THREE more attempting to QUIT SMOKING!!!!!

[tedsingingfox]

Greg...Funny you should say that. I have just come from a party/BBQ where there were nearly 20 people...and as far as I could tell/observe/see, I was the one and only person there NOT SMOKING. That was tough enough on it's own merits.But add to that the fact that about half of those 20 were kids in their late teens/early 20's...smoking and drinking like seasoned pro's. Four of these VERY young girls were in various stages of pregnancy, and we found out at the party that two of them were pregnant by the same guy ... a 30 yr. old who already has 5 children with 5 other women. To sit there listening to these children and their friends talking about their plans to go beat this guy up because their pregnancy was all his fault was more than I could stand. This is a town of about 7000 people. All 7 of these mothers grew up together. As soon as I started telling these girls that HE was not necessarily the one to blame, I was encouraged to leave.If I was able to get through this night without smoking an entire pack of cigarettes, then I no longer have ANY question that I can live the rest of my life without smoking tobacco ever again. I kept seeing open packs on all the tables, and much to my own surprise, I kept saying to myself... "I am a non-smoker." Don't "become" a non-smoker. BE a non-smoker. NOW. In this moment.Eager to hear from y'all.Ted

[tedsingingfox]

Can't help myself...NINE WEEKS, today!!!that's reason enough for a big ol' wooHOO!!Ted

[linziellen]

Clear some space people...woOHOO ...no hang on that wasn't big enough...

[ibanez468]

Hey Tedster! A big CONGRATULATIONS to ya' buddy!!! I posted some questions to ya last week I think it was. You probably missed 'em. But I'll ask again: How do ya' feel though? Still have cravings? Are they a thing of the past? Still tempted to light up every now & then? How's your lungs & throat feel? Has your singing improved as a result of quitting? Just curious! I'm still hangin' in there. I've pretty much weaned myself off of everything I was doin' previously. No more fruit snacks, no more apple juice, no more dependence on any one or two things. Still haven't broken down yet! It's been 6 weeks and countin' now, so I'm hangin' tough with ya'.I-468

[devin]

Here's a shout out to the caffeine kickers....since I quit the black juice, I talked with my doctor. He said the enzyme that breaks down caffeine comes from the liver, and it's production starts to decline rather soon in all of us...some earlier than later.That's why at 20-30 years old, a couple cups of coffee isn't an issue....but as you get older, it starts to take alot longer...and all of a sudden 2 cups feels like 4.Just some useless trivia from caffeine free me.

[Casey H]

Congrats Ted!Regarding caffeine, I've been noticing some things that may or not be of interest to anyone. I gave up coffee, except one cup in the morning, because of stomach acid, not caffeine. In fact, I'm very dependent on caffeine. I noticed that if I took caffeine by pill, I didn't get any acid problems-- it's the coffee itself that is acidic, that's why decaf is no better in this area.So, in the afternoon, I've been taking a caffeine pill, 100 mg of caffeine which is about the same as a cup of coffee. I noticed that in pill form, there is much more of a caffeine rush than in coffee. Even when I take 1/2 a pill (50 mg), it has a strong effect. (BTW, a No Doz is 200 mg)... With coffee, I never feel nervous and jittery but by pill I can feel that way. There must be something about the quick absorption of a pill, all at once, that is different than the slower drinking of coffee.Why am I writing this? I have no idea!!! Maybe it's the last pill I took... Casey

[ibanez468]

Congratulations Dev!I'd say that's some pretty useful information, as I did not know this, but always suspected there was some damage that could be done. Thanks for lettin' us know.I-468

[tedsingingfox]

Ah, sorry...Yep, I TRULY feel better. I was having a little trouble with insomnia for about three weeks...TORTURE, especially for someone who's as big of a sleep fan as I am. But that has subsided. I breathe better. I have a better appetite. I have more energy. And I'm hitting notes at the top of my register I haven't been able to comfortably reach in YEARS.And fortunately, I decided to start taking 3-4 mile walks, 3-4 times per week. They have been GREAT for my metabolism as well as for clearing the head. And I truly do believe they kept me from having a serious issue with all the coughing up of disgusting things from my lungs during the early stages.The biggest times I find myself wanting to light up, these days, are purely situational. They are totally Pavlov's Dog moments, based on years of conditioned response. And at those moments, I remind myself "I AM a NON-smoker"...and I walk away.wooHOO!!SIX WEEKS?!?!? That's fantastic, Ibanez. SO proud of you. Are you still on the patches? Keep it going man.

[ibanez468]

No patches. That was Solrax on the patches. Have you been reading anything I've been writing? No, seriously, I didn't use anything but mostly sheer will power & some discipline and some fruits & apple juice & some determination & some.... I used 1 piece of Nicorette gum, and I didn't want anymore. But that's it. I basically suffered my way out of smoking. Very hard ta' do, but necessary. My lungs & throat feel better, not coughing nearly as much, almost thought I had emphysema, but I guess not. Overall, I'm doin' pretty good. Hope Milfus & Solrax haven't abandoned the program, but I'd understand if they did. It's tough, tough, TUFF!I-468

[tedsingingfox]

HA!!! No. I've never read a single posting of yours, ever. Sorry. Then we BOTH need to sit down at the Rally and share a beer (or something) to celebrate the suffering we've both gone through. Can't wait.Way to GO!!!!!