Mee

Redemption, it is very difficult to believe you seriously want to quit. You have been on and off the forum for months. You have never taken the Nope pledge in all your attempts. That is all it takes is to pledge nope to smoking and stick to it. It is not going to happen until you truly want it and work toward that goal. Only you can change your life.

J, I will be watching for your posts. You need the support of friends right now. There are times in life that we need friends to help us navigate the difficulties. I can understand you feeling overwhelmed with what you are dealing with. So glad you protected that wonderful quit. Know that we are here for you. Linda

First of all Oldy, you are not alone. We are here if ever you need to vent or talk. I will definitely add you to my prayer list. I can not imagine the grief you are feeling over the loss of your God daughter. I hope you and your family can find comfort knowing she is with God. The decision to leave your job may turn out to be the best move you ever made. The conditions your daughters are dealing with can be very debilitating. I pray they find the treatment that they need. You should be so proud that you have been able to keep your quit through all you are dealing with. Take care. Linda

Congrats Oldy. One year is so impressive.

Joe, it has been a pleasure to get to know you. May you and your family enjoy all the wonderful gifts of Christmas. Have a happy, healthy wonderful new year! Linda

Nope!

Lia, I also felt smoking helped me from gaining weight and have a difficult time with depression when I gain weight. The few pounds I gained, while quitting smoking, is nothing compared to the life I have gained. My self esteem has increased so much just from quitting smoking. I now know that I have the strength to accomplish anything I put my mind to and taking those pounds off should not be difficult. Just think of it this way "Does it make sense to destroy our health just to stay thin?"

Kate. Love the dog picture. Kate I have issues with people in my family and really stressed the holidays with my early quit. Turned out I handled everything fine. When I would have these intense urges, I would breath deep and think how good it would feel. Know that you have the power to not give in to the crave. Every crave avoided builds your confidence. Hang tough.

Kate, that is the tussle that goes on in your brain between your addiction and wanting freedom. You have been through the tough part so keep going forward and don't look back. Kate, I really love reading your threads. You have such a propensity for writing. Did you ever think of writting a book? I think there might be a best seller in there some where.

Hi Lia. You will succeed. All you have to do is stop smoking. I smoked for 42 years and tried everything to quit, including help through my physician. Nothing worked. I was always searching for ways to quit and came across this forum. I am now almost to my fifth month of not smoking. This forum has all the information and a wonderful group of people ready to help guide you through and support you. Yes, the first week is a little tough, but doable. Once the nicotine is out of your system, you just learn to redirect your brain when those craves pop up. I look forward to helping you through this journey.

Nope!

They are beautiful. I will share a pic when things are back together. It would have been a shame to smoke that cigarette. The floors were my reward for quitting smoking!

Well I was having a hard time voting. The guys were describing their preferences and I felt an actual visual picture would help me with my choice. I was having a hard time deciding between Boo's meat and potatoes and Cbdave's balling it.

Have a wonderful Christmas and the best of New Years. Enjoy your hiking and fishing. You will be missed here.

Well, I have had three days of dumb and dumber installing flooring in my house. I thought if I went to a reputable dealer, instead of the Home Depot, things would go smoother. Needless to say, my house has been torn up for too long with Christmas next week. I put the dogs in day care the first two days but decided to endure the third. I can tell you that I am definitely on edge. I have to put the house back together but grocery shopping was on my list for today. Had made my list but suddenly thought of something. Finding a pen in my house can be a real challenge. They must be well hidden or the puppies love to chew them to pieces. In the process of trying to find a pen, I was scrounging through a drawer and what would appear? A darn cigarette! I have been feeling solid in my quit for a while now but I was surprised at the thoughts that went through my mind. I actually thought about smoking it. Just one. Once it is gone, that is it. I actually thought about this for a bit and then I got up and put it down the garbage disposal. I can say though that it was close. I am a little shocked and disappointed at myself. I guess it will never really be a thing of the past. My quit will be something that will challenge me everyday. For today, I did do the right thing.

I just love this thread. It is like meeting my friends for the first time. We are all definitely a good looking bunch of non-smokers!

Nope

Looks like a load in the back. Shouldn't the sag be in front.

It isn't a sleep pod. It is a meditation pod. It looks like a flying saucer. You lay in it and it must relax you. I was laughing at the 12 min. workout booth. You just stand in it and it does everything. Now that is my kind of workout. ? I haven't tried it yet. Maybe the wind jiggles your flab.

Planet Fitness does not have a pool. I do love swimming the most. I tried the YWCA but that is as pricey as what you have. When I hit 65, Medicaid has Silver Sneakers which is a program for Seniors. Then I will be able to do my swimming at the Y. I guess there are some perks to getting old.

And you have a very pretty one. Great to see you. You have been absent for a while but see your still hanging onto to your quit! Way to go Lilly.

I think you look great Stewie. Skin as soft as a babies bottom - not a wrinkle or gray hair in sight. Whatever stresses you have dealt with in life, you have weathered them well.

Planet fitness has a $19.00 a month deal if you want to use the massaging chairs, meditation pod and 12 min workout booth. Those were very appealing to me because they did not require me to move a muscle ?! Unfortunately, I need to move a couple muscles!