Rooster

I just finished this book in about 3 days after being recommended it here on the forum and found it incredible. I highly recommend it as well to recent or soon to be non smokers. Even those with more days under their belt will likely benefit. It is amazing because even as I read and new it is clearly using techniques brainwashing, he is using them for good. I likened it to a braincleansing, as we have a number of murky thoughts instilled which need to be scrubbed of we want a happy and easy post nicotine life. As smokers, and even now that we are free, we are all subject to the brainwashing propaganda of the tobacco companies and public conception of smoking. We build up all of these intuitions and concepts of smoking which are not true. they are all just lies to help pull you into a world and keep you there. Alan Carr recognizes that the most powerful force behind a quit isn't "willpower" or tolerance to physical withdrawals, it's perception,attitude. Throughout the book he breaks down ideas I was unaware I was holding onto as false truths, and in there place builds up a framework that transitioning back to being a non-smoker (we all were once) is an easy, pleasurable and exciting thing. We're not giving something up, we're gaining a better life in so any ways. As you can tell, I'm a huge fan, but I want to know what you all think? Anyone else read all or part of easyway? What are your thoughts. Anyone curious have any questions? Let's hear it!

Not One Puff EVER. No more nicotine for me ever

I never knew many of the additional costs. Thanks for putting this together! I may just make this my background for a while.

NOPE!

Not One Puff Ever!

Hi everyone, in preparation for a night around some smokers I wanted to write down an accomplishment from yesterday which I will be repeating as many times as necessary this evening. My first no thank you. Since I stopped smoking, I was pretty surprised at how easy it has been relative to my expectations. I had prepared for the worse, but I have realized over the last few weeks that I really hadn't been buying many and as such didn't have very many triggers. I did have one however, the offer. As I had scaled back my personal smoking, only my social smoking remained, and it was something I was happy to have remain. I was quick to jump on any offer for a quick jump outside, either at work or with friends. This I knew would be my big obstacle. Well, last night I went out to dinner with a friend (my new roommate) who smokes occasionally. Dinner was great and we had a few drinks, another common partner of smoking with me. As we left I knew what was to come, I had run through the scenario in my head to prepare and it had always ended in awkwardness. I had shared my quit with him, but out of habit and some twisted sense of generosity he offered me another out of his pocket. There they were, the pangs, the slippery devil saying, well maybe just one... the fear of missing out. But while I did feel that impulse for a second it was followed by a "No thanks, I don't anymore" and everything dissipated. No awkwardness, no real compulsion anymore, just two friends walking home in their new reality. I know this is just one win, and it will need to be repeated maybe hundreds of more time, but I immensely proud to have gotten over what for me is the big obstacle of trigger. As I had out tonight to enjoy myself at a favorite bar, listening to a friends band with a crowd of people, some of whom I've known for 3/4ths of my life and some of whom smoke, I am comforted and invigorated by this victory and the knowledge that I have all of you in my pocket, just a few clicks away, supporting me on this journey. Thank you all so much.

Not one Puff Ever! And especially tonight

I had my wisdom teeth removed and went back to smoking a few days later. I had of course convinced myself the still open wounds were "healed enough" and that it was fine. Crazy looking back to be so disrespectful to my body and the dentists work. Glad to be moving away from a place where that action made sense to me

NOPE!

NOPE!

Today will mark my first week smoke free in a very long time. I was late getting started today and had to run several blocks to catch my bus in time. While reminding me I should probably exercise more it also was an excellent reinforcer about some of the reasons I hated smoking. I was short of breath and had a gross hacking cough by the end. A well received reminder. I have already felt my lungs start to heal, but here is proof I have a ways to go to fix what I've done to them. I know I can't get there though and am excited to continue on this healing journey. Here's to another smoke free week!

It's a beautiful snowy day out. A fine day to sled and an even better one to say NOPE

Doing wonderful Tracey, thanks! About to make my daily Nope pledge. Thanks for the tip Marti, I'll definitely be swinging through the juice aisle later today

Thanks all, reading your posts have made me feel tremendous. I feel so welcome, excited and encouraged. I've bookmarked this page to find strength in when things get tough. Looking forward to seeing you all around!

Today I say again Not One Puff Ever!

NOPE

Hi everyone, I'm new to QT and wanted to introduce myself. I stopped smoking on the first and have been looking around for a support community for a few days before finding this one. After reading a few posts I decided that this seems like the place for me to find the people I want to surround myself with. I'm 23 years old and have had a relatively light smoking habit compared to most, hovering at about a pack a week averaged over 5 years (with heavier smoking on the weekends than during the week). I have tapered a bit more recently to less than that in the last six months, but it has been those last few that have been the most insidious. To hear how some of you have quit multiple pack a day habits is inspiring. I recently lost my grandmother, my third grandparent in 18 months to have had their life compromised and ultimately ended early due to near lifelong smoking habits. I don't want that end for me so I'm making a commitment to get out ahead of this thing before it goes on any longer. I am greatly excited for this journey and will aim to post something, however small, every day to support this effort. Any tips for a new quitter? In the past my largest slip up points have been after a few drinks or when I'm hanging out with friends of mine who smoke and that I have shared a cigarette with in the past. Any insight from down the road is appreciated. Looking forward to getting to know you all and continuing on the path towards better health!