Life without the patch (Day 189)

Day 189 - I have made it past the 6 month mark and I am feeling great.  I have had a lot of congestion lately and I am not sure if I am getting a cold or if this is caused by my lungs clearing.  Either way I still feel great.  I believe once you get to this level, it takes less will power to stay not smoking because you have changed your routine by know and you just don't have the thoughts of cigarettes.  I have more of my smell senses back and I know when someone has smoked because I can smell it and it smells bad.  I can't believe I smelled like that, but I know I did when I was a smoker.  When you are a smoker, it is a way of life, it consumes your time and make you feel less energized.  One thing to keep in mind when you quite smoking is that weight gain is going to be a part of quitting.  Be prepared, but as long as you have a plan to exercise, you will be fine.  My wife and I quite 6 months ago as a part of becoming more healthier and we knew coming into this that we were going to have some weight gain.  Part two of us becoming healthier is to begin exercising and eating healthier.  This will begin in about 3 more months.  I myself would not try to quit smoking and eating healthier at the same time this will make you fail one or the other.  If you already eat healthy, then this will not be an issue for you.  Just realize that your system will want to compensate something in place of not smoking and usually this is food.  Weight gain is acceptable as long as you don't let it get to far and you have it on your personal road map to step two of being healthier like my wife and I and you make a goal to exercise and begin within a time frame.  I will keep recording our progress in this blog so all with know what steps we took to lose the weight and continue to be non-smokers.

Life without the patch (Day 153)

Day 153 - So it has been a bit since my last post but that is how it has to be.  The more you want to quit smoking, the more you need to distance yourself from the thought of smoking.  I have seen lately more and more ads for e-cigarettes and I want to tell everyone wanting to quit smoking, don't use an e-cigarette.  An e-cigarette is just an alternative to smoking a real cigarette.  The only difference is one is lit and one is not.  They both feed your system with nicotine, which is the drug that you are trying to get away from when you quit smoking.  I will tell you that I quit smoking using the patch and it was the best thing ever, the patch for me really worked and now a little over 5 months I still have not touched a cigarette.  I feel so much healthier.  I just got over pneumonia and I could not imagine how bad it would have been if I was still  smoker.  Trust in me, a 25 year smoker, it is never to late or to early to quit smoking, your health will improve, you will smell better, people will enjoy hanging out with you.

I would wish anyone quitting the best of luck, I know how hard it is but you can do it.

Life without the patch (Day 120)

Day 120 - Life is great, another milestone, 4 months without smoking.  I feel great, like nothing will ever get me to start smoking again.  Yes, I do still have daily urges to smoke, but they are controllable.  Anyone trying to quit, prepare yourself for the urges after you have quit for a while.  I am not sure if the urges ever go away, but after 4 months of not smoking, they are more manageable and pass by faster then in previous months.  The only way you will truly quit forever is to have it set in you mind that you are done and smoking is something you do not want to continue doing.  Just think about how healthy you will be and the years you will be adding to your life by quitting.

Good lick to all those who are just beginning to quit.  It is a long road, but one worth taking.

Life without the patch (Day 87)

Day 87 - Life has been good without cigarettes and the patch.  Now I am not spending money on either one and it feels good to be able to start saving all the money I was wasting on smoking.  Summer is almost over where I am and Fall will soon begin.  It gets cold here in the Midwest and this year it is going to be nice not to have to spend time outside smoking.  This will be the first year in 25 years that I will not be going outside to have a smoke.  I never smoked in my house, so I would go outside to smoke, at work, I would have to go outside to smoke.  This year is going to be nice, maybe less of a chance of getting sick.  Now is a great time to quit.

Life without the patch (Day 79)

Day 79 - I had a great week without the patch and I am enjoying the time I spend not smoking.  I would like to note to anyone finishing the patch, you will have days where you urges are very strong after the patch use ends and you just need to tell yourself the reasons you decided to quit.  Nobody said this was going to be easy.  The patch I will admit help to curve the cravings for nicotine, but now I am on my own and with the exceptions of sometimes throughout each day, I am going strong and I feel great.  Good luck again to anyone else trying to quit.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 67, 68, 69, and 70

Day's 67, 68, 69, and 70 - I am combining the last four days on the patch because they all have the same conclusion, leaving me thankful that I quit smoking.  I am writing this on day 71 which I am not using the patch anymore and I feel great.  I look forward to the road ahead and all that is in store for my future.  Thank you for everyone that has taken the time to follow my journey.  I will still Blog but it will only be once a week from now on.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 66

Day 66 - I had a good day on Day 66, I completed my companies website and feel good about my new venture of offering IT consulting services to Consumers and Businesses.  Everyone at some point needs technology assistance and I wanted to make sure someone was there to assist those in need at a reasonable cost.  Not smoking has helped me to focus on doing things I may not have done before when I smoked.  Another great day in the books.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 65

Day 65 - I have run a little behind on my Blog this week so it is time to catch up.  The time is quickly coming where I will only be Blogging on this Blog once a week.  The patch usage is is ending in 5 days and therefore I will only provide weekly updates on my non-smoking progress.  I am still going strong and I feel confident that I will never smoke again.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 64

Day 64 - Beginning of the last week on the patch and it feels good to know that I am almost done with the patch program and that as of today it has been a complete success.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 63

Day 63 - I am running a day behind on my posts because I have working on getting my business up and running so this Blog didn't fit in that time.  Now that I don't smoke anymore, I have more time to focus on me and things I want to accomplish.  My current business AdsOnJacs.com has had zero results and therefore I am shutting it down on 9/11/2014.  My new business is doing something I enjoy and is local to where I live, more on this new venture at a later date.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 62

Day 62 - Just another day without smoking.  Today I just spent the day with my wife and went out shopping and just enjoyed the beautiful weather.  Moving closer to ending the use of the patch.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 61

