Airforce Is Quitting Smoking
#100727
06/07/2010 01:03 PM
06/07/2010 01:03 PM
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airforce
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I'm now on my last pack of cigarettes. Sometime around midnight tonight, after half a century of smoking, I'm giving them up.
There are two very good reasons for doing this. Health, however, is not one of them. For nearly as long as I've been smoking, doctors have been telling me that smoking is bad for my health.
Bull puckey. There's more old smokers than there are old doctors. I rest my case.
Here are the two reasons why I'm quitting:
1. I'm really, really tired of paying taxes to support the local, state, and federal governments. By my quitting, the federal budget deficit will grow by more than a thousand dollars. Tough. Our government should learn to live within its means. Or disappear entirely.
2. Bad times lay ahead. My ESP has never been very good, so I don't know if it will be an economic collapse, societal collapse, civil war, invasion from outer space, or something else entirely. But regardless, I don't want to try surviving these bad times while going through nicotine withdrawal. It is far better to ditch them now.
I've got my patches, nicotine gum, regular gum, Tootsie Roll Pops, and the motivation. I'll be posting my progress here. Feel free to chime in.
Onward and upward, airforce
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Re: Airforce Is Quitting Smoking
#100728
06/07/2010 01:13 PM
06/07/2010 01:13 PM
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Flight-ER-Doc
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Good work! Hang in there, take care...It's better for you. And you can smell smoke in the field a mile away.
Emergency Medicine - saving the world from themselves, one at a time. "Thou shalt not be a victim, thou shalt not be a perpetrator, but, above all, thou shalt not be a bystander." I make the ADL soil themselves. And that makes me very happy
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Re: Airforce Is Quitting Smoking
#100730
06/07/2010 02:40 PM
06/07/2010 02:40 PM
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 34 Texas
Victor Szasz
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Good for you Airforce. You could just smoke pot though, tax free.
I jest of course. Though I would suggest all of you stop smoking if you would like to be in better shape. Long life aside, there are clear issues with breathing and cardio involved with inhaling smoke into your lunges.(as most should know)
Where was I? Where were you?
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Re: Airforce Is Quitting Smoking
#100731
06/07/2010 03:45 PM
06/07/2010 03:45 PM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 951 TX - DAL
Pericles
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Good luck and I wish you every success
"I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man." Thomas Jefferson www.dallascitytroop.org
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Re: Airforce Is Quitting Smoking
#100732
06/07/2010 03:46 PM
06/07/2010 03:46 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 291 OR
sinistral
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Way to go Airforce! One good thing to try is those electronic water vapor cigarettes. I got one of those back in november and kicked my pack a day habit in a week.
“If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace” -Thomas Paine
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Re: Airforce Is Quitting Smoking
#100734
06/07/2010 04:27 PM
06/07/2010 04:27 PM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 378 Lewis County, WA
Folcwine01
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Grats on the choice, Airforce. Quitting now before you are "forced" to quit by calmity sake will increase operational efficiency. Its a tough road you have laid before you. But we all believe in you abilitiy, after all "Onward and upward."
I recommend that every patriot who is smoking consider the same reasons that Airforce stated and work to become smoke free. It will be better for us all.
Now, Airforce, they say if you end one bad habit, you will always start another... so whats your new vice going to be?
Regards, Folcwine
Folcwine
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Re: Airforce Is Quitting Smoking
#100735
06/08/2010 12:49 AM
06/08/2010 12:49 AM
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Originally posted by Folcwine01: Now, Airforce, they say if you end one bad habit, you will always start another... so whats your new vice going to be? Funny you should ask. I was just thinking that I'm running out of vices. I quit drinking alcohol 25 years ago, and I gave up my 30-cup-a-day coffee habit a little while ago (after a trip to the hospital emergency room). I don't know what I'm going to replace cigarettes with. I may have to start looking at pictures of nekkid women again. Anyway, I have now been smoke-free eight hours and fifty minutes. In that time, I have had one stick of ordinary gum, two Tootsie Roll Pops (both happened to be cherry flavored), and I'm now chewing my third 4mg Nicorette gum. Speaking of which, I had a little trouble at first trying to figure out how long to chew the gum. The directions say to chew "slowly" about 15 times, until you feel a "tingle" or "peppery" taste. My problem was, I still don't know how "slowly" to chew it, and I wasn't getting any of those tingles or tastes. I think I've figured it out now--I pretty much chew it normally until I get a subtle change in taste. It's still pretty subtle, and I'm not at all sure that's the change their describing in their literature, but it seems to be working. Maybe it just takes practice. I've had about three tough times so far, and both were predictable. I always light up--er, used to light up--while driving, so getting out of the parking lot at work took some willpower. Likewise, while doing the outside perimeter security check. I used to sneak in two or three quick smokes while doing this. And, of course, I always used to eat a cigarette while sitting down at the computer. Well, not this time. So far, there's a little more than a pack of smokes I haven't smoked. I'll keep you posted on my progress. Onward and upward, airforce
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Re: Airforce Is Quitting Smoking
#100736
06/08/2010 03:05 AM
06/08/2010 03:05 AM
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Posts: 128 Wisconsin
catfish
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I'm proud of you Airforce. Hey, if you can kick "demon rum" in the nuts, you can certainly do the same to ciggy butts. I used to smoke 3-5 packs of Pall Mall's a day and if I can quit, I know you can. One day at a time, is what it takes and you are already doing that.
