Stop Smoking Support Thread
Comments
-
Oh Jo, I don't know how you did it solo, the half a cigarette made you dizzy like the first one you ever had didn't it. Remember how grown up you thought it made you at the same time making you dizzy and nauseous. It must have been a hellacious day to even make you try it. I so hope tomorrow is a quieter day for you, wish I could be there if only to be your gofer girl. hugs to you, Karen
0 -
I am not going to let this derail me. I was very aware something like this could happen. This is my first busy season without smoking. I do avoid the "triggers". I actually felt somewhat better afterwards just knowing I could put this one behind me and move forward. Thanks ladies for all your support and encouragement.
0 -
Can't thank you all enough for the endless support.
It's strange, but I found the first two weeks easier , than now. I think I was waiting for some instant magic changes to happen after quitting, for example-look younger for 10 years
, a fairy tale Dr. knock on my door and tell me I have 100% guarantee, I will not get cancer any more, or maybe at least an award because I was such a good girl to quit.. I know it makes little sense, if makes any, but I think this is what I was at least expecting for giving up something that was such a big part of my life. But, let me get more reasonable and real - I need to quit because it is very harmful for me, without expecting the whole Universe to applaud !!!!! Oh I need to read the benefits of quitting and this thread 24/7 to keep myself on the track...0 -
Karina -For what ever reason(s) we quit - it all has to be for the good. You are doing so very well. I do agree with you - this thread is so full of support and we do tend to keep each other on track.
0 -
Jo-You can ignore this if you want but I just wanted to say that you have the right attitude. So you had a slip, it happens BUT you didn't let it go into a relapse--and that is the important part. Seaside had good advice.
From my Tip book:
1. Learn the difference between a slip and a relapse.
• A slip is an "oops", "I slipped and smoked one or two cigarettes".
• A slip means there is something more to learn about becoming smoke-free.
• A relapse is going back to full time smoking or the development of a pattern of smoking such as "I only smoke three a day, after every meal." Or . "I only smoke when I drink."
• Usually a relapse means smoking every day for one week.2. Learn what to do if you do slip and smoke one or two cigarettes:
• Re-commit to becoming smoke free.
• Avoid thinking you have failed. A slip means a situation came up that overwhelmed your ability to cope.
• Use the slip as a learning experience. What happened? What can I do instead when this situation comes up again?
• Let a slip slide.3. Watch what you are saying and learn to think about smoking in a different way:
• "One cigarette is too many and 1000 not enough."
• "I'm a puff away from a pack a day."
• Don't believe that you are more powerful than nicotine and can control a physical addiction.
• Remind yourself what a powerful hold nicotine has on your survival instinct(PS, I'm just about done with a total revision to my "Tip" book--which is still available for FREE for anyone who wants it. Just send me your regular email address.
After this revision, it's going to the editor and it's going to be printed. Yeah!)
0 -
Hi ladies, just wanted to say hello.
Seaside, congrats on the graduate, that's great.
Everybody hang in there. Jo, keep going girl, backsliding a little is ok if you get back on track.
0 -
VJ - Thanks for the tip. I was fully aware of what I was doing and at the time really did not care. I am back on track and plan on stayiing that way. For me, that is where the e-cig is going to help me for awhile. I have long range plans to get rid of it in the spring.
LadyinBama - Haven't looked back at that situation - just moving forward.
0 -
Hi Jo, how goes your day, I bet you are exhausted, by my calculations your Ass't Manager should be back on Friday. Only have to get through 1 more day. I know when I slipped that one time, I was so disappointed in myself that it never happened again. I think you will be the same. hugs to you, Karen
0 -
Karen - Yes, Shirley will be back on Friday - yeah! The owners were here yesterday and it made for a long day. They should be getting ready to fly back to Minnesota. We only see them 2 times a year. When I slipped I don't think I was disappointed - did not really have any thoughts - just reminded myself to get back with the program.
0 -
Hi all!
Been quiet here lately! Hope everyone is doing well!
Here is the updated roll call with Karina and Druanne's dates added!!
Enjoy!
