Giving up smoking.

Anonymous

I've been having one ciggy a night until this last pack is gone (there's now 4 left.).

BUT, you were saying that the anger will decrease as the nicotine goes out of my system, does this mean that nicotine replacement gum could be actually aggravating the situation?
would it be better if I just stopped everything, nicotine and all?

I have been doing more excersise. Short sprints of about 8 miles on the bike, with a mother of a hill at the end - it's fascinating to see how much easier it gets each time.
Also pres-ups. I'm now doing about 6 or 7 sets of 25-30 press-ups every day.

Strangely, I'm eating much less. I just don't feel hungry at all. I suspect this has something to do with chewing gum constantly!

Someone else has mentioned that I may be better off if I take Chromium supplements, as apparently chromium levels can drop when giving up, and this can cause mood swings. I must admit I'd never heard of chromium as a supplement before
Would something like that help as well?

And cheers for the help guys, this is better than the NHS smoking thing!

ratty2k

We had a working lunch (suprisingly at work! ) "Smoking Cessation" run by the NHS, Cathy our MILF nurse at work told me that you dont always need the nicotene replacment therapys. She'd packed in 6 years ago, and suggested that you should try without first. If you find that you need a bit of nicotene, gum or patches may well help.
I personally dont think I got to ratty with people but some may say different. Try the link I posted earlier, it runs in the background and can help when you start slipping a bit. Tells you how much money you've saved-£700+ for me after 3 1/2 months, how long you've been 'smober' and how much life you've gained- i'm goona live a week longer- prob in a bed with tubes etc, but when lying there in the future I wouldn't give it up easily! Best of luck and keep going!

Anonymous

Hey, Ratty, chers for the info. So far I've saved over 36 quid!

Anyway, I was checking out your pictures, and noticed they're of Coedy.
I haven't been there in a while, but I've noticed when passing that the new visitor centre is on the opposite side of the road (and therefore valley) to where it used to be.
So, are the original runs still there? like the red bull route etc?
Does the red bull route still have the short dual course at the end?

Some of my favourite bits of trail ever are in coedy, I really should head back there sometime.

ratty2k

£36 for new bits on the bike then! Well done!! Just checked mine and its 3M 2W 5D 49m and 30,31,32,33,........ Best part tho' is the 2790 ciggies I aint smoked :shock:

Yep some are CYB.... err I'm not that familiar with the place, and am pretty sure that the layouts been changed for the trails.
http://www.mbwales.com/coed_y_brenin/index.htm have a route on the web site, will give you more info than I can post here...
I've dont the Tarw trail a couple of times which I believe to be part of the old Karrimor- not 100% about that tho' Tarw is on the other side of the road to the new cafe/ shop so on the original side you refered to (OOOHHH my head! :? )

Anonymous

Hmm, just checking the trail maps on their site, the 'proper' Red bull is gone, by all appearances :shock:

Red bull route was excellent. Really short (7.5 miles) but incredibly challenging physically.
Some of the sections seem to remain, such as al's loop and rocky horror show.
Seems that 'root of all evil' and the crazy singletrack switchbacks and dual course ending, AND the insanely rocky sections (wassn't even really a trail there) near "heart of darkness" are lost forever
And don't get me started on the fact that Sian and Dafydd aren't there anymore :evil: !

BAH, I'm angry again now!
(pops gum in mouth, chew chew chew chew)

ratty2k

From my limited experience of C-Y-B, I'd say you'd still enjoy it. Some very rocky parts, some techy parts and a wonderfull place for views........
I'm hopefully gonna do Dragons Back soon, keep an eye out for piccies!!


Good! reach for the gum, you dont need a cig! It'll only raise your stress levels more anyway- so go for a ride and come back much calmer!

Anonymous

Wel, there's two of us heading off to CYB tomorrow. Our goal is to ride the original Red Bull a few times. We've done it dozens of times, so hopefully we'll be able to find it!

Unfortunately though, it's an old college friend's birthday weekend, so we're getting slaughtered tonight, which means that CYB will be that bit more hard work!

ratty2k

Looks like your gonna get abreak in the weather as well!- sunny! :shock:

Anonymous

Yeah, Saturday looks like the only day that might be decent. :!:

MeMateDave

Been clean for 18 months now and have really noticed a massive positive difference. 10 years of smoking are hard to give up but a lot of it definitely is mental strengh, you need to really want to succeed then its so much easier. Once the physical cravings go its all in the mind.

If your wondering what to do with the additional free time at work you have now gained then here's a thought, work harder, focus on your career, get promoted, get paid more, get laid more, buy a better bike and retire earlier. I have radically improved my life and all bar the retirement bit have achieved the things listed.

You also don't stink anymore and find you have more cash, top draw!

Just my 2p

Anonymous

MeMateDave wrote:

If your wondering what to do with the additional free time at work you have now gained then here's a thought, work harder, focus on your career, get promoted, get paid more, get laid more, buy a better bike and retire earlier. I have radically improved my life and all bar the retirement bit have achieved the things listed.

