Sybarite

Down by 8kg, but it has taken this long, since the begining of the year. The weight loss fluctuates between 8.5kg and 9kg.

Have started eating everything in sight, as Summer is here and I have taken up cycling tours of 35miles (approx 50km) for 2/3 days a week.

Will now definitely need to go to the gym to tone, tighten and lose remaining 2kg!

Good luck everyone with this goal.

Approaching 5 months mark (end May), and the phantom cravings still swings by from time to time. Its easier to resist, but as I recall from previous experiences from trying to stop smoking, the dangerous time is between 6 months and 12 months. Once I had stopped for 8 months and just started again, and another time I started to smoke after stopping for 6.5 months. The irritability is easier to control, and the keeping busy does seem to start to wear – probably need new challenge/hobby.

Word of warning for people who contribute here, there is a person going by the name of “youareallprettylame” that is emailing people counter productive messages. Ignore this person, they sound like a pretty hardcore misogynist (from his single goal) or is acting out on account that they were ignored by parents when growing up.

For the rest of you, good luck with stopping.

The cravings come and go but I have managed to resist.

Even stressful situations now seem less stressful! There is a distinct possiblity that I will be made redundant by the end of March and although it will be tough, it doesn’t stress me out as much as I thought it would. Previously I would probably be smoking 40-60 cigarettes a day, stressing myself out like crazy and probably to such a point that I would not be able to concentrate on getting another job. Anyway, getting healthier I think, or at least I hope so, the stunning physical changes are not so apparent as time progresses (better breathing, smell better, feel better etc etc etc), so we shall see what next. I have stopped walking the 11 miles a day and changed to cycling 15-20 miles per day (for 5 days a week) which keeps things interesting…also summer’s coming and cycling always seemed so relaxing during the summer months – well when I watched other people doing it!

On a slightly different note, thought still stress related:

I spoke to a friend (ex-smoker of 11 years – who has stopped now for 15 plus years) and HE says the cravings never really stop. They will continue to come and go, but ignoring them becomes easier.

I spoke to another friend (ex-smoker of 14 years – who has stopped for 7 years) and SHE said that after year one, you figure out what to do with all your free time and enjoy it more. The cravings just become less and less problematic after the first six months.

The different take must be a gender thing….anyone want to agree/disagree?

Both agree that stopping smoking has seem to make them less stressed. Part of it came down to the fact you do not have to organise/find the opportunity to smoke your next cigarette – especially now more and more places are becoming non-smoking. Another part of it is you’re not scrabbling around for change or money/making a special trip to the ATM and then trying to finding somewhere that sells cigarettes at 3 a.m. etc.

For those who are thinking about doing this….give it a go, they are not banning tobacco sales, so you can always go back to it if its not for you!

For those who are in the process of stopping, and finding it tough, find an alternative hobby to occupy the smoking times – personally I exercised more…but different blokes, different strokes. The main thing continue!

Good luck with it – will keep you posted on a monthly basis about potential rewards/pitfalls on doing this.