Day 1 for peters6278

[peters6278]

Day 25 Update

Oh man, life is starting to get better.

After a month of getting back into a solid exercising routine, the pain in my poor joints/muscles is subsiding and the status of my exercise routine is starting to catch up to that of my quit. My body and my quit are both getting stronger by the day and I'm pretty much on cruise control. Both are solid, comfortable, and just part of my daily routine.

My patience / temperament is also improving a little each day. Once upon a time....like 15 years ago before I had ever dipped.....people used to tell me that I was like a rock, who had infinite patience, no outwards signs of anxiety, and absolutely no temper whatsoever. In short, I was always calm and optimistic. Over the last few years, I had come to 'realize' that perhaps I WAS anxiety-ridden (like certain members of my family who will remain nameless), that I HAD a temper, and that I was an eternal pessimist. To what extent this is true and to what extent this was just part of what nicotine and my addiction to nicotine did to me has yet to be fully revealed. However, it's starting to appear that I may actually get back to that pre-dip ideal outlook on life that I had come (correction - distorted by nicotine) into believing was only a figment of my imagination. Lost in memory over time.

Sure I still get irrationally agitated over little things from time to time, but hey, I'm a newbie quitter at only 25 days. My brain is still early in the process of figuring out how to deal with life without the 'support' of an instant drug fix. While I have a long way to go, I definitely feel like I am operating with a lower daily anxiety level that I have been in a very long time, and it feels pretty damn good.

Not only do I feel like I'm winning the war, but I'm getting hit with the occasional 'flashback' of my former life before nicotine went and fucked it all up....only it's no longer a flashback, but rather a new and entirely authentic experience.....a piece of my life that I have definitively taken back......and these experiences have become my quit fuel. Am I still an addict?...you bet, always will be, but now I have a new, predominant addiction. I'm addicted to MYQUIT and I won't stop 'using' my quit until I get my WHOLE life back.

Before, I was on my knees, with only an early death to look forward to..
Then, my KTC brothers helped me pick up the sword and pry myself off the ground with it.
Now, I am on my feet. Still weak, but with sword in hand....ready to defend myself again the bitch.
Someday I will I be a goddamned certified nic bitch slayer.

ODAAT til' that day come.

[peters6278]

Day 20 Update

Feeling really good. All physical symptoms have subsided and I have my body back. In continuing with my somewhat philosophical quit diary, here's some food for thought for those taking on more drastic lifestyle changes in concurrence with their quits.

I started my quit at the same as I started exercising again (after a 6 month hiatus) so a few notes about that in retrospect.

Although it's working out great for me, I could see a few pitfalls with doing this. First, battling the early physical symptoms of quit is all that much harder when you're whole freaking body hurts from the shock of a new exercise routine. Coupled with tiredness that ensures from the workouts, it really gives you both a physical and mental beating to be dealing with both at the same time. More power to you if you can power through both, but if you're unsure, proceed with caution.

The second pitfall I could see with this approach is that one's exercise routine is somewhat of a co-quitter with you (correlated with your quit). If your exercise routine should falter, I could see it being a potential trigger, or at least weakening the support system of your resolve. I could imagine a scenario where you give up working out and the Bitch starts whispering in your ear "Nice try, you gave it all you had, but you couldn't hack it, why not come back and snuggle up with me for a bit while you regroup?" Having contemplated this potential outcome of my dual workout / quit strategy in advance. I can easily respond to her with "F THAT SHIT, BITCH!. Doesn't matter what happens to my exercise routine...I ain't coming back!".

But just in case.....I signed up for an 8K race with my wife....to reinforce my quit reinforcer. Multiple layers of quit protection folks....that's how I'm rolling. I'm a freaking addict and I don't trust myself, so along with the accountability I'm building with my fellow quitters here, I'm beefing up the perimeter of my quit fortress.

All that being said, I will say (for any of you new quitters out there) that going for quick run is an excellent way to beat a crave. In addition to calming your mind and wearing both you and the Nic Bitch out, it may also help you get some more sleep in the initial part of your quit.

