Health & Fitness

I need to recheck before hitting the submit button to avoid the typos in my comments like those above, but I think you can understand what I was writing. Billy, I had the same problem when I was trying to quit smoking, until I finally realized that I was my own worst enemy every time I gave in after ridding my body of the nicotine. You are not fighting the smoking need so much I think, as you are the habit of smoking! Perhaps you can try using a lemon stick(or other hard candy) and holding it like a cigarette, or maybe a straw, when that urge hits you, then walk away from the area where the smoking is taking place. You can do it, but just need to find a workable substitute that will get you past the moment while you fight those urges.Water is also good. Its really hard but keep trying and you'll get there. It took me about 5 years of trying many things to stop, but I finally made it about 20 years ago! You will too.

Rose, Mama and keith - thank you.I'm just going through a 'norty' phase I think...I hadn't smoked for 23 yrs until last April...so i know what an idiot I'm being. Put it this way - i don't miss them when they're out of sight out of mind...is there such a thing as a social smoker?

Billy-- yes there is such a thing as a social smoker. I have become one. Ugh, sorry everyone. Failed attempt, but not a failure. It is true, I couldn't quite quit completely. I tried so hard too. 20 days of being smoke-free brought me to my knees. I am now smoking about 5 ciggies on the weekends and maybe 1 during the week (depending on what's going on). However, since I gave in to the nasty habit, I have lost the 4 pounds that crept on. I am now back to the weight that I was when I tried to quit. I am still determined to quit one day for good. I think cold turkey was just too much to handle in my life right now.
For everyone......even those of us who seem so determined, can be easily swayed to ditch the plan for less-than-ideal paths. Stay strong and keep on keeping on!

Haven't checked in for ages but well done everyone fantastic achievements on every score. Lost another 1 1/2 lbs which is good considering the rubbish I am eating while working in the night. Just got to keep positive and truck away xx

fantastic effort andré. you must be feeling really fit and healthy!
Billy and Angie
just hang in there and try and reduce further each time. hopefully they will begin to taste so bad you wont want them.
you are a 'norty' girl, billy! as against 'snorty' girl em. rotfl

Week 5 weigh in for me. I can't believe that I have lost a full 1kg this week. I am now 70.5kg. I just need one more kg to get under the 70kg and I have reached my goal. I will continue after that though as anything more lost will be a huge bonus. I have had two people mention how good I am looking and have I lost weight? One from work which surprised me as the uniform I wear is not body flattering at all. The other was a person I hadn't seen in a while and on the day I had decided to wear something a little fitting instead of the usual loose clothing. Not going to buy anything new until I am down to whatever weight I plateau at and also that I keep to that weight for a while.

A social smoker. I would say that being a social smoker is because there are people around you also smoking and you either want to join in to be a part of it or dont have the strength to be the one who isn't smoking. True? I bet when you are out mixing socially you aren't the only one who is smoking. A truly addicted smoker is one who is with a bunch of people who are non smokers and still has to light up. They usually have to go outside alone to get their fix. Billy, you say when there aren't any ciggies around you are fine, that would mean you succumb to peer pressure. Come on, be strong, don't give in. Remember, each cigarette is killing you!

Hey Deb - no peer pressure, otherwise i would not have given up so long ago and stayed off them for 23 years. Drink in hand..will smoke..they tend to compliment each other! As I said, I think it is an act of 'rebellion' in some sense - and I know that doesn't make sense to some - it does to me, also when I started again I was very angry,at times after each exhalation an expletion would spew forth - you should have heard me! I know it may sound like I'm trying to make excuses...but I also know it is going to pass, a hick-up as it were...

Rose - yes definitely 'norty' - after a lifetime of being 'good'? 'snorty girl em' - love it!

Billy
you will grow out of that rebellious age soon.
but dont stop being norty, no matter what age.

Deb
well done, there will be nothing left of you shortly. you will be one sexy granny.

Weigh in report for week 10 ... I was a very bad boy over the weekend while traveling ... pigged out at good restaurants, drank beer, gained 3 pounds. I'd rather say that in the last two weeks, I've lost 1 pound. So it goes.

I agree about the ''drink in hand...will smoke'' thing. There was quite an uproar when CA outlawed smoking in all public buildings, including bars. You have to leave your drink inside and go out onto the sidewalk (sometimes in the rain) to have a cig.

