Smoke Free - Ben Gurion Airport

I am making a quick visit to see my sister in Florence. No smoking in the modern Ben Gurion Airport.

Cigarettes in the Souk

86 Kilos

20 days in Israel and I have not succumbed to the temptation of smoking.

In the one of the large Tel Aviv souks (public markets) I came across a cigarette vendor. Very cheap cigarettes offered imported from Russia for as little as 3 NIS ($0.75 US) a package. Another reason so many people smoke here.

Bullheaded Non Smoker

87 Kilos

The food is great here in Israel and I have put on a few kilos but I am organized now hitting the gym regularly and working on keeping the weight under control.

My quit continues. The temptations are great but I'm not letting them get to me. Like Abraham the Bull pictured above I am keeping my head to the ground and my resolve will not be moved.

The number of smokers in Israel is very high. In part it may be due to the Russian immigrants (over 1 million in the last 10 years) with their strong tobacco use, and a tradition of tobacco consumption which is part of the oriental culture. THere is no question that life here is fast paced and political tension might create additional stress which reenforces those addicted to nicotine and makes it more difficult for them to quit.

I cannot think of a better place to look at old man nicotine in the eye and keep him banished from my life.

Smoking In Tel Aviv

I am resisting but it is not easy. It seems like non smoking has yet to be discovered by most people particularly those under 50. Bars are still smoking and almost everywhere semi covered outdoor terraces are filled with smokers.

It may the mild climate, the move, the food, cigarettes sold everywhere, but I sure feel like I am getting a lot of cravings.

I know this will pass and I look at month 4 and 5 in Israel as an extra challenge to reinforce my quit.

2 Months in Israel

I am taking 2 months away from wet and cold Verona during the re modeling of my apartment to spend time in Israel. I have a small furnished flat 30 meters from the beach pictured above.

I am looking forward to the mild weather but I know there will be a lot of temptation since so many smoke here in Israel.

3 Month Anniversary

84.8 Kilos

November 1 and I celebrate 3 months as a non smoker.

Canker Sores

84.7 Kilos

I have had 2 episodes of Aphthous ulcers. The first lasted about 10 days and may have been caused by biting my gums while chewing gum.

The second episode started a week ago is underneath my tongue and I do not recall any trauma that might have triggered the attack.It is now getting better.

From Internet searches I discover that there is an increased incidence of canker sores amongst ex smokers. They are not pleasant. I have found that rinsing my mouth with bicarbonate soda has helped.

One study shows use of 1-2 x 2mg x day nicotine gum helps relieve symptoms. I really don't want to use nicotine.
I have a good diet with sufficient of vitamins but I am now taking 2000 mcg of B-12 a day.

I have even read that some ex smokers have used canker sores an an excuse to start smoking again!!!!
No way for me.

Taming the Urge to Smoke

85.3 Kilos

An Article from the New York Times

Link Here

Lung Rx

84.1 Kilos

I got an Ex ray of my lungs. There is some permanent damage to my lungs this explains some of the pain I have from my chest and occasional coughing (early stages of chronic emphysema and bronchitis). Of course this comes as no surprise after over 40 years of smoking. Although much of the damage cannot be reversed, quitting smoking has saved me from more severe condition.

The moral of the story, the earlier you quit the better it is.

3000 cigaretts not smoked

84.9 Kilos

I'm 11 weeks into my quit. It is getting more manageable as each week passes.

Tomorrow a trip with friends to Venice to see the Biennale Art Festival.

A quote From Alan Cohen

It takes a lot of courage to release the familiar and seemingly secure, to embrace the new. But there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful. There is more security in the adventurous and exciting, for in movement there is life, and in change there is power.

Alan Cohen

Last Night I dreamt I was Smoking

84.8 Kilos

Last night I woke up from a nightmare. I dreamt I was smoking again. I was unhappy and was feeling bad that I failed in my quit. When I woke up and realized it was a dream I was relieved.

Smoke Smoke Smoke that Cigarette

85.1 Kilos

Click below for

Smoke Smoke Smoke That Cigarette

Is Quitting Contagious?

It seems that quitting can be contagious.

