Two Stroke Motocross
Two Stroke Motocross Forum => Open Forum => Topic started by: MyckMcClung on March 05, 2011, 05:32:01 AM
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By now I'm sure most of you are familiar with me as an active forum member. I love 2 stroke motorcycles! I love riding, racing, working on and drooling over others sweet 2 stroke off-road/mx bikes.
This sport is the most physically demanding sport on the planet.
And I am a smoker. Not a proud smoker, an addict of a product that was literally forced down my throat during my youth.
I was born in the early 70's, when cigarettes were advertised on television commercials as much as McDonald's Restaraunts are today. Everyone "cool" on TV smoked, Hell everyone smoked.
There were smoking areas at my middle school and high school. There was Joe Camel, and the Camel Supercross, the Marlboro Man, I'm sure you "crusters" remember, I'm just setting the scene for our younger Forum members.
I started smoking at 13, and by the time I was 16 I was smoking a pack a day. I knew the risks, I saw the pictures of black and cancerous lungs. But it was cool and sophisticated, and I was, as many are, a stupid teenager, and in a big hurry to be an adult. I have now been a smoker for 25 years, and although I have made many , many attempts to quit, have failed every time. On New Years Day, I decided to quit again, this time for good. I didn't smoke for 3 days, cold turkey. I was a nervous wreck, I decided that could reward myself with a small cigar for my progress, man that was the best 75 cent cigar I ever had, by the end of the week I was smoking 3 a day, which, compared to my 2 pack a day cigarette habit was small change. I still wanted to break the addiction which lead me to the cigars, I called the Florida Quit Line, and talked with a counseler, decided on the Nicotine lozenges, and set my quit date. The package arrived and I didn't buy anymore cigars, for a couple of weeks. I bought a pack of cigarettes one day after forgetting to take my lozenges. A week later I am still smoking, albiet, 3 packs a week, as opposed to 2 packs a day. And using the lozenges to take the edge off of the cravings.
Truth be told, I am proud that I have cut my Nicotine intake down to a 1/4 of what it was, I feel better, I'm not waking up coughing up golf ball sized chunks of phlem anymore. But, I am still addicted. And it sucks.
I have on smoke left in this pack, I will not buy a pack today.
I will not buy a pack tomorrow.
I will break this stupid addiction.
And I will kick you in the ass if I see your stupid teenage ass light up that first cigarette. (Directed towards my kids, but will be glad to boot yours too, if given permission too if you aren't there to do it yourself)
If you're a kid and reading this, it's really not worth it, NO ONE thinks it's cool anymore.
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And I will kick you in the ass if I see your stupid teenage ass light up that first cigarette. (Directed towards my kids, but will be glad to boot yours too, if given permission too if you aren't there to do it yourself)
If you're a kid and reading this, it's really not worth it, NO ONE thinks it's cool anymore.
+1
I have been trying to quit for years... I guess that means I wasn't trying..
It's hard, and it sucks!
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After his first heart attack my father quit cold turkey and ,having quit,could never understand why he started in the first place.I found my father on the driveway and I saved my father's life.Smoking eventually claimed my father when I was barely out of my teens and I have spent my entire adult life without his companionship (I lost my mother when I was in my teens).My children never met my father and he was truly an amazing man and led an amazing life.
Smoking and Nicotine addiction is a pact with the Devil,it will degrade and then take your life just when you truly begin to enjoy life.I have never smoked and my friends and sisters are in a constant,life threatening battle to quit.My only advice is to quit at whatever the cost may be and embark on a life of physical fitness and proper nutrition,like any investment,the older you get the greater effect it will have.
