~*~Stop Smoking 2008~*~

[Gracie514]

[quote=aim in Fla*working;9789771]i quit 6 months last year and then started up too..but, i think the difference was i constantly looked at what i was missing..]

I agree totally! On Saturday I was depressed because I felt like I was missing out. What a joke huh? The only things I am missing out on are
emphysema, cancer, heart disease, etc. But it is so hard when you're in
the situation. I look at it not only as a drug addiction but a mental one too.
When I did smoke I remember that WHILE I was smoking I would think about
how much I hated it and wanted to quit. Now that I've quit sometimes I'll
watch people smoke and be envious. It's a vicious circle ~ but I know in
my heart that not smoking is the best thing I can ever do for myself, my DH, and my two kids.

I hope everyone has a great non-craving day.

[aim in Fla*working]

you can Gracie
Hugs not drugs baby!
...........HAHAHAHAHAHAH!! I made myself sick with the nerdiness...

[SonyaK]

Gracie - You might want to grab a copy of "The Easy Way to Quit Smoking." He touches on the very subject of smoker envy. It really is worth a read even if you have been smoke free for a very long time. I think you greatly increase your chances of never starting again if you read this book.

(So says the women who quit smoking a whopping 19 hours, 35 minutes and 55 seconds ago.)

[SheriK]

Day 10... and boy could I really tell it when I ran this morning. It felt sooooo good to be able to breath and run at the same time.

How's it going everyone?

[BarbDe]

Excellent Sheri! I wish I could run again. That will really clean the ole lungs out!!!

I'm still hanging in and feeling good about it! Hardly ever have cravings anymore. And I rarely think about smoking. It's getting much easier!!

I have been quit for 2 Months, 1 Week, 3 Days, 18 hours, 2 minutes and 57 seconds (71 days). I have saved $358.74 by not smoking 2,870 cigarettes. I have saved 1 Week, 2 Days, 23 hours and 10 minutes of my life. My Quit Date: 11/4/2007 2:36 PM

[Gracie514]

Hey y'all ~ day 108 and counting!

Sonyak: I have read the book.....back in September when I quit. Maybe it would be good for me to go back and re-read it so it's fresh in my mind. I
am totally fine 99% of the time. Usually the other 1% is when I have a beer in me! Believe me it does get much easier as time goes on but it's just every once in while I'll have those old feelings.

Sheri: Congrats! Running is a great way to produce those endorphins you're
not getting from smoking. Plus, it so much healthier!!!

Barb: You're doing awesome. Maybe start by walking for 15-20 minutes everyday instead of running.

My DH and I are leaving for Vegas this Monday for a few days. This too will be a "new" experience without the smoking. I know I can do it, I refuse to
give up my 107 days I've got under my belt.

[aim in Fla*working]

Originally Posted by SonyaK

Gracie - You might want to grab a copy of "The Easy Way to Quit Smoking." He touches on the very subject of smoker envy. It really is worth a read even if you have been smoke free for a very long time. I think you greatly increase your chances of never starting again if you read this book.

(So says the women who quit smoking a whopping 19 hours, 35 minutes and 55 seconds ago.)

[aim in Fla*working]

Originally Posted by BarbDe

Excellent Sheri! I wish I could run again. That will really clean the ole lungs out!!!

I'm still hanging in and feeling good about it! Hardly ever have cravings anymore. And I rarely think about smoking. It's getting much easier!!

I have been quit for 2 Months, 1 Week, 3 Days, 18 hours, 2 minutes and 57 seconds (71 days). I have saved $358.74 by not smoking 2,870 cigarettes. I have saved 1 Week, 2 Days, 23 hours and 10 minutes of my life. My Quit Date: 11/4/2007 2:36 PM

that is awesome Barb!

[aim in Fla*working]

I agree with the more oxygen with exercise..i can go and go and go..and NEVER get winded!
yay
i do not miss smoking. I AM A NONSMOKER! I am finally fitting in my clothes again and whatever weird stuff my body is doing..it stopped..Now I am focusing on getting back to 127...and workng on my goal of 125~

[Boudica]

SonyaK ~ Check in sweetie.. and let us all know how it's going!

SheriK ~ Day 10!!! That is AWESOME!!! It is good you are already getting your breathing back. I think it took me a couple months of hacking to finally *feel* a lung FULL of air.

BarbD ~ I, too, need to get to walking/jogging as well. I was doing some elliptical work a few months ago and, seriously, I started out SO SLOW... but I never got out of breath!

Gracie ~ Just think. You get to make NEW MEMORIES of travelling without smoking! DO casinos let people smoke in them still? If so, you'll probably gag and swoon once you're in them! Good luck and we're keeping our fingers crossed for ya.