"I come in peace. I didn't bring artillery. But I'm pleading with you, with tears in my eyes: If you fuck with me, I'll kill you all." Marine General James "Mad Dog" Mattis
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Re: Airforce Is Quitting Smoking
#100737
06/08/2010 07:55 AM
06/08/2010 07:55 AM
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 251 upper sky valley
skyvalleysquirrel50
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Good luck! I've been smoke free for like 6 months now myself. You will be supprised how much better food tastes. Unfortunatily for me I've re aquirred my sweet tooth.
Those who say "violence never solves anything" have never experienced violence.
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Re: Airforce Is Quitting Smoking
#100738
06/08/2010 01:59 PM
06/08/2010 01:59 PM
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 607 Montana
Bona_na_Croin
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Has the nic gum bothered you at all? I tried it and it gave me terrible heartburn each time. The patch made me have crazy dreams.
I am waiting for my latest to arrive in the mail. Wild Bills shredded beef jerky. I used it like a sort of copenhagen when I had to work inside a building that didn't allow smoking. Time to get myself off the coffin nails for good as well.
Bona na Croin- Neither Collar nor Crown
"Free where I live or die where I stand"
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Re: Airforce Is Quitting Smoking
#100739
06/08/2010 02:54 PM
06/08/2010 02:54 PM
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Originally posted by Bona_na_Croin: Has the nic gum bothered you at all? I tried it and it gave me terrible heartburn each time. The patch made me have crazy dreams. It hasn't bothered me, but I'm still not sure I'm using it right. And I've only used six pieces of it so far, which is less than they recommend. I haven't tried the patch yet. If I continue to use as little of the gum as I am now, I may try the 21mg patch Friday or Saturday. Onward and upward, airforce
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Re: Airforce Is Quitting Smoking
#100741
06/09/2010 02:07 AM
06/09/2010 02:07 AM
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,150 SE Virginia
swabjocky
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Unfortunaly this will fade after 72-96 hours. Then you crash.
Illigitime non carborundum
"Three is good, four would be better, but three is good" Mel Gibson in the Patriot.
"Now if I can find two more, I'd be good". Swabjocky
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Re: Airforce Is Quitting Smoking
#100742
06/09/2010 05:19 AM
06/09/2010 05:19 AM
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Originally posted by swabjocky: Unfortunately this will fade after 72-96 hours. Then you crash. A number of folks have told me about the "crash," but the time frame varies. I'd rather be surprised, anyway. A little over 37 hours now. About one Nicorette gum every three hours seems to be about right. I think I'm chewing them right. I can actually drive without feeling an overwhelming urge to smoke now. I think I'm making progress. Onward and upward, airforce
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Re: Airforce Is Quitting Smoking
#100743
06/09/2010 05:25 AM
06/09/2010 05:25 AM
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Joined: Dec 2004
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Flight-ER-Doc
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Emergency Medicine - saving the world from themselves, one at a time. "Thou shalt not be a victim, thou shalt not be a perpetrator, but, above all, thou shalt not be a bystander." I make the ADL soil themselves. And that makes me very happy
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Re: Airforce Is Quitting Smoking
#100744
06/09/2010 05:29 AM
06/09/2010 05:29 AM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,317 Central Virginia; VIM
SBL
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I quit back when I was in the Marine Corps. I quit drinking sodas at the same time.
I never have any desire or cravings to smoke, but I have a fear of reverting back to smoking. So much so that occassionally I have a nightmare where I nonchallantly smoke. When I wake up I immediately regret "smoking last night." But then I smell my fingers and realize it was just a dream. Its still disturbing though.
On equipment: You get what you inspect, not what you expect. On training: Our drills are bloodless battles so that our battles are bloody drills. On tactics: Cheating just means you're serious about winning.
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Re: Airforce Is Quitting Smoking
#100745
06/09/2010 07:37 AM
06/09/2010 07:37 AM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 128 Wisconsin
catfish
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Good job, keep it up! Ya got it wupped!
"I come in peace. I didn't bring artillery. But I'm pleading with you, with tears in my eyes: If you fuck with me, I'll kill you all." Marine General James "Mad Dog" Mattis
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Re: Airforce Is Quitting Smoking
#100746
06/09/2010 12:17 PM
06/09/2010 12:17 PM
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airforce
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Originally posted by catfish: Good job, keep it up! Ya got it wupped! Man, I wish. But I am now 45 hours without a cig. I've discovered that Sudoku puzzles are a great way to kill my free time where I would have burned one or two. That might turn out to be the new vice Folcwinew01 was asking about. Onward and upward, airforce
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Re: Airforce Is Quitting Smoking
#100747
06/09/2010 12:31 PM
06/09/2010 12:31 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
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catfish
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Originally posted by airforce: [/qb] Man, I wish. But I am now 45 hours without a cig. I've discovered that Sudoku puzzles are a great way to kill my free time where I would have burned one or two. That might turn out to be the new vice Folcwinew01 was asking about. Onward and upward, airforce [/QB][/QUOTE] Airforce, if you can quit drinking, coffin nails are a walk in the park. As you've discovered, the key is finding another bad habit to replace the one you're quitting!
