a great day today.

77 days have passed - I am still clean from all nicotine, and the craves are fewer and lesser... I still think about nicotine (and the lies it tells you), but more as an empowered freed man than as an ex-smoker.

Did 21 laps in 30 minutes in the stairwell at work today. Kept the snacks to a minimum (although there were some Easter chocolates in there), and kept the caffeine at a small amount.

Ready to do an informal gig tonight! So nice to not have smokes be a part of it...

Catch up from yesterday/weekend, days 74-76

No smokes or any nicotine at all this past weekend. Closing in on 11 weeks. How cool is that?

Exercised by yardwork and by practicing bass for a gig on 4.9.2007 (yes, practicing is exercise - try dancing around with your bass for an hour, with movement of 80-lb equipment at the beginning and end :-)).

Actually did OK this weekend on snacks... just some Easter Chocolates and a few Harry Tweeter chocolate-chip cookies...

Had a big cup of McAlister's tea this weekend - split up over three days... Otherwise, no incidental caffeine...

73 days, and a new cool thing for my music!

73 days with no nicotine at all, and no medication for smoking cessation either!

Got yard work exercise this evening after work, stayed away from snacks and caffeine today...

Cheers!

Short Hair, Locks Of Love, No Smokes!

Yesterday was a busy day for me...

I donated my hair to Locks Of Love (you can see more about them here: http://locksoflove.com).

Today is my 72nd day with no nicotine.

Today I had a good snack day (a few M&Ms, but mostly healthy nuts).

I walked my 21 laps of the stairwell at work in 30 minutes today, but with a new twist: I was working a five-pound weight in each hand the entire time.

You can see more about my hair donation here: http://jimmybearpearson.com/locksoflove.php.

71 days!

No smokes for 71 days. Was too busy to do exercise stuff... did get my hair cut for Locks of love, though! I'll be placing the story on my music blog.

Day 70... All is well!

I've been 10 weeks (70 days!) without any kind of nicotine. And I don't miss smoking very often any more... The urges are actually always brief and occasional. All my urges tend to happen just before leaving work for home, or after dinner - and they're decreasing.

I'm hoping that some day it will be nothing at all.

Did 21 laps in the stairwell at work today... 30 minutes of continuous exercise.

The snacks thing went OK... I had a great weekend, but work seems to set my stomach growling for some reason.

Better every day. Better in most every way. And I'm much less of a sourpuss than I was before...

Observations of a non-smoker, 4.2.2007

Folks who light up right when they walk out the door of a restaurant/movie theater/store remind me of the old me...

It doesn't make me mad to walk through the smell and the exposure... it makes me glad that I've not had a smoke in 70 days.

I do wish they didn't smell so bad, though...

Day 68, Saturday!

It's Saturday!

68 days, no nicotine! Smober.

Lots of exercise today... raked the front yard for about 3 hours today. Worked up a major sweat! Doin' good!

No snacks at all, no caffeine at all!

67 Days no nicotine, doing great

It is Friday! A little progressive-rock music linked in the title for this post. (The title track to ContraRevolutionary.)

No smokes or other nicotine for 67 days... working towards my 10th week. What a long strange trip it's been.

Did great with snacks today. Just a few shredded wheat squares and a handful of pistachios. No other stuff. It helps that work is out of carbo-munchies.

Caffeine? Meh... can and a half of soda.

I did 21 round-trips in the stairs at work in 31 minutes - still working more muscles harder on my stair-stepping... today was another day that I lost count by one at some point... when that happens, I subtract one from my total to be sure I got at least what I need.

Now for the weekend... gotta find a good place for walks near home...

Observations of a non-smoker, 3.30.2007

Ex-smokers dealing with ex-smokers.

Fascinating subject. Really.

I watch/participate in conversations, forum participations, and chats between ex-smokers.

Sometimes, ex-smokers are good in their support for each other. As always with the human race, there are also a few who are unkind to others - they seem to think that tough love is the only way to get people to stay smoke free.

