A milestone of sorts

[GaryC 7]

I guess you all remember the fiasco I had with the Wellbutrin last month. I was and still am desperate to quit a 30 year/2 pack a day habit. I am still taking the wellbutrin as I have seemed to gotten over the nasty side effects of it. I was instructed by my doctor to take the drug for 3 weeks before quiting. Then go on the patch and quit. I tried to stop all at once 3 weeks ago. It didn't work. I just couldn't handle the constant craving. So over the last 3 weeks I slowly cut back, while using the patch, to about 1/2 pack per day. Then one week ago today I finally stopped. I am still craving a smoke. Especially when I get around someone that is smoking. I know it would be so easy to ask to bum one. But so far I have resisted. Home is like a refuge. I have no problem at all when I am alone. But work is SO HARD! I work in a factory and it seems that at least half of the people there smoke. I have been chewing gum to try to fight the craving. I think I am wearing out my jaws! I want so much to give this nasty habit up. I know it will be the death of me some day if I don't. Before I really didn't care much if it did but now that I have found Luz I have a reason to want to live a long time. She is really the motivation for my latest attempt. On a side note I have also managed to loose about 10 pounds in the last month. Lord only knows how I managed that with the attempt to stop smoking but I will take it. Thank you all for your support with the problem I had last month. I know with the help of Luz and my friends I will finally beat this life-long addiction.

[MaryandMian 1]

My hat is off to you Gary. Keep up the good work and all baby steps in breaking habits, dieting and such are really giant ones. Good luck on your journey.

[Ban Hammer 13,346]

I guess you all remember the fiasco I had with the Wellbutrin last month. I was and still am desperate to quit a 30 year/2 pack a day habit. I am still taking the wellbutrin as I have seemed to gotten over the nasty side effects of it. I was instructed by my doctor to take the drug for 3 weeks before quiting. Then go on the patch and quit. I tried to stop all at once 3 weeks ago. It didn't work. I just couldn't handle the constant craving. So over the last 3 weeks I slowly cut back, while using the patch, to about 1/2 pack per day. Then one week ago today I finally stopped. I am still craving a smoke. Especially when I get around someone that is smoking. I know it would be so easy to ask to bum one. But so far I have resisted. Home is like a refuge. I have no problem at all when I am alone. But work is SO HARD! I work in a factory and it seems that at least half of the people there smoke. I have been chewing gum to try to fight the craving. I think I am wearing out my jaws! I want so much to give this nasty habit up. I know it will be the death of me some day if I don't. Before I really didn't care much if it did but now that I have found Luz I have a reason to want to live a long time. She is really the motivation for my latest attempt. On a side note I have also managed to loose about 10 pounds in the last month. Lord only knows how I managed that with the attempt to stop smoking but I will take it. Thank you all for your support with the problem I had last month. I know with the help of Luz and my friends I will finally beat this life-long addiction.

congrats gary on beating this

my dad smoked for 43 years. he quit due to a 4 way heart bypass, that was 14 years ago. he told me he still craves one every now and then so bad he can't see straight.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Good Gary. Take it hour by hour.

[payxibka 10,045]

My hat is off to you!!! Good Luck!!

Some people tell me that they can quit smoking anytime they want but the habit they cannot break is buying smokes .... and then of course once they buy them they feel an obligation to smoke them....

Edited November 21, 2006 by fwaguy

[KarenCee 3]

To quote a famous Rob Schneider line "You can doooo it!" I can't imagine how hard this is for you, but having the motivation and the desire to quit for Luz will be what gets you through this. My thoughts are with you!

[mybackpages 0]

Wow Gary, this is a major accomplishment. Smoking also has social and habitual cues that can be just as hard to ignore as the physical cravings. Be kind to yourself and just do what you can.

[rebeccajo 14]

The post title is 'a milestone of sorts'.......

No sorts about it. One hell of a milestone. An entire week without a smoke? I say you're halfway home.............

[Jenn! 918]

We're all very proud of you, Gary. I hope I can be where you are someday soon.

[GaryC 7]

Thanks guys. It would be so good to have my lungs and stamina back. I would love to be a former smoker when Luz gets here. She is so good about it. I know she hates my smoking but hasn't given any ultimatums. But when she says " I want to be with you for a long time" it really tells me what is important. I will keep plugging away at it.

[Ban Hammer 13,346]

Thanks guys. It would be so good to have my lungs and stamina back. I would love to be a former smoker when Luz gets here . She is so good about it. I know she hates my smoking but hasn't given any ultimatums. But when she says " I want to be with you for a long time" it really tells me what is important. I will keep plugging away at it.

are these two related to the reason?

[Savanphil 3]

Wow Gary that is Awesome!!! YOu should be really proud of yourself, kicking an addiction is hard to do. Please keep the updates coming Keep up the good work.....we're rooting for you

[Mags 112]

Well done so far!

[GaryC 7]

Thanks guys. It would be so good to have my lungs and stamina back. I would love to be a former smoker when Luz gets here . She is so good about it. I know she hates my smoking but hasn't given any ultimatums. But when she says " I want to be with you for a long time" it really tells me what is important. I will keep plugging away at it.

are these two related to the reason?

Ummm.... maybe?

[Alex+R 0]

Congratulations, Gary! They say it will get a little tougher over the next two weeks, and then get a LOT easier. You can do it.