Quitting on, folks, and wearing the Bitch out a little more every day.

[ZillahCowboy]

Peters....
Great quit going on brother. 2 weeks+. It's pure freedom. Keep cranking, grinding, enduring and let the quit build on itself one day at a time. Carpe diem! Seize the day and QLF!
ZC.

[Compton]

Day 14 - Two week update

Feeling pretty darn good.  The list of triggers to beat down has been whittled down quite a bit:

Driving in my car - check
The usual times at work - check
Bathroom breaks at work or at home - check
When left alone at home to work on chores/projects - check
When Staying up to watch TV alone at night - check
Heck, when left alone to do anything - check

And an infrequent one that I beat back today - after visiting the dentist to get my teeth cleaned - check

Only triggers yet to beat down remains fishing/camping trips, but since those are few and far between these days with two little kids, I'll be fully qualified to crush them if they ever do get a chance to present themselves.

Really liking the whole KTC experience.  Like most things in life, you get out of it what you put into it.  Meeting a whole bunch of great people here and the core portion of our April 2014 HOF group is starting to solidify.  Spending more time on the site than I probably should be, but I look at it as an upfront investment in my quit, and thus far, the proof is in the results....I remain darn quit and more resolute than ever.

My only concern about the KTC experience is that participation in the forum (while strengthening my resolve) only serves to remind me of my addiction and dipping...something I would eventually (emphasis eventually, like years from now) like to forget about, if that's even possible.  I know that I am and will always be an addict (I'm under no illusion there) so that me never be an option.

Additionally, the time spent away from my family dipping in the past has been replaced (and then some) by time here at KTC.  I know the importance of this, especially so early in my quit, but at some point in the future I would like to be able to forget about dip all together.  I'm fully aware that this is both a blessing and a curse.  I was able to get to a point in past 'stoppages' where I went a day or more without even thinking about dip once.  That was great and it's right where I want to be, but also lost with that memory was the 'why I quit' and the 'how hard it was to quit'....both of which resulted in me dropping my guard enough to let my addition convince me I could 'just go back for a bit' and 'quit again later'.  Dangerous dangerous thought.

This go around....my actual quit, I come fully prepared with this knowledge, this experience, and the accountability that comes with participation at KTC.  There is no option of failure here...only quit and staying quit.  Just looking ahead in the years to come, a question arises: HOW to quit (or rather how will my quit evolve)?  How does one keep his resolve (mainly his guard up) but reclaim his though and his life from nicotine?  Some questions for the veterans are then, how do you strike a balance between your time commitment to your quit and your family?  How do balance being resolute with letting it go 2,3,4 years after you started your quit?

I know it's not talked about much (and I can see why), but I've seen on some of the veteran thread accountability sheets where some vets 'decided to go solo' or 'take the training wheels off'.  I wonder, does this mythical place really exist for a dip addict?  One would like to think it does.

Fully aware that this is all hypothetical, philosophical thought and that the only thing that matters in my quit is the NOW, TODAY, but I couldn't help posing the question.

Sorry for all the rambling and crazy talk, but after two weeks without nicotine, my brain might actually be working again as designed.

So happy to be on this path, quit and resolute.

-Jeff (April 2014 HOF Resolute Bastards)

Very thoughtful post brother. But I think you're forgetting one of the main ingredients in the KTC recipe. ODAAT.

One day at a time. Worry about 3 years from now, 3 years from now. Keep worrying about today and today only. 3 years will get here soon enough. Enjoy today for what it is. A day without shoving dog shit in your face.

Congrats on the quit and the obvious critical thinking you've put into it. Just remember to stay focused on the now. Enjoy and accomplish all the other stuff in life of course. But always utilize KTC on a day by day basis, to make sure you are quit of the NIC bitch.

Keep it simple.

Good post, and good response.

[SirDerek]

Yeah, I knew I was opening myself up to some criticism with that post, but that's okay.  No worries fellas, you're going to see my name on roll every damn day.  I appreciate the tough love though, it's what keeps us quit.

