Lou's Women give resolutions updates

To anyone who might have spied me smoking a cigarette since New Year and thought "aha, we've caught her out"- I really am giving up, writes Louise Jew.

I'm on the way with it - but the regime I chose to follow in my New Year resolution allows for a phased farewell to the dreaded weed.

Smoking is a spectre that has dogged me for most of my adult life – I packed it in at the age of 26, only to resume the filthy habit 11 years later and I've been back on them ever since.

On the last occasion I beat it after a session with a hypnotist but this time I'm using Champix – the latest drug to help kick the habit – as my crutch.

It contains Varenicline, which is billed not only as reducing cravings but also blocking nicotine in any cigarettes smoked, so that they will not provide any rewarding or enjoyable effect.

You take an introductory, low dose for one week, while still smoking as normal, and then, as the dosage doubles the following week, you set a date to actually stop smoking.

My quit date was January 16, which was approached with some trepidation.

During the weekend leading up to it, I found I quite often felt sick when smoking – but, as a nicotine trooper, I persevered and carried on right to my deadline.

I'm not able to say, quite yet, that I've conquered it because I'm taking it one day at a time, using the Champix tablets prescribed at my GP's to ease the cravings.

Well, that's the theory – although I'm still, at times, almost climbing the walls in my desire for a nicotine "fix" and I'm more snappy than usual.

The Monday of my quitting dawned and I gritted my teeth and went with it – and, I must say, apart from the occasional strong pang to light up, it's been relatively smooth.

My fear now is that I will put on weight because there is a huge temptation to gnaw your way through the cravings on sausage rolls, cakes and biscuits.

But....watch this space.

Find out how the rest of Lou's Women are doing with their resolutions – and add your own comments below.

Keen tennis player Pat Bailey, from Halesowen, says: ""Mine was to give up alcohol. Had a good start then gave in.

"I have cut down and it's not easy. I need to cut it out really to lose the weight but was pleasantly surprised by cutting down on alcohol I lost 1.5lb last week and the same the week before.

"So I must get more serious and stronger willed."

Willenhall Carnival Queen Stacey Senior says: "I am on a healthy eating regime and I have started going to yoga.

"I like yoga for now but I am a 'fad' person so I will try something for a while, get good at it, then change to something else never to revisit it.

"So I've done the Zumba thing, the gym membership, road running, horse riding, motorbikes, home DVDs and off road biking.

"Yoga is my thing for now - until the next fad comes along."

"Llama Lady" Chris Armstrong says: "I haven't made any resolutions this year as I always renege on them so it's pointless."

Keep fit guru Lou Thomas says: "Resolutions ? None of mine achieved yet but I'm not giving up on them – ask me again in a couple of months."

Student Holly Dodd says: "So far I have managed to keep my room a food-free zone and the chocolate biscuits firmly in the kitchen.

"But we'll soon see how long that lasts once essay deadlines start flooding in. I admire everyone endeavouring with self-improvement in the New Year though and wish them lots of luck and perseverance.

"With graduation and the prospect of job-hunting looming on the horizon, I am confident that I will have quite enough to occupty me in 2012."