Who are the Febuary 07 Quitters?

Brakit, you're doing great with your quit. Up to 5 days already!! It won't be long and you'll be out of the first week known as "Hell Week." It was too wasn't it? I just finished up Hell Week and it has been hard. But I'm not turning back now. I will never go through those withdrawals again. The third day for me was the pits. I mean, it was pure hell. Up alone in the middle of the night is hard. Keep reading posts and drinking that water. I mean lots of water. It really helps with the cravings. Remember, you don't want a cigarette. YOU really want to stay quit. It's that addict part of you that's craving it's fix. Tell it to take hike. Get mad at that addict. It helps to get mad because you'll feel in charge and you'll blow off steam at the same time. Just try it and you'll see. Don't give up. It will get easier. Keep talking to us. We're here for you and just look at how many cigarettes you have NOT smoked. You're doing a hell of a job here. Tutti [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/18/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 8 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 366 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $22.32 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 20 [B]Mins:[/B] 40 [B]Seconds:[/B] 13

This needs saying.....

Phil, You won't let us down....You won't let yourself down. You're doing so great and that sense of humor of yours will continue to be a huge comfort to yourself and to the rest of us. Wow!! Look at those stats!! Those stats show your determination and commitment. Those stats and your wonderful sense of humor show all of us that you will never cave. You've become comfortable with yourself as a Non Smoker. That's a victory. Hugs, Tutti [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/18/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 8 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 366 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $22.32 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 20 [B]Mins:[/B] 41 [B]Seconds:[/B] 54

This needs saying.....

Phil, I'm a new quitter or NON SMOKER here so I doubt that I've helped you reach that awsome 200 mark. What a great job you've done and an inspiration you are to the rest of us. Thank You and Congratulations.....Mate!!! Hugs, Tutti [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/18/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 8 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 364 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $22.32 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 20 [B]Mins:[/B] 34 [B]Seconds:[/B] 26

me too...

Kiwi, It's hard to talk about something you really don't understand. The human brain is so complicated. Here we'll go doing our day to day things when, BAM, an attack comes and you have no idea why it happened. The best I've ever heard an attack described was on a Christian radio program and this guest said this: An anxiety/panic attack is like walking down a railroad track, you suddenly you hear a train whistle blow, you turn to look over your shoulder, when the train hits you. Kiwi, that's how fast my attacks would hit. I know how debilitating they can be. But you're getting the help you need and that's great. Oh yea, and that business of not wanting to admit you have a problem, that applies to women too. LOL I should have gotten help long before I did too. If you have an attack, whether it's anxiety or full blown panic, try these self help tools. They really have helped me. 1. Breathe in through your nose deeply and slowly, out through your mouth slowly, pause a few seconds, and repeat. You'll feel like breathing fast but don't do that, it'll make the attack much worse. 2. Cool yourself off. If your in your car, turn the a/c on full blast and point the vents towards your face. If your indoors, shed some clothing or rinse off with cold water. 3. Tell people about this medical condition. If you go to town with someone and you're hit with an attack, you'll feel a sense of comfort knowing the person your with is aware of the medical condition. There is shame in this illness. I'm diabetic and the attacks are just another illness. 4. Keep your mind going during an attack. Say your name, where you were born, your birthdate,etc. It's important to focus your mind so that you won't be focusing on the attack. Saying The Lord's Prayer is my personal favorite. 5. Time your attacks. Each attack normally lasts at most, 20 minutes and that's a really bad attack like the ones I had. Time your attacks and see how long they last. Then when your hit with an attack, you can time it and when half of the time has passed, you'll start feeling better knowing your halfway home. 6. Tell yourself what's happening. An attack will NOT kill you although you do feel like it's going to at times. Tell yourself what'a happe

Hell Week At An End

Phil, Heck no I don't want to go through that again. Phil, Heck no I don't want to go through that again. HA HA HA HA You posted the question twice so I thought I'd answer twice. HEEEEEEEE! Hey, you said not to lose my sense of humor. This evening, those stinking old cravings came back but, I'm about to go to bed and sleep them off. Still drinking a bunch of water too. Hugs, Tutti [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/18/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 8 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 364 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $22.32 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 20 [B]Mins:[/B] 32 [B]Seconds:[/B] 50