Any ~ FELLOW NON SMOKER

You are all doing SO GREAT! I am very proud of each and every one of you guys and make sure you keep on top of your goals!
~D

[Gracie514]

[quote=Deila;9794861
Gracie ~ Just think. You get to make NEW MEMORIES of travelling without smoking! DO casinos let people smoke in them still? If so, you'll probably gag and swoon once you're in them! Good luck and we're keeping our fingers crossed for ya. ]

Delia~ Last time I was there you could smoke, but there were also designated non-smoking areas. That's where you'll find me this time!!!!!

[aim in Fla*working]

you can smoke in resurants in Las Vegas...in the freaking McDonalds.

[SonyaK]

Graice - Have fun! Win Big!

I hope everyone is having a great day - smoke free.

So far so good. While I can't say this is fun, I can honestly say this is by far the easiest attempt I have ever had. While I was reading the book - I just hated it. So repetitive and ridiculously simple. HA! Turns out that by being repetitive and ridiculously simple, it stuck. I find myself repeating his words in my head. Yeah! I don't smoke.

(I don't smoke. I am a nonsmoker. I just can't get over that. I have smoked since I was a preeteen. Seems almost odd to say it - I DON'T SMOKE.)


I listened to the "Stop Smoking Forever" hypnosis CD again yesterday after work and again before bed. I was awake enough during the session after work to know he was telling me how to breath. All day long I have caught myself breathing those deep breaths -- without even realizing that I was having a bit of a nicotine argue. Go Figure!

I have gained weight, trying very hard not to freak out. Trying to get back into the mind frame to do induction -- not there yet but I am making progress.

[Gracie514]

Good morning!

Sonyak: Don't worry about the weight gain......once you're comfortable with not smoking then you can start on the weight loss. One thing at a time. I remember reading that while you are going through withdrawal you will crave sweets because they give you that "high" that cigarettes gave you. So, after 21 days those cravings should go away. I know I gained about 15 pounds and I've gotten about 8 of those off since January 2nd. It's more important to get through the withdrawal period than worry about what you're eating.

Everything's been good for me this week. No cravings. I was thinking about going to bingo with my MIL but I haven't been there since I quit. Believe me, bingo is a smoke-fest! I will be okay.....just afraid all the smoke might make me sick

[aim in Fla*working]

it might. But I hate the smell...of a very smokey room...etc...expecially a room full of old smoke....liek years of smoking in that room...GAG

[Gracie514]

Chirp....Chirp....CRICKETS.....CRICKETS..........

Where is everyone???? Hopefully everyone is sticking to not smoking. Today is day 111 for me. This week was easy peasy for me, it's the weekends when I feel those old cravings. I WILL NOT GIVE IN.

I have a theory: I was not your average everyday smoker. I would not smoke during the day, only evening. During the week it was usually only 1-2 after work. It was usually Friday nights when I would do the majority of my smoking. I would go out with my girlfriends and I swear I could smoke over a pack of cigarettes. Then I would smoke some on Saturday if I wasn't gagging from Friday night. Usually Sun, Mon, Tues, Wed, I wouldn't even smoke. Then come Thursday it would start all over again. Does this make sense??? I think this is why I have a hard time on the weekends. Old habits die hard! Anyhoo....enough ranting....I am now a NON-SMOKER period.

[BarbDe]

Makes sense to me Gracie!
I'm still hangin in! And finally have the food under control as well!

I have been quit for 2 Months, 1 Week, 6 Days, 20 hours, 3 minutes and 28 seconds (74 days). I have saved $374.16 by not smoking 2,993 cigarettes. I have saved 1 Week, 3 Days, 9 hours and 25 minutes of my life. My Quit Date: 11/4/2007 2:36 PM

[sandi90]

I quit 14 days ago, after smoking non stop for 50 years. The thing that suprises me is every day that passes gets harder not easier. It is not so much a craving as it is a curiousity about what it would taste like. If I had one would it start all over again or would it answer my question? I think I really loved smoking I only quit because I did not want to smoke in my new home and believe me it was too cold to smoke in t he garage.

[Boudica]

HI all!

to all of you who are sticking by your guns and not smoking!

to those who may have fallen off track!

sandi90 posted:
It is not so much a craving as it is a curiousity about what it would taste like. If I had one would it start all over again or would it answer my question?

I remember, at 14 days, that yes... it WAS hard! This is where the Nic-Monster gets you through MENTAL addiction. You are thisclose to being out of the physical addiction but... believe me... the mental addiction is what makes people go back to smoking.

22 February I will be a year clean and, just LAST NIGHT, I was watching a program on the telly and someone was smoking a cigarette. It looked D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S! My mouth actually did water!

