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11 years and counting

Timbo637

2024-10-31 6:49 AM

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Feels like hell week all over!!

Timbo637

2024-10-30 9:38 AM

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Roller Coaster Withdrawal

Timbo637

2024-10-14 12:28 PM

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

Timbo637

2024-09-27 3:17 PM

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COPING WITH SMOKERS


16 years ago 0 1093 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hey Deck - Congrats on those 25 days and making it thru the lunches. Sometimes when I see people smoking I want one, too, but it's not because they look relaxed. In fact, when I see people sitting around socializing and smoking it reminds me of when I was doing that and wishing I was one of the non-smokers. In the last year or so I was very jealous of those people who could hang out having fun and socializing w/o the need to smoke. I felt sorry for myself for having the addiction and I'm sure some of those smokers you are envying are feeling sorry for themselves as well and envying you. Keep up the good work! :) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]8/25/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 159 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 4,770 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $930.15 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 14 [B]Hrs:[/B] 9 [B]Mins:[/B] 30 [B]Seconds:[/B] 4
16 years ago 0 2223 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Deck congrats on staying free, i went through a spell where i would see people sitting and they do look really relaxed having their smoke and i would become just pissy mad cause they were smoking and i wasent, of course when the moment was over i was glad i dident smoke and i always feel lucky that i am done with them, At a stop light i still and always watch people taking big hits off a smoke and watching the smoke curl around them and then i think, wow their car and hair is gonna stink, lol its funny how my mind works. Any way iam proud of you, hang on to the skinny cloths because you will get back into them later on, Have a great day Deck :) Tresa [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]8/8/2002 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 2002 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 40,040 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $7,007.00 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 286 [B]Hrs:[/B] 4 [B]Mins:[/B] 35 [B]Seconds:[/B] 20
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    92,992

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16 years ago 0 83 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
I know exactly what you mean MistyMoonlight, but I am sure that the majority of us have all been down this road before. Yes pain avoidance is a strong motive to maintain the quit, but! - quite frankly I can't think of any reason or excuse to complete the sentence. You're right! However I am glad I kept my fat clothes in the closet as I will soon be needing them and this believe me I really hate. However I have now survived three smokey lunches, but I was sorely tempted partly by the call of the nicodemon, but also from wanting to participate in the after-lunch relax with a cigarette and coffee. It's incredible how happy and contented people look sitting back and poisoning themselves with cigarettes after a full lunch. I agree with you Genevieve that it is in some way becoming easier to quit as smoking situations are more easily avoidable now in countries where there is a smoking ban. At this time of year it does not take much encouragement to avoid going outside to the cold and damp to smoke. But still like you say the "Do-gooder" image is hard to wear after years of doing all the wrong things. Keep up the good work [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]1/6/2008 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 25 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 875 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $325.00 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 4 [B]Hrs:[/B] 7 [B]Mins:[/B] 25 [B]Seconds:[/B] 38
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    $410,589.00

