posted February 16, 2006 02:09 AM         

So I wish you the best of luck and remember to have that heart to heart talk with your inner self and that might help you. Also, when you get that craving, drink an 8oz glass of Orange juice. That always helped me.

posted February 16, 2006 02:24 PM         

I enjoyed smoking, but I also fecken hated it more than I enjoyed it. The guilt, the smell, the expense, the toll it takes on your health and your youthfull looks, the social contempt for smokers, (which seems to get stronger all the time), the reduced lung capacity, the ineffective use of time. (wait, I need to have a smoke first. Wait, let me finish my smoke.)

And what was good about it? It was something to do with my hands, and fun to blow smoke rings. Yeah, it's really a no-brainer.

posted February 16, 2006 05:27 PM         

What’s in Tobacco?

There are more than 4,000 chemicals found in cigarettes (250 are toxic poisons, 50 cause cancer) Some chemicals found in tobacco include:
Ammonia (found in toilet bowl cleaner); Arsenic (ingredient in rat poison); Polonium 210 (nuclear waste); Carbon Monoxide (car exhaust); Acetone (used in finger nail polish remover.) Yummy!

Common Concerns About Quitting:

Will I gain weight when I quit?

Probably. Some people gain a few pounds. Other people lose weight. The main reason some people gain weight is because they eat more food as a substitute for smoking. You can avoid gaining weight by watching how much you eat, staying busy and working out. ANOTHER reason people gain weight is because smoking increases your metabolism, with some people as high as a 7% increase, I am not going to lie about this, so you may have to increase your metabolism with exercise.

How will I feel when I quit?

Awful at first. You may feel irritable and cranky. You may also get angry or upset faster, have trouble concentrating or feel hungrier than usual. You may have headaches and cough more at first (while your lungs are clearing out).
All of these can be symptoms of withdrawal from nicotine. Keep in mind that the worst symptoms will be over in a few days. However, you may still have cravings for tobacco.
Those cravings have less to do with nicotine addiction and more to do with the habit of smoking.

What About Nicotine Gum or Patches?

These products may help you if you feel like you can’t quit on your own or you have serious withdrawal symptoms. Don’t use the gum or patch without talking to your health care provider first. These products were not designed for teenagers and could make you sick if you use them the wrong way. You may need to follow special instructions. If you’re an adult and you want to try nicotine patch products, go ahead, but remember you’re still getting your nicotine and so you are still addicted to it.
There are more "natural" approaches to quitting that work. Here is a product that is a natural system to help you stop quitting. I don't smoke, but as a registered nurse, I would recommend this kind of product before resorting to getting your nicotine through a patch or gum. ~ Amy, RN ~

What if I Can’t Quit?

You can quit. Most people try to quit more than once before they succeed. So don’t give up, you may not quit the first time you try. Just don’t go out and buy a whole pack of cigarettes if you think you 'failed'. (Candy helps sometimes, especially chocolate). Take some time to think about what happened to cause you to slip. Figure out how you’ll handle that situation differently next time. Then try again. You can do it!

posted February 16, 2006 05:28 PM         

You can quit. Most people try to quit more than once before they succeed. So don’t give up, you may not quit the first time you try. (Candy helps sometimes, especially chocolate). Take some time to think about what happened to cause you to slip. Figure out how you’ll handle that situation differently next time. Then try again. You can do it!

Top 10 Reasons to Quit Smoking

1. I will reduce my chances of having a heart attack or stroke.

2. I will reduce my chances of getting lung cancer, emphysema, and other lung diseases.

(Smoking kills; One in two lifetime smokers will die from smoking. Smoking causes cancer, heart disease, chronic bronchitis, asthma and emphysema.)

3. I will have better smelling clothes, hair, breath, home, and car.

4. I will climb stairs and walk without getting out of breath.

5. I will have fewer wrinkles.

6. I will be free of my morning cough.

7. I will reduce the number of coughs, colds, and earaches my child will have.

8. I will have more energy to pursue physical activities I enjoy.

9. I will treat myself to new books or music with the money I save from not buying cigarettes.

10. I will have more control over my life.

posted February 16, 2006 05:45 PM         

* After 24 hours, most carbon monoxide from smoking is out of your system. Lungs work better and you can do more before running short of breath.

* After two days, senses of taste and smell sharpen. Breath, hair, fingers and teeth are cleaner.

* Within a month of quitting, your blood pressure should return to its normal level.

* Within two months, blood flow to hands and feet improves, the toes and fingers stay warm and you will have more energy.

* After about three months, men and women become more fertile. The lungs may have regained the capacity to clean themselves properly.

*** Quit to live longer
Quitting smoking reduces the risk of lung cancer, other cancers, heart attack, stroke, and chronic lung disease.

Smokers who quit live longer than those who quit later in life. For example, a person who stops smoking before age 50 has half the risk of dying in the next 15 years com-pared with continuing smokers.

On average, smoking reduces your life span by over 10 years.

At about three months, most quitters have become established non smokers.

posted February 18, 2006 07:06 PM         

How's "Nicotine, get thee gone!" going?? It's been almost 2 weeks.....