MichelleDoesntSmokeAnymore

I still struggle with finding rewards. I'm very sedentary due to a serious knee injury/impending surgery. I've given up sweets, my usual reward, because losing weight is an emergency for me due to my knee problems. Its hard for me to get into and out of the bathtub but I'll try tonight because I love baths and I have some delicious smelling bubble bath. I do have two books going and I could do some stepwork (12 step program) but that doesn't really feel like a reward lol. I asked for suggestions for a sedentary non smoker but I can't find the thread so if you don't mind, throw out anything you can think of. What did you reward yourself with?

Good morning friends!!! NOPE!!!!

Despite wearing a patch I woke up craving, which is weird because when I woke up to answer nature's call at 2am, it wasn't until I got back into bed that I realized that I hadn't even thought about smoking. Today I will venture out of the house for the first time since I put down the cigs on Sunday evening. There will be people I could bum one from. I don't want to give up my progress. I don't want to experience that shortness of breath, smell bad and be disappointed in myself. I'm seeing my doc today and I want to be able to tell her honestly that I've quit...today will be a first; the first time out of the house alone, with no accountability, without smoking. I can do this. I am a nonsmoker.

Ahhh thanks for pointing that out. 7/20 at 8:45pm is the right date and time. Ticker is right. I'll update my profile

N Nice Person A: "I won $20 on a scratcher today!" Person B: "Nice!!!" Not very exciting but I use it

I keep getting the feeling that "Something's missing" or that I want something. Not necessarily a smoke or a vape but.....something. But theres nothing to get or have. I could go back on the sweets but I really don't want to and besides there aren't any sweets in the house. My sister and brother in law don't have sweets in the house. Yargh. I've got my ice water, gum, toothpaste and mouthwash. Motivation: My dear Michelle You have abused and neglected your body for your entire life thus far. Its time to take care of yourself. Every time you resist reaching for that smoke, vape or unhealthy food, you are doing right by yourself and you should be grateful and proud. Smoking and/or vaping and/or eating junk food will only make you feel worse and set back your healthy lifestyle committment more. Remember how you get such a carb crash after eating sweets, how it makes you feel bad about yourself etc. Remember how you want to research things that will help your skin look more youthful, like Loris. Even if you can't erase the smoker's lines, you can halt them. Think about that friend of yours who's face looks like a roadmap. That is your future if you return to smoking. Don't be a fat old lady in a wheelchair on oxygen, still smoking and overeating. NOW IS THE TIME while you still have a chance. So if you don't think of your health, think of your appearence and the quality of life you are setting yourself up for. I love you, Michelle

Good idea @Sazerac IDK what to reward myself with though. My favorite reward is something sweet but I'm on a no sugar diet because losing weight is an emergency for me due to my knee injury and impending surgery. What suggestions do you guys have for a reward? I can't just go take a walk, and I don't want to get in the shower multiple times a day. Any suggestions appreciated

@Sazerac I like that saying. Comes down to "I have a choice". Its just uncomfortable.

Thanks. I'm going to study my programming. Good distraction, and very productive. I'm laid up with a knee injury but am trying to stay productive. Thank you for the reply.

I'm not *about* to smoke. I don't have any and no means or transportation to get any (I am staying with my sister after moving to Cali from Seattle, had to leave my car in WA and there are no busses that come here). But it was suggested I post here when I have a craving and I'm having a monster one. First one since yesterday evening. Just putting it out there. NOPE for me. NOPE NOPE NOPE

THAT HURT A LITTLE

They are way more laid back in Seattle. Peace, love, godspeed brother, lets walk our dogs and recycle. Not in all areas of course but Fremont, Greenlake and Ballard for sure. As for California it depends on the area. For God's sake stay away from LA if you want laid back. That being said, the only other place I've lived besides CA is the Seattle area (see above) so I have no idea what its like to live in any other states. Oh Oh Oh Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada...the epitome of laid back. I spent a week there and was shocked at how kind and laid back everyone was (at least those I interacted with)

Awww now look, I've gone and messed it up

Yes you WILL and you MUST and so will I. The mental triggers are hard. For me they are things like getting out of the car, getting into the car, 12 step meetings, first thing in the morning, before bed and breathing. Oh ya, and Tuesdays. The sun coming up. You name it. We will both get there. The farther away we get from our last smoke the easier it will get. This is how I had to think about my other addictions.

