Let's just see how far I can push this...

[nsd_user663_61136]

Hello

I seem to have given up smoking, something I never really intended to do. I have smoked heavily, as heavily as I could, for 30 years, since early teens. Marlboro Reds for the first 20, and rollups for the last 10.

I had always taken some sort of masochistic pride in how hard I could smoke - I would always pull the smoke down into my lungs as deep as I could, I'd always smoke them right down to the roach (I was known among friends as Captain Cardboard! dear me...). It was always the first thing I did in the morning and the last thing I did at night.

While on holiday a few days ago, I noticed, quite passively, that I wasn't smoking as much as I do at home, so decided to just play with it a bit, no commitment either way, just experimenting with the sensation. It seemed easier in an unfamiliar environment. That was on about 4th Jan, I suppose. That first day I realised I had only had 6 fags the entire day, a number that I could have got through in an hour before.

So the next morning I decided to push it a little further, and managed to keep it down to 3 all day - and all of them in the evening.

Next day: 2. One in the evening and one last thing at night.

The next day was the day we flew back to the UK, so not smoking all day while we were travelling was quite easy. Getting back home of course introduced a whole host of triggers that weren't there on holiday. The home environment is usually smoke filled!

The evening after we came home a friend came over to see us and welcome us home, and brought some treats to smoke. Laughably, I tried to convince myself that joints don't count, still didn't have any fags that day, but did share two spliffs. Of course, that put me back to square one, so effectively had to start again.

The starting again day was yesterday - no slip ups, no "one won't hurt", and no joints either. My first entirely nicotine free day for 30 years.

I think it may have made this morning (effectively Day 2), a little easier. We shall see. I am deliberately not using the "Q" word just yet. I am just seeing how far I can push this....

[nsd_user663_4558]

Keep pushing and enjoy it :eek:

[nsd_user663_2681]

Fairplay to you, maybe because you are of the attitude that you havent quit you are seeing how it goes its made it easier for you? Whatever it is, its working keep it up! x

[nsd_user663_61136]

That was good timing...

My partner has just gone outside for one - at least there's no smoking in the house any more.

I still have a clean slate today....

[nsd_user663_60964]

Hi Declan,

Good for you mate!

Sounds like you may have made the decision (but we won't talk about that :D)

And nice to meet you by the way.

[nsd_user663_61136]

Cheers Skiddaw!

My partner is an Aspatria lass, so she could see you out of her kitchen window.

Never realised how much I clench my teeth till today...

[nsd_user663_60964]

Wow- Aspatria! I know it well :).

Wish I was in Cumbria right now actually. I have mountain withdrawal symptoms

Try chewing sugar-free gum. It's one way of de-clenching your teeth I find.

[hellerscatch]

Wow- Aspatria! I know it well :).

Wish I was in Cumbria right now actually. I have mountain withdrawal symptoms

Try chewing sugar-free gum. It's one way of de-clenching your teeth I find.

I climbed Cat bells last year after giving up smoking, wouldn't have considered it before! :eek: