Leaderboard

Ohhhh boy do I have a story to tell. Some of you know me and some of you don’t. However, I can’t expect you to remember me. It’s been an incredibly long and arduous journey. But it’s been my journey and it’s been a decent one so far. I’ve gone by many names in the past; some born from shame, some merely from forgetting my login information. Probably the most prominent username I’d been known by was HonorAmongstThieves; although many of you endearingly referred to me as HAT. Well, I could not pinpoint any username on this website, so I had to make a new one some time ago, which, as per usual it had remained dormant due to being a smoker. You see, my quit smoking journey unintentionally began on 1 January 2011. It was New Years and I only hd a couple cigarettes left but I didn’t want to go out so late to buy more. I decided to see if I could quit. And I did for about 4 months. I relapsed; which I would soon learn would be a recurring theme in my life. On the first night of my quit I came across a now defunct website, the QSMB, which is where I met many of you trying to accomplish the same thing that I was. I didn’t make an account until I was 72 hours free of nicotine in case I couldn’t hack it. I learned many techniques and coping skills that did help me through my initial 4 month quit. But alas, I was weaker than the cigarette and I fell back into my old ways. This is much how the past decade had gone for me. When I got wind of wanting to quit again, I’d lurk around, quit, be active for awhile, and then eventually relapse again. I met so many wonderful people through that website. I was even around during the great migration to this website, though I relapsed and when I came back, that website, to my surprise, was completely gone. But that’s alright because change is good. I began doing the same things here, lurking, quitting and being active here, and then relapsing. So many amazing and wonderful things have happened in my life over the past 11 years that I have tried to quit. I have worked incredibly hard to make changes in my life and I’m proud to say that I am not the same immature young adult that I was 11 years ago. Even then, I still kept smoking. Quitting. Relapsing. It’s a vicious cycle. Through all the personal struggle, the drama on the QSMB, the difficult and often painful pangs of growing and maturing, it’s all been worth it. But like Frankie said, “Regrets, I’ve had a few, but then again, to few to mention.” Still, if there was one thing I could change about my life, I would never pick up those first cigarettes. They took too much of my life, my health, my money, my looks; too much of everything. I always wondered if I would ever be back to this place, other than lurking. Even now, I still do. It’s been hard. So many countless, blurry nights where I told myself that I hated myself. That I would never change. That I told myself I didn’t have what it takes to be a better person. Even those days aren’t that long ago. But I made gradual, sometimes baby-step, changes in my life and I’m a better man now. A better husband, father, provider. I often look back to that fateful night, 11 years ago and cringe with regret. If hadn’t relapsed, I’d be preparing to celebrate 11 years of freedom from nicotine. It was exactly that thinking that kept me bogged down, unable to advance. It seemed so far away. So impossibly out of reach. I’ve honestly had to fight myself from coming back to this board and posting, and being active. Not because it’s bad, lol that is NOT the case. I learned so much about quitting smoking from the people here…but I also learned about myself. I didn’t come back because I wanted to do it on my own. With my support group at home; my wife and children; my family and friends. My mentors and peers who believed in me. But I did tell myself I would be back. I told promised myself that I would not forget the people who helped me get to this point in my life, which certainly consists of many of you who tried to educate me. For those who believed in me and never gave up on me. I came back for you. Because I believe that I owed it to you to let you know how things have been. How much my struggle with nicotine impacted my life and my decisions to this point. But most importantly, I believe I owe it to you to tell you that, as I submit this post, for the first time in my life since I began smoking, I can openly and honestly say, unequivocally, that I am happy to be here to celebrate with you that I am officially one year free from nicotine! I have waited more than a year to share this post. It is literally 11 years in the making. I don’t expect to be a full time poster here, but I will try to check in from time to time. Just know that I am finally free from this beast. It’s an amazing feeling and I cannot imagine going back to it. I know it happens. I know that people who are many years quit sometimes relapse. Just know that I am doing well, I am happy, and I am nicotine free. What a time to be alive. Thank you for never giving up on me after my many relapses and thank you all for teaching me how to kick this habit. For any new quitters, it gets better. Take it one day at a time, or one minute at a time if need be. It’s invigorating to finally be on this side of the quit. For anyone lurking, what are you waiting for? The water is perfect, come on in. As Sarge always used to say, “eazy peazy.” Very Respectfully, Your old pal HAT

G’day NOPE .....Not One Puff Ever.... (replace Ever with Min,Hour, Day as required)

NOPE

NOPE

NOPE!!!!!!

NOPE…

NOPE!

NOPE

Nope!!!

NOPE

Nope!

Congratulations on 1 year smoke free, @SecondChanceSailor Awesome job!

Huge Congratulations.....

NOPE!

Finally I have a trophy and the strange thing I have done other things worthy of a trophy, much harder things I can tell you. This makes me feel very special because no one in my life smoked so they don't get the hard work we have to put in to get the job done. If I could compare I would tell my sister no make up for the rest of your life, she would not last the week. K

NOPE

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

NOPE!!!!!!

NOPE!

NOPE…

Rabbits embellish stories

Aren’t rabbits terrific?

As promised, I did get my workout in, yesterday. Because it was so much later in the day, than usual, I took it a little easier, emphasis on little. I didn’t want to risk having trouble sleeping, which can be an issue for me, on a good day. I did complete 2 full miles, at my normal speed, but with just a slight incline, which mimics outdoor walking. So, 3.5 mph with a 1% incline. I did have occasional bursts of running at 4 mph. I seem to be incapable of really taking it easy. I am such a driven person, when pursuing a goal. I know that can be a good personality trait, but it can also be a challenge. It’s hard for me to just take it easy, even when Common sense dictates that it’s the best course of action. I’m just pleased, that I didn’t skip my workout….

What a great update @SecondChanceSailor, Congratulations on one year quit! That's fantastic

Opah, that is great that your vision is so much better. What about the other stuff, have you made an appointment to check on your breathing issues yet? K

Thanks to all of you!! I am smoke free but look forward to the day I am crave free. That I do not think of it all. Just so grateful to the people here have given advice, support and overall kindness. You have made me laugh when I had no joy. You have taught me that we all have struggles and that gives you strength to keep on trying on not only my quit but other things as well! K

NOPE

Congratulations @Kris on 3 months quit now! How awesome is that?! You should be so proud of yourself Hopefully you'll start having much better days ahead

How did my name come up associated with a dance that Katgirl offered to do?

He's eating another rotten tomato pondo

Congrats, @SecondChanceSailor! Celebrate your achievement and KTQ! PS I found my way to quitting via the online support at QSMB and right after my 1 year anniversary it was shut down...glad I found my way here...

Never ever eat dirt sandwiches yeech

Furry, Impish creatures

Weren't you the one who offered one?

Shouldn’t YOU do it, or perhaps Mac?

Brought ravioli into new garage dance

Let's eat snails

Every winner smiles

Did you yack?

I'm intrigued, is that like anything like a rain dance?

How about a pole dance?

Did someone mention doing a poll?

Sexually transmitted disease

Hey guys almost a month with my new eyes, on my way in today It was hard to believe All the shit I could not see, that I could of been some blind. But here I am I can see marvelously,

Congrats, @Kris! Celebrate your achievement and KTQ!

Power walk ....3 miles ....this morning ....1 Hr Clubbersize ....full on ....should sleep well tonight

I noticed that my covid face mask smells like coffee now instead of a smoke.