Hi Quitter, Congratulations on 75 days smoke free! If you can figure out how to deal with a rough spot before it occurs, you're more likely to overcome it right? Keep going you're doing great!! Danielle ________________________ The SSC Support Team

Quitter, You did a great job preparing for this hurdle. You handled it like a pro! Keep up the good work! Danielle ________________________________ The SSC Support Team

Hi quitter, (nice quit by the way!) Early today, I posted this: 'People often say that there are 2 factors in quitting (habit and addiction). I believe that there are 3. If you quit with patches, you beat the habit first, then deal with the addiction factor as you reduce the nicotine level stage by stage. Quitting cold turkey involves beating both at once: too tough for me, but some people (Allen Carr included) prefer the Big Bang approach. The third factor is related to rewards, often discussed here. There is a thread 'Rewards, Nicotine and the Brain' that is well worth the read. After about 9-10 weeks on the patches, I finally went 'naked', so after a few days, had no nicotine left in my body. So why the continued 'cravings' from time to time? Problem is that before the NicoDemon departs, he has left a little message with the Brain, which reads 'Where's my reward, it's time for my reward, I want my reward!' As 90, 100, 110 day quitters, we feel we've made a great effort to get here and have had enough of the NicoDemon. He's even talking to us after he's gone! This is why I think some people experience negative feelings at this stage of the quit. If we can all understand and accept what is going on here the 'voices' will have little or no effect. Our brains are adjusting to a new life, at this stage a piece of fruit, a cup of coffee, whatever, are scant rewards for the 'real thing'. However this will gradually change as we live our lives more fully and forget the old addict self.' That kind of sums things up for me. This is a stage of the quit where we all need to be on our guard. Things get better, but the change is inperceptible as it is slow and subtle. However, speak to a one year quitter and ask 'do you feel the same as after 3 months?' I'm sure that the answer you will get is a resounding 'NO'. The problem with modern life is that we have been conditioned to think that everything should be available NOW. Sometimes we have to be patient and wait for results to materialise. We are all different and I've been mostly OK at this stage of the game. However, there are no rules and I might have some awkward moments in the coming weeks. Above all, I'm proud of my quit and can't see myself giving it up now, no matter what ....

Dear Quitter Everyone is right about being prepared. The support we get here at SSC is fantastic and I would not be quit without them. I had read about the 100 day craving. And like everyone said I refused to give into it. For me it happened around day 90. You just do what you have done to keep your quit so far.....deep breaths.....get through the moment........know it will pass. Congratulations on 73 days!! Don't turn back now. You have the stress with or without smoking and I am finally realizing I can handle the stress better without smoking Stay Strong and Stay QUIT! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/30/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 108 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,629 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $324 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 11 [B]Hrs:[/B] 20 [B]Mins:[/B] 29 [B]Seconds:[/B] 14

Oh my Quitter! You just had a bowl full of life thrown at you! I sure don't wish that for anybody! Keep your head held high. Walk with pride. You are doing a great job with your quit. You can get through this. Just remember, smoking is [b][color=Green]NOT[/b][/color] an option. I thank you for this post. When I started reading this, I immediately became scared.... Then I realized that it cannot possibly be as hard as the first week. And I got through that time. I will keep my coping mechanisms near, and make sure I hold my quit tight. I agree with most people here, your inquiry on this is great. Being prepared is essential. Just having an idea of what others went through helps. I know each quit is different, but it sure helps to know other peoples stories. I appreciate all who replied with their stories. You have helped more than just one........... Stay strong Quitter! I am here with you! Please stay close here. And don't forget to breathe!!! It will not only help with any cravings, but it really does help to reduce the amount of stress that you feel. It will help with that hopeless feeling right now............ [IMG]http://img392.imageshack.us/img392/2281/sidehug9oh.gif[/IMG] (((((((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))))))) ;) 4my2girls [b][color=Teal]What Consumes Your Thoughts Controls Your Life[/color][/b] [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/5/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 75 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 2,265 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $245.25 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 6 [B]Hrs:[/B] 1 [B]Mins:[/B] 48 [B]Seconds:[/B] 8

