Still winning

I just posted this elsewhere, actually seeing smokers really helped my quit like this: When you have to, really watch them smoke. Mentally note how there's a "catch" in their throat and then a cough. Remember, they are inhaling poisons and chemicals (70 of them proven as cancer causing!) with that cig. Also note they do not look blissfully relaxed, they are not smoking cause they are lovin it - they are smoking because they are a nicotine addict and after 20 minutes from putting out the last cigarette, the craves are beginning and get bigger until you remedy it with yet another fix of nicotine, complete with chemicals and poisons. Ice cold water A list of all the reasons I didn't want to smoke clicking my fingers Posting all over the board NOPE shuffle - switched from foot to foot shouting loud or in my head Nope A mantra - "For milly and I" Hard boiled cough sweets (I just like them lol) Dancing Nobbys chilli peanuts! SOOOOO good, averaged 3 packs a day and then had to wean off them haha Cleaning, specifically mopping was my big crave fixer. Crystals, dalmation jasper necklace and a tumblestone that I would touch if I craved. I needed a lot of distraction :) So worth it though for what I have today. One other thing, I found I couldn't talk on the phone...every call I would spark up, I just stayed away from the phone like others avoided alcohol. Most triggers I decided to face head on, which worked for me. x

Also to say I lived with smokers and I used it to focus my quit like this: When you have to, really watch them smoke. Mentally note how there's a "catch" in their throat and then a cough. Remember, they are inhaling poisons and chemicals (70 of them proven as cancer causing!) with that cig. Also note they do not look blissfully relaxed, they are not smoking cause they are lovin it - they are smoking because they are a nicotine addict and after 20 minutes from putting out the last cigarette, the craves are beginning and get bigger until you remedy it with yet another fix of nicotine, complete with chemicals and poisons. You find if you start thinking of it like that when you have to be around smokers you feel sorry for them and it actually gives you strength to not smoke. Drinking really inhibits the brain, be careful if you drink. It's perfectly ok to run away and have a nap, or a walk. Walking is great, step by step repeat in your head "nope, nope, nope" until the crave has passed.

Aww I'm sorry for little Messi and your lovely family. Sure he's soaring high above the clouds now. xx

Sleep yeah, apparently it's for wimps the first 1 or 2 weeks quit :( Maybe try a herbal tea before bed, chamomile or peppermint are good for calming before sleep. There's a celebration thread for your one week in the celebrations section. You've done so so well to change your mindset so quickly and pwerfully. It's great to see because now you can do this. Yes, there is sometimes a battle of the mind but with the certainty of Nope for today, you can push through them. So happy for you S, real inspiration to read and you never know who's now reading what you have written. I bet it would inspire someone else!! x

Think of the arm workout your getting tho Crys :) Had to rest yesterday, sicknote. So day 5 of level 1 30 day shred 25 minutes pilates with arm weights

You certainly make the board interesting :) No seriously, you're great and we absolutely need to not be so serious all the time. Even more so when quitting!! Thanks for all you do. Love that you're bring your diary over here now. I read it once near the beginning of my quit. Your quit sounded a tad calmer but it did help me march onwards so a personal thank you too. xx

Goodness Sandy, where's that time gone?! That's fabulous, 2 months already :) You are doing so great and massive congrats to you. So pleased we are on this journey together. Good job!! x

Fabulous, this is always the one I wait for!! It means you really want it and it's all in your hands now. The worst is faced and done. There will be thoughts but nothing you haven't faced already so you're golden!! Massive congrats on the 3 weeks Nat. xx

I just cracked up, yep some people have got serious hygiene issues for sure!! It's the weird things tho isn't it. I got an apple and pear washing up liquid that my eldest and I keep sniffing like total wronguns lol, it smells lovely. By the way, I use a lot of home made remedies and stuff and this one is great to add to regular cold medicine to speed things along. Just let it cool and it keeps in a jar in the fridge for 3 months. I take a swig 3 times a day, or sometimes add to a regular cup of honey and lemon, 1 slosh should do it. Probably should get some reasonable measurements if I'm going to suggest to others lol. You can normally buy frozen elderberries from the supermarket. 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.

