Team Skinny (Feb 09) The month of Love (Page 14)

Well gang of mine I have been thinking and you know that is always a bad thing coming from me.  I was thinking about things in my past that I had an epiphany about and it got me thinking.  See about 38 years ago I thought drugs were way cool.  Then one day I got to thinking that drugs never made me smarter, better a sports or cuter to the fairer sex.  So I wondered what the heck I was doing it for, Answer was for NOTHING!!.  So that was the end of that at the ripe old age of 16.  Then again about 30 years ago when I was still drinking and getting hangovers I asked myself the same type of question:  What was I gaining by losing days of my life with massive hangovers?  Answer:  NOTHING.  So now I have a glass of wine now and again,  but that is about it.  Now I have asked myself the same question about smoking and the answer again to "What am I gaining?" is NOTHING.  It does cost me a couple hundred dollars a month,  It does give me an excuse to stop doing something that I am doing,  but a gain NO.  Heck I would take cigs on my Triathlons just in case I decided to take a break.  If I run longer then 6 miles I carry them with me.  So next week (wed,thur or Fri) I am going to break up with my best friend of 40 years.  I just hope I have the mental toughness to do it.  I must say that I am scared already and I haven't done it yet.  Smoking is the one thing in my life that has stayed constant and always there if I needed them.  I am going to attempt cold turkey since I can't see substituting one drug for another.  So for my 53rd birthday (Mar 9)  I am going to give myself the gift of breathing.  I think I will start a thread of this in COJ and try to make myself accountable to more people.  Wish me luck gang and maybe my runs will even improve.  Oh heck,  I am sure my weight will suffer but I will deal with that with you guys when that time comes.  Thanks for being here Team Skinny.

Brian

You can do this, and we will help you; I have watched three people I love die from smoking related causes.  My mother, only a few years older than you, died when her stomach aorta gave way.  She had smoked since she was 14.  She went from "I feel very strange" to DOA in about 15 minutes.  I wasn't there but my sister was and she has never got over it.  

I'm sitting her, trying not to cry, because thinking about what happened to my Mum and how it affected my Dad still makes me really emotional.   From the first moment you stop, you're health will improve every day and life is so great,   that's one of the reasons we're doing triathlon, I think, as a celebration of life. 

You are a great bloke and we don't want to lose you.  

Well Dang Sailing, how am I supposed to come back  with some sort of smart azz comment of snarky joke about this post....

Ok seriously, Way to go man, way to step up to the plate and swing for the fences. WE are behind you 100%. You can do this, what a gift to yourself and to your family.

Whatever you need, just ask. If its accountability, support or just a good ole kick in the arse when times get tough. let us know!

Saling, I don't even know what to say...I whole-heartedly echo the above comments! I had an uncle die of lung cancer in his 50's; he had smoked since he was 13. So, congratulations on making a hard decision; and, yeah, whatever we can do to help, WE WILL!

I bet Cead can be a good encouragement about now! How's it going for you, Cead?

I would think, too, that knowing you will FEEL GREAT and BE HEALTHIER would be very exciting!

Weighing in late - but better late than never right?

Saling - congrats on the decision to quit smoking - and good luck.

As for me, I sadly report 247 this week.  I guess at least it's not 250. *sigh*

This may come off wrong, but when do we have to stop being nice to Sailing  

Just kidding, look at all  the love our fearless leader is getting on here

This sounds like the makings of a challenge!  

Thanks all.  Sorry Shermmie and Comet that you just might have to be nice for a change.

Sounds like a heck of a challenge to me Comet and you know me I do so like a good challenge.

DeepSouth,  I am  with you on the physical and mental addiction.  I have stopped before and I have always gotten through the physical addiction well,  but the mental I have always failed.  I always played little games with myself: 1 a week won't hurt,  Okay 1 a day won't hurt.  I'll just smoke today and quit again tomorrow.  Even a non smoker can see the flaw in this plan.  

I will keep my updates here short and sweet since this is still a weight loss team and not a Go Brian thread.  I do really appreciate all your words of encouragement.

oops...we started already?!!!