I wrote in my column last week that I intend to quit smoking on May 30th, my 55th birthday. That only leaves me six more days of smoking but who's counting?
As of now, I plan to go cold turkey: no gum or patches or hypnosis or acupuncture - just crying and tantrums. I'm not anal about aids though. (Wicked wits could have fun with that sentence but I'm not that kind of a guy.) If it turns out I'm having a horrible go of it, I'll try whatever I need to in order to stay away from my beloved pipes.
I received a lot of wonderful mail after that column, chockful of stories and tips and cautionary tales from readers who've been there and done that. They were inspiring and I'm very grateful to those folks for taking the time to tell of their experiences.
I'm pretty sure I won't turn into one of "those" reformed smokers; you know, the ones who cough ostentatiously when within 100 yards of someone puffing. They bug me. I plan on exercising more to burn off some of those extra calories I'll probably be ingesting in place of nicotine and to exorcise the heebie jeebies of withdrawal. I just want to feel healthier and look good in a Speedo again. Is that so wrong?
Anyway, I'll be whining about my progress here semi-regularly.
You've been warned.
9 comments:
(cough cough)
I'll suggest healthier calories, walk with you to burn those that are not, remind you of your goal and encourage you to get there. But please, PLEASE spare me the Speedo.
(cough, gaghk, cough)
I'm thrilled that you're doing this, Frank.. and I know you'll do great. :)
Good luck Frank. I hope you have more stamina than I had. On May 05, my birthday, I promised myself to quit smoking too. I have not quit yet. But I have slowed down, from one packet to 1/2 packet a day.
I hear you loud and clear about the ex-smokers with the waging finger in the air. I ignor them and if they do get personal like talking about the "lack of character" or "being ignorant to fellow humans health" then I have an answer ready for them. I hate people on bandwagons as you know.
So good luck to you and if it does not work don't beat yourself up over it.
Oh yea, a very happy birthday to you. By the way we are the same age.
Othmar aka Huntwriter
Good luck, Frank.
I've never smoked anything except a turkey, so I don't really have anything to tell ya. Though if you ever really need to kick a video game habit and want to talk about it, I'm your man.
Thanks Hilary. Sounds like a plan. No promises re: the Speedo though. :)
Othmar - Happy Birthday to you too! And you know, you're welcome to keep me company if you want to climb back on that no-smoking wagon. Misery loves company....
Sorry Matt. No way I'm giving up video games! ;)
Thanks Ambonieum. I'll check it out. :)
I will be checking in to get the semi-regular updates. Good luck vibes to you, Frank. You can do it.
You know I'm rooting for you, Frank!
- Jen
Thanks bhaswati and Jen. I appreciate it. :)
I get a feeling I'm gonna be vewwy vewwy lonely in nicotine land in the not so distant future.
It's a good thing that you're quitting. Stay strong!
oooh the word verification is "ffrnnk"
weirdness!!
dawno - one day we'll bring you into the light. ;)
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