Struggling really Badly

Hey FreeMom, Man, we do have a lot in common. Not only did I hide my smoking to a point but I have always been a people pleaser as well. Even to the point of obligating myself to do a favor that I KNEW I didn't want to do with every fiber of my body. Always trying to say the right things, do the right things, hide any problems I may have had, etc. It's tiring, isn't it? LOL Another thing we have in common is, and this is confession time for me, I don't think I quit smoking when I did for me. I know I wanted to quit but I'm afraid that I quit when I did for other reasons, my husband, finances, etc. Like you, I'm glad that I quit because I do see all of the benefits and I do want to stay smoke free. But at the same time, I fear that I'll fail because I'm afraid I didn't choose my quit date for MYSELF...a date that I was ready for and a date that I had totally prepared for on my own. I'm afraid that circumstances chose it for me and took the decision to quit out of MY hands. Here I am ending my 6th day and I've been worried about circumstances choosing my quit date rather than me taking charge and choosing it for myself. It's confusing too because that thought has been there for the last week. Confusing because I'm afraid I'll fail, afraid I wasn't ready, but all at the same time...... I'm glad I have quit and I don't want to go back to step one. Now that I know is my decision!! I think that's what we need to focus on. It's OUR decision to stay smoke free. Whatever the reasons were that either of us quit, let's not think about that but think about how WE WANT to stay quit. No one can take that away from us. Right? Hugs, Tutti PS Oh yea, the Rebel thing, that's another thing we have in common. LOL [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/18/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 7 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 385 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $19.53 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 17 [B]Mins:[/B] 49 [B]Seconds:[/B] 11

In 8 days I will be an ex-smoker (Again)

Hey Amy, Welcome aboard and congratulations on making such a wise decision. Make sure you have your hard candy, gum, toothpicks, straws, lollipops, whatever, for that hand to mouth thing. Oh, drink lots and lots of water. When a crave hits, water is the thing that helps the most for me. Everyone on the site told me to keep drinking water and I'm so glad I did. It really helps by flushing the nicotine out of your system. Welcome Again, Tutti [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/18/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 6 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 383 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $16.74 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 17 [B]Mins:[/B] 42 [B]Seconds:[/B] 6

"The Issues"

Danielle, Thank you so much for your post. I do so love LAYMAN'S TERMS. I read you post and got it right off. I didn't have to read each line 10 times, trying to understand what you were saying. It was short, sweet, and straight to the point. Very Helpful!! Thanks A Bunch, Tutti [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/18/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 6 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 383 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $16.74 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 17 [B]Mins:[/B] 43 [B]Seconds:[/B] 52

In 8 days I will be an ex-smoker (Again)

There is nothing to quit that is worth anything is there? Phil, explain this question for me? ha ha h aha h Crap, I'm going into 7 days now. I'm still not thinking just super clear yet. LOL Hugs, Tutti [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/18/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 7 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 390 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $19.53 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 18 [B]Mins:[/B] 2 [B]Seconds:[/B] 59

It's a very tough morning

I've been waiting for you Porky!! I've been really concerned for you. Girl, you are NOT worthless. You are recovering, that's all. Do you have a digital camera? Take pictures of those pretty pillows that you make and sell them on E-Bay. You are not worthless. Someone with that kind of creative talent can draw an income without a problem. Your husband really doesn't want you to quit? He's right that you have too much stress on you right now but, being around cigarette smoke while the tissue and bone are healing in your back is adding to your stress. It's so important that you quit. Back pain is horrible and you've been through the ringer with your back. I would be so stressed out until I found out that the tissue and bone were growing back nicely. That's what your husband should be concerned about. It's no skin off of his nose that you're quitting. You know, smokers are so frowned on now and they really are in the minority that your husband may just want your company in smoking....So he won't be the outcast. Does that make sense? Do you have candles all around the house? If not, go to Wal-Mart when you can and the best candles I found that smell so, so good are Mainstays (that's the brand) Hazelnut Cream. They make your house smell so, so good and they're inexpensive. Oh, and spray the carpets with that leave on carpet deodorizer. Mask the smell of smoke as much as you can. You can even spray the furniture and curtains with that leave on carpet deodorizer. You get it a Wal-Mart too. You don't have to vacuum it up because it's a foam that dries. It smells really good too. As soon as your husband walks out the door, turn on ceiling fans. It may be too cold where you are to do that. I'm in Texas so the temps are warming up. I opened all of the windows and turned on the ceiling fans for the first time yesterday. Have the room that you go into when your husband smokes as fresh, clean, and smoke free as you can. Keep the door closed during the day and have your candles in there. Can you nap in there if you have to? You do have a bed in that room right or is it your computer room? Please don't cave in, okay? Your quit is tough and it does have to be approached in a different way because it is so unique.....and so h