Quitting. The Third Day. Afternoon.

It has now been approximately 56 hours since my last cigarette.

I could not sleep again last night.  So frustrating.  I watched an entire dvd of Big Bang Theory.  Then when that was over, I watched back to back episodes of Forensic Files.  Although I like Forensic Files, the narrator's voice has a calming/soothing quality that usually lulls me to sleep.  Not last night.

The time distortion is not as bad as it was on the 1st and 2nd days (especially the 1st day).  In fact, there have been periods of 1 to 2 hours when I became completely engrossed in reading and forgot that I was quitting smoking.  Then suddenly I would realize that I was quitting and hadn't been thinking about about it, celebrated for a short moment and...there it was, a craving.  They say that each craving only lasts ~3 minutes.  I haven't timed them personally, but I have noticed that even though the cravings are intense and sometimes overwhelming, they pass quickly and as suddenly as they arrive.

My husband bought some Twizzlers.  I took one out of the package and was in the process of taking a bite when I realized that I was holding it like a cigarette.  Gah!

I was tested rather severely today.  I was hoping that by quitting during some down time between jobs, that I would be subjected to less stress than usual and would have an easier quit.  In the span of three hours, I received two calls regarding pending court cases and pleas for my help in interpretation of the facts of the case.  The stress and associated cravings were immediate and intense.  It was the closest I have come to lighting up.  But I pushed through and realized shortly that the craving and intense stress were resolving without lighting up.  The stressful thoughts remained for a while, though.  Perhaps they would have even if I were normal and not going through nicotine withdrawals.

I walked some more today, but not as much as on days 1 and 2 because I have shin splints.  How stupid.