Good post. Emotion and instinct are not what will keep up quit....hard ass logic and hard thought will keep up quit long term. When you think hard about it, there's no way nic makes sense.
BTW, the May12 sheet has "quitters going it alone" on it. That should not be interpreted as "quitters who graduated to solo quitting level!" It should be interpreted as "quitters who have apparently decided to take a lot of unnecessary risk."
Nice job stepping up in your group. That effort will make your quit strong like bull.

you will find we have gone through many thoughts of our sheet. kept diligently through the 100+ days for posting roll everyday, after that we moved to a last time they posted where we all had access and we would still watch over each other. then people just forgot what gave them the success and start to drift away from the site. after certain number of days they vanish from said sheet....

are they still quit that is a question only they know. but I also know this. As I still am a 100% poster, it has worked and by staying here I have connected with new friends....so why disappear and turn a back on friends that helped me rid my life of a poison....well I cannot answer that, and I do not have to as I am going nowhere in the foreseeable future.

[zam]

Yeah, I knew I was opening myself up to some criticism with that post, but that's okay.  No worries fellas, you're going to see my name on roll every damn day.  I appreciate the tough love though, it's what keeps us quit.

Good post. Emotion and instinct are not what will keep up quit....they actually work against us in the beginning. Hard ass logic and hard thought will keep us quit long term. When you think about it (really think about it like you are), there's no way nic makes sense.
BTW, the May12 sheet has "quitters going it alone" on it. That should not be interpreted as "quitters who graduated to solo quitting level!" It should be interpreted as "quitters who have apparently decided to take a lot of unnecessary risk."
Nice job stepping up in your group. That effort will make your quit strong like bull.

[peters6278]

Yeah, I knew I was opening myself up to some criticism with that post, but that's okay. No worries fellas, you're going to see my name on roll every damn day. I appreciate the tough love though, it's what keeps us quit.

[cbird65]

Day 14 - Two week update

Feeling pretty darn good.  The list of triggers to beat down has been whittled down quite a bit:

Driving in my car - check
The usual times at work - check
Bathroom breaks at work or at home - check
When left alone at home to work on chores/projects - check
When Staying up to watch TV alone at night - check
Heck, when left alone to do anything - check

And an infrequent one that I beat back today - after visiting the dentist to get my teeth cleaned - check

Only triggers yet to beat down remains fishing/camping trips, but since those are few and far between these days with two little kids, I'll be fully qualified to crush them if they ever do get a chance to present themselves.

Really liking the whole KTC experience.  Like most things in life, you get out of it what you put into it.  Meeting a whole bunch of great people here and the core portion of our April 2014 HOF group is starting to solidify.  Spending more time on the site than I probably should be, but I look at it as an upfront investment in my quit, and thus far, the proof is in the results....I remain darn quit and more resolute than ever.

My only concern about the KTC experience is that participation in the forum (while strengthening my resolve) only serves to remind me of my addiction and dipping...something I would eventually (emphasis eventually, like years from now) like to forget about, if that's even possible.  I know that I am and will always be an addict (I'm under no illusion there) so that me never be an option.

Additionally, the time spent away from my family dipping in the past has been replaced (and then some) by time here at KTC.  I know the importance of this, especially so early in my quit, but at some point in the future I would like to be able to forget about dip all together.  I'm fully aware that this is both a blessing and a curse.  I was able to get to a point in past 'stoppages' where I went a day or more without even thinking about dip once.  That was great and it's right where I want to be, but also lost with that memory was the 'why I quit' and the 'how hard it was to quit'....both of which resulted in me dropping my guard enough to let my addition convince me I could 'just go back for a bit' and 'quit again later'.  Dangerous dangerous thought.

This go around....my actual quit, I come fully prepared with this knowledge, this experience, and the accountability that comes with participation at KTC.  There is no option of failure here...only quit and staying quit.  Just looking ahead in the years to come, a question arises: HOW to quit (or rather how will my quit evolve)?  How does one keep his resolve (mainly his guard up) but reclaim his though and his life from nicotine?  Some questions for the veterans are then, how do you strike a balance between your time commitment to your quit and your family?  How do balance being resolute with letting it go 2,3,4 years after you started your quit?

