Get the Support You Need

Learn from thousands of users who have made their way through our courses. Need help getting started? Watch this short video.

today's top discussions:

logo

11 years and counting

Timbo637

2024-10-31 6:49 AM

Quit Smoking Community

logo

Feels like hell week all over!!

Timbo637

2024-10-30 9:38 AM

Quit Smoking Community

logo

Roller Coaster Withdrawal

Timbo637

2024-10-14 12:28 PM

Quit Smoking Community

logo

Smile....and don't shoot the messenger

Timbo637

2024-09-27 3:17 PM

Quit Smoking Community

This Month’s Leaders:

Most Supportive

Most Loved

Browse through 411.768 posts in 47.066 threads.

161,313 Members

Please welcome our newest members: lhatcher, Solveig Dalsgaard, Bree123, Geraldine, Snootz

Living on the Mountain


17 years ago 0 591 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Mine too. I had a meeting Thursday with a nutritionist who specialises in diabetes, and I told him what I was feeling since I quit in relation to my health. He helped me to understand and I feel SO MUCH better. I am so greatful. The thing is - everytime you smoke a cigarette your body is under stress, and this triggers the fight or flight reaction in your body. Your horemones change, and your liver gives you a shot of sugar to pump you up so you can run away from the toxin. I smoked almost non-stop while I was awake, and my liver was just pumping sugar into me right and left - so much so that it overwhelmed my system. So, instead of even trying to burn that sugar, my system stored it in my veins, or expelled it. When i quit, my system got healthy enough to try and burn the sugar again. Being diabetic, I don't need much sugar to survive. This is when my body started to store the excess sugar in the form of fat, and why I gained so much weight - why I don't have energy, and why I ache and hurt all over. They put me on a special diet that's showing results already, and promissed I would feel much better soon! I want to thank you again, Lady, for sharing your journey - it's been an inspiration to me. :) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]7/17/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 370 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 27,750 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $6,937.50 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 32 [B]Hrs:[/B] 7 [B]Mins:[/B] 11 [B]Seconds:[/B] 36
17 years ago 0 989 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Oh Lady - yours has been such a journey to watch. Better and better. Thank you for continuing to share. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]4/15/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 824 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 20,600 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $2,884.00 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 117 [B]Hrs:[/B] 20 [B]Mins:[/B] 36 [B]Seconds:[/B] 12
  • Quit Meter

    $798,402.50

    Amount Saved

  • Quit Meter

    Days: 5708 Hours: 23

    Minutes: 36 Seconds: 11

    Life Gained

  • Quit Meter

    45623

    Smoke Free Days

  • Quit Meter

    1,140,575

    Cigarettes Not Smoked

17 years ago 0 5195 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Mistymoon, My health changed when I quit. I didn't have any real problems before I quit. Most of the problems I had were masked by my smoking. You have to hang on tight and be willing to adjust to the changes that come your way. We can fight change or go with the flow. I fought all the changes for quite some time. You will be fine and adjust. Just don't smoke. Penquin. I am always glad to see you here. It is refreshing to know that you haven't given up the fight. You have more courage than anyone I know. Keep screaming at the junkie. To roam the mountain top is an awesome feeling. I have no doubt you will be here before you know it. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]7/1/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 747 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 14,940 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $2,614.50 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 67 [B]Hrs:[/B] 11 [B]Mins:[/B] 42 [B]Seconds:[/B] 26
17 years ago 0 1306 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Wow Lady. What honesty and truth. You have made my day too - very inspirational. So glad for you. The past is gone, today, the now, is where you need to stay. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]7/13/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 5 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 100 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $57.50 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 12 [B]Mins:[/B] 58 [B]Seconds:[/B] 54
  • Quit Meter

