Quit Smoking Challenge Fail

Hi guys,

30 Days have since passed the First Day of the Quit Smoking Challenge.
I have decided to call it off and stamp the first trial as "FAIL", as I have been smoking cigarettes again.

A second Challenge would be put on this site on 1st of January.

Day 25 of Quit Smoking Challenge

It's Day 25th and today, I really mess up my earlier efforts.
Bought a pack of cigarette today and on top of that, three more cigars from seven eleven. I feel as though I am losing touch with the challenge and I need to do some serious thinking about my method from here onward.

Day 24 of Quit Smoking Challenge

Hey there,

Woke up today with guilt about yesterday. But the taste of nicotine during barbecue yesterday gave me a strong urge to want it again today. Two cigars today.

Day 23 of Quit Smoking Challenge

Today is the worst run of all the days.
Had a barbecue session by the beach and I had at least, 10 cigarettes today.
Was hanging out with my friends and there were four packs of cigarettes, and I couldn't resist the temptation. This is really not going well after a good solid start. 

Day 22 of Quit Smoking Challenge

Hey there,

Had two cigars today....again. The resolution to stop seems like slipping away. Keep on giving in to the crave instead of fighting it. Feeling really down, although I must admit it feels good to have the taste of the nicotine; but I feel really guilty. Hate this feeling.

Day 21 of Quit Smoking Challenge

It's the 21st day today. 3 weeks since I've started this challenge but sadly, the progress is still not the way I hoped it to be.

Smoked another cigar today.

Day 20 of Quit Smoking Challenge

Hey guys.

It's Day 20th and I think I'm back to smoking again. Had two cigars today, instead of one.
I guess, I need to reduce my intake instead of stopping cold-turkey way. 

Day 19 of Quit Smoking Challenge

Day 19th today.

Sober. Only had e-cigarette for today, but now that I have a taste of nicotine again yesterday, the full force of the urge is coming back to hunt me. 

Day 18 of Quit Smoking Challenge

Day 18 of Quit Smoking Challenge.

Another cigar today. I know I shouldn't have smoked the one cigar that broke my run the other day, but I did. It's not a good feeling but I'll have to re-think my position on this challenge.

Day 17 of Quit Smoking Challenge

Hi,

Today is a little bit better. I only smoked e-cigarette.
Here's the thing though: I thought could go a day without any cigarette at all, then suddenly, there's a sudden urge to smoke and that's when I feel like smoking.

Pfft.


Saved: RM 90 (Deducted from the previous spending) 

Day 16 of Quit Smoking Challenge

Hey guys,

Watched movie today at a cinema. Had to wait for an hour before the movie started, and the nicotine intake for the past couple of days urged me to buy another cigar today.

Spent: RM 10

Later that night, watched Manchester United's match. Bought another two cigars. I did.

Spent: RM 20

Total spent: RM 30

Day 15 of Quit Smoking Challenge

Hey,

Today, the taste of the nicotine that I had from my cigar yesterday made me wanting more, sadly. While I was hanging out with my friends just now, couldn't help but requested for a cigarette.
Only halfway before I put it out 'cause I suddenly got this headache.

I borrowed my friend's e-cigarette after that.

Spent: RM 0, but still....

Day 14 of Quit Smoking Challenge

Hi guys,

Today I broke the 13th Day Run.
Went for an hour drive today, and somehow, I couldn't hold myself back and got myself a cigar.
Need to start all over again, but I'd be lying if it doesn't feel good smoking the cigar; then, this was immediately followed by this guilty feeling swarming all over me.

Pfft.

Spent: RM 10

Day 13 of Quit Smoking Challenge

Hi,

Today is Day 13th of the Quit Smoking Challenge. So far, it has been going very well for me.
I got through today without thinking too much of nicotine that much, so it has been progressing well for me.

There's not much to write about today, just to end this with RM 130 saved-to-date. 

A New 30 Days Challenge: Dream Journal

Hi guys,

I've been thinking: perhaps it's the best time to start with the Dream Journal now.
Well, not exactly A S A P. So, let's give it a date, shall we?

We're starting with the dream journal on the 20th of November, 2014.
I need to prepare a book to remind me, so I wouldn't forget. Let's see how this challenge unfolds, shall we?

Dream on, guys! 

Day 12 of Quit Smoking Challenge

Hi,

It's Day 12 Today. The Twelfth Day Without Buying Any Cigarette.
I'm almost completely living a life without any nicotine, even with the e-cigarette, it's very few. So I'm really satisfied with the way things go at the moment.

