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Just thought I would say hi. It is almost 3 years since I stopped smoking, the time has flown. I smoked for 42 years. This is possibly my greatest achievement, please stick at it, sending love and cuddles to anyone who needs them xxx

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Got rear ended in traffic today. Quite an impact. Got checked out at the local hospital and stepped outside to take a bit of fresh air and appreciate my continued existence. Smokers were outside smoking and it would have been no effort to ask for one. Just to calm the nerves that were all a jingle. I talked myself out of it. Celebrating my fortune by poisoning myself seemed like spitting in lady luck's eye. So yeah, we still get close calls and fender bender after we quit smoking. Such are the vagaries of chance that are outside my control. What's not chance is the decision not to smoke. This is something I can control. *NOPE*

G’day Not One Puff Ever

My daughter in law received the Holy Valise, look at her fabulous face !

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This is important, an important choice, Sirius. Glad you aren't seriously injured or seriously injuring yourself by smoking. NOPE

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G’day NOPE starts my day

Diane!!!!! Is so good to see you, you look GREAT!!! I've missed your mummy cuddles Congratulations on three years quit! We made you a three year anniversary thread in celebrations to acknowledge your huge achievement, I hope you stop by more often, xoxo

Absolutely NOPE !!!!!

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I suffer from a condition called Raynaud's Syndrome, which impacts the blood flow to my fingers and toes. (I've actually gotten frostbite without ever leaving my house!) When I was diagnosed, my rheumatologist told me I absolutely had to quit smoking, because smoking constricts the blood flow even further and makes Raynaud's so much worse. I was in danger of losing fingers or toes! (I still am, but smoking greatly increased the risk.) Incidentally, my rheumatologist was actually giddy when I told him I quit!

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Nope - I don't smoke anymore.

In celebration of my Six Years of Freedom, I wrote this little piece, Sazerac's Simple Guide To Freedom Desire: You must want to quit more than you want to smoke Decision: Make the decision to live life without Nicotine. Commitment: Commit wholeheartedly to live without Nicotine and intend on standing by your resolve. Choice: Choose to never smoke again, EVER. This choice will empower you in many, many ways. “Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson Education * Thanks to Joel Spitzer, this site and lurking around the sphere, I am still learning everything I can about Nicotine Addiction. Information is Big Power and I feel sufficiently armed to maintain my quit. Changing Focus. It took some doing but, s l o w l y, when junkie thoughts would drag me down, I began to train myself to look at something beautiful or think of beauty in some way. This retrained my brain and also gave me a bump of endorphins. I use this technique during any moments of distress or discomfort. These are not nicotine related anymore, just moments of life. The concept of H.A.L.T. * (are you Hungry (thirsty), Angry (emotional), Lonesome (bored), Tired) Nine times out of ten, smokey thoughts weren't about nicotine at all, it was my body (poor thing) hollering at me to do something life sustaining for it. Now, the signals are very clear and not related to nicotine in any way. I also want to share the benefits of Breath. Deep, calming breaths of Oxygen. An elixir to sharpen and focus your mind away from the patterns of addiction. Rewards * Not only does rewarding yourself help re-wire your brain receptors, treating yourself well and being as kind to yourself makes life nice. A little spoiling goes a long way, especially during rugged transitions of any kind. ```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` Quitting smoking has taught me much about myself and the human condition. The truth and honesty involved in making and keeping a commitment to myself has been profound. I know myself so much better. I have exchanged an empty bravado for an inner trust and knowledge. I am grateful to everybody here, your stories, your triumphs and your lapses, too. ALL have helped me understand the hideousness of nicotine addiction and the Power of Choice, the Preciousness of Freedom. I am so proud to be part of this community. Y'all are beautiful nicotine free creatures, my friends. S * Joel Spitzer's Quit Smoking Library * Riffing On H.A.L.T. * The Significance of Rewards p.s. To anyone beginning their journey, I would recommend this thread, 10 Ways To Effectively Use This Forum To Stop Using Nicotine

Are your hands and feet always cold? Mine were. Until I quit smoking. I knew smoking affected my lungs and blood pressure. I've been on blood pressure medicine since my late 30's and instead of quitting smoking I chose to have tubal ligation surgery because my Dr wouldn't prescribe birth control after 40 years old IF I WAS A SMOKER. But I never contributed my cold feet and hands to smoking until I quit. When you lose circulation to your extremities you risk the loss of limb. I wish I remembered just how far into my quit I was before I noticed it but at the time I was too concerned about my bleeding gums to even notice. Turned out this too was the new flow of blood due to quitting and within a month or so my gums had color back to them. Many of our members have had tens of thousands of work done to restore their teeth after quitting. As far as my hands and feet are concerned, they've never been warmer. So why am I bringing this up three years after quitting? Because I don't want to ever forget where I came from. So for anyone still on the fence about quitting, all you need to do is search our forum with the keyword circulation and you'll find many former smokers who had these issues too. And you'll also see how much better they got after they quit smoking.

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NOPE - I don't smoke anymore.

So glad you weren't badly injured Sirius. And thank you for reminding everyone that bad things happen and we get through them smoke free just like never smokers do

I understand the philosophy of getting rid of all smoking related materials when you quit. However, there are many uses for lighters that don't involve firing up a cigarette. I never go out in the woods without a good lighter. The Zippo Flex-Neck is a handy little tool.

Spanking is so pleasurable...the spankers and the spankees all tell me this is true, Boo.

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Here is a powerful video and text with pictures from Joel Spitzer, Heart and Circulatory Diseases

Well I'm coming up on 2 years and I still find random lighters and even the odd stashed smoke/s....mental.

Congratulations on 6 years of freedom, @Sazerac Thank you for continuing to pay it forward by helping others with their quits as well. You have really helped a lot of people. I hope you do something to celebrate!

I hope he’s ok, not seen him around for a few days. hope all is well

This week went faster than I thought! Hooray!! Get your fresh apple pie and some chocolate milk with whipped cream - my treat!

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NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE Celebrating Six Years of Freedom today/tomorrow

you always gave me the impression ,you were enjoying our little slappy times ..

And a good spade ...

Nice to hear from you, Diane. Congratulations on a great quit!

Hi Diane. Nice to see you again. Congratulations on your third year!

Interesting. I may have an omelette tonight. I chuck loads of stuff in them so there's hardly room for the eggs.

I remember My Favourite Martian and used to love it.

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She is beautiful. You should be thrilled that she enjoyed it so much.

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Slapping. Punching. Spanking. Chicks are mean.