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Challenging Worry

Ashley -> Health Educator

2024-04-20 11:42 PM

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It feels like a marathon and my endurance is being tested!


17 years ago 0 106 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Wow, This is such a great thread! I've bookmarked it because I'm sure it will help me months down the road if things are still difficult at times. There is something to be said for knowing that many or most people quitting smoking go through similar peaks and valleys as time goes by. It will help me keep my "witness approach", which is one of my best tools in this process. By that I mean, when smoking thoughts or cravings appear, I try to have the perspective that it's not "me" thinking or wanting to smoke, I'm just feeling chemical or psychological conditioned responses from my brain that will slowly weaken and be reconditioned. Looking at it that way not only makes it a little more impersonal and removed, but it's absolutely true. I've already quit smoking and recovered from the addiction. My body and brain just have to adjust to that fact. I'm giving them no choice. Happy Saturday All, Mike [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 4/11/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 3 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 62 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $10.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 12 [B]Mins:[/B] 9 [B]Seconds:[/B] 42
17 years ago 0 8760 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hello to all! Take a tour of the Hall of Fame or search through our forums for some of our long-term quitters because it absolutely get better! I like your analogy Changing! It is a marathon and it is a long one that is why we cannot stress enough the importance of rewards! As we all know, we have these wonderful chemicals in our brains that put us in a good mood. We also know that nicotine stimulated the release of those chemicals. Now that we are at no or diminished nicotine levels, we must stimulate the release of those chemicals on our own by finding pleasurable activities and rewards. For those who find a bad mood means more cravings, you're spot on! In the past when that bad mood hit, you'd smoke and the nicotine would release those chemicals. Now as a quitter when you're in a bad mood, your brain sends you craving signals for nicotine because that is how it was trained to correct the imbalance. Again, it is now our job to stimulate those chemicals with pleasurable activities and yes more rewards! It's also important to eat properly and get enough rest as these also have effect on our moods. We also have to start finding new ways to release stress and let out those bad emotions whether it be by walking it out or writing it out. Remember, practice makes perfect so don't be too hard on yourselves. Don't get discouraged. This is a learning process and each day you're taking baby steps towards the bigger goal of being free! Keep acknowledging those victories, start a list if it helps. You will get there! We are cheering you on! Danielle ______________________ The SSC Support Team
17 years ago 0 156 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi Changing, I can relate to feeling like this is a marathon and with hurdles to jump the whole way. You've seen some of my post and smoking is not an option for me either. I look at it this way. For me it seems that everytime things are going good and I'm feeling strong BAM life hits me with a challenge and I feel sick to my stomach and fight the urges and keep going. I make this a positive thing instead of giving into to the urges and feel even stronger for fighting back. It's hard sometimes but the next day I'm glad I didn't give in because I keep thinking how much harder it would be to know I gave up. I'm my own worst enemy and I couldn't deal with that regret which is why I won't give up on my quit. I'd rather have the O2angel on my side than the nicodemon!!! My father quit smoking 30 years ago and he says he still has his moments that an urge sneaks up on him but he said it's a fleeting feeling and gone so fast he forgets about it almost as fast as it hits so I know eventually the struggle will be over. Maybe not for awhile but it's something to look forward to. I'm glad you made this post and it didn't sound negative. It's reality and a struggle alot of us go through. My father suggested to me to get in my car and take a drive to somewhere there is water and relax to the sound of the water. It's fresh and calming and gives the chance to clear the mind and figure ways to work through whatever is going on at the time. With a daughter it's not always feasable so a walk around the block helps too. I admire your strength. Let it keep working for you!!! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/16/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 28 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,009 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $308 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 2 [B]Hrs:[/B] 17 [B]Mins:[/B] 44 [B]Seconds:[/B] 8
17 years ago 0 357 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Changing, I think your analogy of being in a marathon is a good one. My quit can relate to a marathon in many ways- I did lots of preparation before race day, when the race started I was so excited I couldn't stand it, but right now I feel like I'm just hanging out pounding the pavement at mile 13 or so. The excitment of the starting gun is gone and I'm WAY to far off from the finish line to have my second wind kick in. I do, however, thank God that every mile or so I find a water station chuck full of wonderful SSC members cheering me on to victory. We're all in this toghether and this is a race we will all finish! :)Dupe [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/11/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 33 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 507 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $105.6 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 3 [B]Hrs:[/B] 1 [B]Mins:[/B] 13 [B]Seconds:[/B] 16