"I come in peace. I didn't bring artillery. But I'm pleading with you, with tears in my eyes: If you fuck with me, I'll kill you all." Marine General James "Mad Dog" Mattis
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Re: Airforce Is Quitting Smoking
#100748
06/09/2010 12:40 PM
06/09/2010 12:40 PM
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If you have ever had an ouzo hangover, you would know how easy it is to quit drinking. Onward and upward, airforce
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Re: Airforce Is Quitting Smoking
#100749
06/09/2010 04:23 PM
06/09/2010 04:23 PM
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More than 48 smoke-free hours now.
When I say I'm not a real pleasant person to be around right now, I'm not kidding. The Tulsa County Jail is home to some of the sorriest excuses for human beings you will ever see. Rapists, Murderers, Crips, Bloods, Aryan brotherhood, and a host of other gangs, and some of the most perverted individuals you will ever hope to not meet. But they all cringe when they see me coming now.
Onward and upward, airforce
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Re: Airforce Is Quitting Smoking
#100750
06/09/2010 04:52 PM
06/09/2010 04:52 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 128 Wisconsin
catfish
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I always found Retsina worse than Ouzo! Of course 151 Rum was my favourite poison. And then there was that Tequila with the peyote in it! :p Took me 19 yrs of sobriety to realise I have an addictive personality. LMAO Your doing good keep it up.
"I come in peace. I didn't bring artillery. But I'm pleading with you, with tears in my eyes: If you fuck with me, I'll kill you all." Marine General James "Mad Dog" Mattis
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Re: Airforce Is Quitting Smoking
#100751
06/10/2010 01:36 AM
06/10/2010 01:36 AM
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Flight-ER-Doc
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Originally posted by airforce: [QB] More than 48 smoke-free hours now. YOU DA MAN!
Emergency Medicine - saving the world from themselves, one at a time. "Thou shalt not be a victim, thou shalt not be a perpetrator, but, above all, thou shalt not be a bystander." I make the ADL soil themselves. And that makes me very happy
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Re: Airforce Is Quitting Smoking
#100752
06/10/2010 03:50 AM
06/10/2010 03:50 AM
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 251 upper sky valley
skyvalleysquirrel50
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Originally posted by airforce: If you have ever had an ouzo hangover, you would know how easy it is to quit drinking.
Onward and upward, airforce Yes. Devil booze! Stay strong big guy.
Those who say "violence never solves anything" have never experienced violence.
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Re: Airforce Is Quitting Smoking
#100753
06/10/2010 04:24 AM
06/10/2010 04:24 AM
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Joined: Aug 2004
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C. M. Wolf
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I certainly wish you the best Airforce. I'm also in the process of quiting smoking. Down to mostly smoking a pipe when I have to,(and it smells better too).
There's a couple of things you might try just in the case you think you have to have a cigarette sometime...
Roll a piece of regular news paper the same size and shape as a cig,(be sure to roll it semi-tightly so that you don't just start a fire in your face), "if" you are going to light anything, imagine that's a smoke, don't have to look at it too much, just convince yourself that's a smoke. Put that in your mouth, light it just like you normally would. It's going to taste like shear crap, and you may even slightly burn your lips if you drag too fast on it while lighting it up. But that's only going to reinforce the urges to quit all the more. The human mind tends to remember the pain and discomfort long after any pleasures that something like smoking brings. (No, this is not a joke and I know of many people that have used this to aid in quitting smoking).
Another thing that you might try, is real Licorice Root. Just get a couple of pieces of this about the same size and shape as a ciggarette. "if" you have to have a smoke, just suck on a piece of this root like a smoke instead. If you are around anyone that might be smoking and you have been tasting licorice root, ciggarette smoke tastes and smells twice as bad as ever. This also helps to reinforce the mental attitude to quit smoking all the more. Black Licorice Candy also works, but the effects aren't quite as strong because the candy isn't as pure as the real licorice root. (The sugar in the candy doesn't help other than to make the licorice taste a little better and reduce the licorice effects). {There is a caution to using Licorice Root to aid in quiting smoking for anyone that might be troubled with high blood pressure. Licorice Root can further elevate this problem in varying degrees as the more pure licorice that is used and the more often it's consumed. The effects of licorice root in causeing higher blood pressures aren't lasting and will eventually subside once the root is no longer used.}
There is also a breathing exersize that helps in changing the 'habit' of smoking... whenever you might feel the desire to light up, instead, take 5 to 10 slow and very deep breaths in succession. This will tend to make you feel slightly lightheaded with the oxygen rush. But that is the desired goal. If you remember when you first started to smoke, taking a few drags on a ciggarette made you feel lightheaded too. Some people maybe even felt a little sick to their stomaches. The habitual craving for a smoke is actually the body telling you that it needs more oxygen and/or that your body is beginning to build up a bit too much CO2,(which is over time been physically and mentally replaced by inhaling smoke intead). Inhaling oxygen is good, smoke is not so good. Doing this exersize helps with the physical and the mental addiction that smoking has brought on.
