Great shopping trip - the pics are great and really help me to see what you were seeing. Other than being better for your teeth, what else does gum give you that is different than soda? What does it give you that is similar to soda, that made you think of it as a potential substitute?
Gum takes care of my chewing urges, so I do prefer it over soda; however I do like the feeling of carbonation in my mouth as well so I guess it works as a substitute. There was also a time when I tried to quit smoking and whenever I wanted a cigarette I would have a piece of gum and follow it up with a drink out of a bottle. I think the bottle kind of was to substitute putting a cigarette to my lips. At that time I would only drink water out of a bottle but if I went a day or two without having a cigarette I would "reward" myself with a soda. I think it just kind of brings back the whole "reward" for me and I fell back into my old habits of when I was trying to quit smoking.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
One more Q: Where'd the Big Red come from? Do you typically carry it with you? If so, where? Did you "bum" it or buy it?
The Big Red came from Walgreen's as well. I don't usually carry it around. After chewing on it for a bit I realized how much I don't like it. ;-) After a few minutes it starts to burn my mouth. I did buy it, I don't think I'd ask someone for a piece of Big Red unless I had an urge to want to hurt myself LOL.
The Big Red came from Walgreen's as well. I don't usually carry it around. After chewing on it for a bit I realized how much I don't like it. ;-) After a few minutes it starts to burn my mouth. I did buy it, I don't think I'd ask someone for a piece of Big Red unless I had an urge to want to hurt myself LOL.
answers to questions
Great blog - a few follow-ups: 1. You talk about chewing gum "just whenever". What does gum do for you during those times, not only physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. What do these times have in common - are they social time, stressful time, mundane times, etc.? 2. You talk about liking to chew on things. Why do you think this is? What's going on mentally and emotionally when you feel this way? 3. Also interesting that you played video-games instead of buying candy. Why did that seem like a "substitute" for gum? 4. How many of your friends chew gum? Does this have an impact on IF you chew and HOW MUCH? Please explain. Thanks!
1.Gum I guess is kind of a release for me. I literally have a physical urge to chew on things from time to time so it takes care of that feeling when I have it. I get the feeling often when I'm excited, not just stressed but literally pumped with happiness too. And, during mundane or bored periods I feel the need to chew on something. I used to grind my teeth when I was younger so I guess it's sort of a replacement for that.
2. I am not really sure why I like to chew on things, again I really do have a physicall urge to just bite or chew and if I don't have gum around I look for something else to chew on. i used to chew on a lot of hard candy but realized how bad that was for me teeth. I guess i really never thought of what I am feeling when I do it so I can't really answer that. I know I'm not always in a stressed or bored state of mind. I think I do it a lot when I'm thinking about things. I tend to have to do a lot of thinking in my job and chewing on gum or just objects around tend to help me with that. i can tell you that I do prefer certain types of pens to chew on. I like softer plastic, not hard plastic but i think that's because hard plastic tends to end up hurting my gums.
3. Playing video games has alwasy been a release for me. I feel like I can kind of go "brain-dead" when I play games or at least it takes my mind of anything that may be bothering me. For instance, if I have a really stressful day at work I will play a vido game for hours just to relax. I also like to tend to keep myself busy so playing video games is something to keep me busy.
4. All of my friends chew gum. I think i would chew more with them if I didn't smoke but I do tend to have a piece of gum every time I have a cigarette. if I ever can't have a cigarette I tend to pop two or more pieces in my mouth I guess to help kill the urge for a cigarette.
1.Gum I guess is kind of a release for me. I literally have a physical urge to chew on things from time to time so it takes care of that feeling when I have it. I get the feeling often when I'm excited, not just stressed but literally pumped with happiness too. And, during mundane or bored periods I feel the need to chew on something. I used to grind my teeth when I was younger so I guess it's sort of a replacement for that.
2. I am not really sure why I like to chew on things, again I really do have a physicall urge to just bite or chew and if I don't have gum around I look for something else to chew on. i used to chew on a lot of hard candy but realized how bad that was for me teeth. I guess i really never thought of what I am feeling when I do it so I can't really answer that. I know I'm not always in a stressed or bored state of mind. I think I do it a lot when I'm thinking about things. I tend to have to do a lot of thinking in my job and chewing on gum or just objects around tend to help me with that. i can tell you that I do prefer certain types of pens to chew on. I like softer plastic, not hard plastic but i think that's because hard plastic tends to end up hurting my gums.