Day 61 - I am running a little behind on my posts, but I am playing catch up now.  Day 61 was another fantastic day.  I went to work this day and came home after work and just chilled and watched some TV.  I know, not very exciting, but sometimes you need to just relax.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 60

Day 60 - It is day 60 and I am getting very close to the end of being on the patch.  I am looking forward to not having to put the patch on everyday, but I am also thankful there is a product out there such as the patch that has really help me to get through the beginning of quitting smoking and pretty soon I will be on my own and zero nicotine being fed into my system.  I am excited and scared at the same time, am I really going to be able to progress without the patch, this is a thought I have often, but then I just remember, I made this choice to quit and I am going to stick with it.  I feel better and I want this feeling to continue.  To all of those out there quitting, this is one time quitting makes you a winner.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 59

Day 59 - I have found that now that I don't smoke I want to do so much more then I am doing.  I have a website that is not so good in getting people to visit, but now I think I know what I could do.  I am going to create my first game for iOS and Android.  This will allow me to do something I enjoy and pass some time during the day.  Everyone enjoys a good game on their phone and I will make sure mine is successful.  Just another way quitting smoking has helped me, I am getting my creative juices flowing.  It is time for me to shine.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 58

Day 58 - Each day passes is another day of lung clearing.  I must admit that smoking to me was a complete waste of my time and money.  I wish I could have back all the time and money that I have spent on cigarettes, that would make me feel whole again.  I can't change that, but I can make sure that my future is filled with living and not smoking.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 57

Day 57 - Start of Step 3 on the patches and the final Step.  Almost to the point of not worrying about putting the patch on everyday.  This has been a long journey and many more great days to come.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 56

Day 56 - Yes I know, I am a day behind on this post.  Day 56 was the last day of Step 2 of the patch and was looking forward to starting the last step of the patches.  Let the no smoking continue.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 55

Day 55 - Yesterday (day 55) was a great day, my wife and I and some family went on a canoe trip and had a great time.  I always wanted to go canoeing, but as a smoker, I was never really active and I didn't want to spend to much time outside doing things.  Now I want to spend a lot of time outside just enjoying life and doing things.  My wife and I are just happier now that we don't smoke and want to spend time doing things other then just being at home.  In the past month and a half we have gone out more than we have in the past year and it again, just feels great.  When you quit smoking, you just feel better and want to do more.  Nobody should be restricted to activities because of smoking, just quit and see how much better life is.

Not the river we went canoeing on, but just imagine the fun you could have getting outdoors.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 54

Day 54 - Another great day of just feeling good.  I noticed that each day I have a couple of raspy coughs, but I am sure that is just part of the process of quitting and the lungs clearing.  I feel energized most of the time, but I do have times when I just feel tired.  Tired or energized, I feel good and look forward to many more great weeks to come.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 53

Day 53 - I want to tell you what a great choice it is to be a non-smoker.  You just enjoy life more and understand that you will have a full life and that you are not cutting it short.  I just feel great and I wanted everyone to know this.  My Blog has finally reached 1000 views and I am proud that people from all over the world are reading my Blog.  Instead of putting a downer image today, I want to show something a little brighter.

Think of all the adventures you can take with all of the money you are saving from not smoking.  This image is from French Polynesia.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 52

Day 52 - I am finally at the point where I can get through a day without even thinking about having a cigarette.  I know when I first began to not smoke, I had urges everyday, it is surprising that I can get to where I am now and that I can get through a whole day without thinking of a cigarette and it feels great.

One more reason to quit smoking:

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 51

Day 51 - I am not sure about anyone out there that is still smoking after reading my Blog, but let me tell you, I used to have the thought process of "We all have to die sooner or later" and such a powerful statement I can now see this was.  I want to live!  We all have choices in whether we live as long as we can or we poison ourselves and die much earlier then we should.  I for one would not want to see myself or have my family see me looking like the person in the image below.  You have a choice, make the right one and quit now.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 50

Day 50 - Okay, now is the time for you to tell me if my Blog has been helping anyone.  Leave me a comment, I would love to see them.  If I have help just one person out there other than my wife and I with this Blog then I will feel this has been a huge success.  I will continue to provide reasons why you should quit or remain a non-smoker.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 49

Day 49 - Another great day of not smoking.  I present you another reason to quit smoking:

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 48

Day 48 - Let's be honest, if you smoke you know your life is shortened.  If this is what you want then it is okay to keep smoking, but if you want to live, there is no time like today to quit.  Everyone and I mean everyone has a reason to want to live as long as possible.  I went to my moms yesterday and I found myself preaching to my sister about quitting, this coming from me who smoked for 25 years.  I feel so strong about helping people to live that I will preach the word of quitting smoking, that is how important it is to me.  Here is another reason you want to quit smoking:

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 47

Day 47 - Well, I have made quite the distance in my journey in quitting smoking.  I never thought I would get past day 1 let alone be at day 47.  Just when you think you can't go any further in your own journey to quit, you just need to tell yourself, I am better then the cigarette.  You will win, sometimes you do win when you quite, and this is one of those times.  Watch this video, listen and enjoy.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 46

Day 46 - As each day passes I am going to emphasize some of the main reasons I quit, major one being for my health.  I have been watching videos and seeing images of people that have not quit and also have not survived.  It should be a true wake up call for anyone continuing to smoke.  I will set out this week to provide a "Wake up call" image each day for the next 7 days.

This is just heartbreaking, but it is true and if you smoke this could be you:

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 45

Day 45 - I will make this post simple.

QUIT SMOKING AND ENJOY LIFE!!!!

Non-Smoking versus Smoking, You decide.