I've heard that puting a very small drop of pure cinnimon extract on your tongue instead of lighting a ciggarette helps too. Ok, I do know that pure cinnimon extract will tend to burn like a very hot pepper will, but you most likely won't be thinking much about smoking anything after using it. At least it tastes and smells better than ciggarette smoke... once that burning dies down some. Pure Mint Extract works also, but slightly differenty. Pure Mint tends to numb your tongue/mouth instead of burning and it can be just as overpowering a taste. But it's better than tasting smoke and it freshens your breath like few other things can.
I hope this helps and I'll be praying that you succeed in quiting. God's Speed to you.
Michael
"Argue for your limitations, and in the end, when all is said and done, they're your's!"
"Sheeple & Shepherds, pick one! You can't be both no matter how you dress."
The higher ya go... the higher ya can get! Mountain Men Rock!
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Re: Airforce Is Quitting Smoking
#100755
06/10/2010 12:24 PM
06/10/2010 12:24 PM
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I've been using Tootsie Roll Pops, but sparingly. I don't particularly care for them, but they last a while and they have that satisfying stick hanging out of my mouth. It seems to kill the urge. A little over 68 hours now. So fr, it's harder than giving up booze, but easier than giving up my 30-cup-a-day coffee habit. (When you always have a cup of coffee in your hand and then suddenly you don't, the world is a pretty miserable place.) One thing I've noticed is my mathematical and logical acuity have diminished. The only way I have to gauge this are the Sudoku puzzles I'm doing, and I'm doing a few more of them a day than I used to. Before, I would just do the daily puzzle in the newspaper, and found them relatively easy. But they seem to have gotten harder. I bought a couple of those Sudoku puzzle books at the supermarket, and I've been working on the easy ones, but on about a third of them I screw up somewhere. Since I don't feel like starting over to find out where I made the mistake, I just start on the next one. Maybe the puzzles in the book are harder than the ones in the newspaper, but I don't think so. I just think my mind has been diminished somewhat. (That would probably surprise few of my readers here.) Anyway, I'm sure hoping this is just a passing phase. I would hate to discover that smoking increases one's IQ. Onward and upward, airforce
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Re: Airforce Is Quitting Smoking
#100756
06/10/2010 05:25 PM
06/10/2010 05:25 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 128 Wisconsin
catfish
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Your doin good bro, keep on truckin! One day at a time,one day a time.
"I come in peace. I didn't bring artillery. But I'm pleading with you, with tears in my eyes: If you fuck with me, I'll kill you all." Marine General James "Mad Dog" Mattis
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Re: Airforce Is Quitting Smoking
#100757
06/10/2010 05:37 PM
06/10/2010 05:37 PM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 731 Maryland
OLM-Medic
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Watching people try to quit was a huge reason I never started smoking.
Keep on doing good!
"Remember that your adversary's desire to live is usually more powerful than whatever ammunition your are carrying in your firearms. Plan accordingly." -tire iron
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Re: Airforce Is Quitting Smoking
#100759
06/11/2010 04:50 AM
06/11/2010 04:50 AM
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C. M. Wolf
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Great Job Airforce! The first 72hrs is truely the hardest, keep going Brother.
Just remember that the Trials and Troubles don't end as long as you live, they merely change. But this is what makes you stronger and wiser. (The real tough part about this is that there just isn't any easy, or other good way, to become stronger or wiser.) This will pass, ya just have to go through it.
Not to worry about the mental confusion that you might notice from time to time. This is just the brain re-adapting through the addiction of smoking. The body is going through a form of withdrawls and the brain is sort of 're-routing' many conflicting signals it's getting. This is another reason that many people seem 'cranky' when they quit smoking. This will pass too. You will notice in time, as your brain gets used to getting more oxygen, that you can actually think and reason more clear. Just don't stress about anything that you don't seem to think clearly on. That will help alone.
Just make sure that you drink plenty of juices, water, soups, and the like. This will help you flush and replentish your body,(cranberry juice is especially good for this). One of the side effects of smoking is that it thickens a person's blood. By drinking plenty of fluids, speeds the withdrawls process along. Also by retraining your body to breath normally without smoking becomes important at this time. Following the above breathing exersize does help. Be sure to get plenty of rest too. Eating some banannas at this time may also help a bit. There's a chemical in banannas that is very similar to the fluid that in found in your brain,(one of the reasons it's called "Brain Food"). This will help refresh the electrolites in your brain, so to speak.
If there's anything I can do to help, just say the word.
Michael
"An American Militiaman's First Job is to be an Asset and Not a Liability in any way!"
"Argue for your limitations, and in the end, when all is said and done, they're your's!"
"Sheeple & Shepherds, pick one! You can't be both no matter how you dress."
