Day 9 of not smoking was great!

Today was a great day! Very few cravings, and the ones I did have were negligible. Cravings yesterday were almost non-existent as well. I am very pleased with how easy my quit is. Those first 3 days were pretty rough, I'll admit, but now I really feel I'm over the hump. I do realize I can't take the ease for granted and have to stay resolved.

I've had very vivid dreams the last couple of nights, and one featured a terrifying tornado. That dream probably came from seeing the recent tornado damage in Louisiana on the news, so it's fairly easily explained. It was pretty terrifying, but somehow my mind turned it into a positive. I tend to turn negatives into positives in real life, too.

I ended up at this beautiful and huge old public building with my husband. It was an old South kind of building with a porch across the front, large pillars, and long New Orleans type windows. I guess it was kind of like a mega giant Cracker barrel, but in white and surrounded by oak trees and azaleas. They had a lovely buffet inside. Too bad it was all a dream, but I do have the very vivid memory of it, so that's good. There I go again...turning lemons into lemonade.

I have another follower, so I'm hoping my little blog here is helping people. Thanks for the follows and the sweet comments. I hope everyone had a fun St. Patrick's Day, and I'll update again soon.

One week or 7 days of no smoking!

I am so happy I've made it to the one week mark and not caved even once. Today, my cravings were very minimal, and I had no problem working through them. I did not feel speedy today like I did yesterday. I felt perfectly normal. I did have a bit of a health scare today, though.

I went to the drug store today, and while I was there, I decided to check my blood pressure at the machine they have. My blood pressure was normal but on the low side. My heart rate, however, was definitely low at 56. I called the doctor almost immediately, and went this afternoon.

I told him it was day 7 for me for not smoking, and he grinned, said he was proud of me, and mentioned he never thought he'd see this day. I agreed. Anyway, he said my heart rate is low because of exercise and quitting smoking. Keeping tight control on my blood sugar is helping, also. Apparently, my heart doesn't have to work as hard to pump my blood, so my resting heart rate is lower as is my blood pressure. He assured me it wasn't any of my meds or the Chantix. I asked about Chantix in particular, so I was relieved that I could still take it. He said all the positive things I'm doing are really helping my body and said my lungs sounded fine. So my health scare was a false alarm. Yay!

On a negative note at the doctor's office, I told him I'd had to slow down on my exercising because my knee is a bit swollen and hurting. He had the nerve to say I'm getting old. HMPF!

Thanks to all who have read my little chronicle here. I'll keep updating. Also, I am so happy to have a follower now. So cool. I hope I can inspire someone else to quit smoking or continue their quit.

Day 6 and still not smoking!

Today is day six of my quit, and I'm still holding fast. I am having no ill effects from the Chantix, and my cravings are much much less intense and frequent today. It's really weird today, though, because I feel like I'm on speed or something. I feel like I have had half a dozen cups of coffee. My blood sugar is normal and so is my heart rate, so I don't know what's up with that. I'm just rolling with it at this point.

Anyway, I bought some new exercise programs for my Wii. I really needed something new to mix things up a bit and make it more interesting. Also, as I have been working out, I need new challenges. It's all good, and I'm so excited to be starting a new improved lifestyle. I'm sure I'll be healthier and happier with myself.

Chantix is working for me, so if you want to quit and have a quit date in mind, see your doctor and at least ask about this product. You may not be able to take it, but your doctor might have some other alternatives to suggest. It's definitely worth checking into, but you have to make your mind up to quit, and you have to be absolutely firm about it. It's all up to you, and I'm just blogging my own personal experience in the hopes it can help you make a decision to creating a new and improved you.

Today is day 4 of my life smoke free!

Today marks day 4 being smoke free, and it has been fairly easy. I have wondered how bad it would be without the Chantix, and I think it is helping with the cravings. I find myself taking deep breaths when I have cravings. That really helps. I am also cleaning, redecorating and eating to deal with cravings. I am having no bad side effects from Chantix.

I do seem to have the munchies pretty bad, but I'm still exercising using the Wii and walking a lot. I also bought some patio furniture so I got some exercise moving it onto the back porch. My back is hurting a bit, but I didn't tell my Mom, because I'd get a big fat "I told you so." :)_  I now have a living room on my screened porch. It's just fabulous to sit out there and read the paper in the morning.