In my experience, being unkind and being non-supportive is much worse than "coddling" or "babying" ex-smokers. I don't think of "supportive" being the same thing as "coddling" or "babying" - quite the opposite. Rather, I think being positive, supportive, and understanding makes ex-smokers (and those who have slipped) much more comfortable and much more likely to stay on their quit.

Just my 2cents on my soap box...

I'll step off my box now.

Not Smoking Stats For 3.29.2007

Pretty good day today!

Moderate snacks and caffeine, though not ideal.

66 days with no nicotine! I'm going like an old highway through the south of the country.

I did 21 laps in work's stairwell today, more muscle work, but took a minute longer, 31 minutes. I hope I can figure something out for when it is a zillion degrees and humid here (in the summertime). Maybe bring shorts and such to work and change before and after exercise?

Lots of water (as always).

Observations of a non-smoker, 3.29.2007

Driving in the rain is easier.

That's right, easier.

With all the stress of driving in bad weather, one would think nothing would make rain-driving easier... but think of it this way: I don't have to worry about where ashes go. I don't have to worry about burning myself or the upholstery. I don't have to take my eyes off the road. I don't have to crack a window for fresh air - while letting torrents of rain into the car. Having both hands on the wheel (and in my case occasionally on the shifter stick) is no problem. My windows are clean on the inside (no smoky stuff).

Now that I'm past the gotta-have-a-nicotine-fix-urge-a-minute club, I don't even have to worry about getting a "last smoke" in just before getting to work.

Keep on quitting!

66 days nicotine free
2308 cigarettes not smoked.
$334.95 and 17 days, 15 hours of your life saved.
Edit: sadly, had to shut down my music2quitby site for financial reasons. It's taken over by not the same people now...

65 days... Smokin' (well, not)

No nicotine for 65 days! Now we're smokin' (whoops, wrong metaphor)... Now we're movin'!

No real exercise today... no excuses... no time... shoulda done better.

Snacked too much... no excuses...

Had a cup of tea and a soda today... Probably enough caffeine for a week or more!

Good day for no smokes, bad day for improvement...

Simple day, today

64 days... no nicotine... aloha!

No news or observations today... competing in a guitar contest this evening, so I'm focusing on that... should be good exercise, though!

Observations of an ex smoker

Most of my observations are those of "now that I'm a non-smoker."

Sometimes, though, it is hard not to be an ex-smoker...

Like...

The nicotine was a calming friend for both good times and bad. It was also a comfort during stress-filled times. So many things become related to nicotine... Once you are no longer a smoker, the dis-association becomes like "losing" friends... nicotine is powerfully addictive in so many ways, both overt and covert...

After dinner and before paying the bills are two high-trigger times for me. I'm learning. My cravings are very short-lived and not as powerful as they used to be - but they're still there...

Onward, upward, and out of the nicotine hole we go...

63 days... no smokes

Still chuggin' along... no smokes today after 63 days of smobriety.

I miss them sometimes, though. It's hard to give up a "friend" (or is that "fiend") of more than thirty years, off and on...

Weekend Dynamics

No smokes today or yesterday... Still cookin'!!! 62 days with no nicotine!

Didn't do any formal exercise, other than some Wii sports-type stuff. Did do lots of walking around stores (grocery, discount, etc.) going the long way around and parking far from the front door, though.

I did work on my routine for "King Of The Blues" quite a bit this weekend, though. Broke lots of sweat, worked the guitar quite a bit... so I wasn't a complete sloth this weekend.

Only moderate caffeine. Just a touch of tea once each day. Lots of water otherwise.

My snacking wasn't too bad. Just a few things here and there. I could have done much better though...

On to tomorrow!

Observations of a non-smoker, 3.23.2007

I've not had a smoke (or any kind of nicotine) in 60 days. w00t!

My mouth tastes very different. I think the menthol cigarettes actually numbed my mouth enough that I didn't taste my mouth very much.

Funny, it tastes, well, like my mouth. Fillings and retainer and all. Not so bad, really.

I've really enjoyed using Cinnamon mouthwash after brushing and meals lately. That stuff is awesome. I guess my breath smells better, too.

