Monday parade!

Smoke-free in NYC!!!! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/24/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 9 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 286 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $58.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 19 [B]Mins:[/B] 16 [B]Seconds:[/B] 16

Trying to quit : Help me I am weak

Helpmequit - Have you considered medication? I'm taking Chantix and it really does make a difference/help a lot. It's great that you've cut down - each cigarette that you DON'T smoke helps. However, for me, the "cut down method" only worked temporarily...I would soon climb back up to a pack and a half. And, the anxiety/anticipation of quitting was worse for me than the actual quit. I also have to mention...if smoking in the morning makes you dizzy and faint...that just might be your body SCREAMING for you to stop! I use to tell people - "I can't quit...I'm not strong enough". But I'm happy to report that I'm on day 10 of my quit. Everyone can do it - it's a choice. So, now it's your turn - make the choice and join me on my journey! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/24/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 9 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 285 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $58.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 19 [B]Mins:[/B] 11 [B]Seconds:[/B] 59

working on smoke free life

luvmyboys - I'm on Chantix. I also didn't notice anything at first, but as I neared the end of the first week taking it, I began to realize that I wasn't really enjoying my cigarettes as much - they didn't taste right - and my physical urge to smoke was also decreasing. I quit smoking on the 8th day of Chantix (as recommended); and I'm now into Day #10 of my quit!!!! For me, the Chantix has really helped (more than the patch, gum, etc). So, I'm hopeful that it will help you too! In the meantime, in preparation for Wednesday - stock up on sugarless gum & candy! P.S. And of course....keep posting here! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/24/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 9 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 285 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $58.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 19 [B]Mins:[/B] 13 [B]Seconds:[/B] 15

Tomorrow...

Jaz - Here is a visualization/relaxation that I've used. It's not specifically for smoking cessation...but it does the trick! This exercise will take about 20 minutes and will help relax both your body and mind. Many people find that imagining a special, relaxing place helps them more easily relax. For this exercise, I�ve used the imagery of the beach. You can use whatever is your favorite place. To get started, sit up straight in a comfortable chair, with your feet on the floor. If there is a more comfortable position for you, certainly use it. Unless you want to fall asleep, do the exercise sitting up. At bedtime, you can lie in bed and simply fall asleep with this exercise. If any step in the exercise isn�t comfortable, either physically or emotionally, just focus on your breathing during that step instead. Slowly close your eyes, or focus on one spot on the floor or wall if that is more comfortable for you. Invite your body and mind to begin to relax. If worries or concerns come to you, now or during this exercise, imagine placing them on clouds slowing drifting across the sky. You might notice these clouds as they drift by, but you don�t have to get involved with these thoughts. Slowly your mind will settle down and begin to feel more relaxed and comfortable. Begin to focus on your breathing. Take 2 slow, relaxed deep breaths, watching your breathing come in� and then go out. Then return your breathing to a normal rate and normal depth, and continue to watch your breath. Imagine that with each breath in, you�re breathing in comfort and relaxation, and with each breath out, you�re breathing out any discomfort or worry. Next I�ll have you turn your focus to a couple of different areas of your body, first tightening the muscles, and then letting them relax. To start, I�ll have you focus on your hands. Tighten those muscles into tight, tense fists� and on the count of 3, relax, 1, 2, 3. Let any tension or discomfort flow out through your fingertips. And next, focus on the muscles of your face. Tighten those muscles by tightly shutting your eyes and clenching your jaw � and on the count of 3, relax 1, 2, 3. Let your forehead become smooth and your jaw droop slightly. Now I�ll have you focus on your feet. Tighten thos

New to The Forum

Catlover - I'm also on Chantix & agree with Karen -- it's been extremely helpful (more so than I expected!). I haven't had any negative side effects - the only side effect is that my dreams are really vivid (it's a fun side effect!). But, I know that if you don't eat before taking it, it can make you feel sick. Have you noticed any changes in your smoking since taking it? At first I didn't notice a difference, but by the end of my 1st week I found that my cigarettes didn't taste as good/weren't as "enjoyable" and I was smoking slightly less. As advised, I stopped smoking completely on Day #8 of the Chantix, and haven't had one since (I'm on Day #10!!!). One more thing - you said "I enjoy smoking"...I have to "rib" you a little here.... Do you really enjoy stinking of smoke all of the time? Do you enjoy how your friends/family feel about your smoking? Do you enjoy spending your money on cigarettes? Do you enjoy the preoccupation with planning when you'll have your next smoke? Do you enjoy your house/apartment/car reeking of smoke? Do you enjoy having dull skin & hair? Do you enjoy yellow teeth? Do you enjoy coughing & hacking? Do you enjoy depriving yourself of oxygen? Do you enjoy the wrinkles developing around your mouth? Just wanted to make you think! :p [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/24/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 9 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 296 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $58.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 19 [B]Mins:[/B] 59 [B]Seconds:[/B] 43

to everyone...thank you

Redytoquit - Glad you are feeling better & stronger. We're in this together! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/24/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 9 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 296 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $58.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 20 [B]Mins:[/B] 0 [B]Seconds:[/B] 37

Continous craving issue

JQ - Have you read the "Self-Talk/Mantras Needed" in the "Coping with Cravings" Forum? If not, I highly advise you at least skimming through it! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/24/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 9 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 296 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $58.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 19 [B]Mins:[/B] 57 [B]Seconds:[/B] 22

The Final Stages of the Journey

Thank you! It helps to know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Someone said to me last night..."The first week is horrible, and the first month is a struggle....but after 5 years it get's easier." UGH!!!! 5 more years of feeling this way sounds unbearable! Anyway, glad to hear how much better it does get (and that it doesn't necessarily take 5 years). [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/24/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 9 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 296 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $58.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 19 [B]Mins:[/B] 58 [B]Seconds:[/B] 17

Hi I am new here, my quit date is 3/27

Welcome Bobbi - So glad you're joining us. I just wrote in another post about the issue of "when to quit"...the bottom line is that there is no good or bad time to quit. We'll always have life stressors. And I know that over the years I've used a lot of life's challenges as excuses for not quitting. So, when's a good time to quit? Now! (or 3/27 in your case!). I also tried Wellbutrin once but couldn't tolerate the side effects. Now I'm taking Chantix - it's been very helpful (with no bad side effects). I'm on Day #10 - which is the longest I've ever quit! One more thought...it sounds like you're really busy taking care of everyone around you (your mother-in-law, your parents) - now it's time to take care of yourself. Keep us updated on how you're doing! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/24/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 9 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 294 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $58.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 19 [B]Mins:[/B] 50 [B]Seconds:[/B] 35

i am a fool

Redytoquit - Those 29 days are not wasted days. You've smoked 744 less cigs, you've saved $116, and you've gained over 3 days to your life. You've proven that you want to quit and you can quit. You've learned that when you feel overwhelmed & down, smoking DOES NOT help. Over these past 29 days you've built a foundation to lean on. Cheers to you! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/24/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 9 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 294 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $58.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 19 [B]Mins:[/B] 49 [B]Seconds:[/B] 49