Stop your whining! Suck it up! Get over it! --- All of these are phrases you will never hear uttered in a GUS diary.
GUS (Gave Up Smoking) is a community support diary for Kossacks in the midst of quitting smoking. Any supportive comments, suggestions or positive distractions are appreciated. We avoid discussion of political issues here. If you are quitting or even thinking about quitting or just want to support those who are, please -- join us! GUS Library at dKosopedia is organically evolving, and stocked with free-range information: quit-smoking links, helpful GUS diary writing tips, and the GUS Buddy List.
Everyone at GUS has either done the difficult work of quitting or is now attempting it and is all too familiar with the amount of work, strength, and perseverance it takes. Nobody here is going to belittle you or begrudge your need to complain or vent about how hard it all is.
Beginnings and endings tend to be extremely difficult for many of us. Even when they aren't in any way related to addiction. I was recently reminded of this in my own life. I've been going to the same gym for over 7 years. Prior to joining this gym, I had gotten by with the occasional aerobics or yoga class here and there and with the semi-regular use of my stationary bicycle to stay fit. At some point, after moving into this house, I had to move my stationary bike to the basement because I had no other place to put it. Whenever I would go down to the basement to ride the bike, my dogs would whimper the whole time I was down there. I tried to get them to go into the basement with me but one of my dogs is deathly afraid of stairs and the other dog will not go downstairs without his buddy. This eventually resulted in the decline of the stationary bike's use. After a year of not riding the bike at all, I decided it was time to consider joining a gym and making a more conscious effort to work out on a regular basis.
It took me a couple of weeks to research all of the work-out options in my area. There are fitness clubs, health clubs, gyms, and recreational centers and they all offer different amenities. Some of them provide massage therapy, dietitians, exercise and dance classes, and personal trainers in addition to the weight-lifting and exercise equipment. Some of them have indoor pools, jacuzzis, saunas, racket ball courts, tennis courts, and running tracks. Some of the places were so massive and offered so many services I got a good work-out just touring the facility!
The gym I ended up joining wasn't the newest or fanciest one in town. It wasn't the one that had the most exercise equipment or the most services. I ended up choosing it mostly because of the location - it was easy to get to from work or home, it provided free parking, and it was open at all of the times I was most likely to want to go. I also really liked the "feel" of the place. When I went to tour the facility, everyone seemed to be focused on their own work-out. There weren't a lot of twenty-somethings in skimpy work-out clothes standing around posing, wanting to see and be seen.
For the past seven or so years, I have been going to this gym every night after work and on most Sunday afternoons. It has become my go-to place whenever I feel stressed out or just need a place to unwind while I listen to my iPod and work up a sweat. I do some of my best thinking at the gym while I do my 3 miles on the elliptical machine. Even though I never intended to meet people and make new friends at the gym, over the years I have become accustomed to seeing the same people there. We don't sit around talking and sharing a lot of information about ourselves but we do acknowledge each other with a smile or a wave and we sometimes can't help but monitor each others progress. When we notice someone has lost a lot of weight or is doing many more repetitions on a particular machine, we encourage each other, subtly acknowledging the achievement. A few years ago, there was a woman I ran into regularly - she was there for physical therapy after a stroke. She had to do physical therapy for several months and when she finally came in without her braces to help her get around, everyone who had watched her over those many months couldn't help but give her a hug and congratulate her on the accomplishment.
So, in other words, this gym has provided a community I have come to appreciate in many more ways than I ever thought I would. A couple of weeks ago, I learned that my gym was closing. Yesterday was the last day it was open. I know it probably seems a little silly but I can't help but feel like I've lost a good friend. I am now visiting new fitness clubs trying to find one that will hopefully feel like my old gym. There are some new places in town that weren't here when I shopped around for a gym several years ago - so, I know I'll find a place. Right now, I just feel like feeling sorry for myself and complaining though.
And I know I'm in the right place for it because the GUS community knows what I'm going through and they won't tell me to "Put a cork in it!"
