TC's Challenge - Please help

I quit about 8 years ago..cold turkey. I carried the cigarettes in my purse the first week, just to prove that this was a DECISION I was making and not forcing myself to do it...(ah, the games we play with ourselves..) Anyway, I persevered and finally threw them away.

Someone mentioned the habits that linger after..I know the worst for me was learning how to drive the car without a lit ciagrette.

The best part was going into a grocery store and being able to tell (smell) when I was getting close to the coffee aisle.

Congratulations to all you ex-smokers, I am very proud of all of you. Every day it is easier to not think about them.

tazzy....quit now. In this forum you have quite a few buddies to help. The buddy system will work for you. Give it a try. You can do it!

earthling...congrats on quitting. Your hints and tips on how you did it will be a great contribution to this thread. Hope you stand near by!

Yeah tazzy! Wise old sage, Shoe, is right on with that statement. Don't put it off! Go for it now. Do it while this thread is still active and folks are here encouraging you and buddying with you.

Hi Guy's, I've been smoke Free for 9 days now, Everything smells different :-) I've washed all the curtians in the house.. (they smelled soooo bad) Yuck!!!! lol I've noticed now when I walk by someone who smokes, It REALLY does stink! I always thought that was just yaya before lol...

I'm very happy I made the choice to stop smoking, It took awhile to build up the nerve. I had a newly opened pack of smokes 9 days ago & had been keeping them in the freezer before that so I'd have to make an effort to get one to smoke it & today I tossed out that opened pack :-)

If your out there lurking , thinking about getting off the smokes, PLEASE DO...This is the time and these wonderful people can & will help you get thru it...

Thank you all for your kind words and support..It has been such a huge help to me...

I don't miss them at all now & sure don't miss the nasty yuck mouth! ;-)

Big Hug's, Carol

Way to go Carol! Nine days, thats excellent. Wait until you clean the inside windows of your car! That's enough to make you want to stop right there.
You are doing great!
D

Good for you, tossing those sticks!

Excellent! Way to go, dixiechick Carol!

And you actually sound like you're enjoying it! Now that is a great thing, eh?!

Congrats...and keep up the good work, and the encouragement you give to others!

WOW! I'm happy for you Carol...and all you others that have made this important decision!! ((((HUGS)))) Jo

You guys are doing great! Keep up the great work, we are all rooting for each and every one of you. Old_Rose, we'll be rooting for you too on the 21st. You can do it!!!!

This thread is wonderful!!! As an X smoker I hope everyone that is still a smoker will jump on board with all the ones that are quitting.

Ruth

I just finally got glance at this thread and it is so very long that I couldn't read it all at one sitting...lol

TC and Dixiechick,
I never smoked, so I can't even begin to think how hard it must be to stop. My dad smoked cigars during my growing up years. It was awful, I had such horrible sinus problems from the smoke. Dad died 7 years ago, hardly had any lungs left. I am so glad you two (and anyone else in this thread that I could have missed) are taking such an important leap.

You are not only doing this for yourselves, but for those who love you. You are giving them one of the greatest gifts you can give..you care enough to say "I can do this!"

Please know I am pulling for you!

thanks for checking on me I am right on track where I want to be this week has been one for changing habits. Anywhere I use to smoke I can't anywhere I never thought to smoke before I can. I am looking forward to my birthday like never before. Keep up the good work all of you who have kicked the habit you are my inspiration after all " if you can do it anyone can" . Talk to ya'all soon
Sandy

Hi everyone!

Two weeks as of yesterday and still smokeless!!

I'm at Felder Rushing's place in Jackson, Mississippi as I type this update. Me and the kids are havin a great time visitin everyone. We especially had a wonderful visit with Yardbird and her DH, and Smiln32 and her two girls.

I'll be headin back north today.

Have to go eat a bite now!

TC...

three days smok freeand i have not killed any one yet ,dear husband is hinding in room till i get thru withdrawal .Cat wont even come in same room wiyh me im a little pithy right now but THANk GOD I QUIT>Well all the credit goes to GOD and friends and family ,and the suport i get on here .THIS is the most loving group of people i ever met.YOU don't know how much good you do for others .hugs to all and GOD bless every one of you.

Yay...Go tazzy Go!

3 days is excellent...keep it up.

How are you doing it? Taking walks? eating hard candy? chewing gum? Got the patch?

Any tips you can give others here?

hip hip horray you guys are great inspiration keep up the good work. Any tips will be greatly appreciated.

Congrats Carol & TC. You guys are doing so good!! Major Way to Go! This buddy system thing is really working well for you guys. Now if I could just get my stubborn husband a quitting buddy...

