Abby

The grief cycle by @jillar .. went to find the title . Don't know how to add the link .

Good job @AceWhite It is an indoor day for me . I will be doing a twenty five minute weight work out x3 today via u tube and resting up for another 10 k walk tomorrow .. @Doreensfree, @Boo and others ? What's ya up to today ?

@Robbie love your avatar . Congrats on your quit . I read through some of your earlier posts and like other want to share with you that you are not alone . I cried rivers when I quit , for weeks . All the emotions just flowed through my system in the form of tears . I never knew one could produce so many in a day . A language of its own . Thank goodness I was able to stay in my home for the most part and not be around family or friends . My way of coping . Everything triggered tears . I was grieving the loss . To your right you will find a post on grieving from a very good source , I recommend reading it . Quitting is a process very similar to grieving a loved one but we have to remember letting go of cigarettes is not a loss . It's a gain in strength . Walking helps depression . I walked in uncrowded places when tears weren't flowing or when they were . I watched funny movies, and my fav went to the zoo . Monkeys are so sweet charming and uplifting and always make me smile how so similar people are to monkeys , elephants so strong , and giraffes will stick there necks out to cheer you up . Perhaps find an open air flower garden to tour when you are feeling better might be a great distraction from depression , but first get healthy. With your symptoms please be careful .. know the covid symptoms . I hope things are doing ok there in Australian, sure bad here . Personally I think a lot of our depression we stuffed in inhaling cigarettes and not dealing with things can make people even more depressed . Enter staying in bed to comfort ourselves , procrastination on things that need attention , a sense of no purpose , lack of confidence , worthlessness , all reasons we at one time or other smoked a cigarette . Addiction and depression thrive on doom and gloom . I understand some forms of depression are clinical , but some we do create ourselves as well . Those are the ones that can be changed by our actions . Change the negative into positive . Just some of my thoughts this morning . I don't know if anything helps . I admire your strength to persist through the hard stuff through your depression and tears and I promise you the good stuff continues every day you keep that quit . Ten years quit , I still am receiving positive things from the work it took to quit and from those tears. Btw most of my tears now are happy tears . Keep going k you are doing phenomenal , Great job . Take care of you . You are important , valued and loved .

Good morning from my side of the world . Nac nope de tai . I'm sayin " Not a chance don't even think about it " . Nope . Signed and sealed this 27th day of April 2021

I think that can be part of it for sure @reciprocity Hope you are doing ok there down East . More help I think I heard today is coming your way . Hope so. A slight change in roll out last week qualified some with certain medical conditions to get their second dose earlier now . I do qualify and have my appointment booked for this weekend . Grateful . I have such mixed emotions though , as I would like for all to have this vaccine now , all,at nice so we are all safe! Grandson done quarentine tomorrow . So far so good . He will be happy to get back to school . My thoughts continue to go out to everyone around the world . Stay safe.

Back to walking today . Temps are gorgeous ..Hoping to beat my time on my 10 k walk today . Stepping it up a notch .

Happy birthday to your son . Celebrate birthday and nopeday . Congrats on your quit . Nope for me . Grateful , honoured and joyful to be free .

You may actually and quite likely cope better once the smoking is gone ... and think more clearly as well . Brain fog is normal for a bit . CRS they call it . ( Can't remember stuff . ) I agree I thought how in the world could I live without them .. well I am and you will too . You will find healthier ways and feel better . I know several folks with ptsd , they quit smoking , so I'm pretty sure you can too if you don't use ptsd as a reason to smoke . It's a crutch not a cure . We are here to support when you are ready , I hope you feel safe and happy here . You can do this .

No need for shame frustration or sadness . All those things you can change . Our brains can certainly do a number on us pretty fast , getting us all negative about ourselves . It's a lie .. it's addictions dirty trick . Something I learned during my quit was this : " Quit listening to negative things you tell yourself and fill yourself with positive . For everything spoken negatively is within your power to change " . Cravings want you to feed your addiction and to listen to their needs . They will try to push you around til you break with either words, with anxiety and definitly with lies. That's addiction , not you . You want to be free . Starving the beast is what puts the fire out in addiction ; feeding it cigarettes gives it life . Starve it over and over again and it will give up . It won't come back if it knows there's no food . I know that's hard but it's necessary to get through more quickly . I had an eight year quit that was easy peasy . It was like I never smoked a day in my life . First quit , I quit from 30 to 38 years old . It was a cinch to quit that first time . Then I had the crazy notion to comfort myself with "just one " during a difficult time in my life having 8 years quit . I thought no problem , " one " would be enough . Quitting was easy . Well , that one " like the first "one" led to a pack in a week and then to 16 more years of smoking . Sixteen more years led me to the point it was do or die at 54 years . That's when I made out my will but more importantly that's when I said I'm quitting and meant it . . Smoking was not going to be an option ever . Please do not put off tomorrow what you can do today . Smoking isn't worth it . Look forward to being free from this , it's worth it . Those craves ? Just accept them . Welcome them because they are the path to healing . I am a visual person . If you are too , try making up a visual that can help you . Rub some grain from the wheat field and watch the chaff blow away in the wind . You don't need smoking anymore . It's not needed to make life beautiful . Let the craves go with the wind and inhale that beautiful fresh air first thing every morning . Inhale deeply gratefulness and you will exhale gratefulness . So this quit was meant to be hard for you for a good reason I think , so do you really think you should feel ashamed frustrated and sad . I don't think so . I think there is a better lesson in this and it's one for good . I'm glad you are here , check out the pledge if you don't already if it's something you think might help you .. I call it a promise . Do what works for you . No better conductor on the train than you yourself . Best wishes as you travel Abby

