Archive through November 11, 2003
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TV ClubHouse: archive: Who wants to quit smoking with me? (ARCHIVE): Archive through November 11, 2003

Llkoolaid

Monday, November 10, 2003 - 11:11 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Hang in there Lost, just take it a minute at a time. You can do this, look how far you have come already.

Maris

Monday, November 10, 2003 - 12:37 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Congratulations for making it a week. I remember day seven was a killer for me too. I think it is the psychological hump, it is almost as if your body and mind are telling you this is it kiddo, if you make it through today then you are an exsmoker. I can guarantee you that tomorrow will be a piece of cake. Hang in there, you have just about done it.

Lostintheglades

Tuesday, November 11, 2003 - 07:52 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Thank Ll and Maris!!

Today has been much better so far. My mind still is still a little mushy so I'm still not getting much done at work and last night playing tennis my reaction to the ball was terrible but I'm definitely not thinking "it" as much. More like I'm not thinking about anything right now except maybe food. I'm thinking maybe I should just move the fridge into my office.

DH is taking the week before T-day off and we're going to be building a new shed so I'll be able to stay busy that week.

Sisalou

Tuesday, November 11, 2003 - 08:19 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Congratulations Lost! You have made it a week already.

Meli456

Tuesday, November 11, 2003 - 09:36 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Well, The Great American Smokeout is on Thursday, November 20th so I still have a little more time. This time is for good though, and I will take LLKoolaid's suggestion and use the cigarette money to start the Disneyworld vacation fund. We were planning on doing that anyways, but I think it will grow much faster that way.

LL, thanks for the list. I'm going to print it out and leave it for DH to ponder. I know I can quitting, he's going to have a much harder time of it.

Lumbele

Tuesday, November 11, 2003 - 09:58 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Okay, I admit it, I have avoided this thread out of shame. My attempts have been rather pathetic which is hard to admit.
But I have seen in the New Messages top lines that Lost is tackling what we all have done or would like to do. Lost, you are doing great, hang in there!
Ah, and Meli is waiting for D-Day. Good luck!
Wow, Maris, 2 years and going strong, congratulations!

ed to add Moving upthread and there is Tamalyn getting back on the wagon. Good for you!!!!!!
Denecee is celebrating 10 months. Atta Girl!!!

Denecee

Tuesday, November 11, 2003 - 10:11 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Aww! Lumbele, you are so sweet.
Good job all you!

Landi

Tuesday, November 11, 2003 - 10:12 am EditMoveDeleteIP
why is the great american smokeout ALWAYS ON MY BIRTHDAY??? HUNH?? is this a dang hint or what?... okokokok this year ... i promise on my birthday, November 20th. I WILL QUIT SMOKING!

Llkoolaid

Tuesday, November 11, 2003 - 10:40 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Landi, Lumbele and Meli, great idea to set a date, it gives you time to get the idea that you are doing a wonderful thing for yourself.

Remember, you are getting something not giving up anything.

Please do this:

Make a list of the things that are good about smoking. There are none but if you think of one, think of a substitute that would give you the same feeling.

Now: Make a list of the benefits of not smoking. There are many.

Make a promise to yourself, write down that you are a non-smoker and how proud you feel, and commit to keep trying just one more day. Everytime you get an urge , take out the paper and read it to yourself.

Now pat yourselves on the back, you have taken the first step to being free from cancer sticks for the rest of your life.

Lumbele, there are no pathetic attempts, quitting smoking can be hard or easy, some people find it easy some not, but everytime you try you are getting closer to having that successful attempt. Everyone of us has tried many times. One of my attempts lasted 6 years, some didn't last 6 hours. I now realize that I am a non smoker until I light up again. Which will be never I hope. Anyway it is easy to quit, we quit everytime we put out a cancer stick, then we light one up and start over again. The trick isn't quitting it is not starting again. Thinking that way will help, it kind of makes you think,I am not putting that poison in myself rather than thinking, oh god I haven't let my self smoke for 3 days. Do you see what I mean. You have to think of the positives.

Anyway, when you guys are ready to START being non-smokers we will be there to cheer you on.

Lost, you are well on your way to being a non-smoker for 2 weeks, way to go girl.

Wargod

Tuesday, November 11, 2003 - 11:57 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Congrats Lost!! Great job on the first week!

Landi, Lum, Meli, listen to LL. She gives good advice. And yes, we will be here to cheer you on, or to listen when you want to talk or offer suggestions when you want them. You guys can do it!

Lostintheglades

Tuesday, November 11, 2003 - 12:14 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Lumbele, this is my third attempt. I know many who say they quit but actually they just quit buying them and are quick to ask for one from anyone they can. I hate failure but I hate the control that cigarettes had over me more and decided it was better to keep failing than to stop trying.

I am not even close to being free yet but I know that if I can continue this and make it to the point I was at before there is no way I will ever allow myself to try that "one" cigarette as that was my big downfall before. I admire Tamalyn for being able to get back on the wagon so quickly. I'm not sure I could be so good. Llkoolaid is so right....quiting is hard but it's just as hard not to start again. I've been hospitalized and not smoked for 5 days only to get out and light up as soon as I got in the car.

It is so great to have all of you here supporting me and helping me. It really makes all the difference in the world and perhaps that's what was missing the last time when I quit for 3 months. Although my DH quit with me that time, the kids were constantly reminding me of the fact that I wasn't smoking which made me want to smoke.

I also have a list...mine mostly consists of the control the habit has over me and all the things I avoid doing and places I avoid going because I smoke.

