Tuesday, July 08, 2008

My First Smoke-Free Day

I said I would do it and I've done it...for a whole half of a DAY so far!!! I'm very excited.

Now, I know that many of you non-smokers (maybe even some of you smokers) are thinking, "What's the big deal? It can't be too difficult NOT to smoke a cigarette - 'specially if it's only been eight waking hours." Well, you're partially correct. It hasn't been too difficult...just difficult enough. Let me explain:

I would normally have a cigarette first thing in the morning. Before I did anything else I smoked. Then I would shower, get dressed, get in my car and drive to work. On my way, I would normally smoke two cigarettes. Once I arrived, I would make a pot of coffee and ask Jen if she would like to join me for a cigarette - we would smoke. Through the course of the day, I would have a cigarette (on average) about every hour. Now...it's just after 3:00 p.m. and I HAVEN'T HAD A CIGARETTE!!! On a "normal" day I would have already smoked about 10 cigarettes.

So, although it's not TOO difficult, it is still difficult. Keep in mind, please, that I've been smoking for about 14 years. Changing my daily routine (coupled with the fact that nicotine is hugely addictive) is not easy...but I'm doing it and I'm proud of myself.

Chantix seems to be working but pills alone won't make me quit. This is something I've wanted to do for, well, 14 years. I'm excited and I'm going to do it.

I'll try to keep myself occupied by updating y'all daily with my progress (maybe I'll even start blogging about nonsense like I used to.) I mean, after all, I'll have a lot more free time: I figure each cigarette takes about 5-7 minutes to smoke. If I smoked 25 cigarettes per day, I would likely spend 2 1/2 hours smoking...per day. So, I now have more time to do more important things...like work. And blog.

I'm rambling...but doing it smoke-free!!! I'm happy about that!

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey Joe,
Keep up the good work. Do the pills make you have crazy dreams???
I've heard that.....Anyway I'll see you next week:)Love Aunt Uni

Anonymous said...

Hey Joe,
That's great! I quit on June 30, last monday. I've had a few slip-ups, mostly work/stress related but I.m back in the saddle again. Did Jamie quit also? Aunt Chris

Anonymous said...

One day at a time. Look on Oprah's website for Dr. Oz's tips to not smoking. Keep it going. Love, AH