 

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 44

Day 44 - I have been having some great days lately.  I feel more energized and willing to do more.  I am not sure if it is because I quit smoking or because my wife and I have started eating healthier as of this week.  I just feel good, I want to do more and enjoy life.  I want to head out west and have a great time in the mountains.  My wife and I are planning a vacation soon and I think we will head west and just have a good time.  Another great day of enjoying life and just feeling the freedom of not smoking.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 43

Day 43 - Yesterday was the beginning of Step 2 for the Nicoderm CQ patch.  2 weeks of this and I will be ready for the final step.  Still feeling great with minimal urges if any for the need of a cigarette.  Another day down.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 42

Day 42 - Yesterday was the last day of Step 1 of the patch.  I look forward to moving on to Step 2 and getting through the whole 10 week patch process.  I have now not smoked for 42 days and I am very proud of this accomplishment.  I plan on continuing to Blog everyday until the patch process is done and then I will still continue to Blog on a weekly basis.  I have nothing more today other then, quitting smoking has been the best decision I have made that will benefit my health and my family.

Quit Smoking and be #1

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 41

Day 41 - I find that as each day passes, I think a lot less of cigarettes and more about things I want to do in life.  My wife and I, since we both stopped smoking at the same time, want to do so much with each other such as biking, vacationing, and just spending time together.  It feels good not to rely on cigarettes as being a part of our lives anymore.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 40

Day 40 - 2 more days and Step 2 begins on the Patch.  I am looking forward to seeing what happens when the nicotine level is reduced.  I certainly hope the urges don't increase again.  I finally hit a point in my journey that I no longer feel the need for a cigarette and I hope this feelings stays the way it is.  I just remember to keep telling myself I am a non-smoker and that is who I am.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 39

Day 39 - Well, I must admit, it is nice to see people visiting this Blog and I hope that it is helping some.  I have noticed from my stats on this Blog that people from all over the world are viewing it.  I am almost at a 1000 views, a little ways to go but I am sure we will get there.  Quitting smoking has been quite the journey for me.  I have worked through the urges, anxiety, and just the detoxing period and I must admit, it was all worth it.  I feel better and I hope that my journey is helping others in their journey's to quit smoking.  I have 3 more days until I start Step 2 of the patch.  The journey with using the patch is getting closer to ending and the feeling of that is great, because I will now start the journey of being weened of nicotine for good.

The journey continues.  Thanks to everyone for your support.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 38

Day 38 - Just when you thought I may run out of things to talk about for quitting smoking.  I was driving home today and this car was speeding right by me and I thought to myself, smoking is like speeding in a car.  What do I mean by this?  Speeding feels good in the beginning but over time there are consequences that will catch up to you, just like smoking, it feels good when you start, you get that rush or buzz for a while but the consequences catch up to you over time when you have a hard time breathing, you health heads south, and eventually it will end up killing you.  It is so much better to drive in the safe lane then it is taking the chance of dealing with consequences in the fast lane.  Okay, maybe the whole analogy was not the best, but I think you get what I was trying to say.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 37

Day 37 - It was another great day today.  I find myself at work during the day, no longer thinking about cigarettes.  I am starting to have the feeling that I am truly done with smoking, out of site, out of mind.  Each day recently has been very easy to not think about cigarettes or even having any urges to want a cigarette.  I just tell myself, I am a non-smoker, that is who I am.  I feel healthier a little more each day, I am breathing easier and I just feel more healthier.  Being a non-smoker is just the right choice to make.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 36

Day 36 - Yesterday was just another great day of not smoking.  I feel that quitting smoking has made me a little happier.  My wife and I smile more and are just enjoying life.  For anyone who smokes, you don't need them, they are just a thorn in your side, one that needs to be pulled.  Cigarettes do nobody any good unless you enjoy the fact of knowing that every cigarette you smoke is putting you one step closer to that whole in the ground.  I was there, I decided to change and no longer think about when am I going to die, but rather now, how am I going to live.  Life is full of to many adventures and I plan on enjoying as many as I possibly can.  Anyone who wants to quit and just doesn't know where to start, see the links in my Blog, read my Blog, do whatever it takes to get started down the road to becoming a non-smoker.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 35

Day 35 - I was sitting back and remembering my previous Blog on how much time and money I have spent on cigarettes and it hits me, what the hell was I thinking.  I have probably spent more money on cigarettes then I have anything else in my life.  Anyone who reads this take a long thought of how much you have spent on cigarettes, how much time you have wasted.  Below, I have put together two images, 1 is how many packs of cigarettes you would go through if you smoke 1 pack a cigarettes everyday for a year and the second picture is how many cigarettes you are smoking if you smoke a pack a day for a year.

 365 packs of cigarettes

 

7,300 cigarettes (yeah that is a lot of cigarettes and smoke in your lungs)

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 34

Day 34 - It was another great day.  My wife and I took a walk through Lake Geneva and got some ice cream and just enjoyed spending some time together.  I have noticed a lot more now, that there are a lot of people out there that smoke.  I was amazed, this is something I never paid attention to when I was a smoker, but now I notice everyone that is smoking.  I can't believe so many people smoke, I saw a guy get out of his car light a cigarette for his 30 second walk to the entrance to a store and then put the cigarette out and I thought to myself, I used to do that.  What a waste, do you really need to smoke for that 30 seconds?  Man, I can't believe I used to do that.  The thought of each cigarette lit was about 37 cents, that is crazy.  I calculate how much cigarettes were costing my wife and I for just one year and $5417 a year on cigarettes is ridiculous.  I could have had my car paid off by now with this amount, or my wife, kids, and I could have had many great vacations with this money, but no, smoking was more important.  Just the thought of the time and money I have wasted on cigarettes makes me sick.  I alone, spent 36,500 minutes of my life a year smoking which equates to roughly 608 hours which equates to 3.62 weeks a year spent on smoking.  If you are a smoker and have never done the calculation, I suggest you do your own calculation, this is a wake up call.