I changed my morning ritual, I take a shower before I drink my coffee and the first few days I didn't drink coffee at all. Instead of rewarding my self later I've chosen to reward myself weekly. I went out today and bought soaps and gels from Body Works. It smells so good in there.

Landi and Meli - I'll be here for ya. Gotta pay it forward. And Meli....when you get to Disneyworld you can give me shout....I'm only about an hour from there.

Maris

Tuesday, November 11, 2003 - 12:51 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Congrats Lost. One week is a huge accomplishment. Soon you will be at the point where you will laugh when you think about the lengths you went to just to have a cigarette.

I remember I had surgery once which required a two week hospital stay and this was back in the days when you could smoke in solariums and there I was hooked up to my I.V. in my hospita gown barely able to breathe smoking my Marlboros. I wasnt alone either. Boy if I could have a photo of that now, a bunch of surgery patients barley able to sit up but strong enough to grab a puff or two.

Lostintheglades

Tuesday, November 11, 2003 - 01:15 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
LMAO Maris!...boy do I remember those days. One of my reasons on my list is that winter is coming and I hate the cold....really don't want to sit on the porch freezing this winter just because I need a smoke. When you put all those things on that list it really is dumb. Years ago it wasn't a big deal because you smoked in your house, at work, where ever you wanted. Now that is not as acceptable it just amazes me the things I do just to smoke a cigarette.

Thanks for the kind words everyone. Makes me feel really good about it and really helps keep me motivated to do this.



Edited to add that you have no idea how much all of you are helping me. You are sooooo appreciated!!!!

Wargod

Tuesday, November 11, 2003 - 01:33 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Lost, I've said it before and will say it again, the memory of standing out on my porch in the desert while it snowed and I froze my butt off was one of the things I reminded myself of often when I was quitting, lol. I just kept repeating, I'll never have to freeze again, I'll never have to freeze again, LOL. I know it sounds silly when theres so many other GOOD reasons to quit, but that was one of the things that really helped me.

Lostintheglades

Tuesday, November 11, 2003 - 01:55 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
LOL Wargod, If you wet your lips did the cigarette stick to them? At least it doesn't snow here but with my reptilian blood I need a sweater when it drops below 72. Keep it coming...I'm adding that one too my list.

Llkoolaid

Tuesday, November 11, 2003 - 01:55 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Lost, go for a drive and look for people outside their workplaces huddled together puffing away, now do you really want to be there or are you just darn glad that you don't ever have to be one of them again. Doesn't hurt to feel just a bit superior to those poor slaves of the cigarette. You deserve it and you are right, pay it forward, that is why I stick around here, I am just trying to give back what I got from this thread.

Lostintheglades

Tuesday, November 11, 2003 - 02:05 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Now I'm wondering how many of those cars that passed me daily were just looking for people like me to make them feel better.

Wargod

Tuesday, November 11, 2003 - 02:05 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
LOL, or watch people in restaurants and stores rushing through what they're doing to get outside and smoke. They can't enjoy a meal, their company, or a shopping trip without needing to rush.

Lostintheglades

Tuesday, November 11, 2003 - 02:06 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Uh oh...paranoia is setting in...is this a withdrawel symptom? LOL You've got the best idea's Ll and always make me smile.

Lostintheglades

Tuesday, November 11, 2003 - 02:07 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Oh my...you two are cracking me up here. That is so me!!! or was...lol...cool.

Egbok

Tuesday, November 11, 2003 - 02:18 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Hi Lost! I've never peeked in this thread and I'm taking a little work break and look who I found...you! Well, well...congratulations on going for this huge improvement in your life! I can't tell you how excited I am for you in taking this big step with lots of small baby steps I'm sure...just keep taking them!!

And Maris, I work in a hospital and it just makes me feel so bad to see those patients hooked up to IV poles, with their oxygen masks pulled up on their foreheads or dangling around their necks just standing outside the cafeteria to smoke a cigarette. Why?? I guess I can't relate because I've never smoked a cigarette in my life. But I really feel bad for those patients and their future well-being.

Lostintheglades

Tuesday, November 11, 2003 - 02:27 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Awww...ty ((((Eggie))))!!!!

Maris

Tuesday, November 11, 2003 - 02:28 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Why? It is an addiction and they dont have any choice about being there. It is a very powerful addiction and anyone who once smoked will tell you what torture it is to give it up. It is easy to laugh about it now but when you are in the middle of it, it isnt all that funny.

Hang in there Lost, you are doing great.

Meli best wishes on your quitting. I know what it is like to quit smoking with another smoker in the house. It is important that he help you out by not smoking around you for the first few days. He needs to take some walks. lol.

Lostintheglades

Tuesday, November 11, 2003 - 02:55 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Thanks Maris. My DH is still smoking. It really isn't bothering me that much since we don't smoke in the house anyway. Makes it a little harder but I don't feel like I'm in competition with him.

Last time we both quit together and he didn't have a problem with it and only started back because I did. He doesn't smoke as much as I do either and I didn't ask him to quit with me this time as he just finished his first year without any Alcohol and I'm really proud of him for hat. I have no doubt that he will quit smoking when he sees that I have succeeded.

I'm looking forward to being able to laugh at myself for the lengths I would take for a cigarette, right now I'm trying to just see how pathetic I am...keeps me in the right frame of mind.

Maris

Tuesday, November 11, 2003 - 03:02 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Dont look at yourself as pathetic, better to look at yourself as a fighter who is in a really tough battle. You will make it. Today was a very big milestone so enjoy it.