I quit in January

[dina-haines]

I quit about 16 weeks ago. In the begining it was easy for me. I felt like I was proving to everyone I could do it. There was wind in my sails and steam in my engine. After 16 weeks however, the novelty has kinda worn off. Its no longer "news", and even though I was quitting for me it was easier when people made notice of it and it was topic of discussion.

Also its a strange feeling because I kinda feel like, "what now?" What do I do now when I used to be having that cigarette. Like after a huge meal? Or driving in the car? Or after the first drink at the bar? Or after sex? There were so many specific times that a cigarette was appropriate, that now often I feel kind of lost. I dont know what to do.

Anyone else feel this way?

[manofsteele]

Dina ............

I am with ya !

Thats why I thought we needed to get a program where you cold relate to others after a certain time...

I was very much like you .... I smoked over 2 packs a day.... so after almost everything I did included a cigarette.

I tried replacing that with ....(hope my dentist is watching) ..... brushing my teeth (have multiple flavors available) or I bought a massager and after a smoke free day I would give my self a smoke free day award and pamper myself ....yep .....big manly man ....... but find something you can reward yourself with that does not have calories .....lol

My first ways to celebrate was with specialty foods I loved. butttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt ....lol on came the lbs.... so I tried to compromise and maybe just do the food reward once a week.

Think about some of the money you are now saving without smoking .....find something special for you and daily , weekly or monthly do something special and tell yourself how proud you are of yourself.

Couple other tips - Sign up and post your anniversary dates at the Quit Party Central so we can luv on you there. Check out the Relapse Traps group so you can be more prepared from your demons still ahead of your journey. I highly suggest you join and pledge daily. This helps so much and will help you through those boring times. Take up a hobby or start reading. I have never been one that reads much daily but I am doing much more now.

Hope that helps a little and we will try to let others now that you are looking for a january 08 Quit Buddy !

PS - I did not have all the posts shown we you posted so you might not have seen the Jan 08 quit buddy area. I am copying this and yours there now. Let me know that you have read this post and I will delete this post...ok?

Ray