One recalls the aphorism of St. Augustine: "To some, total abstinence is easier than perfect moderation."

Way to go fellas. No kidding, I do find that not being able to smoke in bars goes a long way toward keeping the desire away.

Did you see the Johnny Carson retrospective last night? They ran the reel of his interview with Bryant Gumbel, and you could see the smoke wafting up from beside Johnny. . .this was 1983. No surprise that complications of Emphysema did him in?

"Abstinence is easy, as temperance is difficult". Amen.

Oh, it's a long joke and I tell it with a lot of ... animation, so I'll save it for face-to-face encounters.

I knew I'd try it again; and as I've said I don't think I'll never, ever have any cigarette again ever, but as far as day-to-day part of my life, they're out.

JP

Okemos company fires 4 employees for refusing smoking test

Monday, January 24, 2005

ASSOCIATED PRESS

LANSING -- Four employees of Okemos-based health benefits administrator Weyco Inc. have been fired for refusing to take a test that would determine whether they smoke cigarettes.

The company instituted a policy on Jan. 1 that makes it a firing offense to smoke -- even if done after business hours or at home, the Lansing State Journal reported Monday.

Weyco founder Howard Weyers said previously that he instituted the tough anti-smoking rule to shield his company from high health care costs.

"I don't want to pay for the results of smoking," he said.

The anti-smoking rule led one employee to quit work before the policy went into place. Since Jan. 1, four more people were shown the door when they balked at the anti-smoking test.

"They were terminated at that point," said Chief Financial Officer Gary Climes.

Even so, Weyco said, the policy has been successful. Climes estimated that about 18 to 20 of the company's 200 employers were smokers when the policy was announced in 2003.

Of those, as many as 14 quit smoking before the policy went into place. Weyco offered them smoking cessation help, Climes said.

"That is absolutely a victory," Climes said.

Climes is an Assh0le.

Wife just lit up in the other room. I heard the lighter.
She's an assh0le.

Dog's are barking at something.
Assh0les.

My dad quit smoking around this time last year. He told me today that he has put the money he used to use on cigs into an account. He is now going to buy himself a flat screen plasma wall tv with the extra cake.

lendaddy - you can buy my early sport seats with the money$ that you $ave

I just found this post, and want you all to know it gets easier. I quit chewing tobacco after 20 years in October (age 9-29). I just got tired of shelling out over $100 a month on the crap, and what it was doing to my teeth, along with I lost a friend and a relative to cancer this last year.

I used the gum for a few weeks, then just switched to Trident sugarless gum. I'm at about a pack a day, but it's much better for you than the alternative.

The things I experienced were mood swings, irritability, insomnia, and snacking. I've probably gained five pounds, but I'll loose that this Spring. They've all gone away pretty much now.

Keep up the good work!

Quit smoking or lose your job...

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=573&e=20&u=/nm/life_smoking_dc

Oops, repost. =)

I was watching the Simpsons the other night, heard this quote and thought of you guys...

"Going cold turkey isn't as delicious as it sounds." -Homer Simpson

City of Columbus Bullsheet smoking ban starts at mid-night, but that's another thread entirely. Another law to protect us from ourselves. We just need on law - take responsibility for ourselves - then they can get rid of the rest.

I actually think it's getting harder lately. I want one bad! It ain't gonna happen, but the desire is strong. Maybe it's the stress? Oh well, still powering along here.

Len:

What is your exercise strategy? Now that your lungs have begun to recover it's time to put them to work. Do you run? Weights?

It doesn't take much. . . start out twice a week, then move up to three times a day for as little as 20 minutes and you'll forget you ever heard of cigarettes.

I need one bad! I use to be extremely active! I raced MX, played every sport, etc... Now I do nothing:(. I have gained 20+ pounds since quitting already!

Well, first of all, you should see your primary care physician for a physical before starting any exercise program. He will check you out and make sure you don't have any latent conditions that could be problematic- given your history of sports, probably not an issue, but all it costs you is a little time. Think of it as a PPI for yourself.

Then, I would start off by walking. Yes, walking. Go outside in the bitter Michigan cold (I spent 11 years so I KNOW) and walk 10 minutes out, 10 minutes back, at a brisk pace. After a couple weeks of this, allow yourself to walk 5 minutes, run 5, then walk 10 . . . you get the picture. . . the goal is to EASE back into it with LOW goals and expectations. . . remember, half of life is just showing up.

It's going to be hard at first. . .you will be hacking up bloody marlboro butts and old pull-tabs. . . but persevere you must.

John, I appreciate your caution but I am fine with more than that. I'm releatively young yet at 31 and have been to a DR. recently. No heart problems etc..

What I meant was in the winter I do nothing, not even skiing anymore:( I'm just too heavy now to do this stuff with any level of comfort.

This summer I was playing tennis a couple times a week and golf. That was about it but it kept me between 240-260. :eek:

I am currently 6' 2" and weighing in at a chart topping 290:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

It really sucks, but when I quit smoking all I wanted to do was work, eat, and sleep. I am ready to get back on track. For anyone that has never been grossly over weight, let me tell you it sucks. It is currently uncomfortible to exist if that makes sense????

FWIW when I was in my 20's I was racing MX weekly, playing basketball tournies, tennis, flag football, you name it. I was energy man! I still weighed 240 or so! It really blows. I got down to 205 once using the protein diet and exorcise but I just can't stay with it. I need a realistic approach.

For conversation purposes, in high school I was 5'4" and 130lbs:)

Hey LenDaddy,

I think you must be at a month now as I am about to hit my month of "No Chew" anniversity!! I know what you mean in terms of cravings, as I still have VERY strong ones but as of yet, have not had a chew. For weight gain, I have started to work out again, mostly running and biking for now. I did the Ironman in 1989 and 1990 and am starting to plan to do another--this time with no chew!!!!!!!!!!!!! By the way CONGRADULATIONS for a month and mine is about 4 days away. The most interesting thing about quitting is that I now some the confidence to tackle some other negelected issues in my life.

I've made it one month. Congrats to everyone else who's made it this far. I do still have the cravings and my food and beer intake have gone way up. Fortunately, at 37 I can still eat almost anything I want without gaining a pound.

*^^%&^*^%$^ IN THE *&^(^%)&^%%^%( MOTHER ^%^%$(

Just kidding:)


Sorta.