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Nope

Nope!

NOPE!!

NOPE!

NOPE!

NOPE

Nope

G’day NOPE starts today C

NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE

NOPE!

#NOPE

NOPE

Nope

Greetings Nopers.... And a happy Straya Day to Yous all. Frickin ripper weather muva naychas turned on too...pretty soon those Barbies will be crankin up and down here in nopeland all you'll be smellin is the smoke of a million snags an chops an steaks..oh an ya gotta have skewers. So Straya day is when the first fleet landed and Britain's new prison was opened for business... NOPE.....second year Ina row mates.

NOPE!

NOPE.... not today on my Son,s birthday!!!!! I have cake to eat.......?

I have a 9 year old daughter who remembers when I used to smoke. This is a conversation that has come up from time-to-time since I quit but even more so now, because I bring up smoking and vaping to her, which leads to a lot of questions from her. The superintendent of her school system sent an email to all of the parents about the kids vaping. I talked to her about this and explained to her about the nasty things that come along with vaping. Things like heavy metals, how the heavy metals get into the vapor and how dangerous it actually is and of course the dangers of nicotine addiction. I want her to not even be tempted to try any of this but if she ever is, I want her to know the truth behind all of the clever marketing targeting our children. This is 1970's tobacco advertising all over again. As former smokers who are educated about addiction and how to beat it, there is nobody more qualified to reach kids and stop this epidemic from going any further. Moreover, there also is nobody better than us to talk to kids who are already vaping (or smoking) and addicted and help them to quit. We're experts in this field and talk about paying it forward, this is our chance. Do any members here have school age children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren etc. and if so, have you talked to them about this? There are lots if educational articles and videos about the dangers of vaping and juuling on the new board: Vaping & Juuling: Unquestionable Addiction, Reckless Aftermath The concerted efforts of big tobacco corporations - same drug, new package, new demographic; our youth.

NOPE - I don't smoke anymore.

NOPE!!!!!!!!!!!!

NOPE!!!!!!!!!!!!

#NOPE

NOPE

NOPE....smoking stinks....

G’day NOPE .... not on Australia Day. what doesn’t divide us will unite us. we share the responsibility of a old red land. on a green living planet..... C

For me personally and what I have seen, I reflect on the word "Struggle" . . . To watch a loved one die from cancer while all you can see is the whites of their eyes. The pain and frustration only shows in the wrinkles of their face, because they cannot talk . .. that's a struggle. That cannot be undone To hear about a roadside bomb hitting a convoy of peace keepers in Afghanistan . . . and your child may be in that convoy . . . communications are automatically cut for several days . .. that's a struggle. You have no control To give up on planning yearly fishing trips with your best buddy, because cancer just stole him away from you. . . that's a struggle. That cannot be forgotten To hear the last words of your sister in moans and groans because the pain before dying of cancer is so much. . . that's a struggle. That cannot be erased To see a family member taken off life support. . . that's a struggle. That cannot be erased To learn about others who have no food to eat tomorrow, and likely will die . . . that's a struggle. That cannot be ignored To have a strong crave to smoke a cigarette . . . that's not a struggle . . . That's an inconvenience. That can be undone That can be controlled That can be forgotten That can be erased That can be ignored You can do it! Peter

Hi everyone, Quite some time ago I signed up with QSMB. Searched for it this evening and could not find it, and instead, found this site. Looks like QSMB no longer exists and this is the place to be. I also belong to Quitnet. Became a member there the first day I quit smoking, May 15, 2003. Being a part of that support group helped me through my quit. Along the way it helped me to help others. And that is where I am right now, helping if I can, and when time permits. Looking forward to reading through the forums here. Peter

NOPE

It's Saturday here but NOPE!!

NOPE!

A private campsite, a long sandy beach on the ocean, a non-motorized lake and a kayak, my bed. Fun topic!

I know adults who vape and talking to them about addiction goes as well as to be expected. Thank you for consolidating vaping information. I can send people here. @MarylandQuitter, may we have a place in that part of the forum to add our own research links and experiences dealing with vaping ? It isn't just children, which is particularly heinous, it is adult addicts that are blissfully unaware or in full addiction denial.

I have had the serious S and V conversation with my grandson....I know his parents have too.... All he has known is a grandad who has Emphysema.... And has never been able to P!ay with him... He plays Rugby and Football...for his school....and his grandad has never had a kick about ....being on Oxygen has made this impossible ... Our boy knows ...his passion of sport will be probally over ..if he smokes or vapes ... Thankfully he's a smart kid ...and totally got it ... Education....

