Let's do age! How 'Old' are you? A poll - Version 2

[Unregistered]

Originally posted by Kevin Mader
.. but I would have to say that I fit Lucinda's definition of being softer losing muscle mass and replacing it with 'beer' mass (somehow I think Lucinda will fair far better than I will in this capacity!!!).

Hmm, not sure if you mean I'll fair better at putting it on, or just looking better with it..... so I'll take the better road and say YES, the beer weight has done wonders for me!

I was really scrawny when I was young (only 89 lbs. when I married, with 19"waist) and got up to the grand weight of 120 after all 5. Even though I gained between 50-55 lbs each pregnancy and the kids were between 8.5 and 10 lbs. - no problem getting the weight off.

So beer has helped me to look a bit more "womanly" instead of scrawny. Still trying to get those 15 extra lbs. off though..

And Kev, you know I'm thrilled about the baby girl! Wish I could do it all over again too.

 

[JodiB]

Me up there again.....

 

[Kevin Mader]

Lucinda,

Of course I meant that in the most flattering sense! If I didn't, I'm sure someone here would defend you (energy lives nearby, so I'm sure he'd make the trip to straighten me out)!

Beer has actually helped me fill out my clothes a little better too. I may be softer, but now my clothes look like they're worn on a person rather than a coat rack and hanger!

Kev

 

[Kevin Mader]

Jamie,

Thank you!! Life is a precious gift. I'm learning more about it with each passing day.

Now, if we can only get this across to your husband. I'm sure he realizes already, but chemical addiction is amongst the most difficult of addictions to kick. Mike is right: his intrinsic need to stop must be stronger than the intrinsic chemical dependency he is currently victim to. Once this is countered, he will prevail.

I don't know much about how the patch or gum work in weaning one off chemical dependency, but I get the impression that they are not gimmicks. This might be a good route to 'suggest' and see how things go. You find yourself in a tough circumstance.

You may want to get a book on ‘addiction’ and read up on the subject. If you are lucky, you might get your husband involved/interested and this might help. Knowledge is intrinsic, so as one learns, one might recognize the damage their addiction causes the system. I have a few other ideas/comments I’ll post you directly with to keep the topic on track.

Kevin

 

[Laura M]

Just thoguht I'd pass along that I have cousins, age 65 that smoked since high school. A few months ago the wife, with no known medical issues decided, that's it, I'm done. After 2 weeks, her husband said, if you can do it, I can do it. They both quit cold turkey, no gum, no patch. I don't know how, but they were about 2 packs a day since I remember as a kid. She says you have to make up your mind to do it, and that's it.

 

[JodiB]

Cold turkey is the only way!

I started smoking at age 11 when cigs were as cheap as candy in S. Carolina and quit cold turkey for two pregnancies,and then finally for good on a New Year's Eve when I was 25. Hubby quit at the same time. Smoked the last one before midnight and never picked another one up. We decided that we loved each other too much to die before we had to. (everybody all together...ahhhhh)

It is the only way to do it. A couple of days and the nicotine is out of your system. Stopping the behavior patterns is what is hard (picking up the phone=picking up a cigarette; getting in the car=lighting up a cigarette; etc.) But love is what will do it - you'll see! Parents will do anything for their kids. My mother-in-law even quit smoking so that she could be around longer for the grandkids!

 

[Jamie]

Thanks everyone on the insight of smoking. I've come to the same conclusion that this is something that my husband has to decide to do. The more I push the more he seems to smoke.

Kevin,

The book sounds like a good idea. I'll do some searching and see what I come up with.


Jamie

 

[Michael T]

A little sause for the goose

Hey Jamie...

I'll just add a few observations I've had since I quit smoking. While they won't convince anyone to quit, they might help someone who is on the fence and just needs a little nudge in the right direction.

1. Generally, I feel better. While I've had the sniffles here and there, I haven't gotten they typical nasty winter cold that I could count on every year.

2. Food tastes MUCH better. This is a problem though since I am trying to loose the weight I gained since quitting. The other side of the coin is... I can lose the weight, I can't regrow a lung....

3. My clothes don't stink anymore. I never knew just how much my clothes smelled until I quit. Now, after I've been in a room (aka - bar) where there are a lot of people have been smoking, my clothes reek... and so does all the clothes in the laundry shoot after I drop them down...

4. My car smells better. (See #3 above).

5. I'm proud of myself... (a little intrinsic motivation & self-actualization at work... )

6. I already mentioned the money, however, I'll reiterate, I'm saving a fortune. I heard on NPR this morning where several states are going to increase cigarette taxes (NY is going up $1.50 per pack )

Just thought I'd share those.

Good luck to you & your husband!!!!

 

[Jamie]

Michael

The cost is killing me!!! I know this will sound crazy. I hate him smoking, but yet I'm the one that buys them! The way his schedule is he has a hard time getting to the store. I just told him the other night that he was going to be buying his own since his class schedule has changed this quarter he can run over on his lunch hour. I'm paying between $30 to $35 a week!! I'd love to see a $1.50 a pack.

Jamie

 

[Michael T]

Originally posted by Jamie
I'm paying between $30 to $35 a week!! I'd love to see a $1.50 a pack.

Jamie

Jamie...

Ummmm... that's not a $1.50 per pack... it's an additional $1.50 per pack. That should take the price of a pack of smokes to about $5.25 per pack or so. Instead of paying $30 to $35 per week... try $50 to $55 per week.

I think even the most ardent smoker will begin to cringe at that level of pain...