No more patches for me.

Remember I said that being around a smoker is not a trigger for me? Well, that is definitely true. I just got back from my 52-hour trip to Tallahassee with my friend and co-worker who is still a smoker, and my resolve to stay quit is stronger than ever! I don�t know if it�s because my quit is making her feel threatened, but she like chain-smoked for the entire time we were up there. The hotel room we shared was a suite with a bedroom (two full-size beds) and a livingroom/kitchen area. She kept the window open (good thing it wasn�t too cold!) and sat near it, trying to blow the smoke out, even though I kept telling her that the smoke wasn�t bothering me. The meeting that we went to yesterday started at 10:00 am and ended around 4:00 pm. Even though there were frequent breaks built into the agenda, I was sitting right next to her and could see/feel/sense her antsy-ness develop, accelerate, and grow, starting about 30 minutes after each break. Meanwhile, I was serene in my lack of withdrawal symptoms! And it felt GREAT to know that I was NOT feeling what she was feeling! Wasn�t so long ago that would have been ME crawling outta my skin, dying for a smoke, finding it hard to listen, wishing they�d take another break, � and here, after just 17 days, I was sitting there calmly and quietly, not feeling a THING. Last night we watched a movie in the living room and she did the sit-by-the-window-chain-smoking-thing. I went to bed before she did and man, she was OBVIOUSLY relieved that she could close the bedroom door and just RELAX and have a smoke without having to worry about me. She ended up sleeping out there on the couch. When I woke up this morning, my chest felt all congested, that heavy feeling like I used to get after a night of chain-smoking. I thought at first it might be from all the second-hand smoke I�d been around the day before, and maybe it was, but then I coughed � and woohoo, my cilia must be growing back! I�ve never been so happy to see yucky crud in my life, LOL. Tonight when I got home and opened my suitcase, PHEW! It reeked of cigarette smoke! I know that it always does when I travel, but this time it wasn�t MY smoke, ha! So, okay, after this little trip, here are some of the reasons why I feel more resolved in

ON THE WAY BACK FROM HELL

Hey Deck, I wasn't here when you were here before, but nicetameetcha and welcome back! You already have a successful quit under your belt (10 months is 10 months and so the quit WAS successful, just because you started up again doesn't take that 10 months of effort AWAY) so ANYWAY the point is... You KNOW how to do it. You're gonna do just fine this time, and it's gonna be easier for ya, I just know it. :) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/1/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 18 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 566 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $54 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 1 [B]Hrs:[/B] 22 [B]Mins:[/B] 38 [B]Seconds:[/B] 2

two full days without smoking

Hi Lisa, Welcome and good luck! This is a great site to explore - learning about my addiction has helped me a LOT in staying quit so far. Keep posting so we can follow your progress! SammiJo [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/1/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 18 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 566 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $54 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 1 [B]Hrs:[/B] 22 [B]Mins:[/B] 37 [B]Seconds:[/B] 24

Just another addict's story, how I got here, random thoughts, taking steps.

MAN, I wish I'd been this prepared and this informed when I first quit! I didn't find this site until a week later and that first week is HARD! You are going to do this! I'm with faithfreedom, I can't wait to watch your progress! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/1/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 18 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 566 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $54 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 1 [B]Hrs:[/B] 22 [B]Mins:[/B] 39 [B]Seconds:[/B] 37

I've lost one of the main reasons to be quit and it's my first day

Um... the mom might be "firing" you because of the cigarette comment... TELL HER! Tell her that you never smoked around her child, and that you were mortified at her finding out, SO mortified that you QUIT SMOKING RIGHT THEN AND THERE. She just might change her mind, and then you have your motivation back AND one more person invested in your quit. On the other hand, if you were that mortified that you'd quit smoking on the spot like that, I'd say you have motivation beyond just this one mom! I think you'd like to experience self-respect rather than shame. Do it... for you! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/1/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 18 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 566 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $54 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 1 [B]Hrs:[/B] 22 [B]Mins:[/B] 40 [B]Seconds:[/B] 30

c'mere, let me poke you in the eye

There have been moments since my quit when I knew for a FACT that I felt better when I smoked. BUT -- knowing WHY made all the difference in the world for me. One of the major effects of nicotine is the constriction of arteries. Not just a few arteries... ALL OF THEM. When my body started healing and my arteries opened up, I started feeling CRAPPY all over! No doubt, I felt better when my arteries were squeezed tight and I didn't have all this SENSATION! Here's what helped me get through it: Oxygen. For thirty years, I have been conditioned to breath shallowly. I physically could not take in a deep breath, so I didn't. Now that my lungs are CAPABLE of breathing deeply, I'm still not doing it, not without consciously thinking about it anyway. I don't know for sure what the connection is (I presume my newly-opened arteries mean that my body needs the oxygen), but DEEP BREATHING HELPS. It helps with the grumpiness, it helps with the withdrawal symptoms, it helps with keeping my positive outlook on my quit. [size=4][color=red]Smile. Celebrate. Breathe. [/size][/color] [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/1/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 21 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 643 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $63 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 2 [B]Hrs:[/B] 4 [B]Mins:[/B] 54 [B]Seconds:[/B] 31

I'm new

Make up your mind that you want to quit. Then do it. Don't attempt. Don't try. Don't even THINK the word "failure." Just believe that you are strong enough to quit, because you ARE. You are stronger than your addiction, though your addiction would have you believe otherwise. You can do this, if you want to. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/1/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 20 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 628 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $60 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 2 [B]Hrs:[/B] 3 [B]Mins:[/B] 43 [B]Seconds:[/B] 29

New Here...

Hi and welcome! That spacey thing was my least favorite withdrawal symptom! I was so glad when that passed on and I felt like myself again! Great start on your quit! Post often so we know how you're doing! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/1/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 20 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 628 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $60 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 2 [B]Hrs:[/B] 3 [B]Mins:[/B] 43 [B]Seconds:[/B] 41

I Set My Mind Against The Tide

nonic, Your poem is beautiful! You have talent, to be sure. (Ever been to writing.com? If not, you should check it out!) Anyway, I felt compelled to make a graphic to go with your poem. I looked at a LOT of "sailing" photos before picking this one... I like to think those other boats out there are the rest of us, sailing along beside you. :) Again, I very much enjoyed your poem. Well done! [img]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y137/sammijofl/setmymind.jpg[/img]

Finding the Strength

Jan, you were one of the first people on this site to welcome me and give me support and encouragement - and you hadn't even quit yet! So I watched for your posts and it was neat, seeing you work up to the BIG day... and then you did it!! You quit and made it through your fist day!! Then it was two days, then three... and now it's NINE! Holy cow, you're doing GREAT! You are SO much stronger than this addiction! It will be very cool, on January 1st, 2008, to come here and celebrate my first year anniversary... AND I'm gonna hang around for twelve more days and watch you slide into home plate right behind me. =D [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/1/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 20 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 621 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $60 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 2 [B]Hrs:[/B] 3 [B]Mins:[/B] 10 [B]Seconds:[/B] 51