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    Days: 8188 Hours: 12

    Minutes: 32 Seconds: 46

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    45621

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    547,452

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16 years ago 0 591 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
"... And there is still the sneaking idea in the back of my head, which is that if next week I have lapsed or taken up smoking again, I will look quite foolish having made such an issue out of my quit." Nuh uh - never leave yourself a back door! You have quit smoking, and that is THAT. It's like loosing weight and keeping your fat clothes in your closet.. "Just in case" - If you keep the way out - you WILL need it. Go ahead - put yourself in a possition where you will look the fool if you take up smoking again. Do it! Commit to yourself. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]7/17/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 562 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 42,150 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $10,537.50 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 50 [B]Hrs:[/B] 3 [B]Mins:[/B] 3 [B]Seconds:[/B] 5
16 years ago 0 1056 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
I've been lucky as among my close friends very few smoke but I gave up before the smoking ban was introduced here (I live in England) and did, on occasion, spend time in the pub with smokers. I was amazed at how easy I found it without feeling any desire to smoke myself. I do understand your feelings of wanting to be back in with the crowd smoking. It can seem attractive. I too suffer from fear of 'Do Gooders' and have found it difficult, in the last 4 years, to have to give up drinking and now smoking. I want to say to people that I CAN be naughty too you know! It's all very complicated but I know for sure that giving us smoking is the right thing to do - no question. The advantages outway any cudos that smoking might appear to give you. It is becoming harder and harder to smoke comfortably these days. And this without mentioning the harm you are doing to your pocket and your body while doing it. Then I had a big shock last week when I was exposed to a high level of second hand smoke for a while and was really taken aback at how, later that day, I had a strong urge to smoke. The first time in about 6 months. You can't let your guard down. You are doing so well to have to 22 days under your belt. Don't give up now. It's better being smoke-free!! Gen [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]3/28/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 307 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 4,912 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] �1,535.00 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 42 [B]Hrs:[/B] 7 [B]Mins:[/B] 42 [B]Seconds:[/B] 8
16 years ago 0 1151 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi Deck, Well, the nicodemon was right about one thing, [quote] after all the effort you have put into this quit - you deserve some reward [/quote] because you do deserve a reward and one that won't kill you slowly! If you pick a reward as a motivator to get through lunch tomorrow it may help. Plus, you have positive reinforcement on your side - you made it today so you know that it is possible. Maybe not easy, but possible. Kind of like getting through Day 1. It seems important to you to get through this major trigger without having to avoid it and we all had one or more like that. Some of them you have to just white knuckle it through. The good news is that they tend to lose their power once you face them straight away, so tomorrow may be easier. Can you get up and walk away from the table for a bit if it gets to be too much? Or watch the smokers like you would as a scientific observer or anthropologist? As you watch, remind yourself of why you quit and look forward to the reward you planned. Maybe a new book or CD or a souvenir from whatever land you are visiting? One that will always remind you of your victory on Day 23. You can do it and we are rooting for you :) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]8/5/2004 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 1271 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 25,420 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $5,719.50 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 99 [B]Hrs:[/B] 2 [B]Mins:[/B] 43 [B]Seconds:[/B] 53
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16 years ago 0 1890 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hey, Deck... you've been a non-smoker for three weeks now and you fought hard to get here, didn't you? Why put yourself in harm's way and start getting all those wavering thoughts about "will I, won't I, be a smoker next week..." Just accept that you can't be around second-hand smoke and if it can't be explained to colleagues that you NEED a non-smoking lunch table then move to one yourself... as far away from the smoke as you can get! Sauve qui peut! You're doing great in your Quit... [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]1/17/2008 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 11 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 275 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $123.75 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 2 [B]Hrs:[/B] 5 [B]Mins:[/B] 8 [B]Seconds:[/B] 8
16 years ago 0 123 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Don't do it Deck, or you will be back at day one with me! I am totally embarassed about being there, and I am pretty sure that you to would be hard on yourself for giving in to one small smoke. Sure it would be easy to sneak, but you still know you did it, and that could actually feel worse that everyone else knowing. You are in a tough situation, without a doubt, but I am sure that if you continue to resist the crave even your smoking buddies will admire your resolve. Just had a thought. Are there any of those colleagues who would join you for a non smoking lunch tomorrow if you asked? You may just get some takers, Hmmmmmmm [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]1/27/2008 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 1 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 25 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $11.00 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 5 [B]Mins:[/B] 49 [B]Seconds:[/B] 49
16 years ago 0 83 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Thanks for the comments. Today at lunch was again another of those trials that I could really do without. Smoking is banned in the workplace - All my fault because even though I have been a smoker, during a few quits I did learn to appreciate just how awful secondhand smoke really is. So even when I smoked it was not allowed in the workplace. So when do people happily light up - immediately they get out for lunch break. While I am here I usually join some of my colleagues for lunch - all smokers - as it beats eating alone in a restaurant in a foreign country. So do I choose smoking area or non-smoking area? 3 weeks into my quit - I can still have might craves for just one teeny weeny cigarette I managed not to but HELL I'm only human and the nicodemon was there to encourage me, saying that after three weeks you can afford just one - what is the harm after all the effort you have put into this quit - you deserve some reward - and lots of other similar ideas. What do I do tomorrow? Put myself through hell again or go to lunch alone or choose the no-smoking area? I really want to stay quit but I don't want to come across as unfair. And there is still the sneaking idea in the back of my head, which is that if next week I have lapsed or taken up smoking again, I will look quite foolish having made such an issue out of my quit. To your pens [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]1/6/2008 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 22 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 770 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $286.00 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 3 [B]Hrs:[/B] 20 [B]Mins:[/B] 52 [B]Seconds:[/B] 16
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    $410,589.00

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    Days: 8188 Hours: 12

    Minutes: 32 Seconds: 46

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    45621

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    547,452

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16 years ago 0 2223 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Iam glad your hanging in there :) Tresa [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]8/8/2002 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 1998 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 39,960 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $6,993.00 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 285 [B]Hrs:[/B] 16 [B]Mins:[/B] 19 [B]Seconds:[/B] 44
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    $15,111.20

    Amount Saved

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    Days: 713 Hours: 20

    Minutes: 22 Seconds: 25

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    5812

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    92,992

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