HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

It's October 31, 2009 --
What does that mean??

For me it means:
Seventeen (17) weeks ...
119 days ... and a few days short of
Four months with out a smoke!
Not even one puff! Woo~hoo!

Editor's Note:
CONGRATULATIONS KEVIN~
It's kind of been like we share a Birthday just a few days apart!
Very cool --
It seems like most of our fellow recovering smokers have dropped out but hopefully we can pick up and encourage a few new ones.

If anyone's been reading this blog for awhile you know this isn't my first attempt at quitting. After so many attempts, I can only remember my longest was nearly one year; I can't be sure of my second longest but right now I am sure if I haven't surpassed it yet I'm closing in on it now.

Additionally, if you've been reading along you may be aware I am not an Anti-Smoker -- I am simply someone who's been addicted to nicotine and smoking for nearly 30 years with little to no success at Kicking The Habit.

All I want to do is use this blog to fight my own demons regarding this addiction as well as give tools, encouragement and hope to others to combat theirs!

Happy Halloween Everybody! FJW

PSS: Reminder -- End of Daylight Savings Time --
After you are done drinking and not smoking tonight,
Don't for get to FALL BACK!

And Now for Something REALLY Scary ~

Weighing up the Pros and Cons of Smoking in your mind~

Dr Seuss sums up nice and simply what to do...

You have brains in your head

You have feet in your shoes

You can steer yourself

Any direction you choose

And you're on your way

And you know what you know

And YOU are the guy (or gal) who'll decide where to go.

If you're still a smoker, are you tossing around the personal pros and cons of smoking or quitting that might affect you?
Do you think it's time to quit?
Got conflicting thoughts?
You may think you need to quit. All smokers need to quit, but do you want to quit?
You may work in a pro smoking environment, or have smoking friends wanting to keep you addicted, making it harder for you to decide.

So if you're turning over the pros and cons of smoking in your mind, it will help you to know that there are 5 recognized stages of change that most people go through before they take a leap, whether it be to stop an addiction, change career, move house and so on.

These 5 stages are:
Denial or avoidance of challenge or problem, in fact often actively promoting it and trying to convert others to it.
Pre-contemplation. A little voice in the back of their mind and the beginnings of seeking a change.
Investigation, shift in mental awareness, desire to change and efforts and plans made to find solution, a decision made and action taken.
Going through the change.
Maintenance. Depending on method used, either putting problem behind them, or having to maintain control of previous problem, short term or long term, to stop it surfacing again.

If it's decision time for you, read as much free information as you like on this website, then put those bothersome pros and cons of smoking behind you and check your Desire.

Is your desire for what you want strong and sure? Are you clear in your mind that it is your decision, not anybody else's, to stop smoking, and you have decided you want to do this enough so that you will do the necessary actions to complete this to the end?

Understand this - you don't have to be 100% committed yet. That will come as you draw confidence from your initial successes, but you must be at least clear that you want to stop smoking, and are ready and willing to put your best foot forward.

Put your best foot forward and keep reading this blog for all the resources you need and PLEASE fell free to suggest more!

Achieving Your Goals ~

Everybody Needs to set priorities!

Firestorm over smokeless cigarette~

By Wendy Koch, USA TODAY

Editors Notes (FJW): It seems as if there are two writers at USA TODAY dedicated predominately to smoking related issues~ ALSO: If I would have given these much thought before I quite smoking I bet I would have given them a try -- but since I did not, I am not going to succumb to such gimmick now.... 115 days and I am staying tobacco and NICOTINE Fee!

Electronic cigarettes are opening a new front in the tobacco wars as state and local lawmakers try to restrict the product, which may allow users to circumvent smoking bans.

The battery-powered device is made up of a cartridge containing nicotine, flavoring and chemicals. It turns nicotine, which is addictive, into a vapor that is inhaled. Users say they're "vaping," not smoking.

E-cigarettes are used by at least a half-million Americans, says Matt Salmon, head of the Electronic Cigarette Association.

"People who smoke ought to have better alternatives, because some can't quit," he says. His father, a longtime smoker, died last week of cancer and emphysema.