Ah Wendy, that's not fair :( It's going to be so lovely to get it back again though. Angel is a nice perfume too, good treat choice :) I foud out my perfume was potent about 3 weeks after quitting, did my usual 5 spritz (3 neck, 1 each wrist) and nearly knocked myself out haha. Remember to spritz less too :)

Post everywhere, any time you want to. We've all been where you are today, quite literally this board was made by ex smokers for new non smokers and some older ones too. So yes, post minute by minute if you need. Other then that post like now when it's hard, or go check out the social forum or quit smoking discussions and join in there too. It seems odd to say but our biggest enemy is our own thoughts. It helped to recognise one part was an addicted to nicotine brain, that part will try to catch you out. It will offer a kinda smoking amnesty, "only one", or "holiday smoke", or "social smoke" and so on. It will change the rules so you can just quit again if you give it one inch of room. Decide smoking is not on the table anymore, then just take each day as it comes. Nope is your mental baseball bat to bat those thoughts back out. Youalready saw exercise is your friend as that knocks out craves too. When you feel a bit better go into the pre respond to your own sos thread and write one for yourself, and it would be great for you to do an intro in that section so we can start to get to know you a bit more, might help us help you if and when :) Massive congrats on week 1!!

I don't like the impending cold and rain. But I do love the colours of autumn, leaf swooshing (with or without the kids)the cooler nights so you can snuggle ina duvet and not be woken at the crack of dawn by the blinking singing birdies, so more sleep. Some of it's sad tho, I miss the warmth and sitting in the garden and planting. To offset I have Halloween of course and knowing that christmas is coming cheers me up. I love the magic of that with kids.

Two lots of 40 minute round trips walking. Because the garage door has broken and the car is stranded. I am sad - but fitter?!

G'wan you beauty!! :) Massive congrats on getting the week under your belt. It feels pretty good to tackle life and a quit head on, you are doing so great!! Awesome work. xx

Great job!! Never quit quitting :) Today is a fabulous day to stop the awful merry go round and just decide - this is it - no more -I only have to face it once if I just decide it stops now. Don't overthink, get water, and a distraction plan and if you do get a crave, distract yourself, sips of water, jump on the spot, whatever works for you and they ALWAYS pass and you quit grows stronger for knowing you'll deal with it and not give in. The head noise soon gets quieter. Agree with Nancy, be great to see a thread from you on the intro section. Not everyone checks the blogs and we would all love to support you as much as we can. xx

Great to hear, so pleased your quit is going well for you!! Long meetings are killer to smokers, thank goodness we're free and can just be bored like normal folks now :) Good to hear from you. x

Hey DF, many's the time I woke crying from those crazy dreams, just dreams chick, don't mean a thing, nor do craves. We just truck on, nope'ing as we go. On another note strange dreams may be more prevalent at the moment as we are coming up to eclipse time soon and equinox now (I work with energy, my thing:) ). So perhaps your subconcious is trying to tell you something is all :) Quick google for dream meanings of your boss Boss To see your boss in your dream represents the bossy or authoritative side of your own personality. Your boss may reveal self-confidence and the assertive aspect of yourself.�It is telling of your issues of control and authority. Alternatively, to see your boss in your dream may indicate your over-involvement or obsession with your work. Negatively, the boss in your dream may symbolize your limitations and lack of freedom/originality. Dreaming that you are in trouble with your boss is a reminder that there is higher power that you will need to answer to.To dream that you are afraid of your boss indicates your fear of authority. You may feel that someone else is running your life or dictating what you can and can not do. To dream that you are having sex with your boss signifies your desires for authority and control. You are feeling empowered. Consider also the relationship you have with your boss. This may provide clues to work-related stress or issues that need to be resolved. xx

Hi Wendy, late to the party. I see Sandy answered you already, it sounded really similar to what she said :) I wish an easy quit on everyone so no shooting from me lol. Day 5 is fab news. I laughed at your child waiting for the bat shizzle, let's hope you can just plough through but some great advice given here was to use eternal vigilance against the addiction to nicotine. It's sly and as it's your own brain trying to catch you out - being careful is good. But not worrying, that's a waste of your time. Enjoy the free fall into freedom, just keep your wits about you if the thoughts creep in with their "just one" or "I could just quit again cause it was easy" kinda thoughts ya know. Sounds like you have it nailed this time though, good work!! xx

Well done beauty, you are zipping along into this quit very nicely!! Massive congrats on 4 months. Hope to see you back around soon, missing you and your posts. x

Brilliant work on a strong quit, 11 months is fab!! Congrats to you. x

11 months is awesome Sally. Love you and so pleased you joined in so we can celebrate your milestones now. Massive congrats!! Mwah. x

With you, nope!

Wow, had to watch the beyonce from behind my fingers cringing, ooo, sooo bad lol. Prancercise - you mean you're not supposed to look like that?? Oh :blink:

Dunno whether to demand a duel or just be pleased as punch :) Going with the 2nd Scooby, get in with the countdown!! Proving it can be done, 7 days and counting my beauty!! x