Smoke Free Day 6

Been ok today really. Went to the doc and one of the things I talked about was giving up and how long should I expect to wait for my sinuses, tubes, ear, etc to clear. I've been told approx 3 months before I notice any changes in my head, so roll on 3 months, that's all I have to say on that one!

Haven't felt the need for any lozenges, which I'm pleased about, I'll see if the nurse would like them for her sample stock as I know she doesn't have any 1mg lozenges teehee. I'm going to give the gum and microtabs back to her as well....thanks, but no thanks..

Went shopping today and gosh, is it me, or is it expensive to want to eat healthily? Got plenty of fruit and other things to stick in my moosh should the need to tackle a craving arise! I am worried about putting on weight, especially after I've naturally lost so much over the past few months. This is what encouraged me to go out and buy healthily.

I cannot believe the changes in me so quickly, it is incredible that I can say so far, so (amazingly) good!!

Smoke Free Day 5

Day 5 and still no cigarette! I can't quite believe it myself but I am managing it.

I knew last night was going to be a real test for me, going to the pub to watch the football but you know what, I was fine. I didn't mind being around smokers, maybe part of me knew I was passive smoking, which maybe helped with a craving (not that I remember having one). I do remember looking at some of the people smoking and asking myself if I wanted one and to my surprise the answer that came back was no, not really. Yes, of course I was very happy about that.

I've also not had any lozenges for 2 days as I've decided that I need to go through nicotine withdrawal completely and I've been fine without them.

Here's the latest good news :o)

Well I did have another one on that Thursday night, but didn't go to bed straight away in order that it wasn't the "one before bed" cig. Friday, I had 3 and on Saturday, I had only 2 and have not bought or smoked any cigarettes since then!

Feeling scared that I may slip, but I will do everything in my power to stick with the lozenges as they do seem to help. Not eating or drinking 20 minutes before and after a lozenge is tricky, but clever. It takes a good 90 minutes to dissolve in my mouth, so it's nearly 2.5 hours without the need for a cigarette.

19-25 Jan

Well here's the latest....Friday, I had 4, yesterday I had 7 (not so good really). Today, I have already had 5.5 tsk tsk tsk and I'll probably end up having another 1 or 2 tonight.

I do feel I'm slipping somewhat on the will-power front. I'm not giving up on the giving up though. I guess I'm bound to have bad days coming up to my quit date and I mustn't lose faith. I have been thinking that I may end up using patches at the start of quitting as I do notice cravings at certain times during the day.

Since I wrote the above 2 paras, however, things have moved on. I have now been to the smoking clinic @ my surgery and the nurse has given me some microtabs, gum and lozenges to try. Tried a microtab, which is 2mg strength, OH MY, so strong and yugh, so now I've got a 1mg lozenge in me gob. It's minty, which I'm pleased about and it's taking ages to dissolve which is also great! I don't like smoking with gum or a sweet in my mouth, so maybe these will be the best option for me. I did have a feeling that they may be. As for the gum, well they're 4mg each, so I'm not even going to bother trying them considering the 2mg microtab was disgusting!

So I actually cannot remember if I had another one on Sunday night, but I probably did. Monday and Tuesday were probably around the 5 mark give or take 1 or 2; yesterday was 5 and today has been 3 and I will try to not have another one tonight! I've really got to crack the "one before bed" cig.

Let's hope these lozenges will be the answer.

Update for the last 3 days

Well, 5.5 cigs on Monday, 5 yesterday and today, well, I've only actually had one. I tested myself to see how long I could go without buying any more cigs. I got to midnight and gave in. I'm not complaining, I'll probably still have one in a min b4 I head to bed, but you know what? from 20, to 5 and now to 2, I'm very proud of myself.

I guess I know I didn't really need to go out to buy the cigs, but hey, this is all the build up to me giving up! I can allow my control freak nature to kick in from Valentines Day and I'm not going to beat myself up over having what appears to be now, a maximum of 5 a day!

Aside from all that, went to the doc today for something else but mentioned I'm about to give up and I was told that they have a smoking clinic there and I have now made an appointment to see the nurse there. What help she can be, I don't know, but I may as well use the resources available to me, why not eh?

Watch this space......

Guess what?

Only had 4 yesterday! Throat's getting sore now, but that's to be expected, as well as the cough. I think it's been a good idea of mine to cut down dramatically before my actual quit date. It should make it easier. Don't think I'm going to bother with patches or anything like that. If I keep myself busy enough (which is a challenge in itself), I'll not have any time to even think about smoking.

Am still concerned about the after meal cravings though...

I'm cutting down!

Well I've decided to cut down on my smoking before my quit date to hopefully make it easier for myself to stop completely. When I'm at home in Milton Keynes, I can easily get through 20 a day. However, when I stay down in London, I tend to smoke less anyway as the places I stay are smoke free environments.

So whilst I've been here in London, I've been cutting down dramatically only smoking approximately 5 a day (on to buying 10s now as well), and it's a little tough at times, especially when I crave my "after meal" cig, but overall, I seem to be doing really well. I've also made the decision to make my car and my place in MK smoke-free zones. So hopefully, when I get back there, I'll be better able to cope with my reduced intake.

That's the theory anyway.......I'll let you know if it works out that way!

It all starts on 14th Feb!

Well this is where you'll be able to get updates on how I'm doing in my fight to give up smoking! Valentine's Day is the day of my last cigarette. Until then, I will be doing what I can with the help of SmokeFree to plan ahead and prepare myself for the big day.