Archive through May 22, 2003
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TV ClubHouse: Archive: 2003 May: Who wants to quit smoking with me? (ARCHIVES): Archive through May 22, 2003

Juju2bigdog

Friday, April 18, 2003 - 02:23 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Yay Gracie!!!

Denecee

Monday, April 21, 2003 - 02:13 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
still not smoking....

Juju2bigdog

Monday, April 21, 2003 - 03:13 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Yay Denecee!!!

Dahli

Tuesday, April 22, 2003 - 09:09 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Anybody see John Stossel's program last night on addiction? It was pretty interesting and was basically saying addiction to anything is a choice, which seems to support the mental thing being the 'thing' Once you make up your mind to stop doing whatever 'it' is, then you're done. I've always thought the human mind was a powerful thing so this was quite a fascinating program to me personally.

Dilligaf

Tuesday, April 22, 2003 - 11:47 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I haven't been to this thread in a LONG time! But here's some encouragement for all the quitters...I am one year and six months smoke free! And now I'm pregnant....I'm so glad I quit when I did. Even though I gained weight, I'm still better off not smoking. Hang in there everyone!! Your lungs deserve it!

Llkoolaid

Tuesday, April 22, 2003 - 04:14 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Hey Dilli, I remember you. Congratulations. Was it you that was getting married, I can't remember there were quite a few of us that quit at the same time. I have stuck with it also. Feels great doesn't it. Good luck with the new Baby, when is it due.

Tashakinz

Friday, April 25, 2003 - 08:45 am EditMoveDeleteIP
just checking in...still okay...better week this week. = )

Urgrace

Friday, April 25, 2003 - 05:21 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
One month and 10 days looking forward to that number turning around to 10 mo 1 day! Hang in there Tash.

Hubby has quit too! Yippee!

Juju2bigdog

Friday, April 25, 2003 - 07:53 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Hang in there, Tasha, you are definitely on the downhill slope now.

Yay Gracie for hubby quitting. I knew YOU could do it.

Tashakinz

Friday, May 02, 2003 - 08:04 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I've lost track of the days...I take that as a good sign lol. A quick look at the calendar tells me tomorrow will make 16 weeks. I'm even going to have my first beer since I quit tonight. Drinking and smoking have always been deeply associated with one another and it's time to break that troublesome twosome up. lol

How's everyone else doing??

Tash

Denecee

Friday, May 02, 2003 - 08:46 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Hey Tash! Good to see you are tackling that troublesome twosome! I am feeling no pain from the not smoking habit. My husband is doing awesome too. He smoked most of his life and has been smoke free for as long as I have been(since 1/1/03). I feel so free! Yeah, for all of us non-smokers!

Juju2bigdog

Friday, May 02, 2003 - 07:48 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Wowee, Tasha and Denecee and Denecee hubby!!! I do believe y'all are now non-smokers! Yay!!!

Okay, time to start hauling some other folks in here.

Llkoolaid

Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 04:23 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I agree Juju, time for spring cleaning so let's start with some lungs.

Juju2bigdog

Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 05:43 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
<does 20 jumping jacks, does not cough once>



Yay!!!

Denecee

Monday, May 12, 2003 - 03:56 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Yay for Juju!!!!!!

Tashakinz

Friday, May 16, 2003 - 11:08 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Just checking in - doing okay - how's everyone else??

Llkoolaid

Friday, May 16, 2003 - 01:52 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Good for you Tasha, it is kind of slow around here but I try to check in every few days in case we have a new quitter. Keep it up, you have done such a great job.

Marameko

Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 12:39 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Has any smoker here ever tried using the opposite hand ? For many this tip does not work, but for those who find the thought odd do give it a try. It will slow you down and force you to pay ATTENTION to what you are doing.
Other tips:
* IF you can use either hand, force yourself to sit facing a wall or focusing on a tree, flowers while smoking to make you to concentrate on smoking
*Smoke only in 1 location, disassociate smoking with other areas of your home.DO NO SELECT a chair in your family or living room close to the remote/tv or the COMPUTER !!!

* IF you have quit are you learning good coping strategies if you are tempted ? I.E. gum, candy, chewing on a drinking straw as opposed to a pen or pencil ?

* Keep bite sized fruit and veggies available, especially if you are concerned about gaining weight. Try this : wash grapes, pull from the bunch, freeze and pop in your mouth for nice cool treat.Chew once they get soft !!

* IF you quit ask yourself " Am I a full fledged ex smoker or am I simply refraining for now "? If refraining why is that ? What must you do to remain tobacco free ?

* When you smoke, no multitasking.........JUST SMOKE.

* Please post your comments as to what pleasure you get from smoking.........be specific, I would love to know your answers.I am doing an unscientific survey with thse I coach through a wellness program here in West Virginia.

