Still winning

Ahhhhh chip butty.... Diets fooked for tonight :(

I'm more of a Donald girl :) They are gonna go mad, it's be ace!! I also get to see my sister and two nephews who live there which will be amazing for my Mum and I. Can't wait.

Awww, you look beautiful, and definately look younger as I would never have guessed you having grown babies. I prefer to think on it as "gaining in wisdom" :) xx

40 mins walk day 2 level 2 of 30 day shred 20 minute dance workout If I ever go to rio I'm gonna freestyle dance, that carnival workout was pony, shame cause it sounded great!

I also use them to run the home made wine through...that would help Colleen :)

I am pleased you all felt the same. I googled so many times pre quitting a "how to". I couldn't see how I was going to get from being a smoker to being a non smoker. It didn't seem possible. The thought of NEVER smoking again, wow, no way, how would anyone never smoke. And yet...there were ex smokers, who didn't want a cig. Yes we all spoke to the one dramtic dopey twonk who said "5 years later and I could still pick up a cig", now I want to tell those people to read up on addiction. Abstaining and quitting are different! My somewhat rambly point however was I never found the answer or acknowledgement that pre quit fear was acceptable, normal and totally ok. I think one day at a time/don't over think is an answer. Yes to all of the other things I read and learnt of course, but for me they came later, it was the initial here to there, smoker to non smoker that I didn't "get" and that was the most simple bit of all in the end, just don't set fire to the next cigarette you would smoke and go do something/anything more useful :)

Half a year!! Massive congrats, that's such an amazing accomplishment,utterly delighted for you :) I knew you would make it. The questions and hunting for answers, along with helping others do the same has also inspired me many times. Genuinely pleased to share a journey with you lovely lady. x

Just me recording a good bit is all. I try to record when it feels bad and good, so I have a real measure of the journey. This is the holiday of a lifetime for my children and is a a large part of why I quit as I promised to go last year but couldn't make it financially. I am beyond excited and quite possibly at a pitch only animals can relate too :)

*wipes brow* indeed, good news my friend. x The rest will do what it does and hopefully go towards them fixing you, so a good end game but some rubbish to get done and dusted first. Sorry for the bad, pleased it might be fixable at the end. x

Hey beauty, only you would pick a changing quit date, good work :) 3/4 of a year!! a battle well fought my friend. Happy 9 months free. Look forward to celebrating many more together. x

GET IN!!! G'wan Jacs :) So so pleased to celebrate your 1 month anni with you. Brilliant job my friend. Massive congrats on the first month free of many. xx

What Sally said :) Ginger is really good. I often sub that for cinnamon in this receipe: 1/2 cup dried elderberries 3 cups water 1 cinnamon stick 3 cloves All in a pot, bring to the boil and then simmer for 30 mins. Strain, as it's cooling add some honey. Keeps in the fridge for 3 months, take a spoonful or swig 3/4 times a day alongside other medicines. Cloves are kinda herbs, assuming you get them there as honey, slice of lemon with 2 cloves pressed into it with a shot of scotch is a good pre bed "hot toddy". Echinacea root is great for colds too as it shortens the time of the symptom (rather then improve it at the time, it shaves a day or two off it), tablet form is better, the actual root tastes rank!! Chamomile and mint also have properties that would sooth the throat. But actually any warm fluids are as good. It thins the mucas which the body is trying to expel. Steaming in a shower room/bathroom can help ease nasal passages in a natural way too. Eucalyptus is a great one for clearing your head too. But you can't take it, just wrap the leaves and put under your pillow. To infuse any herb simply put dried or real herbs in a cup of hot water and let it sit for about 2/3 mins, then strain, Iuse the kids old muslin cloths as I can never find the strainer :) Feel better soon. x

I have spent a lot of my time over the last 6 months watching quit videos, reading stories, blogs, googling. I have read about nicotine addiction and health implications and self worth. I would like to think I am a reformed addict. So rewind..... I want to quit smoking but -I'm told it's so hard -I will feel lousy for months -I can't see a world where I can't smoke again -Forever is too big Then I joined a forum and took a sigh of relief. I don't have to contemplate forever, I just have to not smoke today. Phew! That I can do. This is what we/I offer you. Don't over think it. Tell yourself Smoking is not on the table (SNOT)for today. Not One Puff Ever (NOPE) just for today. Because tomorrow is another day! So many quits, (so many of my quits! were/) are lost through chronic over thinking - before the addiction message really has a chance to hit home. We are told "you will know"...really? I never knew, did you? This feels like the elusive message. The one we don't talk of but why not?? We are afraid to quit, afraid to fail at the quit and can't contemplate a life where we can't smoke. This feeling doesn't last. Nor should you cosy up with it and spend quality time together as you will just panic yourself. The truth is this, forever, at anything!, is far too overwhelming as a starting point and that's really real. So deciding to quit is great, do that! Not smoking today is great, do that! Go to sleep and wake up, not smoking today is great, do that!! Literally take one day at a time. All we have is "now" and tomorrow is not promised to anyone. Fear is no reason to not try, nor is it a reason to hurtle over the proverbial cliff edge. Baby steps, like you are protecting something very precious and take each day as it comes. Fear kills too many great choices. Don't smoke today. This day, this hour, this minute. Whatever that takes. We will carry you when it feels hard, for today.

I posted this on my facebook. I have been spouting these sort of lines for eons. x

Always do what feels right :) Gut instinct is a great skill that too many ignore. x

Leanna, Shredded basil leaves (or dried) go really great sprinkled across tomato and cucumber, I always add them when I do a greek salad :) And sage, but I add sage to everything on the sly as it's a great healing herb! Also if anyone like me finds parsley a bit "too much" I've found corianderis a fab substitute. I'm doing the english classic shepherds pie tonight but it's still cooking :) Was supposed to be with brocolie but it's gone off :( Receipe in case of interest? Beef mince bovril or other beef extract gravy granules carrots peas onion Brown lean beef mince and dump in oven proof bowl. Put in slow cooker or oven proof dish Cover well with gravy and add a teaspoon of beef extract Sling in some carrots, peas and onion I cook for at least 3 hours on a low heat but you can do it in like half hour. Put in an oven proof dish and spread mashed potatoe over the top and oven bake till mash goes golden brown. Serve with veg, and a slice of bread and butter to mop it all up :) I also sprinkle some curry powder over the mince as that's yummy and I like my food to have a kick!

Proper funny! Of course now my shepherds pie isn't looking as appealing :(

Emotional highs and lows are a part of this early journey, please rest assured this dies down later so you only have to go through it now and get it done. Cry, scream, breathe deep. You are healing on every level and healing isn't always easy, but it is always worth it. Be kind and gentle to yourself for a while. Who cares if the house is a bit dirtier, sometimes a gel just needs a bubble bath or a good cry or to chat to a friend or post to us. No matter what you can do this and I hope today is more positive anyway. xx

He means it was all too much (weight wise, more to love) and he's had to go buy new trousers :)

Ahhh there's no such thing as too much bakon :) I'm sure your junk is lovely Chrispy, don't listen to the smutty ones ((chrispy)).

No womb at the inn. Hopefully others can help. Sorry your cycles messed up tho, I remember that being really annoying. xx

Bump back :)

You know where we are Jay. You can do this, but you have to stop throwing yaself under the train my friend (unless you were just really really busy). Ready when you are. xx

You absolute beauty!! Big up Sue!! Utterly chuffed to bits for you my friend. Brilliant quit for a totally deserving lady. Hug those kiddo's a little tighter knowing you have more life to spend with them today. Massive congrats for your 1 year anni. xx