New Quitters Check In!

[Roller831]

Hi!  I noticed there are several new quitters this week so I thought we could support you all in one place and you could each get to know your fellow quitters and support one another.

Are you new in your quit?  Did you choose to quit just before the holidays or did you quit on 1/1/2018?  Are you less than 30 days into your quit?

Let everyone know how you are doing!  You can check in here to support each other and get support from the /blogs/Giulia-blog/2017/06/18/elders-list-ao-december-7-2016?sr=search&searchId=37122da5-d471-4574-9...‌ or those who have some DOF (days of freedom) behind them!

Share the victories and the struggles.  You never know how it may touch someone.

[elvan]

MichelleDiane‌ Is there any possibility that you could so a quick exercise routine?  I could not exercise for quite a while after I quit because I had been so ill but the first time I COULD, I used a stationary bike for about 20 minutes and I was astounded at how wonderful I felt, it released some dopamine and I was no longer "blah."  You are doing a great job staying close to the site, supporting others....I am really proud of you.  We ALL started at day one and then kept moving on.  Hang in there...

Ellen

[MichelleDiane]

Thanks Ellen.  I would love so much to do my 2 mile walk, but the weather is rough and the streets are slushy.  I have been going on this site in-between things I need to do.  I guess it's not so bad because I am moving, which redirects my attention quickly.  I don't really feel like smoking thought and that is wonderful.  I guess I'm in a melancholy mood today.  The sun is supposed to come out tomorrow.  

-Michelle

[epchicago]

I know what you mean. The other day when it was 0F in Chicaog I just wanted to be inside  but needed to go to grocery store. I decided to walk and it was snowing. So I put on my underlayers, scarf, hat before taking the long half a hour walk each way. The idea didn’t seem appealing. Just walking and thinking how boring it would be. But I decided to put on my headphones and download a podcast. It was very fun and the time went by so fast. It’s like I was lost in a walking meditation. 

I think its good to be in a melancholic mood. I am all the time. But I tell myself I’ll be melancholic for an hour. Only an hour. Haha or something like that. And try to snap out of it.  

But different things work for people. 

[Sandi4]

Hi Michelle! I was back home (Freeport) on both our quit days and since I’m alwys there for the holidays, I’ll most likely be there for our one Year anniversaries (thinking positive here). We’ll have to meet up to celebrate 

Winter is my least favorite season so I’ve always found myself affected by grey, cloudy, cold days.  I’ve also had issues sleeping since my quit so I’m tired during the day. As someone else suggested, try working out a bit...there are a million indoor workouts on YouTube.  I was able to get to the gym today and it helped my energy level.

I must say that in spite of your bout of melancholy, you’ve got a great attitude about your quit. You’re rocking it!!! Wishing you a wonderful Thursday!

Sandi

[MichelleDiane]

Sounds great Sandi.  Not to far from Freeport.  It would be cool to celebrate.  I will stay tuned.  Have a great day.

-Michelle

[indingrl]

Get job Sandi4 keep on keeping on CONGRATS ON 16 NICOTINE FREE DAYS!!!!! Yahoooooo for Sandi4!!! Thank you for giving me hope to remain staying quit with you too!!!!

[Sandi4]

Thank you for the positive vibes and encouragement.  I'm rooting for you...we've got this!!!

[maryfreecig]

Keep up the great work. That someday will arrive for you when you don't think about smoking.

[Sandi4]

Thanks for the support!  I've smoked for over 40 years (with the exception of when I was pregnant) so it's going to take me a minute to move on after this "relationship" but I'm determined to do it.  So happy to have this platform so I can vent when I need to:)

[elvan]

Welcome to EX...like you, I quit for pregnancies but I smoked for 47 years except for those pregnancies and some short term failed quits that I always felt so badly about losing.  I will celebrate 4 years of freedom later this month and I could not be happier, nicotine no longer controls my life, where I go, what I do, even what I think.  This really is a journey and not an event...one day at a time and when a day is too long, make it an hour or ten minutes or one minute.  I said NOPE, Not One Puff Ever over and over again when I first started, it was such a simple thing to remind me and I could say it softly or I could say it out loud.  My daughter quit smoking using that same mantra even though she was never a part of the community, she has been quit for over two years.  My favorite saying of all time came from OldBones-Larry‌, "One step and then another will get you to where you want to be."  SO SIMPLE and SO TRUE!

Welcome to all of you newbies...stay close to the site, read everything you can about this addiction...yes, it is an addiction.  I strongly suggest two blogs, one written by YoungAtHeart‌ For Our New Years' Quitters (and community members, too)  That blog is filled with love and wisdom and there are many comments from people who are on the site giving their suggestions.  The other one that I suggest is one that I read over and over again during my first few months of freedom...it was written by JonesCarpeDiem‌ /blogs/jonescarp.aka.dale.Jan_2007-blog/2011/06/26/what-to-expect-in-the-first-four-months   Please know that we have all been where you are now, there are no shortcuts and no one can tell you EXACTLY when that magic moment will come for you when you realize you did not even THINK about smoking during a stressful time..."The only way out is through."

Welcome to ALL of you newbies.

Ellen