Sazerac

Please correct me if I am wrong, @Diane R, but, I was under the impression that you haven't quit yet. You were starting Chantix and preparing for your quit. Is this right ? It is the commitment to yourself to never take another puff that matters. Quitting smoking doesn't kill you, craves do not kill you, triggers do not kill you. SMOKING KILLS YOU. We have all lived through some gnarly times and some easy times, too. Once you make the commitment, smoking isn't a choice anymore. You can power through, 'embrace the suck' as our friend, Sarge, says. Change the Story, Free your Head to emerge stronger and more confident with a solid and profound trust in yourself. To answer your question, when did you feel the worse was behind you? I feel the worse is in front of me should I ever choose to smoke even one puff ever again.

A very excellent post, M !

It took me, and many people, a full year to go through all the seasonal triggers/craves and to change many habits. I smoked everywhere all the time for 40 plus years. You may find this helpful

knowledge is power

I feel exactly the same Martian, Stand By Me (Ben E King) means a lot to me also . Funny, Jo ! I must have been orbiting with our Martian and never heard Under The Bridge. Original is the best of the lot but, that isn't an endorsement.

Hey, Koder ! Congratulations on your Four Years of Freedom. So happy to hear you are doing great !

Diane, Smoking/administering nicotine is not simply "a habit". You must address your nicotine addiction! Chantix may make the withdrawal a bit smoother but, it doesn't make addiction go away. You have to do the work to put your addiction to sleep AND put to rest triggers/craves/body memories. Chantix will not do this for you. YOU need to do the work as @Nancy, with a successful Chantix quit told you. Our friend, Joel Spitzer, helped me admit to my addiction and recover from it. Go through this list of Joel Spitzer Videos they have helped so many.

Thinking of you Richard. Please educate yourself about nicotine addiction. It is your best tool in the toolbox. Read all you can, we have wonderful resources. I already bumped this thread for you in 'discussions' but, here it is in your blog The Great Smoke Free Mental Fog If you stay close to the board and post often, we will be able to offer suggestions and support. Stay as focused as you can on your quit and stand strong in your commitment to NOPE. Discomfort from quitting smoking is temporary. Distract yourself. Go have some fun.

With education about nicotine addiction you will begin to understand about the process the body/brain experiences. It helped me immeasurably to know it wasn't just me being wacko, there were organic changes going on. Every crave/trigger you beat deserves reward. This assists your brain to deliver endorphins etc at appropriate times. You reclaim your brain. Sorry, if I repeat myself here but, it is really important. The Significance of Rewards

NOPE

Relieved that this storm, so far, has been minimal here in NOLA and hasn't been a catastrophe anywhere. No loss of life. May have residual showers tonight but, nothing extreme. Going to sleep, storm preparations and storm watching is exhausting. I'm going to take one of @WeegieWoman's Duvet Days tomorrow once I get all the shutters opened. Thank y'all for your all your good thoughts, I really mean that. It is really comforting to know y'all are keeping me safe in your thoughts. May need them again, the season is just starting. ugh. but, for now all is fine and dandy. s

Congratulations on your Four Months of Freedom, Lilly ! Please do stop by and let us know how you are doing and be sure to celebrate.

Listening to gentle soft rain falling intermittently with a puff or two of wind. Watching radar. NOLA has luckily been in a dry sweet spot, so far.

Yummy !

NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE

Congratulations on your Seven Years of Freedom, Babs ! You were a guiding influence on my quit and I thank you. Have a big celebration !

Chantix or no chantix, When you make the commitment to yourself to stop smoking and when you understand nicotine addiction, you will understand that you can ever take another puff ever again. This will lead you to awesome changes.

I researched Chanitx and learned they give you three months. All I have to say is if you want to quit smoking then, quit smoking. Make a commitment to yourself and understand that you can never have another puff EVER. Simple.

Funny, it isn't raining yet.

home. went out for D batteries for my little fan because I know what a difference this makes. I did Katrina for a fortnight. On my sojourn, I met many old friends and we just had to have a shot. Now home. Shutters closed.

Congratulations QueenB on your Four Months of Freedom ! Lavish rewards on yourself, you are doing such fine work and stay vigilant. You are winning.

Bump for our newbies

How are you doing, Michelle ? Stay focused. You have one job and that is to NOT SMOKE. This gives you freedom to do lots of other lovely things. Reward yourself for every crave you beat and as others have said, watch your blood sugar and drink some juice.

I recommend putting nicotine (in any form) down. Sure, you will have some bad moments but, they won't last and your body will heal rapidly. Craves do not last long and do not kill you. You will love your Freedom, I guarantee it. You must be honest with yourself and make the commitment to NOPE. Then, you will succeed.