Im Struttin!

[teko]

My name is Linda, and I am a nicotine addict.
I have stopped nicotine for 7 months, 1 day, 18 hours, 25 minutes and 9 seconds (213 days).

I've not smoked 8551 death sticks, and saved $1,940.91.
I've saved 29 days, 16 hours and 33 minutes of my life.


Wow! I cannot believe it has been that long. I rarely get a major crave now, and dont think about them too much, less I get upset about something. That is the hardest time using mind over matter! The more time invested in the quit tho the easier it is simply cause I dont want to mess it up.

[teko]

Thanks Jade. Sis was sent to rehab to try to get her muscles working again, because she didnt do anything other than sin and her muscles were wasting away. I will talk to her in the next couple of days to see how she is. It is sad, it really is. Smoking is not worth what it does to you for sure. I am looking forward to celebrating my new year ever one year anniversary. That is something to look forward to. I have also noticed I have stopped gaining the weight and now it has planed out and my appetitie is getting back to what it used to be. So that is a good thing as well. Maybe I wont have to do atkins eh? At any rate I dont want to put any undue stress on myself right now. Im good with the extra for now probably because my husband makes me feel ok about it and really who else matters eh? Hugs How you doin?

[Jade59]

I've been waiting for you to post your monthly update, Linda.  Congrats on 8mos! Whoo Hoooo!!!  So very proud of you!  Even at 8mos, I was still struggling so you are doing much better at this point than I was.  And 8mos after smoking for so many years, you are bound to still want one occasionally, especially if someone is smoking right in front of you. That's just normal.

I am so very sorry to hear of your sister.  Saying a prayer for her right now.  She must be really scared and must be heart breaking for you to see her like that.  

Hang in there, Linda.  *Hugs* honey...♥

[teko]

8/31/11 Im strutting again. 8 months after quitting. I am pretty clear of the craves now but every once in a great while I will get a whiff of someone smoking or be in a social situation where I find myself wanting one. I just got word that my sis is in the hospital. She has end stage copd and emphysema. Cannot get to the bathroom on her own steam, sits in a chair all day, cannot even afford oxygen. Now she has pulmonary hypertension and congestive heart failure. I will never take another puff. I do not want to end up like that and I pray to God that I quit in time. If you dont have the will power to quit, go visit someone in this situation, truly, you will stop.

[teko]

I just logged on and saw your post of 17 hours ago. Wow! Are you still plugging along? The first thing I would tell you is to drink lots of fruit juice for the first three days, take baths and walk alot if you can. Find something to fiddle with in your hand to mouth. A cinnamon stick, half a straw or even a paperclip. Keep busy and dont go around smokers for a while. I would also tell you to go to the website, www.whyquit.com and read and read and read some more. Nicotine is out of your system in 72 hours, with the exception of your hair. I understand that has to grow out. If you fall off the wagon, just get back on it and keep trying. Write down all the pros of quitting and the cons. Post it on your fridg. Then you simply do not smoke or take another puff. As long as you do that the rest will take care of itself.

[julie1224]

I just decided to stop smoking today.  Today I realized if I don't i will be where your sister is in just a couple years, if a heart attack doesn't happen first.  Right now I am really optimystic but its only been 2 hrs.  Can you tell me what to expect how long does the nicotine stay in your body?  When will it get easy?
Julie

[teko]

When I decided to wean off of em, I started by skipping every other day, then two days without and so on. No problem at all. I think I could have actually just laid them down altogether. I highly recommend them to anyone with the anxiety issues. I have decided that when I get around to dieting I will do the Atkins diet (induction phase). My hubby did this one time with me and we both lost massive amounts of weight in like 14 days. I did it lost all the weight I wanted to lose in the first month of the diet, doing the induction for the first 14 days and following phase one for the other. I lost 27 lbs that month and had energy like you would not believe. Problem with this diet tho is, one bite of the wrong food and you ruined it and must start over cause your body actually goes into ketosis and starts eating its own stored fat. Kinda cool. As with anything tho, it takes will power to get started and the inches just melt off after you go into ketosis which takes about 2-3 days.

[Jade59]

Thanks, Linda, sometimes you need what you already know repeated to you by someone else.  I am really impressed you felt well and strong enough to quit the Paxil.  May I ask you, did you wean off?  Any trouble stopping?  I'm still thinking I might need something but just hate the thought of more weight gain.  It's not terrible but I would feel better losing 10lbs.  I seem to remember Terry (beatingthis) said her weight eventually evened out but she was also using the gym and weights if I remember correctly.  But yes, one thing at a time.  

I'm so sorry to hear your sisters struggles.  That must be scary not be ever be able to catch your breath.  It Sounds Very encouraging you no longer need your inhaler.  That's great!  You're doing awesome!  

Well Kathy Jo was my hero and inspiration , I'm yours and You will be for someone else.  We all help each other : )  

[teko]

Oh, I sorry to hear your having a hard time of it. Its gotta be stress, that one makes it real tuff I know! Just remember that you will get thru it regardless of whether you smoke or not sweetie! I am not on the paxil any longer as the panic, anxiety is now under control (but it worked wonders when I needed it!). I highly recomment anyone quitting and having anxiety issues to see their doc. My breathing is fine and Im not using an inhaler or anything. I do need to think about a diet but am gonna make that one my next new years eve pledge I think as the doc tells me to wait for one year before attempting it.

My older sister has emphesema and asthma as well. She has had it for years and quit smoking years ago. She needs oxygen but cannot afford it and is on medicare. She literally gasps for air after saying just a few words. She is chair bound and her life consists of watching television. Every time I want a cigarette now and contemplate buying a pack, I think of her. I just hope I quit in time to avoid being where she is now. Sad

So yes, you are my hero. Forever! Hugs!

[Jade59]

Having a rough time lately and thinking (just thinking) of smoking but here I read *I* am your inspiration?  You're really making it hard to relapse!  Hearing that is inspiring in itself so thank you, Linda!  All it is is never taking that ONE puff as we both know.  

I expect to see you post at the beginning of each month now, You!  I am watching you!! : ) And next month will be 8mos!  How is your breathing and anxiety?  Paxil still doing it for you?

[teko]

Awe! Thanks Jade! You are my inspiration, I just cannot believe I got THIS far and am now looking forward to New Years Even when It will be a year!!!!! Im looking forward not backward now! Thanks.

[Jade59]

I am so happy to see you post, Linda!!  Congrats on 7mo's quit!  So proud of you!  Hugs!♥