Dear All,
I have brought this post forward a little due to reading Terri's post in 'Introducing yourself.' I've put it in both places so that new quitters will see it and also to strut my stuff!!!
Sorry I have not been on site since August�..I�ve had a very bad back, and was unable to sit at the computer.
3 Years ago at this time I was struggling with the idea of quitting. I was preparing for my quit here on site and collecting all the necessary ingredients I felt I needed for my quit�.such as Nicotine Patches, Gum, Hypnosis tapes, Zyban, bottles of water etc. etc. What an effort it all was!!!
I was exhausted and terrified about the future. The people on this site were so positive for me and they kept me focused on my intent, but I was so sure I could not do it!!! Having written the following post��� om 25 November 2004.
�Hi, to those who know me. I had planned not to write anything negative until I was in Hell Week so that you'd be more sympathetic when I moan. Maybe it's the Zyban and me cutting down the numbers, maybe 'cos it's raining, I don't know, but I'm really down. I raced home from Dog Agility, (which I normally love,) and all I could think of was to get on here to feel positive again. It didn't do it that time, so I came back on. It's just that all the people who are having problems have quit already, and I'm 7 days away, so why have the dumps now? Maybe I should have quit sooner, but I was so scared after my last quit, when I forgot to have strategies for 3 months on and started again. Lots of maybe's in this letter! In fact earlier today the little voice whispered in my ear..."Maybe you should just not bother!" Don't worry. I�ve promised myself to quit on 1 Dec and quit I will. Think I just need cheering up.�
Lolly.
��. I received many replies�..I copy the one from Bubba.
�Anybody here ever stood on a high cliff anticipating the jump, such as the ones in Acapulco? The longer you ponder the jump the harder it gets to make the quantum leap. Could that be what is going on here? Just the anticipation of the quit might have you spooked beyond reason. Cast aside outmoded concepts concerning what you have heard. The harder you work at this, the easier it gets.
Again, a great day today is better than a wonderful day later.
Make the plunge. You'll be glad you did.
Bubba�
Finally I was so hyped up I brought my quit forward by one week and put myself in the hands of the SSC and so many friends here. Everyone helped me to be positive most of the time and I was able to become more determined with each passing day. Now I have reached my 3 year anniversary!
It was no easy road, but I could see a way through and kept at it. I cannot tell you how wonderful life has been since then! The first year went slowly. Last year was so much easier and I was able to treat myself to the reward of meeting some of those supportive friends from this site over in the US. This year�..well I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of times I have thought about cigarettes, and the year has just flown past.
I doubt if I will even remember my fourth anniversary next year.
I just hope that any new quitters will take hope from this post and never despair. Stay positive and determined! The reward is FREEDOM.
NEVER LOOK BACK. THE FUTURE IS AHEAD!!!
Lolly. :)
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B]11/25/2004
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 1090
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 38,150
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] �5,450.00
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 155 [B]Hrs:[/B] 19 [B]Mins:[/B] 30 [B]Seconds:[/B] 25
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Quit Meter
$11,086.00
Amount Saved
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Quit Meter
Days: 693
Hours: 17
Minutes: 10
Seconds: 56
Life Gained
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Quit Meter
5543
Smoke Free Days
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Quit Meter
110,860
Cigarettes Not Smoked
