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On my 7th day


12 years ago 0 792 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Day 11 !!!!  Looking Good Kyle !
12 years ago 0 823 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Okay bud! Have it your way.  But look at you go on day 11 now! WooHoo! How Great!  So as a reward for you, I'm sending you a chilled   (or U pick your treat of choice!) to sip on as you relax on a sultry summer eve in your hammock under the swaying palms by the seaside. Ahhhh!  Now isn't that nice?  No tobacco needed at all for the visual on that one!  Keep on keeping on Kyle! You're getting there.    Cheers!  Eya
12 years ago 0 6 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi Eya,
 
I am still here and now going onto Day 11. I do plan on rewarding myself once I feel confident that I have quit for the long haul. As you have mentioned, I too am concerned about relapse since I am new to quitting. I feel like I am in a state of suspended animation and unwilling to accept that I have quit as I don't want to jinx it. Once I gain further confidence with my cessation of smoking,  I plan on rewarding myself accordingly.
12 years ago 0 823 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hope you're still with us Kyle   I have to agree with Aloha on the reward plan - I didn't think I deserved a reward  when I first started my QUIT - I just felt so crappy and worried that I would relapse!  Now I see how much I've saved form not smoking and I adore my rewards!  You are doing great; remember to be kind to yourself! You do deserve it!  Eya
  
12 years ago 0 3207 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
I hope you don't wait for 30 days to reward yourself. Every day you conquer this addiction deserves a celebration of some sort: a movie, some new bath product, a magazine, a new game, a piece of sports equipment. Look at the money you're saving daily and the health you're gaining. I had trouble with the whole reward idea at first too, then I finally got it. I used to reward myself (as well as spend lots of my cash) with a cigarette, lots of times a day. I (my brain chemistry) needed to get that little feel good hit, so I wouldn't feel deprived, but instead feel the Yee hah! Know what I mean?
 
I'm celebrating how great you're doing
 
-aloha 
12 years ago 0 6 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Thanks everyone for your kinds words of support!
 
I actually decided to quit when I did because I underwent some minor dental surgery last week and didn't want to impede healing. I figured it was a s good a time as any to make the effort to quit for life.
 
I haven't been rewarding myself yet as I live in constant fear that I will give in at any moment and light up. I think I will give myself a reward if I am able to make it to the 30 day mark.
 
I just hope and pray that the cravings will die down eventually and be fewer and far between. The days seem to drag on when I have constant urges to smoke so I'm looking forward to conquering this addiction and for things to improve. :)
12 years ago 0 11214 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Welcome Kyle!
 
Congratulations on 7 days! You are through Hell Week.  Yes, it is hard now but it will get easier.  Keep fighting and you will get there.  It is incredibly hard fight but keep in mind you are fighting for you life right now.  You will be a different person after this journey physically and mentally.  Take it one crave at a time.  Soon you will look back at a month smoke free! 
 
How have you been rewarding yourself? Be sure to reward yourself every day. Rewards are great behaviour change tools.
 
What motivated you to quit 7 days ago?
 


Ashley, Health Educator
12 years ago 0 792 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi Kyle , WOW ! 7 days you are are on your way! Believe it or not it will get easier very soon but whatever you do DONT put ANY nicotine into your body it will only prolong the withdrawl symptoms and ruin your fantastic progress. All the nicotine has left your body already. Your body is healing itself. Embrace that healing Kyle, Listen to the advice you have gotten about breathing techniques, ice water etc. Soon, very soon you will  be free.
12 years ago 0 3207 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Yes, yes, yes, Kyle! The first week is the hardest..and just stay away from any weird thoughts you have that one puff will make it better. It won't. It will lead to one more, ten more, a thousand million more. I'd suggest doing some searching on here for posts: Junkie thinking is a good one, This is why you think about smoking is another fave of mine. Also Weirdest Junkie Thoughts..or something like that
 
Replacing the cigs with other things helps: cold water, chewing on things, mints or hard candies. I used to have a spoonful of peanut butter or yogurt or cottage cheese when the craves were bad. Lots of positive self talk, I used to argue with myself, telling myself I was a nonsmoker.
 
Rewards! The nicotine does something to our brains that feels good. So our brains crave that feeling. It really helps to replace that feeling with other kinds of rewards: daily, weekly, long term. There's an interesting thread about Free and Low Cost Rewards in case you're looking for some quickies ; ) And of course thinking and planning what you can do with all the money you save and what you can do when your lungs and heart aren't continually bombarded with that yucky smoke.
 
You're doing it, Kyle, just don't stop. Six months or a year from now you'll look back and can't believe you thought smoking was that important. Really. 
12 years ago 0 823 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hey Kyle
I don't have as impressive stats as Leslie does (she is amazing - and good enough to stay and offer many kind words of support here at SSC - Thanks Leslie : ) She's also led some great discussions throughout her quit  (you can search back through the posts here during those times when you just can't get QUITTING SMOKING off you mind!
I did quit Cold Turkey (like you're doing right now!) some six and half months ago and can't tell you how important it was to have SSC to get through.  I can't say that the cravings got less right away, but they did diminish over time.  I hardly ever think about smoking now (just 6 months later).  The only thing I did differently than all my failed Quit attempts was to stick to NOPE. (Not One Puff Ever).  One puff derails me every time! So now it NOPE!!!!
You have gotten through HELL week already Kyle; you're on your way now. Just say NOPE & You can do it too
: ) Eya 

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