MarylandQuitter

No need to question if you can do this because you can. Don't give yourself room to fail or a reason to continue smoking. Be bold. Take a seat and never take another puff. After all, it won't kill you. :)

My favorite coffee is brewed by me. In fact, I'm drinking my first cup of the morning right now. :) Fresh coffee beans, filtered water (I use a Zero filter), a Bodum burr grinder and a Technivorm Moccamaster brewer. Grinding the beans immediately before each pot and never, ever let coffee sit and cook on a warmer, never let it sit longer than 20 minutes and the right dosing makes for a perfect cup of all that is good. :) Folgers reminds me of the dark days before enlightenment. :read:

NOPE!!!

Food tastes better after you quit because you can actually taste it. I remember this well and just know, Ben & Jerry's little pints of ice cream can be eaten in one sitting. :dirol: Weight Control Concerns After Quitting Smoking Video discusses why many people gain weight after quitting and what steps can be taken to avoid this from happening. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgIWjMkoco4

Making the decision to quit is huge and then remaining smoke-free is even a bigger deal. Congrats!!

33,656 plus some cigars.

If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it's a duck. Evelyn said it best; "No ******* nicotine, no smoking or vaping". That is all that needs to be done and that is to take non-action and don't smoke. If you want to toss a toad over your right shoulder at midnight in some cemetery to help you quit smoking, I'll provide you the toad. However, you seem to be really be pushing this EFT here and also elsewhere so it leads me to believe that you have an agenda or than offering support here. I do not believe that all these different facets that make up EFT will remove cravings whether in aggregate or alone. When I saw your first post I almost flagged you as a spammer but figured I would give it some time. Until you can show real data showing success rates vs. relapse rates, it means nothing as our methods here do have data to support them. There is no glory sucking on an oxygen tube or not being able to breath, but there is value in dealing with withdrawal cravings and remaining smoke-free without the use of something that promises to alleviate all of the uncomfortable (yet temporary) issues when it comes to quitting nicotine. I think I'll pass on the EFT because I've already quit, in case you haven't noticed.

You know what else is free? NTAP! Never take another puff. Nobody needs to use the a placebo effect like EFT as they have access to the real cure, don't ever take another puff. You see, quitting smoking can be uncomfortable at the beginning - big deal, we're all used to the feeling of being uncomfortable. Those of my generation and before, learned that being uncomfortable is just a part of life. Folks, you don't need a trick to quit. NRT works well for some so long as the goal is to get off of nicotine completely and to stay that way. Medications work for some while for others they don't. If you use NRT or medication you're eventually going to have to go through withdrawal and with meds you will 20 minutes after you take your last puff. There is no science to EFT, yet it is presented as such. The problem that I have with this sort of thing is that gives the smoker the impression that they have little to no control over quitting smoking. With NRT or medications they are at least backed up with clinical trials and scientific data, which by the way both have lower success rates than those who quit using the cold turkey method. Make no mistake, in the end it's you on your own keeping your commitment to never take another puff. When a smoker feels they are fighting something that they cannot win on their own, it gives an excuse to relapse, which there truly isn't any excuse to do so. Relapse is serious and it's not something that I play patty-cake about. This is life or death and there is no way I would ever condone somebody feeling quitting is just too hard or out of their control because of some strong force that is just too great without the use of unscientific or proven methods to quit. Our methods are proven, EFT is not and is not something that I could ever stand behind because it makes a mountain out of molehill. Learning about nicotine addiction is hands down going to blow away EFT and it's peculiar methods. EFT may work for some things, I don't know, but as far as quitting smoking, we have a much faster and lasting method here at QuitTrain, NOPE. It is completely free and you don't have to confuse the process and literally wait on "pin and needles" to quit smoking. It's not going to make anything easier, certainly not withdrawals; it's something every smoker has to face and deal with. Some have them worse than others but sooner than later, the withdrawals are a thing of past and so too are the cravings to inhale nicotine. --------- Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) is a form of counseling intervention that draws on various theories of alternative medicine including acupuncture, neuro-linguistic programming, energy medicine, and Thought Field Therapy (TFT). It is best known through Gary Craig's EFT Handbook, published in the late 1990s, and related books and workshops by a variety of teachers. EFT and similar techniques are often discussed under the umbrella term "energy psychology". Advocates claim that the technique may be used to treat a wide variety of physical and psychological disorders, and as a simple form of self-administered therapy.[1] The Skeptical Inquirer describes the foundations of EFT as "a hodgepodge of concepts derived from a variety of sources [primarily] the ancient Chinese philosophy of chi, which is thought to be the 'life force' that flows throughout the body." The existence of this life force is "not empirically supported".[2] EFT has no benefit as a therapy beyond the placebo effect or any known-effective psychological techniques that may be provided in addition to the purported "energy" technique.[3] It is generally characterized as pseudoscience and has not garnered significant support in clinical psychology.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVk2Vetm1dc

"Your problem was never being addicted to cigarettes. Your problem was being addicted to nicotine. Ever find yourself curious about exciting new technologies that allow you to smoke without actually smoking real cigarettes?" http://www.quittrain.com/topic/4754-videos-addressing-relapse-prevention/?p=178279

Welcome!

