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Low expectations

18 years ago 0 +0 / -0 2838

Hi Nico! I have been in some pretty scary situations throughout my life and have my 'war' stories. (I am a police detective) But quitting smoking is the scariest and bravest accomplishment of my life! In my spare time I raised five children and am expecting my first grandchild in April. I thank God everyday for giving me the strength for seeing me through this. It took a doctor telling me I was going to die if I didn't quit (COPD) and then my husband's persistence in quitting for himself and for me. I was a 3 pack a day smoker for 34 years. I have succeeded and I KNOW you can too. One day at a time and NOPE-Not One Puff Ever are my motto's. Every failed atempt previously was because I thought I could handle "just one". I've given thought, once or twice, to having NOPE tattoed on my forehead..... :gasp: [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 9/8/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 162 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 8,142 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1296 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 17 [B]Hrs:[/B] 5 [B]Mins:[/B] 50 [B]Seconds:[/B] 29

18 years ago 0 +0 / -0 8760

NicoAddict52, Sometimes, all we can do it take it one hour at a time. Please work through our online quit program and read through our forums. Both are great ressources for tips on how to handle cravings and other obstacles when we quit and it should keep you busy. Distractions are another great coping strategy for tackling cravings. Think of all the time smoking robbed you of and use it as motivation to find new passions. Perhaps spending more time with your grandson? For sleeping disturbances, this is quite common and it does pass. Until then, here are a few tips: �Try to get on a sleep schedule. Go to bed at a regular time each night and get up at a regular time in the morning. Try to not stay up late watching TV and try not to sleep during the day. If you get on a sleep schedule, we guarantee that you�ll begin to feel better. �Try to make the room you sleep in as quiet as possible. Consider ear plugs or a sleep mask. �Use your bed only for sleeping. Don�t lounge around in your bed. If you spend too much time lounging in bed, watching T.V., drinking coffee, or eating, your body will learn that your bed is NOT a place for sleeping. �If you can�t sleep after half an hour in bed don�t stay in bed trying to sleep. Get up and do some quiet activity. For example, read a book for a half hour and then try going back to bed. If you still can�t sleep, get up and do something quiet once again. �Try to keep your bedroom at a comfortable temperature - not too cold and not too hot. �Try to get some exercise every day. You�ll feel better and sleep will come much quicker. �Try not to exercise or work hard late in the evening. It could make you feel �wired�. �Don�t drink anything with caffeine or alcohol for 4 hours before you go to bed. �Try not to eat a heavy meal in the evening. Don�t eat just before you go to bed. �If you�re not sleeping at night, avoid naps during the day. �Use relaxation techniques. Deep breathing may help you relax at bed time. For your depression, please consult your doctor or mental health professional. There are a few options available to you including therapy and/or medication. If you're already taking medication, it may need to be adjusted as a result of your quit. Lastly, for the IM, go to view support groups an

18 years ago 0 +0 / -0 8760

Nico, Thanks for checking in. Sounds like your day is starting off on a good note. Keep your distractions & coping strategies close and don't forget to reward yourself for staying smoke free. Danielle ____________________ The SSC Support Team

18 years ago 0 +0 / -0 519

In reading my own post, I am astounded, none of these things ever occurred to me when I was smoking. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/27/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 21 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 645 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $210 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 2 [B]Hrs:[/B] 20 [B]Mins:[/B] 7 [B]Seconds:[/B] 36

18 years ago 0 +0 / -0 519

In the beginning sometimes it was just white knuckling it through. I'm on the gum. I'd chew until my jaw hurt and watch the clock. One minute without smoking, another minute without smoking and so on. Your doctor can give you something for the depression. I don't know how much you smoked, but I admit I was a 2 1/2 pack a dayer. No matter how loud the voices in my head, telling me to have a smoke, were I would just counter with the idea that those were all lies anyway. The truth I found right here. Isn't that a funny thing.....? I also thought I'd just enjoy smoking and take the consequences. That thought can last only as long as there are no consequences. When you are in pain, struggling for breath, you don't want to take those consequences. Then it can be too late. That's the addict thinking. Here is a hard truth. We are all going to die. That's the sword of the addict. But, the WAY we die is more under our control than the addict thinking wants to admit. A smoker is choosing to die not only a painful death but a long one sometimes suffering for years. Not a pleasant thought at all. It does get easier. It really does. I have whole minutes now when I don't think of cigarettes at all. If I get busy and involved with something, a couple of hours can pass. All from counting minutes going by in the beginning. Smoking never made anyone healthier. Smoking never added a minute to anyone's life. Smoking never made anyone a better person. Smoking never smelled good. No one ever said "Boy I really like Joe Blow, he smokes a lot". Your Grandson is never going to say "Grandpa I like the way you smell like stale cigarettes". As an addict, you smoke for one reason and one reason only. Admit it. You smoke to avoid withdrawal symptoms. That's why I smoked for 45 years. Smoking is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. If you think you heard that phrase before, it's the same one psychiatrists use to describe suicide. Smoking has NO BENEFITS AT ALL. It is indeed a very slow form of suicide. It is the only product that when used as directed, kills the user. It is just like heroin or cocaine. A very expensive way to destroy yourself. Withdrawals are a temporary problem. It goes away. It does go away in a relati

