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Tuzza
Member
08-19-2005
| Sunday, August 13, 2006 - 1:33 pm
Just saw this thread. I smoked for 18 years. Pack plus a day. I quit cold turkey. I stopped June 10th and so far have not went back. Still very much a struggle for me right now. I look at it like this, I want nothing more than to cigarette right now except to not be a smoker. So I try to hold on to that feeling for as long as I can, Good luck to all that are quitting
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Juju2bigdog
Member
10-27-2000
| Sunday, August 13, 2006 - 4:10 pm
Sorry to hear that, Dfennessey. You didn't try to smoke "just one" did you? Ah well, all you can do is get right back at it. And kill the beast before it kills you. Good luck! Tuzza, quitting since June 10th is great! It is hard, that's for sure, but I think I have read about your medical problems elsewhere. You are doing what you have to do. Yay Tuzza!!!
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Dfennessey
Member
07-25-2004
| Friday, August 18, 2006 - 3:56 pm
Actually Juju it was the fact that no one would give me just one. i had a couple (one at a time on different day and in different weeks) and i was fine did not really crave one after that. i am still very hopefull because that was my first time ever giving it up and now i know what to expect. i know i can do it
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Tuzza
Member
08-19-2005
| Sunday, August 20, 2006 - 12:39 pm
I made a decision to tell my students (I am a high school teacher) that I had quit smoking. I really talked to them about the fact that had I quit at their age it would have been soooooo much easier than what I am going through right now. I am glad I told them, they bought me this tear off count up calendar to record my days quit. They were cute about it. Though you ultimately have to quit smoking for yourself and I certainly did, they are extra motivation. I love those kids to death, I would hate to let that group down. Thanks for the support JuJu. I feel good about it. Though, I could never argue that smoking brings about a ton of medical concerns/issues. I have been pretty fortunate in my life to have good health. I had intended on trying to stop smoking earlier and I injured my back and required surgery. It was not able to put the cigarettes down during that pain, I recognize it was a crutch, but it was one I was using. I quit 10 days after surgery and so far still fighting along. I get to go into work tomorrow and rip off more days on my calendar to a roomful of proud kids. I am finally at the spot that I think I am ready to take on a diet. I definitely put some on with stopping, I think I am ready to let go of the snacking. Tomorrow is my start day for that. Whomever else is going through this, good luck to you, trust me I understand.
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Retired
Member
07-11-2001
| Sunday, August 20, 2006 - 12:46 pm
Good luck, Tuzza, and everyone else.
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Shadoe
Member
11-04-2004
| Monday, August 28, 2006 - 6:39 pm
Still not smoking, and I seldom really think about it anymore.
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Juju2bigdog
Member
10-27-2000
| Monday, August 28, 2006 - 9:46 pm
Yay Shadoe!!! You are about a 99.8% non-smoker right now. You did a terrific job of killing the beast.
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Juju2bigdog
Member
10-27-2000
| Monday, August 28, 2006 - 9:51 pm
Oh, and congratulations, Tuzza for your success to date!!! I have been out of touch for a while here, so I just read up to the messages I missed. Dfennessey, I do think you get stronger each time you make up your mind to try again. You have to somehow wrap your mind around the conclusion that you are fighting for your life and not giving up a dear friend. If you can't make it to that mindset, you are going to miss your dear friend so badly you might not make it.
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Retired
Member
07-11-2001
| Tuesday, August 29, 2006 - 6:09 am
Congratulations Shadoe and Tuzza! Defennessey - hang in there!
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Shadoe
Member
11-04-2004
| Sunday, September 03, 2006 - 1:42 pm
Juju, how long do I have to wait till I am a100% non smoker? I want to get that last 2% out of the way. I have to be getting close because there have been times when I have walked by some smoker and the smoke bothered me a bit.
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Juju2bigdog
Member
10-27-2000
| Sunday, September 03, 2006 - 6:07 pm
Shadoe, it is 2/10ths of a percent, not 2%. Well, uhhhhh ... when you walked by the smoker, did you feel sorry for them? That they still "had" to smoke? Because when you are hooked, you have no choice, you "have" to smoke. Actually, if you are at the point where the smoke now smells icky and you think how could I ever have done that, you might be a total non-smoker. 
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Shadoe
Member
11-04-2004
| Monday, September 04, 2006 - 3:09 am
I am trying hard to NOT be like some other ex-smokers who try to push quitting onto others. I did not like them, so I sure don't want to be one of them. What I think when I pass them - I did not feel sorry for them because they may truly be like I was and believe that they can't quit. Sure, some may be enjoying it and not wanting to quit, but that's OK too. If I had not been ready to quit, I don't think I could have quit. There's a guy at work who quit with Zyban and did not smoke for some time, but he started again. Why? Because he enjoyed it. There are many things that are harmful to your body, but people still continue with them. The stuff is legal, so it's all a matter of choice. The odd time I wonder what it would be like to have a cigarette, but then I think naw, who cares? I think I'll wait till April 1st before I say I am a solid non-smoker. After a year, it would be like starting smoking for the first time, and I sure don't want to do that.
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Juju2bigdog
Member
10-27-2000
| Monday, September 04, 2006 - 7:47 am
You go, Shadoe!! Are you doing anything special with the money you are not spending on smokes? Some people like to figure it up and do something special with it because it is like found money. Congratulations to the other non-smokers. Seems like we have not had anybody check in for a while. Tuzza? You doing okay?