Public health officials question the safety of e-cigarettes. The Food and Drug Administration, which regulates tobacco and nicotine replacement devices, says the e-cigarettes it tested had carcinogens. E-cigarette distributors have filed a lawsuit challenging the FDA's authority.

"It's a new frontier. We don't know what the dangers are," says John Banzhaf of Action on Smoking and Health, an anti-smoking group.

"We're actively investigating these companies and their products," says Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthol. Other actions:

• California passed a ban on e-cigarette sales, but Republican Gov. Arnold Swartznegger vetoed it this month.
• Oregon Attorney General John Kroger, a Democrat, reached a settlement in August with retailers and distributors not to sell them.
• New Hampshire state Rep. Rich DiPentima, a Democrat, is crafting a bill to ban sales to minors.
• New Jersey state Assemblywoman Connie Wagner, a Democrat, plans a bill to subject e-cigarettes to the same restrictions as cigarettes.
• In Paramus, N.J., the health department's board plans to propose an ordinance today banning e-cigarettes where smoking is not allowed.
• In August, Suffolk County, N.Y., restricted e-cigarettes in public places and banned sales to minors.

To Julie Woessner, 46, a former smoker in Wildwood, Mo., they are "almost a miracle," allowing her to kick her two-packs-a-day cigarette habit.

One Hundred - Eleven & Counting!

It's hard to believe I've been smoke free for 111 days now!

AND - I barely miss is anymore. That is NOT to say I NEVER miss it. Just yesterday I was in the car, it was sunny, I had my windows down, put on my really cool $16 clip-on shades from Wal*Mart and then reached in the center console for a cigarette! Kind of funny really.

I still dream about smoking too. Not always me smoking but someone I know or just being around smoking in some way or situation.

A couple of weeks ago I met someone for a beer in a bar across the State Line that still allows smoking. The smoke in the bar did not bother me at all, however, after leaving the bar my shirt reeked! and that did bother me quite a bit.

This morning I was behind someone in line who reeked of stale smoke -- it's times like these that I am most glad I'm a recovering smoker.

I guess I've been blogging less and less about my experience and most of my fellow quitters have dropped out I think. I wonder how others are doing in their journey and struggle.

I hope to hear some input -- Please let me know.

I Like Big Butts! ~

Quit Smoking Questions ~

From: http://www.besthealthmed.com/index.html
A great resource for women’s health -- and some poignant questions I think we’ve all asked ourselves at some point in time:

Will I gain weight if I quit smoking?
Though many smokers tend to gain weight but it is not necessary to happen with all. When you quit smoking, you need to or feel like carry on with your oral activity that leads you eat more. Another reason is alteration in taste buds. After quitting smoking, you may find the food tastier leading you eat more and gain weight. However, proper diet and good discipline may keep you away from extra weight. Still, medications are available that can help in case you gain weight.

Whenever I drink, I feel like smoking. What should I do? Do I need to quit alcohol as well?
It will be really great for you if you could resist yourself from taking alcohol for the first three months. It has been found that drinking reduces your chances of success of quitting smoking. Try gulping lot of water and juices when you are on a mission of quit smoking.

I have made so many attempts to quit smoking but failed every time. What do I lack? Is that willpower?
You are not the only one to be disappointed but just keep your motivation high. The reason may not be lack of willpower but your will to take help of other quit smoking aids. Chances are higher with quit smoking aids. Support groups and a high willpower will definitely help you quit smoking in easily with minimum anxiety and withdrawal symptoms.

What are long term benefits of quitting smoking?
*Longer life
*Low risk to Cancer
*Odorless breath
*Reduced risk of heart diseases and lung diseases
*Reduced stress
*Enhanced immune system
*Improved mental health
*Savings of money

What should I do when quitting results in relapse?<br>Usually it takes 3-4 attempts before a smoker finally quit. It is difficult to bear the withdrawal symptoms as body gets habitual to work with nicotine. It is most common to have these chances of relapse in first few weeks, but once you are able to stay away from cigarette for three months, you are least likely to smoke again.

The Smoking Duck~

This duck walks into a bar and asks the bartender, "Smoking allowed in this bar?"
The bartender says no, and the duck leaves.

The next day, the duck returns and asks, "Smoking allowed in this bar?" The bartender again says no, and the duck leaves.