I know it's not talked about much (and I can see why), but I've seen on some of the veteran thread accountability sheets where some vets 'decided to go solo' or 'take the training wheels off'.  I wonder, does this mythical place really exist for a dip addict?  One would like to think it does.

Fully aware that this is all hypothetical, philosophical thought and that the only thing that matters in my quit is the NOW, TODAY, but I couldn't help posing the question.

Sorry for all the rambling and crazy talk, but after two weeks without nicotine, my brain might actually be working again as designed.

So happy to be on this path, quit and resolute.

-Jeff (April 2014 HOF Resolute Bastards)

Very thoughtful post brother. But I think you're forgetting one of the main ingredients in the KTC recipe. ODAAT.

One day at a time. Worry about 3 years from now, 3 years from now. Keep worrying about today and today only. 3 years will get here soon enough. Enjoy today for what it is. A day without shoving dog shit in your face.

Congrats on the quit and the obvious critical thinking you've put into it. Just remember to stay focused on the now. Enjoy and accomplish all the other stuff in life of course. But always utilize KTC on a day by day basis, to make sure you are quit of the NIC bitch.

Keep it simple.

Post roll every damn day and watch the 1's add up
Keep you word to said promise
If you have extra energy - pay it forward or backward
Rinse and Repeat


756 for 756 today and you'll see me here tomorrow if it is granted

Going solo - no thanks , it never worked before and why mess with a winning streak?

[Grizzlyhasclaws]

Day 14 - Two week update

Feeling pretty darn good. The list of triggers to beat down has been whittled down quite a bit:

Driving in my car - check
The usual times at work - check
Bathroom breaks at work or at home - check
When left alone at home to work on chores/projects - check
When Staying up to watch TV alone at night - check
Heck, when left alone to do anything - check

And an infrequent one that I beat back today - after visiting the dentist to get my teeth cleaned - check

Only triggers yet to beat down remains fishing/camping trips, but since those are few and far between these days with two little kids, I'll be fully qualified to crush them if they ever do get a chance to present themselves.

Really liking the whole KTC experience. Like most things in life, you get out of it what you put into it. Meeting a whole bunch of great people here and the core portion of our April 2014 HOF group is starting to solidify. Spending more time on the site than I probably should be, but I look at it as an upfront investment in my quit, and thus far, the proof is in the results....I remain darn quit and more resolute than ever.

My only concern about the KTC experience is that participation in the forum (while strengthening my resolve) only serves to remind me of my addiction and dipping...something I would eventually (emphasis eventually, like years from now) like to forget about, if that's even possible. I know that I am and will always be an addict (I'm under no illusion there) so that me never be an option.

Additionally, the time spent away from my family dipping in the past has been replaced (and then some) by time here at KTC. I know the importance of this, especially so early in my quit, but at some point in the future I would like to be able to forget about dip all together. I'm fully aware that this is both a blessing and a curse. I was able to get to a point in past 'stoppages' where I went a day or more without even thinking about dip once. That was great and it's right where I want to be, but also lost with that memory was the 'why I quit' and the 'how hard it was to quit'....both of which resulted in me dropping my guard enough to let my addition convince me I could 'just go back for a bit' and 'quit again later'. Dangerous dangerous thought.

This go around....my actual quit, I come fully prepared with this knowledge, this experience, and the accountability that comes with participation at KTC. There is no option of failure here...only quit and staying quit. Just looking ahead in the years to come, a question arises: HOW to quit (or rather how will my quit evolve)? How does one keep his resolve (mainly his guard up) but reclaim his though and his life from nicotine? Some questions for the veterans are then, how do you strike a balance between your time commitment to your quit and your family? How do balance being resolute with letting it go 2,3,4 years after you started your quit?

I know it's not talked about much (and I can see why), but I've seen on some of the veteran thread accountability sheets where some vets 'decided to go solo' or 'take the training wheels off'. I wonder, does this mythical place really exist for a dip addict? One would like to think it does.

