Today is Day 5 in a smoke-free world for me! I don't know if that last sentence really deserves an exclamation point or not, but faked enthusiasm has gotta count for something. I have made it about 4 and 1/2 days longer than I expected to and it does seem to be getting a slight bit easier....emphasis on the slight.
The craziest thing happened though...I started to get small cuts in my mouth since quitting. Apparently, the cigarette smoke acts as a pesticide in your mouth and kills off bacteria and thickens the skin in your mouth. How absolutely disgusting is that?! I just wanted to share that little tidbit. It was enough to strengthen my resolve (at least for a while).
I can't wait to not be tempted by those little beasts. That'll be the first HUGE step in finally addressing the PCOS. Hope everyone out there has an amazing day!
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Cold Turkey.... with a Side of Ice Cream
Almost two months ago I blogged about my need to quit smoking so what has happened since….uh, not much. I have actually smoked approximately 600 cigarettes (ew) since my decision to quit, but some positives have happened in that time as well.
• I have pinky promised my daughter that I was going to quit.
• I have read the Easy Way to Stop Smoking, by Allen Carr.
• I have downloaded several apps on my phone to serve as a constant reminder of my goal.
• I have made a long list of the reasons I will no longer be a smoker.
• I have ordered a stop smoking self hypnosis CD to listen to at bedtime.
• I have purchased tons of gum and cinnamon chewing sticks.
• I have cut straws and stocked my car with them to prevent triggers. This helped me a bunch in the past.
• I have posted a list of positive affirmations for quitting smoking in my bathroom to read while I am getting ready for the day.
• I have talked with my boyfriend about my goal to quit and asked that he support that and keep his own smoking away from me as much as possible.
• I have joined a support website for people quitting smoking. I plan to pledge daily on this website once I have finally quit.
• I have set up a jar for me to save the money I would normally spend on cigarettes. We are going to use the money to take fun family trips!
• I have a list of things I can do instead of smoke when I take a break at work.
• I have purchased some natural supplements that are supposed to ease the withdrawal symptoms and anxiety associated with quitting. (Smoker’s Cleanse, Natural Calm)
• I have learned of some meditation techniques to use when quitting smoking.
• I have cleared my car and porch of all traces of cigarettes.
• I have read countless articles to get informed on what to expect once I quit.
• I have posted a timeline on my desk at work of the benefits of quitting smoking and how your body returns to normal.
• I have planned an all out party for once I have reached 100 days smoke-free. That’ll be
• I have warned my family that I may not be the most pleasant to be around here soon, but that it is temporary and will pass.
• I have stocked my fridge with healthy snacks.
• I have also cut myself some slack with other obligations. If I am truly going to quit smoking, I need to go full force. I’d rather be a non-smoker who is a little behind on the laundry.
• I have committed to being honest when asked how the quit is going. I will not lie for cigarettes any more. If I relapse, I will say so and hope for support and encouragement to continue.
• If all else fails, I got a wee bit of ice cream for emergencies.
I think I have prepared (er, stalled) long enough. The only thing left to do is…..well … stop (my stomach just flipped even thinking about it). Come hell or high water, my last cigarette will be on Friday, September 23rd. If anyone is out there, feel free to hold me accountable. I appreciate any advice and tips anyone may have. I truly feel this is one of the most difficult things I have done. When I accomplish this, I will be able to accomplish anything. I am so nervous…wish me luck!
• I have pinky promised my daughter that I was going to quit.
• I have read the Easy Way to Stop Smoking, by Allen Carr.
• I have downloaded several apps on my phone to serve as a constant reminder of my goal.
• I have made a long list of the reasons I will no longer be a smoker.
• I have ordered a stop smoking self hypnosis CD to listen to at bedtime.
• I have purchased tons of gum and cinnamon chewing sticks.
• I have cut straws and stocked my car with them to prevent triggers. This helped me a bunch in the past.
• I have posted a list of positive affirmations for quitting smoking in my bathroom to read while I am getting ready for the day.
• I have talked with my boyfriend about my goal to quit and asked that he support that and keep his own smoking away from me as much as possible.
• I have joined a support website for people quitting smoking. I plan to pledge daily on this website once I have finally quit.
• I have set up a jar for me to save the money I would normally spend on cigarettes. We are going to use the money to take fun family trips!
• I have a list of things I can do instead of smoke when I take a break at work.
• I have purchased some natural supplements that are supposed to ease the withdrawal symptoms and anxiety associated with quitting. (Smoker’s Cleanse, Natural Calm)
• I have learned of some meditation techniques to use when quitting smoking.
• I have cleared my car and porch of all traces of cigarettes.
• I have read countless articles to get informed on what to expect once I quit.
• I have posted a timeline on my desk at work of the benefits of quitting smoking and how your body returns to normal.
• I have planned an all out party for once I have reached 100 days smoke-free. That’ll be
• I have warned my family that I may not be the most pleasant to be around here soon, but that it is temporary and will pass.
• I have stocked my fridge with healthy snacks.
• I have also cut myself some slack with other obligations. If I am truly going to quit smoking, I need to go full force. I’d rather be a non-smoker who is a little behind on the laundry.
• I have committed to being honest when asked how the quit is going. I will not lie for cigarettes any more. If I relapse, I will say so and hope for support and encouragement to continue.
• If all else fails, I got a wee bit of ice cream for emergencies.
I think I have prepared (er, stalled) long enough. The only thing left to do is…..well … stop (my stomach just flipped even thinking about it). Come hell or high water, my last cigarette will be on Friday, September 23rd. If anyone is out there, feel free to hold me accountable. I appreciate any advice and tips anyone may have. I truly feel this is one of the most difficult things I have done. When I accomplish this, I will be able to accomplish anything. I am so nervous…wish me luck!
