One-week sitrep: I think it's a process, for me at least

[foolofgrace]

First, thanks to all the vets who have replied to my posts and offered help and suggestions. It means the world.

Second, I'm now at one week into vaping and I can report progress but not perfection (go figure). I went the last 3 days without analogs tho I found butts and smoked them (sad to say) and finally bought a pack so I could get stuff done. I've ordered lower-nic juice so I don't get nauseous from all the vaping I need to do. I'm down from PAD to PAW and I consider that progress.

Part of the problem is I'm also trying to cut way back on drinking (two steps forward, one step back) and change to a vegan diet -- this all came about at the same time as a result of some blood tests I recently got back. The vegan thing is tough, I've had to add back in some cheese and half-and-half so I can make palatable the whole-wheat pasta but I guess that's not so bad right now, considering. It's a lot to take on all at once.

I've trolled these boards and know that some people can start vaping and leave the analogs behind, and I'm happy for them. But if anyone is like me, having a bit of trouble, at least know you're in good company -- we'll get there! If we want to. And I want to.

Thanks, everyone. "If I knew the way home, I would take you there." --Ripple

 

[tj99959]

You can eat the whole pig, but you can't eat the pig whole. So be careful not to bite off more than you can chew.

 

[RialCeLmiT]

I assume you've been drinking and smoking and eating meat for a long time...So what if your not stopping over night? So long as you're not procrastinating.. Don't lose hope and move forward with your goals..Perhaps people on here have made bigger steps and faster changes but it's not a competition..You do it for you not to impress me or the guy above me...I didn't quit cigarettes right away...It took me a couple months and hell every now and then I smoke a .... but lucky enough I hate it and never even finish half of it..If you're cutting back, then you are already succeeding, think of it as benching or jogging...Your not going to sit down and bench 250 if you've never lifted in your life, it just doesn't work like that...You might have to start at 180 or lower or higher or whatever and work at it until you get there... And if you've never run distance you're not going to run 10 miles...If you stay on it, and you have a positive attitude you're ging to make a change and when you get there you are going to feel oh so great about yourself

 

[RialCeLmiT]

I just read the post again...No meal smoke or drink is worth your life..Might be a little more important that you get it done sooner than later but reguardless you are still already making important changes in your health and diet, even if you're not at the projected goal...Don't lose hope..Find a new hobby and a friend with a similar way of life that you're aiming for...it's amazing what a motivational push with a pinch of peer pressure can do for someone of any age or gender

 

[Roach]

from a PAD to a PAW is damn good progress!!! Congratulations!

 

[Natalia]

foolofgrace, you are doing wonderfully under difficult circumstances. Please do not- repeat- DO NOT, beat yourself up over any thing. Sounds like you have a lot of things going on all at once. You will get there in your own time. Baby steps.

If you need anything, we're here for you. If you don't want to post I'm a PM away.

 

[couch magnet]

Hi friend, Remember many people fail to acomplish just one of those challenges. My father died an alcoholic, my grandfather died a smoker hooked up to a oxogen tank. You are putting emense stress on your self tring to acomplish all 3. And from your post i think your doing great! Hang in there these are lifestyle changes you are trying to take away routines you have been doing your whole life. babysteps lol

 

[Huffelpuff]

Reward yourself for taking all of the positive steps that you have. You're doing wonderful!

 

[foolofgrace]

Thank you, RialCelLimiT, and everyone. It's funny that you should say that, because I'm gong to be 56 in two days and frankly, given my history, I never expected to see 40, so I'm pretty surprised to still be here. There have been times I felt little purpose in going on with life but since I figure I made a contract to be here, I have to be here, and I don't want to feel the way I've been feeling, all sick and winded and stuff, and I'm fully engaged in change tho it might be baby steps at first.

It's hard to gear up to an entire new way of being whether it be smoking, eating, or drinking (if my mom didn't cook it, it's like I'm uber-challenged -- chicken soup? you bet! eggplant? clueless here). I am tackling them all (I'll literally die if I don't at this point) but with baby steps I can get there. I am so looking forward to my new 18 mg nic samples that I'll get by the end of the week. In the meantime I am relying on the kindness of you strangers -- thank you! I do love vaping and can see it replacing the analogs.

 

[4mehealth]

Congrats on the changes and best of luck. I can't see myself going vegan, but that's brside the point.

Just a suggestion, which you may or may not have addressed. Have some higher nic on hand for when those cravings really hit. The rest of the time, hit your 18mg. That might knock a few more analogs off your routine.

Best of luck to ya.

 

[sln88]

you can have a healthy diet and still eat meat. Look into a paleo diet. Humans are not herbivores. we don't digest all that vegetation very well because we don't have extra stomachs and stuff. wheat is not good for you

not trying to start a debate, but if the diet is hard for you, its something to check out

good luck!

 

[foolofgrace]

you can have a healthy diet and still eat meat. Look into a paleo diet. Humans are not herbivores. we don't digest all that vegetation very well because we don't have extra stomachs and stuff. wheat is not good for you

not trying to start a debate, but if the diet is hard for you, its something to check out

good luck!

Thanks, sln88, I take your point. I'm doing a quick "intervention" to get my cholesterol down and sort of detox my system. I'm not saying I'm giving up meat forever but for the time being I have to be very limiting because if i open the floodgates I'm afraid I'll end up back where I was. Thank you for your post, which I think you were very brave to do.

 

[P1NkY]

Hi, foolofgrace, nice to meet you!
As the other posters have said, your efforts are commendable.
Each and every analog not smoked is a victory and deserves recognition, yet each analog smoked is not a defeat!
It's a process that can take as long as you're comfortable with, so don't rush yourself.
You go ahead and do the switchover at your own pace, and you'll be right as rain!
I wish you success in all your ventures! -P1NkY

 

[RialCeLmiT]

Thank you, RialCelLimiT, and everyone. It's funny that you should say that, because I'm gong to be 56 in two days and frankly, given my history, I never expected to see 40, so I'm pretty surprised to still be here. There have been times I felt little purpose in going on with life but since I figure I made a contract to be here, I have to be here, and I don't want to feel the way I've been feeling, all sick and winded and stuff, and I'm fully engaged in change tho it might be baby steps at first.

It's hard to gear up to an entire new way of being whether it be smoking, eating, or drinking (if my mom didn't cook it, it's like I'm uber-challenged -- chicken soup? you bet! eggplant? clueless here). I am tackling them all (I'll literally die if I don't at this point) but with baby steps I can get there. I am so looking forward to my new 18 mg nic samples that I'll get by the end of the week. In the meantime I am relying on the kindness of you strangers -- thank you! I do love vaping and can see it replacing the analogs.

lol...Yeah I got a little quicker on the jump I'm only 20 vaping since 19 started smoking at 14, but then again they've only been available since 2006 anyhow and plus im from the younger more in general tech savy generation...For your age, it's actually rather impressive, many kids my own age lack the ....ing brian or willpower to do anything and many people your age simply just wouldn't know where to look or even care to...And I'm not trying to group us based ona ges, just being a little realistic

 

[RialCeLmiT]

My father is 54 and still doesn't know how to turn on a computer, good thing he never smoked