Moving on..Day 1 and on

Hey Alex,

Great job, don't forget the count backwards idea also, for locking the door and leaving. I wish you the best on your quitting smoking also. My dad quit for a good ten years before being diagnosed with lung cancer. Quit while your young, that was a real tuff one to see him suffering with that. He used to buy these mint losenges, that had nicotin in them to help him quit smoking, worked great for him, and then he used them the whole ten years he didn't smoke. Maybe they have something like that over there? Remember we've got alot going on in our lifes so don't be to hard on yourself on the smoking thing, you'll get there. Being gamble free is a huge accomplishment, stay strong.

Chicagoguy

You have a point there, Chicagoguy. We do have a lot going on in our lives right now. I will try the counting back idea when checking next time. Quitting smoking is something I need to do, again. I always find myself going back though. I need to get it out of my life again. Longest I've quit for in the 10 years I've been smoking is a year, so I know I can do it. As with the gambling, once you get past those first few days it gets easier. I want to give it a go. If I fail, so be it. Yet, I will give it a real go this time.

Might try those nicotine gum things though. I know a place that sells them. Have an e-cig for back up too though. Though I may ditch that soon too.

Wish me luck. Quit day is in a day and a half.

Thanks again

-Alex

Hi Alex

Thanks for your post.

Quitting smoking is like quitting gambling and the best way to do is go one day at a time.

Stay strong

Thanks Imran. My quit day is looming, I have to give it a go. Wish me luck.

Still gamble free.

Staylin' strong.

-Alex

Hi Alex.

Glad to see you are still doing well. Being "hater" of smoking! I am really happy for you that you are going to attempt to quit smoking. Just think of the money you will save!! My friend told me that they are almost £9. per packet!!!!!

Having been to the docs recently and being told that my cholesterol was 7!!!, he told me that I should cut down on chocolate as I am healthy in nearly every other way. Now then, you may know by now that I am a chocoholic so cutting down/abstaining will probably as hard for me as it is a smoker trying to quit. Apparrently, I was told that I should still treat myself to some chocolate but I do need to cut down - I have chocolate every day and have done so for years!!

We can spur each other on in our attempts.

Take care and speak soon.

Feb.

Thank you, Feb. I'll get there. I want to quit smoking as I know it's better as a non-smoker already. Being a smoker for me is like walking around with one long cold that never clears up. It does me no favours. Like gambling, it saps your energy and can leave you depressed. For those reason it'll be sensible for me to give it up.

The prices are ridiculous too, but I don't smoke that much, so my £4 pouch can last 4 days. Still a crazy price, but it's another deterrent I suppose.

-Alex 🙂

Hey Alex,

Hope all is well with you, just wanted to drop a quick hello, and say well done and stay strong.

Chicagoguy

Doing well, Chicagoguy. Hope you are too, mate. 🙂

Just did some tallying up for various times and dates.

My time trapped as a gambler -

1 year, 8 months, 5 days - 615 days

Of course, it's silly to think I spent all those days gambling but I spent a hell of a lot that time doing so. How sad was I, in hindsight. Oh well.

My time out of the trap -

2 months, 5 days

Today is day 67 bet free.

Smoking...

I started at 15 years old, very rarely smoking more than a few a week until I was about 16. At 16, I could smoke a small pouch a week- 12 grams. Then from there, I could get through a small pouch in a few days, maybe 2-3 days. Once I got my hands on the duty free tobbaco, I could smoke a 50 gram pouch in a week. Thinking back it alarms me. Though I need to. I started in summer 2000, I believe. My first quit attempt was in January 2007. I may have tried before but can't remember as I probably failed spectacularly. Anyway, I quit for a whole year. Then at the year point, got curious and as I was stressed, I started again (doh!).

First starting in summer 2000 to quitting in January 2007 =

6 years, 7 months, 12 days

2418 days (holy s$%£)

I started again in January 2008, and from there I would say I have been with every quit attempt since about a year free of smoking in total. So in effect, I have smoked for just over 10 years. Just as with my gambling it has been a problem and I need to stop.

So,

Day 1 as a non-smoker.

Day 67 bet free.

Here goes. Smoked my last cigarette about half an hour ago.

I can do this.

I will say I do have an smoking aide. I've been using e-cigs for years so I still have that, but no more tobacco. I'm going to ditch my e-cigs soon though.

Staying strong.

Bet and smoke free.

-Alex

Hey Alex,

Way to go, you can do it. I ended up going through all my bank statements for 2012, and I logged all my trips to the casino and how much I lost, that was a real eye opener. I could really see the addiction progress, scary actually, especially when I was chasing. Congrats on day 1 smoke free, and 67 days gamble free!

Chicagoguy

Screwed up my attempt to quit smoking big time. Got throughout the day fine, had the odd pang, then by evening I went and bought tobacco..oops. Still, I've only had one in the last 24 hours. And I'm free of gambling for 68 days, so no need to feel completely down. If giving up gambling was anything to go by, giving up smoking likewise will take time and effort, but I will give it up. I'm setting my mind on it and can do it. Stayin' strong, bet free and hopefully free of the f**s soon.

Alex.

Hi Alex.

Just wanted to say that it sounds like you are definitely in the right frame of mind to quit smoking so I am confident you are going to do well just as well as your attempts in quitting gambling fot once and for all. Well done to you.

Take care and speak soon.

Feb.

Thank you, Feb. I will get it out the way sooner or later. Smoking is a funny one though. I need to change how I view them, as my mindset still says I rely on them to get through the day. I think I may read the Easyway to quit smoking by Allen Carr, again. That book helped me quit for a year, so it's worth a shot.

Anyhoo...Gambling. Still free. This weekend has been easier than the last few as I'm all skint so can't gamble even if I wanted too. I have a little cash, but the last thing I would ever do is gamble it and undo my efforts to be free of it. Anyway, Day 70/71 today. Overjoyed I'm now in March and my last bet was in December. Can't believe how well I have done. *Pats self on back* 🙂

Hi Alex.

A very big pat on the back from me too.

Take care and catch up soon.

Feb.

Congrats Alex,

Super huge accomplishment! Hope all else is going well for you also. Your doing great.

Chicagoguy

Thank you both. I have had a bit of a breakthrough on the f**s. I smoked one today and put it right out after just lighting it. I normally wouldn't do that. As well as this, I know I've cut down to the point where it'd be a good time to say goodbye to this disgusting habit. I bought a small pouch on Friday and have barely touched it. I've had maybe 10 in 3 days which just wouldn't happen before. I couldn't get through 10 in one poker session at one point a year ago. It's mad. I think tomorrow, I will stop for good. I know I can do this. If I can give gambling, I can give up this evil vice too. Wish me luck.