That undertaking a difficult task is easier to do with the help of someone you love. Nearly 5 million people die each year around the world from smoking-related causes [source:Harvard Univ]. About one-third of these deaths are due to heart disease and stroke -- not a pleasant way to go out.

If you and a friend, relative or spouse smoke, try quitting together. That buddy you take smoke breaks with at work? Give it a go as a team. It's a radical thought, but you could always step out and enjoy some fresh air together instead.

http://health.howstuffworks.com/quitting-smoking-contagious1.htm

Weight Gain after Quitting Smoking

Link to Video on Gaining Weight after Smoke Cessation

CLICK HERE

10 Weeks. Keep on Truckin'

86.5 Kilos

10 Weeks and still smoke free. This is starting to grow on me.

I have put on weight but my waist remains the same so it is in part due to a lot of working out.

To quote from Mr Natural you gotta keep on Truckin'.

I ran into a friend who broke up with his lover after 7 years 2 months ago and started smoking again after being off the cigs for 3 years. I hope he gets things together soon and quits again.

I was out to the club last night. Drank more than I should have. In the outdoor terrace half the people were lounging and smoking. Inside on the dance floor they were pumping artificial smoke which was almost as bad. Needless to say I didn't last too long.

Off to the gym today

A note to Allan

Dear Allan,

It sounds like you have a great reasons to get fit, and quit smoking. Sharing quality time with your wife, and to be able to enjoy seeing your grandson grow up and have the energy and health to participate. Getting fit will not give you immortality but it surely contributes to making our short journey here much more fulfilling.

Too many seem to seek some magic bullet (a quick cure, a pill, or miracle excercise machine or program) that will transform them, well there is no magic to quitting smoking and getting healthy. It is a question of setting priorities and changing ones life style, and being consistent and patient to realize permanent results.

The internet can be great sources of information but the change needs to come from you. No one else can do it for you. No magic pill will transform you.

G-d gave you the power of choice so don't fool yourself into thinking you can sit on your behind, watch TV, eat unhealthy food, and smoke or indulge in other self destructive actions and then go to church on Sunday ask for forgiveness and pray for the strength to quit smoking, loose weight, to have your bad back improve, or your bad heart cured.

When you reach inside and decide that you want to live healthy so you can die healthy the strength and power to follow a good lifestyle will come easily.

Good luck and focus on making small changes one at a time that will be permanent. You will make progress and be much happier for it.

Once you have made the commitment to your self you can begin a journey towards a healthy life style remember, with the proper motivation anything is possible.

Good Luck

Daniel

Happy Birthday Jack LaLanne

"Remember this: your body is your slave; it works for you." - Jack LaLanne

Happy 95th Birthday Jack.

There is no question that Jack was ahead of his time in the promotion of avoiding self destructive habits like smoking, healthy eating and exercise. Is he a bit of a fanatic? Yes; but Jack set an example for millions of fans and made an important impact on heath awareness in the United States.

My Grandmother who passed away at 97 free of illness was a big fan and followed a no meat Mediterranean diet and exercised regularly.

Jack was an avid supporter getting people to quit smoking at a time when his when his employer was running television adverts promoting smoking and cigarettes.

Jack's key message is that you are in charge. Your health is dependent on you being a master of your body and you need to make the right choices in leading a healthy life style.

His positive energy is contagious and an inspiration.

Farewell Lunch

85 Kilos

A long planned lunch to celebrate leaving the company I worked with for over 20 years was held last weekend. It was wonderful to join colleagues and customers from around the world at a nice lunch. One nice surprise was to see that Ilyia Shapiro, my chain smoking customer and friend from Russia has quit his 2+ pack a day habit of strong menthol cigarettes. He is using some nicotine gum to help and has been off the weed for 3 months.

I got dressed up for the event and it was so nice not to have to excuse myself between courses to steal a cigarette. There were still a few of the quests kept disappearing for breaks during the lunch.

Beginning my 3rd Month

84.9 Kilos

540 Euro Saved!

I have made it 2 months off the cigarettes.

Now comes the tough period from week 8 - 12 the where you begin to forget how nasty the first weeks were. A period where you start thinking you can control your desire and enjoy the occasional smoke. I am not going there. Dealing with the cravings gets easier as each week goes by.