The ultimate incentive worked! Now onto phase two

Tete_en_l'Air

I know! I think we should be allowed an hour off work on top of our lunch hour if we're going to do exercise, similarly giving blood - both things I have trouble finding time for in my own time. I might petition Gordon Brown. Enjoy the chemical plant, you never know there might be something in the air that will curb your appetite, or dissolve your stomach or something at least!

Dinah93

I think that would be a good petition Tete. Although he'd just make it so you could take unpaid time and stay longer on an evening. Personally I think all the mad promotional campaigns to make people eat better and walk the kids to school would be better scrapped and the money spent on making all council gyms, leisure centres and swimming pools free for everyone to use.

poddle911

I know what you mean! I struggle to fit things in too, and when I do make the effort, it backfires! I left work early to give blood yesterday and I my iron levels were too low (only by 0.01mg or something) so I couldn't donate. AND I didn't lose any weight this week - rubbish! I know I started a week late, but I'm still only on a measly 1lb loss... I'm thinking it could be that whole muscle heavier than fat thing we've talked about, but I'd still like to see some pounds drop off! I gymed on Monday, but thought I was giving blood last night so made plans to go to the cinema instead (saw and enjoyed Coco before Chanel) but spinning tonight and then a personal training sesh tomorrow - phew! I feel tired just thinking about it

Welcome Pudding! And a big well done on taking first steps - giving up smoking is an easy(ish) £1,400 off your debt and definitely a life-changing decision :j

Very impressed with NIM too! All in the name of love eh? Not to mention health and MSE-ness...

wendz86

I used to smoke and did when i first got with OH, he persuaded me to stop though. He threatens me with eveytime I smoke he is putting off another year till he asks me to marry him. Needless to say I haven't fone it for a long time now!

I'm all excited as am going to the theatre to see Jersey Boys with my mum and sister after work, we are going to pizza express first which will be good.

Dinah93

Aye the first two weeks can be slow as fat turns to muscle, but then it should set a steady pace.

Got to say NIM has been smashing and hasn't faltered once. When we were first together I mentioned it was the only reason I couldn't see a future together and literally he said 'well then I've smoked my last cigarette, you're more important', and he did it. My NIM has willpower to the max!

N.I.M

Saying I've never faltered makes it sound like I was never tempted. I've never smoked since but by martins last penny I was eating my hands to stop myself having one the first couple of weeks, especially since my best mate in Ireland is as heavy a smoker as I was. This was before I discovered the wonders of MSE though, Anyone wanna calculate what I've saved by quitting the ciggs? My brain is mush today.

wendz86

Well if you smoked 20 a day at about a fiver a pack that is 1820 in a year!

Tete_en_l'Air

Oh no Poddle, and there goes the hoped-for liquid weight loss! That happens to me quite often actually, especially if it's been a little while since I ate (as in three or more hours ) and I have to be really careful about what time of the month I go. I agree with the muscle theory though

That's a good idea of your OH's Wendz, it shows him you're serious about him as well as getting you to stop. Has he asked yet?

Dinah93

You spent £3,066 a year on ciggarettes, which on your current wage would take you 17 weeks per year work to pay for. Over the course of a working life quitting will save you £137,970.... well done love, you've saved a whole house from going up in smoke!

OR

In Irish prices which you were paying. You spent £5,475.00 a year on smoking, meaning you worked 30.4 weeks working to pay for it on your current wage. Over a working life you've saved £246,375 - a very, very nice house got saved!

N.I.M

more like 30 a day and it was €8 a pack when I quit