3,5 days

[Juka]

Hello dear ex and exes to be.

Today is my 4th none smoking day. Here I'll need to make a decision if to call it a 3rd or a 4th day.  I stopped cold turkey or as I was corrected here smart turkey last Sunday at around 3 PM . That makes my today's morning 3rd day but late afternoon a 4th day. I'll be king to myself today and will call it 4th day ( Horrayyy- it's been more then 72h , who could ever imagine ).

Today is my first day in the office and I'm having a difficult time - although not as bad as yesterday. The interesting thing that the triggers while working are different. I want to share some of my observation:

I think it's all about rewarding myself.

I have a really bad cravings when:

1) Just finished a meeting

2) Resolved a complicated problem

3) Had a Phone conversation/ Remote session with a customer.

4) Anything that is completed more or less. 

More to come... But all those , for years I was going outside to absorb the session information, switch to a different subject, clean my head relax and simply rest while taking that puff... But not anymore. I'm trying not to get anxious while thinking about it .

OK - Will go outside for a short walk ( to develop new none smoking relaxing techniques?:) )

[Jennifer-Quit]

I believe that as of midnight tonight, you will have completed 4 days.  That is the way that we calculate days for celebrating milestones.  So yes, this is your 4th day but you have not completed it as of now - but no doubt you will.  Hope that is clear as muddy water - lol

[maryfreecig]

Congratulations on your progress in quitting. And thanks for sharing. Here is a blog written by Dr Hays a little while ago about nicotine rewards. Might be helpful reading.

Relearning Rewards

For many people, a particular challenge to becoming and staying tobacco free are the cravings that occur while having coffee, after a meal, or when relaxing. Like all cravings and associations with cigarettes, this fades over time; however, the thought of having a cigarette or ‘dip’ along with these activities can be persistent.   Understanding cravings, and making plans to purposefully enjoy these activities without tobacco, can help the association fade away more quickly.

Tobacco, like any addictive substance, stimulates the reward system in the brain. In doing that it can become strongly associated with other activities, thoughts, or feelings.  This association makes it more likely that a person will ‘want to smoke or dip’ the next time they experience that activity, thought, or feeling.

Nicotine also has some relatively unique characteristics, it is a powerful ‘secondary reinforcer’, meaning It also enhances the experience of other things, like beverages, food, warm social gatherings, or relaxation.  After quitting tobacco, enjoyment of coffee, social connections, or relaxing may not ‘feel-the-same’ for a while. 

The good news is that enjoyment of all these activities, in the absence of tobacco, returns.  Every time you enjoy a cup of coffee, good company, or relaxing without a cigarette; your ability to enjoy that activity becomes stronger.

You can also hasten this recovery by mindfully taking a moment to appreciate, kindle, the taste of coffee, good company, feeling relaxed, or the taste of food.  Enjoying life on life’s own terms has its rewards, and re-learning life’s enjoyments without tobacco is a pleasure in itself

[elvan]

Go outside and take some deep breaths...exhale slowly and allow that oxygen to reward you by filling your lungs with CLEAN air instead of smoke.  The reward thing was a hard one for me to get past but I am really happy to say that it DOES go away...see maryfreecig‌'s comment.

[JonesCarpeDiem]

I'll Take The 5th day

Wrap it in a bow

You can have it

Tomorrow

[Mandolinrain]

Your doing fine and normal

Its not easy but it DOES get easier. 

Your ready for the change and the challenge

REMIND YOURSELF EVERYTIME YOU FEEL WEAK....AND FIGHT FOR IT

YOU 

ARE WORTH IT

Missy

[Chuck-2-20-2011]

So glad you're fighting your way through and more importantly, learning from each experience that the addict within wants to throw at you! That's the important part. That you analyze each crave and learn from that, and use that to make the next day even better!

 Quitting means winning against our own minds. That's what makes it so hard. And understanding makes it easier. 

Good job and congratulations on day four!!

ONWARD TO FREEDOM!!!

Chuck

[Juka]

Thank you  - this struggle does make you stronger. It's great feeling after all