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10 years ago 0 +0 / -0 11213

Welcome!

Congratulations on getting started. It sounds like you are off to a great start with lots of healthy changes.

How are you feeling today?

Ashley, Health Educator

Here to help :)

10 years ago 0 +0 / -0 96

Good luck Gray. I too live in the Chicago 'burbs and am SO GLAD I quit before this miserable winter descended upon the midwest. It truly has been the worst winter I've ever experienced in my life. Think about how nice it is to stay indoors in the warmth instead of going out for a smoke 20 times a day! Keep taking things day by day and reward yourself for a job well done. :-D

10 years ago 0 +0 / -0 89

Hi Josh.

How's everything going?

This really is a remarkable forum and the people here are always helpful and very supportive.You have all the best reasons in the world to quit and with your determination and strength I have no doubt that you will succeed.

It sounds to me like you have lots of interesting things and hobbies to keep yourself busy with, this will really help you in your quest to a smoke free life. Would love to see some of your sketches once you have finished them.

Speak soon

10 years ago 0 +0 / -0 618

OG - Congratulations on making the decision to quit smoking!!!

You have found absolutely the best place for support. Without this site, I would never have made 9 days, never mind 9 years.

I agree with what everyone else has written. Believe us! We all have been where you are right now. You have the motivation for a quit. That's a long time you have smoked...16 years, and you still are young. What an amazing opportunity you have given yourself! You can turn your life around with this one decision.

Those things you said were boredom were, in fact, habit cigarettes. We all got into the habit of having a cigarette at a set time, or as a reward for something. 16 years of a habit are difficult to break, but it can be done. You also have the psychological reasons and the physical addiction. It is a hard thing to do...quitting.....but here we are to show you it can be done and how wonderful it feels having done it!!!

I used my granddaughter (nicknamed Lolly,) as my motivation, so now you know why that is my name on this site. I wanted to live to see her growing up. You have Grayson on his way. I'm glad your wife is supportive, as for your extended family....don't bother about them right now. You are quitting first for yourself, and after that for your wife and son. Just present the new, healthy and free person to them in a few weeks.

Whatever it takes, just don't smoke!!!

Love Lolly.

Aka Carol

10 years ago 0 +0 / -0 796

Hi Josh,

Congratulations on your decision to quit. You've got a great motivation too! Most of us had doubts when we started too, but if you are really determined you can do this. Do lots of reading here and learn all you can learn. The more you know, the easier it will be for you, because you'll know what to expect. Make sure to check out the tools at the top of the page and get your meter running. It's a good way to track your progress. I wouldn't be too concerned with cutting back on the caffeine right now, just work on the quit. The weight loss can come later after your quit's under control. Good luck buddy, we're all behind you.

Quit Meter

$23,171.50

Amount Saved
Quit Meter

Days: 771 Hours: 0

Minutes: 29 Seconds: 19

Life Gained
Quit Meter

3830

Smoke Free Days
Quit Meter

84,260

Cigarettes Not Smoked

Stay safe & Strong.

Not One Puff Ever (NOPE)

Tim

10 years ago 0 +0 / -0 2778

Hey Josh!!!

Welcome to the SSC and congrats on your decision to kick that nico-demon's ash!!! Quitting can be a truly horrible experience if you are not prepared, but it looks like you have a great start by going through the Program and learning how to do this! Once the knowledge is there, the next aspect is psyching yourself up for the war! Keep that positive self talk flowing and convince yourself that you definitely want your MORE than you want to smoke! The mental aspect of your quit is more than half the battle, so you really, REALLY have to want it!!!

It sounds like your family really DOES want you to achieve your freedom, even though it may all appear negative right now! Once you start your quit, I'm sure that they will change their tune and really stand behind you 100%!!! One thing I do know is that WE will all be behind you to the max!!! So, stick close, read and learn and post often! There is a wealth of information and support here on the Forums!