I am getting my daily phone calls from Chantix. You can opt out of that, but I am doing everything the program offers and more. It's an automated call, and they ask if you've smoked. I have always answered no and get a thankyou. I guess if I answered in the affirmative, I'd get transferred to a counselor. I haven't called their counselor/coach line, but it's nice to know there is a number I can call to talk to a real person if need be.

I joined QuitSmokingMessageBoard.com, and it's so great to be able to vent and read the vents of other people. The folks are very nice there.

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope my experience is helping you to quit or stay quit. I'll keep you posted as my quit continues.

Day 2 of being a non smoker using Chantix

I think today has been more difficult than yesterday. That's weird, right? Oh well, I tried to stay busy, and I did venture out in the car today. Every time I'd start to open the door, I'd automatically want a cigarette and think I was going to get one. Fooled myself. :)

I haven't had any ill effects from the Chantix. Vivid dreams, but not nightmares, no nausea, no depression, no nothing. My cravings today have been pretty powerful. I really can't imagine what they'd be like if I wasn't taking the Chantix.

I have had major munchies today, but I've tried to mainly graze today and eat small portions. I don't know that I've succeeded in that effort as I've been a bit half assed about it. I guess I'll just exercise some more.

I think I'm going to take a break from posting tomorrow unless something extraordinary or weird happens. I think I'll wait until the weekend. Thanks for reading, and hope you all have a great weekend!

Remember ladies, Friday night is "sparkle night". Wear something sparkling or shimmering, something with sequins or metallic threads. It will make you feel sparkling!

I am a non smoker!

Today was my quit date, and I am happy to report that I have not smoked at all. I did get rid of all cigarettes and ashtrays. Not the lighters because I do have candles. Anyway, this morning was OK. My cravings were not too bad. I think the Chantix is really helping with those. I did catch myself walking outside like I was going to smoke, but then realized...you know...duh.

This afternoon, I think the Chantix was wearing off, because I was having extremely intense cravings. I dealt with them, though, and cooked some dinner. I thought I was going to put a fist through the wall or something after I ate, because my craving for that after meal cig was so big.

I haven't gone anywhere today. I figured if I got in the car (a trigger for me) I might zip into the store and buy some cigs. The weather was very bad here in South Alabama, and I certainly did not want to be driving in it.

I joined QuitSmokingMessageBoard.com today, and it really helps to read experiences other people have had and things they are going through. I'm right there with them.

Anyway, I had very vivid dreams last night with the Chantix. Nothing scary. In fact, in one part of my dream, I dreamed I had a perfect figure. Now, I want to make that dream as much of a reality as possible. Off to clean or workout or something. Good luck to everyone who is quitting smoking! We can do it!

Tomorrow I quit smoking forever!

Today is my last day to smoke. I have removed ashtrays and have no more cigarettes. I did have some vivid dreams last night with the Chantix, but nothing scary. I have been keeping active, and I'm sure that will continue because I am making some huge positive life differences.

I plan on doing some more Spring cleaning. The main item on my list tomorrow is to clean the ceiling fans and the baseboards. I am planning on attacking the dust in my house and making it disappear. I think in my effort to keep my mind occupied and hands busy over the next few weeks, I'll have one of the cleanest homes in the country.

I am sooo ready for this. It's been over 30 years of smoking, and I am over it. I will have more money in my pocket. I won't be hacking up a lung in the mornings. My clothes won't smell, and I won't have to "de-smoke" every time I go to see my Mother. I'm very tired of being a slave to the things, and my husband will be happy with my new stamina. (wink, wink)

Day 7 on Chantix

Wow....I'm really seeing the effects of Chantix today. I did not smoke a whole pack of cigs yesterday, and today, my desire is waaaay down. I've only smoked a half pack all day.

I am not experiencing any depression, nausea or any other bad side effects from the Chantix. I make sure I take it after eating, and I drink plenty of water after taking it, and everything is hunky dory. I had some very vivid dreams last night. The Beatles were in it, and they were having some sort of shoot out with the police. I also dreamed about a house that had some beautiful inlaid wood on the walls. For some reason, that old song "Billy, Don't Be a Hero" has been running through my head all day. Is it in a commercial that's running on TV or something?

Tomorrow is day 7 for me on Chantix, and according to their schedule, it should be my quit date, but I started taking the Chantix a day early, so I'll be quitting on Wednesday, Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent.

