The times, they are a changing !!

[KingPoker]

just to add what i have learnt in uni is going cold turkey is the biggest cause of relapse in any diet/lifestyle change.

Gradual decline and patienece is the key in anything to do with cutting down. Dont expect miracles in the first month or even 2. Its all about the willpower.

[Indestructable]

I had a similar thought when I was having an Indian Buffet for lunch today. I only had three visits today to the buffet rather than 4. 

[barhell]

I believe that it is horses for courses when it comes to abstinence of anything and it really can come down to your reasons behind wanting the change.

Personally i only managed to quit after i'd lost my dad to lung cancer, even while he was being treated i used to go and visit and pop out for ciggie breaks. At least i used the experience for something positive in the end.

I quit smoking after reading Allen Carrs the easy way to give up book this worked for me and my wife plus many others here on blonde http://blondepoker.com/forum/index.php?topic=15501.0 unfortunately i also know of several others who have failed with the easy way.

As per everything in life it's what works for the individual.

[Claw75]

claw, tenner says you don't. With that attitude of 'I plan to give up in a few weeks' , you will always be putting it off...

Not at all.  I've set a date, and I'm sticking to it.  It has worked for me in the past, although I've obviously relapsed months and years down the line on those occasions.  Horses for courses and all that.

[AlrightJack]

claw, tenner says you don't. With that attitude of 'I plan to give up in a few weeks' , you will always be putting it off...

Not at all.  I've set a date, and I'm sticking to it.  It has worked for me in the past, although I've obviously relapsed months and years down the line on those occasions.  Horses for courses and all that.

If you've relapsed on each previous occasion, regardless of how much later, perhaps it hasn't worked for you...you plan to give up, but subconciously you plan to relapse at a later date.  I would suggest a more abrupt unplanned end to your smoking if you want to stop it for good.

[Claw75]

claw, tenner says you don't. With that attitude of 'I plan to give up in a few weeks' , you will always be putting it off...

Not at all.  I've set a date, and I'm sticking to it.  It has worked for me in the past, although I've obviously relapsed months and years down the line on those occasions.  Horses for courses and all that.

If you've relapsed on each previous occasion, regardless of how much later, perhaps it hasn't worked for you...you plan to give up, but subconciously you plan to relapse at a later date.  I would suggest a more abrupt unplanned end to your smoking if you want to stop it for good.

thanks for the psychoanalysis!

[AlrightJack]

claw, tenner says you don't. With that attitude of 'I plan to give up in a few weeks' , you will always be putting it off...

Not at all.  I've set a date, and I'm sticking to it.  It has worked for me in the past, although I've obviously relapsed months and years down the line on those occasions.  Horses for courses and all that.

If you've relapsed on each previous occasion, regardless of how much later, perhaps it hasn't worked for you...you plan to give up, but subconciously you plan to relapse at a later date.  I would suggest a more abrupt unplanned end to your smoking if you want to stop it for good.

thanks for the psychoanalysis!

lol, anytime

[JAXtheLAD]

Good on you Kev,positive way forward,ever thought of taking up racketball,its adictive and a good workout and it only takes 40 mins,best of luck to you

[Colchester Kev]

Good on you Kev,positive way forward,ever thought of taking up racketball,its adictive and a good workout and it only takes 40 mins,best of luck to you

LOL i will start with getting my fat arse off the computer chair for a few hours each day and walk before I can run mate

[JAXtheLAD]

If u come to Harwich and play i`ll give u a game and u can smoke at the same time,we can play 4 a roll up

[Colchester Kev]

LOL quality.

[Rod Paradise]

Good on you Kev,positive way forward,ever thought of taking up racketball,its adictive and a good workout and it only takes 40 mins,best of luck to you

LOL i will start with getting my fat arse off the computer chair for a few hours each day and walk before I can run mate

House insurance goes up in Colchester due to localised earthquakes

Good on you Kev, I should try the same. I'll think about it over a beer

[Peter Costa]

Kev,

I recently reached a stage in my life when I had to really take stock of the situation in terms of health etc. And although I am almost ten older than you, I can very much relate to your position. Also I guess, the battle with health has always been a part of my life.

Ten years ago, when I was your age; it was s struggle to try and keep fit in order to continue with playing football. With having to split my time running a games company, the chip shop and poker; it really was a challenge. But somehow, I managed to just do enough. Ten years later, I just can’t tell you how much I have benefited from those efforts. Because in truth, if I had failed back then, then I would have missed out on so much now. And trust me, at this very moment, I feel better now than I did back then. But it has not been easy,

I guess it began about four years ago when I found it difficult to even sit at the poker table. Admittedly, my situation at the time was very much dire, and as such; left very little peace in the mind to draw strength from. I had become a wreck - I allowed my other battles to become my focus. Sad part was, I forgot just how important health was to that battle. Don’t do the same! Don’t leave yourself playing catch up when you should be living it up!

But remember, it will be a slow process. Just like poker, it will require patience above all else. So start easy - go it nice and slow - keep within your limits - don’t cause any kind of injury to slow you down. And yet, be prepared for such an event. And don‘t allow any setbacks to stop you from your main goal. Slowly, you will find your limits growing and you will reach new heights. That will put such a smile on your face - you will love your new life. 

Example:

About two years ago I decided that poker was going to take a back seat and that I would focus on getting fit. And because of my efforts in my younger days, it didn’t  take long before  I was playing football again. And man did that feel good!

About four months ago, a knee injury meant that I had to stop football for a while (may need minor surgery, but trying to work it off through other means). Anyway, it also meant that I couldn’t do my favorite exercise of going to the park and kicking a ball against a wall - I needed to adapt. And so swimming came into my life. I gotta tell ye Kev, start swimming my man - it will do wonders for you. You will feel like a machine in no time. And btw - I used a snorkel today for the first time and I was able to swim as much as I wanted - simply a great workout without stress to the joints!

As for the smoking - I also know that my time to quit is getting close - I wish us both well on that one. But mostly, I just hope that you get to feel how I feel now.

[Colchester Kev]

thank you Peter, an inspiring post.

I think the most important thing i have on my side is that I am doing this for "ME".  It is my decision and mine alone.. and I think that helps in keeping the discipline, because at the end of the day I am  letting myself down if i dont keep it going, so the will power and focus will stay strong.

Thanks again for the support.

[Dewi_cool]

There you go Kev, yu'll be swimming like a fish in no time