Good morning

[mellie4]

Hello everyone,

Im back 🙂

This has been en extremely hard year for me and I know that its going to continue to be full of challenges but I noticed that the smoking wasnt helping at all. I was smoking a lot more and started getting chest pains on a regular basis and I havnt been feeling right emotional nor physically. So my 1/2 a pack a day went toward a pack a day that fast.

Today is my first day smoke free. Im feeling very tired... I know that I will be eating a lot more, ill snack on heathy foods though and I have my cup of ice water prepared for this fight.

[rizza]

Hi Mellie! 

Glad that you are back to non smoking! DAY 1! Yayyyy!

[Ladybug--7-3-12]

Welcome Back to smoke free living!  Yes, smoking never helps any problems you have except to "mask" them or give you a tool to use to bury them or procrastinate in solving them.  When I thoughtfully tracked my cigarettes it became very obvious that the more I smoked the more I wanted.  I even wanted one when I was smoking one -- how ridiculous was that!!  Keep on keepin' on -- one day at a time.  Patty 

[smorgy8513]

Hi.  I don't know you but I want to say welcome back!       

Do you know what triggers got you back to smoking?    What will be different this time?  

I'm not asking in a mean way, wondering if you can share that (maybe on your profile page so it will be easily available) so that those of us on this journey can learn along with you.

Hooray for day 1!!!

Sharon   56 days

[mellie4]

Thanks guys 🙂 @smorgy quit forever no worries but you are right i really need to analyze what will be different this time. around and I will put it on my profile.

[samfisk1970]

congrats on coming back i am here hoping too learn some tips on quitting my quit date is in 13 days 

[joyeuxencore]

Nice to see you Mellie! As a reminder:

Remember NOPE Not One Puff Ever...With this ONE SIMPLE rule, you can do it....it the meantime, drink plenty of fresh cold water to rid your body of the toxins and eat  smaller nutritious meals throughout the day to keep your blood-sugar levels steady...eating smaller continuous meals helps keep  low blood sugar induced fogginess and cravings away.

Take big arm STRETCHES often to relax tense muscles and most importantly, take big DEEP BREATHS TO RELAX AND RELIEVE anger or stress... take a nap, take walks, stay busy with something you LIKE and brush your teeth after each meal...stick your head in the freezer and DEEP BREATHE....Biting into a lemon is a great instant crave buster…try it, it works…also have a ‘quit kit’ with things like cinnamon sticks to chew on, hard candy, crunchy vegies…Be prepared in advance for cravings…acknowledge them and tell yourself “I don’t DO that anymore so what do I DO instead?” Then employ any of the distraction techniques…Be Prepared NOT surprised!!! Smoking thoughts only have power when you have fear. Face them head on…You have the strength and power to tell them NO...You have the CHOICE to tell them NO. Each time you get a smoking urge, immediately DISTRACT yourself and kick the thought out of your head. I did jumping jacks until I got so winded I could no longer even THINK about smoking…I beat up pillows and cried…Do whatever it takes but DO NOT GIVE IN… Each time you do that you get stronger! “

Remember your lifelines here:   

https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/blogs/pir8fan-blog/2013/01/15/key-to-freedom-remember-your-lifeli...

[YoungAtHeart]

Welcome Back!

Here is a link to Allen Carr's book to refresh your memory:

http://media.wix.com/ugd/74fa87_2010cc5496521431188f905b7234a829.pdf

Remember, the idea is to distract yourself through the cravings.  Don't let that thought rattle around in your head alone!  A crave will last about three minutes whether you smoke or not.  Go for a brisk walk, march in place, do a few jumping jacks, clean a drawer, do a crossword puzzle, play a computer game...Here are links to lists of 114 things to do instead of smoke if you need fresh ideas:

https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/blogs/Youngatheart.7.4.12-blog/2013/03/03/additions-to-the-list-o...

https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/blogs/Youngatheart.7.4.12-blog/2013/02/25/100-things-to-do-instea...

The conversation in your head CANNOT be:  "I want a cigarette.  No!  But - I WANT a cigarette.  NO!"  Instead, it needs to be "I want a cigarette.  Well, since I have decided not to do that anymore, what shall I do instead for the three minutes this crave will last?"  Then DO it!

Stay close to us and ask for advice and support as you need it. We will be with you every step of the way!

Nancy

[Jordan-11-1-12]

Welcome back Mellie!!!!!  

PLEASE do the reading this time, it can be so helpful in staying quit.

I'm glad that you recognize how important it is to figure out what you can do differently this time.  As long as a part of us still believes that smoking can do anything positive for us, we keep the door open for relapse.  Its great that you see smoking doesn't help the stress of life.   

I've had a really, really, horrific year also.  Its not easy to recondition ourselves to automaticaly do something else instead of lighting up, but it is do-able.

Congrats on Day 1!!!!

[Jordan-11-1-12]

http://media.wix.com/ugd/74fa87_2010cc5496521431188f905b7234a829.pdf

http://https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/blogs/jonescarp.aka.dale.Jan_2007-blog/2011/05/24/no-mans-...

[Jordan-11-1-12]

https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/blogs/jonescarp.aka.dale.Jan_2007-blog/2011/06/26/what-to-expect-...

[ken46]

Great to have you back Mellie. You can beat this. You have to believe in yourself and all of us that are here to help you.

[misty_dawn]

Welcome back, Mellie!  Let's make that quit stick this time.