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General : Looking for tips  
     
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 Message 1 of 8 in Discussion 
From: Joel  (Original Message)Sent: 12/7/2005 2:15 PM

Joel,

Here are my current stats:  I have now stopped smoking for 10 days, 21 hours, 13 minutes, 24 seconds. That translates into 272 cigarettes NOT smoked, for a savings of $54.4! I have increased my life expectancy by 22 hours, 40 minutes, 32 seconds.

The first week was relatively easy (except the first 3) but for the past two days it seems like all I do is think about wanting a cigarette.  I know I don't and I am truly dedicated to being free from them this time.  I have a list of reasons of why  I quit that I carry and have also printed out the material from your website that I refer to when the urge gets strong.  I guess now is the roughest part because of the change in lifestyle that is occurring.  I know it is for the best but do you have any  more tips for me?

I have quit before about 5 years ago for a year and a half.  I found the section on your website about relapse very interesting since I forced myself to have my first cig after a break up with my boyfriend.  The section about "smoking will not solve your problems or stresses, it will just add to them" made me realize what I had done back then.  Hopefully I will not repeat that if faced with a stressful situation this time around.  Thanks for your website, it has made the decision to quit easier.

Thanks,

Kellie



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(1 recommendation so far) Message 2 of 8 in Discussion 
From: JoelSent: 12/7/2005 2:19 PM
Related readings:
 

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 Message 3 of 8 in Discussion 
From: JoelSent: 12/7/2005 4:19 PM
Hello again Kerrie:
 
Here are a few other links that I think you will find applicable in lieu of your past experience:
 
 

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 Message 4 of 8 in Discussion 
From: MSN NicknameElevenPinkFlowersSent: 12/7/2005 5:16 PM
Hi Kelly,
 
it is very cool that you have quit!
 
I am sorry you are experiencing a rough period at the moment. However, isn't it great that the last traces of nicotine are leaving your system as we speak, and that you are slowly saying goodbye to something that "belonged to you" for so long? You are writing you suspect that it is the change of lifestyle that makes it so hard for you at the moment. Yes, your soul is healing, too. Give it a chance. It takes a little time.
 
It doesn't take forever, though: Thank God, the process of adapting to life without nicotine is only temporary. Otherwise no-one in their right mind would stay quit! Believe me, you will soon feel different. Soon, you will be just you, without (lack of) nicotine commanding your ways and actions. Being quit feels good and strong, and it lasts forever if you simply NTAP.
 
It is a pity that you relapsed back then. There is a big difference, though: Back then, you did not know what you do know now. You write that you hope you will not make the same mistake again. You cannot simply fall into that trap again: Now you know how to remain smoke-free: NTAP is the key.
 
Of course, stress can cause an urge to smoke, and if you fixate on a "good cigarette now", it can get rather difficult to get yourself out of the hole you dug for yourself.
 
However strong the urge is though, it cannot make you go back to smoking unless your hand picks up a cigarette, puts it into your mouth, then picks up a lighter and sets the end of the cigarette on fire. Then, you would need to inhale... You see: Plenty of time to say: "OK, I want one now. But I am not going to have one. And that's that." Say no!
 
Do you still carry cigarettes around? Don't! Throw them right now, crumble them to a thousand pieces and chuck them.
 
You will be just fine. Keep it going, ten days is a big investment. It would have been for nothing if you relapsed. Wishing you calmer waters from now on!
 
PinkFlowers
Chucked her last pack on 2 March 2005

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 Message 5 of 8 in Discussion 
From: MSN NicknameKelliePfree1Sent: 12/7/2005 6:01 PM
Thanks Pink Flowers!
 
I am so happy to have found this site!  It has given me alot more information on addiction and how to beat it than I have had before.  You are so right about my previous relapse.  I didn't have the tools I needed that time.  Right now I am trying to take things one day at a time.  The past two days were difficult and I have ALOT of triggers to encounter before they will be gone but so far so good.  Some of the links that Joel put out here for me were very helpful.  I took bits and pieces of the information and put it into a document that I printed and will keep that with me to read at any given time that I experience wanting a cig.  The biggest thing I need to stop doing is arguing with the fact that I had an urge and accept that I am having those feelings and think about the reality of smoking rather than the fact that I miss the "good" cig. 
 
I thew out my cigs the day I quit, it would be really hard for me to get one if I felt tempted.  There are no more ashtrays (yuck) or lighters either.  I guess I will, over time and fighting the triggers,  feel more normal and get back to my true self.  Right now it has been difficult due to having a 17 year addiction and the behavior patterns need to change.  I loved the "executive assistant" article.  That was exactly what I needed to read and keep in mind the next time my brain remembers that I used to smoke doing any given activity. 
 
Thank you for the support and NTAP!
 
Kellie

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The number of members that recommended this message. 0 recommendations  Message 6 of 8 in Discussion 
Sent: 12/7/2005 6:42 PM
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 Message 7 of 8 in Discussion 
From: MSN NicknameJoeJFree-Gold-Sent: 12/7/2005 6:46 PM
 
Hi Kellie
 
KelliePFree - I LIKE it!!
 
Next time you get a real serious thought triggered urge take this article out of your pocket or purse and read it carefull thru word for word to the end.
Double benefit -
1) you cannot possibly want to include 'your friend' in your life again after reading the truth.
2) Since craves / urges as a rule last 3 minutes at the most by the time you have completed reading the article the urge should be gone.
 
Maybe it would help to read some stories on the section of the Freedom Board called 1st Post - Diary.  Be sure to hit the 'First' button to begin each journal from the beginning, where you are now.  What you are experiencing is a natural and normal part of the healing process.
Kellie, YOU are doing awesome!  What a wonderful gift you've decided to give yourself.  
Just keep your focus on no nicotine today. Your smoke-free tomorrows will take care of themselves.
 
JoeJ Free - after 40 years of smoking to ingest nicotine now free for 331 days cause I choose each and every day to NotTakeAnotherPuff(of poison)!
Living free as I was meant to be. 
Nicotine-free - Naturally.

Reply
 Message 8 of 8 in Discussion 
From: MSN NicknameKelliePfree1Sent: 12/7/2005 7:13 PM
Thanks JoeJ Free!
 
I guess I just find that these thought about cigs are just annoying and I want them to go away.  Logically I don't want to smoke, the thought of it makes my lungs hurt!  I think my sub-concious just needs to catch up!  hehe
 
Congrats on quiting after 40 years..........talk about established thought patterns!  I thought 17 years was alot.  What an accomplishment.  Now I know that if you have made the choice after 40 years to stop your addiction and are succeeding then I will be able to as well.

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