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Haha! Oh, we're coming for you... https://media2.giphy.com/media/3Gxe9ZeycLfQA/giphy.gif (And I apologize, I cannot get this to copy directly. Always a link. UGH)

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I just got to this thread. Nicely done Boo!! :D :yahoo:

-2 ...let's go get 'em chicks! :gamer1:

I've never done any juice fasts. Wouldn't that be a lot of sugar though? I say, eat balanced and healthy food, have a treat now and then, eat a bit less, move a bit more, and you'll be just fine. Mr. P and I overhauled our diet a few years ago to help support a new weights/cardio workout mix that we were doing, and at the same time, wanted to eat less processed food and get more nutrients into our diet. Since it also had to be something sustainable, and couldn't feel like a diet, we added a lot of vegetables, switched to whole grain/whole wheat/brown pasta/bread/rice, lean meat, healthy fats, nuts, grains, steel cut oats etc. And also desserts and treats now and then etc - you have to live a bit too. :) It's filling food, and you tend not to overeat. Portions aren't crazy big or small. 3 meals plus snacks (handful of nuts, greek yogurt, apple with peanut butter etc) You're always full, it doesn't feel like a diet and you're eating stuff you like. If you want chocolate, you have a bit and you're satisfied. I feel better, I've lost weight (calories in vs. calories out matter too) I have more energy, it's easier to get through my workouts and I don't feel like I'm on a diet. Keep well hydrated -water, herbal tea. Everyone's different, but for us, this is working. It's been four years, and we're still eating this way, and it's easy. And if you want to keep track of calories / exercise / meals and recipes etc etc myfitnesspal is a great, great site.

Yeah, I find weather to be a trigger too. We had a rain storm the other day. I work in a creative field, and one part of my work is photography. I often photograph stormy scenes for a few on-going client projects, so I grabbed my camera and headed out the door. But kept thinking I forgot something. Well, I'm used to grabbing my camera and my smokes. So, the storm and the camera made me want a smoke. I said no out loud and went to shoot. Once I got busy it was ok. I think we need to be aware those triggers will come, but once you're out a few times in those triggering situations and don't smoke, it should start to get better. I think the mind will get used to the fact that you no longer have to smoke when x or y is happening or when the sun is shining a certain way or, in my case, when stormy weather comes and I head out to shoot. The brain just needs to form a few new pathways, I think.

Excellent! You're on your way. :) Funny how a few short weeks ago I couldn't picture "life without smoking"! And now, I'm starting to see that not only is it possible, it's really really good! Keeping on guard and enjoying the hell out of it too. :) Now I just want everyone to feel like this too! :)

It's coming!! :) Just keep going and it'll be here before you know it!

I'm sorry about your sister R. It's so tough. Same for one of my uncles - alcohol + smoking. And he would quit, go to AA, then go on vacation and start it all up again and in the end it got him. You can't fix it for somebody else - you can support them, but they need to do the heavy lifting for themselves and they have to want to do that.

NOPE! I just got back from the dentist (teeny tiny cavity ugh), and told him I quit smoking. He did an exam, some x-rays and told me I have the teeth/mouth of a non-smoker. He says you can usually tell when someone smoked, yet there are no signs on my teeth. So...extra motivation to NOPE. If the teeth are good, and I got lucky with that, no reason to take any more chances now. NOPE NOPE NOPE!!

Yeah, I had the same thing. The last week, it's gone back to normal, but now I've had some late nights because of a project deadline, so I'm still not sleeping! But the insomnia was a bit of an issue for the first two - two and a half weeks or so. I figure it's part of your body adjusting back to normal. I cut down on caffeine, and if I couldn't sleep, I would get up and read for a bit, until I got sleepy again. I didn't take anything for it, and it did eventually go back to normal. But it is frustrating. Someone else may have a better way to get through it. But I can tell you that you will get through it and this is only temporary. Hang in there - you're doing really great! :)

Awww...cute. Two of ours are black cats, and one is white and grey tabby spotted. I grew up with dogs, then birds and now cats. With the work schedule, cats were easier. Don't need to walk them. :) But I do miss having a dog. One day.

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Oops. Hang on. Somehow I wasn't looking at the very last reply. Let me get my bearings! LOL

Mornin' -4

NOPE. Not today!

OK, this is the first time this has happened since I quit!! Even those moments where I wasn't craving one, it was constantly on my mind in some way, even if it was just "I'm not smoking, I'm not smoking..." Today, wrapping up a work project into the wee hours of the night, I suddenly realized that I hadn't thought about smoking for ages! :D So, there's hope!! It's exhausting to always have it on your mind, even when you don't want one. For me, this is the first sign that a future without thinking of smoking really, truly does exist. Looking forward to more and more moments like this. Off to bed, but doing a happy dance. Had to share - to those wondering if you're ever not going to think about it - yeah, the time will come. Hang in there!! :yes: :good3:

Happy Happy Birthday Nat! :drinks:

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So adorable! I love the names! We used to have 6 parrots! Now, with three cats...any small animal is not a good idea. LOL At least not with our cats, the hooligans.

Me? Hahaha! Hang on, let me double check ...yeah, no stick. I'm definitely a chick! :D

Hey! I found some birthday balloons for you too! https://i.giphy.com/V1sRwKavwnVxS.gif

Thanks R. :) I'm working on being a little more open with things. I usually just get through in private, but I think there can be value to others and ourselves when we share a bit more. Working on it! My version of therapy. ;)