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.