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Browse through 411.755 posts in 47.056 threads.

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17 years ago 0 106 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
It feels like a marathon and my endurance is being tested!

Wow, This is such a great thread! I've bookmarked it because I'm sure it will help me months down the road if things are still difficult at times. There is something to be said for knowing that many or most people quitting smoking go through similar peaks and valleys as time goes by. It will help me keep my "witness approach", which is one of my best tools in this process. By that I mean, when smoking thoughts or cravings appear, I try to have the perspective that it's not "me" thinking or wanting to smoke, I'm just feeling chemical or psychological conditioned responses from my brain that will slowly weaken and be reconditioned. Looking at it that way not only makes it a little more impersonal and removed, but it's absolutely true. I've already quit smoking and recovered from the addiction. My body and brain just have to adjust to that fact. I'm giving them no choice. Happy Saturday All, Mike [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 4/11/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 3 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 62 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $10.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 12 [B]Mins:[/B] 9 [B]Seconds:[/B] 42
17 years ago 0 106 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
It feels like a marathon and my endurance is being tested!

Please everyone, don't misunderstand my previous post. I'm not saying I've got this whipped in ANY way shape or form. I know better. I'm just saying it helps ME to disassociate myself from the smoking urges and thoughts and see it as a process my body and mind are going through. I'm done with smoking! They need to get used to that idea. If it takes a year or more, it'll be a tough year, but worth all of the yuckiness. 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] 24 [B]Seconds:[/B] 41
17 years ago 0 106 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
4 1/2 days to go

Kevin, I'm getting ready to leave with my wife, so this'll be short. I know how much you're struggling with this and trying to make it work. I admire how you're not just giving in and giving up for a few days (which usually, for me, turned into weeks, months, then years). It sounds like there's something else that needs to happen to help you get through hell week. Working the workbook here, NRT, Chantix. Only you can figure that out. I'm with you, Kevin. I think of you often through the day, wishing you well. Mike [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 4/11/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 3 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 72 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $10.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 14 [B]Mins:[/B] 9 [B]Seconds:[/B] 53
17 years ago 0 106 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
4 1/2 days to go

Wish we could edit here after posting. Should have read: Working the workbook here, NRT, Chantix? (I don't think NRT and Chantix are recommended to be used together.) Talk with you soon, Mike [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 4/11/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 3 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 72 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $10.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 14 [B]Mins:[/B] 10 [B]Seconds:[/B] 38
17 years ago 0 106 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
4 1/2 days to go

Kev, A quick pop in since its 4:30 AM. I woke up and going right back to bed. I think your list is great. I guess it boils down to you have to be prepared for a white-knuckle week. Depression level feelings, your brain screaming "Smoke!" and you screaming "No!" It's that damn physical withdrawal. I had to go through it even though I'm taking chantix. I was a mess for about 5 lousy days. The difference this time was I was still smoking (a very strange experience, that I didn't fully understand until I quit smoking), so when I did quit, I just had to deal with the major psychological cravings, thoughts and habits instead of both at the same time. And that's what got me through this time. Man, I am a MAJOR, LONG TERM nicotine addict! But I'm almost 4 days clean. And I really think this is finally it for good and forever! Anyway, didn't mean to go on about me, my point was, if you're prepared for a REALLY lousy, weird, disorienting week where smoking's not an option, you can get through this. And just think about how good you'll feel about your accomplishment on the other side. I keep thinking about how XX%, the vast majority of people DON'T smoke, so why in the heck can't I NOT smoke too!!! Interesting comments on the fear of emotion. I'm a pretty emotional, feeling male, so I've never had to deal with that. But when I think of arguing, crying or being angry sometimes, well, that's just being human. "Icy cool", I'm not sure, but it sound less positive than having emotions. Just food for thought. Anyway, back to bed. I wish I could help you more, Kev. But I'll be here! Mike [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 4/11/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 4 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 84 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $14 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 16 [B]Mins:[/B] 44 [B]Seconds:[/B] 5
17 years ago 0 106 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
4 1/2 days to go

Kevin, Just to comment on what MomMon and Tutti are saying. I wasn't afraid to quit, I was TERRIFIED. From the inside out and from the outside in, subconsciously and consciously. Whenever I have quit, the mourning/withdrawal period has always started even before I quit, days before, as soon as I made the decision. It's really a nasty deception that our body and mind plays on us quitters. The good news is, into my 5th day...and the tables have turned. The biggest part of me is absolutely terrified to ever smoke again. The loss of all I've worked, paid (prescription and doctor) and suffered through to acheive. I don't want to lose this now. I can imagine the mild nausea my body would feel smoking again and I don't want any part of it. I think of the dissapointment and shame I'd feel if I lost all this progress. The sadness, I, my family and you all here would feel if I relapsed. And I think "No way!" So, I guess I'm trying to say I think aspects of this whole process get incrementally better fairly quickly. Not saying it's still not a constant battle for a long while for most of us. But it's not constant torture as far as the eye can see. I'm 29 minutes from 100 hours. And I'm glad I've made the sacrifices. The payoffs are a hundred times better. And that's what keeps me trying to be strong. Talk to you soon, Mike [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 4/11/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 4 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 93 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $14 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 18 [B]Mins:[/B] 33 [B]Seconds:[/B] 50
17 years ago 0 106 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
4 1/2 days to go

Good Afternoon Kevin, It's your quit day! A very good day indeed! You might not particularly feel that way right now, but when you are successful with this quit, today will be remebered by you as one of the most important, best days of your life! Come back to the April Quitters, Kev. We're all in this together. I just shook off the wake up cravings and I'm looking forward to Day 6 as a non-smoker! I'm very happy about it, too! Mike [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 4/11/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 5 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 107 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $17.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 21 [B]Mins:[/B] 3 [B]Seconds:[/B] 6
17 years ago 0 106 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
4 1/2 days to go

Hang in there, Kevin! Like everyone says, come here and talk BEFORE you choose to smoke. GODZILLA MUST DIE! TOKYO IS COUNTING ON YOU!!!! :p Minute by minute, you're acheiving your goal... Mike [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 4/11/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 5 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 109 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $17.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 21 [B]Mins:[/B] 36 [B]Seconds:[/B] 50
17 years ago 0 106 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
The Complete works of Mr Ed - The latest list!

Mr. Ed, Wonderful parade of non-smokers you have going there! This newbie wants to join the parade, too! My stats below are correct, no horsin' around! Thank You, Mike [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 4/11/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 5 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 113 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $17.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 22 [B]Mins:[/B] 18 [B]Seconds:[/B] 50
17 years ago 0 106 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
4 1/2 days to go

Hi Kev, It's 10:30 PM my time, 5:30 AM your time. Good morning. I'm hoping you made it through Day 1 and wishing you all the best for day 2. My thoughts/cravings were the worst yet today. I'm going to hang tough come what may. No one's going to force me to smoke, including me!!! Mike [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 4/11/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 5 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 119 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $17.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 23 [B]Mins:[/B] 34 [B]Seconds:[/B] 28