Uncle Tom's trail Is basically a metal staircase bolted to the side of a cliff. It leads down 500 feet into the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone river, and from the bottom you have one of the best views in the park...
See here: http://westyellowstone.blogspot.com/2007/02/uncle-toms-trail.html
and here: YouTube - Uncle Tom's Trail Yellowstone National Park

Going back up was "a bit of a challenge"

So, at the ripe old age of 50, some changes are in order...
Over the last 10 years, I've moved from 168 lbs to just under 200. Gotta get back down to 170. That will be fairly easy, salads for lunch (instead of greasy beef sandwiches and cheese fries), and some old fashioned "navy excercises" every morning. 90 days should do it.

And then the hard part. I've been a 3 pack a day smoker for a lotta years. Yesterday, I made an appointment to see a Doc about some meds to help, going next Tuesday. Thinking either Zyban or chantris. Gonna see a hypnotist on my "quit day," and I've talked my wife into joining me, so that will help. My only remaining coworker smoker is also trying to quit, so we'll have a smoke free office.

The lifestyle changes involved here are mind boggling.
In the morning, I spend near an hour on the back porch, sucking down a pot of coffee, reading the paper, checking TC, and chain smoking.

That screened porch is our main social center at home during the summer... we don't ever smoke in the house. I'm not sure what to do about that. Perhaps finish the sitting room upstairs, and do my nightly forum surfing there.

At work will be easier. Now, we smoke in the shop / warehouse, and I have a spare computer here where I can work, surf TC, and pollute the air. On "the day" I will declare the warehouse "no smoking" and that will be that.

If I can make it until winter closes in, I'll be good for life.

I would like to give a big thanks to "that sweet little voice" from last week. I'm sure your Dad will show you this.

Comments, suggestions, & been there done that's are very welcome.

Zyban or Chantris?

Way to go JimM! We're all pulling for you. Good Luck!

Jim

Guess they didn't tell you about the elevator back to the top on the other side huh? ;)

I smoked for over 20 years. Started when I was about 13. When we moved to Missouri I ended up with a nasty case of bronchitis and my childhood asthma came back for some reason. I ended up on the bathroom floor unable to breath one night and decided the cigarettes had to go. They may not have been the cause, but they sure weren't helping either. The next day I threw them in the trash and never smoked again. It was actually easy.

My case may have been unusual but the point I'm trying to make is, if you want to quit it won't be that bad. The people who can't quit don't really want to. Wanting to is half the battle. The other half is breaking the habits and routines associated with smoking. They say it takes about a month to break a habit.

Stick with it guy. 30 days is nothing. Just take it one day at a time instead of looking at 'the big picture'. Sounds like you want to for your family, yourself and the little voice in your ear. Good luck!

Mark

go get em Jim..:thumbsup: on your way to smoke free. You already know smoke is the slow slide to early death...now beat the crap out of it. My mother in law died at 56 from it, dont let it get you or Carol. Kudos for doing it. MORE coffee :) and chew gum and nibble on toothpics, it all helps.

Good luck Jim...so far 5-1/2 months smoke free for me... After 35 years of smoking, I just threw them and my old ralley wheel center pinecone ashtray in the garbage and said outloud, "thats it for me, I'm done".... I'm down about 10 lbs too, walking 2 miles, 3 nights a week and walking 9 holes of golf after work once a week....I don't even crave them anymore...Do whatever it takes, you'll feel alot better and be alot richer too... Hey, us 50 year olds got to stick together...:yes: Don't forget to change to light :beers: as well...

Jim...

I quit in early 1999 after smoking almost 4 packs a day. I was in need of a bypass and the doctor said..if you want to live longer , quit ! The surgery was set about a month after the diagnosis so I made the decision to go out and buy the worst cigs I could find and tried smoking them. After a month of junk cigarettes , I went in for the surgery. After a week in the hospital, I never picked up another cigarette. Yea, there are times when I wanted one, like when the beer drinking started with friends but never touched one. I guess what I'm saying is that drugs to stop may help but willpower is what is really needed ! Good luck....I know you can do it.

Kev

I quit a several years ago and had gotten up to 3 packs a day as well. All I can suggest is quit smoking first and then worry about the weight. I can't imagine the the challenge of both at the same time. The weight loss will be easy afterwards by comparision.

Good Luck with both.

You can do it Jim. Just set your mind to it and you will make it. Don't let anything get in your way. My parents were both smokers and started young, both of them managed to quit together once my daughter was born (almost 18 years ago). Dad was 75 when he quit, Mom was 66. I'm sure the fact they quit prolonged their lives (mom lived to 78 and dad lived to 91). They have both since passed away but, that just goes to show you it can be done. Neither passed from lung cancer. It's never to late. Grab some sunflower seeds, that will keep you busy. The new Jalapeno seed are great!

I got tired just watching you go down those stairs. WOW thats a long way down. :)

Cool - then you don't have to worry about fixing your lighter in the camaro

I don't know what a pack of smokes sells for (never smoked) but what are you going to buy with all that money you are saving?

i wish you the best of luck. ive been 9 years smoke free and havent looked back and no cravings. i also smoked 3 packs a day for 18 years.

I don't know what a pack of smokes sells for (never smoked) but what are you going to buy with all that money you are saving?

A carton (10 packs) is about $40. At 2 a week, around $4200 a year. Add half of that more if the wife quits too. That does add right up. Guess I can up the quality of my vacations?

Good for you, Jim. Its a tough decision, especially when another family member smokes.

You'll find more energy and you'll be doing more things to fill the time from smoking.

