Get the Support You Need

Learn from thousands of users who have made their way through our courses. Need help getting started? Watch this short video.

today's top discussions:

logo

Mother's Day is coming in a few weeks!

AABBYGAIL RUTH

2024-05-15 10:52 PM

Depression Community

logo

Addiction

Lynn123

2024-05-15 9:17 PM

Managing Drinking Community

logo

Challenging Worry - Worry Time

Ashley -> Health Educator

2024-05-14 3:33 PM

Depression Community

logo

Fibre

Ashley -> Health Educator

2024-05-06 5:05 PM

Healthy Weight Community

This Month’s Leaders:

Most Supportive

Browse through 411.753 posts in 47.056 threads.

160,632 Members

Please welcome our newest members: GCAJULAO, RPABIA, TEBON, SJOLINE GEL, Duncan Brown

Longtime exsmokers question


18 years ago 0 71 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Right on it never quitts. BUT as you stay away from smoking cigarettes the urges or cravings become less & easier to control. I treat it like a contest or game where I try to beat my last record of quitting which was 95 days a few years ago. Come the end of this week I hope to beat this record. You can do it just think 4 days without, and yes this site was very helpful for me. :) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/15/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 91 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,195 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $455 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 14 [B]Hrs:[/B] 9 [B]Mins:[/B] 57 [B]Seconds:[/B] 34
  • Quit Meter

    $45,428.00

    Amount Saved

  • Quit Meter

    Days: 8849 Hours: 15

    Minutes: 59 Seconds: 35

    Life Gained

  • Quit Meter

    45428

    Smoke Free Days

  • Quit Meter

    181,712

    Cigarettes Not Smoked

18 years ago 0 832 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi Mel :) I wish I could have read all the answers to your thread when I first quit. You have received some truly great replys from some truly great quitters. For me life did get easier. The longer I stay quit the easier it gets. I come here out of respect for the membership and try to lend a helping hand every now and then. I also read a lot and learn a lot, even today I am in a learning process and I will be 73 years young this coming July. Leaving nicotine addiction behind is truly a life changing process. It takes time, courage and the will to succeed and it can be done. Everyone is different to some quitting will be a breeze to others it will be a lot of pain. One thing about this site and its membership is that we are all dedicated to the same idea DONT SMOKE. Mel I hope you enjoy your quit and succeed. Post often and let us know how you are doing. Duffis duffis's Quit Stats Since Sunday, February 13, 2005, I've been smoke-free for: 1 Year(s), 57 Days, 8 Hours, 6 Minutes, 20 Seconds. I have saved $1,772.40 by not smoking 12670 cigarettes. By not smoking I have added 91 Days, 11 Hours, 50 Minutes, 46 seconds. to my life expectancy.
  • Quit Meter

    $283,925.00

    Amount Saved

  • Quit Meter

    Days: 6814 Hours: 5

    Minutes: 50 Seconds: 5

    Life Gained

  • Quit Meter

    45428

    Smoke Free Days

  • Quit Meter

    1,135,700

    Cigarettes Not Smoked

18 years ago 0 343 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi Mel, Frist Congrats to your decision to quit smokeing. This will prove to be one of the best decisions in your life. Lady is right. We long timers do come in to support. Some one was always there for us in the begining, so we know how important it is to have this support. Yes...without a doubt, it does get better. It is hard to think this at frist, but really, each day is one small step closer to easy and much more care free days. I love being a Non-smoker now. ( I smoked for 35yrs ). I will never go back to smokeing. My health has come back, my energy last longer, and it has given me a whole whack of self confidence. Hang in there. It will happen for you. You can do this. Love yourself enough to give you the chance at a much more full rewarding life. :) UFO [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/1/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 431 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 12,943 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $2586 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 48 [B]Hrs:[/B] 12 [B]Mins:[/B] 2 [B]Seconds:[/B] 31
  • Quit Meter

    $25,504.20

    Amount Saved

  • Quit Meter

    Days: 675 Hours: 3

    Minutes: 46 Seconds: 24

    Life Gained

  • Quit Meter

    4723

    Smoke Free Days

  • Quit Meter

    85,014

    Cigarettes Not Smoked

18 years ago 0 586 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Mel, Print out lots of reading material for your trip...especially posts from the site that inspire you. It's a nice boost when you need one and don't have access to the internet. Have a great smoke-free trip :) Phreakn, That void is a tough thing isn't it? It sort of caught me off guard when I first quit. It's not only an emotional void.. but we actually have an amazing amount of additional time on our hands that we used to spend smoking...so that creates another void. I put this in a post on my 28th day: [quote] 6 minutes x 21 cigarettes = 126 minutes spent smoking per day. That's... Over 2 hours per day... Over 14 hours in a week... Over 56 hours in a month... By the time a year has passed, I will have gained an entire month of time to use. [/quote] I had to come up with things to do before it drove me nuts...so... I now use it hiking in the mornings...and my house has never looked better. Oh, and I can relate to that mid-life thing too... g'head and buy the sports car. It's a great reward...and I can guarantee you won't want to smoke in it! ;p [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/2/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 439 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 8,790 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1567.23 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 46 [B]Hrs:[/B] 12 [B]Mins:[/B] 51 [B]Seconds:[/B] 29
  • Quit Meter