Two days later the duck returns walks up to the bar and asks the bartender, "Smoking allowed in this bar?"

The bartender, losing his patience, screams at the duck,
"I told you duck, Smoking's NOT allowed in this bar! and if you ask me again I will nail your feet to the floor!!"

The duck looked startled and leaves.
Two days later the duck returns walks up to the bar and asks the bartender, "Do you have any nails?"
The bartender replied, "No," and the duck said, "Good! Can I smoke in here?"

Smoking Quiz~

Find out if smoking is more harmful at certain ages...if it's ever too late to quit...if quitting now can erase years of damage...and more!

1. If you have smoked for most of your life, it's not worth stopping now.
The correct answer is: False.
Nonsense! You have every reason to quit now and quit for good — even if you've been smoking for years. Stopping smoking will help you live longer and feel better. You will reduce your risk of heart attack, stroke and cancer; improve blood flow and lung function; and help stop diseases like emphysema and bronchitis from getting worse.

2. Older smokers who try to quit are more likely to stay off cigarettes.
The correct answer is: True.
Once they quit, older smokers are far more likely than younger smokers to stay away from cigarettes. Older smokers know more about both the short- and long-term health benefits of quitting.

3. Smokers get tired and short of breath more easily than nonsmokers the same age.
The correct answer is: True
Smokers, especially those over 50 years old, are much more likely to get tired, feel short of breath and cough more often. These symptoms can signal the start of bronchitis or emphysema, both of which are suffered more often by older smokers. These symptoms also can be caused by carbon monoxide in your blood. Stopping smoking will help to reduce these symptoms.

4. Smoking is a major risk factor for heart attack and stroke among adults 60 years of age and older.
The correct answer is: True
Smoking is a major risk factor for four of the five leading causes of death including heart disease, stroke, cancer, and lung diseases like emphysema and bronchitis. For adults 60 and over, smoking is a major risk factor for six of the top 14 causes of death. Older male smokers are nearly twice as likely to die of stroke as older men who do not smoke. The odds are nearly as high for older female smokers. Cigarette smokers of any age have a 70-percent greater heart-disease death rate than do nonsmokers.

5. Quitting smoking can help those who already have had a heart attack.
The correct answer is: True
The good news is that stopping smoking does help people who have suffered a heart attack. In fact, their chances of having another attack are smaller. In some cases, ex-smokers can cut their risk of another heart attack by half or more.

6. Most older smokers don't want to stop smoking.
The correct answer is: False
Most smokers would prefer to quit. What keeps them from quitting? There are many excuses — fear of being irritable, nervous and tense; fear of gaining weight. Some of these concerns are very real, but there is help. The one belief that isn’t true — believing that quitting after so many years of smoking will not help. While quitting won’t be easy, it’s never too late.

7. An older smoker is likely to smoke more cigarettes than a younger smoker.
The correct answer is: True
Older smokers usually smoke more cigarettes than younger people. Plus, older smokers are more likely to smoke high-nicotine brands.

8. Someone who has smoked for 30 to 40 years probably won't be able to quit smoking.
The correct answer is: False
You may be surprised to learn that older smokers are actually more likely to succeed at quitting smoking. This is especially true if they're already experiencing long-term, smoking-related symptoms like shortness of breath, coughing, or chest pain. Older smokers who stop want to avoid further health problems, take control of their life, get rid of the smell of cigarettes, and save money.

9. Very few older adults smoke cigarettes.
The correct answer is: False
One out of 12 adults aged 65 or older smokes cigarettes. Since our older adult population is growing, these smokers make up a large part of the country's total of 44.5 million smokers! According to 2004 estimates by the Centers for Disease Control, 20.9 percent of the adult U.S. population still smokes.

10. Lifelong smokers are more likely to die of diseases like emphysema and bronchitis than nonsmokers.
The correct answer is: True
Smoking greatly increases the risk of dying of diseases like emphysema and bronchitis. In fact, over 80 percent of all deaths from these two diseases are directly due to smoking. The risk of dying from lung cancer is also a lot higher for smokers than nonsmokers: 22 times higher for males, 12 times higher for females.

How did you score?

More Reasons to Quit~

What the Heck is COPD Anyway?