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Never went down the smoking path(at least not cigarettes), But I had been chewing/dipping since I was 15. I quit at 25 and I can honestly say I don't miss it at all! I'm sure it is far more difficult to quit after 25 years, when it has been such a big part of your daily routine. My dad has been dipping since before I was born and he has tried tirelessly to quit, I hope one day he will find the strength to do it. Just stick with your decision to quit! As you said, you can already tell a difference in how you feel in the morning, and your overall health will start to get better and better, everyday. About your level of Physical fitness, it is very interesting to me that people who have been smoking for years and make this change seem to make extraordinary progress in fitness, especially their cardio! It has to do with their VO2 max. After years of living with very little oxygen, when compared to a smoke free individual, they can now use their lungs to almost full capacity, allowing their body to take in more oxygen than it used to. More O2 means your muscles can sustain a constant and interval pace far above what you were previously able to do when you were still smoking! I am very fortunate that my job is so physically demanding, I am in the gym almost everyday, always looking for new workout routines, the latest and greatest, lately I have gotten into Crossfit, wow, what an a##kicker! I have a lot of knowledge and resources on getting in shape and maintaining it, hit me up if you need any thing! Once you see the difference in your physical ability and overall health you will be amazed and proud of yourself for quitting!
Breathe the Clean and Fresh air, you are now better man for you and your family because of it! 8)
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Good luck Myck! You can do it :D .
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I'm a big fan of smoking, but only when it's produced by burning fuel, or burning rubber.
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thanx guys, I did really well today, smoked 1 and probably wouldn't have if I didn't have an appointment. we took a break after the outline( I'm a professional tattoo Artist) and I went outside with her so she could have a smoke, next thing you know I've got one of hers. But I kept my promise to myself, I didn't buy any more, and I only have 5 lozenges all day.
I can already tell the difference in my cardio, I didn't ride alot last year, and put on alot of weight, 20 lbs, around Thanksgiving I decided to give up the triple weekly all you can eat ribs at Sonny's, I've dropped 20 lbs since then, and have been riding pretty regularly since. I've noticed that since New Years I've been able to maintain my full race pace for a much longer time, my arm pump is taking longer to set in, normally mile 4 and I'd have to stop and stretch it out, now it's setting in around mile 8 but I'm able to stretch it out much faster and once I get it I don't get it again.
I'm able to maintain steady breathing when I'm really pushing it, and can stay focused longer as well. I have been expieriencing some pretty severe leg cramps though, I have been supplementing with potassium to combat them.
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I smoked from 13-21 and quit cold turkey. Never went back to it. What scared me was seeing my uncle die from lung cancer. Smoking eventually killed my father too. I knew a friend of mine who was a chain smoker, like 3 packs a day for 40 plus years. Got a bad flu and bronchitis and quit cold turkey. He never went back to it. Just quit cold turkey and turn yor back on those stupid butts. :o
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You can stop, you have to find something to do with your hands to replace it. Buy more than 1 packed of the nicotine chewy(so you don't get caught short) when that starts to taste like an ashtray your within sight of the chequered flag. Last but no means least say to yourself everytime you see a smoke " Cigarettes are the ememy not my friend"
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I think a more effective method would be to imagine that instead of looking at a cigarette, you're looking at a penis. That should help counteract the temptation... well, for straight men, anyway.
"Breaking news! New polls indicate that men across the world have suddenly ceased smoking, presumably in response to Michelle Obama's, "It's a dick" campaign, which encourages smokers to consider why the British refer to cigarettes as 'fags.' However, there are some negative consequences being reported, as rates of woman smokers has nearly doubled, and tobacco shortages are rampant in the San Francisco Bay area."
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Keep up the fight Mcklung,I'm cheering for you.I'm in the throws of the same thing and have been cutting down gradually.Cold turkey isn't an issue but for me,it generates severe migraines that render me completely non functional.I think doing it slow is worse,but is my only option right now.Good Luck!
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The lozenges really help take the edge off, good luck to you as well
I'll keep that in mind Jetz,
"it's a dick"
"it's a dick"
"it's a dick"
"it's a dick"
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Me as well. :(
I managed to quit 3 years ago for 1 year but then decided the odd cigar wouldnt hurt. Yeh right.
All my freinds have the odd cigar at bbq's while having a drink and none of them are smokers.
Unfortunatly i started again. I am now trying to quit again and am taking zyban which is government subsidised.
I am down to less then a 30g packet of roll ur owns for the week.