3. Playing video games has alwasy been a release for me. I feel like I can kind of go "brain-dead" when I play games or at least it takes my mind of anything that may be bothering me. For instance, if I have a really stressful day at work I will play a vido game for hours just to relax. I also like to tend to keep myself busy so playing video games is something to keep me busy.
4. All of my friends chew gum. I think i would chew more with them if I didn't smoke but I do tend to have a piece of gum every time I have a cigarette. if I ever can't have a cigarette I tend to pop two or more pieces in my mouth I guess to help kill the urge for a cigarette.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
A day without Gum
Woke up around 8AM. By myself in my apartment. I’m Sleepy but content. I need to brush my teeth stat! (first thing I want to do in the morning). I don’t usually chew gum right away in the morning but probably would if I wasn’t able to brush my teeth. Not looking forward to no gum today. I usually chew gum after I eat and just whenever throughout the day.
8:30 ish… eat some toast and a banana for breakfast. By myself at home. Feeling Ok, still waiting to wake up fully. Want to get started on my work at home. Just eat breakfast I guess. Not really wanting gum right now
10AM go for a cigarette outside, probably not going to hang out with anyone today, need to get a bunch of chores and work done today.
Feeling ok just want a cigarette. I really want a piece of gum after I smoke, decide to have brush my teeth instead. I like to chew gum for 2 reasons. One to freshen my breath and 2nd just because I like to chew on things.
12 start on work and I’m frustrated with work. I find that I am gnawing on my pen. I’m afraid I’m going to break through to the ink soon so I grab a different pen. All out of pen caps unfortunately. I guess gum calms me down a bit or just gives me something to chew on. I like to chew for some reason.
3Pm. Give up on work. Go have another cigarette and brush my teeth again after. I notice I’m snacking more on chips and drinking more soda. Gave up soda for lent and haven’t really had any since but bought two bottles of pepsi at the store. I think I’m smoking more as well. Have had about 3 cigarette breaks while working and generally only have about 6 a day. Not happy about smoking more.
4-6. took a nap for some reason. Woke up and tried to decide what to eat for dinner. Made some chicken and rice with veggies. Brushed my teeth after. Drank a lot of water. Started chewing on my pen again. Thought about buying some hard candy or Starburst to chew on instead but played some video games instead.
9. getting ready for bed. Getting up early tomorrow to go to brunch with my friends and go shopping. Excited to hang out with my friends and to be able to chew gum tomorrow. J
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Shopping!
1. I went to Walgreen's because they have the biggest selection of gum and is closest to me. My picture of the isle was unfortunately blurry but it is the gum and candy isle of the store.
2. a) There are a lot more options than when I was younger. It seems that lately there are more and more brands of gum as well as a lot more flavors of gum.
b) There also seems to be a new trend in gum of types that appear to be more healthy, there are kinds that whiten your teeth, kinds that claim to reduce cavities and a lot more sugarless options than before.I was unable to take more photos as the store did not want me taking any so, unfortunately, I do not have any more photos than the isle, store sign and the array of gum.
3) As stated before there are many more options and the new trend seems to be leaning towards more healthy types of gum that claim to actually help improve your life (teeth whitening, cavity fighting, etc...). I feel this is good, especially when so many people turn to gum as an outlet or relief as they quit smoking cigarettes. also, it shows that people are tending to be more health conscious than they were in the past.
4) another trend seems to be many different flavors. It used to be just bubble-gum flavor, mint or cinnamon. Now there are various types of fruit gums. Gum that even changes it's flavor or has a dual flavor when you chew it. I like this, i like a lot of variety in most everything. I tend to be stuck on a particular flavor for awhile (currently Sweet Mint from Orbit) and when I get tired of one I now have the option to move on to many different kinds. Sometimes I will buy multiple types just to try the different flavors.
5) The gum I tend to choose most frequently is Orbit. I know I started chewing it because of their cheeky ads on TV but I also like their flavors and their different types of flavor, from mint to fruity and then different variations in between. The gums I choose the least often now are Wrigley. Big Red, Spearmint and Peppermint have lost their luster for me. I believe because those were the only choices i really had growing up and i like something different from time to time.