Quitting smoking and mental health Medication adjustments that may be necessary after smoking cessation When you may really need to talk to your doctor about quitting smoking

-8

Way to go! No nicotine! :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGcCAC75VeY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEfOGyvyfFY

There is proven power in a community of positive support. http://www.quittrain.com/topic/318-the-one-year-commitment/?p=5686

In early December 2012 I went to see my Dr. about something unrelated and before I left I decided to mention that I wanted to quit smoking but enjoyed it too much. I told him that I could quit if I really wanted to, I just didn’t want to. I told him that I wanted to quit smoking for my family because they meant everything to me and I knew that the cigarettes would eventually catch up with me if I didn’t quit for good. In a nutshell, he told me I was full of shit. He told me that my family wasn’t the most important thing in my life, cigarettes were. He also went on to tell me that I was an addict to which I laughed and said “you’re telling me that I’m an addict because I’m smoking tobacco? It’s not like I’m shooting heroin or snorting cocaine.” He chuckled to himself and said “you’re the exact definition of an addict and the only reason why you’re not out on the streets stealing to feed your addiction is because cigarettes are legal.” I was mad as I sat there. How could this man say these things to me? I really do enjoy smoking. I sat and I listened. He gave me a prescription for Wellbutrin XL to help me quit smoking. I told him that I didn’t need any medication to quit smoking and he informed me that I had been smoking for nearly 28 years with several failed attempts at quitting and whatever I was doing was not working. After about 5 days the medication started to work to the point that after 2 or 3 pulls on a cigarette, I would get sick to my stomach and be on the verge of puking. Still, I lit one cigarette after another hoping that the nausea would not last, but it did and finally on December 17, 2012, I decided that I had enough and quit. This time I stayed nicotine free for 9 months and was sure I would never smoke again. I spent hour after hour, day after day reading everything I could about nicotine addiction. I watched the documentaries about the evil tobacco companies (which are on this website and very good I might add), joined a support group online and was sure I had all the answers to staying quit for good. But as things go, I relapsed again in September 2013 because of one reason; I still believed that the cigarette had something to offer me. After all of the reading and learning about nicotine addiction, none of it mattered because somewhere in the back of my mind I still believed in the cigarette. Thankfully, my relapse was short-lived and lasted only 1 week and 1 pack of cigarettes. What a shame it was to light the first of some 20 odd cigarettes after being smoke-free for ~9 months. Those 9 months prior that I speak of, although smoke-free, I was still believing somewhere in the back of my mind that cigarettes could offer me something because of my triumphant reunion with them nearly two years prior. It was all a big lie perpetuated by me. When I bought that pack in October I thought it would help. After reading Allen Carr’s book several times and being proactive for so many months, who was I kidding? The only thing I got from it was emptiness. It was at this moment and 19 cigarettes later that I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that cigarettes could not do a damn thing for me. It took a one week relapse for me to 100% believe that no matter what happens in life, no matter how crappy I feel, cigarettes will not do anything. With each and every cigarette I analyzed how I felt. From the very first pull on that cigarette I was ultra aware of how I was feeling. I remembered Allen Carr. I remembered the lies. I remembered all the former smokers in the support group. I recalled all I had read about this addiction. I was still waiting for the enjoyment because I thought it really existed. Not only did I not get one bit of enjoyment from any of it, but I also found out the hard way that there isn’t a single thing enjoyable about smoking. It wasn’t until I truly understood that I got nothing from smoking that I willingly put the cigarettes down without any medication and without a second thought. However, close to the end of that week of smoking I could feel the addiction coming on strong. Had I not chosen to quit smoking on October 7th, 2013, I feel that I would have fallen back into a full blown nicotine addiction and smoking 30-40 cigarettes per day as that was my usual routine. I was probably just a few cigarettes away from this happening and it was scary to relive those feelings of being physically and mentally addicted to smoking constantly needing to feed the throngs of nicotine withdrawal. This is not a place that I ever want to revisit. If you think that you enjoy smoking or that is somehow relaxes you, then you still think that smoking cigarettes can still offer you something of benefit. This is romanticizing the cigarette, also known as junkie thinking, whether you want to believe it or not. Leaving this door open is dangerous because something will happen along the way that will allow the addiction to creep in and when you least expect it, you’ve relapsed. Lastly, a relapse doesn’t happen without first romancing or allowing junkie thinking to creep in. No situation, as bad as it may be, will force you to smoke unless you’re still believing that you can get something from the cigarette. Quitting smoking takes no action, only non-action. Don’t ever take another puff. Remember “N.O.P.E.” each and every day and make it a priority over life and all of it’s ups and downs. Never smoke again. Not one puff, ever (N.O.P.E.).

