I had to check my Quit Keeper because I had no idea how long it had been since I quit.
I have been quit for 4 Months, 1 Day, 8 hours, 22 minutes and 31 seconds (123 days). I have saved $314.43 by not smoking 1,850 cigarettes. I have saved 6 Days, 10 hours and 10 minutes of my life. My Quit Date: 6/21/2008 12:30 AM
I thought the only way I could quit was to take medication but, and this is only for me not an assumption of anyone else, I felt that took the spotlight off the addiction and put it on the 'cure' thus giving me a crutch and enabling me to the addiction if the medicine failed.
Believe it or not, it wasn't until I came on Become An Ex and started researching the addiction, the symptoms, etc...the more I understood how it worked, the easier it has been to stick with my quit.
I'm not saying it was a cake walk, there was a moment in the beginning where I posted, "I think I'm going to have to take a NRT because the cravings are too strong." Thankfully an EX friend talked me out of it, reminding me that once I quit smoking I'd have to quit the NRT, so why not just keep going with cold turkey. They also reassured me the cravings would cease...which they did! Whew!
Every other time I quit, it was easy to start up again, but I noticed this time my mentality is different...I honestly do not want to smoke. I see the false cravings for what they are, by products of the chemicals in the cigarettes and I like not smelling bad and not being self conscious when I give a friend a hug, I can relax when I'm out rather than scanning for the smoking areas, I can exercise without getting winded, etc... In fact, I have friends who still smoke and as easy as it would be to take even one drag, my throat aches in memory and I think about the disgusting taste.
So if you're just starting out, I know it's hard but hang in there! If you don't feed the cravings the receptors will turn off but even one drag will sustain them long enough to carry on the addiction. Remain positive and believe in yourself, even if those around you are non supportive you have us here.
If you're deep in your quit, congratulations! Keep up the good work and keep moving forward!
And if you slipped up, don't worry about it...we'll help pick you up, dust you off and get you back on that horse! You can do it!
Okay, well I'm gonna put aside my pom poms and get back to work. Everyone have a great smoke free day! --Karma