You also don't stink anymore and find you have more cash, top draw!

Just my 2p

Unfortunately, working harder isn't really doable unless we've got clients in, and even then, we only ever work as hard as the clients want to.
There's not much chance of a promotion, there's only one person above me, really. Plus I technically already hold three positions as it is.
Getting paid more is a joke here in North Wales, the average pay is so low that people can't afford a mortgage unless they're a doctor, dentist, or whatever.
Getting laid more sounds good, but unfortunately, I spend so much time at work, that I rarely get to socialise. I presonally wouldn't want to get involved with a woman who only wanted me because I'd ben promoted and had more money anyway.

Don't get me wrong, I love my job, but the whole "if you work harder, you'll get more money" things is bollorcks.
We sometimes get weeks on end of 16-18 hour days, 7 days a week. Yeah, the overtime comes in nice, but we're unlikely of getting a pay rise.

MeMateDave

I understand what you are saying but everything is always within your control. If you want to get further then you need a job that will get you further. Get some training from work or pay yourself in need be, apply for a diff job, think abot changing careers. Working harder doesn't mean doing the same job harder - its about using your nouse, bit like smoking.

I believe we all control our futures. There you go whoah a bit deep for a Fri after ahem "at work" and off topic.

Anonymous

But I really like my current job!

Anonymous

Well, no fags for over a week, and no gum for a couple of days either.
Went to Coedy on saturday. Strange.

nicklouse

why was it strange?

Anonymous

Well, I spent most of my teenage years there. CYB is practically a part of me, and partially shaped who I am, why I ride, and how I ride.
I've done a few of the mountain mayhems there. Introduced a LOAD of people to MTBing there. Made good friends, learnt a great deal of things. I've met people who've come from all over the world. Some of whom specifically to ride there.

There's nothing telling you the history of the place.
It was one of the first 'proper' trail centres in the UK, and initially people thought it would never catch on. It set the trend, and the benchmark against which all other centres would be judged for years to come.
Now it's been abandoned. There's no mention of the three people who made the place a legend.

We did the "tarw" trail. which actually takes you past the original centre.
It's just so sad to see the old place, derelict. There's still (what appears to be) rubbish fom the last day's trading there, still waiting to be picked up.
The place used to be heaving with people, but on saturday, it was just two of us, Staring forlornly at a giant "Welcom to Coed Y Brenin" sign.
It was heartbreaking, seeing the old dual course abandoned and decaying.

The trail grading is very random.. Some sections are red, when they should really be a black. some are double black, when they should be an intermediate.
I mean, pins and needles - Double Black? come on. Snap crackle and pop, - Red? WTF?
I didn't come across any sections that should be double black.

Everywhere was overgrown, with thorny branches at head height.
The signposting is terrible. I honestly don't understand how you're meant to find your way around if you've never ben before. Towards the end of the "tarw" there's a section with signs pointing both ways. The map doesn't indicate which way you should go. We just chose a direction, and luckily, found that we got it right (we think)

They've also replaced one of the most rewarding, flowing, and damned right fun sections of the Red bull, the twisty singletrack switchbacks through the woods, leading into the little dual course at the end. Used to be a great way to end it.
Now there's Pins and Needles. Which is just boring. Very rough, but so easy to ride it's just dull.

To cap it all off, this giant lady who accosted us like some kind of butlins redcoat before we set off, actually told us that there were missing signposts, and that a fair few people have got totally lost and had to call the centre for assistance. She warned us that there may or may not be another post missing today, and to watch out for it, because if we went the wrong way, we'd end up going down a ravine into a river. :!:
She looked surprised when I asked why they hadn't gone and sorted the posts IMMEDIATELY. I mean, Coedy is a HUGE forest. miss one turning, and you could be lost for a day or two.

At least the cafe was nice. My only problem was that it seemed too clean-cut. I don't think whoever designed it realised that it woul dbe inhabited by very sweaty beings covered in cack.

nicklouse

Oh that type of strange rather than to do with the no smoking.

Anonymous

Oh, the no smoking thing was excellent, I could ride up things that I haven't been able to since I was 17 or 18!

marika

when i went to CYB as a newcomer to the trail centre thing i was also very disappointed in the signage or should i say lack of it,didn't have a clue where i was going and i haven't been to trail centre since

Anonymous

Marika, don't let that put you off, Trail centres are generally pretty good.
I'm now a regular at Lladegla, and everything is just sorted there.

The good thing about riding trail centres as opposed to just heading off to the nearest mountain, is that you KNOW there's going to be some nice singletrack, and lovely terrain to ride on.

If you just head out to the hills, you may end up cycling all day and not finding anything inspiring.
If you see what I mean.

blacksun

yeehaamcgee wrote:

Well, I've decided to give up smoking. Blood pressure was scary high again the other day.
So far it's been a whole, smokeless day.
Feeling kind of odd though, not tense, just at a loss as to what to do.

