Just 4 days left and I'm starting to feel a little anxious. I can't wait to be on the other side of the whole giving up smoking experience, and a fully fledged ex-smoker. It's what I want to be and I am committed to quitting smoking, but it is the difficulty of actually stopping that is worrying me - I have all sorts of images of hellish withdrawal symptoms and feeling moody and uncomfortable.
In an effort to prepare myself I have been trying not to have a cigarette at the usual times, i.e. after a meal, with a drink, etc. I have also bought a book called; "Don't Stop Smoking Until You've Read This Book". So far I've read about half of the book and it makes a lot of sense.
But I'm still scared of what I might face. Stupid eh? Why on earth should I be scared of reducing my risk of heart disease, lung cancer and a whole host of other nasties? Anyway, I've booked an appointment at my local health center to see a stop smoking counsellor where I will be able to get NRT on prescription. That is if I want it.
The appointment is later today, so I'll probably write about that in a day or two...
Thursday, December 29, 2005
Friday, December 23, 2005
Woman Sacked For Being A Smoker
A story in the newspaper today tells of a woman who was sacked 45 minutes after starting a new job because she admitted to smoking cigarrettes. Apparently this 'positive discrimination' is perfectly legal in the UK, and the company make clear their anti-smoker policy at their website.
I checked out the website and it does say quite clearly at the very bottom of their recruitment page under 'Other Benefits' that it is a smoke free environment and in brackets "non smokers only". The woman claims to be taking legal action against the company, and even the opinion of the Daily Mirror newspaper is that it was unfair to sack her, and that she should have been given help to quit smoking while employed at the company.
Personally, I think it is good to see an employer taking a strong stance against smoking. Not just smoking in the workplace, but by not employing smokers. How can I say this as a smoker? Easy, I am about to become an ex-smoker remember, and I feel that smoking in this day and age when we know the danger to health should not be an option. So I salute the forward thinking company and hope many others take the same stance.
Never mind the tobacco companies' revenues or the billions raised in taxation, cigarrettes should be consigned to history and the sooner the better. I believe that one day this will happen, and I look forward to the day that our children and grandchildren can look back in bewilderment at the deadly habit and our stupidity for embracing it in history books.
I checked out the website and it does say quite clearly at the very bottom of their recruitment page under 'Other Benefits' that it is a smoke free environment and in brackets "non smokers only". The woman claims to be taking legal action against the company, and even the opinion of the Daily Mirror newspaper is that it was unfair to sack her, and that she should have been given help to quit smoking while employed at the company.
Personally, I think it is good to see an employer taking a strong stance against smoking. Not just smoking in the workplace, but by not employing smokers. How can I say this as a smoker? Easy, I am about to become an ex-smoker remember, and I feel that smoking in this day and age when we know the danger to health should not be an option. So I salute the forward thinking company and hope many others take the same stance.
Never mind the tobacco companies' revenues or the billions raised in taxation, cigarrettes should be consigned to history and the sooner the better. I believe that one day this will happen, and I look forward to the day that our children and grandchildren can look back in bewilderment at the deadly habit and our stupidity for embracing it in history books.
Thursday, December 22, 2005
Stop Smoking With Cold Turkey
Thinking about how I will actually stop smoking, whether it be with the aid of patches, nicotine gum, or even hypnosis it suddenly struck me how appropriate at this time of year "Cold Turkey" would be :oD
I haven't got much to write today, except to say that I have been paying attention to various things like how I feel in the morning when I have my first cigarrette, and under what circumstances I decide to light up during the day. I probably should be keeping a smoking diary, but I'm just too lazy...
I haven't got much to write today, except to say that I have been paying attention to various things like how I feel in the morning when I have my first cigarrette, and under what circumstances I decide to light up during the day. I probably should be keeping a smoking diary, but I'm just too lazy...
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
13 Lucky For Some?
Just 13 days left until the big event (or should it be 'non-event'?).