18 years ago 0 +0 / -0 1306

As I Posted in your intro - never quit trying. That is how I got here. I know you want to quit and so does the little devil, who is trying very hard to change your mind about that. The nicodemon tells a lot of lies, including saying that you need to smoke to keep depression in check. You may have depression, but smoking is making it worse not better. Not sure if you are using any aids - meds or NRT's. Perhaps you might consider them. I am on the patch and it has helped me tremendously. I tried the patch once before and it didn't help. Why - I didn't want to quit more than I wanted to smoke. Quitting is very doable. Just take it five minutes at a time. With every 5 minutes your confidence will grow and you will feel so good about yourself and the great thing you are doing for your health and well being. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/10/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 38 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 767 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $437 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 3 [B]Hrs:[/B] 20 [B]Mins:[/B] 2 [B]Seconds:[/B] 59

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$333,704.25

Amount Saved
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Days: 6164 Hours: 20

Minutes: 33 Seconds: 13

Life Gained
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45870

Smoke Free Days
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688,050

Cigarettes Not Smoked

18 years ago 0 +0 / -0 2462

Hi Greg and good morning, as you know, you have lots of friends both here and elsewhere. That alone should give you a modicum of hope! :) They have a new IM program now since you were here. Right above all the forum categories, you'll see a launch button. Push that button. However, a couple of caveats...you have to disable pop-up blocker, any anti-virus type stuff, and you can't use it on a Mac. Also you can't use it on Netscape. But it works on Firefox if you have that, and of course, IE. Hope this helps. Meanwhile, remember this? You are on Day 1. Today is all you need to think about. In fact, don't even worry about this afternoon. Be here, right now. Say to yourself "Right now I'm not going to smoke. Right now smoking is not an option for me." Go back to bed and pull the covers over your head if you need to. Lay around and read, take deep breaths, take a sick day today and maybe for the next couple of days. Call them HEALTH days though. Greg, you know and I know this is tough. But I'm here to tell you that it can be done. YOU are the main ingredient, YOU are the star of this show. Each crave that you get through makes you stronger for the next. You are building strength, Greg. I know that you can do this. Love, Rusty :) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 12/13/2004 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 796 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 22,297 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $2786 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 110 [B]Hrs:[/B] 19 [B]Mins:[/B] 3 [B]Seconds:[/B] 57

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$59,550.40

Amount Saved
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Days: 716 Hours: 14

Minutes: 4 Seconds: 40

Life Gained
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5726

Smoke Free Days
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229,040

Cigarettes Not Smoked

18 years ago 0 +0 / -0 2462

One day down. Whew! Aren't you glad you don't have to do that again?! That 24 hours girds you for the battle. So put on your whole armor...fill your quiver with positive thoughts. (Don't I sound poetic or something? LOL) One step at a time, Greg. You can do this. Don't forget to breathe. I will look for you in the morning. Love, Rusty :) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 12/13/2004 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 796 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 22,311 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $2786 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 110 [B]Hrs:[/B] 20 [B]Mins:[/B] 45 [B]Seconds:[/B] 18

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$59,550.40

Amount Saved
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Days: 716 Hours: 14

Minutes: 4 Seconds: 40

Life Gained
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5726

Smoke Free Days
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229,040

Cigarettes Not Smoked

18 years ago 0 +0 / -0 2462

Greg, I pm'd you elsewhere. Rusty [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 12/13/2004 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 797 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 22,327 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $2789.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 110 [B]Hrs:[/B] 22 [B]Mins:[/B] 35 [B]Seconds:[/B] 57

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$59,550.40

Amount Saved
Quit Meter

Days: 716 Hours: 14

Minutes: 4 Seconds: 40

Life Gained
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5726

Smoke Free Days
Quit Meter

229,040

Cigarettes Not Smoked

18 years ago 0 +0 / -0 2462

Greg, enjoy the beautiful weather today! 37 hours is nothing to sneeze at...I remember times when I'd try to quit and I couldn't go TWO hours. So just keep marching along, one step at a time. Hey, I think I'll take a walk with you! Rusty :) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 12/13/2004 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 797 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 22,327 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $2789.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 110 [B]Hrs:[/B] 22 [B]Mins:[/B] 33 [B]Seconds:[/B] 34

Quit Meter

$59,550.40

Amount Saved
Quit Meter

Days: 716 Hours: 14

Minutes: 4 Seconds: 40

Life Gained
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5726

Smoke Free Days
Quit Meter

229,040

Cigarettes Not Smoked

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Low expectations