I just joined this group as I have realized support from others can help immensely. My quit date was Oct 23, 2005 so I have just celebrated 6 months cigarette free. (I don't know how to change the Glove Box info though) I smoked for 25 years and tried to quit 8 times seriously and numerous times half-heartedly. For a long time, it was something I would do "one day." I knew all the benefits and knew I was slowly killing myself but I really enjoyed it. The last few years I have seen how socially unacceptable it is and how I was even choosing my friends by whether they smoked or not! When my teen daughter came to me in tears saying that her clothes smelled like smoke and others thought SHE smoked, something broke inside and I knew the day had come. But I had smoked so long and tried so many times to quit that I was really afraid I couldn't do it. I didn't tell anyone that I was going to quit because I didn't want the disappointment if I couldn't do it. I didn't tell my family until I had quit for 2 weeks and even then I was afraid because now I would be "watched." First, I kept smelling ashtrays and my hair to remind myself how much it just STUNK. I looked at my yellowish teeth and the faint lines showing around my mouth. Each time I was in a non-smoking situation, I thought about how nice it would be if I didn't have to worry about smoking. Freedom! To go where I wanted and to do things I avoided because of cigarettes. I had tried patches and the lozenges before and they didn't work for me. I didn't want medication so I decided on the gum. I bought the starter pack but kept a pack of cigarettes just in case. The next morning I threw away the pack, all ashtrays and lighters. I told myself I could buy more if I needed to then told myself I wouldn't have to, then told myself it was still an option. Not exactly very confident. The first few days were easier than I expected and I was a bit smug. Then Whammo! I wanted a cigarette so bad! Instead I drove to the store and bought a teeth whitener kit. Then I started washing walls and shampooing furniture and carpets. That got me through that difficult day. I found that every week for about 8 weeks, I would have one very bad day where I wanted a cigarette desperately. I would run to t

Thank you all so muuuch! I really didn't know if I would like this forum. Not you, of course, but me. I'm so used to doing everything on my own. I'm the kind who goes into the bedroom when sick and doesn't come out until I'm better. For some reason, I feel like I have to be strong o my own at all times. But these posts made me feel so good and I know I'm in the right place. I can see how much other people can help. Now I need to see more about rewards! That's another thing I have a hard time with. As a woman and mother, I always see how someone else needs something before me. I have a hard time buying myself anything just for fun. My husband always encourages me to buy things just for me but I immediately start thinking about how we could use some new towels or a new washer. Susan

What a great story. Im glad you have decided to join us. The support here gets me threw each and every day. You are so strong to have kept your quit. I look forward to the day when I hit 6 months cause im going to go buy a non-smoking car. smogfree shamrock Alley [url=http://][IMG]http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i197/lorilind/shamrock.gif[/IMG][/url] [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/30/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 26 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 350 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $102.7 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 2 [B]Hrs:[/B] 4 [B]Mins:[/B] 8 [B]Seconds:[/B] 1

Hello don'tlikecold and welcome, You have found a wonderful, loving, safe place here, and we are so glad to have you as part of our Quit family... What a powerful example you are for all of us! Let me say that rewards are so very important (I found that out and it is so true)... So make sure to reward yourself, dear one. There are a great deal of posts about rewards and how important they are to our Quit journeys (do a search in the posts for rewards:) Post often and reach out when you need support. And share your Quit experience with us! Blessings and Light- Healer [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/5/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 52 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,820 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $241.8 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 6 [B]Hrs:[/B] 17 [B]Mins:[/B] 57 [B]Seconds:[/B] 7

Firstly a big warm welcome, I too have a non smoking family and no friends who smoke so this site has been vital to me so far. "No one knows how hard it is" - we do!! we all do and thats why this is a good place to come. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/6/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 79 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 949 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] �197.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 14 [B]Hrs:[/B] 10 [B]Mins:[/B] 32 [B]Seconds:[/B] 46

Thank you for sharing your experience! I heard alot in there that sounded familiar, and it's good to know this can be done, and I can get to 6 months! I find that I too have a bad day now and then, and I think you're right, it seems to be about once a week. That really helps put it in the proper prospective for me. Keep up the good work! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/29/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 87 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,313 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $348 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 9 [B]Hrs:[/B] 13 [B]Mins:[/B] 9 [B]Seconds:[/B] 20

First....CONGRATS on 6 months! You are amazing! I'm very impressed you went six months with so little support! I don't think I could have made it without this site! (never could before) Your daughter is soooo right, it is time to go get yourself a reward! Stay close and read alot and share your experience with our new (and old) members! [color=Purple]~lbugg~[/color] [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/17/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 404 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 21,463 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $2666.4 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 39 [B]Hrs:[/B] 10 [B]Mins:[/B] 44 [B]Seconds:[/B] 22