How to figure the calculation:

1. Number of cigarettes per day x 5(minutes) = total minutes per day spent smoking
2. Total number of minutes spent per day smoking x 365 (days per year) = total minutes per year
3. Total minutes per year / 60 (minutes per hour) = number of hours per year
4. Number of hours per year / 168 (number of hours in a week) = number of weeks spent smoking

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 33

Day 33 - Since I stopped smoking, it has given me more time to actually think about where I want to be in life.  I have advanced in my career pretty good in a short term and I continue to grow with the company I am with now, but is it enough?  I ask myself this everyday, I set goals to reach before I turn 40, one was to quit smoking and so far I have met this goal.  Another goal I set was to be making a specific amount of money by the time I turn 40 (not disclosing the amount here).  I am close to the money I set as my goal, but I am not quite there, but I do have the experience to get there and this is a constant thought on my mind.  I guess it is good to have this thought because it keeps me from thinking about smoking.  One thing to find out if you plan on quitting smoking, see if your company has a cessation program that may be able to help you.  I am in a very supportive company when it comes to employees wanting to quit smoking.  This is a big help especially if you have co-workers quitting the same time you are, it gives you more support.  I quit and it is the best decision I have ever made.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 32

Day 32 - The struggle continues.  I find that some urges I have throughout the day are getting stronger.  I am not sure if that is because I am more stressed, which I really don't feel more stressed, or is it just a normal part of quitting.  I ask myself, is the expectation when quitting to have good days and bad days?  The answer I guess would have to be yes.  Nicotine is an addiction just like any other drug and when you are trying to break the habit, you will continue to have that little voice in your head saying you want nicotine, you want a cigarette.  I am still on the patch, so the nicotine is covered for now, but now I think, what is going to happen when I am no longer using the patch.  One thing I make sure to do is get my thought process off of the thought of no more patches so I don't get more anxious.  Currently, I can control the urges I get and when they get really bad, I just listen to a song or two with a headset till they pass.  I think music is a good thing to turn to, because it gets you thinking about other things if you actually listen to the words.  I found this one video on YouTube that is not only good but also has some funny parts.  Hope you enjoy!!!

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 31

Day 31 - I think I may have mentioned this over time but one thing to remember when you are trying to quit smoking is that your daily routine will change.  If you do not like change, then this will be hard for you.  Everyday is a new routine as you get used to doing things to fill in the time you used to smoke.  I have learned that since I stopped smoking, my routine daily is not a routine anymore.  Everyday is something new and it does feel good to do new things.  My new daily things I do to pass the cigarette times is to maybe take a short walk around my office or take 5 minutes and listen to a song on YouTube, or even just go outside and get some air, everyday is something new.  The best part of not having a routine, is not having a routine and getting healthier not having one.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 30

Day 30 - Yesterday was a great day.  1 month down and many more great months to come as a non-smoker.  I feel good even with a few urges and anxiety, I feel good.  I am learning that each day comes and a new routine begins.  It makes life interesting when everyday is a new day.  I feel that good things are to come as I move forward as a non-smoker.  I certainly hope people are reading these posts and are finding them useful.  If not that is alright because I do this for me, just like quitting smoking, you will being doing it for yourself.  You are doing it to be healthier and so that you can be their for your family, but if you truly don't want to quit and you are doing it because someone told you to, you will not succeed.  Please feel free to ask any questions for anyone of my posts or just leave comments, I will reply.  Anything you want to know about quitting just ask and I will be happy to tell you everything I have been going through that may not have made it on this Blog.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 29

Day 29 - As the end of the day yesterday, my wife and I have completed 1 month of not smoking.  This to me is an impressive milestone.  I never could have imagined a month ago that I could have gone this long without a cigarette.  To me, smoking is a bad addiction and one that is very hard to quit.  There is no easy way of quitting and until you make that decision you are done, you will never quit.  As I believe I have said in the past, prepare yourself for what is going to be when you quit.  You will have urges, your mind will make you very anxious, your body will go through changes, it just feels different and this difference is what you will need to get used to.  The difference you feel after quitting smoking is good, but remember it is different and you will need to make sure you are prepared for this.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 28

Day 28 - Another great day of not smoking.  I find myself each day thankful for the next because I know I am doing what needs to be done to live a healthier life.  Nobody is going to live forever, but I am going to live as long as I can.  All I can say today about not smoking is it has given me a new lease on life.  I am feeling better as each day passes and my energy level has increased.  Nobody knows this feeling unless you are/were a smoker who has quit or is quitting.  Some times I feel anxious because I have so much energy, I don't know what to do with it.  These are the times to watch out for so you don't allow yourself to be fouled into smoking again.  This anxiety can make you feel the urge to smoke, just relax and it will pass.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 27

Day 27 - Yesterday was a great day, my wife and I had a date night and we saw the movie Tammy.  Anyone who wants to see a funny movie, I would highly recommend going to see Tammy.  I couldn't tell you the last time my wife and I went out to a movie theater, and it was such an enjoyable evening.  I find now that I don't smoke, I want to get out and do more.  Before, when I was a smoker, I just wanted to spend a lot of time at home because most places you go to, you can't smoke, and smoking was that much a part of my life.  Yesterday I also had some time during the day to watch some YouTube videos and I came across the commercial that was a big influence on me deciding to quit.  I want to share this video with everyone.  I will put up a viewer discretion as the video can be disturbing to some, but the fact of what it presents should be shown.  If this video doesn't motivate you to quit nothing will.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 26