Hi quitter, Look at you and those 73 days, congratulations. I think you are worrying a little too much. Just let the days come and mark them off just like any other day. Like Casey said it is important to have a plan in place, and if you do have cravings handle them just like you always have. You will be fine... Also congratulations on your engagement and new career and yes they are both good. Which should give you positive energy to get through this happy experience. Stay on top of everything, if you get into a situation you can't handle just leave...It's okay to leave.. Stay strong and don't forget your breathing technique, they really help. Be blessed, SUNSHINE [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/7/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 130 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 2,219 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $455 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 18 [B]Hrs:[/B] 18 [B]Mins:[/B] 29 [B]Seconds:[/B] 57

Hello Quitter This meant so much to me: [quote] I guess sometimes it takes actually making an effort to pull yourself together to realize it's possible. I just needed to pull myself together, put things in perspective, and keep moving on. It's a process. [/quote] Thank you. I have been having a stressful couple of weeks and I find that if I just slow down and put things in perspective, get my thinking straight so I can get onto the benefit side of the ledger I am okay. Thanks for your post and thanks for sharing your process. I get to learn from you. Peace Phillip [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/17/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 91 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,833 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $682.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 14 [B]Hrs:[/B] 22 [B]Mins:[/B] 23 [B]Seconds:[/B] 14

Look at us!!! Still quitting! Congratulations everyone! I got over that hump, and everyone thanks so much for your support and ideas and encouragements. I'm trying to cook up a good reward that doesn't cost too much (we're saving for the wedding!!!) for my 100 days. Any ideas? Thanks again. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/3/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 93 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,870 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $199.95 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 6 [B]Hrs:[/B] 4 [B]Mins:[/B] 21 [B]Seconds:[/B] 27

Hi everyone, I'm feeling better now, thanks to all of you who care enough to share and support everyone else. What would I do without this site and all you quitters? Thanks for caring! I guess sometimes it takes actually making an effort to pull yourself together to realize it's possible. I just needed to pull myself together, put things in perspective, and keep moving on. It's a process. This quit has been so good for me. I know that if I can manage my life as crazy as it is and still maintain this quit, I can do just about anything. Whatever's coming in the next few weeks will be just another challenge to overcome. And when I do, I'll be stronger and braver for the next. Thank you all. You're wonderful. quitter [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/3/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 77 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,552 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $165.55 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 5 [B]Hrs:[/B] 3 [B]Mins:[/B] 7 [B]Seconds:[/B] 56

Thanks everyone! Here it comes, for me. I just had to turn down a fabulous job opportunity in Washington D.C. because we don't have the money to move to take it. The past two weeks have been AWFUL. My work computer's hard drive just broke suddenly...I lost everything. The new truck I bought? Had a major oil leak that cost $300 to fix and now has a tire and axle problem. My paycheck got lost in the mail and work refused to reissue it for a week. At the same time, I was trying to move my sisters into their new house in a town three hours away, on no money. And now this. I found the perfect job, I was OFFERED the perfect job, and I had to say NO to the perfect job. I hate the job I have, I hate the company I work for and I hate being poor. I'm trying really hard not to blame my fiance for having to turn the job down. I was going to take it, money troubles be damned, but he was full of caution. He didn't have a job there, so he would have been moving to search for a job and try to live on my income, which wasn't going to be huge for the area. I don't blame him, but I'm just so, so disappointed. Plus, I'm irritable. The thing is, I had been getting through all this stress relatively OK. But it's really piling up, because where I used to cope with smokes, now I'm just fuming or crying or worrying to the max. Now I'm depressed, and still no smokes to cope with. I'm having trouble functioning. I don't have the money to go to the dr. and get anti-depressants. I guess I'll go take a walk later. I'll get through this. I just needed to vent. I need to vent more. I need to vent and vent and vent. I don't have any ideas, though. Maybe I'll got listen to some heavy metal music. I already went and bought some shoes. And now, back to my job. Which I hate. Thanks for reading. quitter. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/3/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 77 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,549 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $165.55 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 5 [B]Hrs:[/B] 2 [B]Mins:[/B] 53 [B]Seconds:[/B] 8