NAC . ( not a chance ) Nope . Not one puff ever . Pledged , Committed , stubborn , determined , grateful , promised . Hopping on the train . One way destination , one day at a time , one way fare , beautiful ! Ah freedom !

I'm just going to say congrats Dianne on all the wisdom you have and getting through things you may never have thought possible . My best as you continue your journey with one day at a time in mind every day and with one foot in front of the other . Abby .

Nope Can't have what I don't buy . Cigarettes are definitely a bad choice and I don't buy them any more . Non smokers don't buy them , ex smokers don't either . Grateful . Hope all quit train riders have a great day. As Kelly ckarkson says at the end of her show " if not change it " . She's changed many a day for me with those words fresh in my mind .

It's now or never I it's doable T truth . S Solution .... ? N Not one right way to do this ; its the way that works for you . O One puff is all we have in common and truth is ... one puff W Will lead us all back into temptation should we forget . O One R Reminder N Never E Ever Validate smoking as a solution to anything or give it credit E Even in the worst case scenario R Remember to be an ex , we stay an ex . You can do this YOU You , only you ..... can Open your heart and accept your quit ; surrender and let it go Under no circumstances take it back CAN Choice is yours and only yours And you hold the key to open a new world with new beginnings Now , tomorrow or never . You make the decision DO Do it with gratefulness not sadness One day at a time . THIS Take this opportunity as a last chance . It may be your best chance . Hold yourself accountable It's important to do this So do it now , not never . You won't regret it . You are a person of value . You Can Do This Abby sjl

You Own your Quit ( a poem ) You Own your quit Understandably it is hard to do One time long ago you took your first puff Who knew one would last years but Now we see the mistake and we know we have to quit . Yes, it's hard One puff is never enough and it doesn't stop with one crave and it will take many Ups and downs to get through to the other side but there is hope if you Remember you are in control . Quitting Uses your gifts. Your Imagination to outsmart it ; determination persistence and patience . Qualities you possess To own your quit today , tomorrow , and forever. Abby sjl Sent from my iPad

Smart Move Addict (a poem) Set the goal Make the plan Amid confusion , say no Realize your dreams The time to succeed is now ! Making excuses to smoke is not allowed One puff , is never enough Very wise addicts will not go there Ever ! Always Delay , discuss Distract , drink water , deep breathe . Don't smoke . In case of emergency Call on your support team To get you through , and you will succeed ! Abby sjl 2021 It is never too late to quit . Every day is the best day . Always keep trying . Quit train has your back . You can do this . Own your quit .

Ex smoker here , therefore I do not smoke . Nope I don't smoke . It makes me choke . Happy to stay committed , grateful , and smoke free .

Congratulations @Mona .

@Kdad you don't have to convince me quitting is hard . Been there , it's a gong show I know and tough . It is gut wrenchingly tough too having to repeat the same pain over and over . Change the things you can to not repeat mistakes . It's part of the process . I can tell you if all you have is a seed of hope it will be enough to make it happen . The way through is to get through the nonsense thinking that you "can't " quit and believe in " I will " quit by the action I take . Take smoking off the table as an option . You may shed a few tears , that's ok . You may become angry , parr for the course , you may feel you lost your best friends , but you didn't . They were never a friend in the first place . It takes time so don't be hard on yourself , don't quit trying , just come here , lean on your friends here for help through until you can do it on your own . Reaching out when we are weak is actually strength . That's what friends are , they will support you to the end . Everyone is here for you and wants to help . Put pride aside and let us help . We help each other . You helped me today .. believe it . You did . Put your stubborn side to use . It can be a powerful tool to use against craves . Halt . Crave hits ask yourself ? Hungry , angry , lonely , tired ? Solution : Healthy snack , walk, call a friend , rest . Distract , delay , deep breaths , discuss , dont smoke . Do something different . Oranges help with craves as will cinnamon , frozen grapes or blueberries , walking , a new hobby . Write a letter of goodbye to smoking . Write a list . Remember your why . Why are you quitting . Because enough is enough right . Hope something here helps . Everyone has given you food for thought . Take what helps and add your own thoughts and you got a great recipie to quit happening . I am glad you are here . Post , don't smoke . You won't surprise us on how you may be feeling . We have been there on our own journey too . Not the same shoes but on the same road to freedom . Everyone here can relate to your feelings I think . I know I do . You. Can . Do. This . By . The. Action And Choices . You . Make. Through . Every . Crave . Hard yes , but temporary . It gets easier . Hang in there with us until it gets easier . You won't regret the time you spend here . Promise you .

