Stop Smoking Support Thread
Comments
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Judi,
I started in January with doing roughly 40 minutes on the treadmill, or 'dreadmill' as I call it, 6 days per week... I scheduled that time for roughly the same time each day (so it became habit that it is just what I do at that time... kinda like smoking)....
I will say... It was sooooo frustrating in the beginning... Here I was walking and walking and that freakin' scale just wouldn't budge BUT, I could tell my clothes were fitting better soooooo, I continued (I was mad... but continued...lol)....
Lo and behold after the first 6 weeks or so that stubborn scale started to reflect my efforts! The weight isn't flying off (and I wouldn't expect it to because I haven't made huge changes) but it has been a nice steady 2-3 lbs per month.... Month by month it has added up to 10 lbs lost....0 -
way to go Seaside! 10 lbs is awesome!
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That's great, ladies! (I love "dreadmill")
I was thin for five minutes in 1991. I will never be thin again, I shouldn't think, but you guys have reminded me that when in the groove, excercise itself can be a great reward for not smoking. I used to love that time to myself, early mornings at the gym. OK, yeah, it sucks until you're in the groove, but oh, those lovely endorphins. . . I'm going to start an exercise program in the morning. And visualize a handsome personal trainer
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Thanks Michelle! I started last year with you all over on the E-lab thread... Life intervened and I fell off the exercise wagon.... Began again this past January and have stuck with it and finally am seeing some results...
MaddyMac,
I had never been one to enjoy exercising. I knew there were people who did but, I was not one of them! It takes some doing to force myself to get started but once I get going, you're right, you get kinda in the groove and it's not bad!
I have also found I am much calmer and less anxious during the day and as an added bonus, I sleep much better at night!!
Speaking of personal trainers, a friend sent me a pretty funny e-mail when I got started in January... I thought it was hilarious! Hope you find it funny, too!
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080906110625AArluvk0 -
VJ - thank you so much for taking the time to post your note ... Like MaddyMac I too have 'slipped'. With my BMX scheduled 6/11 my nerves have gotten the best of me. I'm getting back on the wagon & learning from my fall. I refuse to be too hard on myself ... afterall a 30 year habit doesn't go down without a fight.
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If you are from California, please read my blog today and vote YES on Prop 29. www.StopSmokingStayQuit.blogspot.com
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Seaside: thanks for sharing the "gym experience". I'd seen it before but it's just as funny the 2nd time.
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Oh girls, thanks for the hardy chuckle. I need that sense of humour. O.K. SeasideMemories, I hear you about the exercise. So what I started as soon as I good was core exercises 2x a week. My body was used to these exercises and I wasn't smoking and on meds .... so the weight crept up. 20 lbs. total. So then I started Yoga which I loved and though not pounds, I felt I lost inches. However, those inches maybe last a few days or possibly, minutes, that I lost. I with MaddyMac on this one. So, I start TRX training (developed by your Navy Seals). Hard as heck for me to do because of the arm thing. So, I feel good a few days and then back to normal. Then I hire a personal trainer for a program and felt fabulous. That lasted a week. When you get busy hard to do the program (so I have convinced myself). Went tonight, and felt good. I'm sooooooooooo tired though and hard to get motivated. Going for a walk tonight and dh said he buy me an ice cream - just want I need. Today, all I have thought about is having a smoke. Kept thinking of how good I've down and some of the reasons VJSL8 stated for quitting. So, I have to stay on this treadmill! By the way, did I mentioned this flippin exercise program started in March 2011. So hard, so hard, so hard. Do you see me feel sorry for myself!
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Hi Ladies, I have been lurking around here, not posting, as I haven't fully made the decision to quit! I just started chemo last Friday, 6/1, and although I had cut back quite a bit before that...now, I find myself slipping back into smoking more....I'm bored, restless, irritable, bone tired, achey, brakey....all of that!! And the cigs help break up the monotony.
I need to get motivated to quit for real. And yet, it is like the chemo gave me an excuse to feel sorry for myself again. I need to pm you for that book, VJ, and I shall.
I just hope to get to where you all are someday. I feel so terrible about what I am doing. Is this wasting the effects of the chemo and neopogen shots?
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JustBeatit - My husband quit three years before I did. I don't know how you could possibly quit if you had no desire to quit, and I had NO desire to quit. I really just like to smoke. It was enjoyable. I turned to it for stress, sadness, happiness, after meals...well, you know, I'm sure.
What turned it for me was a one-two punch. First, this diagnosis. It scared me and I knew I had to be better to my body, although I knew smoking didn't cause my breat cancer. I immediately cut my consumption in half. As I was struggling with cutting back even further, I met someone fighting lung cancer for the second time.