The higher ya go... the higher ya can get! Mountain Men Rock!
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Re: Airforce Is Quitting Smoking
#100760
06/11/2010 07:30 AM
06/11/2010 07:30 AM
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airforce
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Originally posted by C. M. Wolf: If there's anything I can do to help, just say the word. You all have been a great help already, as I knew you would be. In fact, that was the reason I decided to post this topic--I figured my experience and gained knowledge would benefit the next fellow who quit. Onward and upward, airforce
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Re: Airforce Is Quitting Smoking
#100762
06/11/2010 04:28 PM
06/11/2010 04:28 PM
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catfish
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You're doing great Airforce. I'm really proud of you. Keep on going!
"I come in peace. I didn't bring artillery. But I'm pleading with you, with tears in my eyes: If you fuck with me, I'll kill you all." Marine General James "Mad Dog" Mattis
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Re: Airforce Is Quitting Smoking
#100763
06/12/2010 02:20 AM
06/12/2010 02:20 AM
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airforce
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4 1/2 days now.
Last night was definitely the worst. It started with a radio call, "Code Blue (fight) in lobby." Then the lobby officer/receptionist hit her "man down" button on her radio. Every available officer responded, and since I was already in booking, I got there first.
A kid who had been arrested for drunk and disorderly had just been bonded out by his father. Apparently wanting to set a record for shortest length of freedom ever, he showed his gratitude to his father by assaulting him, and when the officer intervened, he punched her in the face, breaking her nose.
Since I'm too old and too ugly to fight fair, I pepper sprayed the punk, took him to the floor, and used pressure point pain compliance techniques to finally cuff him. A half dozen other officers were right behind me, and we soon had the situation under control. An ambulance was called and the father and the officer were both transported to the hospital. But after it was over, I WANTED A CIGARETTE BAD.
I didn't, but it was a bad moment. I had another awful craving when I sat down to work on the reports, and again after I finally had the reports completed. (The reports took me longer than usual to complete. Usually I can whip them out pretty quickly, but anything requiring thought takes me longer now. I really hope this will pass soon.)
All in all, it was a pretty miserable night. But I figure if I can get through last night without smoking, it's a pretty good bet I can beat this.
Onward and upward, airforce
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Re: Airforce Is Quitting Smoking
#100764
06/12/2010 03:15 AM
06/12/2010 03:15 AM
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,011 MT
C. M. Wolf
Senior Member
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Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,011
MT
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Keep up the good work Brother! After physical and mental exertion is going to be somewhat of a hurdle for a while. This is when the body draws on whatever it needs to do the task. It's also a time the old signals of the smoking addiction tend to kick in too. But you are doing great.
Eating some dill pickles will help with the indigestion. The vinegar is an acid that helps with proper digestion and the pickles have little to no calories in them. This fits well with the hydrocloric acid that your stomache normally produces to digest food.
As far as not sleeping well, it's important that you try to overcome this. Your body needs the rest and the calm. Sometimes working out or going for some good walks helps to tire and relax you enough to rest, especially after larger meals. Try to eat good, protien-rich foods that will help you relax. Turkey is very good for this due to the "tryptophan" content. Tryptophan can be obtained over the counter at many health food stores and taken as a suppliment, but I think it's better to get this naturally from foods. Still, it's a very good option as a natural tranquilizer and sleeping aid. Breathing exersizes can help here too. When you are trying to rest, breath in slowly and not very deeply, through your nose. When you exhale, breath out through your nose, slowly and let your body relax. Breathing out slowly and completely as is comfortable and relaxing. That will help slow your heart rate and expell the CO2 better. Just sort of melt into a warm comfort. This aids the body to release any stress and the mental exersize tells your brain it's time to rest.
Also, eating a yogert 15 to 30 mins before sitting down to a meal will help too. This will help replace the good amino acids in your digestive tract. Yogert is an excellent, natural pro-biotic that carries very good enzymes and cultures your body really needs.
Keep in mind that the tars and nicotine from tabacco products are mostly assimulated through the stomache and the lungs second. This aspect of your body needing the 'oral gratification' is a common cause of people gaining weight while trying to quit smoking. This aspect of 'oral gratification' is, in part, also why you are having some indigestion. Actually it's the lack of it that is mostly the cause. As a person smokes, it creates the sensation of eating which signals your stomache to produce more digestive fluids. When a person stops this mouth/smoking exersize, the stomache naturally produces less acids to digest foods. The biggest reason that smoking is so addictive. One of the larger reasons that many people crave a smoke right after dinner. It's better to put a slice of dill pickel in your mouth instead of a smoke. It has the same effect, maybe better.
Try to go easy on the cane sugar products, replacing these with natural Bee's Honey will be far better for you. (Bee's Honey still contains 14% to 17% sugar content, but it's a far better trade than pure refined cane sugar.) Snacking on fruits and vegatables at this time are a better replacement for eating other things that might not be as good for you. This is also why drinking juices and soups are a good alternative to a somewhat heavier meal. These also help to keep you properly hydrated.