To be honest, there is so much going on at the moment with preparations for Christmas that I haven't given much serious thought to my quit smoking plan. Of course, each time I have another cigarette it does cross my mind that very soon I must stop, but I haven't really 'psyched myself up' for the big day. I hope that perhaps on some sub-conscious level my mind has already accepted the fact.
In previous years, I always enjoyed a cigar or two at Christmas time, but this year I am not going to indulge. I guess that will be easy because I don't smoke cigars the rest of the year, so why should it be difficult? Giving up the cigarettes will be a different story though.
But I'm not going to pull any punches. If it's difficult, painful, easy, or surprising in any way, I will talk about it here. In fact, I will log any and all side-effects or discomfort I experience, warts and all. Wish me luck and come back soon!
Oh yes, I found another good quit smoking site today. Appropriately it is called "Quit" and you can find it at http://www.quit.org.uk/. I really should find the time to start reading it....
To be honest, there is so much going on at the moment with preparations for Christmas that I haven't given much serious thought to my quit smoking plan. Of course, each time I have another cigarette it does cross my mind that very soon I must stop, but I haven't really 'psyched myself up' for the big day. I hope that perhaps on some sub-conscious level my mind has already accepted the fact.
In previous years, I always enjoyed a cigar or two at Christmas time, but this year I am not going to indulge. I guess that will be easy because I don't smoke cigars the rest of the year, so why should it be difficult? Giving up the cigarettes will be a different story though.
But I'm not going to pull any punches. If it's difficult, painful, easy, or surprising in any way, I will talk about it here. In fact, I will log any and all side-effects or discomfort I experience, warts and all. Wish me luck and come back soon!
Oh yes, I found another good quit smoking site today. Appropriately it is called "Quit" and you can find it at http://www.quit.org.uk/. I really should find the time to start reading it....
Monday, December 19, 2005
How Am I Going To Quit?
They say that winners never quit and quitters never win, but in this case quitting will be winning. But how the heck am I going to do it? If I'm going to stop completely by the 3rd January, then I need to start preparing myself...
Part of my preparation for quitting smoking is reading up on the facts and scouring the Internet for help and advice. One of the sites I have discovered is at www.ash.org.uk and it contains some great information including 15 Top Tips For Stopping Smoking.
I’m not sure yet whether to use NRT (nicotine replacement therapy), i.e. patches, nicotine gum, etc or just go ‘cold turkey’ and grin and bear the withdrawal cravings. But I suppose if it makes the process easier, then NRT could be worth a go.
I've even considered hypnosis but after witnessing some of the antics performed by susceptible guinea pigs on TV, I don't fancy the idea of suddenly stripping naked and shouting "Last orders, gentlemen please!" in my local Asda if somebody just happens to say the wrong thing over the Tannoy.
I'll do some more reading for now I think...
Part of my preparation for quitting smoking is reading up on the facts and scouring the Internet for help and advice. One of the sites I have discovered is at www.ash.org.uk and it contains some great information including 15 Top Tips For Stopping Smoking.
I’m not sure yet whether to use NRT (nicotine replacement therapy), i.e. patches, nicotine gum, etc or just go ‘cold turkey’ and grin and bear the withdrawal cravings. But I suppose if it makes the process easier, then NRT could be worth a go.
I've even considered hypnosis but after witnessing some of the antics performed by susceptible guinea pigs on TV, I don't fancy the idea of suddenly stripping naked and shouting "Last orders, gentlemen please!" in my local Asda if somebody just happens to say the wrong thing over the Tannoy.
I'll do some more reading for now I think...
Friday, December 16, 2005
Why Am I Stopping Smoking?
I thought it might be helpful to jot down a few reasons why I want to stop smoking cigarettes. You never know; it might help to give me a kick up the backside and motivate me.
Reduce the risk of lung cancer – the prospect of suffering the effects of lung cancer is very frightening indeed and although I have been a smoker for a long time, stopping can only help to reduce the risk.
Heart disease – with a history of heart trouble in my family I must be absolutely mad to continue smoking. Sometimes I feel like a ticking time bomb waiting for the explosion of a heart attack, so I really should make an effort to look after my heart.
