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Posts created by RonA

15 years ago 0 +0 / -0 52

That's It!

Thanks All!

So far so good. I'm about half way through day one and so far no killer craves. Just carrots, ice water and a stack of movies. I dusted off the home gym equipment and I'll be working out the stress with exercise instead of pumping poison into my system.

My daughter took my car to go to lunch and a movie with a friend, so I'm pretty much stranded. If the demon got to me I'd have to walk 2 miles in 100 degree heat to get a smoke. That ain't happening!

Thanks again. You all helped build up my confidence for this quit and I know I'll keep it going.

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 7/26/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 0
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 0
Amount Saved: $0.00
Life Gained:
Days: 0 Hrs: 2 Mins: 26 Seconds: 4

15 years ago 0 +0 / -0 52

That's It!

One down, the rest of my life to go...N.O.P.E.

Not as bad as I expected. I know there will be tough times coming my way, but day one was OK.

I think the difference is psychological. In the past I felt like I was losing my best friend and making some huge sacrifice. This time I recognize that I'm stopping something that is harmful to me for my own good and getting a demon off my back so I can reclaim my life.

I like Carr's example of hitting your thumb with a hammer. No one would ever agonize over having to "give up" smashing their hand with two pounds of steel. Why should anyone fret about not inhaling known carcinogens that are all but guaranteed to kill you at the cost of thousands of dollars.

In quitting I'm not giving up anything whatsoever; I'm just stopping a behavior that is causing me unbelievable harm.

Thanks to everyone for helping me through day one!

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 7/26/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 1
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 30
Amount Saved: $5.00
Life Gained:
Days: 0 Hrs: 3 Mins: 55 Seconds: 6

15 years ago 0 +0 / -0 52

Newbie stats parade

You ROCK!! Not only are you 80 but you haven't lit up 2000 cigs. Awesome stats. You're a huge inspiration to me.
My Milage:

My Quit Date: 7/26/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 3
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 90
Amount Saved: $15.00
Life Gained:
Days: 0 Hrs: 12 Mins: 28 Seconds: 12

15 years ago 0 +0 / -0 52

Day 3--Rough but I made it

Thanks Everyone!

Break was way better today. I work at the FOX studio which is such a cool place to explore. Rather than staying huddled with the smokers I walked around the lot looking at the historic buildings, the cool landscape sculptures, and all the film crews.

It's about a half mile walk and I kept a quick pace. There is no way I could have done that a few days ago. Before I would walk for maybe 5 minutes then sit down, catch my breath, smoke and then repeat. Pretty amazing that I can already feel a difference after only 3 days.

This feels so good!!!

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 7/26/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 3
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 90
Amount Saved: $15.00
Life Gained:
Days: 0 Hrs: 12 Mins: 50 Seconds: 18

15 years ago 0 +0 / -0 52

Maybe I set my quit date too soon

Hey Pupicat,

The vets on this site are right and so knowledgeable--follow their wisdom.

I'm a major newbie, and this time last week I was SCARED TO DEATH--so I'm not qualified to give you any advice. Just take it with a grain...

I'm convinced that the single most important factor in my success is that I want it more than anything and I believe in myself. I will not--cannot--allow for a single slip You have to be mentally ready and committed, and then it isn't so bad.

You've had a lot of tough times lately; I have too. The details don't really matter, the point is smoking a cigarette is totally irrelevant to resolving your/my problems: It doesn't cure a damn thing--in fact for both you and me it makes our health conditions worse! You're not giving up a solution to your problems, you're removing one of the major causes!

Cigarettes are not the answer to reclaiming your life and your health: Stopping a destructive behavior and finding release from this horrible addiction is the only thing that will set you free.

Battling this demon will give you the confidence to fight all of the other challeges in your life--kick it's ass and then move on to the other ones with confidence.

STAND UP SMACK IT IN HEAD WITH A HAMMER AND CLAIM THE VICTORY!

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 7/26/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 4
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 120
Amount Saved: $20.00
Life Gained:
Days: 0 Hrs: 14 Mins: 23 Seconds: 29

15 years ago 0 +0 / -0 52

Day 5--Kicking MY Butt

Hey All,

I need some help and advice.

Day 5 is coming to a close and it's been the toughest one yet. I don't get it. How can day 5 possibly be worse than the first day or even the second? It seems each day should get progressively easier, but my mind and body are really fighting me today.

It started out great. I didn't get a killer crave until about noon which I saw as a really encouraging sign; but when it hit, it hit hard! It wasn't so much a desire for a cig as just a wave of anxiety and tension that is only now starting to let up (7pm PDT).