Even while driving where I normally smoke is not really a big issue anymore. It's getting easier. It was tough at first. This was simply because the trigger that was associated with my smoking time. For the past 7 years smoking, I have effectively programmed my brain the time of the day for a smoke. So, when I am suddenly not doing it anymore, the brain naturally looks for the nicotine that's been feeding it for all this time. Ergo, as I'm forcing myself to stop, I'm breaking the pattern and give it time, my need for nicotine will be reduced. I've read about this, so it's really helpful to get some ideas before you decide to stop too.

By the way, I've saved: RM 120 to-date. And RM 10 goes into Mister Piggy Bank today. 

Day 11 of Quit Smoking Challenge

Hey,

It's Day 11. I'm past the RM100 barrier: I've saved RM 110 to-date. Isn't that awesome? I'm thinking of doing it this way, starting from today, I will start saving RM 10 for everyday that I'm not smoking so I could see it in its tangible form: the amount of money I'm going to save by not smoking.

I'm thinking of going to see a doctor, you know, to check how my health has improved so far. Perhaps he might have something to offer too, eh?

Anyway, be back for Day 12 tomorrow. Till then, no smoking dudes.

Day 10 of Quit Smoking Challenge

Hey,

I have great news--found an old box of cigarette in one of my shirts. I opened it and saw there's one cigarette left in there. But I was able to fight the urge to light it up! I feel really awesome. I could actually turn it away. I thought it was impossible, but I did it!

I'm not completely off from thinking about it, but I feel I'm progressing well. I'm really enjoying the amount of money I have been able to save so far and it's huge! Freakin' huge!

I've saved, to-date, RM 100.00.
Anyway, I'll be back with Day 11 tomorrow.
No smoking dudes. 

Day 9 of Quit Smoking Challenge

Hi,

It's Day 9 today of the Quit Smoking Challenge. I cannot explain it scientifically but I can feel that I'm not thinking too much about it anymore; not completely but much much lesser. I can control it much better and I must admit, it feels pretty awesome to "live" without being dependent on it. If you were or currently a smoker, you know how much we can be too dependent on it and it really sucks.

Anyway, as with the practice since my first post, I have saved RM 90.00 to-date. Hooray!

Day 8 of Quit Smoking Challenge

Hey,

I've saved RM 80 so far! That's really awesome and forgive me for my lack of modesty but I'm fucking proud of my achievement so far! It's so great to be freed of the obligation to buy cigarettes everyday.

I can handle my craving better now. Whenever I feel like smoking, I just delay or simply think about something else. What's important for me is to identify the triggers and act accordingly.

Life's awesome!

Day 7 of Quit Smoking Challenge

Hey,

It's a WEEK now since I've stopped buying cigarettes and smoking one! (Still E-Cigarette in between BUT) I consider the FIRST WEEK TRIAL successful. THANK GOD. 

I've done a lot of reading to be more committed about quitting, so to help me informed the withdrawal phase that's bound to hit me and they did. God, it's hard.

One of those things that I find really useful from my hours scouring the web for more information on quitting is to Identify the Triggers and I have a few:

1. Long Drive 

2. After Meal

3. When I'm bored

4. Conversation with friends suddenly got interesting

5. Conversation with friends suddenly got boring

6. When I'm thinking

7. When I'm in the toilet

8. Morning breakfast

9. Coffee time.

10. I feel like it.

There are 10. I've identified these 10 triggers and it's totally legit when I say, those who run no-smoking campaigns should be run by former smokers. Not everyone who smokes now wants to stay smoking, it's just so fucking difficult.

I'm glad I could withstand the craving for now, but I'm just saying you know?

Day 6 of Quit Smoking Challenge

Hey,

So it's day SIX. I have been without any intake of nicotine (yes, not even from e-cigarettes! woohoo ) since 7.00 p.m. last night.  It's a constant battle now but my delay technique has been working quite well. Every time the urge to smoke comes along, 1. I take deep breathes, 2. drink a glassful of water 3. and do anything else that can help distract. 

It's not easy but it's not hard either. It's manageable. It wasn't like the first. I do miss the taste of cigarette in mouth, but I keep on reminding myself why I'm doing this in the first place. So, shouldn't be a problem.

By the way, I played Football yesterday. It was great. I could feel the difference.

So, that's that. Hopefully it goes well for Day Seventh tomorrow.

