Ramona

8.5 is pretty darned good!

Seems to me that months 9-12 are going to be more challenging than months 6-9. Why??!? In 2009 I relapsed in the middle of my ninth month. I've definitely been experiencing a heightened crave level. What's going on?????? Are there any articles or resources which speak to this phenomenon? It's really irritating to say the least!

Bandito hit the nail. You overcame that abuse despite those stress-inducing, fortune-depleting, slave-making shit sticks. And you will continue to overcome.

That's real shitty Jess and I feel for you. I just experienced an excruciating crave about 4 days ago! So I can understand how someone might cave around 9-12 months. In fact, the last longest quit I had (back in 2009) ended in the 9th month. What's up with that??? I think MQ has a similar story. Thanks for your honesty - which helps all of us see that we're pretty much never 100% cleared. When are you jumping back on this train?

9 Months For Me. Thanks ya'll for being here.

!!BOOM!!

One-point-five keeping you alive! To help others. Thanks for being here.

HolyDooly, In the first 4-5 months I gained ~ 20 lbs. I rolled with my quit, and ate whatever I wanted, and continued to exercise every day. In four days, I will be 9 months quit. I have returned to my pre-quit weight! Additionally, my body may weigh the same but it looks more feminine to me. I love it! It's less like a skeleton and more muscular and soft. Good stuff. About "locking yourself away." Why not? Maybe you need to hide away for a bit - accept yourself for your abnormal reactions and behavior. Even @ 9 months I sometimes act like a petulant child. I'm dealing with emotions I smoked away for over 15 years - - OF COURSE I'm a little nuts. My rule is: as long as I don't seriously injure myself or another, I will do whatever it takes. Sometimes I'll encounter a situation which floods my system with adrenaline (it feels like I'm mainlining a serious chemical into my veins). This is only my fight-or-flight response and it's working stronger than ever!!!! I'm not accustomed to it. The cigarettes/nicotine dulled that sensation. I've gotten into a bit of trouble for it, but so what? Neither I, nor anyone else, has been seriously injured!!! And I'm currently working on emotion regulation through meditation/prayer. This is not easy. It's SIMPLE. It's so simple - never take another puff. But easy? Heck no. That's why we're all here to get you through this unbelievable challenge. 2 months is remarkable and impressive. March on.

12 Days! Nice.

PS: Still feeling like a toddler sometimes...but a non-smoking one!!!!

Freaking feelings. What the f@#%K??????? :angry: :D :o :(

Yup...so true. I'm a maniacal exerciser but it wasn't until I tamed some of the sugar problem that I grew more sleek! Love it.

If that cigarette is waiting for you now...it'll always be waiting for you.

Nope.

Ran 6 miles after a few weeks off (due to injured right hip). Again hoping my theory of "exercising through the injury" has some basis in some theory of something. Tonight my run was the only way I could see getting through tonight (without obsessively ruminating on my night @ work or going out for a pack of smokes). Life saver it is. I <3 Running.

Many people have come on this site and posted for advice on their loved one's addiction The answer is always the same: he must quit for himself. It's not about you and what you do.

You are one beautiful lady! Quite the light in you.

I like swimming in natural waters...lakes and stuff.

God, the cuteness just keeps comin!

So true Ava. As long as people have no faith in themselves, as long as people believe that it's impossible to quit (and stay quit), then the tobacco companies will bring in their full revenues. BT has a fairly large stake in brain-washing us to that effect. Screw them!!! We're all, every one of us, smarter than our addiction. Sure, the addiction is beguiling but all we gotta do is never take another puff. Come hell or high water. Never take another puff and slowly (surely) we will escape. Also, the newest people on the board are the most important. I want to hear from the newest so I can extend my fullest support. To everyone in their early days - keep going!!!!!!!!!

Those girls are cuties!!! Nice pictures. I said to my Mom, "this guy on my forum is gonna have 7 granddaughters and no grandsons." She replied: "Lucky Guy!" :)

365 days of FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-DOM!!!!!

Dried apples and mixed nuts.

:)

Nice post Kendra! I am all about the tears. In the past I allowed my crying tendencies to ruin my quits. This time around I am proud my tears - seeing them as evidence that I can accomplish this goal. At times it has been mildly embarrassing but I try to keep in mind that quitting is not for the faint of heart. A lot of emotions surface during the quit - - - grief, anger and the lot. Be prepared and enjoy your success!