My go to place is the OBX... words dont do do it justice

^^^thanks for the happy childhood flashbacks, I so know that smell...glad ya home from hossy too...did ya teach your little tour guides to skip rocks?

Some of you may be looking to start an exercise routine or get back to it after a layoff. There is so much information available, newbies can feel overwhelmed by information overload. As is so often the case, the simplest answer is the best answer. I read a story in a local weekly newspaper about a lady who decided to get healthy in 2018. In January, she made two simple changes: (1) She started drinking water instead of sweet tea and soft drinks and (2) She made it a point to walk more everyday. Fast forward twelve months and she has lost 68 pounds, she jogs 3-4 times a week, does yoga daily, and has recently started incorporating strength training into her regimen. This lady transformed her life in one year and it all began with two simple choices. This video by Elliot Hulse is over five years-old now and still ranks as one of the best videos online for someone new to health and fitness. (Language Warning! If offended by the occasional swear word, this video may not be for you.)

Congratulations @Parsley for being 5 months smoke free. Well done on building a nice solid base for a lifetime quit. Its great to see you around the boards welcoming newbies and supporting your fellow quitters. Five months is definately a time for some reflection and to look at how far you have come. So give yourself a big pat on the back and make sure you do something special to reward yourself.

Hello Peter, welcome to the QTrain, you may see familiar names from QSMB. We are lucky to have them. Glad you are here and congratulations on your Sixteen Years of Freedom ! Please jump in whenever you have time, your experience is invaluable. S

This is from Red Orbit How Long Does Nicotine Stay in Your Blood and Body Arch January 21, 2019 Nicotine is one of the most addictive substances, which makes smoking a habit that’s notoriously hard to shake. And even if one manages to quit, traces of the substance will still be present in one’s system days after going cold turkey. E-cigarettes are considered a less harmful alternative to conventional cigarettes. However, e-cigarette cartridges contain as much as 21 to 85% nicotine. The body won’t know the difference so it will absorb the nicotine just the same. So, how long does nicotine stay in your blood and body? To get the answer, you should take a closer look at the way and rate the human body absorbs this dangerous toxin. SMOKING AND NICOTINE INGESTION Tobacco companies make sure to provide a variety of cigarettes to suit individual nicotine addicts. On average, a single cigarette has 12 milligrams of nicotine, about 1 milligram of which reaches the bloodstream. Once inside the bloodstream, nicotine tests measure nicotine concentration in nanograms per milliliter (ng/ml). This depends on individual smoking habits. For example, the average smoker may have up to 50ng/ml of cotinine – one of the nicotine metabolites – in their blood. But for heavy smokers, the levels can reach a staggering 500ng/ml. HOW LONG DOES NICOTINE STAY IN YOUR BLOOD? It’ll take about a couple of hours after smoking for your body to remove 50% of the ingested nicotine. On average, it can still be detected in the bloodstream for one to three days after you stopped smoking. The primary nicotine metabolite, cotinine, can show up in blood tests even after 10 days. The time it takes to fully purge either nicotine or cotinine from the blood may depend on the severity of the smoking habit and individual metabolism. As for the tests, they can be divided into two categories: quantitative test for the amount of nicotine and qualitative test for the presence of the substance. But you are not out of the woods after three days. Most of the tests also look for the major nicotine metabolites, cotinine and anabasine, which are both alkaloids that stay in the blood for much longer than nicotine. There is also a strong possibility of a false positive. The culprit for this is the chemical called thiocyanate, which appears in the bloodstream as a result of smoking but is also common in some medications and foods like cabbage and broccoli. HOW LONG DOES NICOTINE STAY IN YOUR URINE? Things are a bit different with nicotine urine tests. For casual smokers, detectable cotinine levels can be present in urine for up to four days. This might go up to three weeks for heavy smokers. The amount of cotinine or nicotine detected depends on the timing of the urine sample. For example, those who haven’t quit smoking may have up to 1,000 ng/mL of the substance in their urine. But a couple of weeks after quitting, the levels usually drop precipitously but may stay above 30 ng/mL, the threshold for a positive result. The labs use different reference ranges to interpret nicotine tests. So, if need be, you might need to go over the results with your physician. HAIR FOLLICLE AND SALIVA TEST Besides blood and urine, trace amounts of nicotine stay in your saliva and hair follicles. In fact, certain hair follicle tests might show positive results up to a year after the last nicotine exposure. But generally, traces of nicotine usually stay in hair follicles for about three months. When it comes to saliva, it takes your body about four days to purge the saliva of nicotine and cotinine. Unlike hair follicle tests, saliva is commonly used to test for nicotine. FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE NICOTINE LEVELS Some common rules are applicable here. As previously stated, certain individual factors also apply and may be responsible for a prolonged presence of the substance. Smokers can be divided into three categories. Those who smoke once a week are considered light users. Their body generally gets rid of traceable nicotine in about three days after the last exposure. Moderate users are those who smoke a few times a week and they may expect to test positive for a couple of weeks after quitting. People who smoke on a daily basis fall under the heavy user category. The nicotine in their blood, urine, and saliva might linger for up to twelve months. But there are other factors that come into play. With age, it becomes more difficult for the body to deal with nicotine. And the genetic makeup may also play a significant role. Certain studies indicate that Caucasian and Hispanic people metabolize the substance quicker than African and Asian people. Hormones and liver enzymes may influence the amount of nicotine in the body as well. For example, women who take estrogen or are pregnant might get rid of nicotine faster than men. HOW TO PURGE NICOTINE FROM YOUR BLOOD AND BODY Abstaining from cigarettes and other products that contain nicotine is the best way to get the toxin out of your system. During abstinence, the cells work hard to remove traces of nicotine from your body. In addition, there are a few things that you can do to expedite this process. The first line of defense is being well-hydrated. In other words, the more water you drink, the faster the nicotine leaves via your urine. An antioxidant-rich diet helps as well. Some of the foods you should go for include carrots and oranges. They contain immunity-boosting antioxidants and fibers which may accelerate nicotine removal. Another way to boost your metabolism is to take up exercise. Nicotine and all of its metabolites are released through sweat when exercising. THE FINAL PUFF If you haven’t stopped smoking, now is as good a time as any to start. After abstaining from nicotine for a few months, there’ll be no need to wonder how long does nicotine stay in your blood. REFERENCES: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2946180/ https://tobaccocontrol.bmj.com/content/11/3/176 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0091743579900124 https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Anabasine#section=Top https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/15D8BBF6393C6093C2076546E6515457/S1834261214000279a.pdf/nicotine_pharmacology_toxicity_and_therapeutic_use.pdf https://tobaccocontrol.bmj.com/content/23/suppl_2/ii30 https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/electronic-cigarettes-good-news-bad-news-2016072510010

