JustinHoot99

Checking ticker.

So I made it to 44 days. My work trip got extended though and the long work days away from home finally brought me to the point I gave in and smoked on 10/23. So I failed my previous quit. I have no issue w/ the term fail, I did not meet my objective which was to not smoke again, and therefore failed the objective. And pretty much instantly I was back up to full addiction resuming my previous pack a day. Any lessons learned? No. It was a long, stressful work trip, but I knew what I was doing, when I did it, and knew what the result would be. So now I get the joy of not only losing the 44 days of red X's on my calendar I worked so hard to get and was so proud of, I get to go through the 3 days of nicotine withdraw. Someone hit me in the head w/ the skillet. Anyone know how to reset the ticker start date?

Sorry I've been out of touch for a bit. Got called to do a last minute test for work out of state and working 12hr days plus data analysis. Probably won't be back till next Monday. Being away from home for first time is creating new kinds of cravings. Still hanging in there. Today marks 6 weeks.

I just spent 15 min typing about the cravings I've been having today because it is such a nice cool, breezy day which is the type of day I would really enjoy hiking and a smoke. Deleted it all because it was rambling and I got through the craving anyway. Point is, if you are having a difficult time, get on here and type. Whether you keep what you type or delete it, just the act of typing can be enough to get you through a craving.

One of my 6 fitness goals at the start of the year was to be able to do 40 standard pushups. My peak this year was 43 so I hit that. Now I just want to keep the ability to do 35. Sometimes I just do standard pushups for a lot of volume, but I also throw in a lot of variations like: spider man, diamond, close and wide grip, 1 leg off the ground, burpees, and elevated leg. Heres a video of me just goofing around with pushups.

A lot of people believe in you.

I sure can't say I'm part of your quitters reunion, but congrats on almost 9yrs of freedom.

Hope your day went smoothly w/ regards to your quit.

2.25mi hike, fast pace

Yowzer. 9 years.

There are a lot of people here supporting you. Boy George supports you as well.

Good morning Linda, I hope this day goes better and finds you feeling stronger. I haven't had to go through a highly stressful situation yet but I can see how it would be a major trigger. Keep turning here and typing as much as is needed. This place is my Chantix. And frying pan. And therapist.

Typing can be the best medicine for a craving. Not as good as hitting your fingers with a hammer, but probably better in the long run. Come here, share, whine, whatever you have to do, but keep the quit.

HIIH- 37 pushups 15 each on weighted situps, horizontal pullups, lift n press, seated dips, 450steps of jogging stretching

Nothin like a good skillet to provide some attitude adjustment.

Day 37. Made it.

Thanks everyone. Made it through. Typing things out is very theraputic. Hearing encouragement is priceless.

I'm really tired tonight. I stretched for 15min and did my daily set of pullups (3, trying to get to 5). Maybe a walk in a few minutes.

There's a dangerous serious of events gathering that's creating the perfect craving storm: Wife is going out w/ her friends tonight, I'm bored, I'm tired. My old boss called and wants to know if I would consider taking a job in his dept which would mean much more money and benefits, but give up a job that pays reasonably well and that I love and have a lot of freedom in. Tough decision. Perfect time for me to sneak out, buy a pack, and enjoy 5 or 6 cigarettes while taking a slow, enjoyable walk in the woods. Wife would never know. Plus, it's been 36 days and I really do deserve a break from the cravings for just one night. I'm sure I could start again tomorrow and no one would be the wiser. Except I know it will never turn out like that. If I smoke tonight, I'll throw the pack away tonight in a fit of rage, swearing this was just a one time thing. Then tomorrow, with my confidence and mojo gone, I'll buy another pack. And I won't stop. It always plays out that way. It'll be well over a year before I get the courage and inner strength to try again. Tonights smoke will cost me $4000 and require I smoke at least 7000 more in that one year. Do I really want to start sneaking around and scheduling my time around smoking again? Leaving or avoiding activities because it would interfere w/ my getting my fix? Am I really that stupid that I would give up a 36day quit and pay $4000 for the 5 or 6 cigarettes. 36 days ago I was desperate to be where I am now. With one reckless behavior tonight, I could place myself right back there again. I would prefer hitting my head w/ a skillet or my thumb w/ a hammer over that. Time to stop whining like a little B. (my private mantra) I will make tomorrow day 37. Thanks for listening. Typing is a great distraction.

That's a lot of action. I can't compete w/ that. Todays exercise: 15min bike ride + stretching + 3 circuits of 15 reps each: Pushups (1st set was 35) Weighted situps Lift and press Horizontal lat pull

Bet you felt kind of alone as a closet smoker. You aren't. Other than accidentally when driving past me when I was driving and smoking, nobody has ever seen me smoke. Not even my wife. It is this disgusting addiction that repulses me so much I would never do it in front of anyone. So I know EXACTLY why you aren't going to open up to your friends. This site served as my place to open up and get support and it can help you as well. Keep in touch.

Sounds good. I was actually thinking that would be more appropriate after posting. Thx.

So, I stumbled across "Off the Record" where I discovered some highly intellectual discussions on a wide range of topics. There were a couple of "... of the day" topics that were quite interesting. Basically, it's a non-woke, non-safespace kind of free for all atmosphere with a wild west, anything goes atmosphere. I shall enjoy discovering the "darker side" of several of our regular contributors. lol

5.88 mi bike ride. If it's not to personal, I'd be interested in how you hurt your shoulders. I'm thinking bronco busting, WWF wrestling, motocross racing?

Have you been following along, reading posts, but too nervous to actually pull the trigger and start your quit? Does just the thought of waking up and knowing you can't have a smoke give your belly butterflies and cause severe anxiety? Afraid you can't handle the let down of having yet another failure on top of the umpteen past failures? That pretty much sums up me a bit over a month ago. After 40 yrs of smoking, I'd been through a lot of "count down is made but no lift off" tries plus 6 attempts where I actually got past 3 days but failed in less than a month. But I'm glad as heck I decided to try one more time or I would not be at day 34 of my quit. My best quit in the past was only 18days. What was different this time? If I knew, I'd write a book and be a millionaire. I can tell you that having a support group has been extremely helpful. If I had to give my best guess, that would be it. I spent a lot of time on here when I quit 34 days ago (cold turkey). I read new posts, old posts, introduced myself, commented on about everything even if just to say I don't have the experience to have a good opinion. Just typing is very theraputic. But having the support and feedback of the many people on here that were either starting their quits or have been quit for many years was priceless. I guess what I'm saying is if you've been following but nervous about trying, just introduce yourself. We can help you with planning your quit and support you if/when you do decide to quit, or just answer any questions you might have. I found the hardest part of quitting was just getting up the nerve to pull the trigger on day 1 and actually start my quit. What I found was that the fear was completely overblown. So say yes to better health (and saving money and time) and being back in control of your life. Quitting is doable, as many people on this site can attest to. Having a support group go through it with you just makes it easier.