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SHOULD I GIVE UP POKER WHILE GIVING UP SMOKING?
Yes after smoking for over 40 years I am determined to quit and I am now on my 6th nicotine free day.
But it is not easy. Apart from constantly eating and inability to sleep through a night, I am playing some terrible poker, having no patience with the game at all.
It would probably be a good idea to forget poker and go back to driving my coach for a bit, but that is going to be a major test of my not smoking, as it is almost second nature to light up on pulling in to a motorway services ! And I am not sure if I am ready for that yet.
And I need to qualify for both Luton and the Vegas final soon.
Any tips from successful ex smokers welcomed !
But it is not easy. Apart from constantly eating and inability to sleep through a night, I am playing some terrible poker, having no patience with the game at all.
It would probably be a good idea to forget poker and go back to driving my coach for a bit, but that is going to be a major test of my not smoking, as it is almost second nature to light up on pulling in to a motorway services ! And I am not sure if I am ready for that yet.
And I need to qualify for both Luton and the Vegas final soon.
Any tips from successful ex smokers welcomed !
Comments
Ah yes, the first six dys was the worst for me, so don't give up giving up now
Good luck.
I gave up December 2009, and apart from one Hamlet during the summer, have managed to avoid the ciggies.
I actually found poker good to take my mind of things.
Also, for the first 4 weeks or so, avoided things that I associated with smoking ( Pubs, Going out for meals etc )
After that, I got a non-smoking friend of mine to remind me not to pop outside when other friends were.
Not sure what they cost these days, but I was on 20+ a day, so have saved a fortune ( well - paid Sky Poker a fortune ! )
Good luck sir
I fail with all of these but if I do succeed in giving up smoking I am sure I can develop a beer belly of the required proportions !
Good luck in your quest Tony!
I know how hard it is to give up...and how hard it is to keep the weight from piling on. Managed the first but not the second!!!!
Sugar free lollipops for the win!
I was a 20+ a day man for 20 years and gave up 3 years ago. From what I remember the first 10 days were the hardest and then it starts to get easier, so you are nearly there. Whatever you do don't fall into the trap of I will just have one. You can't just have 1. Good Luck.
Sorry i know this isnt poker related but any info would be great. Good luck on giving up penguin, you got further than me mate.
Made myself the date cos I knew it wouldn't work over Xmas and knew tomorrow is Derby Day (LFC v EFC).
Made the decision when my daughter drew me a poster saying
' Daddy , I don't want you to die, stop smoking!'
Well until they report in 30 years time that Nicotine gum causes all sorts of oral thrush that is......
Job done tonight though, cruised through to Vegas semi and then crept in to qualify for Luton as well.
Its tough but I got to stick with it, only been less than a week but I am feeling better for it already.
Good luck to anyone else giving it a go.
Gonna take the pics to work and use them to remind me why I'm here....
Easy things to look out for:
If stopping your coach usually leads to having a ciggy, then you need to find something else to do and make a habbit of it - for instance, go into the service station instead of lighting up and buy yourself a packet of chewing gum. Buy yourself a paper to read at your next stop.
OH - I'm sure the craving will start as soon as you set off again - but thats what the chewing gums for.
Read the headlines whilst your in the sevice station, but don't read the rest and whilst your driving, think of all things that might be in the paper that you just bought, this will arrouse your curiosity and inhibit your desire for a smoke - whats in the sports section? whats on page 3? I wonder what my horroscope says? etc etc. The next thing you know, looking in the paper at your next stop will be a bigger priority than smoking.
You will soon find yourself opening up the paper at your next stop and having a look before you think of lighting up.
If you usually have a smoke after a cup of tea or coffee at a certain times of the day, then stop drinking it and find something else to do instead. Buy a poker magazine and read that instead.
Do we have a ciggy during the break when we play poker?
If so, put yourself a little treat in the fridge ready for that 5min break and have that instead - Don't worry about putting on a little weight, its healthier than smoking according to my doctor and its amazing how much we want to keep fit and exercise once we have stopped smoking.
Most importantly - Remember this..................
Smoking is a habbit...................but its our habbits that continue to make us smoke.
Good Luck.
I have tried to give up smoking countless times. I`m going to have another go this Monday. Personally, I really think it would be good for me to give up poker for a couple of weeks while trying to pack in the cigs. Its all about association. When I started playing cards, it was 3 card brag in the pub, this would lead to late lockins and all the beer and cigs that go with that.
I think it is for that reason that I have associated cards, beer, cigs together. They all go hand in hand. It is a vicious circle, which for me has transferred online. When I play poker, I feel I need a beer, or many. This then really makes me want to smoke.
I really believe, if I didnt play poker, then giving up smoking would be so much easier, hence cutting down on beer intake would also be much easier.
Taking things that make you feel better/healthier while giving up is also good, actimel drinks, and berocca every day invigorate you.
Also, as for patches. They are good. I use the 24hr patches, but will take them off at night before bed, as the dreams they produce are insane. Its like having a second life while you are sleeping. Then put on a new one as soon as you wake up.
Good luck
Hi Tony
I smoked for over 30 years about 20 a day my weight was around 13 stone. I replaced cigs with gum 1st but didn't really get on with this so I switched to nicotine Lozenges and am now addicted to them lol but I guess its better than smoking. I stopped around 5 .5 years ago and my weight gradually increased to max 18 stone. I'm now going to the Gym 3 times a week and my weight is gradually going down lost around a stone and half so far but aim to get back to my fighting weight of 13 stone, I also found when smoking I smoked more while on the puter not even realising how many I was getting through sometimes 30 a day so I layed off gaming online for a while, the craving was certainly worse when gaming. A pack of lozenges costs around £12 and lasts me around 10 days so miles cheaper than smoking and far less harmful so I would recommend these if you feel the need for a replacement. The other good thing is you can have your fix anywhere without having to stand outside in the rain/cold at the pub or in public places.
Best of luck with it mate I know how hard it can be and yes I still fancy a cig 5.5 years on.
Ray
After reading this thread the other day it really gave me the incentive to try and give up myself. I have smoked since I was 15 and didn't think I could give up. After reading how many you smoked a day and for how many years it made me think maybe I could!
I am now on my 6th smoke free day!!!!!!!!!!
I am using the 24 hour patches, yes the dreams are strange but they stop me wanting that first smoke in the morning.
Really glad I read your post, big thank you
Lisa xxx
like yourself my poker has suffered as a result as i seem to lose patience, but am gonna try again this week.
One of my problems is that i do like to smoke can nabis some times and always find this helps me focus much better on my game,
But as you say, the money you can save is massive, not to mention health reasons, so GL with it
The patches really stop the craving and only cost £7.99 for a weeks supply. I have lasted a week now which I didn't think was possible.
What I also found helped was to give up with a mate and have a last longer bet.