Hunger is 60% Thirst, Drink plenty before and with meals and you will tend not to gain unwanted weight.
There's a lot of chemical "Re-Balancing" that you are going through here, and it tends to require many habit changes too. Just try to stay as calm as possible and focus without stressing or working too hard at it. It will all come together in time and you'll feel much better for it. If you think about it, everything I've expressed so far, is way more to think about and do than it takes to smoke. Keeping your mind and body busy being heathy instead of smoking certainly fills in the time. It's a far better goal too!
I hope this helps. Keep going Brother! God's Speed.
Michael
"Argue for your limitations, and in the end, when all is said and done, they're your's!"
"Sheeple & Shepherds, pick one! You can't be both no matter how you dress."
The higher ya go... the higher ya can get! Mountain Men Rock!
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Re: Airforce Is Quitting Smoking
#100765
06/13/2010 01:26 AM
06/13/2010 01:26 AM
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 24,349 Tulsa
airforce
OP
Administrator
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OP
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Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 24,349
Tulsa
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5 1/2 days. I think I'm over the worst of it. I decided to put away the Nicorette gun and try the 21mg patch. I've had it on for about 12 hours now, without any problem. It's nice not having to screw around with the gum. I'm debating various ways to wean myself off nicotine completely. The makers of the gums and patches all have a 12-week program, but I just don't want to have to mess with it for that long. I think what I'll do is wear the patch normally for about a week, then gradually increase the time I wear a single patch. Alternatively, I could go back to the gum and chew less of it, but I'm not sure that sudden rush of nicotine is really a good idea. Less than a week, and I'm already planning the endgame. This is definitely easier than I thought it would be. Onward and upward, airforce
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Re: Airforce Is Quitting Smoking
#100766
06/13/2010 08:39 AM
06/13/2010 08:39 AM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 128 Wisconsin
catfish
Member
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Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 128
Wisconsin
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Way to GO! Airforce! Proud of you man. Keep it up! One day at a time, one day at a time.
"I come in peace. I didn't bring artillery. But I'm pleading with you, with tears in my eyes: If you fuck with me, I'll kill you all." Marine General James "Mad Dog" Mattis
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Re: Airforce Is Quitting Smoking
#100768
06/14/2010 05:52 AM
06/14/2010 05:52 AM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,317 Central Virginia; VIM
SBL
Senior Member
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Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,317
Central Virginia; VIM
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Great job, friend! And by posting your cessation effort on here, that puts more pressure on yourself to be successful. Not a bad strategy.
On equipment: You get what you inspect, not what you expect. On training: Our drills are bloodless battles so that our battles are bloody drills. On tactics: Cheating just means you're serious about winning.
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Re: Airforce Is Quitting Smoking
#100769
06/14/2010 09:31 AM
06/14/2010 09:31 AM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 675 Somewhere in these blue ridged...
The Answer
Senior Member
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Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 675
Somewhere in these blue ridged...
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I smoked for the better half of a year, and now I'm on my fourth week without a cigarette.
I feel better without it.
Semper Vigilantes, Numquam Exspectantes
Always Watching, Never Waiting
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Re: Airforce Is Quitting Smoking
#100770
06/14/2010 12:07 PM
06/14/2010 12:07 PM
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 24,349 Tulsa
airforce
OP
Administrator
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OP
Administrator
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 24,349
Tulsa
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Originally posted by SBL: Great job, friend! And by posting your cessation effort on here, that puts more pressure on yourself to be successful. Not a bad strategy. Guilty as charged! Although that's not the only reason I'm posting it--I thought by logging my experience here, it might help others when they decide to quit. Onward and upward, airforce
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Re: Airforce Is Quitting Smoking
#100771
06/14/2010 01:37 PM
06/14/2010 01:37 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 68 Indiana
The Mechanic
Junior Member
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Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 68
Indiana
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Great job another one hitting uncle obama in the pocket book. I've been quit for 2 years now after 2.5 packs a day for the last 20+ years THANKS Chantics. With out this pill my wife and I could not have done it they are like magic just make sure you eat a meal with them and not just toast,and then don't try to quit untill you notice your self cutting in half the amount you smoke with me it was almost 2 months but then just quit no problem.
'The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help.' - Ronald Reagan
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Re: Airforce Is Quitting Smoking
#100773
06/15/2010 03:00 PM
06/15/2010 03:00 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 128 Wisconsin
catfish
Member
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Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 128
Wisconsin
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"I think I have the end in sight" Nope! You most definitely have the end in sight my friend! Proud of you for kicking this monkey in the nuts.
"I come in peace. I didn't bring artillery. But I'm pleading with you, with tears in my eyes: If you fuck with me, I'll kill you all." Marine General James "Mad Dog" Mattis
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Re: Airforce Is Quitting Smoking
#100774
06/16/2010 02:41 PM
06/16/2010 02:41 PM
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 24,349 Tulsa
airforce
OP
Administrator
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OP
Administrator
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 24,349
Tulsa
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Originally posted by Bona_na_Croin: Has the nic gum bothered you at all? I tried it and it gave me terrible heartburn each time. The patch made me have crazy dreams. Nothing in the way of heartburn, but I'm starting to see what you meant by "crazy dreams" from the patch. Nine days gone now. I wish I could say the urge to smoke is gone, but I'd be lying. Onward and upward, airforce
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Re: Airforce Is Quitting Smoking
#100777
06/17/2010 03:45 PM
06/17/2010 03:45 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 128 Wisconsin
catfish
Member
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Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 128
Wisconsin
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Keep it up Airforce! You got this bronc busted. Proud of you Sir!
