MarylandQuitter

NOPE!!!

Hi James, I'm glad you brought this up because anxiety affects a lot of people. Whether it's due to quitting or not really isn't relevant because the bottom line is your anxiety is back and out-of-control and you're not going to start smoking again so if it were me, I'd go see your doctor about it. There is no sense in letting anxiety remain uncontrolled because it can become debilitating. Nicotine causes anxiety so there's that too. :) By the way, welcome to QuitTrain and congrats on quitting smoking. Never take another puff!!!

Video discusses benefits of working on developing a positive attitude about quitting smoking. http://www.quittrain.com/topic/4754-videos-addressing-relapse-prevention/?p=130110

Nice to see you, Paul!! Glad things are going well and you're living life to the fullest! Thanks for stopping by! :)

For two days I coughed up some nasty, nasty gunk about two weeks after I quit. Like Stu, I rarely get colds anymore.

A lot of it is simply because you're addicted to nicotine and whether you use the patch, gum, an e-cig or anything or NRT, you're still administering nicotine. If you quit nicotine your cravings for it will go away, usually sooner than later. The thought of running out of cigarettes always caused me anxiety, the thought of quitting, how my day would be without smoking, how long would the cravings last and the list can go on and on and you can even add a few yourself. However, as with most things we worry about, they're rarely as bad as we make them out to be and quitting smoking is no exception. Quitting wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be and in fact, I focused on the benefits of quitting; withing minutes your body is responding in a positive, healthy way. When my carbon dioxide levels dropped to normal levels, I thought that was more important than any craving for nicotine which was only going to last for around 3 minutes anyway. The longer you stay quit, the more you benefit from it and you WILL feel better. How To Quit Smoking Video lays out simple tips for people wanting to quit smoking. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l27zWo7hbcY Why Did I Ever Start Smoking? Video discussing how the reasons a person first starts smoking usually has little bearing on why they are smoking today. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Erv9SbC876k

Hi Sherri, You can't delete posts but you can edit them. If there is a reason that a particular post should be deleted, simply let me know. Regarding the blogs, when you've started your own blog, you can copy and paste, write etc. to any blog that you start. There are no limits on how many blogs you can have. I have a blog called MarylandQuitter's Blog and within that, are several individual blogs. Think of a blog as your book and the blogs that you post within your blog as the chapters. The S.O.S. forum is for quitters who are close to a relapse. However, there is a thread "Pre-Respond To Your Own S.O.S." This is what the purpose of this thread is: take a moment to write yourself a response to your own SOS. no one knows you like you know yourself, and if you do post an SOS we can show you your own words, something that you will really listen to. do it now while you are strong, as we know that when we are weak we can struggle to fight and to find the fight within ourselves. I'll get this started.. Jonny, what ever is going on that has thrown you into this confusion, please stop and reflect on your achievements and restore that belief in yourself. You know that you are free and that you have always sought and fought for that freedom, and that your freedom or imprisonment are simply states of mind that you control. I'm the administrator and we have 4 moderators. You can see the list here. If you're still have trouble with your ticker, let me know and I'll insert into your signature for you. You're posting is just fine! :)

I never thought I would be able to face a crisis or stressful times without smoking. Not only have I faced these without smoking, I don't even think of smoking when it hits the fan or throughout several days or weeks of stress. My first reach is not for a cigarette anymore and my thoughts have turned elsewhere. :)

Happy Birthday!

