new to the group

Congratulations on your decision to quit! There are some things I did to mess up my smoking habit before I actually quit. None, some, or all may work for you. 1. Each time you light up think about how much you'd like to quit. 2. Keep focus on an friend you really admire because they don't smoke. Tell yourself you want to be like them. 3. Smoke by the clock. Don't respond to your addiction whining for a nicotine fix. Tell yourself that you are going to smoke 1 whole cigarette every two hours (or whatever frequency is just slightly uncomfortable for you), then slowly spread the time out and decrease amount to half cig. Your addiction will get the clue that your not going to listen to it. Like everyone else has been saying, too, keep track of what makes you want to smoke. The bottom line is: KNOW YOUR ENEMY! Good luck and keep coming back before and after your quit date. gpw [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/14/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 11 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 178 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $44 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 1 [B]Hrs:[/B] 2 [B]Mins:[/B] 17 [B]Seconds:[/B] 28

Nicorete gum

Hey Silver, maybe you could help me with a gum problem I'm having. [i]Crud, if I weren't an addict it wouldn't be a problem![/i] The directions say to start the first 6 wks. with 9-12 pieces per day, using them 1-2 hrs. apart. When I was smoking I didn't get as much nic. per day as what they recommend. I find that I'm quite comfortable using 6 pieces per day and 2.5 hrs apart. I see no sense in increasing my body's demand (9-12 pc.) just to wean back down at a later time. Your advice is to follow the directions and I certainly don't want to set myself up to fail. So what would you do? Chew the recommended amount of gum or chew what's comfy, either way weaning on their schedule? Do you think I'm at risk of sabotage if I stick with 6 pcs.? Anyone else can reply to this. Your views are welcomed and appreciated. gpw [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/14/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 12 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 181 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $48 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 1 [B]Hrs:[/B] 2 [B]Mins:[/B] 46 [B]Seconds:[/B] 34

Yikes! Husbsand has smokes

Oh yeah - I forgot! A lot of times our spouses are going to feel that we've abandoned them. It's a good idea to find out what their love language is and speak it daily so they know without a doubt that we're still here. If ironing his socks is what tells him how much you love him, then do it frequently. Assuming they're clean, you can love him without smelling his smokes! Jump him after his shower! Give her a backrub after her shower. Wash his/her car. Take them to a movie theater or non-smoking restaurant. When I think about it, the one who remains smoking must feel a bit like dirt and would benefit from knowing we still love them. gpw I love having 100 quit-buddies!

picked a quit date!

Glad to see your posts, Denisey! You're still here and smoke free! gpw [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/14/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 13 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 195 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $52 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 1 [B]Hrs:[/B] 4 [B]Mins:[/B] 52 [B]Seconds:[/B] 21

Junkie thoughts????

Excellent word picture, Butterfly!

30 DAY UPDATE

Clap...Clap...Clap...Clap...Clap...Clap...Clap...Clap...Clap...Clap...!!! Congratulations on your 30 days!!!!!! Thirty days is a long time.

Not getting support from my husband :(

Well bless his heart! I need to give him a brownie button today! My guy is waiting a while after smoking before he gets around me. I knew he'd understand. He just needed to think about what I said and what I'm doing - and then respond. Not let his own addiction react. I can do it with or without him. "With him" makes it a whole lot easier to live, though. I'm touched. What a prince! gpw [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/14/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 7 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 115 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $28 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 17 [B]Mins:[/B] 3 [B]Seconds:[/B] 38

Not getting support from my husband :(

I'm up against the same thing myself. I've told my husband for months that I was going to quit smoking and would like him to quit smoking with me. He'd like to also. We joined a 12-step program and quit drinking two weeks apart and have been able to support each other beautifully. It has really brought us closer together. I've attempted quits several times, but couldn't make it through the withdrawls. Smelling smoke drove me nuts and that's some of the reason I was hoping he'd quit w/ me. Just before I quit I let him know this and he said not to blame him for the inability to quit. Bottom line: He was right. So I quit and he has not. I knew that there would come a point in my cig recovery (NRT step down and completion)that I would have to back away from him (but let him know I still am "here" the best way I can when he doesn't reek like smoke). So last night he came in from outside smelling of smoke and I began breathing through my mouth. He asked why and I told him. He got defensive and said, "I know, here we go again, I stink, right?". I know in my heart of hearts that this came from his addiction and not from who he really is. I said to him, "Would it have helped your program early on to spend time around someone who smelled like beer? You don't stink, the problem is that I like that smell." I know he knew exactly what I mean. We love each other dearly and this won't change it. Right now I have to be willing to do whatever it takes to stay smoke free. Yes, he feels threatened (he has never attepmted a smoke quit before - in 30+ years smoking Luckys), so he is going to feel discarded for a while. I do, however, need to do my best to let him know that my love for him still exists - when he doesn't "stink". His own addiction will get nasty with me. It's driving a wedge between us. But everything will be OK. Today I will be smoke free and today is all that matters. gpw [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/14/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 7 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 112 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $28 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 16 [B]Mins:[/B] 35 [B]Seconds:[/B] 54

Not getting support from my husband :(

Denisey, Whoa, wait a minute! I don't want to sound like a know-it-all because I certainly don't know a whole lot, but there's one thing I've learned along the way. "If you think you have to change (or do) something right now, DON"T!" Come on, girl, give yourself some room. This is a highly emotional time right now - everything is out-of-whak due to your quit. Just hold out for another couple of weeks (or more), then re-evaluate. Can it wait until you've come down off your withdrawl? Is it possible that the nicodemon is trying to sabotage your quit? [i]It really gets me when people want to throw away their commitments when the going gets tough. I've done it and lived to regret it.[/i] gpw [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/14/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 7 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 119 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $28 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 17 [B]Mins:[/B] 41 [B]Seconds:[/B] 4

Changes in ability to handle stress

Quiting smoking has done wonders for my ability to handle stresses - large and small. I began noticing this on the 9th day of my quit (I am using NRT, though - so it's other cigarette poison reduction). The kids, especially, don't wear on me as much. But tonight was the real proof that it's not a fantasy! I was coming home on a country road after spending the previous hour and a half caperoning 6 kids at a McD's Play Place. It was very dark and the fog was as heavy as can be. There was a truck coming toward me in the opposite lane. I noticed something strange around that vehicle, but couldn't begin to tell what it was. I thought it was a dog or deer of something. Then all of a sudden, in my lane, just 20 ft in front of me headlights turn on and some jackass in a small foreign car is heading straight toward my suburban and manages to swerve into it's own lane right in front of a pick-up truck it was passing. We came within just a few feet of having a head-on. What the hell was he thinking? Was he playing chicken with me? Was it a gang initiation to drive head-on into another car with his headlights turned off.....in the fog? That person almost died tonight - what a dummy. Anyway, before I quit smoking I would have had to pull over and stay there until I could quit shaking and regain my strength - possibly even change my pants. Tonight I was so suprised at how my body responded. I could keep driving, speak, listen, and was barely shaky. What a pleasant change. God I love being smoke free!!!! My take on one of the benefits, gpw [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/14/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 11 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 165 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $44 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 1 [B]Hrs:[/B] 0 [B]Mins:[/B] 28 [B]Seconds:[/B] 50