Let me tell you, breast cancer is a horrible thing, but lung cancer? We talked for a while, and it was the most horrifying stories I'd ever heard. That's when I decided I had smoked my last cigarette. Have I wanted one since? You betcha. I've had to go to great lengths to stop myself, but I also picture her sweet face, and what she's going through and that oxygen bottle she lugs around on bad days.
Not for me, thanks.
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Okay girls, The patch is on and my non smoking Journey begins again and right now . Love you all .. I am praying I can stay stronger this time . and ... "just for Today I will NOT Smoke "
Hugs and Love
Lisa
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Welcome JustBeatIt DahDumDum! So, where do you start. We are all so different and at different feelings/levels of quitting. As I said before, I tried a few times but always went back. I can only think that I just wasn't ready or willing to try, to quit. My cancer diagnosis was the last straw. If I hadn't had the cancer, I would have been still smoking. Yikes!!! You, and only you, can decide when you should quit. Doctors, and other people, can tell you but you will know when. I had quickly scanned VJ's book and the parts that I scanned, I would have seriously quit. The stress you are under with the cancer diagnosis, chemo, makes it that much harder. But, I think you are already there. You decided to post which means you are pretty serious about quitting. I think you also answered your own question on the last line of your post. Don't let a smoke or smokes waste everything you are doing to be cancer free. Keep going. We are all here for you!
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JustBeatIt.... By just reading here and considering the prospect of quitting you have taken the first step! You are in the midst of treatment and that is a very stressful time! Some have done it during active treatment so it can be done! That being said, I did not attempt to quit until after treatment.... This may or may not be the right time for you but please don't think you are negating your treatment by smoking a few more weeks/months and then tackling quitting when you are feeling stronger and not having to deal with quite so much!
Maybe take a few small steps here and there to kind of 'try it out' without the stress of commiting to quiting! Follow along here and, believe me, we will be here when you are ready!! Just a super bunch of ladies here!0 -
Agreed. There is not another person on earth that can tell you when you are ready. You'll make that decision. Welcome.
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my3sunz....
You also have a lot of stress right now!! You are soooo right in saying that beating yourself up for not being able to deal with quitting right now serves no purpose whatsoever other than to make yourself feel bad!
Yes, a 30 year habit doesn't leave without a fight.... But each time you try, you learn a bit more about what works (or doesn't) for YOU and slowly, but surely, you accumulate just the right tools to finally slay 'the beast'!!
I quit after 30+ years so it is possible! But do be kind to yourself at this point in treatment as well! Whatever you decide, post when you need to!
Look forward to hearing from you!0 -
Yay Lisamarie!!!
So glad you're back!! We missed you! Hope you are feeling better!!0 -
JustBeatit, I quit right after rads, so there wasn't so much on my plate. I also just lurked for quite awhile before committing, I had a nicotine replacement aid in place and had gone down from a pack to a pack and a half to 6 a day. This is a hugely committed group of women who will support you every step of the way. As JudiH mentioned we are at all stages of quiting, so we know where you are and can help you as you hit each stage. We have used everything from the e cig, gum, patches to cold turkey. Whenever you are ready, we are here.
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Judi,
Soooo true! Being really ready to quit and quitting for ourselves and not to satisify someone else is a big part of it!
Jo and Karen.... Where ARE you???? Hope you both are doing well!!!0 -
Lol Karen!!!
Just posted my where are you? and see you just posted!!0 -
Seaside - I'm here. Been really bummed out lately. Had a mini meltdown yesterday. Guess I needed it cuz once it started, I could not stop for quite a while. Went to see my PS on Monday for a check up and to schedule my revision. Because he is so busy and I think he may have a vacation in there somewhere, I can't get it done until Aug 6th. I so wanted to get it done and over with and close another chapter in this BC journey. 5 days after the revision, I am supposed to head to Austin for a 4 day (Fri - Mon) convention. I look forward to this every year and don't want to miss. DH thinks I should schedule it in mid Sept. Don't know what to do at this point. Will probably leave things the way they are right now. I had a slip during the meltdown and smoked 2 cigs. Not going to make excuses or beat myself up over this. I have picked myself up today, got the big girl panties out and back on the wagon so to speak. Just want to thank every one for listening. Sorry I have gone on so long. That is why I haven't posted lately.
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Jo, please don't stay away when things like that happen. You need support, and avoiding this thread won't let us offer it. So you slipped. Big deal! You're back. Grab your adult binkie and meet me on the back porch for a heart-to-heart, OK?