Increased fitness – Without the pollution in my system it should be easier to exercise and that can only be good for my heart. Provided I don’t overdo it of course. At the moment, even the thought of running for a bus leaves me gasping!
Anti Social Effects Of Cigarette Smoke – It is becoming more and more common to find no smoking signs in public places. In fact, there seem to be very few places left where it is acceptable to smoke. Do I really need the weed so much that I will stand outside in the rain and cold to satisfy my addiction?
For My Wife And Daughter – My wife has never been a smoker, so although she doesn’t nag me to quit smoking I know that she finds it hard to understand why I need cigarettes. And I know that my daughter will be delighted when I stop. They both mean the world to me, so why should I make them endure the effects of my habit?
Hmmm, some food for thought there…
Reduce the risk of lung cancer – the prospect of suffering the effects of lung cancer is very frightening indeed and although I have been a smoker for a long time, stopping can only help to reduce the risk.
Heart disease – with a history of heart trouble in my family I must be absolutely mad to continue smoking. Sometimes I feel like a ticking time bomb waiting for the explosion of a heart attack, so I really should make an effort to look after my heart.
Increased fitness – Without the pollution in my system it should be easier to exercise and that can only be good for my heart. Provided I don’t overdo it of course. At the moment, even the thought of running for a bus leaves me gasping!
Anti Social Effects Of Cigarette Smoke – It is becoming more and more common to find no smoking signs in public places. In fact, there seem to be very few places left where it is acceptable to smoke. Do I really need the weed so much that I will stand outside in the rain and cold to satisfy my addiction?
For My Wife And Daughter – My wife has never been a smoker, so although she doesn’t nag me to quit smoking I know that she finds it hard to understand why I need cigarettes. And I know that my daughter will be delighted when I stop. They both mean the world to me, so why should I make them endure the effects of my habit?
Hmmm, some food for thought there…
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Smoke no more!!
January the 3rd is the date which im trying to somehow ignore, yet in 19 days time it is our set day to Quit smoking. Oh No!! the possibility of completely stopping smoking is unimaginable yet I know it can be done. My target is to stop smoking on the 3rd of January. Failure to comply will result in the forfeit of £50.00 to a cancer charity of our choice. From the first day onwards, Tony and i shall be quitting and sharing our thoughts on here.
I am also hoping to join the army, which means i need to be able to run without falling to the floor within 2 minuites and gasping from exhaustion.
So i shall go and celebrate Christmas and New year, and i will return back to work a non smoker. so we'll see!!!....
I am also hoping to join the army, which means i need to be able to run without falling to the floor within 2 minuites and gasping from exhaustion.
So i shall go and celebrate Christmas and New year, and i will return back to work a non smoker. so we'll see!!!....
Making A Start
At this point giving up smoking is just a commitment for the New Year, so I am trying to prepare myself mentally for the challenge ahead. There are 19 full days left until 3rd January at which point there will be no more cigarettes in my life.
Will it be difficult? I'm sure there will be some tough times but until I get going properly I can't really comment on them and that is what this blog is all about. So if you want to know how I am getting on, drop by regularly and find out.
For the record; I have been a regular smoker for about 26 years. I started when I was around 15 or 16 and it seemed grown up and cool to smoke, but now that I'm 42 the novelty has worn off and the dreaded weed is a bad habit that is shortening my life and threatening the health of everybody around me.
Ok, that's enough quit smoking talk for today. I think I'll go and have a fag...
Will it be difficult? I'm sure there will be some tough times but until I get going properly I can't really comment on them and that is what this blog is all about. So if you want to know how I am getting on, drop by regularly and find out.
For the record; I have been a regular smoker for about 26 years. I started when I was around 15 or 16 and it seemed grown up and cool to smoke, but now that I'm 42 the novelty has worn off and the dreaded weed is a bad habit that is shortening my life and threatening the health of everybody around me.
Ok, that's enough quit smoking talk for today. I think I'll go and have a fag...
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