It took the monster no time at all to start trying to convince me that, "One won't hurt. It'll be JUST ONE! C'mon... you probably won't even like it. Please?!?!?!? Just this once! No one will know and we don't have to tell anyone. C'mon!!!"

I popped a SF butterscotch candy and the crave went away.

Think of it this way. Does an alcoholic just gargle once in a while with vodka... just to "remember the taste?" NO. Does a drug addict pull a Bill Clinton and "not inhale?" NO

Either you are a smoker or a non smoker. Period. End of story.

"I only smoke on weekends!" YOU are a smoker.

"I only smoke when other people I am around smoke" YOU are a smoker.

"I only smoke one every once in a while." YOU are a smoker.

"I don't smoke." YOU are a non smoker.

I hope no one takes what I posted as an attack. This was not. This was a post for EVERYONE... me, especially.... because I want to be a person who doesn't smoke. That's It!

Give us a check in everyone!
~D

[aim in Fla*working]

I quit 14 days ago, after smoking non stop for 50 years. The thing that suprises me is every day that passes gets harder not easier. It is not so much a craving as it is a curiousity about what it would taste like. If I had one would it start all over again or would it answer my question? I think I really loved smoking I only quit because I did not want to smoke in my new home and believe me it was too cold to smoke in t he garage. i think that it is not an issue of physical addiction, it is more of a habit. I think that is harder to break becasue after a few days you have not nicotine in your system...by now you are over it...BUT...the habit aspect I think kicks in after the physical addiction passes and it is much harder..expecially with 50 years of the habit. it would be best, i would think to start peplacing habits now...like on the phone...ir talking with my mom was a big trigger...I'd love a smoke and o good conversaiotn...Now, i pour a cofffee or a diet root beer and I am making that my habit.

[aim in Fla*working]

Either you are a smoker or a non smoker. Period. End of story.

"I only smoke on weekends!" YOU are a smoker.

"I only smoke when other people I am around smoke" YOU are a smoker.

"I only smoke one every once in a while." YOU are a smoker.

"I don't smoke." YOU are a non smoker.

I hope no one takes what I posted as an attack. This was not. This was a post for EVERYONE... me, especially.... because I want to be a person who doesn't smoke. That's It!

Give us a check in everyone!



YAY!

[Gracie514]

Good job Sandi!! 14 days is great! You are still going through withdrawal so be patient. Nicotine takes 21 days to get fully out of your system. You basically have to remember that you're addicted to a very powerful drug. Once your past 21 days physical cravings will stop BUT the mental ones may last longer Don't give up, you're almost there

Delia: Great post. I agree with either being a smoker or non-smoker.

[sandi90]

I understood the nicotrine leaves your body in three days and something else happens at 21 days but can't remember what the other thing was. Do I have it backwards?

[PrettyPaula]

Hey all, im new to this topic, my names Paula, im 23 yrs old from england and ive been smoking since i was 18. i once quit for 6 months cold turkey.

This time i have chantix, lucky for me its free here on prescription and im on day 8, my quit date is sunday (20th jan) i feel ready, i usually have 15-20 a day costing £5 per day (roughly $10!) and ive been having about 6 a day for past few days, im not enjoying them at all....

heres some interesting facts for all!


QUIT TIMELINE

• After 20 minutes blood pressure and pulse return to normal
• After 8 hours nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in the blood halve, oxygen levels return to normal
• After 24 hours carbon monoxide eliminated from the body, lungs start to clear out mucus and other debris
• After 48 hours there is NO nicotine in the body (provided no replacement therapy is used) smell and taste begin to improve
• After 72 hours bronchial tubes relax, energy levels increase
• After 2-12 weeks circulation improves
• After 3-9 months coughing, wheezing breathing problems improve as lung capacity increased by 10%
• After 5 years, risk of heart attack falls to half that of a smoker
• After 10 years, risk of lung cancer falls to half that of a smoker, and risk of heart attack is the same as someone who NEVER smoked

come on guys, if that isnt reason enough, what is x

[Boudica]

Paula... and THANKS SO MUCH for your post! I love that info and am going to print it out and hang it on the fridge.

That'll stop someone from smoking *just this once* I think.... because THEN your body has to start ALL OVER AGAIN!

Oh and Sandi.... it takes 21 days to MAKE a habit or 21 days to BREAK a habit!

~D

[Gracie514]

Hello!

I thought the nicotine stayed in your body for 21 days, it's actually the by-products of cigarettes that stay there ~ carbon monoxide and other chemicals. The withdrawal period is 21 days. I read to drink lots of water as this helps flush the toxins out of your system. Good luck!