Last night was tough, and I woke up with stronger cravings this morning than I have since I first quit a few days ago. I won't have a smoke today, no matter how bad it gets...but I'm just saying... it's not a lot of fun right now. I'll keep doing what I know to do, and hopefully I'll get a little more comfortable with being a non-smoker soon. I think what sparked these stronger cravings is that, all of a sudden, I have more on my plate. The busier I was, the more I smoked, so now as things are getting busier, as the demands on me are increasing, I'm feeling more compulsed about smoking. I'm going to make a concerted effort to slow down a little, and take things a little less seriously today. I'm glad that you're all out there, and I take courage in the fact that I'm not the only one going through this. Many of you are struggling, and succeeding, as shall I. It's all about this moment... that's all any of us have... 'right now'. So, like so many of you, I'm going to seize the moment and live my life the way I truly want to; smoke-free. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/6/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 3 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 82 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $27.75 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 13 [B]Mins:[/B] 0 [B]Seconds:[/B] 12

Thanks, Nonic! Not even my ex-wife ever called me beautiful. I'll have to work on getting my head around that one. :) But thank-you! This morning is much better than yesterday, but I have no illusions. I'm probably going to be on the roller-coaster for a bit, and that's fine. No matter what... I'm in this for the long-haul. I didn't do this to fail, and I knew what I was in for. Reading all the posts here is a super support for me, and I thank you all for being here and sharing this journey with me. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/6/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 4 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 114 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $37 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 17 [B]Mins:[/B] 49 [B]Seconds:[/B] 37

Thanks for the acknowledgment and encouragement, everyone. It feels very good to know that people are pulling for me, and that you know what it's like to be where I am right now. There's a lot of strength in that. Thanks, Cobenfan. I appreciate that, and believe me, I intend to draw on your nearly 1 year of experience as a non-smoker. I'm going to use every resource available to me, not just to quit smoking, but to feel good about the graduation from smoker to non-smoker. I want to be as comfortable as possible, as functional as possible and as realistic as possible. I figure that overcoming this addiction will be challenge enough without getting in my own way at every turn. And that's where you guys come in. You help me to create a map and a list of realistic possibilities. Actually, I'm having a great day today. I think I've seen the worst of the physical withdrawal. Not all the physiological adjustments, I'm sure. But the physical craving has subsided appreciably. I took my daughters out for their Birthdays today, and we had a wonderful time. While I was aware of the changes I'm going through, I was able to see them positively, and I wasn't hurting emotionally or psychologically. I wasn't reaching for phantom cigarettes or cursing a life devoid of nicotine. :) LOL I expect that I'll be up and down to some degree, but I think the road has straightened a little now that the first few days of physical withdrawal is history. Tutti, I'll pay more attention to the water tap. I've been having pretty good luck with coffee for some reason, though. That worked for me on my last quit a few years ago, too. Coffee is a mild stimulant and I think it takes the edge of my desire for a cig, which can also have a stimulant effect on me. I know that many people give up coffee because it's a trigger for them, and I expected that's what I'd be doing too... but it seems to have just the opposite impact on me. Mind you, that's 2 or 3 cups a day. Not 2 pots, which is what I sometimes drank while I was smoking. Audrey, I know exactly what you mean. I already find myself introducing other things to fill the void that used to be filled with cigarette associated behaviors. I can hardly wait to see what new and interesting thing I'll do next. :) Jaz, I've notice

Looking Glass I know exactly how you feel. You need to remember that you are important too and if that means laying back a little for a day or so, then do it. I know I needed too and that was hard for me, because I am the type of person that has to make everthing right for everybody but me. I just had to remember that I was IMPORTANT too. I took one day and did only what I wanted to do. Surprisingly my family understood (kinda scary). Keep up the good work, keep posting, drink lots of fluid and always remember that we are here for you. :) Karen [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/1/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 8 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 170 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $40 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 21 [B]Mins:[/B] 41 [B]Seconds:[/B] 9

Lookingglass, I too quit on the 6th....so I'm right there with you! The first 2 days were easy, but now with some added stressors coming into play, it's like a whole new ball game. I will not be smoking either...so we are in this together! 3 days really is huge...for me what helps is looking into the future...I can't wait to see 7 days on my meter...and I'm sure you can't either! Stay strong....you are totally gonna get through this...and I'm here to vent to if ya need it!!! Well, me and like, a WHOLE lotta other cool cats! Jaz P.S. Deep cleansing breaths........ [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/6/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 3 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 68 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $15 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 5 [B]Mins:[/B] 46 [B]Seconds:[/B] 28

Looking, Changing is right! You may want to take a fresh look and see that you now have so much more time. I didn't know how to fill the time in the beginning. I found myself creating errands! Take a deep breath and divide that which is on your plate into little sections, and take off what doesn't have to be on today's plate and put it on tomorrow's. Tackle the little sections in a way that makes sense. I think you will find that it is totally manageable and hell week is just pressing your buttons. You'll be fine ;) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/16/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 52 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,048 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $145.6 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 5 [B]Hrs:[/B] 2 [B]Mins:[/B] 21 [B]Seconds:[/B] 48

Heya Lookingglass, you tall drink of water, you. ha ha ha ha Is that better? LOL Go ahead and laugh a little bit because you need to. Phew!! Day 3 is nasty. I know that's right. It was horrible for me. Day 1 and 2 were okay. But on Day 3 I was withdrawing HARD, craving HARD, and was even having some bad anxiety problems. I promise, it will get better. It's a process but it does get better day by day. Just keep posting and reading. I know ya'll have to get tired of me saying this but drinking as much water as you can stand really, really helps with those cravings and withdrawal symptoms. I don't know why but it does. Man, I never drank water while smoking and was always walking around with a diet coke and bag of peanuts. Now that I'm a non smoker, I've lost my desire to drink diet coke and my body seems to NEED water. You know how you feel when you eat too much junk food or fast food and your body just hollers for a healthy, home cooked meal? That's how my body feels about water. I crave it and it really does help. It even seems to help me out with those psychological addiction/cravings. Jaz, just know that Day 3 is a real pain in the ass and I believe most of us agree on that one. It WILL get better. Hang in there and keep posting. You're both doing great. Hugs, Tutti PS Nonic, you can call me beautiful. Several times. ha ha ha ha [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/18/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 20 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 928 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $71.8 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 2 [B]Hrs:[/B] 4 [B]Mins:[/B] 26 [B]Seconds:[/B] 2

Looking Your doing fine even if it dosen't feel fine, I promise you that it can be done and you are doing it...Just keep moving forward, everyone here is telling you straight up, that you will find yourself having more time once you put this thing away... Believe me, my heart goes out to you I know its not easy and sometimes it feels very lonley...I assure you that you are not alone and that there are many people here who will invest in your success... I think you are beautiful for being here nonic [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 12/25/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 75 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,813 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $525 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 14 [B]Hrs:[/B] 0 [B]Mins:[/B] 50 [B]Seconds:[/B] 43

Looking Its not easy if it was we wouldnt need each other right? We are here for you and it will get better on Tuesday OK? Phil [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 8/8/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 213 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 4,481 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] �1118.25 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 42 [B]Hrs:[/B] 16 [B]Mins:[/B] 20 [B]Seconds:[/B] 38

Slow down and give yourself some "you" time as your body begins the healing process. Relax...You're doing it! That's so cool! You're well on your way to feeling much better. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 7/17/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 235 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,883 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $881.25 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 25 [B]Hrs:[/B] 16 [B]Mins:[/B] 22 [B]Seconds:[/B] 45