I went to the Dr. a couple of weeks ago and learned that I have to make dramatic (and urgent) changes to my lifestyle to avoid having to go on blood pressure meds for the rest of my life and some other crap like that. Not a good situation considering the fact that I'm only 36 years old, active, and appear to be in decent shape. I put a plan together to eat better, get rid of my nicotine addiction, and start getting regular exercise. Two Sundays ago the diet kicked in (Paleo) and I'm focused on eating more fruits/veggies. Last Sunday was time to quit chewing. Next Sunday I'll incorporate an hour's worth of exercise into the routine. Right now the big focus is on quitting.
I've been chewing since I was 12 years old. I chew between a can and a can and a half a day of Kodiak. I really have a hard time picturing what life is like without chew since it's been in my back pocket at every milestone from my wedding to my kid's birth. I've had a chew in with every fish I've caught and every elk I've chased. I did manage to quit once for almost 400 days in my early 20's, but I threw it all away with one late night at the bar with a bunch of old high school buddies. I had "just one" chew. Here we are 15 years later and I'm trying to quit again.
My last chew was on Monday night at 10 PM. I dumped everything else out after that. I got some nicotine gum and had a couple of pieces on Monday, at which point I found this site and started the sign up process. After reading through everything I could find I decided to deviate from my plan and move to cold turkey. The last Nicotine going through my system was Tuesday night around 10 PM.
Now I'm right smack in the middle of the shit and nicotine free for ~62 hours. Head is foggy, I'm grumpy, weird little pains all over, I'm waking up in a panic w/my heart racing every 30 minute all night long (no idea why). I'm trying to figure out if any of the things I love to do will be fun again without having a chew? I also understand how ridiculous that sounds and I know from my last quit experience that this will all pass. It just sucks. I had lost 17 pounds by eating better over the last several weeks but I'm pretty damn sure I've gained at least half of those back over the last two days. I'm going to try to get that straightened back out today and get back on track w/my food. Just a couple more days and I know I'll be through the worst part. Sure wish I could go back to 12 year old me and suggest that I don't try that pinch of redman.
Jeff