Gus's Journal and Day 1 of quitting smoking..

[bigmaii]

Anyways I was bored and I did some calculations on how much I've smoked these passed 2 years. I was trying to sleep but I couldn't help but think of the amount I smoked. They are not accurate but it gives you an idea. Based on my memory, again it is not accurate because I used to party a lot in the year of 06'. So far this year alone every Monday or night I would usually buy a new pack of buy 1 get 1 free cigarettes (marlboro menthol, camel menthol, or kool menthol). Tuesday I have class and I would average about 15 prior to leaving the house at 230pm, getting to school at 330pm , leaving school at 9pm, and maybe another 2-3 after midnight making it almost a full pack.

Wednesday's are no classes but I usually am out throughout the day during errands and studying in the night. If I am not studying I would probably finish the remaining of the pack from the day before maybe 2-3 left and would open the 2nd box and smoke another 10 or so throughout the day. Knowing at the end of the night I would need to buy more I would probably buy another buy 1 get 1 free for Thursday's class and that would last maybe until Friday or Saturday and basically rinse and repeat. Sad but true I remember because it is that much of a big part of me that I would actually know what times I would be smoking. So I would probably average in 4-6 packs 80-120 cigs, 10-15$ a week, 16-24, 320-480 cigs, 40-60$ month, etc. Again that does not include if I am out drinking, or studying. I smoked more when I studied and maybe just as much when I'm drinking. So maybe another 4-6 packs additional a month or even more. I lose track : /

crazy but true...I was a cheap smoker only bought packs that were on promotional buy one get one free
and had to be menthol or I end up driving to other gas stations or local CVS's

In your goal to quit smoking, you have probably self-discovered the powerful-forces of associations you have with smoking. For example, the smoke after a meal association, or the smoke with a cup of morning coffee association, or whatever those associations are for you. Your success will be dependent on your ability to change your behaviors and eliminate these powerful associations. You may need to change who your friends are for your long-term success as smokers generally hang out with smokers.

Also be mindful of when you are in relapse. Relapse is not the act of smoking but all the little itty bitty behaviors leading up to a smoke you may have in your long-term journey. Relapses are quite common and should not be looked at as failure. That's not to encourage you to light up in moments of weakness however, but to merely point out that they do exist.

Your journaling is a helpful tool and so is exercise, particularly cardio-vascular intense activities such as brisk walking, running and circuit training.

Take it one breathe at a time and focus on just getting through another day.