Jonny5

the quitters quit because it is very very possible, and very very simple. some might say it's easy ;-) and each of them have given themselves a chance of living. the ones who didn't quit and smoked themselves to death made a poor choice, and decided to keep on smoking would be easier than to regain their lives. please make the right choice. Because you always have the choice.

seriously, all of the guards have abandoned their posts, and the gate is wide open. the prison records have been destroyed too, so you can escape, and no one will try to recapture you. All you have to do is walk straight out of the front door, and into the no smoker world in which you wish to live. what are you waiting for? and why do some of you keep running back into the jail? take your walk to freedom.... or do you still think that freedom is inside the jail?

I realy understand the enjoyment part you speak of. I absolutely love not smoking. after being so trapped and the freedom is heavenly

I attribute my awakening to Allen Carr's method. I believe that this book alone has saved millions of us

a non smoker ;-)

Hiya, several points you make so I will try to answer them all :-) firstly, Don't worry about me :-) secondly I did say that we are learning all the time, but once you know how to be a non smoker yourself, you can't unlearn that knowledge. I don't question why you feel the need to remind me that there is a difference between confidence and arrogance, the statement kind of speaks for itself. thirdly there is a one fits all solution, it's called the "don't smoke method" the only difference is whether a person chooses to make it easy or hard on themselves. fourthly, I know that I can never smoke again without restarting the process, this is not keeping my guard up though, this just a fact that is irrelevant as I will never smoke again. No such thing as too confident when we are talking about facts. further down the road, you too may understand this. You will get to the point where you are truly independent and free, and need no one to remain quit. I am only here to support others, not for my own quit needs. I think I've covered everything, PS, I've been watching your posts with interest, they are really good. I'm sure that you will be one of the folk who stick around to pay it forward too as time goes by :-)

Anyone can. You must learn to believe in yourself. It's great to have a support network to cheer you along, but the quit you had, and the one that you will now build is all your work. You should give yourself credit and start believing :-) You only relapsed because you panicked at the permanence of quitting and got scared by your own success. You know that smoking is not a part of being quit. The fact you are here means you want to quit. So stop tormenting yourself and set yourself free :-) we will all be here :-)

There comes a time in a persons quit where they become completely confident Julie, not where they know everything, but where they know enough. It is important to know the difference between confidence and complacency, and to to allow oneself to reside within that confidence, for that is the place where inner peace exists. At the end of the day, are we not all looking for, and helping each other to reach the stage where we know 100% that we are free from this demon we share? I know you have what it takes to succeed and to never be complacent about what you've achieved. You'll never stop learning the ways of others, but once you know the way yourself, you can't unlearn it. I think that makes sense lol, it is rather late here :-)

Tracey, the difficulty for those still on the learning path is that they don't know if they are just starting, half way, or almost there. This in itself can be exhausting. So trust me when I say that from watching you work this quit, I can tell you that you're doing all the right things. And that you are closer to having this in the bag than you realise. All you need now is a little time to mature what you have grown so well :-) You've got this Tracey :-)

the added blood flow makes for greater experiences. these benefits will soon make you forget about the trigger to smoke post event :-)

If you want to be free from cigarettes, and you want to be happy about it, You will be If you want to smoke, You will, and if you want to feel like you've given up something of value, you also will. I can't stress enough that the difference between all of our quits is mindset alone. We are all nicotine addicts, I don't believe that any of us are more or less of an addict, and I don't believe that any of us are a special exception. sometimes it takes positive thinking, sometimes it takes having the guts to push through our own personal discomfort, sometimes it takes time. but in all cases it takes personal commitment and focus to really succeed, and I do believe that each of us is capable.

Try thinking that you can instead, because You really can, and when you think you can, You will :-)

the healing and recovery begin as soon as you stop smoking. you go through peak withdrawal at about 72 hours, this is when virtually all of the nicotine has left your body. over the following few months the nicotine receptors in the brain down size, and you return to a similar state as people who have never smoked. of course you are different, you can't take nicotine again without awakening the addiction, but, as you are now a non smoker that is not a problem that you need to concern yourself with. So why is it that some people go through more anguish and discomfort than others? The answer is mindset, and or your resolve and commitment to the process which you have started. While you think that you are giving something up, you will suffer. as soon as you celebrate that you have gotten free, and that every second is a second further into recovery, you will feel wonderful. Trust me, I tried on both suits, and Guess which one I wear now?

Nothing has changed really on that front then. Smoking was always consuming your thoughts, the only difference now is that you don't jump everytime the junkie clicks it's fingers. one of the most uncomfortable situations I ever faced was a 14 hour flight from UK to Singapore with no smoking. I was crawling out of my skin for my fix. I would have normally had about 30 cigarettes in that time. we often forget just how much cigarettes were at the forefront of our minds. we would do a quick smokers check about any situation, have I got enough to last? when can I fit in a smoke break? where can I smoke? should I have 2 or 3 as it will be a while till I have another chance? How long is this movie? does this bus make rest room stops on the journey? How do I say cigarettes in this language? how should I ration these remaining few in my pack? have I got a spare lighter? where is the nearest exit to smoke to make the most of a work break? how quick must I eat my dinner to fit in smokes as well? and now what? sometimes you might get an annoying trigger or crave, but remember you are probably thinking of smoking less and less with each passing day :-) the further clear of that life you become, the more you can see how consumed and trapped you once were. just observe current smokers to witness what I'm talking about :-)

I sometimes forget how 'trapped' some people are by the prisons of their own minds. I remember how trapped I was. The guilt of endangering myself when I had the responsibility of bring a Father. We all had a wakeup and smell the coffee moment. All we can do is prey thst our friends have theirs. Because first hand experience tells us that no one will stop them smoking until then :-( But we can set examples and tell folk how relatively easy it actually was, in the hope that one of our words flicks that switch. sadly though in trying to help we often piss off a lot of folk. but one day they will understand.... I did :-)

It will be a chance to witness how all those smokers 'have to smoke' and you don't. Take an air freshner in case the room is stale and create your own little haven with hubby away from the casinos. I'm sure that you can still have an amazing time together :-) Congratulations by the way. Me and Mrs 5 are just a year behind you :-)

Hi Jake. As smokers we would fuel ourselves by smoking. Sounds odd I know, but smoking causes a reaction where the body releases blood sugars. This is why many models smoke to suppress their hunger and remain stick thin. As non smokers we have to learn how to fuel ourselves with food and drink. This is one of the reasons that during the adjustment period, a person can gain weight while they try to balance their blood sugar. This makes a person get irritable for carrying extra pounds, and because of low blood sugar symptoms. It takes time to relearn, both mentally and Physically. But relearn you will :-) Have patience and trust in the process :-)

when the UK introduced the smoking ban I went nuts, and panicked!! I was a smoker then of course. Now I love the fact that the UK bans smoking in all indoors public places :-)

Thankyou everyone :-) I hope that you can all start to believe in yourselves and in your own quits. I'm no different to the rest of you. We are all addicts. We all have choice.

Congratulations Comrade Simba :-)

Thanks Jenny :-)

Quitting Smoking with such aplomb really opened my eyes to just how much power I truly have over myself, and it proved to me that I held the keys to the prisons of my own mind. So on my 4 month quit date I decided that the drink had to go. So today marks 2 Years sober and 28 months quit :-)

Thanks Rez :-)

Thanks Jackie :-)

I'm glad to see you here. Hope things settle soon for you :-)