Hi 4my2girls,
Glad to read you're feeling better already! Pass some of that newfound positive energy my way! I've been feeling "blah", too. Sounds like it's really been goin' around...
Still :)'in,
Mike
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 4/11/2007
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 13
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 263
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $45.5
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 2 [B]Hrs:[/B] 3 [B]Mins:[/B] 50 [B]Seconds:[/B] 3
Congratulations on day 55, Tutti!
So happy you made it.
Don't be embarrassed, you're inspiring all of us day 3'ers to hang tough!
Mike
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 4/11/2007
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 3
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 63
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $10.5
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 12 [B]Mins:[/B] 25 [B]Seconds:[/B] 56
Todash,
Thanks for writing this! It's now in my bookmarked collection.
It's all very true (except for maybe the easy part?). After a week I feel that in order to start smoking again I would have to be doing something new (albeit a long term, familiar, former habit). It would be a deviation for the norm, the routine course of my days. I'd have to go through being dizzy and semi-nauseous the first few butts, I'd have to overcome the MASSIVE guilt and disappointment in myself. In short, I'd have to REALLY WANT to smoke. Make it a conscious choice. Why, in God's name would I WANT to do something THAT STUPID!! So, you're right, the tables are flipped. Not smoking is the norm now and smoking would be a change, a new thing. The "cravings"? They are misfirings of my brain's neural network due to my former drug (nicotine) addiction that just have to be dealt with on those terms.
To do list for today: don't steal handbags, don't rob a bank, don't shave my head (not that there's anything wrong with that :) ), don't glue my fingers together, don't eat rat poison, don't smoke cigarettes.
Thanks again!! Excellent post that I'll read often!!
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 4/11/2007
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 6
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 128
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $21
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 1 [B]Hrs:[/B] 1 [B]Mins:[/B] 25 [B]Seconds:[/B] 40
Thank you, Mr. Ed, for adding me to the list.
I appreciate what you're doing with the lists!
Mike
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 4/11/2007
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 7
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 153
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $24.5
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 1 [B]Hrs:[/B] 6 [B]Mins:[/B] 17 [B]Seconds:[/B] 1
Congratulations Gen on three fantastic weeks! That's awesome!
Thank you for thinking of me and you were absolutely right.
Today at 12:30PM CDT USA I celebrated one week into my new life.
Didn't you hear me yelling "WHOOO HOOO!"? I really did!
Jean-two weeks, Kita-four weeks, Angelcapp-the big 50 in two days!,
MomMom-9 weeks, Mr. Ed-over a year and keepin' the stats for us, and last but certainly not least Phil-over 8 months and everywhere on this board with a friendly shoulder to lean on! You all are an inspiration to keep it strong!
Thanks,
Mike
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 4/11/2007
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 7
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 153
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $24.5
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 1 [B]Hrs:[/B] 6 [B]Mins:[/B] 19 [B]Seconds:[/B] 10
Thank you for reposting this, Lou.
You've not smoked almost 30,000 butts
and saved almost $13,000!
Those numbers are inspiring.
I'm right behind you, even though I'm
just starting my new and improved life!
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 4/11/2007
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 8
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 160
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $28
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 1 [B]Hrs:[/B] 7 [B]Mins:[/B] 36 [B]Seconds:[/B] 20
Jan,
Great post, on a couple of different levels. I bookmarked it for future inspiration. Thank you!
Mike
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 4/11/2007
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 8
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 160
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $28
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 1 [B]Hrs:[/B] 7 [B]Mins:[/B] 38 [B]Seconds:[/B] 10
Hi Dutch Fini,
I think you are absolutely right about the power of developing a positive mindset towards quitting and using that mindset to minimize the pain of involuntary thoughts of smoking. After awhile it's a psychological game (battle?) to recondition one's mind.
The problem is, everyone's makeup is different. Body, brain, genetics, outlook and past experience. It's not as easy as flipping a switch, having a good outlook and it's all better for everyone. I read and studied the most popular book in the US that helps people to make that "easy" attitude flip. That was years ago and I couldn't/didn't quit. Thousands of people relapse after three months smoke free. So for me I see a danger of having the attitude that "I've made it" after three months. My mind and past habits may just sneak in and ruin all I have worked so hard for. I feel I owe this quit to my determination to quit, but also equal parts, Chantix (which is actually chemically affecting my brain to make it easier to get through the first few months!) and being part of this support group, which has actually reinforced my positive spirit.
I sure wish recovery from nicotine addiction was just a matter of positive attitude for EVERYONE after 1-3 weeks. I probably wouldn't have smoked the last 30 years after quitting for about a year when I was 16! :mad:
Just food for thought! You're doing good work. You're trying to help people. I'm sure your book will help many people with its message.
All The Best,
Mike
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 4/11/2007
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 8
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 168
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $28
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 1 [B]Hrs:[/B] 9 [B]Mins:[/B] 11 [B]Seconds:[/B] 3
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