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease; commonly known as COPD is caused by a simultaneous occurrence of bronchitis and emphysema. I have to admit, I had no idea what COPD stood for. I've heard the commercials for years and got the basic 'gist' of it but really wasn't sure. Something I started to become sure of however, was that whatever it was I was probably getting it!

Emphysema is the result of tiny air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs, becoming overstretched. Their thin walls tear, resulting in loss of lung tissue and elasticity. The lungs cannot expand or contract fully, and so become less efficient.

Bronchitis usually means `chronic bronchitis' which is long term inflammation of the airways, or bronchi. Bronchitis and emphysema are usually caused by inhaled irritants, usually caused by cigarette smoke in 85% of cases, and chemicals and pollutants in the remaining 15%.

Inflammation of the bronchi causes excess production of sputum, which the patient has to cough up, through narrowed damaged airways. As the lungs become increasingly damaged, shortness of breath develops. Moderate exertion such as climbing stairs become a problem, but as the condition worsens so does gasping for air!! For many sufferers, simple tasks such as washing or shaving cause marked shortness of breath, and eventually fighting for breath occurs even at rest.

The condition cannot be cured! However, further deterioration can be prevented by the patient stopping smoking. Difficulty in breathing can be eased by using inhalers or nebulisers. Inhaled steroids like Becotide, are useful in reducing inflammation of the air tubes. Many patients need to have oxygen several times a day.

Recurring chest infections, worsening shortness of breath and wheeziness lead to respiratory failure, where the heart and lungs just `give in' and the patient dies!

Help for bronchitis sufferers:
*Stop smoking, otherwise your condition will deteriorate rapidly.

*Use a peak flow meter. You blow into this gadget to test how `narrowed' your tubes have become. These meters can be obtained on prescription.

*Avoid beta blockers, as these can make bronchitis (and asthma) worse.

*Keep your weight down.

*Avoid dust, fumes and polluted air.

*Get chest infections treated promptly with antibiotics.

*Get vaccinated against `flu' every year before winter.

*Take inhalers and tablets regularly, as instructed by your doctor.

And finally, sufferers with CODP should blow up a balloon 20 times at the end of each day. This has been shown to bring about nearly a 20% improvement, in the patients lung capacity. They also felt better and had less episodes of breathlessness!!

Staying Quit ~

And Sticking With It!
Beating an addiction to nicotine takes a lot of willpower and determination. I should feel GREAT for making it this far -- NINETY (90) DAYS! But now the challenge is simply sticking with it.

Today I as in the boss's office which I have successfully nicknamed The Wood Shed. All I could think about while in there was; "when will this meeting end and when can I go outside and have a cigarette?" Of course I knew I couldn't go out and enjoy a smoke but the thought was still ever present.
Now is not the time to give up, its the time to focus on sticking with it! -- Keep my original plan and develop new strategies as needed. Below are strategies posted by the US Government (who grossly profits from our addictions by-the-way).

Keeping Your Guard Up
Your body has changed since you began to smoke. Your brain has learned to crave nicotine. So certain places, people, or events can trigger a strong urge to smoke, (like the woodshed) even years after quitting. That's why you should never take a puff again, no matter how long it has been since you quit.
At first, you may not be able to do things as well as when you were smoking. Don't worry. This won't last long. Your mind and body just need to get used to being without nicotine.
After you've quit, the urge to smoke often hits at the same times. For many people, the hardest place to resist the urge is at home. And many urges hit when someone else is smoking nearby. Use the skills you've already learned to get through your urges without smoking.

Fighting The Urges
Review the tips from earlier posts to help you fight the urge to smoke. These tips are meant to help you stay a nonsmoker.

Staying Upbeat
Going through the first days and weeks without smoking, keep a positive outlook. Don't blame or punish yourself if you do have a cigarette. (Which I refuse to give in anyway). Don't think of smoking as "all or none." Instead, take it one day at a time. Remember that quitting is a learning process.

Keep Rewarding Yourself For Not Smoking
Now that you aren't buying cigarettes, you probably have more spending money. Take a look at my savings on the bottom of the page for example.
Think about starting a "money jar" if you haven't already. Put your cigarette money aside for each day you don't smoke. Soon you'll have enough money to buy a reward for yourself.