10 December, 2008

Firstly, I am sorry folks for not updating the blog last week as I was actually ill.

But on the good side, I have finally been able to stay smoke free for more than a week, nine days to be exact!

I had a little bit of a heart scare, enough to make me realise how important it is that I change my life. Sounds a bit dramatic but it really wasn't, just a quick stop at the Epworth to help get everything working properly again (think I partied too hard at the staff Christmas party).

The ironic thing is that I CAN'T smoke even if I wanted to, and de-toxing in hospital was great...drips and the lot, to help release the nicotine's 'deadly' grasp. I have had to give up the grog as well, which isn't quite as hard, but heading into Christmas giving up anything is going to be tough. It's times like these where the friendly voices on the QUIT line can really make a difference. Use them I say.

Hope your journey is rolling along nicely and hasn't required any stints in hospital and remember the QUIT line is there for you if you need a bit of encouragement to change your habits and lifestyle. Well worth it I say.

Cheers

Hewy

26 November, 2008

Finally, I am making some progress!

Smoke free now for three days, but more importantly there's no cigarette packs in the car, house or at work, and I feel like I am somewhat free of the 'nicotine's claws'. Far from going cold turkey just yet, but the advice of the QUIT line in terms of changing habits really seems to be working. No longer do I need to spark one up after my six o'clock bulletin, and the morning cuppa tastes a lot better now that my mouth doesn't taste like an ash tray.

I must admit I am a bit nervous heading into the Christmas season, considering we're having our shindig this friday (and no doubt I will be giving it a bit of a nudge). QUIT line says you can lose the motivation and will power to quit after a few sherberts so I won't be bringing a pack with me, and considering everyone at WORK knows I am quitting, I dare say I won't have much luck trying to 'bot' one.

The other thing I have noticed is my fitness level, working early mornings can present enough problems when it comes to the waist line, but more importantly I have found that I have much more energy, and don't get puffed out so quickly.

Anyway, starting to feel like this all may actually be worth it, and if my kids are seeing the benefits already, there's no telling what sort of a difference it will make in the long term, but I reckon it'll be very much a life changing thing. Not that I am anywhere near the finish line, but it feels good to have started the race. BANG!

I have received some great tips and feedback from you guys out there taking the challenge. Keep it coming through as I still love to hear about the progress you are making in your battle to 'flick the fags'. E-mail me anytime andrew.hewett@austereo.com.au.

Cheers

Hewy

18 November, 2008

Talk about a failure, the first real night 'bending the elbow' and my smoke free world comes crashing down around me.

Two rubber bands around my soft pack of darts, I didn't even take them into the function with me, and before you know it I am out the front 'three sheets to the wind' sucking back on that dart like my life depended on it. Then I felt sick, not physically, but more so emotionally flat by the fact that I had worked so hard just to let it all unravel.

Needless to say, I was caught out by a Triple M listener at the function, but would definitely have come clean anyway. After all the QUIT line says the only way you can truly give up the fags is to be honest with yourself, and make little by little changes to your lifestyle.

I am pleased to report that besides one on Sunday to help me recover from the night before (it was really only a half) I have been smoke free again for the past couple of days, and I will stick it out for the week.

Also wanted to make a quick mention of the heap of e-mails I have received from people doing the QUIT challenge with me. Some smoking for more than the past 30 years, others a little younger looking to imporve their health.

Whatever your reasoning, try to stay positive even if you do have a little slip up, and rember the QUIT line is there to help if you need, or you can e-mail me at andrew.hewett@austereo.com.au.

Every day without a cigarette is a good day!

Cheers

Hewy

12 November, 2008

Howdy...

A little over a week into the 'battle of the durries' and I really don't feel that good at all...

I miss the smokes .. actually that's an understatement, I can't believe that something so harmful to your health can be so sorely missed .. and it's really only been three full days (counting today) that I have gone without them.

I have rung the QUITLINE a number of times, and their tips are fantastic, but if you don't have the will power to follow through it really can be difficult. No gum, no patches, just changing the habit is what my QUIT counsellor says ...change your smoking hand, put a couple of rubber bands around your deck of smokes so you have to really 'battle' to get one. Great advice but it doesn't change the fact that I miss the habit, the time to myself, even the interaction with mates who smoke.

Having a drink and not smoking is probably the hardest, and I must admit that I failed the test over the weekend at a mate's bucks party where the beer was flowing and smokers appeared to be enjoying themselves more than I was as a 'non smoker'. Clearly they weren't, but perception is greater than reality and eventually I fell back into the nicotine's spell.

So I suppose the point is that this won't be easy for us, there will be temptation, and we may even slip into back into our old ways. However, if we think about our kids, ring the QUITLINE when we're struggling and try to focus on a healthy future we CAN kick the habit.

Obviously I am not doing all that well myself, but I would love to hear how YOUR battle is going. Feel free to e-mail your tips, successes or even failures to andrew.hewett@austereo.com.au and together we WILL QUIT for the sake of our KIDS ... and ourselves.