5 Weeks + and a wedding in 3 days!

It's amazing that I haven't had a bad urge to smoke for a few days. Especially since it's my monthly on top of all of this!

I've ridden my bike for 25 minutes every day getting close to 7 miles each time. I've added crunches and a few other stretching and toning routines at the end of my ride. It's still been terribly hot, so haven't tried running again Yet. Think I'll see what it's like Sunday and Monday. Hope I'm not too hung-over!

The house is almost in order. I'm wondering what we've forgotten in all of this. I've been out twice shopping with the bride to be. She's doing very well. We both had a very blonde day on Monday. Took a break from each other on Tuesday, but went back out today. She needed gifts for the bridal party and I needed shoes!

I've missed my walks with my quit buddy. She's been very busy and in meetings this week, so we haven't done much communication.

We all hope Saturday goes well. I know something will go awry, just hope it's fairly insignificant. Or at least funny and memorable.

So, now I'm looking for and finding inspiration

Louisville held it's first Iron Man Triathlon competition today. Amazing! I drove downtown and watched the T1. That's the transition from swim to bike. It was interesting to watch the diversity of the competitors. They range in age from 18 - 75+, women and men, very buff to don't look like they could run 5 miles. I was surprised by some of the large bellies.

I'd love to do something that intense. Not that I could get to an Ironman, but maybe a 5 or 10K run. I have to get through a one mile run first!

Get my lungs and heart in good enough shape to join a group and ride my bike on the open road 25 to 50 miles at a time.

There are so many stories of people overcoming obstacles. There's a single mother that's beat cancer twice racing today. There are woman entered in the 70 - 74 age group and men in the 75 - 79 age group.

No one should ever be at a loss for finding inspiration. It's everywhere!

I only have power over myself

I can try to inspire in some small way, give advice when asked, provide a shoulder and hugs when someone needs me. Otherwise, the only control I have is with me, Sherri.

So, I'm not the brightest bulb in the box. I smoked cigarettes for 35 years. I knew better. I still did it. Can't change the past, only the present and hopefully the future.

I ran track in HS, hurdles, 220, long jump and 4 x 220 relay. I loved it. But the last competition I was in was as a Junior at State Regionals. Looking back I now realize I had a fairly decent asthma attack. I didn't run my last race, I just couldn't. My parents were very disappointed in me for not finishing and to be fair probably had no idea that I was suffering from asthma.

I smoked for years after that. At some point, in my 30s, I began self-medicating with an over the counter. Now I realize I could've done some terrible damage to my heart with that. I was around 41 or so when I had my last BAD attack. I didn't have any meds at the time. Spent 12 hours or so using mind over matter. Finally got to the Dr who called EMS and went to hospital for an overnight stay.

Started seeing the pulmonary specialist every 6 months. Continued to smoke and take my new meds. Now it's 5 or more years since that bad episode. I'm now tobacco free close to 5 weeks. I'm wishing I had been smarter sooner.

You can't change history. I have to be satisfied with the fact that I may have a chance to alter my future.

Maybe my bulb is starting to get a little brighter. ;)

One week until the wedding

It's been so hot for so long, I've been wondering if we'll ever see a nice summer day again, before slamming right into Autumn. We've had 90F + days for the entire month save 1 so far. Many of these days have reached 100F or more. I live in the Ohio Valley. It holds moisture and the air is always heavy. Probably not the best place to live if you have asthma or other breathing problems.

I hate to get my hopes up too soon, as forecasts tend to change daily. For now, the forecast for 1 Sept (wedding day) is 82F and very low chance of precip. We may need sweaters, not! I hope this holds true. The ceremony and reception will be outdoors in my back yard.

I've been concerned about the dress I'm wearing showing each drop of sweat, so maybe I won't sweat now. At least not like I have every day so far this month.

Anyone reading this, please send good Karma this way!

To Taper or not to taper off Chantix

I will not encourage anyone to do anything outside of their Doctor's recommendation. My quit buddy went to the doctor this week for a check-up. He told her that the best success rate is for people to go the full 3 months and that it's not necessary to taper off.

I have another friend/colleague that quit taking Chantix after one month. She seems to be doing very well.

I'm just doing this for me. If I feel the urges are too much to get through, I'll go back on it. Simple as that. I don't believe I'll ever light up a cigarette again though. I've never made it this long and I feel so much healthier.

I could die from getting hit by a bus this afternoon. But if I am lucky enough to live for a while longer, I do not intend to be pulling an oxygen tank behind me. That is exactly where I was headed and it was too close for comfort.

Funny how your mind works, or doesn't

I was sitting here trying to organise my thoughts and day and started wondering what number day it is. As in number of days tobacco free. It's been a month! Yes for me!

I've been taking Chantix only once a day for almost 2 weeks now. The dreams have subsided nicely, but still there. The gas is better but still annoying. I think once the wedding is over next weekend I'll taper to a half a pill each day. I'd like to be finished with it by end of September if not earlier. I take too many meds already, Advair, Albuterol, vitamins, etc.

Since next week is vacation I plan on getting more focussed and serious about my bike riding and exercise. I've been slacking a bit due to crazy work schedule the last 2 weeks.

I want to go into autumn and the Christmas season without any extra poundage. I want to start and keep some Good Habits for a change!

So I posted the earlier post and need to expand a bit

My oldest is getting married on 1 Sept. She and fiance' were here last night and we had lots of emotions. Crying, yelling, saying things we shouldn't have. Stressed because it's so close to the wedding. Stressed because of youngest daughter. We went round and round for a while. I had a couple of beers throughout. I still haven't smoked! At one point I really wanted a cigarette. I could've broken down and grabbed one of Hubbie's. Nah, last night at 10 was 28 days. 4 whole weeks! Not starting over now. If I can survive last night, I'm more confident than ever.

Don't get me wrong. I still had urges today. My gf's schedule conflicted with mine, so I walked the block by myself.

After hitting a record of 21 days in a row in the 90's, we only made 87 today. Hallelujah! Now I'm starting to wonder what I'm gonna do when I need to walk and it's 20F outside. Maybe I'll take the stairs, we have 26 floors. Could be good work out for the glutes. :-)