Hopefully will get it down to 0.
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New Anti Smoking Ads Warn Teens 'It's Gay To Smoke' The Onion America's Finest News Source (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJV02nwwgzk#)
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I tried zyban and as far as I could tell,it didn't do anything.I know some have had the same experience but have had good luck on champix-I haven't tried that yet.Cripes,what a bunch of losers we all are ;D
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Read my lips, COLD TURKEY !!! :o Been there done that, it is the only way... ;D
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I agree,and am good for a week.Once the migraines set in such that you can't work,sleep and hardly eat,I'm done-usually at the 2 wk point.
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Try doing a 7 day cleanse. It will flush a lot of the toxins out of your system...http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/store/en/browse/sku_detail.jsp?id=ZS-1005... (http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/store/en/browse/sku_detail.jsp?id=ZS-1005...) This stuff is amazing... I occasionally get gout attacks. It flushes uric acid out in 12 hours or less. I've known people who have smoked pot and within 48 hours taken test and passed..It will take any toxin out of your body and I am sure it will help with nicotine...Try it what have you got to lose but some toxins... ;D
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Thanks,I'll check in to it.I usually try to detoxify myself with rum :D
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Thanx Ace theres a vitamin shoppe right down the street think I'll head over there and pick it up.
I am doing great though, I think, 2 smokes, 4 lozenges, yesterday.
If I could just get away from other people that smoke for a while I think I'll make it. I am noticing I can smell better food tastes better, and the ashtray in my van smells like death even though I cleaned it.
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Zyban is not as good as Champix I dont think.
Problem is champix is not subsidised here and is $400 a dose. :o
Need to try harder.
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My two suggestions above cost 13.99 and nothing. :o Both will work. Proven. ;)
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A very good friend of mine has battled smoking his entire life and describes smoking as "having a constant cold",that is how a smoker feels and the effect on his energy level.
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i dont smoke that much really, i do alot in the summer while schools out and im with my friends everynight between the 6 of us we usually ride all day and relax at night with some cigarettes and cigars, we're all more dippers (chew) than smokers, and i ration how much i chew i make a can last at least 3 days so it doesnt get too out of control some kids i know go through 2 cans a day
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A very good friend of mine has battled smoking his entire life and describes smoking as "having a constant cold",that is how a smoker feels and the effect on his energy level.
I quit once for two years and was a thundering idiot for starting again.I rationalized it was no big deal the first time,but then I didn't have the migraine thing then either.They say it's a harder habit to kick than heroin.It amazes me people feel sorry for alcoholics,gamblers,overeaters etc though none of those is a chemical addiction,it's just something you want,and have all kinds of programs in place to deal with it-and yet think smokers are the scum of the earth.
When I quit for those two years,I couldn't imagine why I wanted one either and yet,when you're addicted and trying to quit-and wake up in the morning with none in the house,it borders on a panic attack-and you'd almost run your mother over to get one.
I wish every non smoker could have that feeling just one time,then they'd have a better idea what a big deal it actually is-and what a small deal the other "addictions" are in comparison.
As for the cold thing,it's not something you realize while you're doing it but once you quit,you feel so good you then realize how bad you felt while you were doing it.
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My dad was an alcoholic AND he smoked 2 packs a day for 40 years. Being an alcoholic is most certainly a chemical addiction. For the record when my mom died of lung cancer, my dad quit smoking but was never able to quit drinking until the doc said quit or you die. Even then he would still have a drink now and again. The damage to his liver and pancreas is what killed him. So trust me, some of us non-smokers have a pretty good idea of how hard it is for you all.
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It is true alcoholism is a chemical addiction. I was a heavy drinker in my 20's, and with the birth of my youngest son, I finally saw the light at the end of the tunel so to speak, and started making positive life changes, including, quitting drinking, at least on a daily basis. I was hard but not as hard as nicotine addiction, I had the shakes,& cold sweats, for a couple of days. but not the overwhelming NEED for a drink, like these cigarettes. After a week or two I felt great, and started to remember stupid shit I had done while I was drunk. Then I got depressed, but I got through all that. It's been 8 years, and I maybe drink a beer or two, once every couple of months, unless my buddy with the KDX is home on leave from Afganistan. But I will never become a drinker like I was when I was younger.
