Do not go anywhere warm and sunny!

[nsd_user663_2847]

So, I’d just got to the one month stage and was feeling very smug:D. I wasn’t thinking about cigarettes All The Time anymore, I wasn’t having bad cravings – just occasional times when I thought yes I could quite fancy a fag but I won’t bother – and I was even thinking about cutting down on the Champix. And then last week I went to France on my first visit as a non-smoker and I have to say I really really struggled. It was the fact that it was warm and sunny and everybody sitting outside at the pavement cafes seemed to be smoking and really enjoying it. Admittedly when you look closely at them you realize that they are either quite old and wrinkly or else seem to be just 12 years old and trying to be cool but ohmygod it smelt wonderful!!! I spent most of my time trying to sit downwind of the smokers enjoying the scent!

But it’s really annoying the way that smokers have practically taken over all the outside spaces there:mad: – in the evenings it was a bit cooler but it was still more romantic to sit outside under patio heaters but you really felt you were sitting in “The Smoking Area” under false pretences.

On a positive note, I felt a lot more relaxed (or even more relaxed than usual!) because:

1. I wasn’t rushing through the airport baggage hall desperate for a cigarette.

2. I didn’t need to leave the queue at the Car Rental place because I was desperate for a cigarette.

3. I could enjoy the inside of places rather than spending so much time on balconies!

4. I didn’t have to leave my husband on his own in a restaurant with his after-dinner coffee because I was desperate for a cigarette

5. I could go straight from check-in to departures and spend more time in the duty-free rather than standing outside the airport with the other desperadoes.

So, I guess the only way that not smoking is truly easy is to stay in a cold wet wintry county where you have to be totally sad and desperate to want to stand outside and have a fag.

My next challenge will be – How to spend a day sunbathing without wanting to light a cigarette every time you turn over and reapply the lotion…. Roll on Summer!

Caroline

One month, one week, two days, 19 hours, 37 minutes and 46 seconds. 1164 cigarettes not smoked, saving £291.13. Life saved: 4 days, 1 hour, 0 minutes.

(cannot see how to use the usual 'Team Signature' but we are: :)QuitTeam 14-18 Feb08

FrenchKiss,DizzyIzzy,BehappyLaucra1,OneMoreTry:))

[nsd_user663_2783]

On a positive note, I felt a lot more relaxed (or even more relaxed than usual!) because:

1. I wasn’t rushing through the airport baggage hall desperate for a cigarette.

2. I didn’t need to leave the queue at the Car Rental place because I was desperate for a cigarette.

3. I could enjoy the inside of places rather than spending so much time on balconies!

4. I didn’t have to leave my husband on his own in a restaurant with his after-dinner coffee because I was desperate for a cigarette

5. I could go straight from check-in to departures and spend more time in the duty-free rather than standing outside the airport with the other desperadoes.

So, I guess the only way that not smoking is truly easy is to stay in a cold wet wintry county where you have to be totally sad and desperate to want to stand outside and have a fag.

My next challenge will be – How to spend a day sunbathing without wanting to light a cigarette every time you turn over and reapply the lotion…. Roll on Summer!

Hi Caroline - Hope your French trip wasn't spoilt too much by those smoking outside. With regard to your points above that was exactly how I felt when I went to Tenerife. Ooooo it felt so good not to have to rush for that cig When I was sunbathing I didn't think about having a cig at all the majority of the time and going swimming was a lot easier - didn't have to stop every few yards to get my breath:cool:

Look forward to hearing how you get on with your sunbathing challenge.

[nsd_user663_3104]

Holiday Bliss

French Kiss

Can relate to what you said about holidays. Problem is, on holidays you let your guard down and move away from reality. It seems you're almost immune to everyday life and its worries and concerns. It's tough in sun I have to admit but swim 10 lengths in the pool and your cravings will soon disappear. Breath and smell the scent in the air and think, 'I've never smelt this before' because last time I was here I smoked and couldn't enjoy the whole experience.

Try it.......

[nsd_user663_2847]

Hi Wez, Jan & Mojo,

Next time I go (in 3 weeks time) I'm really going to concentrate on all the positives, like how calm I felt at the airport (not having that horrible feeling of wanting to smoke as many fags as possible before and after the flight to make up for the fact that you've been 'deprived' for 1 1/2 hours!), and also the fact I could taste and enjoy the meal. It sounds awful but for me eating just used to be just something to do between cigarettes, whereas now I like to eat out for the sake of tasting something different and enjoying the flavours.

I also had a bit of a wobble yesterday - our son is in the forces and had been home for a brief leave over Easter and I felt really sad waving him goodbye and would normally have reached for the fags but he shouted out of the car window 'Well done about the smoking - I'm so proud of you for doing it'!!!

So, the reason this and my original post is in the 'Tips' section I suppose is to say that whenever you feel deprived about smoking, really think about all the positive reasons you have for not smoking any more. There are always more positives than negatives!

Caroline