Fully aware that this is all hypothetical, philosophical thought and that the only thing that matters in my quit is the NOW, TODAY, but I couldn't help posing the question.

Sorry for all the rambling and crazy talk, but after two weeks without nicotine, my brain might actually be working again as designed.

So happy to be on this path, quit and resolute.

-Jeff (April 2014 HOF Resolute Bastards)

Very thoughtful post brother. But I think you're forgetting one of the main ingredients in the KTC recipe. ODAAT.

One day at a time. Worry about 3 years from now, 3 years from now. Keep worrying about today and today only. 3 years will get here soon enough. Enjoy today for what it is. A day without shoving dog shit in your face.

Congrats on the quit and the obvious critical thinking you've put into it. Just remember to stay focused on the now. Enjoy and accomplish all the other stuff in life of course. But always utilize KTC on a day by day basis, to make sure you are quit of the NIC bitch.

Keep it simple.

[peters6278]

Day 14 - Two week update

Feeling pretty darn good. The list of triggers to beat down has been whittled down quite a bit:

Driving in my car - check
The usual times at work - check
Bathroom breaks at work or at home - check
When left alone at home to work on chores/projects - check
When Staying up to watch TV alone at night - check
Heck, when left alone to do anything - check

And an infrequent one that I beat back today - after visiting the dentist to get my teeth cleaned - check

Only triggers yet to beat down remains fishing/camping trips, but since those are few and far between these days with two little kids, I'll be fully qualified to crush them if they ever do get a chance to present themselves.

Really liking the whole KTC experience. Like most things in life, you get out of it what you put into it. Meeting a whole bunch of great people here and the core portion of our April 2014 HOF group is starting to solidify. Spending more time on the site than I probably should be, but I look at it as an upfront investment in my quit, and thus far, the proof is in the results....I remain darn quit and more resolute than ever.

My only concern about the KTC experience is that participation in the forum (while strengthening my resolve) only serves to remind me of my addiction and dipping...something I would eventually (emphasis eventually, like years from now) like to forget about, if that's even possible. I know that I am and will always be an addict (I'm under no illusion there) so that me never be an option.

Additionally, the time spent away from my family dipping in the past has been replaced (and then some) by time here at KTC. I know the importance of this, especially so early in my quit, but at some point in the future I would like to be able to forget about dip all together. I'm fully aware that this is both a blessing and a curse. I was able to get to a point in past 'stoppages' where I went a day or more without even thinking about dip once. That was great and it's right where I want to be, but also lost with that memory was the 'why I quit' and the 'how hard it was to quit'....both of which resulted in me dropping my guard enough to let my addition convince me I could 'just go back for a bit' and 'quit again later'. Dangerous dangerous thought.

This go around....my actual quit, I come fully prepared with this knowledge, this experience, and the accountability that comes with participation at KTC. There is no option of failure here...only quit and staying quit. Just looking ahead in the years to come, a question arises: HOW to quit (or rather how will my quit evolve)? How does one keep his resolve (mainly his guard up) but reclaim his though and his life from nicotine? Some questions for the veterans are then, how do you strike a balance between your time commitment to your quit and your family? How do balance being resolute with letting it go 2,3,4 years after you started your quit?

I know it's not talked about much (and I can see why), but I've seen on some of the veteran thread accountability sheets where some vets 'decided to go solo' or 'take the training wheels off'. I wonder, does this mythical place really exist for a dip addict? One would like to think it does.

Fully aware that this is all hypothetical, philosophical thought and that the only thing that matters in my quit is the NOW, TODAY, but I couldn't help posing the question.

Sorry for all the rambling and crazy talk, but after two weeks without nicotine, my brain might actually be working again as designed.

So happy to be on this path, quit and resolute.

-Jeff (April 2014 HOF Resolute Bastards)

[peters6278]

Atta boy, keep fighting.
I am right along with you.
Total strangers, same day to start a quit.

your symptoms, are surprisingly similar to my own.
I start with a gall bladder removal surgery.

