Hello, my dear friends:
Well, it's Sunday morning and I have been able to refrain from smoking thus far. I don't see myself smoking for the rest of this day or for many days to come, if possible. I watched my friend as she smoked and I didn't like the smell nor did I like the lingering odour of the cigarette in the air or even on my own clothes.
Your kind words and support have really kept me going because I can write this and know I am being honest and strong. Each and every hint was helpful to remember, if not to use.
I was particularly successful in remembering that I can have power over what my hands are doing.
And most importantly, I can come home from this weekend away and be truthful to my husband and 'smoking' sponsor, that I was smoke free.

Congrats. I'm sure it was very hard at times.

Good job, keep on going, you will make it.

This is so awesome! :thumbup: :D:D:D

You are a strong woman, congratulations. Now if you can get your friend to quit (I wrote quilt by mistake!) - that would be awesome. Maybe she will follow your example.

That is awesome, it is going to be tough but certainly worth it

GREAT JOB!!! You are doing wonderful!! Just take it one craving at a time and you will make it. It's now been a year and three months for me :D

Keep staying strong. You can do it!

It's the best feeling I have ever had knowing I beat the smoking addiction. I never thought I could. It was hard but as my grandmother told me no one ever died from smoking withdrawal so get over it and show some backbone about it. She believed everyone found the way to do what they really wanted to do and only had excuses for not doing what they didn't want to. Especially her grand kids. LOL. I quit when one day years ago when I saw an elderly lady smoking with a baby n her lap. I thought how sad and ignorant that looked. It hit me I could be that lady one day. I almost cried I felt so stupid and ashamed of myself for smoking.

Keep on going! One minute at a time!

:thumbup:

Good for you!!!! As a former smoker I know what you're going through. God bless.

yea great job

Congratulations, keep it up.

Well done :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

GREAT!!!! Keep it up you CAN do it!!

You have the POWER!!! Congrats, just take it one day at a time and be proud of each successful day.

quiy smoking was the hadest thing i ever did. My
Dr. said it is harder to quit smoking than quiting
heron. Best of luck.
God Bless you can do this.
Marilee

This is whats GREAT ! about this board, their is plenty
of support !!! wishing You tons of strength !!!
It will get better :)

When I stopped smoking, a very long time ago, the doctor I saw(she uses non-invasive accupuncture) suggested freezing washed grapes individually, and when the urge to smoke strikes, eat a grape--better for the body than chewing gum, and they did help, although I don't understand why. piecefully, the old one

I am so proud of you!

You can do it, I know you can. I quit 'cold turkey' after smoking 40 years. I was smoking 3 packs a day. It has been 13 years this December since I had my last smoke.

When I first quit if I felt the urge to smoke I would take a couple of deep breaths,or as deep as I could at the time. Over time I can breathe deep down in my lungs.

And one day, a year or so down the road, you will realize you have NOT even thought about cigarettes or smoking "in ages" and at that point you KNOW you have broken your habit. Keep going--one day at a time. Been there, done that about 30-40 years ago.

A huge congratulations! This is a "1 day at a time" process for a long time. With each hour/desire/day/week - you will feel a greater sense of "control" over your own life.

I used to teach a smoker's quit clinic at a hospital.

After 10 days the nicotine is washed out of your system, so after that it is ALL behavioral/ habit breaking stuff

Plan ahead for those "favorite times to smoke" and have your straws to suck through (this produces relaxing breathing) or toothpicks ready. I remember having no idea what a nonsmoker did with their hands after a meal or talking on the phone or with a glass of wine. ooooh those were the hardest time.

Do NOT substitute candy for cigarettes! Wt gain is part of the quit process and adding extra calories is a killer.

Watch out for mind games (for a long time to come) The mind tries to persuade you that "need" a cigarette or you will not be able to deal with a stressful situation. That's a lie or the whole world would be smoking.

GOOD LUCK! You are entitled to feel successful. :-) :thumbup:

I'm so proud of you!!!!!!

BIG CONGRATS!!!

Way to go!! You now know that you can do it and not give up the fight.

Although I am not a smoker, I understanf how hard it is to want something so badly ( for me, the addiction is for Pepsi) when you're trying to give it up.
As a nurse, I also know that it is just as hard to give up nicotine as it is to give up "hard drugs".
So, congratulations on being strong, and keep up the good work! BTW, my daughter used to be a smoker until she got pregnant, then gave it up cold turkey. After a few weeks, she started noticing that everything smelled funny. She went on a major cleaning blitz, shampooed carpet, drapes, upholstery, etc. Once she got the smell out, she never went back.

Well done.

I used to go for a walk when I thought I had to give in to the urge. I consider myself an addict and know if I ever pick up another cigarette, I will be a smoker again. I love being smoke-free for ten years. You will make it!!!

I am so glad to hear that, way to go girl! Yeah, I agree on the smell, I still can't stand to be around it. and can smell a smoker 2 blocks away. LOL I just wish they knew.
My son did enlighten me He grew up around it and so did I ,so we didn't really realize how it smelt and on our clothes and hair. I love smelling fresh every day. and you will too.

Prayers to you to keep up the good work.

WOOOO HOOOOOOO - you go girl (I'm 14 years and counting - LOL)

Great job! You CAN do it. It was the hardest thing I ever did, but I am sure glad I did do it.

Been there and done that! Keep it up and you will win the war! I thought the first week was the hardest and I love the feeling of power I still get after many years when I see a smoker. I told everyone I knew I was quitting so it was impossible to sneak one. My husband didn't quit and he ended up with COPD. It is truly a killer. Be strong! I know you can do it!!!!

I am so proud of you. I tried to quit for years and finally tried Chantix (prescription)--easiest thing I've ever done. Only problem was strange dreams for the first week or so. I have been quit for 4 years, 5+ months.

I've been lurking around a bit, this is my first post on your forum and am compelled to respond to your post.
I quit smoking 4 years ago after having smoked for 36 years (two packs a day). I took up quilting to keep my hands busy. It worked as I am smoke free for four years. I now have:

1. Money to buy fabric : )
2. I can join swaps as my fabric is not smoke filled
3. Am healthier
4. Have used that energy that i used to use standing outside smoking to fill my home with lovely hand made items.
5. Its a long list of benefits.

Nothing feels as good as not smoking cigarettes, it has been a heavy burden that I no longer carry with me.
Good luck to you in your journey. Count your days, build on each smoke free day. When it gets difficult and you want to give up just google (images) buergers disease , lung cancer, oral cancer and make yourself look at the pictures. ITs harsh...but it is what worked for me...also red hot candies and black licorace.

Congratulations to you!! That is a great accomplishment.

I sure wish I had your will power. Can you send me some?

Sometimes it is just one minute at a time.

You can do it If I can do it anyone can. I did it over 20 years ago. It takes time for the nicotine to come out of your system so be patient. God Bless!

Yep, keep going. I'm working on quitting myself. It's been a little over a month so far. And at times I REALLY want a cigarette badly. I smoked for 35 years and decided I'd had enough of feeling like crap every day.