Day Nine - Ho Hum

Cravings not too bad today. Gum usage a little less than yesterday, so that's fine.

But now that I've stopped smoking and cut back somewhat on my drinking (two beers before bed last night), my body is reminding me that I need to exercise.

The last time I was at the gym on a regular basis was well over a year ago. Dreading going back because I know its going to hurt when I do. But I have to go back or else I'm going to keep getting fatter and fatter. Already over 220 pounds - feel like a sausage trying to burst out of its skin.

So, I need to set a date and prepare for it properly. Next Monday works - as long as I don't drink too much on Sunday, which I doubt I will because I have to drive over 100 miles home from the regatta.

The hardest part of recovery is getting started - once you do that, and if you can keep a routine going for at least two weeks it becomes much easier because after two weeks you start to notice the positive changes taking place.

And I really want to stop feeling like I'm about to split the seam on the backside of my pants.

Amount saved on cigarettes: $72.00

Day Eight - Next Goes The Gum

The box of smoker's gum I bought a week ago will run out in the next day or two. Since this is the beginning of the week, I think I'll try to live without it. Next weekend I'll be out of town attending a small regatta. The challenge will be to drink with my fellow sailors without bumming a smoke off of one them.

Amount I would have spent on smokes but have saved instead so far: $64.00

(Actually its probably more - I usually smoked more than a pack-a-day on the weekends. . .)

Day Seven - Still Smoke Free

Still chewing gum and spitting sunflower seeds. Had a really strong craving this morning when I woke up because its Sunday and Sunday used to be strong coffee and unfiltered cigarettes on the back deck but I pressed on. It's cooled off here now so eating breakfast on the back deck wasn't an option and that made it easier.

All in all, this hasn't been so bad. But I still need to give up the gum. If I can go a few days without drinking alcohol I might be able to do it.

Amount saved: $56.00

Day Five - Getting Ready For The Weekend

I really want to buy a pack of smokes and a twelve-pack, but I'm not going to. Old Friday afternoon habits are hard to break.

Instead, I'll go home, change, load the dog into the truck, and take him down to the yacht club to let him crap on the grass - he loves that (and yes, I clean up after him). I'll make sure to pack some sunflower seeds, which really help take my mind off smoking.

After that, I'll go back home, do some housework, and then report to my second job in my back office. I've been working from 5 - 9p.m. this week and that's helped keep me from cracking open a beer, although I did drink a bottle of pinot noir last night after work while watching game 5 of the ALCS championship.

My girlfriend is coming over at 9:00 p.m. She smokes and drinks, but has been good about not smoking around me. My challenge tonight is to enjoy a glass or three of wine without busting into her smokes.

Wish me luck.

Amount saved: $40.00

Day Four - Eating Too Much

Eating too much, but the cravings still aren't too bad. Much better than previous attempts made the past year, but was under much more stress than I am now.

First weekend is approaching - tomorrow is Friday night, but I have to work until 9:00 p.m. and I don't plan on going out. My girlfriend will visit after work though, but she's been great about not smoking around me. It's not her smoking that worries me though, it's the drinking. Have to work Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 pm, so hope I can use that as an excuse to get to bed early.

Amount saved: $32.00

Day Three - Can't Taste Anything

For some reason I've lost my sense of taste - can't even taste salt. Don't remember this from previous attempts to quit smoking, but whatever.

Lungs started clearing themselves this morning. Expect to cough up phlegm for a week or two. That's a good thing.

Cravings aren't too bad. Gum is helping, but jaws and gums are sore. Trying to limit the gum and use plastic coffee straws or sunflower seeds instead with some success.

Drank too much alcohol last night, but didn't really feel the urge for a smoke. Still, need to limit intake of booze for that and other reasons.

Amount saved: $24.00

Day Two - Get Through It

48 hours since my last cigarette. Starting to feel twitchy and slightly irritable. No jimmy-legs (RLS) last night - good. One glass of red wine last night. Need to re-stock on nicotine gum.

Amount saved since Sunday: $16.00

Day One - Another Promising Start

Less than an hour until its been 24 hours since my last cigarette. So far, withdrawal has been mild, but I can feel that familiar tension in my growing in my jaws. No irritability - yet. Gum is helping. Wonder how bad the jimmy-legs (Restless Leg Syndrome) will be tonight?