A food addict's travels on the road to recovery.

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Addiction x 2

When I first considered starting a weight loss blog in June of '09, I also thought about my smoking habit.  Which one did I want to tackle first?  I knew I wasn't going to try to beat both addictions at once....so I chose the weight.  In my mind, I was closer to a heart attack or stroke due to obesity than I was lung cancer.  So I started with the weight loss thing, and after a year and a half, haven't made a whole hell of a lot of progress.  It started wearing on my mind this past fall....and I figured if I waited to lose the weight before I tackled the smoking at this point....well...let's just say I'm sucking at the weight loss thing and decided to give the quitting smoking a shot. 

I have tried to quit smoking several times in the past, and obviously failed at that big time.  The last time I tried was about 5 years ago.  I'm ready to try again.  I've been praying for the strength and resolve to actually do it this time, and never go back.  If you're a praying person, I'd appreciate you sending some my way.  As hard as it has been to beat the food addiction, I feel like the smoking one is worse in a lot of ways.  But I'm 38 years old and it's beyond time I get this done.

I'm glad that Dwayne is going to do it with me.  He went out to Walmart this evening and bought a box of the Nicorette gum to aid with the cravings.  We also had a talk about how people tend to gain weight when they quit smoking, and he saw the stress in my eyes.  He told me to just try not to stress, and we'll take it one day at a time...together.  I'm glad I've got him.

I'm really looking forward to 2011.  I think with a lot of hard work that my side business that I'm starting, The Errand Fairy, has real potential.  My first goal is to gather enough steady clients to be able to go part-time at my current job.  The next goal is to save up around $2500 as a down payment on a "new to me" used car.  My current car is a 1992 Honda Accord and it's seen better days.  Things are going wrong with it, and it's getting to where it's going to cost more to repair it than the car is actually worth.  My third goal is to grow the business big enough to carry all of my bills, and be able to completely quit at my current job.  I hope to reach all of these goals this year.  It's exciting and scary all at the same time...but I'm ready for a new challenge.

Weight loss?  I asked Dwayne to get the scale battery when he went to buy the Nicorette today, but he forgot it, lol.  My best guess is that I'm around 250-255 lbs. right now, judging by the fit of my clothes.  I know how bad that is, and I'm trying to focus my mind on not getting any fatter w/ this quitting smoking venture.  I changed my goal about a month ago.  Instead of trying to get to 170 lbs., my new goal is to just get out of the 200's...I want to see 199 lbs. on the scale.  So I've got around 50-55 lbs to lose to get to goal.  Some days it doesn't sound like much at all....other days it sounds equivalent to climbing Mt. Everest.  I still want to lose the weight...I want to drop those 50 lbs. this year.  I want to become a non-smoker, and stay that way, this year.  And I want to start a business, become fully self-employed, and keep all the bills paid this year.  These are the 3 main things I want to make happen this year...and I'm glad I've got this blog to share all of it as my year unfolds.

I hope all of you had a fun time bringing 2010 to a close.  Dwayne and I stayed in tonight with Baby Scarlette, drank a couple of mimosas, followed by some coffee, cuddled up in front of the TV in our comfy little apartment.  I'm looking forward to going to bed in a few minutes and waking up a non-smoker.  Let's all pray I can keep it that way.  Happy New Year, my friends.  Let's make it a great one.  :)

16 comments:

  1. Don't think about dropping 50 lbs...don't even think about dropping one pound. focus on eating a certain number of calories an d getting exercise..do it everyday and the numbers on the scale will take care of themselves.
    big hugs and best wishes! Happy new year Tammy.

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  2. I want this for you! I'll be praying for your success.

    Happy New Year!

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  3. I know it's hard to quit. I tossed my last pack of smokes October 2003. From October - December, I was a very cranky person. But, looking back..it was definitely worth it! You can do it!!!!

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  4. Happy New Year to you and Dwayne Tammy.
    May it bring all that you want and MORE.