WFH today...

I'm working from home today (I have a GREAT employer. I can't believe how blessed I am.) I don't have access to my stairs for walking, but I'm going to Wii bowl for an hour tonight.

No smokes today! Still. 60 days and counting.

No snacks today, and no caffeine today!

Happily trudging today

Indeed, still, 59 days, no smokes, no nicotine. Far out.

Did 21 laps in the work stairs today. It was cooler - still broke a good sweat, though. 30 minutes of marching the stairs, with a sprint at the end.

The snack demon and I broke even today. I snacked less, but more fun stuff...

A little caffeine this morning. Still can't get to bed before 12:30, get up before 6. Trying to practice for the upcoming "King of The Blues" contest - my audition is March 27, 2007... I'm gonna flail/fail, but it will be fun!

I am now officially a Wii Ambassador

Nope, I don't work for Nintendo, and have no financial interest involved with them...

I plugged in and played Wii Sports (a game that is bundled with the Wii video game console) for the first time last night.

Wow. That is fun. I'm addicted now... bowling and tennis (I just like the practice/training sessions)... I had trouble putting it down and going to bed last night.

Thing is, I got a great workout in the process. You stand up, use the Wii controller(s) to do things just like the real sport... arm-waving and everything.

Fabulous. Try it. You'll see what I mean. It beats a whole gym of exercise equipment any day!

Oh, one last post for today: Music2QuitBy.com is now live!

I've opened up a new site. One that I hope will help others make it through to being a non-smoker...

I've posted some of my music as free downloads/listens (no guilt, no banner advertisements(as long as I can afford to run the site), and NO DRM in the music files). There is music there that is folksy, calm, upbeat, rockin', electronic, or progressive. A little something for everyone...

Music2QuitBy was a great site. Financial storms at the time of this original post caused me to have to shut it down and stop publishing there. Someone else owns it now.

I am not them, they are not me, they don't have the same altruistic motivation I had with it.

Observations of a non-smoker, 3.21.2007

Popcorn cooking in the microwave has a MUCH more intense smell - particularly when the popcorn has flavoring (you know, like, "processed American cheese food product" or "processed butter-colored-like unknown substance").

I'm growing more aware of smokers in their cars now. Even without the top down, you can smell a smoker in their car when they're near by.

I'm looking forward to cutting my hair to donate to Locks of Love (opens new window) later this month. But at the same time, my very long hair is also a flag of someone who has given up nicotine. It seems like it will be like giving up another old friend... c'est la vie.

Today is a GOOD day

Today, I'm still not a smoker. 58 days with no nicotine. Who would have thunk? I'm really happy to be on this path. It's a big deal. The idea of seeing my grandcubs is becoming more of a reasonable thought.

I did 21 laps in the stairs at work today. This, in spite of having light atrial fibrillation this morning. My heart went into sinus rhythm early on, so my after-lunch exercise wasn't a big deal for the old hippie ticker. I spent 30 minutes on the stairs doing my laps, and the stairwell was warmer today. I broke a nice sweat. I've got to start wearing shorts to work, I guess.

Snacks didn't get the best of me today, although Little Debbie was delectable with lunch. She's a long-time love affair. Sweet snacks from Little Debbie have been a part of my life for nearly my whole time on this earth...

Thank goodness for desk fans.

Good exercise, too many snacks

Today, no smokes: 57 days so far...
20 laps at work in the stairs, working abs and arms more this time... 30 minutes' work...
Too many snacks today... d'oh
One soda today, couldn't get my engine running this morning... Since I don't have much caffeine in my system any more, it worked like a charm.

Not much today... but no smokes

Well, no smokes today. It has now been 8 weeks, 56 days.

Far out.

Not enough exercise today, but had lots of time with my family.

Few snacks... OK there...

3.18.2007 - Nothing today

3.18.2007
No smokes today. 55 days without a smoke. Almost 8 weeks.

No formal exercise today, just vacuuming, carpet cleaning, and some walking around in the guitar store.