Day 26 - Yesterday was a great day.  It was Friday so why wouldn't it be a great day and on top of that it was payday.  It feels great to move forward each day as each day is closer that I will no longer have to use the patch to quit smoking.  I have roughly 6 weeks and 2 days left on the patch and then I am on my own.  I think I will do fine as I am not feeling any remorse about quitting smoking.  I still have urges, but I have found was to deal with those.  I think back to the days when I did smoke and what a routine that was.  If your are a smoker, look at your day to day routine and you will know what I am talking about.  I would get up everyday and go to the bathroom and then go have a cigarette, this was a daily routine for years.  Then throughout the day I had my cigarette breaks timed and I would keep that routine everyday.  Pretty boring if you ask me.  Now, I don't have a routine, I get up each day as a new day and new things to do and it feels great.  Let's see what I am not putting in my body as a daily routine:

 

OK I found one thing in the picture that I am putting in my body still and that is Nicotine from the patch.  I will soon be off of the patch so then everything in the picture will not be going into my body.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 25

Day 25 - Yesterday was about urges.  I had many urges yesterday for a cigarette and I am not sure why.  They did pass but it took longer.  I am not worried though because I know that quitting was the best thing I have ever done for my family and my health.  I may have said this before but if you ever get an urge to have a cigarette, just listen to a good song that is at least 3 minutes long.  I find sometimes it may be better to listen to a song that you would normally never listen to because it keeps your mind focusing on the song and not your urge.  Below is a song I found that actually has a decent beat and help me through an urge to smoke.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 24

Day 24 - Yesterday was all about relaxation.   One thing I have learned throughout this process of quitting smoking is to know when I need to just take a minute and relax, not exactly a minute, more like 3 minutes.  I found that 3 minutes is an acceptable time to just calm down and relax when the urge for a cigarette comes on and comes on strong.  Once you learn how to relax, the urges go away much faster.  Some ways I have found to relax are to:

1. Take a quick walk
2. Listen to a song
3. Watch a 3 minute timer roll back

There are other ways you can relax, you just need to find what works for you.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 23

Day 23 - As I progress on my journey of quitting smoking, I find myself very thankful I made this decision to quit smoking before it was to late.  Now, I know that there is always a chance that I may incur some type of cancer, but I feel my chances now are much better in avoiding it.  I am still young enough to allow my lungs time to become healthy again.  Everyone has their vise, mine happened to be smoking.  I don't drink, I don't do drugs, and now, I don't smoke.  I feel in some ways I have been reborn.  The opportunity to start over doesn't happen everyday and I feel I am starting over because I have freed my lungs from the toxins I having been filling them with over the paste 25 years.  I am not always about mentioning my business on this Blog, but the business side of me has to plug my business at least once.

I have worked very hard to put together an Online Classified Website that people would be proud to advertise on and I would be proud to own.  I think I have accomplished my goal and now I would like all my readers to help spread the word.  Yes I know, there is Craigslist out there, but I wanted to create a site with better security and to provide for those that provide for us (veterans).  Please visit and help spread the word and together we can make my site very successful.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 22

Day 22 - Back to work after a great vacation.  It felt so good to enjoy a vacation without smoking.  I am so glad I made the decision to quit smoking.  I am at the point of no more counting days, I am counting weeks, and soon I will be counting months.  Nothing gives you a sense of satisfaction better then succeeding at a goal you set for yourself.  This week is all about success and succeeding at whatever you want to accomplish.  You can do it, nothing can stop you from accomplishing all your goals if you just set your mind to it.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 21

Day 21 - Just another day of feeling good.  Not much more to say about day 21.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 20

Day 20 - On this day my wife and I went out to look at the new bicycles we are going to buy.  Since we don't want the quitting smoking to go to waste, we are going to add in exercising to fill in some gaps of the smoking urge.  I am so happy on how far we have come so far and I look forward to being a non-smoker for the rest of my life.  To anyone who reads my Blog and is a smoker considering becoming a non-smoker, when you first begin it will be hard, but just remember how much better you will feel in a couple of weeks after quitting.  I am full of energy and sometimes it is bad because I don't know what to do, but I guess I would rather be full of energy then not have enough energy.  Let's all be energized and enjoy life.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 19

Day 19 - I think some of my blog's may have confused some people.  Each post I make is the day posted the day after the completed day so I can blog the full day.  So Day 19 was actually yesterday.  So this post will discuss what I went through yesterday.

Yesterday was the 4th of July and also my wife's birthday, so we decided to go out shopping for new furniture for our living room.  We were doing more of window shopping to decide what we want for new furniture in our living room.  Finding things to do to keep yourself busy is a crucial part keeping your mind off of smoking.  When you first quit smoking the number one thing on your mind will be the urge for a cigarette.  You will have to get past this urge as it will be strong the first week.  After the first week it does get better.  I think as I move forward, the better thing to do is on a day to day basis, you find things to change what your routine was and this will help to keep you mind off of the cigarettes.  It feels good to live free.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 18

Day 18 - Another day has gone by and I am finding easier and easier to forget about smoking.  This Blog really is my only reminder of what once was.  I continue the Blog because it will give me something to come back to in case I ever need a cigarette.  I went through all of yesterday without one urge or need of a cigarette.  Time to move forward.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 17

Day 17 - Moving forward, we just got home from our vacation yesterday and it was a fun time for the family and I.  I must admit that being a non-smoker has made it easier for me to do things such as walking up stairs, taking long walks, and just wanting to do things.  When I smoked all I cared about was when I was going to have that next cigarette.  Now I think, what can I do now such as take a walk, go for a bike ride, just spending time with the family.  You will never understand what it feels like to be a non-smoker until you become one (aimed at those who smoke).  It feels like every day is a new day instead of the whole routine you have when you are a smoker.

