babs609

I'm in pain today. F it

I can't believe I used to smoke. It was so crazy how addicted I was. After so many attempts at "this is it...this is my last pack...I'm not going to the store in the morning. I'm going to drive right by it". Most times, I didn't make it till morning...I went out at 2 am for a pack and my self esteem, courage and confidence becoming weaker and weaker. I was frequently angry with myself for not having willpower. This also spilled out into other areas in my life...going to get more organized..going to lose weight and start exercising...going to do this, going to do that. I didn't do squat. It was a vicious cycle. I do blame everything on the smoking. Why not? When we quit....we blame everything on the quit. LOL....But even that...the struggles in the quit were not because I quit. But because I smoked to begin with. I used to be a confident person. Slowly, as time went on and I continued to smoke..my confidence in myself and my strength went south. I doubted my instincts, my abilities, and my strength. Why wouldn't I? I was a weakling, after all. It wasn't until I researched about nicotine addiction and read up about how I don't need to be stronger than the addiction....but I do need to be smarter. It's really as simple as that. Change how you see things. Education is the key....hands down baby! I am loving this journey! I never thought I could be a non smoker, and to be a happy non smoker was even more unbelievable. I always thought that if I quit smoking, I would have to give up something. A part of myself. The part that believed in the cigarette...I believed it was my friend and helped me. I thought I enjoyed it. OMG....looking back now it's so foreign and ridiculous. I just finished a mud run....Rugged Maniac. Did the whole course except for 1 obstacle I chose to pass on. Next year I will tackle that one. I am pretty proud of myself. I would have NEVER have even attempted such a thing had I been a smoker. I have my confidence back...and now I just want to keep going...keep challenging myself and see how far I can go. All because I quit smoking. It all started there.

that about sums it up for me too :) Great place to come to for quit smoking support...and great place to come to...period. xoxoxoxo

lol..you guys are too much......thank you Jenny!!

you guys ROCK!! Thank you so much...support is EVERYTHING. I'm a true believer in that. I have a friend who would tease me about the different groups I'm in but I believe the power in numbers and sticking close by with people who are having the same struggles as you are...Some being well into and comfortable in their journey...others still struggling....some just starting to see some light at the end of the tunnel. I used to be one of those people who thought "I can do this on my own" and where did that thinking lead me?? Exactly nowhere. Even my fitness group is sort of a cult...haha..that's what we call it. But it's more than just exercise class...it's a community...a family...just like here. That makes such a difference and when normally I would give up...someone comes along and tells me I can do it! One day at a time. I am comfortable in my quit and actually thought for a few seconds the other day that I was 2 years quit and then remembered "no...it's 3 years" that's how far away from thoughts of smoking are for me. But, I stick around to pay it forward. To give back to the community that was there for me..and still is when I have an issue to talk about, even no smoking related stuff. Besides....you all crack me up and I enjoy coming here and playing games and posting crazy stuff...lol...so much fun. Love you All!! xoxoxoxo :wub:

Showed up for class even though I was a little beat up from the race. Glad I did.

I rented a bus for you to drive around the US and pick us all up for a road trip in celebration of your Birthday....sorry you have to drive on your birthday Jimmy Have a wonderful Birthday!!

Congrats Jess!! Doesn't it just feel amazing??? You've got this girl and before you know it...we'll be celebrating 1 year (though i'm not in a rush for that because i love summer :) ) great job!

Miss you Bonnie. Hope you and your family are well. Happy birthday!

Congratulations!! You are rockin that quit. :)

You did fabulous!! It just keeps getting better. NOPE! Every day and all day! :)

Woo hoo Pippa!! You are a rock star! You are also wonderful support and very inspiring. Thank you and congrats!

Laughing Eating Singing Dancing

is this an SOS?

this made me laugh! and then today....I see this!! reminds me of the tracy/travis thing which I never fully understood...hahaha

finished up my week strong....I did purposely skip leg day yesterday....to be honest they were sore and my knee was bothering me and I have a race this weekend and didn't want to be in pain for that so I skipped. I rarely skip so it's ok :) Today was cardio kickboxing day...TGIF!

that's why I avoid doctors, at least traditional ones anyway

FYI The Food and Drug Administration is strengthening warnings on painkillers like ibuprofen to say that they cause an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. The over-the-counter forms include Advil, Motrin IB and Aleve. The distinction was subtle: The labels already say such drugs “may cause” increased risk of heart attack and stroke. But the agency said that new data from a recent analysis provided stronger evidence of the increased risk of heart failure from such drugs, called nonaspirin nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Nsaids), which are taken by millions of Americans. In the coming months, the agency said it would ask manufacturers to change the labels to say that the drugs “cause an increased risk” of serious heart failure. It also will ask them to add that the risk may occur early in treatment and may increase the longer the patient uses the medicine. The changes will apply to over-the-counter and prescription forms of the medicine, an F.D.A. spokesman said. The agency said people with heart problems should consult a doctor before taking the medication. The F.D.A. said it reviewed a large number of studies that supported the conclusion that the medicines caused increased risk. The studies estimated that the relative risk increased by 10 percent to 50 percent, depending on the drugs and the doses considered. The agency first warned of the risk of heart attack and stroke in the prescription medicines in 2005. People who have heart disease, particularly those who recently had a heart attack or stroke, are most at risk, the agency said. But it added that even those who had never had heart disease were at risk. “Everyone may be at risk, even people without an underlying risk for cardiovascular disease,” Dr. Judy Racoosin, the deputy director of the F.D.A.’s Division of Anesthesia, Analgesia and Addiction Products, said in a written explanation of the change. Last year, the F.D.A. convened a panel of experts to review the studies and evidence that informed its decision on Thursday. The over-the-counter form of the drugs is used to treat pain or fever. The prescription forms tend to be stronger and are used to treat arthritis and other painful conditions, the agency said. In a statement, the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, a trade association for makers of over-the-counter medicines, said such drugs “have a long history of safety and efficacy when used as directed,” and that the current label already addresses heart risks “and directs consumers to take the smallest effective dose.” It said it would work with the F.D.A. to make the changes it is requesting “to ensure continued safe consumer use.” http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/10/us/fda-is-set-to-toughen-nonaspirin-warnings.html?_r=1

Lol

Woo hoo!! 2 years is so awesome. Proud of you Petra!!

how did I miss this!??? way to go Nancy!!! xoxoxo