I'm still so stressed that I feel a little shaky and my teeth and jaw are killing me due to all of the clenching. I'm using the patch which should be giving about the same dose of nicotine I was getting before so I don't get where all of this is coming from.

On the positive side I haven't indulged in a bargaining session, and I am strong in my knowledge that I'm never going back to smoking. I guess if it was easy none of us would be hanging out on this board.

I think a contributing factor is sleep problems I'm experiencing. I'm having a really tough time falling asleep at night and end up lying in bed for hours before it comes. But at the same time once I do fall asleep I'm sleeping more deeply than I can ever remember. In fact all three days this week I've slept right through the alarm and gotten to work late. That means I'm getting home later and later which delays going to bed even more and on and on. I'm thinking about removing the patch before bed, but am worried about the morning crave.

Sorry for the long post, I'm just so glad I have all of you to share with.

Ron

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 7/26/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 4
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 120
Amount Saved: $20.00
Life Gained:
Days: 0 Hrs: 17 Mins: 29 Seconds: 56

15 years ago 0 +0 / -0 52

Day 5--Kicking MY Butt

Thanks for being there HP!

Your words are really comforting.

You're right I didn't smoke during the night, but it's also true that I would suck down 5 cigs or so during the first 3 hours of my day. I think those were probably "catch up doses" to get my levels back up. My fear is that if I don't keep the dose level, the morning crave will be a killer. Did you experience that problem?

I think you're onto something with the nicotine overdose idea. Do you remember how you found out the level of your brand? I thought those were closely guarded industry secrets--I'm thinking of the Congressional hearings with all the tobacco CEOs lying through their teeth. I'll keep looking...

Great ideas as always--thanks so much for your support,

Ron

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 7/26/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 4
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 120
Amount Saved: $20.00
Life Gained:
Days: 0 Hrs: 17 Mins: 39 Seconds: 48

15 years ago 0 +0 / -0 52

Day 5--Kicking MY Butt

LOL!! Both times I read it

You're awesome. I'm gonna peel this thing off, pour a hot bath, and read for a bit. Thanks for the boost.

I went back to my Glove Compartment and realized I'm not doing any of it. I was going to exercise, practice deep breathing and relaxation techniques. I was going to reward myself and keep a journal. I was going to get off the bus a couple stops early and add some extra walking to my morning. I've stayed smoke free, but I need to refocus on my quit program.

I did a lot of reading on the site tonight. There's so much wisdom out there.

Help in a little way? You turned my whole night around and totally recharged me. You gave me great ideas and strategies for moving forward. You were huge tonight and have been since I found this place! Thank you so much

P.S.

To my fellow newbies don't limit yourself to the new posts. There's so much stuff from years back that is just awesome. Also, I finally figured out "The Bump." This is when the vets bring forward a meaningful post from the past. You have to jump to the very first message (on the very last page) to get the point. It's so inspirational to not only hear those great stories but to see the responses of people that are now smoke free and helping us through this as they went through their quits. The doubts and fears that we have, they had too. But they made it and are now offering their hands to us. Soon that will be us helping the next generation of quitters.

What a cool place!

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 7/26/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 5
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 150
Amount Saved: $25.00
Life Gained:
Days: 0 Hrs: 17 Mins: 49 Seconds: 33

15 years ago 0 +0 / -0 52

Day 5--Kicking MY Butt

Cool stuff Ron, thank you. I'll definitely check out the melatonin and I'm making plans to implement your other ideas as I write. I'll let you know how it goes.

So even at 44 days it's still a challenge? Does it ever go away?

I guess I can answer my own questions to a certain extent as this my 3rd quit--the first for 5 years and the second for 2. But when I wasn't smoking I was OK with that, I just made the mistake of believing I was so comfortable in my quit that I could resume smoking socially. The most powerful thing I've learned this time around is the NOPE concept. I'm obviously not capable of being a social smoker and just one puff will invariably lead to 30 sticks a day.

Thanks again,

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 7/26/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 5
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 150
Amount Saved: $25.00
Life Gained:
Days: 0 Hrs: 17 Mins: 51 Seconds: 34

15 years ago 0 +0 / -0 52

Day 5--Kicking MY Butt

Thanks so much HP and Ron!

I'm headed to bed with confidence thanks to you guys.

Tomorrow WILL be a better day...

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 7/26/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 5
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 150
Amount Saved: $25.00
Life Gained:
Days: 0 Hrs: 18 Mins: 7 Seconds: 7

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