Hi

I just recently (last 2 months) started smoking, although I hardly ever smoke here at home. When I go to a friend/brother in law's house we drink beer and smoke. Usually I'll have around 5 or 6 smokes a night, and this is maybe 3 or 4 times a week. I've been drinking beer quite a bit and while I'm reasonably fit and very slim, I now have a beer gut.

Whenever I stay here at home I never smoke, but can't help myself when I go to my friend's house. What should I do? He wants to stop too, but we can't just stay away from each other and not be bad influences on each other! That seems a bit extreme.

I'm going back to the UK in a month and I know I won't smoke at all. Cigarettes are almost 10 times more expensive there and I'll be staying with my parents who would not let me stay and smoke.

What would your advice for me be? I have been eating healthily funnily enough (fish, fruit, veggies, spirulina, liver etc. v.v.healthy stuff every day). Ultimately, I want to not smoke and drink once a week, although this would be a big drink!

How should I go about achieving this? It's the only thing bugging me at the moment and maybe it's a little trivial, but it is definitely bugging me. I'd like to get fit.

I know it's hardly rock and roll excess but I have never really smoked much ('cept the little herb) and since I'm asthmatic I know I need to stop this now before I'm a fully fledged smoker.

It's almost like these bad boys are addictive or some shit!

Perhaps the trick may be to exercise every time you get the urge to have a smoke or a drink. It may help to take your mind off it in an active way.

You want to stop smoking and drinking?

Next you'll be wanting to give up fried food!

Just say `yes`!

doctormcmeekle said:

I'm not entirely convinced that you're a real doctor.

Famboozled said:

Trust me!

Unless you're a bloke, then, how 'bout that Euro Championship?

doctormcmeekle said:

yeah, how about that? Very disappointing but there's always next time, or rather the big one in 2 years.

Famboozled said:

What do you mean disappointing?? We're in the semi finals

AndGodCreatedMe said:

Really? I thought the tournament had finished already.

I don't think anyone's really watching it anymore.

Famboozled said:

You're just jealouse

Notice how no one's really answered your question?

Ah, the good ol' GD.

mrdespues said:

mrdespues said:

I'm having the same problem. Just enjoy life while you can, especially since you know you'll quit when you move back to the UK!

mrdespues said:

Too true. I think it might be better to start the topic off on a completely different subject.

Then you sit and hope the thread jackers will digress on to the subject you want discussed.

Perhaps if I had started this one on football people might have got round to talking about my concerns regarding beer and cigarettes.



btw, I'm not moving back to the UK Natsume, just going back for a 6 week holiday. Can't leave my beloved Bangkok. Oh, and my wife.

Famboozled said:

SKIRT STEAK WITH CILANTRO GARLIC SAUCE


Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 20 min

For sauce
1 medium garlic clove
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/8 teaspoon cayenne

For steak
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 lb skirt steak, cut crosswise into 3- to 4-inch pieces

Make sauce:
Mince garlic and mash to a paste with salt. Transfer to a blender and add remaining sauce ingredients, then blend until smooth.

Grill steak:
Stir together cumin, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Pat steak dry, then rub both sides of pieces with cumin mixture.

Heat an oiled well-seasoned ridged grill pan over high heat until hot but not smoking, then grill steak in 2 batches, turning over occasionally, about 2 minutes per batch for thin pieces or 6 to 8 minutes per batch for thicker pieces (medium-rare). Serve steak drizzled with sauce.

Makes 6 servings.

doctormcmeekle said:

Dammit.

Munch on carrots or celery while you're drinking. I have no desire to smoke if I am laying on the couch... lay down while you drink, maybe you won't have the desire to smoke either.

AzureStarr said:

I often lie down when I'm drinking. Before, during and mostly after.