Weight a Minute … !

Hmmm …

Did you ever hear the old urban myth that stopping smoking makes your weight balloon … ?

Yes …

Me too.

I’d always felt that there was a certain lack of foundation to that.

Was I ever wrong, there … !

You seen, I’ve been in to see my doctor, this morning.

And technically … ?

Well …

You’ve heard of the idea of Body Mass Index?

You take your weight and your height, divide them together, and the number you get is a rough guide to whether you’re underweight, about right, overweight, or morbidly obese.

I got …

Well …

Lets put it this way, it didn’t turn out as an especially healthy number.

««·»»

Hmmm …

Now, I’ll happily admit …

I’ve walked away from that with — here’s the cliqué — Dr’s Orders …

Mostly to start eating more healthily: which, believe it or not, I’m trying to, and to take 45 minutes of exercise.

A brisk walk’s been suggested.

Gosh, I’m glad I managed to get those anti-inflammatories.

That should make that bit easier … !

Again with the Smoking Thing ... !

Again with the Internet Explorer thing ....

You can just hear me whinging, can't you ... ?

Can't you ... ?

At any rate, those of you who know me will realise that, if I'm using IE, I'm not indoors, sitting at Bruce, but beloved, but getting older, Mac Mini, but in Brentwood Library, typing this post at one of their Windoze machines.

And not enjoying it, to be frank.

But I thought I should let you know that I'm just waiting for a Doctor to sign my repeat prescription for nicotine patches.

On the upside, though ... ?

I've just had the first weekly check-up from my GP surgery's practise nurse, who's had me blow into the little blowy thing they check you with, as part of the treatment.

And apparently ... ?

I've gone from 17, last Friday, to 1, today.

Not only is that a rather impressive drop, but the nurse tells mne that's very impressive ... !

Prescription Gum ... !

You know, I've got to admit, I’m writing this post at Brentwood Library.

Which mean’s ... ?

Which means I’ll probably copy edit it — and add photos — when I get home.

The version of Internet Explorer on the library’s systems being clunky, even compared to newer versions of Internet Explorer.

But I thought I’d let you know two things.

Firstly … ?

I can’t believe I got through the box of thirty pieces of nicotine replacement gum I got prescribed to help me pack up smoking, by this morning!

And I'm grateful the Smoking Nurse did me a repeat prescription.

For a box of one hundred and five … !

I’ve had one already.

Heigh-HO ... !

»»•««

Hmmm …

Actually …

Can I make a confession … ?

I’m like a lot of smokers.

Recovering smokers … ??

Quitters … ?

Attempted Recovery smokers … ?

Whatever … !

At any rate, I think I’ve managed to come up with something that helps me cope.

Although if it helps anyone else, is something else.

But I know that — like many smokers — I tend to keep my cigarettes near me.

Or tobacco tin, I should say.

At the moment … ?

At the moment, I’m writing this part of the post at my computer desk, at home.

Most of the time, I’d have my tobacco tin right in front of me.

But to be frank, I figured that if I’m going to try and give up smoking by replacing cigarettes with the patchesª and gum, then having the gum in front of me, instead of the fags*, would mean I’d be reaching for those, first.

So far … ?

So far, it’s working, touch wood … !

* Now I know my American readers will raise and eyebrow at that one, but I also remember something that Oscar Wilde’s supposed to have said: that England and America are two countries separated by a common language …

ª There’s an old phrase you hear a lot, at AA meetings: that it’s the first one that does the damage. You hear variations at any given 12-step group. I know it’s a cliqué, but cliqués become cliqués because there‘s a certain truth to them: to quote an old phrase I heard, somewhere, cliqués are the hammers and nails in the communications toolbox. In this case … ? The patches don’t half help me avoid that first one.

Stopping Smoking.

Hmmm …

Can I be honest, here, folks … ?

Can I … ?

I wrote — in this morning’s Teaser — that today’s the day I’m officially giving up smoking.

So far … ?

So good.

But while I know that gum and patch are helping, I’m ALSO very aware that I’m still wanting a cigarette.

Aren’t I just … ?

I can see why the various bits of literature I’ve been given recommends going for a stroll.

Which is what I’m going to do, after I’ve posted this.

But can I ask you a favour … ?

Can I … ?

If you’ve got any ideas for how to cope — or how you coped, if you’ve packed the habit — I’d like to hear it!

Leave me a comment … !

Smoking …

You know …

I’ve got to admit I’m slightly nervous, I really am …

You see, I’ve got to admit, my Doctor — the family one, bless him, rather the one played by Matt Smith et al — has been telling me for years to pack up smoking …

That’s part of the job, after all.

But it’s not a decision I’ve looked at, easily.

I don’t think it’s a decision any smoker does.

But just recently … ?

I’ll be frank, with the loss of the job at CeX, my finances have taken a bit of a hit.

So …

I made an appointment with my local GP’s nurse.

To see about giving up smoking …

Very efficient nurse, I’ve got to admit …

Who didn’t mind my rather sad ‘smoking nurse’ gag …

««•»»

But … ?

But at any rate, I’ve now got a packet of the strongest nicoyine gum and a separate one of the nicotine patches.

And a stop date set for tomorrow.

Wish me luck …