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Quit Smoking Community

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DM555 3 3

Browse through 411.742 posts in 47.053 threads.

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Why does it seem like it's getting harder?


16 years ago 0 1010 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
This is normal feeling....you just have to adjust your focus to something else while you are protecting your quit...if you are constantly thinking of smoking, then the craves will be much stronger.... I promise it will eventually subside in time. I still have triggers and then it heads to a crave but they are far and few in between. You must give yourself plenty of patience, love, and kindness. Advert your mind to something else, move away from the situation, drink plenty of beverages, chew lots of sugar free gum and candy. As someone once told me and she told me time and time again...Protect your quit like you are protecting a baby...Your life depends upon it.... [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]9/21/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 321 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 4,815 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $963.00 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 29 [B]Hrs:[/B] 0 [B]Mins:[/B] 2 [B]Seconds:[/B] 57
  • Quit Meter

    $35,633.15

    Amount Saved

  • Quit Meter

    Days: 415 Hours: 1

    Minutes: 50 Seconds: 31

    Life Gained

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    3165

    Smoke Free Days

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    72,795

    Cigarettes Not Smoked

16 years ago 0 363 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Trish, if you enjoy your alone time on the back porch, you can still have it, but instead of smoking and soul searching, try meditation, just close your eyes, breath deep and clear your mind. You sound a lot like me, I'm a stress monster..LOL I have raised 2 boys from 3 and 5 years old to 15 and 18 years old alone, believe me I know stress. Just hang tough, the craves will lighten up a little at a time. Stay away from alcohol for a while if you feel it will be too much of a trigger. Walking has really helped me a lot, it seems to relieve the stress of everyday life, it gives me tons of energy, and just makes me feel better over all. Use your imagination Trish, find things to help you in your fight. It does get better, I promise. My Mileage Smoke-Free Days: 66 Cigarettes Not Smoked: 3,182 Amount Saved: $633.60 Life Gained: Days: 9 Hrs: 14 Mins: 37 Seconds: 7
  • Quit Meter

    $37,366.88

    Amount Saved

  • Quit Meter

    Days: 982 Hours: 17

    Minutes: 29 Seconds: 36

    Life Gained

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    5475

    Smoke Free Days

  • Quit Meter

    164,250

    Cigarettes Not Smoked

16 years ago 0 43 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Thanks to all of you for the advice and kind words. I ran around the park with my son tonight, that helped alot! MrLucky, My anxiety was awful! It lasted for two full, long weeks. I was in misery and pain for two full weeks. I will tell you this much, that does pass! I could not sleep or function. I went to the doctor and everything. I was so hooked on smoking, totally dependent on it. I feel so much better now! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]7/13/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 25 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 500 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $150.00 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 1 [B]Hrs:[/B] 17 [B]Mins:[/B] 7 [B]Seconds:[/B] 29
16 years ago 0 715 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hey Trish :) You're doing gr8 & it will get easier. I know that a positive attitude, patience, caring & something else that Duffis said, lol helps get through the days and the time does go fast. Hang in there :) Just breathe......... [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]7/9/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 28 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 560 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $134.40 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 2 [B]Hrs:[/B] 19 [B]Mins:[/B] 42 [B]Seconds:[/B] 31
  • Quit Meter

