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 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.