My bloating stomach, bathroom issues have been attributed to that, but who knows for sure.

Stay strong, keep the great attitude.

We are going to kick this habit.
It is too shitty to try and kick it twice.
Kick it hard, kick it right, one time!

K9

Gall bladder...ouch, I bet your abs hurt like hell. I can somewhat relate as I think my kids cracked a rib jumping on me....hurts like hell every time I cough. That two will pass eventually.

Keep on keeping on my friend.

-Jeff

[K9 Seducer]

Atta boy, keep fighting.
I am right along with you.
Total strangers, same day to start a quit.

your symptoms, are surprisingly similar to my own.
I start with a gall bladder removal surgery.

My bloating stomach, bathroom issues have been attributed to that, but who knows for sure.

Stay strong, keep the great attitude.

We are going to kick this habit.
It is too shitty to try and kick it twice.
Kick it hard, kick it right, one time!

K9

[peters6278]

Day 11 update -

Going to continue posting updates throughout the first 100 days just to serve as a little journal for those who may follow, to remind me how shitty this part is, and to serve as motivation to never go back.

A few slightly foggy days popped up last week, but in general things are clearing and each day gets a bit easier.

Physical Observations:

Tired, although how much can be attributed to the quit, my new exercise routine, or my little kids waking up throughout the night and jumping into bed with us is unknown.

Gums have a different "rough" feel to them than when I was dipping and are slightly more sensitive. Small white spot observed just before quit appears to have disappeared.

GI issues. Remembered lots of gas and being constipated on previous "pause". This time around have the opposite issue, although not sure home much is due to the quit, heavy antibiotic use a few weeks ago for a sinus infection, or the replacement of my normal lunches with salads. Might be all of the above, but definitely the predominant discomfort at the current time.
Sorry for the details.....but hey, it's for posterity.

Sleep / Body Aches and Stiffness. Most of this is probably due to the new exercise routine although I'm attributing the neck and back pain to a "different" kind of sleep. Not really having any sleep issues per se, but don't exactly wake up in the morning feeling "refreshed"...more like Jake Sulley waking up in the opening scene of Avatar. You know the quote.

Mental Observations:

Time Passing Slowly - Unlike what I remember from my past "pauses" time is really going by slowly with my quit. Previous times without nicotine it seemed like two weeks went by in a flash. With my quit, the days are just creeping by. Doesn't affect my resolve one bit, just an observation. Might just have been that in the past, I was always on two-week vacations.....when time tends to fly anyway. Helps to hear from my fellow quitters that this is a common side effect of the quit, although usually the slow time is expressed in hours or minutes, not days.

Crankiness, grumpiness, patience appear to have returned to a level just above my pre-nicotine norm.....roughly equivalent to the nicotine-induced anxiety while I was dipping...but this time just due to the stress of life and not so much the constant craving for a dip. Coming to grips with my nicotine-free stress and anxiety level is going to be a real learning experience for me. Still loosing my cool every once in a while but doing me best not to take it out on the fam. It's getting a bit better day by day.

Overall Observation. It's a fight, but doing well. Haven't really had any intense cravings yet as I've successfully worked through just about all of my normal triggers without nic and my subconscious appears to have given up on them to get nicotine. Not under any illusions though as I know there will some that sneak up on me in the future. Don't really feel like myself. The mind (and particularly the body) are noticeably shaken up. Not sure how much of all that is due to the quit or to the other things I mentioned above; antibiotics, new exercise routine (shit my quads hurt from the squats yesterday!), or modified diet.

Feel like shit, but balanced...very balanced. By that I mean that the mental "fork in the road" associated with my discomfort appears to now be equally weighted between the Nic Bitch (going back) and the new healthy me (going forward). That doesn't mean that my quit is hanging in the balance...no no, quite the opposite. What it means is that for the first time in a long time, I feel like the path to quitting and the path to going back carry the same difficulty level (for those of you battling out your first week of the quit, can you imagine that?...being as easy to stay quit as to go back?) Keep fighting my friends! Put another way, in the daily tug of war that ensues within my brain and body, the Bitch is loosing her grip and starting to slide.

