Challenge Update

I think I may be doing a few of these blogs relating to the whole cut down smoking thing.  Apart from anything, when I am typing, I can’t smoke!

Cutting down 6 cigarettes a day doesn’t sound like a lot, compared to those who go straight into the quit, but you have to do what is right for you.  Personally, I prefer to do this on a slow process. 

I’ve been on 20 a day for over ten years and this is the biggest effort I have made.  On day 10 of  the intended 14 a day I have been good to my goal.  Some days have been 15 I have to admit, but in the long run, that isn’t a major thing.

Tonight however I have a problem.  I have reached my 14 limit, and have had the extra one.  Bed is not in sight anytime soon and therefore smoking is inevitable. 

You can say to yourself “It’s weekend, don’t worry, do what you want” but I can’t do that. I have my goal and going past that is not something I want to do no matter what day it is.

So, with that in mind, my goal for tonight is just not to go past 20.  When   at home for the weekend I have always smoked more, sometimes 25-30 in one day as opposed to the usual 20. 

As long as I am strict with myself and go back tomorrow to the goal of 14 I am not worried.  I have never done this quitting thing before, obviously, so I am just going with the flow.  Whether it is right or wrong I don’t know.

That’s the update so far.  Progress report was doing well, but today has to read: Could do better.

Baby Steps

I’m a smoker.  I have been since the age of 14.  I’m not proud of it, but I’m not ashamed either.

Many people seem to look down on you when you say that you smoke.  If you are a considerate smoker, i.e. never smoking around non smokers, I don’t see why you should feel ashamed.  It isn’t like I am saying I’m a heroin addict (which I’m not before you ask).

Over the years I have thought about quitting, but until now that is all I have done about it.  Think.

The trouble is, I love smoking.  I bloody love it.  It calms me down when I’m stressed, it’s enjoyable with a drink of something alcoholic or after a meal. 

Obviously I am aware of the health issue.  It has always been at the back of my mind but unfortunately that competes with the side of me that doesn’t like being told what to do and it someone says I shouldn’t do something, I more than probably will. 

Over the New Year however I was away with friends, none of whom smoked and as such, the amount of cigarettes I smoked went down.  No one likes standing out in the cold for a cigarette and particularly not when you are on your own. 

I am usually a 20 a day person.  Over the New Year I went down to about 14, which given the amount of alcohol consumed over that period is amazing.  It started me wondering when I returned home if it was something I could keep up.   So I decided to give it a go.

The end plan of course is to eventually quit.  Health issues aren’t going to scare me out of smoking but the fact that I could have a lot more money at my disposal is more than tempting.  At this points “shoes” runs through my brain.

So for now, my little challenge is to maintain the 14 a day I started with at New Year.  Then once I have a handle on that, well, we will see how we go from there.  Baby steps, not a marathon is more likely to work with me. 

The end goal, stop smoking (without a goal date though as I don’t like to be pushed).  Present goal, maintain what I’m doing for a month and then review.  If I manage to quit completely, my aim is to use a few months’ worth of the saved money for a pair of Louboutins.  Now that is something to aim for as I am after all at heart a shoe girl.

I’ll let you know how I go on.

New Years Resolutions?

Soooo, New Year’s resolutions.  Don’t really stand much faith with them.

People make them, and then break them.  I know people who already who have  broken theirs.  All drinking related, you alcoholics!

I do have a few things I want to change in my life, but making a “resolution” is not my thing.  So instead, am going to make a list of things I am going to continue doing instead.

1.  Keep ranting.  I love it and haven’t had any complaints (as yet) !

2.  Make sure that at least one holiday planning is on the burner.  You need something to look forward to.

3.  Find a way, any way, to watch every F1 race next season.

4.  To keep saying what I think and not agreeing when I don’t.  Not connected to ranting!

5.  Maintain the absolutely fantastic friendships I have got going.  I love my “jebs” more than anything.

Hope everyone had a fab New Year’s Eve xx