Thanks @koder3 Nope here too . Smoking doesn't pay well . Staying quit has the best benefit plan . Gaurenteed satisfaction . Signed : A happy employee here .

Good job @Doreensfree @ Pig Lover taking the first step is the right foot forward . So glad I took that beautiful walk yesterday , although not real scenic there were some nice hills to climb ... today is only 4 C and the s hhhh word s--now! Today is rest day from walking with a 25 minute work out with weights x 2 . Thanks U tooobe . If a hockey game is on tonight you'll find me on the stationary with chai tea and water . Imma stationary bike riding couch potato addict ! Some couch huggin today tho too . Rest is good . Gearing up for another big walk day after tomorrow . Hmmm might be in my future .. something I've not done but might try . What ya all up to today ?

Just saying .. No smoking in the forecast today ..... and that's your reliable weather nope update for April 21 2021 . Promise . Abby

@AceWhite great job . My kids were competitive swimmers and did just a fun biathlon swimming and running in a mountain town we were visiting once . To my surprise it was against adults ( they didn't specify age lol ) We threw them in for fun the last minute . The oldest boy 11 took the trophy . 2nd a policeman . I couldn't believe it ! He was behind in the mountain run and lapped everyone many times over in the pool . Training and practice and those sweet turns paid off for him lol . Grandkids and kids did mountain biking last year on some pretty wild and crazy mountain trails . They loved it . Once in the blood always in the blood . I miss my athletic days , but anyway .. today's business . Doing a ten k walk for groceries lol and back for a toast to that lol ! Warm and sunny today . So gotta get off here and go .... Our pools here everywhere are closed .. only swimming will be in the lake this summer . Beat your time man . You can do it . Whats everyone else doing today ?

Why .... why smoke ? I can think of no reason . Addiction will think of many . Those reasons are Lies Being quit is better than smoking . Fact , truth . Not one puff today . Nope . Guaranteed . Promised . Committed . Grateful .

Oops , how do I delete the emoji , it's suppose to be a like .

I wrote this in response to someone this morning but lost where the post is now . Weird . I've forgotten how to use the site sorry so hope this reaches the person it was intended for . ----------------------------------------- Effort in = outcome . The results . Easy no it is not , but in the end it will be very worth the effort . We all walk this journey together 1 day or ten years . One puff can extinguish a fire (our quit) and with it it steals confidence to try again . I'm glad you didn't listen to your addiction or to the lies addiction fed you , but instead listened to your heart . Here you are and we are happy you are here . Our actions are the solution to success . Looking ahead and seeing others who are quit for years can seem so far away or even impossible and breathtaking . People may have anxiety , panic and fear , but I promise you it's not impossible and I promise you breathing will get easier and not at all labour intensive with each passing smoke free day . Smoking only added to our anxiety and fear . There will be peace beyond understanding and you will feel amazing . COPD ers like myself know though that breathing is always hard but quitting and staying quit will slow the progression and being an Ex smoker is awesome , so much better than smoking . Your testimony a year from now ( four seasons smoke free ) will be a light to others . Give yourself time to reach your goals one season at a time . It is not a race , you don't have to be the rabbit , you can be the tortoise . Moving forward slowly but surely is truly what wins this race . Forever is a gift not a curse ok . None of us knows how long forever will be quite frankly . If a crave taunts you today , remember addiction only wants you to be sucked back in . It is feeding you lies . Spit it out . Grab a tea instead , maybe an orange or take a walk . Distract , delay , discuss , deep breathe , relax . Addiction loves a fight . Don't react by smoking instead take action to enjoy your day as a new and improved born again ex smoker . In that case it's fine to just walk away and let that stupid addiction win . It doesn't deserve attention . You are better than that . You got better things to do . All those things you always wanted to try but didn't , start planning . Every day quit adds one more day of living life to its fullest . Uncomfortable a little while = comfortable long term. You got the control and the throttle is in your hands . Congrats on your freedom today .