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  5. prayers for you and your dreams, Tammy

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  6. There are definitely prayers coming from Pennsylvania for you on the smoking thing for you and Dwayne. You can do it - it won't be easy but you can. They say every time someone tries to quit sets them up for eventual success. May this be your time.

    I also know that weight gain with quitting smoking is NOT inevitable. But my advice is that if both addictions are screaming at you and efforts to abstain from both are too much - pick one. Better to eat at the Chinese buffet than to pick up a cigarette. For now. In AA they call this "first things first". Tackling 2 addictions at once is a very BIG deal. Mostly, remember that every obsession and compulsion will pass - eventually.

    I'm feeling this is going to be a successful year for you, Tammy! Hugs, prayers and love!

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  7. Tammy, Happy New Year! I know that you can quit smoking ofr good this time, you are so determined! Take care and have a great weekend!

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  8. Happy New Year Tammy, and good post! I do think you've made important progress on weight loss though. Looking at the fluctuation on your sidebar, it's clear that even if you are at 250+ now, you could easily get back down to low 240s pretty quickly. Then, you are 15-20% of the way to your 199 goal. Quitting smoking too is awesome, but I still believe you can tough it out on the weight and get to 199. I'll be harassing you, LOL

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  9. Tammy..Great beginnings for your new year! I read your blog all the time and I am happy to see you with so many positive plans for 2011. (I am an Allan transplant!)

    I have quit smoking (20 yrs) and lost 82 lbs and you CAN do it..My only advice would be to break it off into very, very tine pieces and not look at the long haul. One day at a time, one good habit at a time. One day of getting your water, your fruit, your veggies, your exercise in and not smoking..always not smoking..Whatever you can do for that day. And build on it. Because after a while you WILL feel better and better about yourself and you will want that feeling more and more. I did this and my best friend did it all too...Think BIG and act small! Good luck and prayers will be with you for a healthy, happy and successful 2011..Pam S.

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  10. Praying for you, and for 2011 to be everything you want it to be. You can do this...just take it one day at a time. More likely, it will often be one minute at a time. But I know you have it in you to get this done. I look forward to progressing down this road with you...may God bless you and give you strength.

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  11. Good luck Tammy, hope it goes well for you and Dwayne. I would just focus on doing the best you can. I think exercise could help a lot with the anxiety that the no smoking will make. Happy New Year!!!

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  12. You can do it - Stay strong and make 2011 an awesome year and a smoke free one!!

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  13. Good luck to you and Dwayne on the quitting smoking - it's hard but you will be so glad you did it!

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  14. I wish you much success on your quitting smoking. I have never smoked, but I understand how difficult it must be. I weigh about 227. I have gained about 9 pounds, since I stopped dieting. I am thinking about attempting it again. I really hate it, so it's like I really don't want to. But hope to get a stratergy worked out in a few days, and begin, "again". Glad to hear your New Year's Eve was warm and cozy......I had a great time as well with my husband. Wishing you health, much happiness, and joy in the New Year. We'll all be working at something!
    Hugs & Love
    Kathleen

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  15. I just came across your health and fitness blog. Your article about quitting smoking and juggling weight loss as well was especially interesting. I especially liked your comments about sticking to it and eventually getting back on track with a healthier, fitter lifestyle. I am adding you to my favorites. Since you and your readers are interested in health and fitness, we thought you would like to check out our ab workout machine called The AbStand. The AbStand is a full-body workout machine that provides an easy way for you to keep your New Year's resolution! Any feedback would be appreciated as well. Thanks! Good luck on your journey to quit smoking, you can do it!

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232 lbs. ~ Size 18/20 outfit

232 lbs.

242.0 lbs. ~ Size 22/24 outfit

242.0 lbs.

Start Weight 06-12-09

Start Weight  06-12-09
272 lbs. ~ Size 26/28 outfit