17 years ago 0 813 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Changing For me its as if I am fitting into a new suit of clothes. Its no longer a matter of daily fighting as it is making myself comfortable in my new way of being... It does get easier and it gets different the more you move toward independence... nonic [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 12/25/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 109 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 2,634 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $763 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 20 [B]Hrs:[/B] 9 [B]Mins:[/B] 29 [B]Seconds:[/B] 31
17 years ago 0 232 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hiya, Changing! One of the things that has kept me going has been when I come across some of the posts from someone who has 586 or 749 or 1028 quit days. And they're like "yeah, I used to smoke, and once in a blue moon I get an urge, and I look at it and say, 'yeah, that's an urge,' I remember when I thought I wanted to smoke but that's just so silly now." The impression I get from them is that it's just not a big thing to them, and they don't really get all worked up about it. Seems to be after a year or so, things get that way, and I figure with a little help from my friends, I can do darn near anything for a year. Even if it doesn't get better, I'd still rather be fighting the demon and alive than, well, the alternative. Legend [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/25/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 47 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 286 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $58.75 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 7 [B]Hrs:[/B] 22 [B]Mins:[/B] 52 [B]Seconds:[/B] 42
17 years ago 0 71 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Changing, you did not offend this newbie with your post. I appreciated what you said. I knew this quit would be the hardest thing I have ever done in my life and it is. My sister (who quit more than 10 years ago) told me it took her more than a year before she finally felt like she had won the battle. I would be lying if I said I wasn't discouraged hearing that, especially since my quit meter seems to go so slow I can hear it ticking! I want to hear the "good, the bad & the ugly" of everyone's quit, it might be something I am feeling. It especially helps to know that I am not alone in what I am experiencing. I believe the main reason this site is so valuable is because of people like you who are honest which translates to helpful and supportive to the rest of us. Does that make sense? So, thanks for the post and congratulations on 48 (ALMOST 50)days!! I'm hitting my "I feel good" button for you and dancing to James Brown!!! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/22/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 22 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 725 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $88 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 2 [B]Hrs:[/B] 13 [B]Mins:[/B] 13 [B]Seconds:[/B] 56
17 years ago 0 932 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
I just don't want to talk about this. ;p At times I feel really strong but then ALL OF A SUDDEN, "Let me tell ya Pilgrim, that craving almost parted my hair." That's what it's like for me.....I'll be doing good but then, SUDDENLY, I'm dodging bullets again. Let's see, since the beginning: physical withdrawals, tremors, sweats, serious cravings, anxiety attacks, sadness, out of sorts, quiet, extremely sleepy, happy, strong, pissed off, laughing while feeling strong, gritting my teeth from craving again, great mood, mean as hell while smacking my husband around some, farting!!, WATER LOGGED, better days with only passing thoughts of smoking, down in the dumps, more cravings for a few days, etc. That's what my journey has been like for me. Some days, I'll have all of those symptoms and to the extreme...or maybe only one or two symptoms really mild. You just never know. The only thing you know for sure is that, whatever each day brings, you can NEVER smoke again. Stay Strong, Tutti [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/18/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 54 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 2,460 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $193.86 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 5 [B]Hrs:[/B] 18 [B]Mins:[/B] 56 [B]Seconds:[/B] 51
17 years ago 0 126 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Changing ,you have not offended me ,You are my HERO !!!! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 4/12/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 1 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 41 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 6 [B]Mins:[/B] 44 [B]Seconds:[/B] 33
17 years ago 0 1155 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Mike - NO, it had nothing to do with you - in fact I really appreciated your post! It just seemed that very few people were responding to my post, so I thought maybe I had offended some people! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/24/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 48 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,702 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $312 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 4 [B]Hrs:[/B] 2 [B]Mins:[/B] 10 [B]Seconds:[/B] 54
  • Quit Meter

    $1,135,300.00

    Amount Saved

  • Quit Meter

    Days: 5540 Hours: 5

    Minutes: 22 Seconds: 21

    Life Gained

  • Quit Meter

    45412

    Smoke Free Days

  • Quit Meter

    908,240

    Cigarettes Not Smoked


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