Good deal, jim ! Years ago when I quit, I carried an open pack around with me and just told myself I was going to see how long I could go without one. It quickly became a personal challenge of me against that pack. Then after a couple weeks came a point where I knew I beat it and tossed them. Don't let an addictive, inanimate product beat the life out of you.

ss

good for you Jim, you can do it! keep yourself busy. idle hands are the devil's play things. i never smoked myself but my father does, i have been bugging him for years to quit.

Hi Jim,

My doctors (bastards) last year (sorry), let me know I had high blood pressure, high colesterol, excessive weight and I was borderline diabetic, father and GrandF BOTH diabetics. I made my new year resolution to lose 30 lb and try to get in general better health. It took me a few months to even get started, but I exceeded my goal and lost 40 lb. I went from over 200lb to 160, im only 5'7" http://www.santafemods.com/images/Smileys/powderpuff.gif. Im still a little overweight but at 40 I now feel at least 10 years younger! Its easier to get up in the morning. I can sleep on my belly again WooHoo! Life is all about self improvement. http://www.santafemods.com/images/Smileys/driving.gif

I just recently got a Wii Fit and I liked it so much my parents got one too. They are in there mid 70s and are also having a blast. It teaches you balance and coordination and if you get bored with traditional exercise there are games.

Best of health to you and your family! http://www.santafemods.com/images/Smileys/Smileycowboy7.gif

I used Smoke Away three years ago. It really messes with your metabolism so after being on it three days I gave it up but haven't went back to smoking. I learned that lesson from my son, he used it sucessfully before I. If any one on here knows of the cure for the hand to mouth disease PLEASE let me know. I still keep putting my hand up there and sticking something in my mouth and it's very fattening. Good luck Jim and I hope you reach both of your goals.

Jeff

Being the youngest of 6, my siblings taught me all kinds of cool things like smoking. I kept on smoking for 15 years until shortly after my son was born. My mom (who smokes at least 2 packs a day) used to watch my son while the wife and i worked, but she never smoked in her house while my son was there. By the time we would go to pick him up, he stunk so bad that we had to bathe him and wash everything that was at grandma's house! I decided right then that it wasn't worth it.:sad:
It's been tough and until recently i would still smoke a couple while downing a few.:beers:
Now i can't stand the smell of them (even at a bar!) and couldn't be happier!
Good luck, it's worth it!:yes:
Jamie

I think I'm gonna take this to my TC blog... that way I can ramble without clogging up the forums, and anyone who wants to play along can just hit the blog link whenever they see a post of mine anywhere...

http://www.camaros.net/forums/blog.php?u=1553

Subway (6") for lunch today, and it appears I'm cutting my smoking to less than half.

The sweet little voice got a funny little smile on her face when I read your post to her. She is very pleased. You can call for moral support, we all know you can do it.

Yes, the quality of your vacations can certainly improve although I'm not sure how the most recent one that could have been improved upon. I'm sure Mark would have some great suggestions on ways to spend the savings as well...

FYI, the sweet little voice is cutting down on sugar...greatly improves the disposition.

Sandra and the sweet little voice.

I'm not sure how the most recent one that could have been improved upon.
Sandra and the sweet little voice.

Sandra, you're getting me all misty here... I'm glad you enjoyed the vacation so much too. One of the best things about the internet is it's way of bringing people together... And the worst is that 4 of my most favorite people on the planet live 2500 miles and a whole country away.

Thanks, and see you all next year.

Give that sweet little voice a big hug for me, please.

Jim

We did those stairs a couple of years ago. Getting back up is a challenge for sure. Good luck with the lifestyle changes.

off to the doc for some antismoking drugs in an hour.
I'll be blogging this heavily.

Mark and Sandra, I haven't heard "that sweet lil voice" since friday or Saturday or something, I need her help with this project!
Besides, Carol is having fun with it.
she asks me everyday "didja here from your lil girlyfriend today"?

Hey you put that out!

Jeff

Jim,

Great video of the stairway to the bottom of the world.

Now can you see me trying to take Lori down that stair case? mmm, I think not. It was a challenge just trying to follow all of you along that little road on that Sunday, and that was in the car.

Glad to hear your gonna kick the cancer stick habit. I did that quite a while ago, & even though I am not a picture of health I can hike around without any major issues. You are not gonna miss those things one bit. Just remember the three's, three days, three weeks, and three months. Those are the tough ones to over come.

Cheers,

Paul :beers:

Well, tomorrow is the big day.
I've been taking Chantrix for a week, and tomorrow at noon we go to a hypnotist.
As of 2 PM tomorrow afternoon, I'm a non smoker.

Good luck Jim. I tried joining you cold turkey, I caved.

I guess the thing that bugs me most about smoking is I can go all night w/o and it doesn't kill me:confused:. Yet when I am awake it's like it will kill me to death if I don't smoke:mad:. If I could get myself to chill out I think I could do it. I did the hypnotist about 15 years ago, it worked for 3 days I just didn't want to quit. Did the patch:D, had those damthings all over me and 2 or 3 gerts going at the same time I was like a ferret on crack cocaine:D.

I'm rootin for ya:thumbsup:

Good luck jim we here are all behind you .
Mark.

good luck JimM.

That means next years trip I will be outside by my self. Oh I guess I should try with ya , let me get syked up for it first. I know its time for me too Jim.

Jim,
I just caught this thread. Good luck, we're all rooting for you! :hurray: I'll keep an eye on your blog.

Dave

You can do it, Jim....Good Luck!! :yes:

Blog (http://www.camaros.net/forums/blog.php?u=1553)

Blog (http://www.camaros.net/forums/blog.php?u=1553)

Blog (http://www.camaros.net/forums/blog.php?u=1553)

For those who don't read the blogs, I've reached the end of day 2.
Successfully.

Hang in there Jim! you can do it... One day at atime. Good Luck!

Jeff