Cutting down, not in.
I began beating a smokey retreat last week. It is rather difficult because I've gotten addicted to the cancer sticks as a form of destressing/relaxation (I don't smoke enough to have nicotine withdrawl). The calming act of breathing in and breathing out just feels like hyperventilating without the cigarette as a go-between. But anyways, here's how I've gone about it:
1) I handed my pack to Jailbait and told him to put me on a diet. He decided I get one a day and two a day on weekends. He's responsible for doling them out or withholding if I cheat. I'm responsible for attempting to wheedle extra cigs out of him and taking no or yes for an answer. So far I've gotten one!
2) I allowed myself to cheat. There were two emergency cigarettes and they are now gone. No more emergencies for me.
3) I try not to smoke my one or two cigarettes a day in my "habit zones." No cigarette right after work when I get home, or when I'm drinking.
I'm not giving up smoking entirely, since I rather enjoy it, but I don't want it to be a part of my daily routine anymore. I've been using smoking as a crutch excuse for not going running, which I hatehatehate, but also for swimming. And 'tis the season to lurk in lakes.
This weekend was interesting because I noticed how often I would have gone out to smoke and didn't. There's a little egg-timer in my chest that goes "ping!" (almost literally, there really is this tugging sensation) and guides me out the door with a cancer stick in hand.
This weekend was also spent almost entirely at home. I didn't do a lot of stuff I was supposed to do in the world of others and it was totally necessary. If I had gone out birthday dancing, I would have smoked--I'm still in the infancy of quitting and have little willpower when it comes to eradicating bad habits I enjoy. I think I'm over the first hump, but we'll see. This is the first time I've actively involved someone else in my quitting process and he's helped immensely--especially with the glomping. Using make-out sessions to distract me/replace smoking is a super fabulous idea!
1) I handed my pack to Jailbait and told him to put me on a diet. He decided I get one a day and two a day on weekends. He's responsible for doling them out or withholding if I cheat. I'm responsible for attempting to wheedle extra cigs out of him and taking no or yes for an answer. So far I've gotten one!
2) I allowed myself to cheat. There were two emergency cigarettes and they are now gone. No more emergencies for me.
3) I try not to smoke my one or two cigarettes a day in my "habit zones." No cigarette right after work when I get home, or when I'm drinking.
I'm not giving up smoking entirely, since I rather enjoy it, but I don't want it to be a part of my daily routine anymore. I've been using smoking as a crutch excuse for not going running, which I hatehatehate, but also for swimming. And 'tis the season to lurk in lakes.
This weekend was interesting because I noticed how often I would have gone out to smoke and didn't. There's a little egg-timer in my chest that goes "ping!" (almost literally, there really is this tugging sensation) and guides me out the door with a cancer stick in hand.
This weekend was also spent almost entirely at home. I didn't do a lot of stuff I was supposed to do in the world of others and it was totally necessary. If I had gone out birthday dancing, I would have smoked--I'm still in the infancy of quitting and have little willpower when it comes to eradicating bad habits I enjoy. I think I'm over the first hump, but we'll see. This is the first time I've actively involved someone else in my quitting process and he's helped immensely--especially with the glomping. Using make-out sessions to distract me/replace smoking is a super fabulous idea!