    $18,730.35

    Amount Saved

  • Quit Meter

    Days: 691 Hours: 16

    Minutes: 46 Seconds: 12

    Life Gained

  • Quit Meter

    4815

    Smoke Free Days

  • Quit Meter

    96,300

    Cigarettes Not Smoked

18 years ago 0 586 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
edit, I've been thinking about your post and I simply can't agree with your boss or husband. There are many times during our quits that we want to "give up"...but it's getting through those times ..over and over..without smoking that makes us ex-smokers. Those moments become fewer and less intense. Can anyone "just quit" and not give it another thought? Um...It's unlikely. I mean, just look around this site! I think by looking through the stats section, you'll also see we all count days...and months...and years..and we're very proud of our milestones. Does that mean we've not moved on? Well, I guess that would depend on where we are in our quits as individuals. It's normal for you to still think of smoking at 3 months...at 14 months, it's rare I think of it. Eventually, we get there. Please don't let people discourage you. 92 days is such an awesome accomplishment...you don't want to lose that. You're closer to freedom than you were when you first started... I'm where I truly feel free now... it's wonderful. Count those days, girl...and feel proud of every one. One day you'll just realize you don't count as closely as you used to..that you have to log on and read your meter to see how long it's been. I couldn't have dreamed of that happening early in my quit! Use this site daily until YOU feel comfortable going it on your own. I used it daily for well over a year and I think it's what made my quit this strong. Your quit belongs to you. If your boss and hubby don't understand, c'mon to the site. There's a whole slew of us that do :) I'll be hiking in the mountains soon too. Here's to good breathing! :) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/2/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 432 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 8,653 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1542.24 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 45 [B]Hrs:[/B] 19 [B]Mins:[/B] 26 [B]Seconds:[/B] 49
  • Quit Meter

    $18,730.35

    Amount Saved

  • Quit Meter

    Days: 691 Hours: 16

    Minutes: 46 Seconds: 12

    Life Gained

  • Quit Meter

    4815

    Smoke Free Days

  • Quit Meter

    96,300

    Cigarettes Not Smoked

18 years ago 0 586 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Mel, I understand your question and asked it myself when I first started here. It was frightening to think that people that had been quit so long were somehow still struggling. In the beginning of my quit, I was OBSESSED with every single moment that went by. Those persistant, nagging thoughts were so, so tiring...but slowly it changes. I'm not sure when it happened...but now I actually lose track of how much time...how many days...have gone by without a thought of smoking. I wish that everyone here that's early in thier quits could feel what it's like to be smoke-free for over a year. There'd be no doubt that the battles you fight now are well worth your efforts. For those that went that far and relapsed...they want to be free again...they're usually disgusted with themselves for losing their quit. Most will tell you they simply became overconfident or careless. So matter how long we've been quit, we do have to hold fast to "Not One Puff Ever"...that's what keeps us safe. But...cravings at this point? No...they're just thoughts....few and far between...and easily dismissed. I come to this site ...not because I feel weak...because I feel stronger than ever. I come because I'm so grateful to the people that stuck around to help me in my quit. I want to share what I now understand...that I could only dream about on day 4...that life returns to (a better) normal. You're gonna love it! :) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/2/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 431 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 8,637 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1538.67 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 45 [B]Hrs:[/B] 17 [B]Mins:[/B] 25 [B]Seconds:[/B] 49
  • Quit Meter

    $18,730.35

    Amount Saved

  • Quit Meter

    Days: 691 Hours: 16

    Minutes: 46 Seconds: 12

    Life Gained

  • Quit Meter

    4815

    Smoke Free Days

  • Quit Meter

    96,300

    Cigarettes Not Smoked

18 years ago 0 7 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Well, I'm almost two years quit and I feel great. After my wife had her heart attack, I finally made her quit. Now my house is finally starting to not smell. We had to wash and scrub everything. YUCK! I regard smoking as a drug addiction because nicotine does make you 'chill" . But that trade off is a high price to pay since the penalty for smoking is your health and even death. My advise to anybody who is going to or has already quit is to never inhale that drug nicotine again. Life is much better without it. Best of all if my leading example that lead to my wife quitting and them my daughter quit and my sister who hasn't quit yet but is going to. My hats off to everybody who puts their mind over matter which is what it takes to gets off of that drug nicotine. Good luck to you and all and like everybody who's been there says... Take one day at a time. It's a long and sometimes painful journey but the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow is your health and your life. Regards... [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/28/2004 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 683 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 19,131 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $2390.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 127 [B]Hrs:[/B] 9 [B]Mins:[/B] 6 [B]Seconds:[/B] 33
  • Quit Meter