I am happier now, I feel healthier, and I just feel like I want the live life to the fullest.  Everyday is a new day and life is full of adventures.  Being a non-smoker, I look forward to all the new adventures I take.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 16

Day 16 - As each day passes, I am thankful to have made the decision to stop smoking before I turn 40.  To anyone out there that reads my Blog, understand that if you smoke, I have been there, I know how hard it is to finally make that decision to quit smoking.  My titles for this Blog right now are quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ, but once I am done with the patch the title will change to reflect how things are going since being of the patch.  The patch is the tool I use to quit smoking, this may not work for everyone.  Whatever you choose to use to quit smoking follow these simple rules:

1. Don't set a date to quit.  I have tried this in the past and it never works, you will just keep adding to the date.  When you set your mind to quit, you will just quit.
2. You have to want to quit.  If you don't have your mind made up that you want to quit, you will not be able to quit.  Understand there is give and take when you decide to quit.
3. If you know someone else that wants to quit, do it at the same time.  This will give you someone to help support through the hard times.  There are also other support avenues you can get online, like Blog your day such as I am.  When people comment, it gives you that good feeling of support you may need.  Read other Blogs or forums to help support you in your quitting.  Help is out there, you just need to use it.
4. Realize you will still have urges.  I am on Day 16 and I still have urges, but the key is knowing how to ignore the urges and get your mind on something else.  The urges do pass, some quicker than others, but they do pass.
5. Don't turn to food.  When you decide to quit, remember, most people turn to food to offset the need for a cigarette.  Try to include vegetables or fruit into your day to fill you up during the times you may feel the need for a cigarette.  Make sure to include walking in your daily routine, it has really helped me and it helps to curve the urges for a cigarette.
6. Last but not least, refrain from hanging around people that smoke for at least 2 weeks.  I did this and I tell you, it makes it a lot easier to deal with if you give yourself some time to cope with not smoking before being around others that smoke.

You will learn that when you stop smoking, your daily routine changes and you just need to make sure you find others things that you can do to keep your mind away from your original smoking routine.  One hard one for me was, I drive 45 minutes to work everyday and I would always smoke going to work.  I could not change this so I made sure I had life savers to cope with the need for a cigarette and in time the urges to smoke while driving have gone away.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 15

Day 15 - Who would think that when beginning to stop smoking you would get to the point where days are no longer your counting point.  I remember just a couple of weeks ago I was counting 1 day, 2 day , 3 day, etc. and now I am not counting days, because counting days just gives a reminder of the habit.  I still want to keep track of how long I have not been smoking, and this Blog will help me to do that, but other then that, I will celebrate each week I have quit and soon, that will change to each month I have been a non-smoker.

I want to aim this next statement to anybody who reads this that is trying to quit smoking.  YOU CAN DO IT!!!! I thought after 25 years of smoking a pack a day, I would never be able to quit smoking.  Well, I am starting week 3 and I have not touch a cigarette.  The feeling you get from not smoking is amazing, you just feel more energized and it feels good.  You have to want to quit, or quitting will never work for you.  Good luck to anyone else trying to quit smoking and I hope my Blog may be able to help you get through some of the hard times.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 14

Day 14 - Well I made it, 2 full weeks completed.  Yesterday put me to a test because it was the first day my family and I have been on vacation.  There are so many people where we are at that are smoking, but again, it does not bother me.  When I set out 2 weeks ago to quit smoking, I meant it.  Nothing is going to change my thought process of being a non-smoker. 

The patch is doing what it was meant to do, curve the urge of smoking allowing me to overcome the physical side of having a cigarette.  After being a smoker that has tried to quit using all other options available out there, I have to give my full recommendation to anyone trying to quit, to use the patch.

The one nice part of the patch is, after a couple of days of getting used to the patch, other than the time you put it on in the morning, you really forget you are wearing it.  I feel so good to have made it to two full weeks of being a non-smoker and I honestly believe I wouldn't have been able to get this far without the patch.

I would also like to thank the people, your comments and views, help me to push forward and continue to be a non-smoker.  Thank You Everyone.

I am not advertising for Nicoderm CQ, but I am advertising for what has worked for me and what I believe in.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 13

Day 13 - Yesterday was the 13th day of not smoking and almost the end of two full completed weeks of being a non-smoker.  I am already seeing some of the perks of not spending the money on cigarettes everyday.  But I am sure the full perks of not spending money on cigarettes will be seen after one year of being a non-smoker.

Yesterday my wife and I went to a wedding reception and this was the first time I have actually been next to people that were smoking since I quit.  I have tried to avoid people that are smoking so I didn't get the urge to ask for on.  Well, I think it went very well.  I was able to be around people who were smoking and I didn't even give it a second thought of needing a cigarette.  I think this was a very successful test I passed even if I was the only one with knowledge that it was a test. LOL

For anyone trying to quit, read my whole blog, even if you don't want to try the patch, I think just being able to see what someone has to go through on a day to day basis when trying to quit smoking is very helpful to know.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 12

Day 12 - I am finding that each day is starting to become more and more of a normal day.  What do I mean by normal?  It just seems normal to go throughout my day without a cigarette.  It is kind of weird to be able to say that after so many years of smoking.  After yesterday, I started my vacation and this will be the first time my family and I have gone on a vacation with my wife and I as non-smokers.  We will just focus on enjoying our time and not cigarettes.  We are still on the patch and we will be for another 8 weeks as the program requires, so I feel we will be just fine on our vacation.  My wife and I chose not to put ourselves in a position where we are surrounded by people smoking.  That time may come someday where we can tolerate it, but it is still to early for that.  I would just prefer to never go around smokers again, but I am not going to alienate my friends and family if they smoke because I used to do the same to them.

