Friday Morning/Week-end Pledge

I've got the smoke free contingent covered for Kentucky! No smoking for me today, this weekend, forever.. here in Louisville! [b][color=Green]Be Strong. Be Smart. Be Quit.[/color] [color=black]Joe[/color] [size=3][color=Blue]Knowledge Replaces Fear[/color][/size] [size=2][color=black]Illegitimus non carborundum est[/color][/size][/b] [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/15/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 243 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 6,083 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $595.35 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 42 [B]Hrs:[/B] 14 [B]Mins:[/B] 4 [B]Seconds:[/B] 30

FINAL COUNT DOWN

duffis, [b][color=red][size=4]CONGRATULATIONS ON ELEVEN (11) MONTHS QUIT!!![/size][/color] [color=blue][size=3]You're almost home Bob!!![/size][/color][/b] [b][color=black]I'll see you next month for the fireworks!!![/color][/b] [b][color=Green]Be Strong. Be Smart. Be Quit.[/color] [color=black]Joe[/color] [size=3][color=Blue]Knowledge Replaces Fear[/color][/size] [size=2][color=black]Illegitimus non carborundum est[/color][/size][/b] [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/15/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 243 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 6,083 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $595.35 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 42 [B]Hrs:[/B] 14 [B]Mins:[/B] 6 [B]Seconds:[/B] 7

50 days tomorrow ~

molliesue, [b][color=red][size=4]CONGRATULATIONS ON FIFTY (50) DAYS QUIT!!![/size][/color] [color=blue][size=3]Welcome to Tweenerville!![/size][/color][/b] [b][color=Green]Be Strong. Be Smart. Be Quit.[/color] [color=black]Joe[/color] [size=3][color=Blue]Knowledge Replaces Fear[/color][/size] [size=2][color=black]Illegitimus non carborundum est[/color][/size][/b] [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/15/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 243 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 6,083 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $595.35 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 42 [B]Hrs:[/B] 14 [B]Mins:[/B] 6 [B]Seconds:[/B] 23

Sinking Fast

Lady, Wow! Sorry to hear you let that darn nicodemon back into your head for a bit! I apologize for being late with this post, but I just returned from the hospital where I spent the last 2 days with my wife. She woke up about 12:30am Monday to some severe chest pains. Long story short, all the cardiac tests showed no signs of a heart attack. Possible major gall bladder attack though. More out patient tests to follow. Lady, it's easy to find oneself in that place where you think, just one won't hurt. Believe me, as I sat at the hospital in the middle of the night, the nicodemon was beating me over the head more than a few times. I had to go outside to use my cell phone and the smokers were out there in force. I just looked at them standing there in the cold like robots and my desires just went away. You will have moments like that Lady. Stay positive. Stay focused. It sounds like many have thrown you a ilfeline, but here's one from me too.. grab on and hold on tight. We are all in this lifeboat together. :) [b][color=Purple]Be Strong. Be Smart. Be Quit[/color] [color=black]Joe[/color] [size=3][color=Blue]Knowledge Replaces Fear[/color][/size] [size=2][color=black]Illegitimus non carborundum est[/color][/size][/b] [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/15/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 241 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 6,043 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $590.45 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 42 [B]Hrs:[/B] 7 [B]Mins:[/B] 20 [B]Seconds:[/B] 25

I feel like a total failure

desert_girl, [b][color=black]if your one of the "on your high horse, over a hundred-day lecturers, that are going to tell me i really dont want to quit" then please dont respond to this as i am not able to handle you people right now. I really do want to quit.[/color][/b] In the words of Alan Alda from MASH.. I resemble that remark! :p Fear not, ds, you now know how easy it is to get tripped up. Lesson learned. As others have said here, you probably need to adjust your socal habits for a while until you have a good handle on your quit. One thing that most people realize if they slip is how nasty the habit really is. Sort of amazing how that addiction wants us to keep feeding it even though it makes us pay dearly in terms of our health. Glad to hear you are jumping back on so quickly. Best wishes. [b][color=Green]Be Strong. Be Smart. Be Quit.[/color] [color=black]Joe[/color] [size=3][color=Blue]Knowledge Replaces Fear[/color][/size] [size=2][color=black]Illegitimus non carborundum est[/color][/size][/b] [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/15/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 253 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 6,335 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $619.85 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 44 [B]Hrs:[/B] 8 [B]Mins:[/B] 30 [B]Seconds:[/B] 43

I survived a horrible weekend

kitty, Great job! The fact that you didn't give in when you were drinking is a big plus for you! Remember that and if you get hit with a crave some time, just think back to how you stood your ground and let that crave just pass away! Keep on keepin' on! [b][color=Green]Be Strong. Be Smart. Be Quit.[/color] [color=black]Joe[/color] [size=3][color=Blue]Knowledge Replaces Fear[/color][/size] [size=2][color=black]Illegitimus non carborundum est[/color][/size][/b] [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/15/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 253 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 6,335 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $619.85 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 44 [B]Hrs:[/B] 8 [B]Mins:[/B] 31 [B]Seconds:[/B] 10