I adopted Sir Ernest Shackleton's family motto in 2001. Fortitudine Vincimus—"by endurance we conquer"

I was pleasantly surprised to see Cris here posting when I got home this evening. jajaja I remember the first time I saw that I was like, is that a typo? jajajaja Reminds of the "chicken wing" era. :)

I Quit The Wrong Way Video addresses the concerns of long-term former smokers who now watch my cold turkey quitting based videos yet had quit by an alternate method and now feel bad that they may have quit the wrong way. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgWlA8s3v8I Related videos: -How does your program compare too... -Is cold turkey the only way to quit?

Without a doubt, you can remain a non-smoker for the rest of your life, provided you're firm in you're commitment to never take another puff and unwavering is letting life's ups & downs influence your quit. As far as others being non-supportive, please watch the videos below. :) Dealing With People Who Try To Undercut Your Quit Video discusses how there may be times when you encounter family members or friends who actually try to undercut your quit. Often they are smokers who feel threatened by your quit, but there are times where non-smokers may encourage you to relapse too. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_S46gMeHbws Talking To Others About Not Smoking Video discusses how talking both to long-term quitters as well as to people who are current smokers can help to strengthen your resolve to never take another puff. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n08bxg01NOw

Glad you're back on the train! I relapsed after a 9 month quit. I smoked 1 pack in 1 week. Take one puff and it's a relapse. It starts over, right now. I looked through your recent posts and didn't see the update you mentioned about in another thread, but I'll take another look. In the meanwhile, here are a couple of videos. :) I Will Not Smoke Today Video discusses the advantages of waking up each day and committing to yourself that you will not smoke that day. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8p2rJ5tlaU&feature=youtu.be Related videos: -One day at a time https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VD4dz... -Make a list of why you quit smoking https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgZ-P... -Complacency https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZSkt... Related article: -"I will not smoke today" http://ffn.yuku.com/topic/23271 Never Take Another Puff Video talks about my original use of the phrase "Never take another puff". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYNWI8C1vOE&index=36&list=PL4F05C03D0F9B86DB Related article: Never take another puff http://whyquit.com/joel/Joel_04_03_ne... Free downloadable book of "Never take another puff" http://whyquit.com/joel/#book Video on mantra's referred to in this video: What is your quit smoking mantra? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-q-5k... There Is No Legitimate Reason To Relapse Video explains how that under any conditions, even those of catastrophic stress or loss, there is no real legitimate reason to take a cigarette. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCm_5b144XE&index=37&list=PL4F05C03D0F9B86DB Following are links to several articles and videos that extensively explores this principle. Related articles: There is no legitimate reason to relapse http://ffn.yuku.com/topic/24 We understand why you relapsed http://ffn.yuku.com/topic/23027 I have to smoke because of all my stress http://www.ffn.yuku.com/topic/15534 How would you deal with the following situation http://www.ffn.yuku.com/topic/12463 Related videos: Resources explaining interaction between nicotine and stress https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHbpX... Smoking does not help solve stress http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6C5eTa... I am climbing the walls because I quit smoking http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUUsA1... I'll be a nervous wreck forever if I quit smoking http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJBu7B... Why do smokers smoke http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9AmZi... Video referred to in this video: Carrying nicotine replacement products in case of emergency http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMRj1B... Nicotine is nicotine is nicotine http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KViTfI...

Showing Others That There Is Life Without Smoking Video discussing how your quit may help influence others to quit too. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CM_bw2D-x0A Related videos: -Helping others quit Can you help a person who doesn't really want to quit smoking? -Quitting smoking can make you calmer, happier and healthier -The fear of failure -The fear of success

How To Help Your Patients Quit Smoking Video addressing how doctors can influence their smoking patients to want to stop and then help guide them on how to successfully quit smoking. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ql_treklRKU&feature=youtu.be Videos related to topics discussed in this video: -"Whatever you do, don't quit cold turkey” -Quitting is more doable than most people think -Setting quit dates -Premature deaths caused by smoking -Resources regarding quitting aids -Why do smokers smoke -Everything you did as a smoker you can do as an ex-smoker -The fear of success -The fear of failure -Resources explaining interaction between nicotine and stress -Quitting smoking can make you calmer, happier and healthier -Is relapse a natural part of the quitting process? -Never take another puff Videos discussing doctor-patient issues -When you may really need to talk to your doctor about quitting smoking -Suggested videos and resources to refer patients to who are interested in quitting smoking: -How to quit smoking http://www.joelspitzer.org/tipsheet.html -Hour and a half program that can help your patients save their lives http://www.joelspitzer.org/enhance.html -WhyQuit.com Patient Resources http://whyquit.com/patient_cessation....