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I've quit both cold turkey with no side effects other than looking how at how stupid both are to do. I'll never smoke again and I occasionally drink for kicks but could easily do with out. You guys are weak that can't quit, plain and simple. If a doctor said quit today or die tomorrow, would you still do it ? NO. Plain and simple.
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There is both a hereditary aspect to and a biological link to addictions. Some people's brain structures make them susceptible to addictions (Scandinavian and native Indian ancestry figure prominently) and type "O" blood types as well.I have 3 friends who are of Norwegian,Swedish and Finnish descents and all are alcoholics (interestingly two of them are millionaires!). This is not to say if you are Scandinavian you are automatically an alcoholic but I think you know what I am trying to say.My wife is of type "O" blood type and is of partial Scottish descent (Scandinavian link) and is susceptible to addictions.
I'm a type "A" blood type, one of my grandmothers was Swedish and I just don't have a predisposition to addictions.I have,however, seen it in my siblings and many people I grew up with.
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I am suspect to addictions. Been trying to give up dirt bikes, 2 strokes in particular, for 40 plus years. Can't quit the habit... :'( :P ;D
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I think everybody here has the dirt bike addiction! - some addictions are better then others. :D
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I've quit both cold turkey with no side effects other than looking how at how stupid both are to do. I'll never smoke again and I occasionally drink for kicks but could easily do with out. You guys are weak that can't quit, plain and simple. If a doctor said quit today or die tomorrow, would you still do it ? NO. Plain and simple.
Lol,now that's funny :D When I was quit for two years I made it a point not to come across with the "ex-smoker holier than though" attitude.As I said,for me,it's not the cravings but the migraines.Regardless,I'm in quit mode now and down to few a day with no migraines so it's a foregone conclusion.
I never heard about the blood type thing sachs though I am O negative.It also means my blood type mixes with everyone.After the weak comment Ace,I don't believe I'll give you any :D
As far as addictions go,likely my best resource would be my wife.Years ago she broke me of my sex addiction rather handily-and almost cold turkey :( ;D
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I've quit both cold turkey with no side effects other than looking how at how stupid both are to do. I'll never smoke again and I occasionally drink for kicks but could easily do with out. You guys are weak that can't quit, plain and simple. If a doctor said quit today or die tomorrow, would you still do it ? NO. Plain and simple.
So apparently you haven't actually quit drinking ::) And as for smoking, I've quit before and I'm sure I'll quit again but I happen to enjoy smoking usually and of course if I was told to quit today or die tomorrow I would just like if I was told to quit drinking Pepsi today or die tomorrow I would. Funny thing is when I gave my mom a kidney the doctor told me to quit riding dirtbikes, within a month I was back on my bike ;D
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Ford,look into blood type theory and I think it will open your eyes.I believe depression is more prevalent in type "Os" and the resultant substance abuse is an attempt to "self medicate".I used to suffer from fairly severe allergies and by changing my diet to that recommended by blood type theory (and ironically back to a Northern European diet my parents fed me as a child) I was able to rid myself of doctor prescribed medications.No more "foggy" head!
I've also heard the best remedy for romantic addictions is a wedding cake. :-X
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The wedding cake only works if your romantic addictions are of the legal variety...
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i am 27 this march
and i never smoked
i don't drink alchool
don't drink coffe
don't drink cola,sprite etc
don't eat at fast foods
i was allways the subject of jokes,still am but i dont give a f..k becouse at the end of the day i am more healty and with much money in mw wallet
and more competitve in anything not just racing
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Ford,look into blood type theory and I think it will open your eyes.I believe depression is more prevalent in type "Os" and the resultant substance abuse is an attempt to "self medicate".I used to suffer from fairly severe allergies and by changing my diet to that recommended by blood type theory (and ironically back to a Northern European diet my parents fed me as a child) I was able to rid myself of doctor prescribed medications.No more "foggy" head!