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Aw Fierro - You know how to say the right things. I feel like a total idiot when I smoke. Of course, living with a smoker does not make it easier. In fact, it is really hard. So on that note, I will grab my adult binkie and an unopened bottle of Sangria and will meet you on the back porch. Thanks for being in my life.0
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Jo, I was just going to send you a PM, realized I hadn't seen you in a few days. No beating yourself up, just climb on up here with us. Must have been due for a meltdown, you have been so strong throughout all the delays in the drains, and this delay just feels like you haven't got the process completed. We obviously miss you when you are not with us, we are a troup of ladies who sometimes have to remember to put our big girl panties on. I have a lesion on my Gyn. area and the Gyno wants to remove it and biopsy it, so I'll expect a group in my pocket on the 15th. My BP is just having fits, I am OK when I am at home but during my pre-op and PCP visit it was just bouncing up there, it's just amazing what the stress of bc does to you physically. So, Jo, we just grab our binkies, remember to breathe and go on. hugs to you, Karen
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Jo.... Good to hear from you! Sorry that things have piled on! As Fierro said.....If you have a slip and avoid coming here, we can't help! Gonna give a huge yaaaaayyyyy, to Fierro here!!! You are doing sooo well both in your quit and helping others!!!
Did someone mention Sangria?? Heading around to the back porch! Lol!0 -
Seaside - thank you (again!) for your encouraging words ... I'm all good and preparing for my pre op with my plastic surgeon tomorrow. Damn I hope he's still going to proceed with the reconstruction. I really have been good about the no-smoking thing ... it's just been tough this week counting down until d-day Monday.
LisaMarie - It's great to have you back again! This time will be much better (trust me ... I've learned that on my own!). You are one strong chica with a great support group here to help you through any tough times.
Jo - so sorry to hear you've been battling some deamons lately ... we all understand ... these are not easy times. On the 'slip' - just let it 'slide' and get back on the good ole wagon :-)
Fiero - did you end up getting your hair cut? If so, I'll bet it looks & feels great !!
Thanks again to all of you for your support and inspiring words ... together we are stronger!
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Hey all y'all -
I've been reading and lurking and reading and lurking. . . I fell off the wagon last week, dusted myself off, tried to climb back on and fell off again. My new plan is to get up early tommorow and slap on a patch.
I have to get up early anyway because I am due at the imaging center for a THREE hour ultrasound. Why? I don't really know. They explain and it falls out of my head two minutes later. I used to have a brain, honestly I did. Has anyone else had guide wires implanted prior to lumpectomy?
My mother's way of dealing with my cancer is to pretend it doesn't exist. She regularly
askes, in a slightly annoyed tone, what is WRONG with me when I look sad.
This emergency whining test is now concluded. In the event of a real emergency, shots of Jonny Walker Black would be distributed.
Just for tonight, I will not smoke.0 -
I have to admit I was really busy over the weekend. DH & I went to South Padre Island on Sunday with friends for lunch. A BC sister and her hubby also met us - the live on the island. We had a great time. This is the second time I was able to have lunch with a sista. We only live an hour apart.
You are right, I just want this process complete. I did post on the LD flap thread and got some good words of advice. They tell me the wait will be a good thing. Three months out from surgery is a good time for revision. I am okay with all this now.
I will definitely be in your pocket on the 15th. What time is your appt? I need to figure out what kind of food to bring along. No guarantees I will not leave a mess. LOL!
My next appt is on Monday the 11th. This one will be a piece of cake. It is my 6 month MO visit. Go for labs then see my MO. I will tell him about my recon, he will do a breast exam and send me on my way. Next appt will be in Dec.
Thanks so much sista for checking on me. I do get distracted these days but will try not to stay gone so long. I am so grateful you are in my life and a wonderful sista.
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MaddyMac - best wishes with your appointment tomorrow and your date with 'Patch' ... each time you try, you get smarter & stronger!! Wish I could help you with the lumpectomy ... I'm prepping for a BMX on June 11th ... so off they go :-) Hang tough girlfriend!!
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MaddyMac, love the energency whining test...LOL, My3sunz, lots of surgeries going on, remember to wear something with big enough pockets so we can all come along for moral support.
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Jo - love your new avatar. Glad you decided to wait for more surgery. None of us want to drag out this BC thing, but you should take advantage of planned vacations/conferences/etc. My hat's off to you. Can't imagine how you do so well while living with a smoker. Big girl panties are a bi$ch but you can do it.
LISA ! LISA ! LISA ! LISA ! You've had the patch on for 9 hours now & 9 hours of he*l without smokes. Hang in there girl. Maybe this time's the charm.
MaddyMac - Sorry your Mom is such a party pooper. Just say "hmmmmm" and head for the BCO threads.
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