Starting Over

[mailyn]

I've decided that today is the day that I am going to quit.

I've gotten rid of all of my ashtrays, cleaned up my car and my house and tossed out everything that I needed to.

The support and information I have found here have helped me a great deal.

I'm not afraid anymore. I feel positive. Happy that I am moving on. I'm certain there will be difficult days ahead where I will wish I could smoke just one more for whatever reason, but I am also confident that I won't Need to smoke anything.

I am armed with the information I've found, and strengthened by the support you all so readily offer.

My sister has chosen this as her quit day as well.

So here's to better days with out cigarettes, I'm starting over and moving on. 😃

[I_am_free]

Today is the day that you have chosen to live.  Congrats!

[Patty-cake]

Quit partners are a good thing. Horrah to you and your sister for quitting. Please remember, each of you owns your own quit. Regardless of your sister's success or not, you are responsible to honor your commitment. Congrats on your decision. Glad to see you've done your homework. Continue educating yourself about nicotine and stay close to the blogs when you can. 🙂

[jojo_2-24-11]

Congratulations on your decision! You can do this!

[YoungAtHeart]

Congratulations on your decision and welcome to the site!

I hope that Allen Carr;s "The Easy Way" was one of the things you found here to read.  If not, here is a link to a free pdf version of it.  I highly recommend that you read it:

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

Remember to distract yourself through any craves.  Take a brisk walk (even if round and round a table), do a few jumping jacks, play a computer game, come on the site and read and respond to blogs.  The better you get at this, the less frequent and intense the cravings will become.  Don't let one surprise you, and NEVER argue with yourself.  The conversation in your head 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 craving will last?"  And then DO it!  Some folks find that they can actually ride the crave, visualize it - and that works for them, too.  Discover what works for you........and stay firm in your commitment.

You CAN do this and we can help.  Let us know any time you need advice or support.  We all want you to be successful!

Nancy

Quit 7/4/12

[kathy199]

I am so excited for you! I am on day 12 of my quit and so happy about it. This website is so, so supportive and Allen Carr's book is a must. When I get a craving, I change my thinking to how glad I am that I am no longer a slave to nicotine; that I am now free and have reclaimed my life. I am SO happy for you!

[franscott22]

Congrats Mailyn!!!

[joyeuxencore]

Great Mailyn!

The most important thing you can do is continue to educate yourself about the addiction so you know what is going on in your mind and body...remember your entire metabolism and brain chemistry will be adjusting to and withdrawing from a poisonous chemical…it takes a minute…think of your physical, emotional, mental distress as ‘cleansing’and a rite of passage to your new life and authentic self…relax and accept it… A new mindset about a smokefree life is imperative...PLAN for what you will DO instead of smoke...Now that you have released the fear you can walk through the challenging moments! xo

 http://whyquit.com/whyquit/LinksAAddiction.html         

http://whyquit.com/joel/Joel_03_21_blood_sugar.html

I carried this list with me the first two weeks:

https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/blogs/aztec-blog/2012/10/16/things-to-do-instead-of-smoke

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

[JonesCarpeDiem]

WOO HOO!!!

[kshields59]

Congradulation!  It's always good to have reading materials on quitting. I found quite a few on the internet, made copies to keep, and read over when needed. Along with Quit smoking books, I also found that having a quit smoking work book is great to have. Keep up the good work.