I've also heard the best remedy for romantic addictions is a wedding cake. :-X
Being the type of person who is interested in ,well,everything(or as the wife would say,possess mass amounts of useless information),I find it hard to believe this escaped me-I've never heard tell of it.I'll check in to it.Thanks.
Oh yeah,I'd definitely agree with the wedding cake theory :(
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I truly feel for you folks dealing with attempting to quit any type of harmful addictions. I lost my dad to lung cancer. It is the most painful way to die.. not that this information would be enough for anyone to quit.
A few things that I've observed. If you have friends that smoke and your trying to quit, either don't see those friends for a while or get new friends. I know this sounds harsh, but when your with a bunch of people that do something you want to quit it's much more difficult to do.
Another thing is smoking causes you to take very deep breaths, filling your lungs with smoke and expanding your chest. Most people in everyday life do not breathe very deeply. When you feel the need to smoke a cigarette, go outside and do deep breathing for the length of time it would take to smoke. You'll find out that you will probably get high from deep breathing the fresh air. Now there's a habit you can really sink your teeth into.
Personally I only smoked one cigarette in my life. Didn't like them at all. The first one was at 12 years old, my dad said that if I was going to smoke that I had to smoke in front of him. I was the oldest of 4 and my mom, brother and sisters were there. After the first puff I wanted to quit, dad told me that I started it that I had to finish it. I turned a brilliant shade of green. I never smoked again... neither did my brother or sisters. Obviously not starting in the first place is the better option.
I know that quitting is a tough road. Remember that it is a two pronged addiction - mental and physical. You must deal with both of these or you will not be able to quit. Using affirmations and positive thinking will help with the mental part. You must find a reward system that works for you. Negative methods do not work.
Then you must find something to do with your hands... smoking is an ingrained physical habit. Find something that works for you.
Good luck!
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Then you must find something to do with your hands... smoking is an ingrained physical habit. Find something that works for you.
Good luck!
Good advice John! That hands thing is not just for smokers. When my brother quit drinking (he was an alcoholic too, another reason I am such a light drinker) his hardest thing was not always having a beer in his hand. He actually started an old hobby back up, model building. That worked for him, kept his mind and hands occupied.
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Zyban is not as good as Champix I dont think.
Problem is champix is not subsidised here and is $400 a dose. :o
Need to try harder.
Bloody hell! I just got my second round of Champix yesterday, another 2 months worth, it cost $36.
The first months worth was the same price.
Champix is the go i quit within 8 days and havent looked back, i can actually smell, taste and best of all i can take HUGE deep breaths without feeling like someone has just stabbed me in the throat.. only problem though is it makes me wanna just eat, which isnt good when im a truck driver and dont do stuff all for a majority of the day..
Good luck with the quitting to all of you who are trying at least you are trying and thats the first step, i know how hard it is to do cold turkey and i would never have done it that way, not without killing someone anyway.. ;D
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Then you must find something to do with your hands... smoking is an ingrained physical habit. Find something that works for you.
Good luck!
Sorry John,but that's poor advice when you're talking to a man who's wife's life's ambition appears to be celibacy. :-X :D
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thats great advice John i agree 100% and though im not attempting to quit chewing, i feel like somethings wrong if i dont have a dip in when i get ready for school in the mornings beef jerky in a can is a pretty good remedy for that
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Then you must find something to do with your hands... smoking is an ingrained physical habit. Find something that works for you.
Good luck!
Sorry John,but that's poor advice when you're talking to a man who's wife's life's ambition appears to be celibacy. :-X :D
Sorry to hear that Ford... maybe you need a fun hobby that uses your hands with another part of your anatomy?? :o :o
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well I totally screwed up, and started smoking again, for a week, but I had gone without for long enough to see the the positive health results. Within 3 days of smoking again I started to get a sore throat, then it moved up to a cough, and phlem, I was feeling so crappy I just quit. I'm done with it. Still have my lozenges, and just gonna hold onto them for when I'm driving.
