Day Four!!!

[historyteach]

WOW! I'm really doing this again! And it feels good.

Now, I have a question. When I was at the smoke cessation class pre assessment yesterday, the social worker said a curious thing to me. I didn't think much of it, until I woke up this morning.

I keep reaching for my non existent pack of cigs. Now, I know that's normal, cuz I did that alot when I quit before. It takes time, but, it goes away.

Anyway, he said to keep an empty pack, and put my nicotine gum in there. Then, when I reach for the pack, I can grab a piece of the gum.

Now, we had earlier talked about different behavior modifications. Sitting in a different place, (I've got my new chaise lounge); driving a different way home; having coffee instead of tea...
And all of the literature from the try to quit and the American Cancer Society all say get rid of all reminders of cigs. Loose the lighters. Put the ashtrays away. Stash the matches. The visual reminders are gone, and "out of sight, out of mind."

So, it seems to me that keeping that pack of cigs, filled with nicotine gum, is more like a test; a tease so to speak. I felt uneasy about it when he said to do it. But, he's an ex smoker himself, and he's leading the cessation class. So, against my better thoughts, I didn't say anything. Anyway, I pulled a pack out of the waste paper basket, and put the gum in there. But, just picking up the pack gave me an urge - that wasn't there before. I'm not saying it's right or wrong. Or even a good idea or a bad idea. I just don't know.

So, does anyone here have any experience with this? Should I ignore this idea? What would you do in this situation?

Thanks again!
I've gone three days, 1 hour, 10 minutes and 9 seconds. 121 cigarettes not smoked, saving $33.53. Life saved: 10 hours, 5 minutes.
Hmmm....wonder why I don't have the 33 dollars!

Shalom!

[PlanoTexican]

I could not have had that reminder myself.

We just put sweet tarts where we kept our cigarettes. Not saying you have to have sweet tarts, just something to reach for instead of a cigarette. Maybe some peanuts in the shell or pistachios in the shell.

Taking the nuts from the shell helped pass some time to get over the urge, plus they taste good (grin).

[bahookie]

Hey
I couldn't do that either, it seems like some kind of weird torture to me. I still have a car full of empty fag packets (messy person) and use them to put my chewing gum in, but that's a different action entirely.

I think looking to the old cue for your nicotine fix is a bit daft.

How you feeling today? I can't stop eating.

Jane
xxx



I have been quit for 1 Day, 5 hours, 10 minutes and 45 seconds (1 days). I have saved £6.12 by not smoking 24 cigarettes. I have saved 2 hours of my life. My Quit Date: 01/12/2005 08:45

I like the idea of an extra 2 hours of life

[unspun]

Congrats.................if it makes you feel uncomfortable, don't do it!!!!! what works for one person might not always work for everyone

[historyteach]

You're right, unspun! Ya know, I thought so, but, I am so willing to do "whatever it takes" to quit smoking, that I did something that goes entirely against my better judgement for myself!
Now, THAT'S crazy!!!

I'm getting rid of the pack.
And I like the idea of shelled nuts, Plano! They taste good, they will keep my hands busy and they are good for you. Fits my criteria of what I'm after!

Jane, I'm feeling ok, so far. Still not sleeping well. But, I wasn't sleeping well anyway, prior to my quit. Too much stress in my life. Of course, quitting adds more stress, but, since I have the time off of work, and my doc wants me to do something constructive with that time, I figure this is as good a time as any!
I'm not eating too much. Not eating any less either. I want to start eating better. And to start exercising more. So, there's some other constructive things to do! Now, if I could just DO it, lol!

Thanks all for your thoughts. I really am appreciating the support on this forum. :>)

Shalom!

[Roxy88]

Hi Teach

Day 4!!!!! Good Job!

I agree with everyone above, I could not have a pack in front of me constantly. It would just make me think of what should be in there instead of my gum. Putting your gum where you would usually have your pack makes more sense to me!!

I thought I would be eating constantly but I'm not. I think I am eating less now, but I think that is because the inhaler seems to make everything taste bad. I chew ALOT of gum though. Since you are not a gum person, maybe you could do hard candies or gummies?

Anyways I am very proud of you Teach, I know things have been real tough for you lately. Go buy yourself somehting with the money you've saved, you deserve it!!!

Hugs
Roxy

[historyteach]

Thank you, Roxy...
And we are walking this path together...
I'm proud of you too...and all of us who are taking this load on. Especially now, right before the holidays. But, together, we can do it!
Never doubt it!!!

Shalom!

[PlanoTexican]

Just a random thought.

If you do the hard part first, the rest will be easy!

[historyteach]

Plano;
I'm not sure I understand what you mean...could you elaborate on what is the hard part?

Shalom!

[PlanoTexican]

historyteach

Starting your quit time at this time of the year, when all the parties are going on, everyone on edge because of the holiday celebrations, or maybe expectations.

That’s what I meant by doing the hard part first. You folks getting though the holidays without cigarettes, will make next year easier.

Sorry for the confusion, and sorry if I added to it (smile).

[historyteach]

OHhhh,,,, I understand.
ANd you make a good point! This is probably the worst time of year to quit, huh? Well, leave it to me to do things the hard way, LOL!

Went with a friend today and had a coffee and shared an appitizer while she had a beer. It was good. I know I can't drink right now, and it was ok. Behavior modification, huh? Social worker said to mix things up and do things differently. Well, it's probably the first time I had a coffee in a bar!

Oh, and I went to the market afterwards, and picked up some nuts -- in the shell.

It's the end of the 4th day, and I'm feeling good. Had a few urges today. I did use the gum three times today, and it did make it easier.
So, thanks again for all your support! :>)
Shalom!