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Helpful PCOS Android App
I have been using this great little Android App on my phone called MyDays. It helps track your cylces, ovulation and even those days you get your groove on ;) 
There's a PCOS Documentary?
Yep....there is.
Scrambled: A Journey through Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
I haven't seen it yet. Anyone know if it's anygood?
Scrambled: A Journey through Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
I haven't seen it yet. Anyone know if it's anygood?
What am I Doing!?!
Ok....we all know that smoking is bad. I have seen all the warnings, articles, commercials and pictures of black lungs just as you probably have. I have even watched several family members die from smoking-related problems, but I can remember as a little girl rifling through the ashtray of my grandmother's old gray Ford. I'd pretend to smoke; half disgusted and half curious, but longed for my grandmother to quit. I'd make every deal I could think of to convince her to quit. None of those deals quite worked out and she passed away in 2009.
I never, ever thought that years later I would be the full-on smoker. Now it is my daughter striking deals with me to quit and I am totally ashamed. How did this even happen?
Oddly, I became my full-on smoker self right about the time I was diagnosed with PCOS. I often wondered why smoking seemed to increase my weight while others talked about how it kept it off. Well, here is yet another reason smoking is bad for me (duh!)
Smoking's Effect on PCOS
What am I doing to myself?!I have got to quit smoking! I would love any comments, tips or stories to help me quit. Anyone?
As for now, I am almost finished reading The Easy Way to Stop Smoking. It makes some great points, but I don't know that I am convinced quitting is easy quite yet. We will see how it goes (fingers crossed).
Here are some smoking quotes I enjoy:
The believing we do something when we do nothing is the first illusion of tobacco. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson (I <3 Emerson)>
Every citizen who stops smoking, or loses a few pounds, or starts managing his chronic disease with real diligence, is caulking a crack for the benefit of us all.
Mitch Daniels (Don't know who this is, but AMEN brother!)
Giving up smoking is the easiest thing in the world. I know because I've done it thousands of times.
Mark Twain (This will be my last attempt tyvm)
I never, ever thought that years later I would be the full-on smoker. Now it is my daughter striking deals with me to quit and I am totally ashamed. How did this even happen?
Oddly, I became my full-on smoker self right about the time I was diagnosed with PCOS. I often wondered why smoking seemed to increase my weight while others talked about how it kept it off. Well, here is yet another reason smoking is bad for me (duh!)
Smoking's Effect on PCOS
What am I doing to myself?!I have got to quit smoking! I would love any comments, tips or stories to help me quit. Anyone?
As for now, I am almost finished reading The Easy Way to Stop Smoking. It makes some great points, but I don't know that I am convinced quitting is easy quite yet. We will see how it goes (fingers crossed).
Here are some smoking quotes I enjoy:
The believing we do something when we do nothing is the first illusion of tobacco. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson (I <3 Emerson)>
Every citizen who stops smoking, or loses a few pounds, or starts managing his chronic disease with real diligence, is caulking a crack for the benefit of us all.
Mitch Daniels (Don't know who this is, but AMEN brother!)
Giving up smoking is the easiest thing in the world. I know because I've done it thousands of times.
Mark Twain (This will be my last attempt tyvm)
Monday, August 1, 2011
Only 14 years to light a fire under me....
About 14 years ago, I was diagnosed with PCOS. I was originally told that it was "just a fertility problem" and since I was young I had nothing to worry about, but that I may have difficulty getting pregnant one day. Well, it turns out to be a bit more than just a fertility problem. It can wreak havoc on your body and even your mind...if you allow it.
Although I have struggled with the effects of PCOS on my body and body image, I have been VERY complacent about taking medications and making necessary lifestyle changes (mostly because they haven't improved a thing in the past), but now something is different.
My amazing daughter who is about to turn 10 is starting to exhibit the signs that I once did at her age. The signs are pointing more and more to the obvious...PCOS. At first, I cried. I would do anything to spare my daughter from some of the struggles I have gone through related to PCOS; the embarrassment of acne and excess hair, the struggle to maintain a healthy weight, the difficulty getting pregnant, the disappointment of miscarriages, the anxiety and on and on... and on. Then, something snapped. Now I'm pissed and ready to fight back. I want to reclaim my life and self esteem from this disorder that has affected my mother, myself and now, it seems, my daughter. I wish I had been able to get motivated for myself, but there is something different about seeing your own baby suffer.
I know that everything can not be blamed on PCOS, but it IS one nasty little beast. I want to be an example to my daughter on how to kick that beast's butt.
Although I have struggled with the effects of PCOS on my body and body image, I have been VERY complacent about taking medications and making necessary lifestyle changes (mostly because they haven't improved a thing in the past), but now something is different.
My amazing daughter who is about to turn 10 is starting to exhibit the signs that I once did at her age. The signs are pointing more and more to the obvious...PCOS. At first, I cried. I would do anything to spare my daughter from some of the struggles I have gone through related to PCOS; the embarrassment of acne and excess hair, the struggle to maintain a healthy weight, the difficulty getting pregnant, the disappointment of miscarriages, the anxiety and on and on... and on. Then, something snapped. Now I'm pissed and ready to fight back. I want to reclaim my life and self esteem from this disorder that has affected my mother, myself and now, it seems, my daughter. I wish I had been able to get motivated for myself, but there is something different about seeing your own baby suffer.
I know that everything can not be blamed on PCOS, but it IS one nasty little beast. I want to be an example to my daughter on how to kick that beast's butt.
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