Thanks for the thoughts

[vstevens500]

Kathyjo and Jade59, thanks to both of you for your words of encouragement.  I know I can do it, though it seems after a week, or 10 days, or 3 days, whatever, I will just start again, it may be stress and it may be nothing.  I took a bad fall a week ago and fractured some ribs, oh my gosh how fun that has been.  So while taking x-rays they found a spot on my lung.  I dont go back in for three weeks but I would think now is a good time to quit forever.  The spot could be nothing but I am 56 and have smoked for 30 years off and on, mostly on.  I love smoking but hate all that comes with it.  I dont smoke in my car or in the house.  I smoke out in the garage.  Monday I will quit forever, I hate the thought that it has such control over your life, which is what Kathyjo talked about.  Patches seem to work well but I know that cold turkey is the best way.  I will use the patches for a month or so.  Thanks to both of you and congratulations!  It is a tough thing but I always feel better when not smoking.  Will let you know when I have been smoke free for at least a week.  That would be a small milestone for me.  

[Jade59]

Sorry about your ribs...Ouch :(   I bet it hurts to inhale?   I will pray that "spot" on your xray is nothing.  

I didn't smoke in the house or car either and shudder to think how much I would have smoked if I had.  I was going outside constantly as it was.  Like I said previously, I know c/t is not for everyone and my first quit and second now that I remember, I was SO SCARED, I did try to use the Lozenge so I understand the need for NRT.  Whatever works and gets you smoke free :)

Please do let us know how you're doing.  We are here and Good Luck!!!

[kathyjo]

I'm sorry about your situation : (
Often times a "scare" is just the motivation we need to get things done. It's unfortunate that we let it get to that point. I know I was on an inhaler for 5+ years before I finally "got it."
Whyquit.com is a great source of help so make sure to read the articles there under "Education." There is an article for every crave!

Good luck and we are going to be here for you : )

[vstevens500]

Hi ladies, it has almost been two weeks  for me nicotine free.  It has been great and I am so happy.  It seems it has been amazingly easy this time around, and I am so thankful for that.  I guess perhaps I was READY.  I wore a patch for the first two days and then stopped those as well.  I have really had a few days where I really pigged out but I weighed today and I have not gained any weight, I am really watching that very closely.   Have a wonderful Thanksgiving to you both, oh my gosh it is coming so quickly.    

[kathyjo]

Congratulations to you! What a wonderful way to begin the holidays and a very special present for your friends and loved ones : )
Keep up the good work and make sure that, if you should gain a little, not to let that get to you. Most do put on a few pounds but once your body adjusts to the quit, it will level off. Carrot sticks and celery stalks are a good substitute for hand to mouth habits and they also take the edge off.

We are here should you need any encouragement and whyquit.com will be there too!

Hope your holidays are filled with family and.....smoke free : )

[Jade59]

Hey, there you are!  I've been thinking and wondering about you :)  Congratulations!!!   I know, don't you feel So Much Better?   And yes, being really "ready" to quit makes all the difference.  Do try to keep up your education at whyquit.   Cravings can come when you least expect them and the more educated you are, the better you're able to fight them :)

I have found that walking is a big help with stress relief and it also helps with those few pounds one is bound to put on after quitting.  If you walk consistantly you can eat a little extra and not gain weight, I've found :)  It also helps to get your lungs back into shape.

Happy smoke-free holidays to you!   You're doing just great!! :)

[vstevens500]

Thanks for all the advice, most of it I have been doing.  For example carrotts, yesterday I bought a bag of organic peeled baby carrots at the health food store and a bottle of water and ate nearly the whole bag, 1 lb on my way to and home from the mall.  Oh my gosh.  I also have already been walking for the past six months.  I had to take a bit of a break to heal my ribs but all is well and I am back at it, but only about 1 1/2 miles a day versus the 3 I was doing.  I eat tons of apples and crispy pears as well.  And it seems I have been doing tons of shopping not alot of buying but shopping, shopping, and more shopping!  I also went and seen an angel reader which was absolutley amazing and yesterday went and got a hair cut and I feel just wonderful!  I have gotten tons of support from my family as well.  My husband and son are so proud of me.  And I have read half of the book, Never take another puff!  NTAP, NTAP, NTAP!  I seemed to have learned alot from the book.  I do think nicotine is probably the least of all additions and feel for anyone having to withdraw from something much harsher, like weed or pills.  My heart goes out to them.  I have really not had a hard time yet.  A few instances where it has come into my mind, but now it seems like something that took place years ago.  Take care,

[Jade59]

Your post made me smile.  You sound very "up" and positive...and busy! :)   I'm glad you have so much family support.  That can make all the difference.  