The ever patient and understanding GUS Buddies:
1BQ, 3rdGenFeminist, Abra Crabcakeya, Actbriniel, addisnana, AfroPonix, aishmael, Alise, Alpha99, A Man Called Gloom, ambeeeant, American in Kathmandu, amk for obama, andsarahtoo, angry marmot, Anne933, anodnhajo, aoeu, aquarius2001, arcadesproject, Archie2227, arodb, Arthur Wolf (in memoriam), assyrian64, awkawk, b4uknowit, bamablue, BARAKABETH, barnowl, b barrie, bdizz, beatpanda, Beefydaddy18, BFSkinner, bgblcklab1, BigAlinWashSt, Bike Crash, BirderWitch, BJKay, bleeding heart, blingbling65, blue husky, Blue Intrigue, BluejayRN, BlueJessamine, bluestatedem84, BoiseBlue, boudi08, Brahman Colorado, breedlovinit, BrenP, Bronxist, BrowniesAreGood, bsmechanic, buddabelly, burrow owl, BusyinCa, Carol in San Antonio, CathiefromCanada, CathodeRay, CDH in Brooklyn, cee4, Cen Den, ChiTownDenny, ChocolateChris, ChurchofBruce, ciganka, cinnamondog, xuǝzıʇıɔ, ClapClapSnap, Cleante, Code Monkey, codobus, Coldblue Steele, Colorado is the Shiznit, coloradomomma, commonmass, Common Sense Mainer, congenitalefty, coppercelt, dadanation, dangoch, DarienComp, Dauber, Dauphin, Dave in AZ, Dave in Northridge, demkat620, Dexter, Diana in NoVa, Dickie, DiegoUK, Dingodude, dirtdude, distraught, djMikulec, dolfin66, donnamarie, Donna O, dotsright, DRo, droogie6655321, Dube, duckhunter, Eclectablog, Eddie C, EdgedInBlue, effervescent, elbamash, El barragas, el vasco, ericlewis0, Everest42, Ex Con, ezdidit, fhamme, Fineena, fiona2, fishhawk, Flea, flumptytail, fritzi56, FrugalGranny, Garrett, Gator, gchaucer2, GDbot, Geiiga, GenXangster, Georgianna Darcy, glpaul, GN1927, gooderservice, gooners, gravlax, greylox, grndrush, GrumpyWarriorPoet, gzodik, Haole in Hawaii, HappyinNM, henlesloop, HeyMikey, hideinplainsight, High Tide, hiliner68, hold tight, hulibow, I love OCD, Im a frayed knot, imisa, Indexer, indubitably, indyada, Interceptor7, inventor, I said GOOD DAY sir, itsbenj, Jahiz, JamesEB, janl1776, Janeo, JayinPortland, jayjaybear, jbou, Jeffersonian Democrat, jmadlc55, jmonch, Joe's Steven aka Steven, john07801, johngoes, jsfox, JVolvo's Mom, jwinIL14, kai99, kailuacaton, Kamakhya, kat herder, Kelly of PA, kestrel9000, khloemi, Khun David, Kitsap River, kittania, Kodiak54, Kristina40, Ksholl, labwitchy, Lady Kestrel, ladypockt, Lahdee, langerdang, LarsThorwald, LA rupert, last starfighter, LaughingPlanet, Laurie Gator, Lipstick Liberal, litoralis, lmdonovan, lockewasright, Lonely Texan, longislandny, luvsathoroughbred, maggiemay, magicsister, mango, Marc in KS, marknspokane, maryabein, Matt Esler, mdemploi, Meteor Blades, Micburke, michael1104, MillieNeon, Minerva1157, MinervainNH, Missys Brother, mjbleo, MnRaindog, mntleo2, Morague, Mr Bojangles, mrsgoo, mskitty, msmacgyver, MsWings, Murphoney, nannyboz, ncsuLAN, NearlyNormal, Nedsdag, Nick Zouroudis, notgivingup, NY brit expat, OleHippieChick, one pissed off democrat, Onomastic, operculum, OrangeMike, Ordvefa, Overseas, OverTheEdge, pager, paige, PaintyKat, paradox, parryander, paulitics, Pennsylvanian, phrogge prince, Positronicus, post rational, Proud Mom and Grandma, psycho liberal, ptolemynm, Purple Priestess, PvtJarHead, racheltracks, randallt, ray bob, real world chick, red mittens, Reepicheep, regis, relentless, revelwoodie, revsue, Rex Manning, rexymeteorite, RiaD, rickeagle, ridemybike, rightiswrong, rincewind, rkex, roadlion, Roger Fox, Rosebuddear, roses, rscopes, Rudini, Safina, SallyCat, Sanuk, Sark Svemes, sboucher, scooter in brooklyn, Scrapyard Ape, seenaymah, sfbob, sgary, Shahryar, sheddhead, shesaid, Shifty18, shmuelman, shopkeeper, sidious666, slowbutsure, smartcookienyc, smeesq, Smoh, snoopydawg, snorwich, SnyperKitty, SoCalHobbit, sofia, soonergrunt, sostos, sowsearsoup, SpecialKinFlag, spmozart, spotDawa, SpotTheCat, StateofGrace, Statusquomustgo, stiffneck, sunbro, Super Grover, Syoho, tallmom, Tay, tdslf1, teknospaz, theatre goon, The Eyewitness Muse, TheGeneral, TheStoopingRabbit, TigerMom, tiredofcrap, TomP, tonyahky, Toyotabob7, Treefrog, triciawyse, trs, trueblueliberal, ttanner, Tulsonian, Turn VABlue, Turtle Bay, Tyto Alba, uc booker, UncleCharlie, Unduna, Unforgiven, ursoklevar, USArmyParatrooper, VA02 femocrat, Vacationland, valadon, Vayle, Vetwife, vgranucci, Village expects idiot home soon, waytac, webranding, weelzup, Wes Opinion, Whimsical Rapscallion, willy be frantic, willy mugobeer, Wood Dragon, wolfie1818, Wordsinthewind, Wreck Smurfy, x, xopher, yet another liberal, Zotz
Sat PM: StateOfGrace and no I don't want any cheese to go with my whine!
Sun AM: Open
Sun PM: bgblcklab1
Mon AM: Open
Mon PM: Vacationland
Tue AM: Open
Tue PM: Eddie C
Wed AM: labwitchy
Wed PM: FrugalGranny
Thu AM: Open
Thu PM: Dave in AZ
Fri AM: flumptytail
Fri PM: Open
If you would like to host a GUS diary and share your experience with Giving Up Smoking or some other diversionary topic, please post a comment to the tip jar/ butt can.