    $26,538.00

    Amount Saved

  • Quit Meter

    Days: 580 Hours: 16

    Minutes: 40 Seconds: 12

    Life Gained

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    4423

    Smoke Free Days

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    88,460

    Cigarettes Not Smoked

16 years ago 0 1356 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
It will get easier as long as you don't smoke. the more you smoke, the more you crave, smoking will not make you feel better about anything - actually worse. Yesterday I was in a bar, a really cool tappas bar, drinking and eating thai satay chicken (really good) and next to me and John was a couple smoking, across from me another woman (ashtray smoker, you know doesn't smoke it, lights it and leaves it in the ashtray to blow in your face - yeah ewww.) Anyway, no craves, just irritation that they were smoking. I never thought I would be this person, never thought it wouldn't bother me - ever. Just keep truding along, find something to do during the crave, I read, I exercise, I eat jelly bellies (sours), I read this message board, all of it helps. The anxiety is awful, but it gets better. I had it bad and didn't even know it - my boss sent me home from work to rest. I did, I slept and read for days. Do whatever it takes -= just don't smoke. N.O.P.E. Sue [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]5/3/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 95 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 950 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $166.25 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 9 [B]Hrs:[/B] 2 [B]Mins:[/B] 22 [B]Seconds:[/B] 33
16 years ago 0 75 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
I hope your cravings diminish. On day 3 mine are no better or worse. The worst in the anxiety and anger. I'm on the patch and welbutrin and I think the only thing saving me is that the welbutrin has seemed to taken the taste out of my mouth. all the best [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]8/2/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 4 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 68 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $16.00 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 21 [B]Mins:[/B] 15 [B]Seconds:[/B] 18
16 years ago 0 43 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Lamplighter, Thanks again for your words of wisdom! This is the second time you have helped me through a difficult time. I know it will get better and I have been optimistic overall. Some days are harder than others. I never thought I would make it this far, that's for sure. Trish [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]7/13/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 24 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 480 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $144.00 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 1 [B]Hrs:[/B] 16 [B]Mins:[/B] 26 [B]Seconds:[/B] 59
16 years ago 0 43 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Pokerbrat, I can not even think of having a beer without wanting to smoke! I have managed to drink coffee, somehow. I think the worst trigger is stress. I know that smoking won't make it any better. I used to do alot of my thinking out on the back porch smoking a smoke. I would send my 4 year old son inside because I was smoking and my fiance has asthma so he would stay inside. It was a chance to get some peace and quiet! I guess I will have to find something new to do... Trish [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]7/13/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 24 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 480 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $144.00 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 1 [B]Hrs:[/B] 16 [B]Mins:[/B] 26 [B]Seconds:[/B] 36
16 years ago 0 1040 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Trish, you're only 23 days in. (Though I realize that seems like a lifetime :) ) When I was where you are... every day was difficult. It wasn't one long continuous craving, but the cravings were still intense and frequent. But I knew, perhaps because of some prior experience with quitting (or the attempt to quit), that I really needed to resign myself to the likelihood that this was going to take a while... and that there was going to be significant discomfort... for just as long as it took. I couldn't set ANY conditions about that. I couldn't tell myself, "As long as this doesn't happen. As long as I'm better by then. As long as it's not too hard. As long as..." My attitude had to be, "No matter what". Period. You may be one of those folks who starts to feel very at home with not smoking before long. But you need to be prepared to do whatever it takes, no matter how tough that is and no matter how long it takes. I'm at day 153, I think... and I still have some tough times. But most of the time I'm just fine. Where I'm at today is MUCH different than where I was at on day 23, but that has changed 'slowly'. Looking at it from day to day, I would have seen very little change. Looking back over the course of months, though... and I see major change. It happens, Trish. It will happen for you! But... you have to let it happen. you have to keep your eyes on the prize and be willing to walk through the fire, if that's what it takes. But know this; for every tough day or two... you will be rewarded with new resources, a new appreciation for a life that you're in control of and that you can be proud of, and ultimately you'll be at peace. Give it time. It will happen. I promise! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]3/6/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 153 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 3,825 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1,415.25 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 24 [B]Hrs:[/B] 15 [B]Mins:[/B] 57 [B]Seconds:[/B] 56
16 years ago 0 12049 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Trish, Every one will experience the quit differently. Keep a daily journal and try and pinpoint the craves. There many be something that is setting them off. It is normal, and your body is trying to continually heal. Start a hobby and get into it! You have new found time and you should be enjoying yourself :) Josie, Support Specialist

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