You know, alot of people will say there is no w/d from weed.  I quit the weed a little over a month ago and it was 3 solid weeks of unending hot/cold flashes all day and night.  They're gone now, but man, what a nightmare!  Maybe some people don't have physical w/d, but I sure seem to.  Not something I want to do again anytime soon.

Keep up the good work, vstevens!  Please do keep checking in.  We all help each other :)

[vstevens500]

Hi ladies, still doing well.  Kind of funny even after three weeks it would be so easy to have a cigarette.  Yesterday I was down in my basement where my son is staying temporarily and there were two packs sitting on the bar.  I looked inside each one and smelled them, and set them back down.  I think yesterday, the 3 week mark, was probably the day where I thought about it the most.  I dont think we realize the time we  spent smoking.  And now there is so much more time available in  the day.  

[Jade59]

Hi there and congratulations on 3wks!  Awesome!!!

"Kind of funny even after three weeks it would be so easy to have a cigarette."

That's exactly why it's important to keep your guard up, always!  It seems like no matter how long it's been, it's still very easy to light up a smoke unless we're careful.  A "learned" coping method in dealing with stress and/or anger, that's been implimented since teen years, takes a long time to "unlearn."  It's really not the first week we have to worry about, it's later when new and surprising stressful situations arise.  For me, the first week was the easiest.  I felt a ton of energy and had all the excitement of quitting going on.  It's now, 2mos later when I feel like it's really getting hard.  

Great job, V!  Very Proud of YOU!! :)

[kathyjo]

When anyone I know asks me how long its been, I am able to tell them to the day....that's because I still think about it and also, because I want to savor every moment of my quit, mostly because I want to celebrate, so as time goes on, it does get easier, you will have trying times but along with "time quit" you develop certain ways of handling them. You will remember that, what you have gained IS the rest of your life, free from the chains that used to bind us to those #@$&* nasty thing!
CELEBRATE!
---
2y 1m 6d 17:55 smoke-free, 16,910 cigs not smoked, $4,058.40 saved, 1m 4w 17:10 life saved

[vstevens500]

You are so right, the first week is always extremely easy for me, it is later on when it is tough like three weeks, a month, two months.  I am proud of you both you have done so well.  And Jade59 you have like a double whammy!  Nicotine and weed.  Oh my gosh I am not sure I would have done them both but I guess why not.  Get it overwith all at once.  I dont seem to have had alot of withdrawal from the nicotine but perhaps that is still to come but I dont think so.  Take care to you both, have happy weeks with tons of love.
Vicki

[TakingAction]

This thread has really put this in perspective for me.  I am going cold turkey tomorrow.  I feel much better having seen the progression of your success.  Thanks for sharing and keep at it!

Matt

[vstevens500]

Good luck Matt.   Saturday will be one month for me and it is getting so that I dont think about it as much anymore.  Some days I really munch like a pig but I figure I will work on the 5lbs I might gain down the road.  I have always used the patch in the past but having stumbled on this website and reading this post, I decided that you have to go through the withdrawal at some point why not now.  But really I dont think there was  any withdrawal per say, and I was a pretty heavy smoker.  I mean within one minute of getting up in the morning I was out in the garage with my coffee and smoking.   I will always enjoy smoking, as ugly as it is.   This is a great site if you need any support we are all here,
Vicki

[kathyjo]

Yay, a month! Congrats to you Vicki! Keeping fighting the good fight and keep in touch : )

[Jade59]

Congrats on 1month, Vicki!!  Good going!  

You sound like you're doing really well :)

[vstevens500]

Thanks ladies, it kind of seems surreal.  Like is this really happening??  Time goes by so quickly, it seems like only yesterday that I was going to quit tomorrow and already a month has passed by.  I am not sleeping through the night yet but go to sleep well and wake up one or two times and look at the clock.  I can deal with that knowing it will pass soon.  I got on the scales this morning since I had not weighed for a few weeks, thinking I may have gained 5 lbs and was very happy and shocked to see it was the same, no weight gain.  Yea.  Congratulations to you both, you are awesome and have a wonderful Thanksgiving day.  

[Jade59]

Your sleep will get better, I can promise you that.  In less than a month, I bet you will be back to your old sleeping habits (which I hope were good :)  I know what you mean about the time flying.  I noticed that too.    

Even though I'm walking, I seem to be gaining weight anyway.  Maybe I haven't been doing my best with the junk food...hmm...maybe not lol.  I don't normally crave junk food, but this time seems to be a challenge in that area.  Gotta get a grip!

You have a wonderful smoke free Thanksgiving too, Vicki and congratulations to you on 1 month!!!!  Right On!!...and you sound so great and positive, btw :)

[kathyjo]

Happy non-smoking Thanksgiving and enjoy not having to leave the table again and again ; )