If anyone who reads my posts has any questions, please feel free to let me know, I would be happy to answer them.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 11

Day 11 - Each day becomes a new milestone.  How do I get through it?  I take each day as a new day, there are times throughout each day where I do get small urges for a cigarette, but as each day passes, the urges get less frequent.

I find that this blog in the long run will help me because if I ever feel a lapse come on, I can turn to this Blog and remind myself why I quit smoking.  I am doing this Blog for me, but I certainly hope that it can help others in their journey to quit smoking.

I also found that when you need a smoke, listen to music, sing along, just do something to get your mind off the cigarette.  Each day I drive to work, I see people smoking and I can honestly say, it does not bother me anymore.  I know that quitting has been the best thing for me and my family and I will continue on with my healthier life and if others want to smoke, so be it.  I will never turn into a martyr just because I stopped.  I was a smoker for 25 years and I know what people who smoke are going through.  Today's Blog, I have include a music video that is just fun to listen to.  Hope you enjoy.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 10

Day 10 - Another day closer to being healthier.  One thing throughout this quitting smoking I have learned is that you will lead to food as a way to curve the smoking urge.  My wife and I have turned to vegetables and fruits to curve the appetite and to provide a healthy snack when needed.  One thing we don't want is the quitting smoking to turn into weight gain.  We have done a lot more exercising now such as walking and soon we plan on buying some new bicycles to get even more exercise.

Now, not to steer away from the health aspect, but I was asked yesterday, have you tried the e-cigarette?  The answer is yes, but I found that if you truly want to quit smoking, the e-cigarette is not the way to go.  Let me explain my thought on this.  When you want to quit and you decide to use the e-cigarette, you can never get over the physical side of not smoking, you will also be still inhaling nicotine and this urge will never go away.  With the patch, yes you are getting nicotine, but over the step process you are weening yourself off of nicotine and also, getting over the physical side of holding a cigarette like you do with an e-cigarette.  I personally feel that if you use the e-cigarette as an alternative to smoking, you are only fooling yourself to think you will ever become a non-smoker.

Researchers have studied the affect of nicotine and the news is not good.  I would rather ween myself completely away from nicotine use then to switch to an alternative that will never be out of my system.  This is in fact my opinion but read the facts.  I have provide a link below:

Nicotine and your body

Don't get me wrong, I know some studies have found some benefits to using nicotine, but I personally feel the benefits don't outweigh the negatives.

I am just voicing my opinion here in my journey to quit smoking and I don't want anyone to take offense to what I say, as I am only trying to help.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 9

Day 9 - Today I would like to discuss the patch.  I have read other post about the patch before I started it and even today I have read some others posts about the patch and how it does and does not work.  Let's discuss my success with the patch and how I am making it work:

1. First, you have to want to quit, this is the most important part of quitting.  Nothing will help you if you don't want to quit.
2. My choice was I wanted to quit, but I tried the pills, gum, and cold turkey and nothing worked so my last resort was the patch, and here we are after 9 days and going strong.  Decide what will work best for you to quit.
3. When using the patch follow the instructions.  One complaint I was reading about was the patch doesn't stay on.  The instructions clearly state put the patch on a hairless part of the body.  I actually shave a part of each of my arms for the patch, the area is not big and is between the elbow and the shoulder. 
4. Where do I put the patch?  There are many different places you can put the patch, but I choose to rotate between my arms.  This has worked for me.
5. Should I sleep with the patch on?  I started out sleeping with the patch on, but I was having weird dreams and I was also having trouble sleeping, so I have since day 3, stopped wearing the patch at bedtime.  This has worked well for me.

I have found that after being a smoker for 9 days now, it is getting easier each day.  I have made a commitment to continue the patch till the end of the program which is:

1. Step 1 - 6 weeks
2. Step 2 - 2 weeks
3. Step 3 - 2 weeks

Some people have complained about the cost of the patches, but if you look at what you spend on cigarettes, the cost of the patch should not be an issue.  I hope all that I post in my Blog is helpful to all that read and if I can help just one person to quit smoking, then this Blog was all worth it.  I am very excited about quitting and therefore I post on other sites about it and I just hope people don't think I am spamming, I am just excited on this new lease on life.

I don't read my previous posts because I want each day to be logged as what I am going through and not a run from the previous day.  Comments are welcome and I will read those.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 8

Day 8 - Since I am on a new week and the thought of smoking is starting to diminish, I thought I would talk about some of the benefits I am starting to see since quitting smoking.

1. Health - Each day it is getting easier and easier to do things without running out of breath.  I know have a long way to go, but I am already feeling better.
2. Money - It was costing $14.83 a day for my wife and I to smoke.  Lets do some math shall we: $14.83 per day x 365 days a year =  $5412.95.  If for nothing else, this amount of money would make a fantastic vacation or would be a lot to build up your savings.  Even when I didn't have the money, I always found a way to get cigarettes.  WOW, this one was a true reality check.
3. Energy - I feel like I have more energy.  I wake up each day feeling good and go to bed feeling good.  My day is not thinking about when am I going to have that next cigarette.
4. Family - My kids (young adults) are very happy that my wife and I quit and I hope for great times in the future with them.  I also hope my kids, who don't smoke, see that smoking is not the way to go.