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With regards to doing something with your hands, it was interesting watching the things my parents came up with when they quit smoking (they did so at the same time, and for the same reason (they were getting really tired of my toy t-rex nagging them about it)). My mom decided to take straws and cut them into cigarette-sized sections and use those to recreate the motions of smoking. My dad didn't like that because he was tempted to inhale through them and it was way too easy, so he started using toothpicks. They both quit successfully.
Unfortunately, my dad picked the habit back up again when they got divorced, and he's been procrastinating the next quit for a while now. I think I might have to bring Rexy over to his house for some nagging.
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I think everybody here has the dirt bike addiction! - some addictions are better then others. :D
and our adiction has no cure
no dirt bike anonimus assosiations :))
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Unfortunately, my dad picked the habit back up again when they got divorced, and he's been procrastinating the next quit for a while now. I think I might have to bring Rexy over to his house for some nagging.
Well, this is interesting. I posted this last night before getting to bed. Then I was woken up by the phone, and it was dad informing me that he'd just gotten sick, started feeling some asthma (we both have that genetically) and he got pissed off with himself and just straight-up quit. It's been a week now and he says it's totally over. Smokes, ash-trays, all that is apparently gone and done with. I had tears in my eyes - shit, I still do. Amazing.
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Jetz wish him the best from me... he can do it!
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I too have been trying kick the terrible habit(unsuccesfully), it is the hardest to not light up in the car/truck. worst of all I know it doesn't do me any good in the riding performance department, although I have started a healthy diet.....hopefully that will counteract it a little.
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6 days clean so far.It hasn't bothered me a bit and I'm just as mellow as always.That said,if any of you aholes so much as look at me sideways,I'll kill the whole effin lot of you.Aaaaaarrrrrrrggggghhhhhhhhh...calm....calm............. :( ;)
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If I'm in your neighborhood I'll be sure to bring the SKS, then...
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Bring a Maico or something along that line as well,I've got lots of cartridge type alteration implements.It would be a great stress reliever. ;D
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Ford,one ride on a Maico and your perception of reality would become crystal clear and you would cleanse yourself of all your negative addictions.The clouds would part,the sun would shine and the mighty flying M would put a smile on your face. ;)
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You mean I'd finally achieve the long sought after,almost mystical enlightenment? Hmmmmm...maybe......... :D
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Mahareeshi Maico?
P.S. Hey Ford have you checked the Husaberg 300 thread lately? ;)
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No,actually I haven't.These days I've been mostly gnashing my teeth and beating my head against the wall.I'll ck it though.......
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I know I am new to the forum and don't know you guys but "YOU QUITTER!"
Sorry. :P
I was a smoker for 21 years and quit cold turkey in '92. I kept my routine (smoke breaks, etc.) and hung out with the smokers. I kept drinking and going to bars. This is what I learned.
1. Gums, patches, etc. did nothing for me.
2. When I dream, I am often smoking. Even now. Not a dream about smoking, just something I am doing while I'm doing whatever I am dreaming about.
3. The cravings NEVER go away. You just learn to manage it.
4. I only gained 10 pounds in the first month but lost it right away when i stopped eating pretzles and cigarette shapped foods as a substitute.
5. Guilt is what drove me. I felt (and still feel) that I will have failed if I smoke, even one cigarette. I don't accept failure well.
Keep up the fight. Know it is not going to change you much now but in your later years, you'll appreciate it.
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I quit for 2 years 20 yrs ago but I'm starting to realize time is a big factor in it.Back then,it was no big deal.These days,it is.I think after so much time it becomes part of who you are.I'm still holding my own but won't actually call myself quit until I stop thinking about it every minute of every day.In hindsight,I should have went with some sort of cessation aid to ease the cravings but it is what it is I guess.
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I was almost off the shit. Then we moved ::), but I still want to quit. And as soon as we get unpacked, and the shop picks up a little, I'll do it. I still have two boxes of lozenges, and am only smoking a pack a day now as opposed to two before Xmas. I'm already gettting tired of the cough in the morning. So it is on the way out, this time for good.