Tazzy, YAY for you for joining the little support group here and quitting. Good Luck and keep up the good work!

Way to go Tazzy! Your quitting will help Carol and TC too.
As for tips I think it depends on the person. My husband loved getting in cash everyday what he would have spent on cigarettes. He sure had a stash after a year and I was broke, but it was worth it. One friend of ours sat in a bathtub for 5 days straight drinking grapefruit juice. I am not sure if it was the bath, the juice or feeling like a prune but he quit and has been a nnonsmoker now for 20 years. Can't imagine sleeping in a tub full of water but he did!
Quitting is hard but you have faced an even bigger challenge so I know you can do it Tazzy. Just remember one day at a time or need be one hour at a time.
Carol and TC how is your food tasting. If you thought it tasted good while you were a smoker you must be in heaven now.
Keep up the battle .... you are doing great.
Dianne

Sure hope he change the water! ;)

Kimberley, I've always wondered about that but didn't have the nerve to ask. Can't imagine sitting in a cold bath for days on end though. D

I did similar to what someone else suggested..to just wait a while. Whenever I felt a craving, I would tell myself to wait 1 hour, then get involved with doing something..anything. Next time it was wait 1 hour again..etc..etc..soon, it got longer and longer between times I thought about it. It has been about 8 years now still waiting for that hour to end..LOL

I was so ready to quit, I think thats why I just didnt cheat this time..not even once...and now I can take a deep breath without coughing, not getting bout after bout of bronchitis, asthma attacks and close calls with pneumonia. I can smell things, I can breath once again, and I am so happy to be alive and smoke free.

Kris

WAY TO GO TAZZY!!!!!!! Keep up the good work :-)

Isnt it great ? Just look at this thread now..So many people miles apart touching lives and helping people unknown to them other than here at DG's.. I'm amazed at the love & support from you all... :-)


Dianne, The taste of food now is WAY good..lol maybe to good, have put on a few pounds here but, I'd rather be a bit heavy than smoking...I'm sure I'll get the weight gain in check soon..

Anybody have any tips on that part of the problem?

Hug's, Carol

im kina weak so ive got patch.taking b-12, walking weeding .trying to stay busy .and if its real bad i go stomp on ants or any thing else that look like it needs a kick . I started to call my X that use to beat me ,to chalage him to rematch 40 years later i think i can take him down in the mood im in HEE,HEE .drinking lots of water and juice

This message was edited Jul 19, 2004 3:42 PM

Hah!!! tazzy...you're the best~!

You could take anyone on right now! (Even yourself!)

You're doing good!

tazzy...you are kicking butt of a much tougher enemy than any ex could be..and look at you, you are winning...We are all so proud of you. Just try not to dwell on what you are trying to do, the longer you can keep your mind on something else, the better (and easier) it will be..

Also remember, if you have made it past the first 2 days, it is not your body cravings anymore, it is your mind, which is why its so important to give your mind better things to think about.

YOU GO, GIRL!!!!

hey everybody, it's been a few days since I've been on. I have wanted to quit soooo bad. I got the patches-didn't work. Tried "cold turkey" didn't work. Yall can't imagine how bad I want to quit and how very mad I get at myself because I can't. When I was starting to get my mind really set on it(bout week ago) I had alot of family turmoil and moved out. Maybe this is a good time to quit, but then I get upset over "troubles with stuff" and next thing I know BAM! I hate it. And I believe hate is a very strong word.
Carol, you don't live too far from me..maybe I can take you to lunch and hang out with a non-smoker?
Sandy, You're gonna quit the 21rst? Maybe we can together?
Thank you all for all your support and encouragement.
Liz

liz...that's a great idea. Why not marked the 21st on your calendar? That'll be a good time to stop...or start stopping!

Plus you and Old Rose can do it "hand in hand", so to speak.
(Why not download that link she gave above, that would be another good tool to use also.)

Lizbar you sound just like me I have spent hundreds on quit items that didn't work. Patches, gum, smoke away, none worked hypnosis worked the best for me in the past I have a support tape from that session that I am going to listen to this time. I finally decided nothing can make it easy but prep time will make it easier the rest is just going to me my will against my addiction and I hate to lose. This week I bought juniper berries and bottled water and vitamin B compex dug up my old hypnosis tape and changed my habits I am really ready for this. When I checked my countdown clock and it said I have 1 day 22 hrs until quit time it actually make me smile instead of shaking in fear. I would love to have a quit buddy if you want to celebrate my birthday with me I will be glad to have the company.

