SMOKERS... LETS KICK the HABIT!!

[macele]

Originally Posted by Ms. Meander

I have quit again. It's been just over 24hrs and I'm reaching the stage where I want to cry and pull my hair out. It doesn't help that I am totally hormonal, as well.

But I really want this. It is time. It is the last vestige of the old, unhealthy me that remains. I am a healer, for crying out loud. I can't be putting my smokey hands on people and preaching about their health with my smokey breath. Makes no sense. But addiction rarely does. My reckoning is here. I'm ready for it - regardless of the fit I'm about to have.

hey ms. do what you gotta do. scream, yell at folks lol. so what, it's tough. keep your hands busy. stay on the quittin' side!

mac

[Ms. Meander]

OhMyGod!OhMyGod!OhMyGod!

Ok ---- just venting. Thanks.

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by Greyson

I really came in here to say, I lost a friend a couple of days ago to lung cancer. She was a beautiful, talented femme artist. I met her about 28 years ago and she died in her early fifties. Too young in my book. For some of us it does catch up. Please if you are still smoking, keep trying to quit. Don't give up.

Yes, it does. My father was 26 years quit and healthy and active. Diagnosed with lung cancer and dead within 8 days.

Sobering.

Quit now. Don't give up.

[Lady Pamela]

Originally Posted by stone4play

The 12th will be my one month mark... I know I won't give into the cravings but they are some kind of intense these days. Stressing over finances and around the holidays makes for a really tough cry to give into the evils of those damn sticks. My health has been wacked here lately and there is just no way I could even inhale the stuff... hell, I can barely inhale a breath as it is.

Still doesn't change the fact that I'm craving...

So excited for you...way to go !

[Lady Pamela]

Originally Posted by Ms. Meander

I have quit again. It's been just over 24hrs and I'm reaching the stage where I want to cry and pull my hair out. It doesn't help that I am totally hormonal, as well.

But I really want this. It is time. It is the last vestige of the old, unhealthy me that remains. I am a healer, for crying out loud. I can't be putting my smokey hands on people and preaching about their health with my smokey breath. Makes no sense. But addiction rarely does. My reckoning is here. I'm ready for it - regardless of the fit I'm about to have.

You can do it...alot of breathing breaks...read all the awesome ideas in this thread as well.

And keep posting...smile

[Ms. Meander]

Approaching the 72hr mark. It's hard. They say to identify your triggers and make changes around those but I find this impossible. There are too many. Mornings and late nights are hardest for me. I think because I am sleepy and my defenses are lessened. Last night, after I went to bed, I was craving so hard that I said "fuck it" and actually got up and dressed, bundled up and went out toward the car with intention to go buy some. I stood there with keys in hand, hesitated and agonized, then went back inside and took off my shoes and coat. Then I put them back on and did the same thing two more times before I finally came back in and put myself back to bed, having not smoked.

Having not smoked.

I am a non-smoker. I can do this. I release all of my attachments to addiction and all the emotions, insecurities, and anxieties that I associate with quitting.

[Ms. Meander]

I slipped. Just a little, and I am ready to recommit. I am not much of one for beating myself up when I am imperfect because that really doesn't help - took me a long time to learn that. But I do think it is important to keep myself accountable for the commitment I've made to myself. So I thought I'd come here and "say it out loud".

I am committed to being a non-smoker. I have the strength and ability to overcome my addiction starting right now.

[Sachita]

Originally Posted by Ms. Meander

I slipped. Just a little, and I am ready to recommit. I am not much of one for beating myself up when I am imperfect because that really doesn't help - took me a long time to learn that. But I do think it is important to keep myself accountable for the commitment I've made to myself. So I thought I'd come here and "say it out loud".

I am committed to being a non-smoker. I have the strength and ability to overcome my addiction starting right now.