I live in Sacramento aka "Hellfire Inferno" Its dry heat but I question if it matters when its 105. Oh yeah, I was in Alabama during the hot season. It does.

Playing on the board and NOT SMOKING. Also waiting to go to the pharmacy. Then practice some coding. Any web developers in da house? Bwahhaha

Confession #2:on the topic of stereotyping: I'm a native California girl who says "dude" "bro" "like (at the start of a sentence) and "totally" way more often than I should.

isnt -4 + 1 -3?

Confession: This morning I laughed so hard at an article with screenshots from Reddit at people from the UK and people from the US laugh at each others vocabulary and expressions. "Spotted Dick" "Juicy Bits" The washer and dryer being in the kitchen instead of a laundry room, the country needing a power surge at tea time from all the kettles being put on for tea (is this really a thing?) Am I a racist? Anyone in the UK reading this: Fight me.

"Get off my lawn" is now in my vocabulary. Confession: this made me laugh so hard I wet my pants.

And I'm feeling strong. I have my patch on and am feeling committed. What a miracle. I will stay vigilant though and stay close to the board. Today I will be venturing out of the house to my 12 step meeting where there are always smokers, some willing to let you bum one but I'll have a former smoker friend with me who knows I'm quit. I'll breathe deep through the meeting and leave it without smelling of smoke and grateful I passed my first challenge. I'm experiencing what I think is withdrawal...not from nicotine, since I have a patch on...but maybe withdrawal from some of the other chemicals in cigs? I just feel a bit worn out and keep feeling like I need to have a biiiiig stretch. Bit of a runny nose. When I was withdrawing from drugs I had the same symptoms. Oh well, whatever it is, I will walk through it and get well again. Things for me to remember: My sister and brother in law are overjoyed I quit I don't have to worry about smelling up their beautiful new home with the smell of cigs I don't have to feel the embarrassment and self-consciousness when smoking in front of people or when walking out the front door to smoke knowing my sister and brother in law are disappointed in me. I can already breathe better, which tells me how much I'd impaired my lungs by smoking and vaping When I go to the doctor I can say I'm a nonsmoker Remember how good it felt to have doctors congratulate you on quitting and acknowledge how difficulit it must have been? My children will be proud of me when they find out I quit After 10-15 years my cancer risk will return to that of someone who'd never smoked My heart and lungs will be healthy These are my reasons. I will do this for me but also for them.

*Oi, we are in negative numbers?* *thinks it through* Oh! I know! -3...right?

Hi Diane, I hope your quit is going well. I took Chantix last year and I can absolutely relate to how it worked for you. I had the same experience...I was vaping at the time, which I absolutely loved, but I'd go outside to vape only to find that it wasn't what I wanted, it wasn't satisfying and it definitely did not taste the same. And I was a passionate vaper. Never thought I'd quit. So it was a miracle that it suddenly became unpleasurable. Unfortunately I began to experience the mental health issues that some people experience with Chantix and had to stop taking it on the advice of my doctor. Of course I went right back to vaping...whats a passionate vaper to do? (read: sarcasm). Fast forward about nine months later. My vape broke and instead of quitting right then and there I started buying cigs about three weeks ago. I am currently on day two with an NRT for what seems like the millionth time in that three weeks. I'm finally past day one. Starting day two and doing exceptionally well in terms of cravings. All this is to say...CONGRATULATIONS. I'm so glad Chantix worked for you, because its a freaking miracle. I sincerely hope you are still smoke free!

How are you doing today. Hellcatbaby?

Move along, friends, nothing to see here.....