    $29,528.20

    Amount Saved

  • Quit Meter

    Days: 9841 Hours: 9

    Minutes: 44 Seconds: 2

    Life Gained

  • Quit Meter

    45428

    Smoke Free Days

  • Quit Meter

    90,856

    Cigarettes Not Smoked

18 years ago 0 1151 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Mel, I didn't read all the responses so please forgive any repition. For me, I usually pop back in when I'm pondering a new phase of life or just general life reflection. It's seeing how far you've come and where you've been. I never thought I'd be able to quit smoking so it STILL tickles me to think that I have. It blows my mind that it'll be two years soon because I didn't think I'd make it past 9 days. I remember watching my Quit Meter wondering how everyone seemed so far ahead! Usually I stop in to check out the stats parade and see if there are any other old timers around. Invariably though I will see a title of someone struggling and I can't help but reply. With all that said - YOU ARE AWESOME! These first few days are tough and there will be other tough days but you are giving yourself the best gift ever...a life of FREEDOM. Keep on keepin on and you'll be writing a similar reply soon. Be Blessed Sandra [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 8/5/2004 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 613 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 12,274 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $2758.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 45 [B]Hrs:[/B] 10 [B]Mins:[/B] 23 [B]Seconds:[/B] 37
  • Quit Meter

    $37,063.00

    Amount Saved

  • Quit Meter

    Days: 641 Hours: 0

    Minutes: 27 Seconds: 32

    Life Gained

  • Quit Meter

    5702

    Smoke Free Days

  • Quit Meter

    74,126

    Cigarettes Not Smoked

18 years ago 0 763 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
I'm so good with the html.....nothing like underlining half your post! (some things never change for some of us :blush:) :p Katy [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/4/2002 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 1558 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 62,330 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $8569 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 203 [B]Hrs:[/B] 6 [B]Mins:[/B] 6 [B]Seconds:[/B] 38
  • Quit Meter

    $158,998.00

    Amount Saved

  • Quit Meter

    Days: 5344 Hours: 12

    Minutes: 6 Seconds: 20

    Life Gained

  • Quit Meter

    45428

    Smoke Free Days

  • Quit Meter

    908,560

    Cigarettes Not Smoked

18 years ago 0 763 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
As addicts, we have an addicts conception of just "what" the addictive substance does for us...... the first really BIG lie is that smoking relieves stress. Smoking causes MORE stress, cause you gotta keep the demon fed. From the time you stub out the smoke, the monster begins to build in volume demanding another one. (being where you can't smoke?? now that is what I used to call stress) Secondly.....When we quit we tend to blame ALL our bad times/days on the fact that we can't smoke! We had problems with friends and family and situations when we did smoke........perhaps we just turned away from them and lit up??? Third.......every one is "different"!! the difference in all our family members was like night and day!! Some people CAN turn away from it and not look back.....and while you do need to do that, it can't be accomplished in a short time for the majority of us. Try to relax and realize that having those thoughts about smoking in your head are quite normal. Just continue to use the ole "distract and delay" technique. and lastly.....BELIEVE your so called 'elders' (I hate that discription LOL) this WILL pass.....thinking about smoking, craving, triggers, side effects, etc, etc, etc......it WILL END!!! One day (and again we are all different as to when) you will suddenly realize that you haven't been thinking about smoking...........that's just the [u]beginning[u/] of your freedom!!! That prize is one that just continues to grow in stature for the quitter. hang tough....kick butt Katy p.s and get a reward program going if you haven't!! Rewards are the often forgot about part of quitting....they are quite important so begin with them NOW ;) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/4/2002 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 1558 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 62,330 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $8569 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 203 [B]Hrs:[/B] 6 [B]Mins:[/B] 6 [B]Seconds:[/B] 5
  • Quit Meter

    $158,998.00

    Amount Saved

  • Quit Meter

    Days: 5344 Hours: 12

    Minutes: 6 Seconds: 20

    Life Gained

  • Quit Meter

    45428

    Smoke Free Days

  • Quit Meter

    908,560

    Cigarettes Not Smoked


Reading this thread: