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To my understanding, very few make it in their 1st attempt. The road to success lies through a few relapses so please accept it as a mile-marker to success, own the relapse and accept the encouragement and support to quit again. There will come a moment when the switch goes on and you're able to beat the addiction.

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It's normal as you mentioned. It reminds of the time when I had armed myself with cough drops and felt so bad when the cough wouldn't happen. Those days my brain was foggy as well and I used to question if my quit was 'normal' if there was no cough. Why wasn't my system going through the cleansing that everyone else seemed to go through. I also felt bad about having wasted the money for cough drops. So I think you're lucky to have the symptoms that I wasn't fortunate enough to have.

I can only say I agree with all the above. I don't think about smoking any more but the thought has crossed my once in a while but it's just that ... a thought. In the 3 1/2 years, there have been challenges but smoking did not come up as an option. I now 'know' that it will do nothing for the challenges. Also, have no desire to be a slave to nicotine again.

You're doing great, Jeff, and for the right reasons. I didn't tell my wife until I was in week 3 since I had failed so many times before that I didn't want to talk about it until I was somewhat sure of my quit. The lethargy is normal. Many of us have gone through the period of lethargy. It will go away. I took up running as a way to make myself feel good. When I initially started, I couldn't run to the end of the street and back and would be wheezing and coughing while I sat on the front steps for 15 mins to recover. After some months, there came a day when my legs felt tired before I ran out of breath - that was SO HUGE for me. I mean, I don't think anyone ever felt so happy that their legs were tired. My point is, find a way to reward yourself and feel good. Many people go for walks or take up running or cycling or some other form of physical activity. See what works for you. It should help you get out of the lethargy stage faster.

Congratulations on 4 years, Jillar ! So sorry to hear about your losses and proud that you're facing life with your quit intact. Way to go!

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Thanks, Sazerac. Just tried it and saw the text box. Didn't submit but it was good to be able to test it.

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Using report post? Is there a way to indicate that the post is being reported for broken link as opposed to something bad? (Don't think I've ever reported before and didn't want to test on someone's post).

I used to use a pencil (others use straws aka JACs) to hold in their fingers and go through the motion of bringing it to the mouth and inhaling. Anything is ok as long as you don't light up. I had a list of daily triggers already - after breakfast, before starting work, morning break, lunch break, good meeting, bad meeting etc as well as a list of places where I used to smoke - back door at work, bench at local library etc. Once I was somewhat semi-confident of my quit, I went around to those places and triggers and stood there or sat there and did not smoke. The theory was - if I faced the trigger on my own terms then I was better prepared to fight it. Then, when I did encounter a trigger suddenly, these experiences would have prepared me to face it i.e. I would know to deep breathe, that the trigger would pass soon, basically have the technique and confidence to beat it. I also used to play a mental game of hitting the trigger with a hammer and silently scream (I think silently but who knows) - DIE TRIGGER DIE. I remember someone had drawn a visual of the game with Thor's hammer ... Hope you can use some of these techniques.

5k run tonight. Maybe it's my imagination but I think the jump rope is helping with the running - the leg muscles just feel a bit stronger.

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Wish all you all the best with your quits. It's a very precious thing, something you want to treasure. Probably worth more in value than a large amount of money in your wallet. Think of it as a winning lottery ticket that someone was able to steal from you with your knowledge that you were letting it go. Whatever the problem, smoking is not going to solve it. You can do this.

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JH, try adding a ticker. It's nice to see the days counting up, no of cigs not smoked counting up. If you don't know how, someone will show you I'm sure.

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I found the old jump rope and started skips. Wonder why i didn't think of it before? I no longer have the coordination to do more than 25 to 30 without getting 'out'. Hopefully, it'll get better if I keep at it.

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Had a good laugh, Mona, at the story ... and I can relate as well. I went through a period of fogginess also when it was hard to stay focused on things. Please enjoy it while you can because it will go away soon. Congratulations on 1 month!

JH, you're doing awesome. Many of us have gone through sleep and gas issues. It doesn't last. I used to snack till the kitchen was empty and then go looking for food at the neighbor's. It's all good - you're not smoking! Stay strong and stay alert. This addiction will try to tell you things like - it's ok to celebrate with a cig now that you've gone xx days without one. It's a sneak attack just when you start to feel good - stay alert for those.

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JH, you're doing great. Every day, every crave that you overcome makes you stronger. Stay strong!

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