Giving up cigarettes and alcohol
Discussion
I posted a few months ago asking for some advice on losing body fat and gaining a bit of muscle. I'm still using the Stronglifts routine and I've definitely gained strength, though not a great amount of muscle mass, though my stomach is far flatter and defined.
Anyhow, a recent relocation has seen me go back to some old habits, namely drinking and smoking. I work at least 50 hours a week, work is stressful, and now I'm back to smoking 10+ cigarettes per day and 2-3 cans when I'm home in the evening.
I don't know that it's an addiction to either, although I do feel a crave for a beer when I get home and feel irked when I find I've run out. Both habits aren't exactly healthy and I want to kick the cigs for good and also try to knock alcohol on the head for 12 months.
Why? The cigs will get me in the end. I'm 28 and I've been an on/off smoker for 10 years. I fairly recent chest X Ray showed I was all clear and a lung capacity test at the Dr's was healthy too. But it's time to stop. As for the alcohol, I don't want it to become something I rely on as a coping mechanism and it's not helping my want for a flat stomach. I'll probably find it harder to limit myself to a few beers a week, which will inevitably turn into a few a day, than go cold turkey.
So, any advice on doing the above, especially if from personal experience? Part of me doesn't want to use nicotine patches, as to me they're just a bit symbolic of having no will power.
Anyhow, a recent relocation has seen me go back to some old habits, namely drinking and smoking. I work at least 50 hours a week, work is stressful, and now I'm back to smoking 10+ cigarettes per day and 2-3 cans when I'm home in the evening.
I don't know that it's an addiction to either, although I do feel a crave for a beer when I get home and feel irked when I find I've run out. Both habits aren't exactly healthy and I want to kick the cigs for good and also try to knock alcohol on the head for 12 months.
Why? The cigs will get me in the end. I'm 28 and I've been an on/off smoker for 10 years. I fairly recent chest X Ray showed I was all clear and a lung capacity test at the Dr's was healthy too. But it's time to stop. As for the alcohol, I don't want it to become something I rely on as a coping mechanism and it's not helping my want for a flat stomach. I'll probably find it harder to limit myself to a few beers a week, which will inevitably turn into a few a day, than go cold turkey.
So, any advice on doing the above, especially if from personal experience? Part of me doesn't want to use nicotine patches, as to me they're just a bit symbolic of having no will power.
Cheers.
I ran out of cigarettes at midday today, but I'm coping. Maybe this is the natural break.
I've given them up before for sustained periods of time. But this year has seen me do 4 European road trips. I kid myself that I'll just smoke because I'm on holiday and somehow doing that is OK. But the habit continues after I'm home.
It's usually the first 3 days which are worst and things get easier after that. I've not tried the gum but I'll give that a go.
I ran out of cigarettes at midday today, but I'm coping. Maybe this is the natural break.
I've given them up before for sustained periods of time. But this year has seen me do 4 European road trips. I kid myself that I'll just smoke because I'm on holiday and somehow doing that is OK. But the habit continues after I'm home.
It's usually the first 3 days which are worst and things get easier after that. I've not tried the gum but I'll give that a go.
I'd say around 120 quid pcm on fags and drink. Even a modest smoking habit costs 20 quid pw.
No cigarettes so far today and I don't feel too bad, maybe a little edgy, but I've done this before and the first 3-4 days are worst.
It reminds me of this:
http://m.youtube.com/watch?hl=en-GB&gl=US&...
No cigarettes so far today and I don't feel too bad, maybe a little edgy, but I've done this before and the first 3-4 days are worst.
It reminds me of this:
http://m.youtube.com/watch?hl=en-GB&gl=US&...
Why drink? I think it's because at the moment it's becoming too habitual. Home, food, 2-3 cans of lager. And when I find I've run out, I find myself off out to buy some.
I'm recognising there's almost a reliance on it and I don't like that.
I agree with you, a glass or two is harmless, much like the odd fag was when I started off, but it's what it leads to.
Besides, my training has been a bit half arsed. I'm never going to achieve what I want to by necking beer.
Still, no fags for 36 hours now. I went shopping at the sales today and if I can resist smoking after that then I'm doing OK.
I'm recognising there's almost a reliance on it and I don't like that.
I agree with you, a glass or two is harmless, much like the odd fag was when I started off, but it's what it leads to.
Besides, my training has been a bit half arsed. I'm never going to achieve what I want to by necking beer.
Still, no fags for 36 hours now. I went shopping at the sales today and if I can resist smoking after that then I'm doing OK.
MocMocaMoc said:
Ha. EVERYBODY know's Father Ted!
Best of luck with kicking the fags and booze. I've, albeit off the cuff, decided to give up the booze for the next year. See how things pan out...
Cheers. And you're right, it's a classic.Best of luck with kicking the fags and booze. I've, albeit off the cuff, decided to give up the booze for the next year. See how things pan out...
Good luck with it too.
Over 48 hours on and still no fags. I was in Boots earlier today and thought about some nicotine gum, but gave it a miss.
Thank you. 24H mark is a good one, keep it up.
I'm back at work as of 6 AM tomorrow which is where I did most of my smoking. It wasn't so much that I associated it with enjoyment, more that it allowed me to get outside and clear my head for a few minutes.
That said, I did associate driving holidays and smoking with enjoyment. Sat on the bonnet somewhere in the alps, a quick fag, then onwards. I'll miss that!
I'm back at work as of 6 AM tomorrow which is where I did most of my smoking. It wasn't so much that I associated it with enjoyment, more that it allowed me to get outside and clear my head for a few minutes.
That said, I did associate driving holidays and smoking with enjoyment. Sat on the bonnet somewhere in the alps, a quick fag, then onwards. I'll miss that!
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