Today is a pivotal day in the whole quitting tobacco process. It's been seven weeks since this little adventure started and the program I'm using with nicotine gum calls for a cut back on the amount of gum used starting today.
Up to this point, I've been allowed a piece of gum every 1 to 2 hours. Today I'm supposed to cut back to one piece every 2-4 hours.
Yesterday I paid very close attention to my gum intake and made sure I didn't take more than 1 piece every 2 hours. So, I know I can at least make it 2 hours. But 4 hours? I don't have nearly as long to adapt to the lower nicotine level and longer duration between pieces. In just 3 weeks I have to cut back again to a piece of gum every 4 to 8 hours.
OK, so no one probably gives a rip. But I'm twitching and my skin has that crawling feeling just thinking about it. For whatever reason I haven't had my first piece of gum of the day and now writing about post about having to cut back on the nicotine is making me very conscious of the cravings this morning.
Maybe waiting wasn't such a good idea.
Quitting tobacco
2 comments:
I chose not to smoke 15 years ago. I haven't smoked since. I phrase it that way to remind myself that it is a choice I make.
You can do it! Just remember that most craving last for less that 15 minutes. When one hits, do something else for 15 minutes -- go for a walk, or a chew a piece of non-nicotine gum to give your mouth something to do. :-) The cravings come further and further apart, and last for a shorter and shorter amount of time. And just think how good you'll feel!
If you haven't actually smoked for 7 weeks, you're over the worst part -- the part they don't tell you about, where you actually feel horrible for awhile before you start to feel better.
Good on you!
G~We both know you have a tough battle on your hands. It is hard to believe it has already been 7 weeks. All I can say is, take each day as they come, it is the small steps that make the biggest difference.
This is not something that the two of us talk about too often because I figure if you want to talk about it you will. However, I do want you to know how proud I am of you!:-)
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