Wednesday, April 25

(Smokeless-Tobacco)-Less

After 14 years of using smokeless tobacco (aka dipping), I have decided to quit. I'm actually a full week into the process. I'm using Nicorette gum to assist in the quitting, so it's not a cold turkey quit. The difficult part of quitting is the oral fixation portion: always having something in my mouth and always moving my mouth. Smokers have the same problem with the hand-to-mouth motion they grow accustomed to during their addiction.
  • I'm going through roughly 20 pieces of gum per day. 8-9 pieces of Nicorette. The remainder is a variety of Orbit gum flavors.
  • I'm also going through many, many Gobstoppers throughout the day. This would be a good time to still be working at Nestle.
  • As a motivator, I told myself I would reward myself after 4 months with a gift. I was thinking of getting a new lens for my camera. Before I told Allison what I my idea for a gift, she blurted out "I'll buy you a Mac!". Her reward beat mine.
  • Side Effect 1: Lots of peeing. I've been drinking a lot of water lately. Not sure why, but I am. I literally peed 14 times today. I was getting strange looks from my co-workers. I also think that the fact that I'm not spitting all my fluids out during the day adds to this. Neat thought, eh?
  • Side Effect 2: My throat is sore. This has to do with all the swallowing. Thankfully, this has subsided a lot after the first few days. Who would have thought you could get a sore throat from actually swallowing?? I guess after 14 years of NOT swallowing much, this is a big change for my body.
  • Side Effect 3: Weight Gain. Nicotine is a stimulant, thus increasing your metabolism. Without it, ex-nicotine users blimp up after they quit. This is a mix between shoving anything in your mouth so as to not put a dip or cigarette in there instead and the slower metabolism. That's just not fair. I figure if I can quit dipping, I can suck it up and do some exercise to counteract this effect.
  • Scripture memory has helped a ton to ward off urges and temptations. Specifically Romans 12:1-2. My spiritual life is actually one of the biggest reasons for me quitting. That's an entirely other post, so I'll just leave it at that. Maybe as a celebratory post after 4 months. I'll write it on my new iMac!

8 comments:

Megan said...

Good for you!! I applaud your efforts. I know it will be hard to quit(as a nurse, i've heard countless stories about how hard it is), but it is SO worth it!

Sarah said...

If you ever feel yourself slipping back into the nasty habit I'll send Nate over to knock some sense into you.

Your lips and gums are so excited.

Way to go, Johnny.

Pak said...

Mmmmmmmmm.... Copenhagen.... Mmmmmmmmm.

Anonymous said...

Good for you, John.

P.S. Your throat is sore because you're swallowing nicotine in the gum instead of spitting it out. Nicotine is poison, you know.

Cameron said...

Thats great to hear, John. I'm very impressed.

Anonymous said...

John,
That is awesome! We are so excited for you. I know it is tough. Your girls will thank you years from now when you are still with them! Yea for a great, yet difficult decision! We are praying for you!
Kate

Anonymous said...

Good luck!!
I came across your blog while doing a research paper. I dipped for several years and quit. Mint chew http://www.quittobacco.com/
really helped me overcome the "something in mouth" syndrome.
I highly reccomend it.

Best,
Jim

Anonymous said...

I'm proud of you for quiting you dont kmow me but a good friend of mine has the same problem and I hope your able to stop and if you want a substitute go to smokey mountain.com and my friend used it and said its great and again good job.