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I am a bit confused on how to use the community

Question asked by c2008coolio on Oct 4, 2018
Latest reply on Oct 13, 2018 by elvan

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I am new to this site and to this community. My quit date is November 1st so I am in the process of creating my quit plan and gathering resources, and I am interested in reading everything I can as I want to make this as successful as I can. I am not good with technology so I do apologize for my question. I am completely confused on how to use this community site. Is there a "tutorial" that explains what all is available and how to access it? I have read some comments and some said something about different blogs available, another said something about different groups available (which I can't figure out how to join one or if that is even a thing). This is totally not the sites fault, I think it is just my lack of understanding. Could someone tell me what the basics are or if there is some sort of tutorial that could explain it? I would really appreciate it!

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SaraCorinne Oct 4, 2018 5:49 AM
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So was I c2008coolio. I'm not techy at all BUT Giulia shared a "how to navigate" blog with me that really helped. When she gets up and about today she'll get it to you! I'd share it with you but I don't know how....
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desiree465 Oct 4, 2018 8:24 AM
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I thought the site was a little hard to navigate in the beginning too, but I just started clicking around a lot for the first few days and got the hang of it. I'm sure others have a better answer but that's how I usually solve my search issues lol
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YoungAtHeart Oct 4, 2018 9:56 AM
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Welcome to our community!

When we moved to this new platform, ALL of us had to get used to it. A member created this: EX to EX INSTRUCTIONS to help. You have already learned the most important thing how to write a blog post. You can also take the Daily Pledge not to smoke after you quit from one of those blue boxes. Then - you only need to figure out one feature at a time!

The most important thing you can do right now is to educate yourself on what nicotine does to your body and mind. To that end, I highly recommend Allen Carr's “The Easy Way to Stop Smoking.” This is an easy and entertaining read. You can search for it or at your local library. Here's a link to a video here on the site which describes nicotine addiction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpWMgPHn0Lo&feature=youtu.be.

You should also read the posts here and perhaps go to the pages of folks who you think might be helpful. You might visit whyquit.com, quitsmoking.com and livewell.com for the good information contained there. @https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/groups/best-of-ex has lots of blogs written by members of this site with their experiences and guidance. You should also do the tracking and separation exercises recommended here on the site.

After you have completed the recommended reading, it will be time to make an informed choice of the quit aid, if any, you will use. If you go that route, I personally recommend the aids that don't let the addict control the dose such as the available prescription drugs or the patch. If used properly, gum, lozenges and inhalers are fine, but they need to be used only as a last resort. I have seen folks become addicted to them if they substitute them for every cigarette they used to smoke - just trading one addiction for another. I do not recommend the e-cigarette for three reasons: 1) the vapor has been compared to the polluted air in Bejing on a bad day, 2) they just provide another nicotine delivery system while continuing the hand to mouth smoking motion, and 3) the batteries can spontaneously catch on fire. . But – any method that you think will work well for you will be best for you.

The idea is to change up your routines so the smoking associations are reduced. Drink your coffee with your OTHER hand in a place different from when you smoked. Maybe switch to tea for a bit. If you always had that first smoke with your coffee, try putting your tennies on right out of bed, going for a quick walk, then taking your shower and THEN your coffee! Rearrange the furniture in the areas you used to smoke so the view is different. Buy your gas at a different station. Take a different route to work. Take a quick walk at break time where the smokers AREN'T.

You need to distract yourself through any craves. You can take a bite out of a lemon (yup - rind and all), put your head in the freezer and take a deep breath of cold air, do a few jumping jacks, go for a brisk walk or march in place, play a computer game. Keep a cold bottle of water with you from which to sip. Don't let that smoking thought rattle around in your brain unchallenged. Sometimes you need to quit a minute or an hour at a time. You will need to be disciplined in the early days to distract yourself when a crave hits. Get busy! Here is a link to a list of things to do instead of smoke if you need some fresh ideas:
https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/blogs/Youngatheart.7.4.12-blog/2013/02/25/100-things-to-do-instead-of-smoke

The conversation in your head in response to the "I want a cigarette" thought needs to be, "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. You will need to put some effort into this in the early days, but it gets easier and easier to do.

Stay close to us here and ask questions when you have them and for support when you need it. We will be with you every step of the way!

Nancy
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- c2008coolio @ YoungAtHeart on Oct 5, 2018 5:56 AM
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  Thanks so very much! all of that was really helpful!
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- Gma_Bernie @ YoungAtHeart on Oct 13, 2018 6:54 AM
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  Nice advice Nancy. sometimes it's hard for me to go back to the beginning and think of all the things that I did. But I guess there still things that I do now that are helpful anytime in your quit. But thanks for taking the time to go over the basics for this person. It's always good to remember that we were once there...
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Mark Oct 4, 2018 12:38 PM
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Hi

Community Help and Community Help (Getting Started Guide) will provide suggestions and how tos in addition to Giulia’s EX to EX INSTRUCTIONS . If there is something that you search for and it doesn’t show a result you can ask a question in Community Help just like you have here.

Mark
EX Community Manager
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elvan Oct 4, 2018 12:49 PM
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Welcome to EX, glad that you are reaching out and that you find many people reaching BACK. I think you have gotten excellent advice already...much of it is from YoungAtHeart. Education about addiction, support from the community, and commitment will be your keys to a successful quit. Read, read, and then read some more. I came here every morning and every evening and after more than 4 1/2 years, I still do, for the most part. This is an amazing community and it can save your quit and your life.

Again, welcome.
Ellen
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Giulia Oct 4, 2018 3:35 PM
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Hi there! Welcome. If you're wanting to read blogs or conversations, just go to the top of the page, click on Home, then on Read the Latest Updates. (Though you don't have to click on Read the Latest Updates to see current activity. Just scroll down after you click on the Home page.)

Status updates aren't used very often and are difficult to find. Most of the activity here is in the blogs and conversations.

Groups are not as active as they once were. You don't have to join a group to participate in one. In the Visual below you will see the word Groups. Just click on it and then on ALL groups to scroll through.

The Community Search Icon is very powerful and helps a lot.
To get to your quit plan, just click on My Quit Plan (above the search icon).

Let us know if there are specific questions you have and we'll do our best to answer them.

Glad you've joined us. You cannot read too much. A strong preparation makes for a strong quit. Chin up!
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Thomas3.20.2010 Oct 13, 2018 7:59 AM
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When I first joined I knew nothing about technology or blogging. I barely knew how to Google! Now 8 Years later I am still smoke FREE because I refused to let the confusion stop me. And I now work at Comcast as a Tech Specialist - all Thanks to BecomeanEX and determination. You can quit with this site! Don't give up. PS There's no such thing as a dumb question. Really!
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elvan Oct 13, 2018 8:23 AM
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The more preparation you do in advance, the better...it will serve you well when you actually quit. PLEASE read YoungAtHeart's comment and do the reading, make your plan. Identifying your triggers and planning for what you will do instead of smoking will really help you. Identifying the triggers may surprise you and pay attention to what actually happens when you smoke...if you are stressed out, when you have that cigarette...does it really help with anything? The fact is that all smoking does is to provide a distraction, you can come up with so many MUCH healthier and more helpful distractions. Get some bubble juice and blow some bubbles. If you smoke inside...stop that now, if you smoke in your car, stop that now, when you want a cigarette, put off smoking for a little longer each time. You CAN do this, we ALL started at a beginning. This site works miracles.

Again, welcome.
Ellen
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I am a bit confused on how to use the community

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