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17 years ago 0 +0 / -0 1151

Tony, Although this post, [url=http://www.stopsmokingcenter.net/support/viewmessages.aspx?forum=15&topic=13950]Anger and Quitting Smoking[/url] was written about anger, it actually gives a great explanation about how smokers cope with things as a whole. Hope it helps... [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 8/5/2004 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 968 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 19,361 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $4356 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 74 [B]Hrs:[/B] 15 [B]Mins:[/B] 35 [B]Seconds:[/B] 8

Quit Meter

$36,985.00

Amount Saved
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Days: 639 Hours: 17

Minutes: 58 Seconds: 28

Life Gained
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5690

Smoke Free Days
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73,970

Cigarettes Not Smoked

17 years ago 0 +0 / -0 2436

Hello Tony, This journey is actually amazing, it's about self-discovery and it's very much like an awakening, at least it was for me... There are many ways to ground it yourself, or center yourself. Meditation is a wonderful thing, even if it's a five minute meditation, to clear the mind... people try to make it complicated, but a meditation can be three to five minutes, sitting quietly, and just focusing on taking deep breaths. Focus on how your body reacts to each breath that you take. A long hot bath, not only at the end of the day, but anytime is also incredibly soothing, Tony. This is something that calmed and soothed me, at the beginning of my quit - and it still does! Being afraid, I believe, is part of this journey. We have been hiding behind a smokescreen for as long as we've been lighting up. And that smokescreen, my friend, has kept its very safe. See if you can stay in the moment, focus on not looking into the future and not looking behind you. When you are afraid, the power is going to be in that very moment. And very important, Tony, be gentle with yourself right now... you are healing, in mind, body, and spirit. The smokescreen that has kept us so safe, has also kept us from maturing in a myriad of ways. Just take it one moment at a time, one step at a time. Make a list of a hundred things that you love, and keep that lives close by. Go to your list, Tony, anytime you feel stressed, or afraid. The things that you love, and that soothe your soul and spirit, will take care of you, and you learn to take care of yourself... Oh, and that smokescreen also kept us from learning how to nurture and love ourselves, my friend. So what a blessing of an opportunity now, for these lessons... Stay close to this site, and reach for support anytime you need it. And please spend as much time as possible reading, reading, and reading. Reading old posts here, taught me how to build coping skills to take care of myself in the most challenging times. I learned from others who were kind enough to share their stories, what to do and what not to do. Stay close, and post often. We are all right here with you and for you. Many blessings- Healer [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/5/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 390

17 years ago 0 +0 / -0 932

Hey Tony, Congratulations on 32 Days as a Non Smoker. You're doing great!! You and I are right here together on our Quits so I'll pass along what helps me to stay more calm. I know this sounds soooo tacky but the deep, slow breathing does help a lot. I found the directions on a thread and it really does help. I'm going to paste the directions and some other tips to help you to relax. TIPS -Exercising can help to manage your withdrawal easier overall. -Watch your caffeine intake, especially after 6 pm. Drink decaffeinated coffee or herbal teas. -A routine to relax your body at night helps some people fall asleep. Use the following deep breathing and relaxing techniques. Deep Breathing: 1) Take a slow deep breath in through your nose to the slow count of five. Push your tummy out at the same time. 2) Slowly breathe out through your mouth to the count of 7. 3) Repeat this 3 times, as you feel yourself relaxing and the stress dropping away. Tension Releasing: 1) Let go of the tension in your neck and shoulders. 2) Let go of the tension in your jaw. 3) Focus completely on your breathing, nothing else. 4) As you exhale, let your shoulders drop and let your body sink into wherever you are. 5)Repeat this until you feel relaxed and centered. *It's a skill. You may want to practice several times a day to make it a normal part of your routine. Tony, I especially do the breathing and it does help me to relax more. I know we'll become more relaxed as we get further along in our Quits. After all, how long did we smoke and how much? So, it'll take us a bit of time to feel what we imagine as "normal" again. Let's just take it one day at a time.....and BREATHE. Oh yes, and I did have to cut back on my caffeine. Caffeine is a stimulant and I am more stressed when I drink too much. I hope this helps you out some. I know stress is a b...ch. Keep in touch, okay? We can compare notes since we're so close on our Quit dates. Tutti [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/18/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 40 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,819 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $143.6 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 4 [B]Hrs:[/B] 6 [B]Mins:[/B] 43 [B]Seconds:[/B] 34