You can do it. I slip now and then. I'll light up and think "wtf am I doing?" I stop. You just need to get past the first week. You will smell better and you'll look better. Let vanity kick in too

[uglyboi]

Originally Posted by Ms. Meander

Approaching the 72hr mark. It's hard. They say to identify your triggers and make changes around those but I find this impossible. There are too many. Mornings and late nights are hardest for me. I think because I am sleepy and my defenses are lessened. Last night, after I went to bed, I was craving so hard that I said "fuck it" and actually got up and dressed, bundled up and went out toward the car with intention to go buy some. I stood there with keys in hand, hesitated and agonized, then went back inside and took off my shoes and coat. Then I put them back on and did the same thing two more times before I finally came back in and put myself back to bed, having not smoked.

Having not smoked.

I am a non-smoker. I can do this. I release all of my attachments to addiction and all the emotions, insecurities, and anxieties that I associate with quitting.

You got this!! I quit 1 year and 1 day ago!! It is possible even if it makes us do the most bizarre things. It gets easier!! Don't anyone of you give up!!!! That means you to Strappolina!

[Lady Pamela]

Originally Posted by Ms. Meander

I slipped. Just a little, and I am ready to recommit. I am not much of one for beating myself up when I am imperfect because that really doesn't help - took me a long time to learn that. But I do think it is important to keep myself accountable for the commitment I've made to myself. So I thought I'd come here and "say it out loud".

I am committed to being a non-smoker. I have the strength and ability to overcome my addiction starting right now.

I guess I tried probably 50 times before I found what worked for me..you will do this.

Cut down before you go cold turkey..re read idea through this thread.
I know you can and will do this.

[TickledPink]

I quit 9 months ago!! I can't believe I quit, yet I find it really hard to believe I ever smoked. I hate the smell and the taste! Go figure

You would think I would have quit sooner. My mother passed away in 2006 from lung cancer.

Good luck to all, you/we can do this!!!!!

[Ms. Meander]

Originally Posted by Lady Pamela

I guess I tried probably 50 times before I found what worked for me..you will do this.

Cut down before you go cold turkey..re read idea through this thread.
I know you can and will do this.

This is my 50th time! I was quit for a the year 2009, and for 6 weeks last winter (taught myself to crochet!), and numerous less successful times before, in between, and since. I've cut down from a pack a day, to half a pack, to 1/3. I've got so many tools and coping skills in my arsenal, it's ridiculous. And I'm a little embarrassed - but that's why I'm talking about it. Shame has no place here, and it will just make me want to smoke more. This is totally a psychological issue for me. I've done so much growth and healing, but cigarettes have been my only constant since I was a teenager. Even though I hate smoking, it's like the death of a beloved friend. There. I said it. It's really feels that dramatic. Maybe I need to allow myself to grieve the loss of this companion that saw me through so much, while recognizing I don't need it anymore, and letting go...

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by Ms. Meander

This is totally a psychological issue for me. I've done so much growth and healing, but cigarettes have been my only constant since I was a teenager. Even though I hate smoking, it's like the death of a beloved friend. There. I said it. It's really feels that dramatic. Maybe I need to allow myself to grieve the loss of this companion that saw me through so much, while recognizing I don't need it anymore, and letting go...

Absolutely. There is a huge and real loss of a companion when you quit smoking. Smoking is your buddy, he is with you all the time.

I know for me there was a loss of identity too. Part of my identity was being a smoker. This was not somthing I was ashamed of, either.

It has been a bit over 3 years since I have quit. I still miss it. I LOVE the smell of smoke (in the air, not on people). A friend of mine was helping me change my brakes this past weekend and he had a cig. in his mouth when he reached over to help me with something on the rotor. The smell was delightful!

Hell yeah, I miss it!

[Lady Pamela]

Originally Posted by Ms. Meander

This is my 50th time! I was quit for a the year 2009, and for 6 weeks last winter (taught myself to crochet!), and numerous less successful times before, in between, and since. I've cut down from a pack a day, to half a pack, to 1/3. I've got so many tools and coping skills in my arsenal, it's ridiculous. And I'm a little embarrassed - but that's why I'm talking about it. Shame has no place here, and it will just make me want to smoke more. This is totally a psychological issue for me. I've done so much growth and healing, but cigarettes have been my only constant since I was a teenager. Even though I hate smoking, it's like the death of a beloved friend. There. I said it. It's really feels that dramatic. Maybe I need to allow myself to grieve the loss of this companion that saw me through so much, while recognizing I don't need it anymore, and letting go...