TELLING ALL . ( caps are emphasis only) OUT OF SIGHT , OUT OF MIND ? I Hid cigarettes in my coat pocket and convinced myself I didn't know how they got there. That was CRAFTY , SLY , UNDERHANDED , INTENTIONAL and I AM GUILTY . It never did help me quit . The DELIBERATE ACTION : I Kept lighters ... threw away the smokes, and the ashtrays, but convinced myself that the lighter was still a necessity to have in the home. They arebut my thinking was much different . It was a DELIBERATE course of action should I not be able to handle the stress of quitting : Should I find a butt to smoke ..I had the lighter . That never helped me quit . That was : STINKING THINKING , and caused EMOTIONAL TORTURE having that lighter tempt me over and over . I often searched for butts ewwww gross ! Cigs were always just a thought away. That was not taking my quit seriously ; that was setting myself up for failure . THE SECRECY APPROACH : I tried being a closet smoker : That was a lot of work ! Showering : perfume : hand cream . Repeat , then repeat again . I thought I could smoke and get away with it hiding my addiction . No one would know and I could still pretend with all those I loved that I was quit, and at the same time I could still support and feed my craves . That was SNEAKY AND kinda frightening and it only brought on MORE frequent CRAVINGS because I kept feeding them . I felt GUILTY , and ASHAMED . The secrecy approach sure didn’t help me quit ! Was SMOKING really making me HAPPY? . Smoking CONTROLLED my LIFE ! BOLDNESS: Oh I have to share this one lol was I bold or what and rather silly now I think about it . I Went to a park took my cigarettes , hidden of course with my lighter , and sat at a picnic bench . ANXIOUSLY I kept a LOOK OUT, AFRAID of BEING SPOTTED while taking A FEW puffs ( UNDERCOVER of a COAT ) . Oh my gosh what if I got caught !!!!! Grown woman caught Smoking !! I could see the headlines ! She LIED . She wasn't quit !! That was: OUT OF CONTROL , DESPERATION and that caused more of the same . ANXIETY , FEAR , SHAME AND EMBARRASSMENT, and OH MY GOSH , I WAS an ADDICT! How could smoking be "THAT GOOD" to cause this much pain ? SELFISHNESS: I Smoked while babysitting my sons dog. It was nice to have the company while I was out taking him for a walk or sitting on the balcony petting him . : He died of cancer at 6 years old and broke my sons heart . I miss him too . I wish I hadn't smoked . He gave us unconditional love , I gave him second hand smoke .Tears and sorrow are still shed over that . I blew smoke in the faces of all those I loved, FOR AN ADDICTION !!! MY KIDS SHOULD HAVE COME FIRST / MY GRANDKIDS , MY SIBLINGS , and my FRIENDS. My kids PETS SHOULD HAVE COME FIRST , but I chose cigarettes as my friends ,and MY right over everything else. THAT brought me nothing but GRIEF, SORROW , and SHAME , ANGER and GUILT and the most EMOTIONAL PAIN ever . Smoking was not fun . It didn't make me happy . I began to see smoking for what it was , understanding and seeing the truth . I decided to face my denial, get real with my addiction and stop the insanity . What has cigarettes done for us .The answer is simply nothing good . It is one of the worst forms of torture ever, and it was slowly killing us . The sad part: we willingly made the choice to do it everyday . We are of so much more worth, and value than that . “ THE ENDING : Quitting got easier once I decided to STOP THE INSANITY, and quit playing games with my quit . I was wasting valuable time . What did I truly want ? I wanted to quit . I surrendered . Cigarettes had that much control in my life , but not anymore . I took my power back :) I am glad all of you as well are claiming your power and your freedom from this addiction :) _ Sherri L.

It's all right up there, friends. It's all up there. Great post!

Awesome!!! You see, cigarettes NEVER helped us deal with stressful situations, even the most serious. You just dealt with a major event the same as somebody who never smoked a cigarette a day in their life. :)

Not everyone here has quit. Some are still considering it (most likely just reading the site), some are "trying" and post here and there and a few have relapsed and are back for support. You need to be around a group of people that have been where you are in the quitting process; people who have succeeded at quitting and remaining nicotine free for quite some time. It does no good to have a bunch of currently using addicts trying to help each quit smoking while they're all still smoking. You've come to right place. It may feel a bit uncomfortable right now, but so often is the case when positive and lasting change is to follow. Stick around. It works! :) Life As A Smoker Is A Balancing Act While quitting may result in a person feeling some discomfort for a few days, smokers face discomfort on a daily basis from having to maintain a constant and comfortable nicotine level. Maintaining this level is a constant balancing act. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfiH2iX_aIU Quitting Smoking Is Like Learning How To Ride A Bicycle Some aspects of quitting smoking are similar to what people experience when learning to ride a bicycle. Video shares the similarities between the two processes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sgDjF6BZl4 The Real Cigarette Induced "Roller Coaster" Ride. People sometimes describe their quitting experience using the phrase that it is like an emotional roller coaster. Video discusses that the real roller coaster ride that people experience from cigarettes is not from quitting but rather from continuing to smoke. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPrArADg75g Members Of Your Site Seem Too Happy Video discusses why people who quit smoking deserve to be happy with their decision and success. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhX4H61b4WQ

Welcome!!! Glad to have you. :)

I'm sure the mobile version of the site has it's limitations but if you can view the "full site" from your smartphone, more functions work. On my phone, everything works.