Denecee

Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 01:19 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Marameko- I started smoking when I was 28, that was ten years ago. There were times when I didn't smoke for 6 to 9 months. I haven't smoked since 12/31/02 and don't believe I will ever smoke again.
The only reason I smoked was to get away from it all, while I smoked I didn't do anything else.
I have always been an exerciser but now I exercise more to get away from it all. Hope that makes sense.

Llkoolaid

Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 04:26 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Thanks for joining us Mamameko, your advice will help our newest quitters.

For anyone that doesn't know, Mamameko's job is to help people quit smoking so when I heard that I asked her to check us out. I am so happy, now we have a pro in our thread.

I know no one owns a thread but I have a special attachment to this one. I give it all the credit for helping me quit smoking forever.

Marameko

Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 05:57 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Glad to know you are tobacco free Llkoolaid.

Actually my work as a Tobacco Coach is a part time job. My training as a Social Worker was helpful in getting this part time job. During the day I am state of WV employee, but I am blessed to also have the Coach position where I help people, earn extra $ while sitting in the kitchen of my townhome with a head set on and lots of resource material in front of me.I work as little or as much as I want ! I find that one has to want to quit to be successful.
Remember the 4D's of Smoking:

** Drink H20, helps flush the nicotine.
** Delay the urge.......wait, don't just light up.
**Distract yourself........have a hoby. What is your passion ? Don't just think about folding the towels or running the vacum cleaner, do what you enjoy.
** Remember Deep breathing or visualization to relax yourself. Nicotine is a stimulant so tobacco does not calm you down, what calms you is that you are doing something that you enjoy.

Daisymae

Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 09:16 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I'm new here at this site. I signed up during the night but didn't get my password until it was too late. I'm on the nicotine patch (was) & stopped smoking for 5 1/2 weeks. However, I got many feelings, excitement etc. about things regarding Clay Aiken. I also didn't have the proper food in the house so was eating badly & drinking caffeine & just messed up emmotionaly. I have smoked for 42 years, have been trying to quit for one year off & on. I thought this effort was going to be the final one. I bought a pack of cigs. today, hope I just smoke one & will attempt again tomorrow. I need all your support & ideas. The grapes are a great idea. I have to get to the store tho & stock up on food. I absolutely have to quit, had a heart attack & stent in Dec. & a Bypass In my abdomen in Mar. for a blocked artery. I just started Cardiac Rehab & need to go tomorrow so I can't be smoking. I also have COPD. PLEASE HELP ME, I NEED YOUR SUPPORT. I don't want to go to Nicotine Anonymous.

Marameko

Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 10:01 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Daisy:
Along with using the patch you have to learn new coping strategies to deal with your cravings once you complete the patches.This means:

*Alter your am routine, a diferent chair, flavor of coffee,tea, make your bed first then shower or vide versa.
*Know your "triggers", what causes you to want to smoke ? With coffee, after meals ? For example no longer drink coffee with cigs, if you are weaning yourself off of the cigs put distance between coffee and a cig. Brush your teeth right after a meal.
* Keep Busy ! exercise
* List specific reasons why you want to quit and post prominently:on your fridge, at your bedside table.
* Call a tobacco quitline in your area, call The American Heart Association.

Juju2bigdog

Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 10:21 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Okay, troops, everybody over here. We got one that need us a lot.

COPD = Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease I had to look that up, so that is why I put it here, figured others didn't know what it means either.

Daisymae, we have had quite a few people succeed in quitting here at tvch. They did it in various ways. The only way that is the best way is the one that works for YOU. You might read through all the archives up above and see what inspirations might work for you. Or see if any one thing particularly "clicks."

Somewhere, off in cyberspace is a whole 18 months worth of encouragement and advice. I wish I knew how to retrieve it so you could read all of that. Not that is is so great, although some of it was, but just because it was all about how individuals coped with becoming nonsmokers. And, because, heh, you could come here and read it when you got the urge real bad, and often the urge would go away while you were reading.

Do we have any mods who can tell us how to retrieve the quitting smoking thread from the very beginning?

For all of us, Daisy, but especially for you, one thing you have to realize is smoking is not your friend, as it makes you think it is. It is NOT a source of comfort although it seems to be. It is, in fact, killing you, and you are letting it do it. I know part of your mind can grasp that fact right now, but it won't become crystal clear until you get free of its grasp.

I'm so sorry you fell back after 5 and a half weeks. You were SO close! Well, nothing to do but start again. Come here and post daily, hourly, if you want. ANYTHING that works. You will find folks here that will support you and help you get there through the tough times.

Good luck on saving your life, Daisymae. We will help.

Denecee

Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 11:04 am EditMoveDeleteIP
DaisyMae, take it one day at a time and post your sucess here as much as you need, daily or hourly. My uncle put down a 40 plus year habit just this past Dec. and he smoked 2-3 packs a day!

What helped me was thinking about the money I would save(approx $500 to date) and how much easier my exercising would be(1398 miles this year). I also wrote down all the reasons not to smoke and put it where I could read it daily.

Hope to see you here often!