Mall-walkin, one snack

54 Days smober - no smokes.
Some tea for lunch, no other caffeine... tea is my big weakness here...
No snacking today, just a brownie at lunch.
Not at work today, so no stairs, but Laura and I walked extensive run-arounds at the mall... We were getting a Wii game with a gift certificate we won, so we wandered to lots of stores, and made efforts to go out of the way everywhere we went... probably about 1.5 miles (walking almost alone, but with 10,000 of our best friends in the mall at one time.=)...

Today's info 3.16.2007

No smokes for 53 days.
I was good about munchies today. I had some shredded wheat as a munch, and no cookies or other goopy stuff.
Had tea with dinner today - yummy.
No laps at work today... worked a half day and went walking with the girl ... Lowes and A.C. Moore.

Gave blood... and an observation

I went to my local Red Cross place and gave blood for the 57th time last evening. I'm over 7 gallons now, and I feel great about it.

Interestingly, my blood pressure and heart rate were about average (for me), but I noticed something significant: I was much less tired and weary after giving blood yesterday. I don't know if it's because I'm not a smoker or if it is because I was having a good day.

Brief Observations #1

You have to start slow if you haven't exercised... I did... I started with one trip up and down the stairs, and one lap around the building. Don't throw yourself to the wolves on the first day.

I can breathe so much better now. At the end of my stairs laps, I am less out of breath and I'm more energetic.

Good things smell better. Bad smells actually smell much worse.

Food doesn't really taste better. Just the same. Coffee, however (as my best friend said, "tastes like butt."), tastes downright bad.

I snore less. I cough MUCH less.

Some near-term history.

3.12.2007:
Music: something upbeat, but calm, a duet between Count Bassy (my Jazz) and Punkin (my poor broken-necked Ibanez semi-hollow).
No smokes for 49 days. That's seven weeks! Kewl.
Munched too much. Free snacks at work are the devil.
No caffeine today.
17 Laps at work.

3.13.2007:
No smokes for 50 days
Did very well not grazing. Stomach constantly growling. Drank more water...
A little caffeine first thing in the day. Not too much.
18 laps at work, 27 minutes sustained activity.

3.14.2007:
Had heart issues today (long story - argh).
No smokes for 51 days
Didn't graze much, but spent most of the day in bed or sitting still.
No caffeine. Makes the heart work worse.
No laps at work.

3.15.2007:
Heart strong and fine.
No smokes for 52 days. Holy smokes, Batman!
Moderate grazing, had a pop tart and a Little Debbie. Converted to sugar-free gum...
A little tiny sip (3) of soda this morning to get moving.
20 laps at work, 30 minutes sustained activity.

Lots of laps today, no urges so far today

I did 20 laps in the three-landing-per-floor stairwell at work today. (A lap is the full trip, from the top down, then back to the top again.) Could have done more, but got a little dizzy.

Keep in mind that I've been walking extensively at work for a number of years. Don't start at 20 if you're new to it.

No smokes today. No urges so far. Smober for 52 days. Far out. Have saved almost enough for a 1/3 of a low-end Gibson (here's hopin').

Did have two snacks today. Need to stay away from Little Debbies and M&Ms. Need to just drink more water.

I rarely consume caffeine. Had a small sip or two from a soda today to wake up a bit. No coffee.

Get Started. Starting Again

I want to keep my posts short, but interesting. So I'll try hard to be succinct.

But the first two have to be a little longer. ...must catch up to get everyone up to the staring line.

My last cigarette was January 22, 2007 at 10:00 P.M. Eastern. I have (thus far) kicked smokes in the ash.

I've always walked and lightly exercised, but now is the time to do a little more.

I want to be lighter - at 200 pounds. Will I make it? Don't know. We'll see.

I want to document the basics of what I'm doing. I think my goals have to be simple and just beyond reach (in the short term) and just within reach (in the long term).

Follow with me if you want... This should prove to be interesting.

I'll try to post a piece of music (generally something I have done) to mark an important post or a milestone.

Cheers!

Jim Pearson