Quitting Smoking: Need Kerrycrat Support

[vinessa4freedom]

Hey y'all. I decided to quit smoking. My final cigarette will be at 5 o'clock. It seemed like a good idea this morning, but I've had a stressful day, and I'm starting to panic a little. (OK, I lied. I'm panicking a lot). I read the Alan Carr book, it's tremendous and gave me a lot of hope, and I really feel excited. Except now the excitement is blended with oh-my-gawd-I-can't-believe-I'm-doing-this. I figured if I can do it during this last 3 weeks of school, then I can survive anytime, but I'm scared. I've smoked since I was 19, and have not gone 1 single day in the last 17 years without a cigarette. I have a mountain of homework to go tackle, but I thought if you Kerrycrats could send me just a little of the Kerrycrat positive spirit around 5 o'clock, and maybe for the next few days, that would help. This group is upbeat, positive and caring, so vibes from this forum could only help.

Here goes...Goodbye :smoke: Hello :party:

Thanks, Vinessa

[whometense]

1. Good for you.

You've got it. 5:00 Pacific?

Edited to add: I know you can do it!!! :hug:

[vinessa4freedom]

3. LOL...eastern time

But I thought maybe I could buy 3 more hours out of your question. No--just kidding. I'm psyching myself up now...getting ready to be a free woman. It was so hard to admit to myself that I didn't have a habit, I have a drug addiction. Not for long, though. I'm escaping shortly.

[JI7]

2. anytime

just try to think positive things that happen as a result of quitting smoking. try to get through each day and you will probably become more used to it.

and you can talk to us about it anytime you need to.

good luck

[vinessa4freedom]

4. Thank you...

I appreciate it.

[paulk]

5. quitting smoking is the easiest thing in the world

I've done it many times...

:)


Actually, I've never smoked, but my wife is a certified hypnotherapist, and one of the regular gigs she has is a group thing for quitting smoking. It does work - but you've got to really want to quit.

So that's what you need to focus on - that you really, really don't want to smoke any more and how much of a positive change it will be.

You can do it.

[vinessa4freedom]

6. I'M FREE!!!!

I had my last cigarette!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:bounce:

[politicasista]

12. Good for you

[PresidentObama]

7. Good For You

My mom was able to quit after 20 years or so of smoking. She's been a non-smoker for about 3 years now. As for my dad, he quit, but went back. I know you'll make it. No surrender :)

[whometense]

8. All right, Vinessa.

It's been 45 minutes. How are you doing???

If you need distraction check out the picture thread. :evilgrin:

[vinessa4freedom]

9. Thanks whome..and everyone...

You are all fabulous. I thought I would panic when I put out the last one, but I was so excited! I feel like a weight has been lifted. I realized that the decision to do it was so empowering I was stronger just for making it. The rest will be so easy. I've warned my family that I may be a little um...off for a few days, but the book was a great preparation tool.

I saw the pictures, too. Great thread and I'll return to it whenever I feel a pang. :evilgrin: I meant withdrawal pang!

[wisteria]

10. You can do this !

I stopped smoking two years ago after they raised the tax on the darn things. I think they were about $3.00 a pack. I though of the extra money I would have and what I could by myself with it. I smoked about a pack a day-and saved myself about $1,176.00 a year. It may not seen like so much,but it comes in handy at vacation time or Christmas.

I chewed a lot of gum- the sugarless kind and avoided activities that always promoted me to smoke. I started to feel more energetic within several days. I alway felt tired after my first cigarette of the day. And after several days without a cigarette, I noticed the smell on those who smoked and realized that I must have smelled like that too. I'm no prude now, I will sit in a smoking section and I don't object if others smoke around me.

Oh, I forgot another motivation- wrinkles. Smoker's skin ages faster than non-smokers.

I won't mislead you and tell you it is easy,but it does get better every day. Take one day at a time. YOU CAN DO THIS!

[elshiva]

11. YOU CAN DO IT!

:party: :yourock:

[BlueIris]

13. I believe in you.

You're doing the right thing. It's one of the most important steps to take to ensure long-term good health (and at this point, financial security--I couldn't believe how much money I saved by stopping.) It's great that you're respecting your own self-worth by quitting. Hang in there.

[wisteria]

14. How are you doing today?

[foreverdem]

15. Hang in there!

Hang in there and you can do it. By the third day, all the nicotine will be out of your system, drink lots of water to help it along. Then, all that's left is the mental/psychological thing, but you can do that too. Remember to reward yourself for not smoking. Keep telling yourself, just for today, I will not smoke. Keep telling yourself that every day. Think of how great it will be to actually be able to taste your food again.

[vinessa4freedom]

16. I caved

:spank:

Thank you all for your love and support. I didn't make it this time. Although it's the longest I ever went--never attempted it before. It was a bad time to do it, I guess. Anyway, I will do it again, for good this time over the summer.

Love y'all. Vinessa

[JI7]

17. i'm sorry about that

it probably was a bad time since you are already under pressure. you just have to keep trying. hope you have better luck next time. and we will continue providing support.

[vinessa4freedom]

19. thank you whome and J17

and everybody. I will do it. I actually made it easily through the times I thought would be hard, like after meals. When I was working on the research paper was when I started to freak out. Now I know. Great advice from everyone, too! I'm going to keep these suggestions on a list, so next time I'll have so many choices and alternatives when I "crave one." I think hypnotherapy might help, but I have trust issues, so I'll have to get a good recommendation first.

I keep telling myself that a hall of fame batter has a career average of failure 7 times out of 10, so as long as I get there, this was just a learning experience.

Your support is phenomenal. Thank you Kerrycrats!:grouphug:

[whometense]

18. awww...

I'm sorry. :hug:

But we'll be here for you again, next time you're ready to try.