Rambling on here, but wanted to get my feelings down in writing so that months/years from now I can look back on them. Despite the current state of affairs, have a feeling that my physical troubles and mental state are going to clear up in dramatic fashion here in the next few months. Truly believe that there will come a day in the near future where I will feel well rested, relaxed, strong (in physical shape),and in total control of myself. All the pieces may come together at the same time and that my friends will be truly enigmatic day. It will also be the unequivocal end of the Nic Bitch, as I'll be feeling so damn good that nothing she could possibly whisper in my ear is going to remotely rouse my attention. That my friends will be THE DAY.

Going to quit my way til that day comes and from that day on, one f'ing day at a time.

[jzzyzag01]

Status Update -

Day 5 and the physical addiction is behind me. Not because this site say it takes 3 days, but I can actually feel it. All remnants of the fog are gone, and my general anxiety level is down a bit from Day 1. Only physical symptom left that I notice is an increased appetite. Where I used to sneak off for a dip, I now reach into my bag and drink a mini cranberry juice....or go hit the vending machine here at work, although I'm trying to avoid that as I started running again and am trying to trim up a bit. Either that or I just "embrace the suck" and wait until lunch. Regardless, snacking between meals really helps maintain the blood sugar and fight the craves.

Do I still think about chewing? All the time, but I have a better handle on it this time around. I learned several things from my previous failed attempts that have helped me with my quit:

One new thing implemented this time around was to identify and purge ever little physical shred of my past addiction from my life on Day 1. I addition to tossing out all cans, spitters, etc, I vacuumed out all that shit off the carpet in my car, and busted out the nasty smelling upholstery cleaning solvent to finally once and for all clean the spot under my seat where I used to wipe my hand. Nasty! Although largely symbolic, the next time I get a crave, the thought of messing up my car and having to clean it again just gives me one little extra layer of disincentive to cave. Although I'm having a fairly easy time now, that sort of little thing may make all the difference later. Along similar lines, thinking about asking my dentist about teeth whitening at my checkup in a few weeks. Although I drink lots of coffee, I bet they would still benefit from it, and having spent money to do it (which would be undone by caving) would provide another layer of protection for me.

Day 5 and darn quit today! ODAAT.

Nice job Jeff. Stay vigilant. The next week or so will present a different set of challenges than the physical cravings. Keep posting roll and keeping your promise and you'll get through it. You've got a good quit going, keep it up!

[peters6278]

Day 5 Update -

Day 5 and the physical addiction is behind me. Not because this site say it takes 3 days, but I can actually feel it. All remnants of the fog are gone, and my general anxiety level is down a bit from Day 1. Only physical symptom left that I notice is an increased appetite. Where I used to sneak off for a dip, I now reach into my bag and drink a mini cranberry juice....or go hit the vending machine here at work, although I'm trying to avoid that as I started running again and am trying to trim up a bit. Either that or I just "embrace the suck" and wait until lunch. Regardless, snacking between meals really helps maintain the blood sugar and fight the craves.

Do I still think about chewing? All the time, but I have a better handle on it this time around. I learned several things from my previous failed attempts that have helped me with my quit:

One new thing implemented this time around was to identify and purge ever little physical shred of my past addiction from my life on Day 1. I addition to tossing out all cans, spitters, etc, I vacuumed out all that shit off the carpet in my car, and busted out the nasty smelling upholstery cleaning solvent to finally once and for all clean the spot under my seat where I used to wipe my hand. Nasty! Although largely symbolic, the next time I get a crave, the thought of messing up my car and having to clean it again just gives me one little extra layer of disincentive to cave. Although I'm having a fairly easy time now, that sort of little thing may make all the difference later. Along similar lines, thinking about asking my dentist about teeth whitening at my checkup in a few weeks. Although I drink lots of coffee, I bet they would still benefit from it, and having spent money to do it (which would be undone by caving) would provide another layer of protection for me.

Day 5 and darn quit today! ODAAT.