Anybody else been through it? what would you recommend to take your mind of smoking?

Giving up smoking was easy for me. Not being mentally weak is a huge bonus.

All the best with that.

Anonymous

cheers for that. Nice to know I'm mentally weak.

It's much easier this time though.
Last time I tried, I think me and my girlfriend ended up annoying the crap out of each other when we had our angry moments.
This time I'm single, and it seems easier.

spiney

Great thread!

Has given me the inspiration to try giving up again!

seumasl

I used to chain smoke (around 70 a day - yes that stupid) and tried to pack up so many times, then one day at work the thought just came into my head that I wasn't enjoying it and I was going to stop, I agreed with myself (not a good idea to argue loudly with yourself in public) and never smoked another one.
First day out at the top of a hill I had to stop and throw up, went down and climbed it again, a combination of my wife - cycling and just sheer bloody mindedness kept me stopped and 29 years later there are still certain situations where I fancy a fag but to be honest if I had continued smoking I would be a basket case.
Just remember if you smoke and are exercising all you are doing is increasing your lungs capacity to receive all the crap that is in a fag.
Seumas

Anonymous

Well. Just back from seeing the specialist again.
Apparently, I am a role model of health!

formerlyknownasbonj

yeehaamcgee wrote:

blacksun wrote:

yeehaamcgee wrote:

Well, I've decided to give up smoking. Blood pressure was scary high again the other day.
So far it's been a whole, smokeless day.
Feeling kind of odd though, not tense, just at a loss as to what to do.

Anybody else been through it? what would you recommend to take your mind of smoking?

Giving up smoking was easy for me. Not being mentally weak is a huge bonus.

All the best with that.

cheers for that. Nice to know I'm mentally weak.

LOL
classic.

Anonymous

spiney wrote:

Great thread!

Has given me the inspiration to try giving up again!

It's good to see that this has inspired a few others to try as well. It's also good to hear from some who've succeeded.

So how's your attempt going, Spiney?

oldandcrusty

Well perhaps my sorry tale will help others to kick the habit, read on and weep!!
Firstly having just moved to a new address we needed to register with the local GP. Got fixed up to see the nurse who conducted the normal blood pressure, urine sample etc. all fine and dandy. Then the dreaded question "do you smoke?" "yep I says about 20 a day"
The wife chips in "I gave up a year ago" (smug look on face) "want to give up?" says nurse. Well what do you do? next thing I know I'am clutching a prescription for Nicotine Patches.
OK zero hour arrives and on go the patch. Result, nadder, sod all, zilch great I thinks give me a fag. But no I held off, just as well because the patch kikes in and WHOOOA cloud nine!!!!! fantastic I spent the whole day in some kind of Nicotine nirvana. Fantastic start no cravings and spaced out.
Next day no nicotine high, but no cravings either. Decided to go out and do a spot of photography as a reward for 24 hours in. On the way home trusty 17 year old Nissan Bluebird goes nipples vertical and leaves me stranded. Bloody great I thinks where's me fags? Oh yeah I dont smoke, well if I had some on me then I would have done. Thought about writting strongly worded letter to Nissan Uk and tell them what I think of their cars.
Thought better of it probably tell me to sod off.
Great no car, brain wave time. Get a bike and cycle like I used to (well 25 years ago)
So at the end of the day I'am still off the fags even though I did not want to give up, and back on a bike which has been great!! (a least it no longer feels like I'am about to have a heart attack any more) Keep it up, it's not easy I know but it is worth it. Trust me.

Ken Aka oldandcrusty

ratty2k

spiney wrote:

Great thread!

Has given me the inspiration to try giving up again!

Dont try- do it.

Its not that bad, I've mentioned before that the biggest thing for me at first was something to do with my hands...... Got one of those Powerball thingy gyro wotsits- That took care of that problem. Actually found I didnt have too much of a craving for them, which suprised me!! $ months and 1 day for me now and loving the extra energy I have now!

HJ1976

Quitting smoking gave me the clarity and money to get rid of my useless s**t of a husband!
I decided to quit on August 31st 2005 at 3.15pm when my then 2 year old daugher walked into the room and pretended to smoke a Mcdonalds fry. Suprising how quickly that focused my mind to quitting!!
6 weeks later I left my husband who though it was supporting to sit in the same room or car as me and smoke, but then that wasn't a big suprise as he had left me along with our daughter every night when she was a tiny baby with colaec and Kidney Reflux- so he could go out an flirt with the customers as a bar man and DJ.
But enough of the bitching- two suggestions were made to me when I quit:
* Take things in 3's, 3 hours, 3 days, 3 weeks, etc
* Buy a china piggy bank and put 50p in everytime you are tempted to have a fag, and £1 if you actually have one! Even if you fail you will have a nice night out!