OOPS
forgot yesterday was monday ....long weekend here.
so weigh in today week 10
WOO HOO
just small weight loss but considering the scales told me during the week that I had put on 1.7 kgs in 2 days, I am rapt.
.4 kg loss
total loss 9.2 kgs
Keith
the good thing is your attitude is not downcast at not losing. so back into it and this week will turn around again.
cheers
water of course

Well done Rosemary, André and Deb.
I weighed a day late, after a day of golf followed by pizza and red wine!!! and after much standing on one leg, removing jewellery and removing glasses(but couldn't read the scales) I weigh exactly the same as last week.
Must be all those heavy muscles I'm building doing my 10,000 steps - I've now done over 580,000 since Jan 1.
As was often said on my school reports 'Could do better, must try harder!'

GrannieMo
rotfl
great visual ...... can just see you balancing on one leg without your glasses on trying to see the total.
you are doing just fine and I found not losing anything a big incentive for the following week to be extremely good and I am sure 'try harder' you will!
cheers
water of course

Congratulations! Everyone. Rose you are not far from your target, petal!
Keith, smoking in public buildings has been outlawed in Victoria for at least 15 years, but Bars were allowed until 1 July 2007. Most hotels are now building outdoor smoking areas in readiness for July 1

Second time for this post! My week ten update is having a hard time getting posted this week. I really forgot to post yesterday, and almost forgot today since I've been busy combing through web sites for new avatars...lol! No big news...I've lost nary an ounce nor an inch from anywhere...like GannyMo, I had to put on some heavy muscle mass to keep the scale in the same place. The last two weeks I've really stepped up the intensity while working out, and Jazz and I have been walking at least a mile a day for the last several days that we've had nice temp's again. One bright spot in all of this is I now am able to get into several outfits that have been hanging in my closet waiting for this day....whooohooooo! Hang in there everybody...we haven't lost the battle yet...just a little pause in the action. Weight will go....someday...lol!

Mama
great effort loss or no loss.
can see those rippling muscles as we speak and those cute little numbers you now fit into.
wwwwwwwwwwoooooooooooooo hoooooooooooooooo

Well done Mamacita. Isn't it a lovely feeling wearing clothes that you've had a while and been unable to wear. I also put on some big ones that are now like kaftans but used to be snug.
Don't know about you but people are starting to notice and the compliments a great to receive and spur me on.

Week 6......I dont have a digital scale but to me it looks like I may have put on a little. It looks closer to 71kg than the 70.5kg I was last week. I am not surprised....although I did think it may have been worse.

Have not been well for a while now so haven't been exercising. Chest pain, shortness of breath, extreme tiredness and being stupid didn't go to the Dr as I diagnosed myself with anxiety (a lot happening in my life right now). Finally went and I have a chest infection so I'm now on antibiotics but still feel like crap. Not sure when I'll get back on the bike and I must stop eating those yummy, huge bikkies from the bakery...lol

G'mo - I have just reached my 1,000,000 step (and a bit over (1,010,510)- yee har!! Been checking on your progress too!

my name is lauren and it has been 3 weeks and 2 days since my last cigarette....... still struggling with day to day wants but seem to be coping ok with support from Paul and Mum and Co.

Took opportunity when had tonsils out that I would try and give up, so far so good. I have alsdo lost 7 kg since i met paul and I am below 80kg for the first time since before I was pregnant with Taylah 4 years ago.

Well Lauren, aren't you the smart one to use a time when smoking wasn't being done anyway to stop...It will be a struggle for some time..not the nicotine which is now out of your system, but the bad habit of picking up a cigarette to soothe what ever bothered you at the time,(fear, sadness,anger,etc.) This is the most difficult period. You must really be ready to stop for the right reasons, and you will be able to cope!..The weight loss is an added motivation to stay off the smokes! You seem to be doing a bang up job for all the right reasons...keep doing what you're doing and soon you will be able to consider yourself as a former smoker who is getting her life together without the cigarettes! Smoke free cheers!!!

