MarylandQuitter

Oh crap. Can you extend it a couple of days? :read:

How about "In The Heart Of The Sea: The Tragedy Of The Whaleship Essex" by Nathaniel Philbrick. In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex is a book by American writer Nathaniel Philbrick about the loss of the Whaleship Essex in the Pacific Ocean in 1820. https://books.google.com/books?id=roXy5kT34j4C&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false

When I look back at all that has happened since I quit smoking I can see so clearly how cigarettes truly never helped us deal with life. Life as it happens was just an excuse to smoke. The fact that I'm still smoke-free, without a single puff, proves to me that no matter what life brings, smoking isn't going to change anything, calm us down or much less help us "get through the tough times".

Congratulations, Gemzee! :)

So how is day 2 going? Let us know if you need anything and no matter what, remember that smoking doesn't help you cope with stress and not one true claim can be made that it does anything positive for us. :)

Welcome, Kendra! Congratulations on your decision to take your freedom back. :)

Welcome, superduperhooper! Glad you found us and even more glad that you've decided to quit smoking...for good. How long did you smoke for? Not sure what all you've learned about this addiction, but knowledge is how we beat it, not by strong-arming it. A good place to start learning is to watch the videos in Joel's Library, specifically videos addressing issues early in your quit. Please know that in order to succeed, we must keep our quits separate from misgivings, celebrations, hurts and the many other excuses that we used to use to perpetuate the lie that smoking calms us, helps us cope with stress and was even some kind of sick reward to celebrate some positive event or accomplishment. As you go forward, please stay active within the community and never, ever get complacent in your quit because the day you do could be the day junkie thinking starts to enter your mind and before you know it, the cigarettes have found the open door and we all know too well what happens from there. Welcome aboard and let us know each day (or as often as possible) how your quit is going and if you're having any issues. Above all, remember to take the "The Daily NOPE! Pledge" each day. (not one puff, ever). :) Come Share Your Strengths, Come Share Your Vulnerabilities Video talks about how helping others who are in the midst of quitting can help you to secure your own quit over the long-term. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIloKURIIic&index=44&list=PL4F05C03D0F9B86DB 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

I relapsed after 9 months. Expect it to be rough at times. Time quit is not a measuring stick nor are other people. We're all different. You are wasting nobody's time, least of all mine. This is where you need to be. Period.

I bet you're enjoying summer in NE Ohio with all your grandbabies. :) Happy birthday. :party:

NOPE!!

Must be extremely boring in those parts. :read:

NOPE!

Well said. :)

What a heartwarming story. What a blessing you received. :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0ceuUQ8A5k https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZzSvDNIG_o

NOPE!!!!!! Despite it ALL, good and bad, cigarettes don't ease pain and they are certainly not a reward for anything. Here's to keeping our quits locked and secure. :good3:

My doctor warned of this last year and just recently reminded me to stay away from them. She said that when you take even as prescribed, it raises your blood pressure, often times to high risk levels. I know firsthand from family members that this is in fact true. My doc during a recent physical told me to just avoid them altogether and my blood pressure, heart etc. are all great. I rarely take anything for pain, but Advil was what I would take if I was that uncomfortable. Tylenol isn't good for your liver but when you need something for pain, what to take now?

It's been handled.

-16

-9

NOPE

-9

-9

Welcome and congrats on the best decision you could ever make for yourself. Please remember that NRT is fine and works for some, but the goal is to get off of nicotine completely. You're off to a great start but please watch all the videos that you're able to and do all the reading that you can to learn about this addiction. Being smarter than cigarettes is how we beat this, not by being stronger. :) Prolonging Nicotine Withdrawal Video explains how the 72 hour withdrawal symptoms that I discuss in many of my videos and articles is only applicable to true cold turkey quitters. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHx12A8-mFg&feature=youtu.be 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