Sandy
OH BTW. just checked my clock and ....... I will quit in 1 Day, 17 hours, 23 minutes and 3 seconds.

edited to say: actually when I think about it it is not just my will but the will and friendship and encouragement of all my garden friends too!!! (quite an invincible force) Thanks as always.
Sandy

This message was edited Jul 19, 2004 2:23 PM

Sandy, you definitely sound ready! That is wonderful that you are actually looking forward to it. Can't wait until the time comes so we can cheer you on to.

old rose go girl i din't thiink i could either ive tried on and off last 15 years but im doing it now and i can breath again

I call all those other times my practice runs. Thanks for the encouagement. Looking forward to Wednesday.

There is no way in this wonderful world God made that I can express how emotional I am after reading all the posts here. I have tears at the corners of each eye, my heart is elated and hurting at the same time.

I guess, no...I know I am one of the lucky quitters. It's now been 16 days since I've had a cigarette. I quit cold turkey. I still find that very hard to believe.

My heart aches for all of you here that are struggling to do as I've done. I wish there was a way I could be there with all of you when you're at your lowest points. I've mentioned it before and I'll say it again: If you need someone to talk to, I'm available. Send me an email and I'll send ya my phone number, you can call collect, just call!

I've always heard that when a smoker quits, his/her taste buds rejuvenate and an ex-smoker will start noticing tastefully tasteful tastes that were never noticed before.
Well...
I'm here to tell ya that it is the absolute truth that things start tasting better! And it's been everthing for me; bread, water, milk, juice, beans, corn-on-the-cob, chicken, alligator (had some of that this past weekend down in New Orleans), coffee, ice cream, butter beans, biscuits and gravy, eggs, fig preserves, chewing gum,doughnuts, etc...etc...

TC...

This message was edited Jul 20, 2004 7:42 AM

TC you are my hero... 16 days I can't wait to say that. Keep up the good work !!!!!

TC, Is this AMAZING Or what??? I never would have thought so many people would be pulling for those of us who have quit & the ones wanting to quit :-) You guys are WONDERFUL!

Liz & Sandy, I'm counting down the time with y'all.....You can do it!!!!

Just keep saying> I think I can.... I think I can...

Hug's Carol

ps
Liz, U have mail

O.K. then it's set. I will not buy anymore cig. I can't download that- I moved and no longer have my own computer. But, I believe I will get a special calendar and mark each day- also a journal to write in because I know I will need something to occupy my hands.
Sandy- i asked my dad to hypnotize(sp) me the next time I go to his house. He's a psychologist. He told me i first needed to figure out why I smoked and all that.
Guess I'll be doing alot of writing.
Carol, I checked my mail. Please call me and we can maybe set a time to meet. I will need a non-smoker to talk to. The few people I do talk to all smoke. So if you don't mind will you call me? I gave my number in the last email.
Thanks everyone, Liz

TC, you doing great! I am now 8005 days smoke free! I also quit cold turkey. I was a 3 pack a day smoker. I have never thouched a cigarette or any other thing since.
I still contend that the habit is all in your head, not because of some drug affecting you. 2 weeks after I quit, I couldn't stand the smell of the stuff, let alone crave it!
I quit for a silly reason really; cigarettes were going up to $7.00 a carton! Plus my kids were after me to quit also.
Well everybody keep up the good work!
Bernie

God has blessed this thread and each of you who have posted to it. I am touched by the outpouring of love that slips into each post here.

For those of you who are still striving to successfully take this challenge, please know that you are in the thoughts and prayers of many people. You will prevail. God is with you and so are all of us here at Dave's.

Good for all of you! I'm just catching up on threads and WOW, what a great bunch of testimonials here!

Way to Grow!

I think it is just fantastic that there have been such great quitters here and I also feel bound to remind you that are struggling that if you break down and smoke one you only have to try not to smoke the next one and the next. Don't beat yourself up for smoking one this is not a contest to see who can do it the fastest or the easiest but a life long change of habit. We who have never smoked and others here who have quit are here to help you by holding your cyber hand and leading you through the tough days ahead.

Take care of yourselves all of you and may your gardens be as healthy or healthier as you walk down this garden path into the land of non smoking! May your tastebuds recognize the best flavors of the day and give you encouragement too.

Lani

This message was edited Jul 20, 2004 1:42 AM

I've been lurking and reading and crying and smiling. This is a wonderful event! I'm proud of each and every one of you. And yes, that includes all you procrastinators too! Don't feel like you've missed the boat, jump on and join the party. We're not going anywhere. Let's keep this row row row your boat a rolling along. Every week we'll have another new member of the quitters club! Let TC's progress pull you along; jump in the wake and ride his tailfin! He's quite a testiment to the power of the personal spirit and this thread is a testiment to the power of Dave's Garden. I keep finding a new reason each day to be proud to be a DGer. hugs all around ((((((((((())))))))))))