overwhelming junkie b.s. -- help, help, help

newbkr, Glad to hear you got home all safe and sound and still smoke-free! Give yourself a big pat on the back for getting over that nasty crave. These early days can really tear at you, but so far, so good! Keep doing whatever it takes to hang on tight to your quit. We all have choices .... smoke or not smoke. You have made the right choice and you will continue to make the right choice because you have the wisdom to do so. The falsehoods that the nicodemon is tossing your way is no match for your knowledge and strength! Keep repeating... [B][COLOR=red]N[/B][/COLOR]ot [B][COLOR=red]O[/B][/COLOR]ne [B][COLOR=red]P[/B][/COLOR]uff [B][COLOR=red]E[/B][/COLOR]ver Hang tough.. we are all in this with you! [b][color=Purple]Be Strong. Be Smart. Be Quit[/color] [color=black]Joe[/color] [size=3][color=Blue]Knowledge Replaces Fear[/color][/size] [size=2][color=black]Illegitimus non carborundum est[/color][/size][/b] [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/15/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 254 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 6,370 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $622.3 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 44 [B]Hrs:[/B] 14 [B]Mins:[/B] 14 [B]Seconds:[/B] 50

Unsuspected cravings: The revenge

itisme, Congratulations on your decision to quit and welcome to the SSC. As the others have said, your story is very significant. Quitting is about reclaiming your life.. how significant is that?? Once a person is comfortable in their quit, that is the most dangerous time in the early goings. You feel confident, self assured and then... wham!! A knee buckling crave hits you and all you can think of is "where is the nearest store so I can get a pack!!" That is what the nicodemon wants you to say. He is counting on your complacency to get you back into his fold. But now is the time you must hold on the tightest to your quit. It is now that you deal with him one on one and defeat him. The more small victories you have over your craves, the fewer of them there are. In due time you will simply just ignore them and they will pass like water under a bridge. As a former nicotine addict, you will probably have a thought now and then about cigarettes for the rest of your life.. it's only natural. And that is fine. Just let those thoughts pass.. in fact, they were your past. They are history. Just like your smoking. You are on the right track. Stay focused. Stay aware. A healthy snack when you crave can help, as can mild exercise such as a quick walk, if practical. Reading and concentrating on something else is also very good. Many members print out their favorite posts to read when they feel a crave come on. Best wishes. [b][color=Purple]Be Strong. Be Smart. Be Quit[/color] [color=black]Joe[/color] [size=3][color=Blue]Knowledge Replaces Fear[/color][/size] [size=2][color=black]Illegitimus non carborundum est[/color][/size][/b] [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/15/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 254 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 6,370 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $622.3 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 44 [B]Hrs:[/B] 14 [B]Mins:[/B] 17 [B]Seconds:[/B] 3

Does anyone else have this symptom???

Iwin, Bingo!! You, newbkr and me.. isn't that just the strangest thing?? You are right Iwin, if it weren't for that "feeling", I would never think of a cigarette again! My take on is that we've seared all the little nerves there from the heated smoke and without the heat anymore, what's left of the nerves there don't know what to do. Ok, so I'm not a neurologist.. sue me! :p I've sipped on ice water to sort of freeze my tongue/mouth and that has killed many a crave. Sugar free Popsicles!! YES!!! ;) [b][color=Purple]Be Strong. Be Smart. Be Quit[/color] [color=black]Joe[/color] [size=3][color=Blue]Knowledge Replaces Fear[/color][/size] [size=2][color=black]Illegitimus non carborundum est[/color][/size][/b] [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/15/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 254 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 6,371 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $622.3 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 44 [B]Hrs:[/B] 14 [B]Mins:[/B] 18 [B]Seconds:[/B] 34

The Patient Quitter

Hi gang, I found this inspirational message on the net.. [b][color=blue]Listen patiently, and you will better understand. Work patiently, and you will build lasting value. In patience there is power. In patience, there is the expression of real and abiding love. Patience melts away painful and destructive anxieties. Patience helps to avoid careless mistakes. Patience reveals a depth of strong character. Patience provides comfort and refuge for those who are weary of the world's frustrations. [color=red]Patience is crucial to persistence. And with sufficient persistence, any goal can be reached.[/color] Each day, there are opportunities to make use of the power of patience. As you strengthen your patience, so do you greatly expand the positive possibilities for your life.[/color][/b] To have patience is to be patient. To be patient is [b][color=black]�Bearing or enduring pain, difficulty, provocation, or annoyance with calmness.�[/color][/b] Quitting smoking is difficult. Quitting smoking can provoke undesirable outbursts. Quitting smoking can bring about annoyances. In this world we live in today, we are so often in a rush. Go here. Go there. Eat quick. Get a little sleep. Go. Go. Go. It�s time to slow down folks. We all want everything now. Including our quits. How many times have I read on here where someone who is quit wondering why they still have craves after being quit for 3 weeks? Quitting smoking is about patience. Calmness. Persistence. This is a simple message in a simple post. Give your quit time to grow and develop. Let it have a life of its own. Don�t beat yourself up with anxiety because you are struggling a little bit and you�ve been quit a month or two. Quitting is a lifetime commitment. Be patient. Just live your life one day at a time and be quit one day at a time. [b][color=Green]Be Strong. Be Smart. Be Quit.[/color] [color=black]Joe[/color] [size=3][color=Blue]Knowledge Replaces Fear[/color][/size] [size=2][color=black]Illegitimus non carborundum est[/color][/size][/b] [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/15/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 255 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 6,383 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $624.75 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 44 [B]Hrs:[/B] 16 [B]Mins:[/B]