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G’day NOPE .....Not One Puff Ever... mangroves

NOPE…

NOPE

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

NOPE!

Nope.

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NOPE

Welcome aboard @Pricci, I quit cold turkey but from what I've read from others who have successfully quit with the patch what you are feeling is normal. And regardless of what method you use to quit you're going to experience some anxiety or antsy feelings. You're body isn't getting it's fix and is having withdrawals. Something we all had to go through to get our forever quit. The good news is that its temporary so hang in there

@intoxicated yodaThanks for the update. I have to remind myself it is progress not perfection. Each day (hour, minute) we don't smoke is a success. And that is our only goal because the rewards from not lighting up continue to accumulate. I, too, have that gnawing feeling. But I remind myself it was worse when I smoked. And when I smoked, I piled on all the guilt, shame and FEAR of what the cigarettes were doing. I'm not sure we ever get to a permanent state of well-being or optimism. Just not sure that is the way it is supposed to go. Instead I think this is our big cosmic classroom and we are continuing learning how to love-ourselves mainly. Hope everyone on the QT has a beautiful day. Sending positive vibes from sunny Colorado. K

@Gus you are producing results. you are almost 11 months quit and that is the most important result!!

nope

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stepping down to the@ 14mg patch today. Was feeling strong but I have to say I am really noticing the difference. I feel antsy, Will this happen every time I step down the doage? Will it last as long as it did with the 21mg patch?

Thanks for the update Yoda.....I still enjoy my coffee ...thankfully I didn't have to give that up ... Well done on your weight loss.... Now and again that Nico Monster will sit on your shoulder whispering in your ear ...trying to lure you back ... He's getting weaker all the time ...keep telling him his time is up ...and to naff off...

I wish that my scrambled eggs thinking could produce results like you @intoxicated yoda. I have to zero in on one thing, lower my head, and go at it like a bull until it’s gone from my vision and there are always those pesky clowns to deal with.

@jillari have tried decaf. I seem to react very similar to both with the only difference being the decaf doesn't make my heart flutter as much. @Krisi have tried tea as well and to be honest i'm just not a fan of it.

gonna crap a few thoughts out here tonight since the board seems kind of slow and I need to stay close to the process. I'm actually struggling a little bit tonight. That nagging gnawing feeling just won't quite ever go away. I wonder if the chemicals in the cigs affects the thyroid very much? I'll have to look up on that and see what I can find. In the meantime, breaking the associations is seemingly getting easier. I'm not really consumed by thoughts of smoking so much, it's more a physical feeling in the back of the throat or the pit of the stomach. I still can't break myself away completely from coffee which might be my problem. I've reduced it by a lot but I can only seem to leave it alone for a couple weeks max then I cave back into it. Other than that, the plan to get my weight back under control is seeming to work. I weighed myself a little while ago and I was at 189 and my lowest weight was 186. That was starting from 199.5 on 12/26 so that is some pretty good progress I think. 10 to 13 pounds gone in a little over a month and I cheated 4 days. Cheat days on the this way of eating is not something to look forward to though. A few moments of mouth pleasure leads to a few days of real suffering...sounds like another addiction I know. Joints are getting better since I've been able to start working out. A typical routine is 1 set of 10 regular pushups. 3 sets of 25 inclined pushups. 5 half pullups and 3 sets of 50 wall pullups. 2 sets of 20 squats and hold an asian squat for 30 seconds 3 times then a 10 to 30 minute walk. I still want to do the Qigong but I've got to make some room for that. As my joints improve and the weight goes down I'll be able to get a little more aggressive on the workouts but for now slow and gentle is what is called for. If anyone wants to start doing a very gentle workout I would recommend Hampton at hybrid calisthenics on youtube. He's got some great things you can do regardless of what level of fitness you are at and its free and requires no equipment. Give him a look and support his channel if you like what he has to offer. Tomorrow I try again to get through the day coffee free. It tastes so good going down but the physical reactions I get make it not worth it. Not gonna beat myself up if I give in since I'm quitting a lot of things already but it's got to go sooner rather than later. Anyhow, I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and remember, a goal without a plan is just wishful thinking.

@gum_addictAnd the blessing of NOPE is that the cravings go away. Sometimes quickly; sometimes slowly. But eventually it becomes a distant memory.

Nope

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@PricciI too quit cold turkey this time. The weaning off is a bitch but once its done, its done. Then the thing to do is not pick up again as it starts the physical process all over. Welcome to the group-stay close. We've all been there and its that feeling that kept many of us in the loop of the addiction. But there is a lot of recovery here!

Welcome aboard @Pricci..... Congratulations on your quit ...Take the time to read all the great information on the Main Discussion Smoking Board....there is tons of great posts to help you along .. Your body will get used to the lower dose....there is no getting away from weaning yourself off nicotine .. maybe chew regular gum too....it may help you along ... Feel proud ....no negatives ....all is positive ...

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

Congratulations @reciprocity!!! What a great milestone!! L4L

I was going to go with hot tea, never have liked coffee, it smells so good but it makes my heart race.

NOPE!

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So very happy for you Reci! Way to rock a quit and support and set an example for others!!

Good job Rec. High class quit.

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

So true @Mee! Also, the moment I realized and admitted that ‘I’ am an addict my quit became so much easier and I was at more peace with myself.

9. Use in bedroom for bondage play…

Hey @intoxicated yoda, have you tried drinking decaf instead? Just a thought.....

Congratulations on 5 YEARS!

Almost Feb. but here trying to stay warm! (-5*F this morning! )

Thanks for the shout out people!! 5 years is quite a milestone for sure and I have never regretted having made the commitment to quit despite the difficulties in the early days. All the newbies need to know it's possible for all who put in the work to find their freedom from nicotine addiction. The difficulties and doubts fade away and are replaced by rewards that last a lifetime! As for me - the wife & I are livin' the good life on the beach in Mexico playin' in the sun

Enjoy your family time Boo....Weekends are the best when your working all week ...

On the subject of breathing techniques, I did the 4-4-8 breathing technique early in my quit. Inhale through the nose for a count of four, hold the breath for four, and exhale slowly through the mouth for a count of eight. I started doing this breathing technique early in my quit to deal with cravings. I no longer crave cigarettes but still find the breathing technique helpful from time-to-time. Taking a little pause for the cause to focus on your breathing is like hitting the reset button for your body and mind.

My sister told me the other day that cigarettes are $83 a carton in our area. Don't know why that shocked me.....but, it did. Cost was a big determining factor in my sticky quit, so I felt thankful that I went for it and quit. You find strength from within yourself that you never knew you had, so whatever your reasons are - please believe in yourself. Commit to the quit. This wonderful group of quitters is proof. We have done it. You CAN do it.

Yes, I get it. It’s so hard to see the light when you live in the weeds. My advice, just keep saying NOPE. Yes, sounds stupid but gave me a 9 year quit so far. Every time that demon says smoke, you say NOPE! It will pass. Every single time, say NOPE and I promise it will get easier over time. You got this!