Welcome aboard and get ready to start feeling better physically and mentally. http://www.quittrain.com/topic/4753-videos-addressing-issues-early-in-your-quit/

2 hours quit, protect this quit and never let yourself take another puff. No matter how hard you think it is to stay quit, I guarantee trying to breathe with emphysema is far worse. You can quit and I believe that you will. Stick around here and read the posts, articles, blogs and watch the many videos from Joel. Don't ever give up...or give in! This thread of videos will be a great place for you to start. :) http://www.quittrain.com/topic/4754-videos-addressing-relapse-prevention/

Welcome, Pat! Glad to have you here! :)

How are you doing, Ariel? Smoking and anxiety is a never-ending cycle. At the very least, smoking increases anxiety, when you think about quitting and not having nicotine that causes anxiety and then you could have anxiety for other reasons. I know how you can get rid of two of the causes. :) Short video discusses key topic areas that enhance an individuals ability to quit and stay off of smoking. The following videos explore these individual areas: Topic one: Why you smoke Video: Why do smokers smoke https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9AmZ... 18 minutes 9 seconds Topic 2: Why you should quit Videos: Heart and circulatory diseases https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Xt9v... 19 minutes 19 seconds Lung cancer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFNv8... 18 minutes 49 seconds Feel what it is like to breathe with emphysema https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gf0ts... 8 minutes and 47 seconds The palmolive bottle demonstration https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVbUG... 7 minutes 46 seconds Premature deaths caused by smoking https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5a7D... 12 minutes 34 seconds Topic 3: How to stop How to quit smoking https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l27zW... 13 minutes 47 seconds Topic 4: How to stay off Never take another puff https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYNWI... 4 minutes 22 seconds Total time for all of the videos above is just around 91 minutes.

Ben & Jerry's :) Landscaping Dive into a project at work Focus on how much easier it was to breathe Took notice that I no longer smelled like an ashtray and instead like the lilacs scent in my shampoo. I never knew. lol

It's tough to fight through the initial urges and cravings early on but it's 100% doable. You have to get used to being uncomfortable so you can be comfortable again. It's short-lived - expect it, detect it and then reject the urges. How are you today?

Dreams Of Smoking Video discusses the common experience of dreaming about smoking after quitting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_gZx_6hq0I

I Want One! Video discusses how to stop the internal debate that often occurs after quitting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHvi6dwLanA Nicotine Is Nicotine Is Nicotine Video discusses how nicotine delivered by any source via any route of administration has the full potential of causing relapse to any former smoker or user of any nicotine product. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KViTfIfHUv0&list=PL4F05C03D0F9B86DB&index=6 I Will Control My Smoking Now One of the major reasons why some people relapse is because they have been off smoking a significant period of time and they begin to believe that they will now be able to control the way they will smoke. Video explains the full power of the grip that nicotine can take on an individual once it is administered and how they will likely end up smoking just as they had before and possibly even worse. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kALov4eEK4w&index=50&list=PL4F05C03D0F9B86DB

Cold Turkey Quitting Redefined Video discusses that when you see or hear news reports related to studies comparing cold turkey quitting to other methods of cessation, the studies may actually have nothing to do with cold turkey quitting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMA0OhCYVo0&feature=em-upload_owner Videos referred to in this video: -Cold turkey defined https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hcil... -Whatever you do, don't quit cold turkey https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUSJL... Other related videos: Cold turkey quitting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLWD6... -Is cold turkey the only way to quit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFycqB... -Comparing quits with others: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIlyDL... -Link to abstract of the study raising the issue discussed in this video: http://annals.org/article.aspx?articl... Nicotine Is Nicotine Is Nicotine Video discusses how nicotine delivered by any source via any route of administration has the full potential of causing relapse to any former smoker or user of any nicotine product. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KViTfIfHUv0&list=PL4F05C03D0F9B86DB&index=6

Hi Diana! Welcome aboard. :) You haven't wanted to go longer than a few weeks, it was a choice. You listened to that inner junkie and bought into every excuse you were telling yourself. I bet you're confusing depression with nicotine withdrawal but if you have depression, go see a doctor. There is absolutely no shame in that and why not feel better? Please watch this video. I think it will help you connect some dots. Quitting Smoking & Mental Health This video discusses how most people experience minor emotional reactions when first quitting, but also how people with pre-existing mental health issues may need physician assistance in dealing with problems that seem to be exacerbated after quitting. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ysFk0-pQ3A&list=PL76365B6CE2DA076B Related article: Depression: A normal reaction or a real organic depressive effect: http://www.ffn.yuku.com/topic/12459 Related videos: The emotional stages of loss: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vk1ECG... Using cigarettes to self medicate pre-existing conditions: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVk2Ve... Is anyone else experiencing the symptom: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EJ3Ot... Is this a symptom of quitting smoking: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rw5jbj... Life goes on without smoking: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8nBjO...