6) I bought Orbit's Sweet Mint and I also bought Big Red. I bought the Sweet Mint because it's my favorite and I ran out ;-). I also bought Big Red because thinking about different gums had me realizing I haven't tried it in a long time so I wanted to get some again. I guess the purchase shows that I like different types of gum and tend to switch around often. I do have my favorites but I do also like to buy at least one other type of gum so I have something more.
7) The one wish I would have for gum is that the flavor would last longer. All types seem to try to claim that they last longer but none of them seem to last longer than a few minutes.
8) I would probably rent a movie and buy a soda. I supposed gum is a better alternative as soda is not really that good for you and while gum helps strengthen and is good for your teeth, soda is bad for your teeth.
2. a) There are a lot more options than when I was younger. It seems that lately there are more and more brands of gum as well as a lot more flavors of gum.
b) There also seems to be a new trend in gum of types that appear to be more healthy, there are kinds that whiten your teeth, kinds that claim to reduce cavities and a lot more sugarless options than before.I was unable to take more photos as the store did not want me taking any so, unfortunately, I do not have any more photos than the isle, store sign and the array of gum.
3) As stated before there are many more options and the new trend seems to be leaning towards more healthy types of gum that claim to actually help improve your life (teeth whitening, cavity fighting, etc...). I feel this is good, especially when so many people turn to gum as an outlet or relief as they quit smoking cigarettes. also, it shows that people are tending to be more health conscious than they were in the past.
4) another trend seems to be many different flavors. It used to be just bubble-gum flavor, mint or cinnamon. Now there are various types of fruit gums. Gum that even changes it's flavor or has a dual flavor when you chew it. I like this, i like a lot of variety in most everything. I tend to be stuck on a particular flavor for awhile (currently Sweet Mint from Orbit) and when I get tired of one I now have the option to move on to many different kinds. Sometimes I will buy multiple types just to try the different flavors.
5) The gum I tend to choose most frequently is Orbit. I know I started chewing it because of their cheeky ads on TV but I also like their flavors and their different types of flavor, from mint to fruity and then different variations in between. The gums I choose the least often now are Wrigley. Big Red, Spearmint and Peppermint have lost their luster for me. I believe because those were the only choices i really had growing up and i like something different from time to time.
6) I bought Orbit's Sweet Mint and I also bought Big Red. I bought the Sweet Mint because it's my favorite and I ran out ;-). I also bought Big Red because thinking about different gums had me realizing I haven't tried it in a long time so I wanted to get some again. I guess the purchase shows that I like different types of gum and tend to switch around often. I do have my favorites but I do also like to buy at least one other type of gum so I have something more.
7) The one wish I would have for gum is that the flavor would last longer. All types seem to try to claim that they last longer but none of them seem to last longer than a few minutes.
8) I would probably rent a movie and buy a soda. I supposed gum is a better alternative as soda is not really that good for you and while gum helps strengthen and is good for your teeth, soda is bad for your teeth.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
A day in the life of my mouth
12PM (woke up late) with my boyfriend. was feeling a little hungover but not too bad. Yes we went out the night before. Had some water and felt much better after a few minutes of drinking water. Also had some Tylenol. Drank the water because i needed to rehydrate
12:30PM was walking home and stopped to get cigarettes and a Diet Coke. Wanted the caffeine from the Coke, was having a nic fit for a cigarette. Felt a little more awake after drinking the soda and felt more hungover after having the cigarette. yay me.
1PM brushed my teeth with Crest Pro Health
2:30PM went to get lunch with the bf at a Mediterranean restaurant. Was really good. Had some lamb and drank water. Also had some flaming cheese (cannot remember the name of it). Felt great after lunch and had a couple pieces of gum after lunch. Wrigley's Big Red.
3PM - 8PM. We went shopping everywhere. Had a bottle of water (Evian) while shopping and about 4 cigarettes (Camel Crush) and 5 pieces of Wrigley Big Red. Wanted just water because I wasn't hungry after lunch.
8PM. Got home, had half of my lamb sandwich for dinner and a bottle of Sierra Mist. Dinner was good. Very relaxing night at home.
Will brush my teeth again tonight before going to bed. Again with Crest Pro Health
Will brush my teeth again tonight before going to bed. Again with Crest Pro Health
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