Quit Smoking Roll Call
Ladies who we've heard from recently:
Karina - Nov 18, 2011 quit date
Druanne - Oct 16, 2011 quit date
jo1955 - July 15, 2011 quit date
karen333 - Jan 16, 2011 quit date
jan508 - Sept 20, 2010 quit date
LadyinBama - Aug 10, 2010 quit date
BarbaraA - June 2, 2010 quit date
SeasideMemories - Jan 18, 2010 quit date
o2bhealthy - May 5, 2009 quit date
1Athena1 - April 27, 2009 quit date
MinusTwo - July 11, 2007 quit date
Ladies who we have not heard from in awhile but hope are
still doing well:kal_1865 - Sept 28, 2010 quit date
Angelice - Sept 3, 2010 quit date
akeefe7 - July 11, 2011 quit date
sunangel27 - May 29, 2011 quit date
rehm046 - May 1, 2011 quit date
Dutchy - Set quit date for March 1, 2011
Ellie1959 - Set quit date for March 1, 2011
Sweetaerobabe - Feb 16, 2011 quit date
Malleme - Feb 6, 2011 quit date
Basia - Feb 5, 2011 quit date
chabba - Jan 11, 2011 quit date
dsgirl - Dec 3, 2010 quit date
Kitchenwitch - Nov 30, 2010 quit date
Linda603 - Nov 4, 2010 quit date
0 -
Hi Jo, did you get to breathe today with your Ass't Manager back? Druanne, I just saw your post on the Pet Therapy site, I join in there too. It fascinates me how our pets know that something is amiss. I have 2 rescue Siamese who always napped with me in the last few weeks of rads, usually they keep a fair distance between each other. Where are you Dara, Karina? Just drop a quick note to let us know how you are doing and dfjrro too. Lots of cravings for me lately, had almost none till Christmas season started. I am staying strong, chew so much gum that my jaw aches. In Jan. it will be a year for me, got to keep on keeping on. O2b, are you crazy busy with work and Christmas doings? Will PM you tomorrow, we did not have our usual touch base today. Seaside, thank you for all the updating, that is a lot of work to do, .hugs to all, Karen
0 -
Hi Karen - My assistant manager was supposed to arrival at 6:00pm tonight but her flight was an hour late getting into Dallas. She rushed like hell to make her connection only to find out the airlines had already booked her on a later flight - this is with the plane still at the gate and the door still open. We was told her seat was already given away. I told her to go back to the airline counter and demand they pay for her dinner. She had plans already and will now miss them. Now she is due in at 10:15. It will be nice to have her back and working. I am going to my family doctor in the morning for routine labs and should get the results mid week - then will have my 6 month MO checkup on the 19th.
Hope everyone is doing well.
0 -
Seaside: Thanks for keeping this list. I will always be a smoker - just one who doesn't smoke. It's good to see that I'm still on the roll. Jan
0 -
MinusTwo,
I hear you in that, if they were to come out tomorrow saying cigarettes are not harmful and they were giving them out for free, I would go back in a heartbeat!! But till then, I'll just keep on keepin' on...lol!0 -
Seaside, me too. I Loved smoking but as per VJ's list: I am a puff away from a pack a day.
Jo, keep on plugging away!
0 -
Seaside - I second that one! I, too loved smoking - I didn't care what the health effects were.
Hi Barbara - Missed seeing you here.
0 -
Hi all, I third that, I'd go back in a heartbeat, but got to make my year. Jo, your poor manager what a terrible mixup, I am so glad she is back to help you. What were those sugarfree candies you use, I'm getting tired of chewing gum. Karen
0 -
Karen: I used "Nips" and I like the carmel flavor. And Lifesavers Wint-O-Green mints come in sugarless. One sweet & one not. Jan
0 -
Hi Jo. missed you too. I have been pretty busy.
0 -
Karen, I am still using Crystal Light hard candies. I get them at Waltmart and in the bag there are 4 different flavors. I have some at home, at the office and in my purse. You have come this far, of course you are going to make your year. We will all be here to help you get there. What a party that is going to be.
Hope everyone is having a good weekend.