FOOTNOTE:

1. I have saved RM 60.00 to-date. 

Day 5 of Quit Smoking Challenge

I had chest pain this morning, but only for a few minutes. All of a sudden, the urge to smoke this morning was really strong. Fortunately, I did not have any e-cigarette around me, so I was able to delay and I'm not going to start buying a cigarette pack again.

How it feels really?

Well, when the urge comes, you have this ticklish feeling around your chest and I find by forcing myself to burp can help me to deal with this. And my head starts thinking about the wonderful taste of inhaling the cigarette and my mouth suddenly becomes dry. And in my head, it's all, "just one, just one, just one...".

This is why, I never really paid any attention to STOP SMOKING campaign before because a lot of people behind those campaigns were not smokers to begin with. Yes, they are affected by being passive smokers, but they don't understand the journey a smoker has to go through to stop. 

Personally, I prefer listening to others who had been smokers before and had successfully quit. You think the gruesome pictures the government put on the box works? I used to collect 'em all. It's not working. 

So yeah, that's all for the fifth day.

Footnote:

1. I have saved RM 50.00 to-date.

2. I have done a little bit of "research" on quit smoking withdrawal. Healthline.com provides a lot of interesting readings in their site, and I found this:

Nicotine dependence causes an addiction to tobacco products. If and when you try to quit, you may face any number of nicotine withdrawal symptoms. Most people who try to quit deal with at least one. These symptoms can include:

1. fatigue
2. headache
3. dry mouth
4. cough
5. irritability
6. depression
7. strong cravings to smoke
8. constipation
9. anxiety

Day 4 Of Quit Smoking Challenge

Hey!

I have a great news today: I've survived almost a day without any intake of nicotine at all. 
This is such a great accomplishment for me personally. What I did was, everytime the urge to smoke came around, I followed Leo Balbuta's of Zenhabit tips by delaying and it has helped to get my mind off it.

Seriously, after almost 8 years smoking, it's not easy to live a day without nicotine. To be honest, the first day was the hardest. Then, four days later, it has become a lot easier, although the urge still lingers somewhere. Even so, I have survived four days without buying any cigarette packs, survived a lot of meals in between without a cigarette after, and the past four days would only reinforce my commitment to stay away from buying any packs and my target for the next three weeks remaining is to get off e-cigarette too. 

Let's do this!

Footnote: 
1. I have saved RM 40.00 so far.
2. I am training my mind to make a cup of tea after every meal, as a way to distract. 

Day 3 of Quit Smoking Challenge

Hey guys, it's getting easier on the third day of this challenge. Although I still borrow my friend's e-cigarette, but I am putting myself in these two situations to test my resolve:

1. No Smoking After Meal

It's a very good feeling, to smoke after my meals before. It's something that we...uh...smokers look forward to after every meal. It makes the food we eat that much better!

So, for today, that's my focus and I have done well. Sorry for my lack of modesty, but I'm really proud of myself!

2. Hang Out with my friends at coffee shop Without Any Cigarette

Peer pressure, see? Especially when you're out with your buddies, at a table, with iced-tea and just talk and talk. Normally, for a two hours conversation, I can take up to 4-5 sticks of cigarette. My friends are smokers too...uh...well, most of them.

So, for two hours today, I made it through! Without a single stick.
Although I really wanted to smoke, but was able to stop myself.
Again, really proud of myself!

Come on, come on, for smoke free life!
It feels much better today! I have saved RM 30.00 to-date, no cigarette box for three days straight! 

Day 2 of Quit Smoking Challenge

I am borrowing my friend's e-cigarette at the moment. It was getting unbearable; it was all I could think of and the headache was getting worse. But it has been two days straight without taking my usual Red Winston cigarette, so although it feel sucks for now, that's an achievement though.

Anyhoo, I'm not taking any coffee for today. My mouth is really dry for the past couple of days and coffee would just make it worse. OK. Be back for tomorrow's report. 

Day 1 of Quit Smoking Challenge

Oh my God. I was half way doing my routine writing today when I feel like I can't take it anymore. My headache is becoming worse. The last cigarette stick I had was last night, before I went to sleep. Probably around 12-15 hours ago.

I could feel really dehydrated and I'm only making it worse by drinking four glasses of coffee since noon. Clever huh? I'm trying to keep my mind off this thing, but the craving became worse--and now there's this headache. Oh God, it hurts.

Probably going to lie down for a moment.
Be back with Day 2 tomorrow.