Boredom, Smoking, Eating...Mind Games????

I find myself wanting a cigarette this afternoon. Only problem is, I don't smoke. I quit smoking May 16, 2004.. almost 2 years ago. So, why am I thinking about cigarettes? The answer is weight loss. I started smoking in 1988 to control my weight. The cigarettes filled a void, that kept me away from "snacking". When I quit smoking, I increased my water intake, replacing cigarettes with water. Unfortunately, the water is not helpful in breaking up the boredom of my routine today. I want to "go for a cigarette break". I want any excuse to get up and walk away from this desk. Any excuse, except food !!! I have one hour left to go, until home time and it feels like an eternity. When the day slows down and I have too much time to think about food, about snacking, about smoking, about why my weight loss has been so slow. It drives me crazy. So, I wish I could have a cigarette and forget my worries. If you smoke, have one for me, would' ya? Karen G

I feel for ya Karen, I really do. I usually bring a lunch bag to work filled with my allotted food for the day. On a good day, I'll take several things home. When I run out of food by 2:30, I know it is a bad day. Over the holidays, I was tempted everyday by goodies left in the kitchen by people who just wanted to get the junk out of their own homes. Gee, thanks a lot folks. Now for the sermon. What ever you do, don't light that "one" cigarette. You know it will only lead to more. Right now, I am awaiting news from my cousin in NC, who is dying from lung cancer that has moved throughout her body, including her brain. I love my cousin, we grew up together, and I resent the fact that I'm going to lose her now. We were going to be little ol' ladies together. I can't help it, but everytime I see someone light one up, I want to scream. My advice, take the cigarette break, sans the cigarette, and stretch your legs, get some fresh air, and start all over again. Good luck to you, Carole

Thanks. I did go for a walk in the underground mall. I hate to leave my desk without a reason. Seems weird just to say "I'm going for a walk" So, I went for a walk...drank yet another bottle of water.... and made it through that last boring hour. Karen G

I sometimes do a walk when I get bored. I'm lucky in that I don't have to be sitting at my desk constantly, but can get up as needed. My cubby in my office is quite a ways from the printer, the restroom or the workrooms containing the water supply. So when I get bored and restless, I go for a walk. I can even make a huge loop acound the whole floor if need be. When it is warmer outside, I go for an outside walk. It takes 15 minutes to do a lap around the building, or we can follow the paths in the woods surrounding the complex for a much longer period. Having said that, I still find that I want to put something in my mouth when I'm bored or frustrated. I have a stash of sugarless gum which sorta helps, gives me something to move around in my mouth, chew on. I also just ate a couple of baby pretzels, which I didn't need and wasn't hungry for. I have found of late that if I eat something like a large salad for lunch, something that makes me feel overly full (but not to the point of having it all come back up), then my urge to stick anything in my mouth is diminished for quite a long time. I've been trying that game for the last few days to see if it helps this desire to knaw on something. Maybe keeping a stash of celery sticks in my drawer would help. How many calories are in a pencil or pen? I've not resorted to chewing on them yet. Wish I could help you out with the smoke, but I don't smoke. Sue O.

you are tempting me .... I haven't had a smoke in about 5 years, but have been CRAVING one for the past few months. I've actually come quite close to pulling into a gas station to buy a pack, but I figure if I bought a pack, I'd need to smoke the pack ... and I only want one (and the one guy I work with that does smoke won't give me one ... that is when I'm even in the office [once or twice a month]) .... sigh ... Karyn

I feel the same way. If you buy a pack, what do you do with the other 19 cigarettes. I don't want to start smoking again, but my mind still turns to smoking when I relent over my slow weight loss. Do these stupid cravings ever disappear. Karen G

I have had evil thoughts of starting up again, simply so I would have something to do with my hands and mouth instead of eatting. I quit 2 mnths prior to my surgery on 09-16-04 and I have a pack of cigarettes in my car, unopened with that date written on it with a black sharpie pen. I told myself when I quit it was my choice, and if I started again it would be my choice, and I kept that pack at easy reach to prove I could go back any time. I found that I breathed better, smelled better, smelled other things better (even things I really didnt miss LOL), my house and car smell better, and I was saving money. Now each time I think of smoking, I remember the smell of the smokers I know and how bad the smell clings to some of them. Mind you some do not smell, but I have hair that seems to absorb the smell, blah. I do not preach to smokers, my best friend smokes, and bizarrely(sp) enough I choose to sit in the smoking section out of habit and it doesnt bother me, to each their own. But for me, Id rather smell "pretty", and it works as my one major deterant to opening that stale pack of ciggies or buying a new one. I replaced the habit with gum, costs about the same sometimes I swear LOL but well worth it to me. Be Strong! Mic

Thanks Michelle. I'm still smoke-free this morning. Got through those cravings, yesterday. I couldn't possibly avoid an available pack of smokes. You have better willpower than me. Congrats. I try not to preach. My whole family smokes. Only me and my pets are the non-smokers of the family. I miss it sometimes, but mostly, I am glad not to be addicted to anything. Have a great day, Karen G PS - Congrats on your great weight loss. !!!

I am glad you made it. I know it's hard. BTW, did you know that second hand smoke is very harmful to your pets? i hope your family doesn't smoke inside if the pets are inside.

Thanks. Yeah, I knew that and we have a "no smoking" policy inside the house. I have a "mud room" between the house and garage, which is our designated smoking area in the winter. Strangely, I have always worried more about my pets health (and my kids), more than my own. I'm trying to change that and worry about me too.... Karen G