"I come in peace. I didn't bring artillery. But I'm pleading with you, with tears in my eyes: If you fuck with me, I'll kill you all." Marine General James "Mad Dog" Mattis
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Re: Airforce Is Quitting Smoking
#100779
06/19/2010 06:45 PM
06/19/2010 06:45 PM
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 639 Eastern NC
HARBINGER
Senior Member
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Senior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 639
Eastern NC
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Good job you are doing great keep at it
Blessed be the Lord my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight. - Psalm, CXLIV
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Re: Airforce Is Quitting Smoking
#100780
06/20/2010 06:51 AM
06/20/2010 06:51 AM
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,147 Slipping the surly bonds of ea...
Flight-ER-Doc
Moderator
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Moderator
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,147
Slipping the surly bonds of ea...
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Hey, great news! You've beaten it now.
Emergency Medicine - saving the world from themselves, one at a time. "Thou shalt not be a victim, thou shalt not be a perpetrator, but, above all, thou shalt not be a bystander." I make the ADL soil themselves. And that makes me very happy
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Re: Airforce Is Quitting Smoking
#100783
06/21/2010 03:45 AM
06/21/2010 03:45 AM
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,147 Slipping the surly bonds of ea...
Flight-ER-Doc
Moderator
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Moderator
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,147
Slipping the surly bonds of ea...
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Originally posted by airforce: Yep. I'm coming up on two weeks without a smoke.
Onward and upward, airforce Great effort! Are you finding that food tastes better? How about things smell better?
Emergency Medicine - saving the world from themselves, one at a time. "Thou shalt not be a victim, thou shalt not be a perpetrator, but, above all, thou shalt not be a bystander." I make the ADL soil themselves. And that makes me very happy
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Re: Airforce Is Quitting Smoking
#100784
06/21/2010 07:23 AM
06/21/2010 07:23 AM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 41 Minnesota Wisconsin Iowa
Mom4rmHell
NCO Contributor
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NCO Contributor
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 41
Minnesota Wisconsin Iowa
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Congrats! You've got it beat!
"I tried to find a female drill instructor's hat for the mom from hell, but couldn't. Anyway, thanks. Basic was a breeze." Son's graduation, Ft. Benning, 1998.
"A good weapon is the best form of health care." T. Donnelly
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Re: Airforce Is Quitting Smoking
#100785
06/21/2010 12:19 PM
06/21/2010 12:19 PM
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 24,349 Tulsa
airforce
OP
Administrator
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OP
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Tulsa
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Originally posted by Flight-ER-Doc: Are you finding that food tastes better? How about things smell better? I guess it's funny, but I'm really noticing bad smells more. We have an inmate in our jail who, by all accounts, hasn't taken a shower in three months. Now I can believe it. Onward and upward, airforce
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Re: Airforce Is Quitting Smoking
#100786
06/21/2010 02:32 PM
06/21/2010 02:32 PM
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,147 Slipping the surly bonds of ea...
Flight-ER-Doc
Moderator
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Moderator
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,147
Slipping the surly bonds of ea...
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Originally posted by airforce: Originally posted by Flight-ER-Doc: [b]Are you finding that food tastes better? How about things smell better? I guess it's funny, but I'm really noticing bad smells more. We have an inmate in our jail who, by all accounts, hasn't taken a shower in three months. Now I can believe it.
Onward and upward, airforce [/b]Well, not everything is a benefit. But WTF, dont you have any fire hoses in there?
Emergency Medicine - saving the world from themselves, one at a time. "Thou shalt not be a victim, thou shalt not be a perpetrator, but, above all, thou shalt not be a bystander." I make the ADL soil themselves. And that makes me very happy
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Re: Airforce Is Quitting Smoking
#100787
06/21/2010 02:52 PM
06/21/2010 02:52 PM
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 24,349 Tulsa
airforce
OP
Administrator
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OP
Administrator
Senior Member
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Posts: 24,349
Tulsa
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Originally posted by Flight-ER-Doc: Well, not everything is a benefit. But WTF, don't you have any fire hoses in there? Yeah, but we aren't allowed to use them like in the old movies. We're a kinder, gentler jail. Onward and upward, airforce
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Re: Airforce Is Quitting Smoking
#100788
06/21/2010 05:48 PM
06/21/2010 05:48 PM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 731 Maryland
OLM-Medic
Member
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Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 731
Maryland
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Congrats on your accomplishment. Keep on truckin'
"Remember that your adversary's desire to live is usually more powerful than whatever ammunition your are carrying in your firearms. Plan accordingly." -tire iron
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Re: Airforce Is Quitting Smoking
#100789
06/22/2010 05:09 AM
06/22/2010 05:09 AM
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,011 MT
C. M. Wolf
Senior Member
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Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,011
MT
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Let's see if I can help maybe a bit with those nasty smells... You might try carrying a set of those "swimmer's nose-plugs" with you, and I would recommend assigning that certain inmate some good ol' time out in the 'exersize yard' during some of the stronger rain storms that might happen in the area! Oh... and absolutely NO umbrellas or raincoats, just in case there may be some lightening, ya'd hate to risk the inmate's safety. But just in the case it may not look like rain any time too soon... certainly look into that firehose thing! "Kinder, gentler jail" huh?... ok, that's still workable... this certain inmate just might enjoy the wonderful aroma as he helpfully scrubs out everyone else's toilets along the whole block! One good smell certainly deserves another! IHTH Great Job Airforce! Michael
"Argue for your limitations, and in the end, when all is said and done, they're your's!"