Thanks for the comments and good wishes, and good luck to anyone who is trying or planning to quit smoking.

I am starting to see a difference with Chantix on day 6

Sorry I didn't post yesterday, but there was really no change in my smoking habits. I did do more Wii exercising than usual, but part of that was trying to work off some of a Chinese buffet lunch. This morning is day 6, and I am starting to feel less desire to smoke. My cigs still taste a bit stale. No weird dreams or any side effects of concern.

I am checking in with the Chantix GetQuit site, and it does offer some great tips. I enjoy checking it out every day, and have printed out my reasons for quitting and strategies for quitting smoking. I taped up my reasons for quitting list on my computer desk, so it is very visible to give me motivation. I am keeping the strategies list close by.I know this is not going to be easy for me, but I am determined to stop smoking.

I actually started taking Chantix a day early so according to Chantix, my quit date should be Tuesday, but I set it to start on Wednesday when Lent begins. Who would quit on Mardi Gras day? It's Fat Tuesday and all about living life with indulgences, duh. OK, I am not really that into Mardi Gras, but it is going on down here. I live near Mobile. BTW, Happy Joe Cain day, y'all!

Thanks for the comments on my blog. I hope I can inspire or help someone who is thinking about quitting smoking. The first step is to set a quit date and be firm and resolved about that date. 

It's day 4!

I can just feel some minor effects of the Chantix today. Today was my first day taking 2 Chantix. One in the morning and one this evening. My cigs seemed to taste a bit stale today, and this evening, I am not smoking quite as much because they are less appealing. I seem to be bloated a bit, but I'm drinking plenty of water, and did my Wii exercises today. I felt much better after doing those, that's for sure.

No weird dreams to report or change in personality or mood.

Will post again tomorrow. It's supposed to be a rainy day, so I probably won't go anywhere. I am a pretty bad car smoker, just a habit lighting up when I get in the car. I probably won't have that pleasure with my smokey treats tomorrow.

Day 3 on Chantix

No weird dreams to report last night. I'm pretty sure I had dreams, but I don't remember them. No change in smoking habits as of yet. Tomorrow, I start taking 2 Chantix per day, so maybe that's when I'll get the build up in my system that will make cigarettes taste bad and seem less satisfying.

This morning I only had a few smokes left, so I found some little things to do to keep me occupied. I cleaned out my pantry and spice cabinet and threw some chicken in the Crock Pot. I used a Caribbean spice blend to season it, threw a cut up onion in there, and now the house smells great!

Just ate some lunch, so I'll be doing some exercising with the Wii in a little while. I use Wii Fit Plus and EA Active 2 for exercise.

I'll check in tomorrow evening and let you know if I'm starting to feel a difference from the 2 per day of Chantix. I'm really looking forward to being a non-smoker! Think of all the money I'll save! OK, well, I'll spend it on other things besides cigs, but they'll be really cool things! :) 

Just started Chantix

Hi, and thanks for stopping by my blog. I've never had one of these before, but found a lot of good info by reading other blogs about Chantix, so I thought I'd start my own.

First things first. Stats: I am a 48 year old happily married female. I am a type 2 diabetic and have high cholesterol. I am of average weight and height, and really only need to lose about 5 pounds. I work out with my Wii every day. Wii Fit Plus will definitely help you get in shape and lose weight, BTW. I am very diligent about tracking my calories since I was recently diagnosed with high cholesterol.

Today, I took my second Chantix, so I'm not seeing much change in my smoking habits. My quit date is Ash Wednesday. Yes, I'm Catholic, and I'm quitting for Lent. Hopefully, I will be able to stay quit past Easter. I really think the Chantix will help me.

Last night, I had very vivid dreams, probably from the sleep medication I take. I have always had those, though, so it didn't really bother me. There were people shot in my dreams, scorpions, and Michael Douglas was in there somehow, too. I kind of wonder why Charlie Sheen wasn't there since he's been in the news so much lately. ;)

I am signed up with the GetQuit program online, and I'm hoping that can help me accomplish this goal of quitting my habit of over 30 years. Cigarettes are my last vice, and damnit, I can kick them! Hubby has told me he is not quitting, so I will become a tolerant non-smoker. We smoke outside anyway, and never in the house. That's it for now, but I will be posting frequently to update you on my experiences with Chantix.