0 -
I suck, fell off the wagon
0 -
I am joining you djfrro, sorry everyone....
0 -
djfrro & Karina - You ladies do not suck. So what, you fell off the wagon. Once you get through what caused you to go back to smoking you will recommit. Sometimes it takes several tries before you are successful. I know this from experience. Please don't stay away - come often and post - we are all here for you. (((HUGS)))
0 -
Jo- you are a wonderful lady, thank you so so much. Your words give me hope I can achieve !!
0 -
What to do if you do relapse and go back to smoking.
• Congratulate yourself for completing a "practice run". By reframing this attempt as a "practice" run, you will discover where the weakness is in your plan.
• Don't reinvent the wheel. Look at everything you tried that did work. Look at all the tools you did developed which did help.
• Look at the circumstances which led to the first cigarette. What happened and how did you talk yourself into smoking it?
• Decide if you need to add more tools or if you need to replace what didn't work with something else.
• Talk to a Tobacco Treatment Specialist to revise your quit plan. Look at the different areas to see where your strengths lie and where you need to improve on your quitting plan: social, physical, emotional, environment, thought patterns?
• Talk to your doctor about either changing your cessation medication or trying a combination approach.
• Look at how many cigarettes you didn't smoke. (20 cigarettes per day is 140 cigarettes per week or 1400 puffs avoided).
• Reassess your desire or motivation to quit. Be honest with yourself if you really want to quit or if you were doing it for someone else or from outside pressures.
• Decide whether you are ready to set a new quit date or if you will try later.
• Start this book all over again. What didn't you do that could have helped? What advice did you ignore? There is no right or wrong answer, the purpose is to find out where you need help. Often it is only looking back and examining the situation that you see what you couldn't before. Hindsight is always 20/20 vision.Learn what does not work:
• Relying on willpower alone. Nicotine hijacks the survival instinct part of the brain, which is stronger than the thinking part of the brain which is your willpower.
• Mentally beating yourself up or scolding yourself. Let go of either shame or guilt. It's not your fault.
• Thinking there is something wrong with you. It's not uncommon for a smoker to quit 6 to 9 times before being successful. Blame it on how addictive nicotine really is and how nicotine has hijacked your brain.
• Finding out a particular method doesn't work for you is important because now you know to try something different.0 -
djffro and Karina,
Both Jo and VJ said things better than I could but, I wanted to add my voice to say, please don't be down on yourself!! Even though you've returned to smoking, I'm thinking you learned a thing or two in this attempt so this try was not for nothing!!
Take a few minutes to jot down what you think you did right and where you think you could have done better. That way, when you are ready to try again, you have a good refresher to get your new plan in place!
And please, do not feel you've failed.... You tried and learned some things to use next time.... Far ahead of where you'd be if you had never tried at all!
As always, this thread is not reserved for only those who have quit but also those who are in any stage, including thinking about it in the future!
Hugs to you both!0 -
Hi ladies, Just wanted to pop in and encourage our newcomers. Don't give up! We've all "fallen off the wagon" before. Just start again. You can do it. I loved seeing all the 2010 dates on Seaside's latest list. Proof it can be done!!
0 -
Hi all, thank you for all the suggestions of 0 calorie candies I can use. I will with certainty reach my 1 year!! Just cravings not as intense as they had been. djfrro and Karina, you should not be feeling guilty about falling off the wagon, it was a sincere try and you did well, I forget how many tries a person has before they finally stop, this was a valiant attempt. And you learned from it, keep posting, we like to see your posts so we do not lose touch, hugs to you, Karen
0 -
Staying pretty busy and don't know if I can come here tomorrow. I just wanted to let everyone know that I am 5 months smoke free tomorrow! Yes, I am doing this even with living with a smoker!!!!
djfrro & Karina - Been thinking of you ladies - please let us know how you are doing. We are here to help anyway we can.
0 -
Hi Jo, YAY for you, 5mos.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tonight as I have a glass of wine, I will be toasting you doing it with a smoker i the house. You proved you could do it, that it is hard but you put your mind on success and were not swayed. So proud of you Jo, doing the happy dance. hugs, Karen
0