I know that you are worried about staying busy, which is one of those things that may be imperative to your success. You have thought up a great list of things to do so far! My main distraction in the beginning of my quit was reading and interacting here on the Forums! The site was a bit more active back then, but it has been picking up a lot here in the last few weeks! Meeting and interacting with and supporting your new quit buddies here will be a great help to you and everyone else!

So, keep psyching yourself up and get ready to gain your freedom! It is sooooooo worth it!

Jim

Quit Meter

$44,220.00

Amount Saved
Quit Meter

Days: 1058 Hours: 6

Minutes: 47 Seconds: 23

Life Gained
Quit Meter

5896

Smoke Free Days
Quit Meter

176,880

Cigarettes Not Smoked

10 years ago 0 +0 / -0 3

Sorry Whisper, I meant you've made it just over a week. Soon enough it will be a month :)

10 years ago 0 +0 / -0 3

Thanks! :) Other than the forum, my wife has been very encouraging. I feel guilty having a cigarette and then coming inside and seeing the look on her face. She's been very vocal on the great reasons to quit. I am close with my family but they aren't the most supportive bunch, but all three of them have quit as well over the past year, so it also gives me hope. I bought a pack of cigarettes (my last pack for the next 50+years), and a slew of gum and mints to keep my mouth busy.

Keeping busy will be a trying thing, and some outdoor activities are not possible right now thanks to the Antarctic Chicago weather this past few months. I am going to try to get back into sketching, something I used to do growing up. I am also looking at reading, as well as trying to write again. None of it seems like it will help at the moment, but I know deep down that it will. The worst part of smoking is the little cigarette in your head telling you to smoke, and giving me constant doubt. I always feel there should be some grandiose buildup to quitting, but in reality, it's just waking up one day and starting to take yourself back, I suppose. I am hoping that between rekindling old hobbies, this forum, and my encouraging wife, I can beat this. I have a nine year old stepdaughter who I know will appreciate my quitting as well. Her father smokes and she constantly gives the both of us grief over it.

I also saw your counter showing that you've made it almost a month? That's great! Seeing that counter, even though it's small, means a lot. Best of luck to you!

10 years ago 0 +0 / -0 89

Howdy O.G. or should we call you Daddy-to-be

Congratulations on deciding to quit and congratulations on soon becoming a Daddy. You have a fantastically wonderful reason to quit, plus you will be a great healthy smoke free Daddy for little Greyson.

Are you getting any help with quitting other than this forum? as regards to methods you are using?

There are many things you can do to bide your time with, reading, writing, jogging, phone calls etc. The best thing is to write down all the tings you like to do. Also find some physical things to do, fiddle with beads, chew gum, draw pictures or doodle.

Remember a crave lasts 5 minutes!! so if you can keep yourself busy for 10 minutes you have rode it out nicely.

Drinking lots of water regularly and eating little and often are also good ways to keep craves to a minimum, just don't confuse the two like I did

Stay strong, keep busy and motivated. Will look forward to reading your posts.

10 years ago 0 +0 / -0 3

Well, I finally caved in and found a site to quit smoking. I'm Josh, 29, and living in the suburbs outside Chicago. In 2.5 weeks my son is going to be born, and he really prompted me to start quitting. I have smoked for about sixteen years now, and I have been sick of it for the past five. Unfortunately I tend to use cigarettes to cure boredom, as a way to wake up and prepare for bed, and to cope with stress. I've been a pack a day smoker for as long as I can remember. Worst of all, I also was downing a two-liter of Coke a day, drinking maybe one glass of water per MONTH, and eating one meal a day. Pretty much I've been a complete bum, and quite an unhealthy one.

I not only have decided to quit smoking, but to also cut out caffeine slowly, and to drink more water. As I said, my son (Grayson) is coming soon, and I do not want to be a bad influence for my son. I want to be the outdoors loving, healthier, fun dad who can grow old with his wife and watch his son grow up without being twenty paces behind wheezing. So I suppose that is my little story. I am nervous, doubting myself, but trying to stay strong and give this my absolute best. Glad to see an active community, it gives me a little hope.

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