    $331,907.33

    Amount Saved

  • Quit Meter

    Days: 6054 Hours: 8

    Minutes: 12 Seconds: 35

    Life Gained

  • Quit Meter

    45623

    Smoke Free Days

  • Quit Meter

    684,345

    Cigarettes Not Smoked

17 years ago 0 591 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hey Lady, I actually saw one of your posts on another board and that's how I ended up looking for counseling and such. I'm taking an anti-depressant now but have found that the availability of mental health help in my area is the WORST! Wow - it's stunningly bad. I've gone through depression and anxiety off and on for a long time, and was treeted for it. At the time that I quit smoking I hadn't been treeted in some time and considered myself, for the most part, recovered. Quitting, it seems, brought it all back up to the surface for me. Aside from that ... I think that the hardest thing for me to get a grip on, is the fact that [b]my health is SO MUCH worse than it was before I quit. [/b] How can that be? Honestly? I am an insulin dependant diabetic, and after I quit, my insulin had to go up, and I had to add two more pills to treet my diabetes. I developed PCOS, which led to major weight gain, which made my diabetes even worse - (and the hormone issues with PCOS agravated the depression and anxiety). The blood sugar problems took a toll on my imune system, and I find myself hospitalized frequently (in fact ... where I was for the last few days since I posted) for infections. I tried to get back into my dance classes like I did prior to quitting, but can't stay healthy enough to finish a semester of classes...Not to mention.. I can hardly breath anymore. (I'm being completely serious here!! I CAN'T BREATH!) I was an active, lively, and relatively healthy person before I quit. I am now afraid of doctors, hospitals, needles, anti-biotics, getting sick and dying. So - honestly... How can that be? Aren't you supposed to get healthier, have easier breathing, and feel better when you quit smoking? I've had big debates with myself about starting smoking again over the last couple weeks. [b]I've decided to keep my quit.[/b] The main reason is that i'm afraid that the health problems won't just *snap* go away, and i'll just be a sickly smoker then. The other reason is because my kids are so proud of me, and I don't want to disapoint them. I won't lie though.. I'm afraid. It's scary being THIS out of control of your health. Normally, you can be more active, or you can eat more vegies, or you can loose a few pounds and make big changes in your health. I can't even be active because i'm always sick. I'm sorry for being such a downer in your possitive thread, Lady. I appologise... should have started another thread. Since i'm already here - I'm wondering... Anyone in here know anyone that went through simular problems? Did they ever get their health back? Will I get mine? [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]7/17/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 366 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 27,450 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $6,862.50 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 31 [B]Hrs:[/B] 21 [B]Mins:[/B] 41 [B]Seconds:[/B] 17
17 years ago 0 201 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
MMMMMM Wonderful and ain't that mountain amazing! LADY you are amazing! Thanks for all of your wonderful support and for all that you contribute. Ciao Phillip :) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]2/17/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 503 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 12,575 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $4,275.50 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 82 [B]Hrs:[/B] 1 [B]Mins:[/B] 24 [B]Seconds:[/B] 53
17 years ago 0 117 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
So glad I 'm reading this thread.I've strugled for the past month.Could not understand why when so close to the one year mark I am questing this quit!!! This had been my hardest quit and struggling to keep it.Knowing that others have also around this does help.It would be so easy for me to smoke again right now,but i will not. ls [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]7/10/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 360 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 10,800 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1,620.00 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 49 [B]Hrs:[/B] 14 [B]Mins:[/B] 48 [B]Seconds:[/B] 23
17 years ago 0 2830 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Misty, Like Lady, I too had an extremely difficult quit. And right around the 1 year mark, I started to REALLY question my quit and almost went back to smoking. I was dating a smoker and was still struggling with having cravings whenever I went out drinking and was absolutely miserable whenever I did that, and so I really started to think that maybe quitting wasn't for me anymore. I think this is common around 1 year. SO many people are really comfortable by 1 year, but others take more time to get there... I definitely did. But now, I'm here to say that I am a happy and comfortable ex-smoker. I don't crave very often anymore, if at all. And one day, you will get to that point as well. I promise! For some of us, it takes a little longer, but you'll get there! Just hang in there and don't give up!!! Crave the Quit! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]6/17/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 748 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 18,700 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $3,089.24 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 52 [B]Hrs:[/B] 18 [B]Mins:[/B] 18 [B]Seconds:[/B] 34
17 years ago 0 449 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Lady, Congratulations on your awesome 2 year quit! You must be elated! And thank you for all you do here at the SSC! You are quite the inspiration! Debbie [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]7/10/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] -4 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] -80 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $-15.00 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 0 [B]Mins:[/B] 0 [B]Seconds:[/B] -30570
17 years ago 0 5195 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Mistymoon, The climb up that mountain is rough for some of us. I remember you as well. Don't give up on yourself. During the last two years I've had a lot of growth. Some of it has been painful and other has been so exciting. One thing that took me a long time to learn was perspective. [quote] Perspective, attitude, faith, hope, confidence, and knowledge were the core values..[/quote] As I mentioned in my orginal post I had to adjust all of the above. My perspective and attitude had to change dramatically. I didn't know this, didn't know how to do it, and if it weren't for those gentle hands that guided me through it, I may not have made it through it. I had to have faith and hope that things would get better if I just hung on. The entire process gave me knowledge and slowly I began to can confidence in myself that I could achieve my goal and life would get better. You may want to check into some counseling. It took me a long time to do that but it has helped tremendously. I don't pretend to know all that goes on in your life. I do know what I've been through. I also know that right now I could not be happier. I am about to realize some dreams I have been reaching for more years than I care to remember. Is it hard work? Yes. Does it get better? Yes. Is it worth it? You better believe it. Sending prayers your way. Hang on and reach out for help. Keep marching forward. Lady PS.. I really hope you and Ladybug were able to connect. She was one of those kind, caring, guiding lights for me. I'll be watching for you over the next few days. Mainly in the evenings. Don't give up. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]7/1/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 734 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 14,680 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $2,569.00 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 66 [B]Hrs:[/B] 6 [B]Mins:[/B] 57 [B]Seconds:[/B] 42

Reading this thread: