Dear Terri, I can empathise with your post so much. I was going strut my stuff in the Stats parade this coming 25th November, but, reading your post made me realise it's better to try to help someone. I will put my post here and then again in the Stats Parade so that any new quitters or would be quitters can see it. Here goes............ Sorry I have not been on site since August�..I�ve had a very bad back, and was unable to sit at the computer. 3 Years ago at this time I was struggling with the idea of quitting. I was preparing for my quit here on site and collecting all the necessary ingredients I felt I needed for my quit�.such as Nicotine Patches, Gum, Hypnosis tapes, Zyban, bottles of water etc. etc. What an effort it all was!!! I was exhausted and terrified about the future. The people on this site were so positive for me and they kept me focused on my intent, but I was so sure I could not do it!!! Having written the following post���.. �Hi, to those who know me. I had planned not to write anything negative until I was in Hell Week so that you'd be more sympathetic when I moan. Maybe it's the Zyban and me cutting down the numbers, maybe 'cos it's raining, I don't know, but I'm really down. I raced home from Dog Agility, (which I normally love,) and all I could think of was to get on here to feel positive again. It didn't do it that time, so I came back on. It's just that all the people who are having problems have quit already, and I'm 7 days away, so why have the dumps now? Maybe I should have quit sooner, but I was so scared after my last quit, when I forgot to have strategies for 3 months on and started again. Lots of maybe's in this letter! In fact earlier today the little voice whispered in my ear..."Maybe you should just not bother!" Don't worry. I�ve promised myself to quit on 1 Dec and quit I will. Think I just need cheering up.� Lolly. ��. I received many replies�..I copy the one from Bubba. �Anybody here ever stood on a high cliff anticipating the jump, such as the ones in Acapulco? The longer you ponder the jump the harder it gets to make the quantum leap. Could that be what is going on here? Just the anticipation of the quit might have you spooked beyond reason. Cast aside outmoded concepts concerning what you have heard. The harder you work at this, the easier it gets. Again, a great day today is better than a wonderful day later. Make the plunge. You'll be glad you did. Bubba� Finally I was so hyped up I brought my quit forward by one week and put myself in the hands of the SSC and so many friends here. Everyone helped me to be positive most of the time and I was able to become more determined with each passing day. It was no easy road, but I could see a way through and kept at it. I cannot tell you how wonderful life has been since then! The first year went slowly. Last year was so much easier and I was able to treat myself to the reward of meeting some of those supportive friends from this site over in the US. This year�..well I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of times I have thought about cigarettes, and the year has just flown past. I doubt if I will even remember my fourth anniversary next year. I just hope that any new quitters will take hope from this post and never despair. Stay positive and determined! You can do it!!! The reward is FREEDOM. NEVER LOOK BACK. THE FUTURE IS AHEAD!!! Lolly. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]11/25/2004 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 1090 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 38,150 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] �5,450.00 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 155 [B]Hrs:[/B] 19 [B]Mins:[/B] 29 [B]Seconds:[/B] 20

Good for you Terri! This is the best support site on the net, the people that post here are amazing - and they are here because they really want to help. There is pure honesty in their posts. I can't tell you how much it helped me. I hope it does you as well. Hold on tight, it might be a bumpy ride but we got ya!!! Keep us posted. Sue [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]5/3/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 200 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 2,000 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $350.00 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 19 [B]Hrs:[/B] 1 [B]Mins:[/B] 30 [B]Seconds:[/B] 25

Thank you so much, you guys. I have decided to change my quit date (I did work through the workbook a little more). I'm going to make it November 25th - kind of a personal milestone from many years ago, so it is a date that means something to me. In the meantime, I'm off to read, read, read. No more procrastination - you have all inspired me and I am ready to do this! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]12/2/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] -12 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] -240 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $-115.20 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 0 [B]Mins:[/B] 0 [B]Seconds:[/B] -109477

Terri, I don't think it will get any easier if you wait, but then I quit totally spur of the moment when my DH came home with chantix. I had no time to put it off, and you know I probably would have since I didn't think I wanted to quit. Obviously I did, since I ran to get chantix too. Aloha is right about the workbook, and maybe it will help answer your questions and concerns. When you are ready, we are here for support. I lived on this site when I quit, read read read - it helps. Sue [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]5/3/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 200 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 2,000 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $350.00 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 19 [B]Hrs:[/B] 1 [B]Mins:[/B] 27 [B]Seconds:[/B] 24

Terri, I think that preparation is the key. Sounds like you've decided to quit. That is step one. How about working through the quit program workbook here and then deciding on a date? Also reading posts here, both old and new. Are you going to use any aids such as patch, gum, chantix? Have you read any of Allen Carr's books? They help a great deal in getting the right attitude for success. Quitting smoking is a good thing, not a bad one. Once you figure that out, it is much much easier. Keep in touch here and let us know how we can help. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]3/22/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 242 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 9,680 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1,645.60 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 33 [B]Hrs:[/B] 19 [B]Mins:[/B] 15 [B]Seconds:[/B] 0

Terri, Welcome to our support community and congratulations on deciding to quit! Please take the time to get familiar with the site and go through the milestones to prepare for your quit. Your quit date is entirely up to you. You have to be prepared both mentally and physically for the challenge that you will face when you quit. I recommend telling your husband and asking him for support through your journey. Please keep us updated with your progress. Brenna, Bilingual Support Specialist

Hi Terri, I'm fairly new at quitting. Today is my 22nd day. When you decide to quit is entirely your decision, and it is quite personal. You've been diagnosed with COPD. Do you think that you stop now? I guess I'm fortunate as I don't have any health issues after 35 years of smoking. You're at the right place to find the support you need. The people here are wonderful, and can get you through th roughest times. Good luck, and we can get you on the right track. Goofy [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]10/28/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 22 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 880 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $138.60 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 3 [B]Hrs:[/B] 21 [B]Mins:[/B] 35 [B]Seconds:[/B] 6

I'm brand new here - but not really new to quitting. I have been smoking behind my husband's back for almost 20 years (seriously, he has no sense of smell). I have now been diagnosed with COPD and my daughter is expecting my first grandchild - and I would really like to be around for a while. I picked a quit date of December 2 (cuz my hubby will be out of town that weekend, so if I'm crankier than normal, I don't have to explain myself). But reading through some of the messages and threads, I'm not too sure that I won't lose motivation by then and maybe I should look at quitting before then. What do you guys think? I've only ever quit for more than 1 day once before (about 3 years ago) and even then only lasted five MISERABLE weeks!