babs609

oh gosh Nat......big hugs!! Smoking is never the answer...ever. No matter what. Just know that for this time...and make it your sticky quit. Your Quit Train family is here for you. :)

I am here! Sorry. Was in the back seat and missed roll call. :)

and that's how it's done! One crave, one hurdle at a time. You will be stronger for it. :) good job Rowly....and good job everyone for being here...that's what the Quit Train is all about!

wrote this a while ago and just came across it. Thought I would share it. As I was driving to work a couple of weeks ago, a song from my past came on the radio. Instantly put me in a good mood. I was singing along, bopping in my seat happily as i drove to work. The song triggered a memory for me...a happy memory. I was in a good mood all day because of it. Fast forward 2 weeks later..a song came on the radio that made me sad. Triggered an emotional response and i was sad for just a few minutes. In the past, I probably would have let that sadness permeate into the rest of my day as well..but I have learned through practice and the process of quitting smoking, that we are in control of our thoughts at all times. We do not control environmental circumstances that may trigger a thought, We do not control a thought that just pops in our head that came out of nowhere. We DO control what we do with it that moment. Decision time. Focus on the feeling.....or just accept it for what it is and move on. It's a thought...a fantasy...a made up story in your head. It's not real. It may have been real in the past but reliving an unpleasant memory was bad enough the first time....why torture yourself.? Same is true for the future....all made up fairy tales. What's real? Whatever it is that you are doing that moment. Not the crazy talk in your head. This moment is all you are guaranteed. The future is now. Same thing occurs when you are triggered to smoke. It's a lie. a fantasy. a made up story in your head. Our minds are our toolbox..filled with wonderful tools that were picked up along the way in our quit journey. As you pick up these tools, you learn to apply them to practice. Each time you do, it strengthens your quit. After repeatedly doing the same things over and over..Mantras, coming to the board, reading posting,, drinking water, exercising, writing in a journal...whatever tools work for you...eventually they do stick. They become automatic. You become amazed and so happy and excited that you have finally found freedom. You see the glimpse that it is doable. It's an amazing journey newbies!! Embrace it. Don't fight against it. Every Time a craving comes....smile and say "BRING IT ON!!!" Because you know that it's GO TIME..a chance to use the tools. Use the tools to control the chatter. Question your thoughts....and you will most likely find...you are full of crap. Get out of your own way and let the healing begin!! I love my freedom!!! You will too! .

a cold and rainy NOPE

yay!!! great job Leanna!!!! woo hoo!! this could explain the disappearing belly button :) your gut is reshaping and you'll see it again...haha..keep at it!! xo fantastic!

Sticking around here and reading the posts and watching the videos...can help you change your way of thinking that will ultimately help eradicate that desire to ever smoke again...and may also help you decrease the drinking. You do learn that you are not giving anything up when you quit smoking...in fact, you are escaping. People who smoke do not "get to" smoke...they "have to" in order to satisfy their addiction. Only it never satisfies. It's insatiable. Nicotine addiction makes you believe the idea that you enjoyed smoking...that's the memory we all have when we think back to when we smoked and we relieved our withdrawal pangs. The same thing will occur if you wear super tight shoes all day...and then you finally remove them. Of course there will be relief and a feeling of "ahhhhhh" But how about not having worn the tight shoes in the first place? It's all an illusion that we enjoyed it. Once you truly understand and believe that the cigarette does absolutely nothing for you....you achieve freedom. You are happier...you are healthier..and not smoking becomes....well....easy. Every day. That's the biggest battle..the mindset.

Welcome!! Congratulations on the best decision of your life! NOPE...one day at a time. :D

NOPE!!

hahahaha!

I boil beets...and after they cool off...i sprinkle with salt and snack :) then the left overs...I save the juice and the left over beets and use them in my salads for the next few days and also the juice and some beet in my protein shake i always hated beets growing up but i"m learning to like them now I found out you can eat the leaves and the stems so i recently used them in my omelet and put it in stew...really good for you and gives it some color.

and you thought i was always in the back seat...lol

you rock sista!! get it girl!!

hahaha!! awesome!!

I'm late to the party! Congrats Stuart!

So sorry I missed this. Congrats Humbled!! You are such a wonderful asset to the board.

congrats Sammie!

good morning!! happy saturday

nice! Always remember when any family members or friends go outside to smoke...they are smoking because they "have to" not because they "get to". Don't fall for the illusion that it's something you are missing. It's what you "escaped" Thank Goodness

what's goin on? what plans?

Just seeing this....get well my friend!! ugghh...being sick is the worst...but i'm glad it didn't start till after thanksgiving