My every move used to be centered around such companion...I would not go places or do things if that meant no smoking. Seriously.

[Lady Pamela]

Celebrated my 11th month smoke free today...smiles

I know to some it may be silly to do so but today I officially have not smoked aprox. 13,200 ciggarretts.

And have started to regenerate some damage I have done.


.

[Jesse]

Today, January 5th I celebrate two full years of being a non-smoker!
I smoked for many years and thought that I would never be able to quit. I think what helped me the most was, before I tried to quit I thought a lot about when I started smoking and what the real reason(s) were that I began in the first place...trying to fit in with "the crowd", wanting to be grown, it was cool back then to smoke, feeling a lack of control in one's life, whatever. Everyone has different reasons. Once I realized what mine was, and told myself the truth, the actual quitting became much easier for me. I also had to get to the point where I truly wanted to stop smoking. Like I said, it's different for each of us. Sometimes I still can't believe I did it.

Congrats to everyone who is still working on, or even thinking about quitting! If this is something that you really want, then it will be yours.

[jac]

With all my medical stuff creeping up on me, I am asked quite regularly, when I last smoked. I've had a couple of professionals say to me that they think with all that's going on, this will more than likely be my last time fighting it.

Yeh, I have to agree... it's just not worth the hassle when it comes to all the negatives it's brought about to my body.

Two months now for me!

[GreeneyedMe]

Originally Posted by Ms. Meander

This is my 50th time! I was quit for a the year 2009, and for 6 weeks last winter (taught myself to crochet!), and numerous less successful times before, in between, and since. I've cut down from a pack a day, to half a pack, to 1/3. I've got so many tools and coping skills in my arsenal, it's ridiculous. And I'm a little embarrassed - but that's why I'm talking about it. Shame has no place here, and it will just make me want to smoke more. This is totally a psychological issue for me. I've done so much growth and healing, but cigarettes have been my only constant since I was a teenager. Even though I hate smoking, it's like the death of a beloved friend. There. I said it. It's really feels that dramatic. Maybe I need to allow myself to grieve the loss of this companion that saw me through so much, while recognizing I don't need it anymore, and letting go...

Honey....you are not alone...I could write the same words as you have here....I fight with myself every time I light up....I want and need to do it...my longest time recently was 71 hours...I call them my evil deadly friends and argue why I keep allowing them to keep their grip on me....sigh....we will get there....we will get there...we will!!

[Lady Pamela]

Originally Posted by Jesse

Today, January 5th I celebrate two full years of being a non-smoker!
I smoked for many years and thought that I would never be able to quit. I think what helped me the most was, before I tried to quit I thought a lot about when I started smoking and what the real reason(s) were that I began in the first place...trying to fit in with "the crowd", wanting to be grown, it was cool back then to smoke, feeling a lack of control in one's life, whatever. Everyone has different reasons. Once I realized what mine was, and told myself the truth, the actual quitting became much easier for me. I also had to get to the point where I truly wanted to stop smoking. Like I said, it's different for each of us. Sometimes I still can't believe I did it.

Congrats to everyone who is still working on, or even thinking about quitting! If this is something that you really want, then it will be yours.

My hat..(If I had one..lol)..is off to you!..smiles
Keep it up and never pick up again.
Soooo happy for you .

Today is a grand marker for you.
You need to treat yourself with something in honor of your continued choice to say no.




.

[Lady Pamela]

Originally Posted by stone4play

With all my medical stuff creeping up on me, I am asked quite regularly, when I last smoked. I've had a couple of professionals say to me that they think with all that's going on, this will more than likely be my last time fighting it.

Yeh, I have to agree... it's just not worth the hassle when it comes to all the negatives it's brought about to my body.

Two months now for me!

Actually, those first few months for me were the WHOPPER.

So glad you chose health or continued cell generation..smiles

I can so relate to the medical side of things.

Keep it up!


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