I know plenty and that is a good idea. When they make the move they avoid dealing with withdrawal and in their mind believe they quit. Basically all they have done is go from a crack pipe to a can

Thank you! it's been a specially awesome of late not to be a smoker considering the temperatures are below zero everyday and every night. I don't have to drive with my windows down I don't have to go outside in the freezing temperatures to smoke. When there is a blizzard coming and we've had a few I don't have to worry about stocking up on smokes I can focus on groceries and ice cream.

My 9 year old daughter asked me the other day if my lungs were more black or pink. I talk to her about smoking, vaping etc. so she knows the truth about this stuff. My Mom and my Aunt have never taken a single puff of a cigarette, despite growing up with both parents who smoked, all her brothers, uncles, aunts etc. My goal is to teach my daughter now so she knows the consequences of smoking, vaping etc. so she doesn't even want to try any of it.

Very proud of you Linda in more ways than one. They are our parents and we have to be there as we can for them now that the shoe is on the other foot. I know how difficult things can get but hell, it couldn't have always been easy for them. I'm going through issues with my mother now and would have never dreamed this would happen. Ha ...I was always her favorite and now i can't even talk to her, but will do what I have to, to have peace with myself. Super proud of you for keeping the quit, and stay strong there is only room for improvement.

Here's an oldie....

Jus get shits n giggles...

This is what I had at my retirement dinner last night! I am off to a friend's retirement party tonight....but that is going to be appetizers at a local bar during happy hour....which is fine by me! ?

Been to Monday Clubercise....give it my best shot ...scales say 3 pound lost ...keep on....

I've been doing a lot of climbing and rowing exercises over the last few days, hitting the posterior chain almost exclusively. So this morning I did a "push workout" to balance things out a bit. Warmed up with 4 rounds on the heavy bag. Moved on to strength work: Front Squats, Overhead Press, Bench Press, Dips, Roll-Outs, and Sled Pushes. Finished up with mobility work.

I'm a scruncher ...yep !!!.....haven't the patience to sit there folding ...it isn't origami....