"Sheeple & Shepherds, pick one! You can't be both no matter how you dress."
The higher ya go... the higher ya can get! Mountain Men Rock!
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Re: Airforce Is Quitting Smoking
#100790
06/22/2010 07:51 AM
06/22/2010 07:51 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,169 43BN-37FF
Rudy
Moderator
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Moderator
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,169
43BN-37FF
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You might try a little VIC's vapor rub under your nose.
Rudy out "Once the pin is pulled, Mr. Handgrenade is no longer our friend."
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Re: Airforce Is Quitting Smoking
#100791
06/22/2010 12:48 PM
06/22/2010 12:48 PM
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 24,349 Tulsa
airforce
OP
Administrator
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OP
Administrator
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 24,349
Tulsa
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Actually, that was one of the easier problems to solve. I told him either he was going to take a shower right now, or he was going to spend the next 30 days in segregation (what some of the older inmates call "the hole," though it bears little resemblance to what that old punishment was).
He took a shower.
Coming up on 16 days now. I've had the 21mg patch on for 36 hours now and I'm going to try to stretch it to 48. (It's a 24-hour patch.) I figure this is as good a way as any to gradually wean myself off nicotine.
Somewhat off topic, but you really don't want to mask smells in a jail--or anywhere else, for that matter. Smells are one of our senses that warn us if anything is wrong. And in a jail, things can go wrong in a hurry.
Onward and upward, airforce
Onward and upward, airforce
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Re: Airforce Is Quitting Smoking
#100792
06/22/2010 04:17 PM
06/22/2010 04:17 PM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 675 Somewhere in these blue ridged...
The Answer
Senior Member
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Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 675
Somewhere in these blue ridged...
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Originally posted by airforce: Originally posted by Flight-ER-Doc: [b]Well, not everything is a benefit. But WTF, don't you have any fire hoses in there? Yeah, but we aren't allowed to use them like in the old movies. We're a kinder, gentler jail.
Onward and upward, airforce [/b]Old movies? They were used in The Last Castle, nevermind that it was about a military brig.
Semper Vigilantes, Numquam Exspectantes
Always Watching, Never Waiting
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Re: Airforce Is Quitting Smoking
#100794
06/28/2010 02:47 PM
06/28/2010 02:47 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 128 Wisconsin
catfish
Member
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Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 128
Wisconsin
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Way to go Airforce! I'm proud of you kicking that smoking monkey squarely in the nuts. Keep on keepin on!
"I come in peace. I didn't bring artillery. But I'm pleading with you, with tears in my eyes: If you fuck with me, I'll kill you all." Marine General James "Mad Dog" Mattis
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Re: Airforce Is Quitting Smoking
#100795
06/28/2010 04:56 PM
06/28/2010 04:56 PM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 77 California
Alhazred43
Junior Member
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Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 77
California
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Amazing what a bit of will power can do. Kep it up man
An armed society is a polite society.
Be polite, DONT TREAD ON ME!
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Re: Airforce Is Quitting Smoking
#100796
06/29/2010 03:05 PM
06/29/2010 03:05 PM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 55 Daytona Beach, FL
Patriot71
NCO Ctributor
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NCO Ctributor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 55
Daytona Beach, FL
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Congrats on kicking those cancer sticks!! And I also think it was a great idea to put your experience up for all to read and hopefully give other smokers the courage and desire to kick the habit as well.
When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty. -Thomas Jefferson
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Re: Airforce Is Quitting Smoking
#100797
09/21/2010 02:24 PM
09/21/2010 02:24 PM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 378 Lewis County, WA
Folcwine01
Member
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Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 378
Lewis County, WA
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Hey AF, its been almost 3 months since the last up date. How are you doing?
Folcwine
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Re: Airforce Is Quitting Smoking
#100798
09/21/2010 02:38 PM
09/21/2010 02:38 PM
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 24,349 Tulsa
airforce
OP
Administrator
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OP
Administrator
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 24,349
Tulsa
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Still tobacco-free, except for an occasional cigar (less than one a day). I still miss my 2 1/2 packs a day, but the extra $300 a month in my pocket definitely makes up for it. Onward and upward, airforce
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