17 years ago 0 +0 / -0 3875

I share your fear Tony, I occasionally worry about what reaction I might have when things get really bad, because that is when I have caved in the past. I have been keeping this thought in mind, Smoking is not an option! I will have to choose some other method of calming, whether it be suck ona straw, yell at my husband, cry, or just slam the door and hide for a while. It is becoming clearer to me each day, that I have a choice in everything I do. So if I have a choice, why not choose whats best for me? Easy enough to say when I am calm, but yesterday I had a very stressful afternoon at work ,came home & not not better here, then my daughter walks in with a smoke....I took a deep breath and decided, so what? I learned this one from Lookingglass... Let the craves come and rant all they want, I am not going back! Keep your chin up! It will get easier and easier. :) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/5/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 25 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 633 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $263.75 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 3 [B]Hrs:[/B] 1 [B]Mins:[/B] 31 [B]Seconds:[/B] 25

17 years ago 0 +0 / -0 1040

Tony, I can only tell you that I came into this quit with one thought; "No matter what". We can't afford to hang our quits on anything or anyone other than ourselves. I'm quitting for me. I want to see my children grow up. I want to see my grandchildren one day. I want to enjoy my life again. I don't want to be a slave anymore. People have to know, before they quit, that it's going to be difficult. They have to be prepared for the times when the last thing on Earth they want to do is go one more minute without a cigarette. Mostly this is about doing what we know to do, and you've done one of those things today. You asked for help with a particular problem. And help, and encouragment, is what you're going to get. That's a resource, and as profitable a one as you make it. It won't insure that you don't smoke. Only you can do that. But it may make it a little easier, especially if you're open. You're doing great, Tony! No one stays smoke free for 32 days by accident. You've worked for this. Keep doing what you're doing, keep coming back... and don't have a cigarette. Your life is worth the effort... and the struggle. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/6/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 24 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 608 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $222 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 3 [B]Hrs:[/B] 23 [B]Mins:[/B] 19 [B]Seconds:[/B] 29

17 years ago 0 +0 / -0 848

Hi Tony. You have just revealed one of your "triggers". What you should do now is make a plan of attack for what you will do when those feelings hit. Even a list of things to do to chase away that run to a cig response. Be prepared and keep that quit! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/29/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 1 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 16 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $4.08 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 3 [B]Mins:[/B] 1 [B]Seconds:[/B] 25

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$119,557.62

Amount Saved
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Days: 6402 Hours: 9

Minutes: 28 Seconds: 32

Life Gained
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45416

Smoke Free Days
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408,744

Cigarettes Not Smoked

17 years ago 0 +0 / -0 672

Tony, don't sweat it.. Just think about what you say before you speak, this way you can be shure that you won't put your foot in it ! Have a cup of tea or do some exercise to forget about it. Concentrate on something else, like the laundry you haven't done yet or the car that needs a wash. btw, well done on 32 days, thats a major achievement. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/1/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 818 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 20,457 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $5317 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 118 [B]Hrs:[/B] 4 [B]Mins:[/B] 47 [B]Seconds:[/B] 40

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$12,509.88

Amount Saved
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Days: 626 Hours: 0

Minutes: 8 Seconds: 42

Life Gained
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3418

Smoke Free Days
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51,270

Cigarettes Not Smoked

17 years ago 0 +0 / -0 1698

Hey Tony Greatgoing on the 32 days.. How about lowering your expectation ?? People and situations don,t always play out the way we expect and it can be very frustrating believe me I have been there and it will "trigger" our need to smoke.Lower your expectations = lower your need to smoke..Give it a try see how it works out?? Keep at the quit your doing great.. Bear [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/21/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 9 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 167 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $90 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 2 [B]Hrs:[/B] 4 [B]Mins:[/B] 47 [B]Seconds:[/B] 7

17 years ago 0 +0 / -0 34

I've been smoke free for 32 days now and it's really great but my f.e.a.r. is that when things don't or people don't respond the way in which I think they should I feeling like running back for a smoke to calm me down what are some calming things I could do? not real calm here lately.

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