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QaR
August 2009 
Goals are dreams with deadlines.
ch3shyr3_cat
I don't remember exactly where I saw that. But I liked it.
Anyway. If any of my dears have taken a look at my goals you would know that at the tip top of the list above all other things is QUIT SMOKING!!
Today is the day that that happens.
I have chronic bronchitis and asthma. I have no business smoking. Every morning I wake up with a smile on my face and a huge ball of mucus in my throat. (I know to much info)
Even though so much light is engulfing my life right now I still feel like I'm drowning in a tray of ashes gasping for air but only breathing smoke. It's quite literally choking the life from me.
What has kept me from quitting you ask? Well aside from that annoying little nicotine addiction. The idea of gaining weight is particulary scary. I'm only 5 foot tall. I already weigh to much for my height and although I maintain that weight quite well and it's not hazardous to my health if i gain so much as 10 lbs on my quest to quit.. well then it will be hazardous.
Today I ran. Ran like I was running on air. Ran like I had wings on my back. I came to the conclusion that I LOVE RUNNING. I love it. Absolutly and positively love the euphoria it gives me when I've got the music bumping and a steady stride. I love the burn in my legs and the way the air feels in my lungs. I love the feeling of my blood pumping throughout my body.
Red faced and heavily breathed I came out side for some air (we have a treadmill, hooray) and almost went back inside to run some more. My gramma had a hissy fit.
:P "Ashley! Don't overdo it!" She was right of course. But I'll tell you. I haven't smoked a cigarette since then.
So I think I've found my new nicotine. It felt so good I want to do it more. Almost as good as... well.. you know. :p
So my friends. I've devised a plan. To keep me from smoking and gaining weight.(and maybe loosing some too) Early to bed. Early to wake. excersise(stretch run.. various other excersises) . School. Home. Homework. Dinner. stretch and run. Meditate.Down time (Gaia.com :P) Bed.
Of course I can't expect this beautiful scheduale I have mapped out to ALWAYS keep. But I want to run at least once a day. Once in the morning and once at night. And of course I'm going to eat better. Instead of the chicken fried steak/tattertot burger/melt thing with some crisco on the side that they serve at my colleges cafeteria. I'll visit the nice salad bar we also have.
WISH ME LUCK. I am going to need it battling this nic addiction.
breathing slowly but surely,
Ashley
Access: Public
Go for it Ashley!
BTW I was looking over new artwork you have posted Nice!
Ashley, I think you're onto something - the only way I've ever been successful with changing bad habits has been by substituting new behaviors. It seems much clearer to focus on running and being healthy than on not smoking.If you're concerned about weight gain one option is to change how you eat - since I've been following a vegan diet without gluten body fat has just fallen off of me. I wasn't overweight to start with but this has definitely streamlined my body. I eat veggies and fruit and beans mostly, some nuts and seeds, at least one green smoothie a day - eating really healthy clean food will reinforce other healthy behaviors like keeping your lungs clean. I wish you great success with all of this!
we're behind you –
Go for it !!!
Just so you know people are there to help you - Most hospital's around the country offer a “quitters group” where others smokers talk about it and you will also find many hospitals offering some type of free treatment.
Lol.. I'm sure that could be beneficial to other's but I have found that NOT talking about smoking is the best way to battle smoking because it is not on your mind.. If I see something or somebody talks about something that has to do with smoking.. I quickly think on how well I can breathe at that particular moment.. how stinky my clothes that are in the carport (where we smoke) smells… I focus on something positive instead of the craving.. It's ALOT of will power. I still can't believe I up and quit.. but you know…. I really think it's because I'm coming so far in trying to better myself in every way I can think of.. that it was just time…
Thanks so much for your encouragement… half of quitting an addiction is having awesome people behind you to tell you that you're better than that.
much love and many blessings,
Ashley
You know, the Fast Track Detox diet might help. It's what helped me quit smoking… I lost 12 pounds in 11 days and simultaneously took out all that nicotine that was keeping me addicted. I quit around the 7th or 8th day doing it, and I haven't had a cigarette since. Day 49. =) I might mention that my dad smokes inside the house, my brother and all my friends smoke as well when I hang out with them. It truly is an addiction to nicotine. Without the nicotine, it's so much easier to resist.
I can't claim to be an awesome person (although I think we're all awesome in our own peculiar ways), but I can definitely tell you that you're better than that.
And oh! the smell! yes, that's an incentive. Nothing smells worse I think. I used to smoke somewhat socially and now the smell of that nasty acrid stuff clinging to people's clothes, even coming out of their cars near mine on the road just gags me. Yuck. Something I definitely don't want in my body.
One more time, you are so much better than that.
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