Craven and Bi-Polar Bear have inspired OCCOM BILL to finally

Her absense is rather odd. Where are ya darlin?

It is summer, maybe she is on vacation...

Toronto, huh? That's only about a 4 hour drive for me. It had better be a good dinner.... :wink:


Day three....last night went relativly well with the exception of dinner...I had fast food and man does that make me want a smoke. I practically had to duct tape my ass to the chair to keep from getting up.

Kristie, feel free to browse some of my food photos in the original photography gallery. They start on page 3, and move on from there.

Are ya tryin' to make me want to smoke? Food followed by smoke......mmmm...............

Food tastes better without smokes. Let the anticipation of bursting flavours be your guide....

that's what I hear.
I can't remember what it's like to not smoke so this will be a treat! I really like food....

Awesome Kristie! You're winning! Just about to the point where it gets easier by the day. Rock on!

In other news, Frances seems to want me to take another vacation already... Hurricane Frances, that is. The latest track seems to have it pointed at my house and Cat4 ain't no joke. Interesting.

Careful Bill!

That's no good....I hope it doesn't get you.

Thanks for the encouraging words... it sucks mostly because I'll be fine for hours and then all of a sudden I get all jittery and nervous and crappy feeling and want a smoke so bad!!!!!! Chewing gum does not help. I need something else.....any suggestions?

Thanks Soz, Krisie.
I moved my telephone time over to coffee (decafe after lunch), and got over the "need a cig with my coffee" feeling relatively fast. I'm back down to 1 pot a day now, so that wasn't permenant. I think that's the best 'substitute' out there. If you don't like coffee, but a container of "INTERNATIONAL Delight" French Vanilla or Hazelnut creamer... and you will.

Thinking further. If you like tea, all that putsing around with the teabag and whatnot might be a fine distraction too... and some teas are quite good for you. Keep up the good work!

Kristie,

Buy some sugar-free popsicles or creamsicles. They have about 15 calories, so they're basically empty - and just eat them and eat them and eat them. It worked for me.



-Jer-

Well, I would Jer but my problem is at work, not so much at home. I would have to get myself a little freezer....hmmmm, put that sucker under my desk and I could have all sorts of stuff.....maybe that's not a bad idea... :wink:

Bill- I LOVE coffee. I have one cup every morning but lately I've been drinking it like there was a coffee shortage coming. I pee every 10 mintues.

I've been munching on carrots but someone told me that there is a lot of natural sugar in carrots and that eating them all day isn't good for you. Other than the fact that you can turn your skin yellow (for real...it's crazy...called carotenosis ) from the coloring in carrots, do you think they are a bad choice for munchies? I am lactose intolerant so I can't eat a lot of sweets anyway but I need something that is crunchy and keeps me occupied.

Decafe darlin, decafe. Carrots aren't bad... but celery has nothing in it, so it's completely free if you can stand it. And tons and tons of H20!
Rock on girl!
Go Kristie!

Hi everybody!

Due to Jer's incessant nagging--okay he doesn't nag but it makes a much better story --I am reminded that I have been remiss on the gold stars detail.

So here's the weekly gold stars for Bill, Jer, Shewolf, and now KRISTIE! And Craven? Did Heeven fall off the wagon? WTG everybody who is hanging in there.

Jer's coming up on 60 days and Bill 90 days! That is awesome! I bet you guys are going hours or maybe a whole day without thinking about smoking now.

As a refresher for Kristie and others from a 3-pack a day smoker for 30 years and now ex-smoker:

The cravings are intense during the withdrawal period which is typically seven days though residual nicotine can remain in your system up to three weeks. Even during this time there are periods in which you do not particularly need to smoke. After the withdrawal period it's like an earthquake. One big jolt followed by aftershocks that become less frequent and intense over time. That's the way to expect the cravings to be - even the early ones that can bring you to you knees are only temporary - and the cravings become less frequent, less intense, and of shorter duration over a period of weeks until they don't come at all any more. The best way to get through them is to know they are temporary and you only have to resist for a little while.

Knitting, crocheting, needlepoint, stringing beads, basket weaving, gardening -- anything you don't associate with smoking will keep your hands busy. Vigorous exercise is good both to help readjust your body metabolism, for good health, and to just plain make you feel good.

The no-sugar-added popsicles are also very low cal as Jer mentioned and are an excellent snack as are the little carrots. Celery sticks or radishes are are even better--takes more calories to digest them than you get out of them. For more substantial treats, some of the no-sugar-added ice creams (Blue Bunny, Dreyers, or other premium brands) are excellent, especially when served with fresh berries.

I recently discovered a Nestles no-sugar-added hot chocolate mix. When a packet is added to hot coffee it is almost decadent--very chocolatey, just the right amount of sweetness, and only 25 calories. And we all know chocolate is a 'happy' food as it releases a chemical in the brain that gives us a sense of well being. Chocolate generally does not increase the desire for a cig. (You can even sneak a cup of this at work if you're allowed coffee at your desk.)

Anyhow keep up the good work everybody.

I refuse to dive into the realms of oral fixation, as funny as it might be to some.

Good to see you Foxy! We were starting to wonder about your whereabouts.

I have an oral fixation...so what... :wink:

I could possibly make a lucrative career move from all of this.