Since I'm going to be out of town, I'll use today as my weigh in day. This has been a great day for me since I saw a number on my scale, not once but several times that really makes me believe that I will reach my goal weight on or before May! I have lost another lb and moved the scales futher downward...whooooohoooo! I am so happy with this change, but will have to see if I can maintain it dealing with restaurants
and hotels for several days on a work conference trip. I'll work towards it! Good luck to all in their continued efforts to push away that which has us fighting a battle at this time of our lives. May each of us emerge the victor over our addiction!

Deb
goodness me girl, need to look after yourself.
hope the antis work quickly for you.
Lauren
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
keep up the good work and your body will be very grateful not to have to cope with all those horrible chemicals each ciggie puts into your mouth.
Mama
great effort. remember just order smart and dont eat everything they put on your plate.

Week 11 details posted on my page.
loss this week 0.5 kg
total loss 9.7kg
WOOO HOOO

Antibiotics have worked and chest infection is cleared....but still having chest pain and shortness of breath. Had blood tests today and tomorrow off to the hospital for CT scan and a few other tests that I dont know what they are. I'm not overly worried. More concerned about another day off work.

Deb
hang tough till you get the results. not worth imagining the worst, just take a step at a time.

About half a kilo gone this week. Total gone, to date 8 Kg. Haven't taken measurement for a while but will next week. My clothes are all feeling comfortable and I no longer have to struggle to button up waist bands.
As a byline I have received compliments on my skin. It must be all the water I am drinking.
WoooHoo Rosemary.
Continuing good results, fantastic.
Deb godd luck with your results. Take care.

ok are the ghosts tricking us again and stole pages from the site or are they hiding.

They're back!!!!

Weigh in report for week 11, this week I lost 2 pounds. I'm a day late reporting because I was still out of town yesterday. I did a much better job of menu selection at the restaurants over the weekend, and did a fair amount of walking. The other wonderful thing is that I went in to the Dr. office to get my blood pressure checked and it was 118/64. That's what tells me the exercise and eating better is really paying off.

Just read all the comments since my last report. Things are looking good, we're all making progress, even though it is getting slower than it was at the first of the year. Little steps add up if you keep taking them. Lauren, hang tough and don't give in. It'll be the best thing you've ever done for yourself.

Keith
that is just fantastic with a good loss while away from normal routine.
the news on your blood pressure is fantastic.
havent had my BP rechecked yet, but it will be very interesting.
cheers
water of course

I just posted a progress picture on my page and a before picture on Flickr. There is starting to be a difference. I'm so appreciative of all the support. Let us all keep us all keepin' on.

Keith
you certainly can see big differences and you must be feeling way healthier. keep up the great work.

Hi everyone,

So many nice new changes to the site since I've been on here. I no longer have to type in the date and time :) And everyone has Avatars. Cool.

First off, my huge congratulations to everyone for the wonderful job you are doing at losing, losing, losing!

Many changes in my life (and none of them real great. If I had my own page, I'd tell you all about it) have caused me to ditch the effort to quit the ciggies. While I have gone back to smoking, I am doing it in a much better way (I know, is that really possible?). I limit the amount I can have in a day, and for my kids sake, I no longer smoke anywhere near them. I still have plans to kick the habit completely.

In other news, my weight has finally hit a plateau. After gaining and losing the same 6 pounds for the last 3 weeks, it seems to have finally rested on the lighter end. While I am still not to my goal weight, I am certain that I will get there someday.

Cheers to all, and as Rose would say 'Water, Of Course!!'

Angie
sorry to hear that things are not great for you but remember we are all here to help you through the good and tough times. you can share on my page if you want to share.
or if you go to our motel website you can find our email address and contact me direct. www.millerscottage.com.au
even though you have gone back to the smoking, nice to see you have limited yourself daily and very pleased you are not smoking around your kids. when the time is right for you, you WILL get all your ducks in order and life will be good for you again. sometimes other priorities get in the way of a quiet orderly life, hangin there and I am sure things will settle again. Just think healthy, smile, hug your kids and tell them you love them.
PS here is a hug for Angie ((Angie))
cheers
water of course.

Thanks Rosemary. Needed a hug. Will email you soon. May not be able to get on here much longer as my computer is on it's last leg (it's about 10 years old, so I'm not too surprised). So, if you don't hear from me often, know that I am thinking of you all and will catch up when I can.

posted week 12 details on my page and all a bit disappointing this week ... no weight loss.
booo hooo
just have to try harder this week.
cheers
water of course