I can now look back and honestly just say WHY, why did I ever start smoking.  It is not cool, it smells bad, people don't want to be around you when you smoke, you are just killing yourself.  There is no good reason to start smoking and no good reason to continue smoking.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 7

Day 7 - At the end of yesterday marked the one week completion of being a non-smoker.  Because both my wife and I quit at the same time we are both celebrating now.  I have to say that anyone in a relationship where you and your partner smokes, it is probably best that you both try to quit at the same time.  Not only will this make you both healthy, but you will have someone to support you and someone you can support.  This has been very helpful.  I am finding that because I am now a non-smoker, I am trying to find new ways to change my routine so that smoking is out of the mind and the new routine is in.  My wife and I take daily walks which has help keeping our minds off of smoking, but we have also decided that we are going to buy some bicycles and starting biking and we also are considering buying a canoe and start canoeing.  I feel so happy to want to do some of these activities that we are going to do that just did not have any interest when we smoked.  My biggest regret is ever starting smoking, I missed doing things with my kids as they grew up because it was hard for me, such as throwing the ball around, going for bike rides, etc. and I am starting to feel a little guilty about that.  But, it is never to late to make changes and for me enjoy some time with my kids doing things they want to do.  It is weird but as a smoker, these are some of the things I never even thought about, but now I am seeing things more clearly and I can and will make things better.  Wow what a journey this has been so far and I look forward to great times ahead.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 6

Day 6 - This was my first weekend day home since quitting smoking and I have to say I believe starting the patch on Monday was a great idea, because I had work all week to keep my mind on other things other than smoking.  I think this helped to build up to the weekend where my cravings have been less and I just was able to enjoy my weekend without spending it smoking.  I have to say that I am starting to enjoy not smoking, I just feel better in the mornings, I have more energy, and it feels a little easier to breath.  I know over time of not smoking, my lungs will get clearer and clearer so that I may be able to not run out of breath doing minor things.  I would like to add to anyone who may read this, keep your eye on the prize, not smoking is a choice and a health one to me.  When you started smoking it was a choice and now to quit it is a choice.  I thought I would never be able to stop smoking, this is how addictive smoking is, but with the mind set that I am done smoking and the patch I have been successful in my quest so far.

I urge anyone trying to quit smoking to even take up writing about it in a Blog, this also has really helped me to stay focused, even if nobody else reads it.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 5

Day 5 - Yesterday seemed to go smooth.  I can say as each day passes, the urge for a cigarette seems to diminish.  I find that writing this blog helps me to concentrate on the main goal, quit smoking.  I do have to honestly say that, I don't think quitting without the patch would have worked.  The patch has been the only thing that has worked for me so far and I am thankful that I actually found something to help me quit smoking.  Last night I did take the patch off before I went to bed and I slept really good with no dreams, so from now on, I will not sleep with the patch on.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 4

Day 4 - I am a day late in this post, but yesterday was another milestone for me as I completed 4 days of not smoking.  I have found that I have a little more thoughts of having a cigarette as the days go on, but I remain strong and continue not to smoke.  Anyone considering using the patch, one thing to keep in mind is you really have to want to quit smoking.  The patch does curve the cravings, but it does not completely remove the feeling of needing a cigarette.  When I start thinking that I really need a cigarette, I start thinking of the benefits of not smoking and by the time I am done thinking about that, I no longer feel the need for a cigarette.  That state on the box that if you wear the patch to bed as I do, you may have weird dreams.  This is true, I haven't decided yet, but I may stop wearing the patch when sleeping.  The dreams are pretty intense and beyond weird that it just may cause loss of sleep and that is not worth it because it will put you in stress mode which may in turn make you start smoking again.

One thing I have taken up is walking every evening with my wife for a mile and a half each night to help not thinking about smoking.  This has helped a lot in providing me fresh air and keeping my mind off of smoking.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 3

Day 3 - I am finding it a little easier each day to not smoke.  I still have my urges, but they go away faster know and I go on with my day.  Last night I had another weird dream, but I forgot what it was about after 5 minutes of being awake.  I thought there would be no way that I would be able to make it this long, but when you want something bad enough, you work for it.  I want to be a non-smoker, I want to be healthier, and I want to be able to do more with my family without getting winded because I smoke.  So far so good and we are working closer to another non-smoking day.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 2

Day 2 - Last night was a stormy night and was the first night I wore the patch while sleeping.  I had a weird dream, but it wasn't to bad.  Today was kinda harder then day one because I had more times throughout the day that I had the urge for a cigarette.  I just set my mind to I don't need it and I began to focus on something else and it got me through.  My wife and I both started the patch yesterday, so it is good to have someone doing this with me.  We went for a walk this evening to pass time and I think this will become a regular nightly thing, to take a walk.  This will help to keep us in shape while we work on quitting and so we don't have an issue with weight gain.  I am proud of myself as this is the longest I have ever gone without a cigarette since I started smoking.  Each day is a new record for me.  I can't wait till I am counting weeks and not days of not smoking.  My motivation is health and my family.  I want to live to see grand kids and be healthy enough to be able to play with them, take them for walks, the zoo, ball games, etc..  If that isn't motivation enough I don't know what is.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 1

Today is day one of me quitting smoking after smoking for 24 years.  I have tried Chantex, Nicotine Gum, and Cold Turkey and all have failed.  I finally decided to use Nicoderm CQ patch starting with Step 1 and I have made it through the day which I have never been able to do before.  Follow my blog and my journey to becoming a non-smoker.  I will add a new post on my journey to explain what the affects of quitting is having on me.

Day 1 - It started off great, I got up at 6AM and took my shower to get ready for work.  At 7AM I put on my first patch.  I can honestly say, even up to now, I have not had much of a cigarette craving, but at around 2PM I was getting antsy.  I decided to chew on some gum at 2PM and that help decrease my anxiety of physically wanting a cigarette.  I believe the patch is doing as intended, because the craving for a cigarette is not there, but the physical side I will need to work on.  I will work hard each day to change my routine as a smoker to a non-smoker.

Update:  I wanted to come back and add this so you realize this is normal.  Any one starting to use the patch, do realize that where you place the patch may itch or burn a little when you first apply it.  This itch and/or minor burn goes away after about 5 to 10 minutes.  This will happen everyday you put a new patch on.  Also, make sure to follow the instructions and apply the patch to a hairless area.