Public Class GeoffAppleby : 3 Days Down, Many To Go

3 Days Down, Many To Go

I've been a cigarette smoker for almost exactly half my life, the majority of which would be roughly at a pack a day. For the last 4 years I've only been smoking 1mg cigs, but it's still a lot.

I quit smoking as of the Tuesday night just gone - which means I've been smoke free for almost 3 entire days. This is the longest I have ever gone without a cigarette since I was 15 years old.

I've lapsed once since then - this morning I woke up very early and couldn't get back to sleep, and in a fit of boredom I had one. Luckily I didn't enjoy it too much :) So far I've already proved to myself what I've thought to be true the whole time I've been a smoker - I'm not so much a nicotine addict as I am a smoking addict. Not having anything to do when when I'm bored or need to switch my head around - how do you non-smokers handle it? My best problem solving has been outside with a smoke in my hand - how am I going to code ever again?

Eh, I'm doing alright. The way I see it, even if for the next few weeks I succumb and have one smoke a day occasionally, it's massively better than 30 or 40 a day. I'm quite surprised at how well I'm doing, especially since I've never tried to quit before :)

Oh, and Bill - thanks for the idea, but my doc won't prescribe the drugs you suggested! This is all cold turkey, baby! :)

Posted: Friday, 16 September 2005 6:26 AM by Geoff Appleby

Filed under: General, Inconsequentials

Comments

armin said:

Great move!
But, I have to say that the worst time will just come ... after a month without cigarets, you will see if you are addictive or not :) and after six months .. if everything goes ok :) Then you are free of cigarets for all of your life :))

# September 16, 2005 8:16 AM

Bill McCarthy said:

Way to go bro !!!
I think Armin's wrong, you are over the worse part, it only gets better, nad better and better. Just remember if you look back you'll turn to stone ;)
it is the "habits" that are hardest, the coffee and smoko, etc. That passes pretty quickly though, and you can do substitution for a while with different things. Stress balls are good to keep your hands busy/relax. Also you should be starting to get some "taste" changes in food soon, so that's fun :)
Now, I can't even remember how long it's been. I find it hard to believe I was ever that stupid to smoke in the first place, and for sooooooo long.
Oh, and don't forget to spoil yourself with the money saved. By the sounds of it you can now buy new toys every week :D

Oh, and your chances of living long enough to watch your daughter grow up are already improving :D

CONGRATS MAN !!! SMART MOVE !!!

# September 16, 2005 10:21 AM

Geoff Appleby said:

Actually, but I think the thing that would increase my chances of watching my daughters grow up the most would be the weight thing. If i lost 50 kilos, it'd make a much bigger difference that quitting smoking.

but one thing at time :)

Thanks for the words guys.

# September 17, 2005 7:16 AM