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Shadoe
Member
11-04-2004
| Monday, September 04, 2006 - 7:57 am
Juju, you betcha I am using that extra money. I am blowing it all on the gym and yoga classes; I must have deeply ingrained suicidal tendencies - if I won't kill myself with drinking and smoking, I will just have to kill myself with fitness. The hot yoga is so brutal that sometimes I think I should quit it and go back to smoking and eating at McD's! Just kidding.
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Lumbele
Member
07-12-2002
| Monday, September 04, 2006 - 12:12 pm
Yep, Shadoe, that sounds familiar. Isn't this healthy living an expensive pain? With our cig prices, you'd think we'd be far ahead as non-smokers. Well, phooey!! Hi, everyone! Still hanging in there here, too. Instead of the daily "I wanna have *just one* drag" thoughts, I am down to weekly hankerings. Progress, I guess, after almost 2 years.LOL Juju, I guess I am not an ex just yet, because I am still not pitying those puffing away outside buildings. Thought #1 = ick, that stinks; thought #2 = *just one drag* would be nice. In winter I may be glad again not to be freezing outside with them, but then I rarely went to non-smoking venues. In spite of it all, I still don't *really* want to go back to that yoke. So I'll just have to stick with it and stay nicotine-free, eh?LOL Hang in there, new butter-outers! If someone like me can do it, you can, too. Honest!
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Shadoe
Member
11-04-2004
| Monday, September 04, 2006 - 1:59 pm
Lumbele, there are days when I honestly don't have a smoking thought enter my mind. I have to also say that I have very few thoughts of "just one", but I am disappointed that I don't feel tons better since I quit. Maybe because it's been only since April 1st - I just expected to feel somehow healthier. I mean I don't even get less winded when at the gym, so how come? How long do I have to wait till I see/feel some big changes? Ah well, I'll just go with the thought that my insides are thanking me; at the very least, I am glad I won't be one of the people outside when it's 20 below! I agree with Lumbele; it can be done and it's way easier than I ever thought it would be. Here I was, ready for a HUGE fight to quit, and nothing - it was disappointingly easy.
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Lumbele
Member
07-12-2002
| Monday, September 04, 2006 - 4:56 pm
It is rather disappointing when we do something as difficult as quitting smoking, and then don't immediately feel healthy and spry. Instead we grow sideways and suddenly really become aware of all the aches and pains from which we used to distract ourselves with puffs before. And don't forget all that time we used to spend attached to a cig and all the "free" time we now have to actually *do* something. Could it be that filling that time could also be the reason for being tired and not noticing our increased energy/activity? In spite of it all, I am still dang glad I quit. There is also a certain satisfaction, a certain pride in the accomplishment, which gives an emotional boost. And dang!!! At least my lungs *must* be thrilled to be able to start "blushing" again, right?
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Tuzza
Member
08-19-2005
| Monday, September 04, 2006 - 5:26 pm
Tuzza? You doing okay? Thanks JuJu, Next Sunday will be three months for me. Over the last few weeks I would have said I am officially over it. It has almost made me sick to see or be near. Of course, finding out on Friday I am pregnant, cleared a lot of that up for me! Thank goodness I quit and I definitely have some new motivation for staying on the right track. I am with you Lumbele, you would think after three months I could get rid of the morning cough/hack routine. It has gotta be right around the corner!
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Lumbele
Member
07-12-2002
| Monday, September 04, 2006 - 6:03 pm
Yay, Congratulations, Tuzza!!!!!!!! What wonderful news *and* motivation to steer clear of cigarettes!
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Juju2bigdog
Member
10-27-2000
| Monday, September 04, 2006 - 9:56 pm
Yay Tuzza!!! On both counts! Well, there you go, Lumbele. I bet it no longer hurts when you take a really big breath in. And I bet your lungs no longer rattle when you take that really deep breath. No morning hacking.
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Retired
Member
07-11-2001
| Tuesday, September 05, 2006 - 6:39 am
Congrats Tuzza!! And Yay for Shadoe and Lumbele! It's almost 4 years smoke-free for me and I'm pretty sure I mentioned upthread that if I hadn't quit my doc told me this disease I got in 2005 would have killed me. I also bought a car with the money I've saved. Hang in there non-smokers!!
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Tuzza
Member
08-19-2005
| Tuesday, September 05, 2006 - 7:16 am
Thanks for the support I would be lying if I said I wasn't a bit freaked out and completely shocked. This was the last thing I had in mind. But small blessings right? I am just grateful I stopped smoking. There were many times that I wanted to smoke, if I had just had one I would have started full time again. I am grateful for whatever motivation that I had and that this baby has never "smoked second hand" Continued success to you all and remember sometimes we can't always see the why.
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Shashakaye
Member
05-19-2003
| Tuesday, October 03, 2006 - 8:56 am
Today is my first day quitting. I got the gum and it seems to be helping quite a bit. I was a smoker for 26 yrs and this is the first time I have tried to quit. So far, so good.
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Graceleigh
Member
09-22-2006
| Tuesday, October 03, 2006 - 9:09 am
Hello-jumping in...normally on the Big Brother board but congratulations and keep at it...I've been smoke-free for about 4 weeks.
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Retired
Member
07-11-2001
| Tuesday, October 03, 2006 - 12:22 pm
Congrats Shasha and Graceleigh!!!! Good start and you can do it. Each day will get easier. Glad you both decided to quit the nasty habit. A suggestion--start putting that $$ you are saving aside. I did for 3 yrs. and was able to buy a car!! Juju will probably be along to add her congrats.
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