OT Day Five Update

Well, if I manage to go to bed tonight without a cigarette I will have completed my fifth day.  Please tell me that the worse is over.
I went through a few days of depression, probably withdrawal.  I still miss it but I am also glad I am not smoking, if that makes sense.  I just keep looking for the good things about quiting, like saving money (lots of money) and not being enslaved to this terrible habit.
I also heard from my doctor today about the surgeon she was going to send me to.  That is out because he doesn't have malpractice insurance to see any WLS patients.  My only option is a surgeon that has as bad of a reputation as my current surgeon.  I kind of doubt she will be much better.  I may send her an email and see what she says.
I also found a way to make a little extra money at home.  I heard about a website that pays you to write articles for blogs and things.  They don't pay much but I thought I would check it out.  My daughter is a terrific writer so I told her about it, too.  She has written some great articles already and she feels good because she is helping contributing since we are so broke.  I have already sold about 5 articles and tonight I wrote about 5 more.  It is a lot of fun but there aren't a lot more things I can write about right now.  I also found another website that is part of Amazon that pays you for jobs.  It is very low paying but there is some interesting things on there, like surveys and research tests.  Between the two of use we spent several hours on there and only made about $4 but it is better then nothing and it is interesting.  It gives me hope anyway that I can bring in a little more money and between that and not buying cigarettes things are looking a little better.
I am now getting in over 2000 calories a day and I think my weight is picking up a bit.  It is hard not to freak out seeing the number go up even when I am trying to gain weight.  Maybe I should just avoid the scale for a while?  I know that weight gain happens when you quit smoking, which was part of the reason I quit.  I just need to not worry about it too much.  I guess I worry that it will just keep going up and I won't be able to cut back on my eating.  It is much easier to add in food then it is to take it away.
Oh, well, 12 more days until Christmas is over, then my birthday and New Years and the holidays will be over for the  year.  This isn't my favorite time of the year, to say the least, and being broke doesn't help.  I wish I could sleep until Jan, 2.

Congratulations on day 5!  That's a great accomplishment!  I can't tell you if it gets better, as I've never been a smoker... but swining critters for ya that it does!

Also glad to see you're not losing anymore weight.  Just keep an eye on the scale and adjust your calories if needed. 

I know the holidays can be stressful, especially without money - I'm hoping things pick up for you!  You'll definitely save money by NOT smoking! 

 Congratulations !    U'll be a rich chick soon  with all the money  Ure saving !   I had  friends put the cigarette money in a jar and then treat themselves to  manicures  .. whatever they wanted ...  

its  nice to have a REWARD   for doing the healthy, positive   thing ! 

5 days is wonderful and yes, from what I remember, it does get better.  Exercise helps so maybe you can spend some extra time on your bike.

It is weird with our relationship with those #s on the scale.  When I went to 112 after surgery, I was a little frieked out.  But when it goes back up, I am too.  All is well withing my "range" and shouldn't be upsetting, but is.

I agree about the holidays.  Between surgery, business changes and the holidays, I would love to skip over the next 3 weeks.

Congratulations on day 5.  I think it does get better, but I know I could never touch even one or I would be right back at it on a daily basis.  But, I'm like that with everything - all or nothing!!

You will sure be saving money.  Hope you can find a qualified surgeon that has the insurance necessary.

Linda

You can DO this!  It will be one of the best decisions/changes you will have made in your life!

I know this is hard but keep on keeping on.  Distract with anything you can.....being online can help and the article writing sounds interesting.  Day 5.....GREAT accomplishment.

You go girl!!!  

~~Jennifer

Congratulations for undertaking something I refer to as one of the hardest things I ever did! I smoked for 30 yrs and on April 11, 2003 I laid them down and was done. Not that it was easy by any stretch of the imagination but I did it. By day 7 I realized I was over the nicotine and it was the habit I was struggling with. For me that meant a battle of will power! Staying busy is huge!! I always had a stir stick or straw in my mouth. Some things I focused on...$$ saved (no more rolling up $bills and lighting them on fire-who has money to burn?), planning (limiting) my life around being able to smoke (only socializing with smokers), suddenly realizing how bad the clothes in my closet smelled (did I really smell like that?) Smoking was so much a part of me that my friends said it was strange being around me after I quit. One of the most important things for me was to know that I could never ever have even one single drag again. If I was going to cheat, why bother! I know you will be able to do this.. Stay focused on the positive-this is all about what is good for you! Good luck and I know I’ll be congratulating you on your 2 week, 4 week and 4 month anniversaries!
~~~gwen

Thank you!  You have given me a lot of good help.  I am trying to focus on the good things about not smoking.  It is hard because I live with a smoker, who has no desire to quit.  That is one of the reasons I started up again after not smoking for 9 months.
I am on day 6, still not easy by a long shot but I can get through this.

Congrat on day 6!!!   I miss your profile picture!!!