Begin the journey

[Abby]

I learned a lot yesterday from yesterday's meetings at the two addiction centres I went to and it just kept me wanting to learn more and to do more . No more talking and a little more action , exactly what it took to quit smoking I am now applying to a passion . 

 

No it won't change the world or make smoking a thing of the past but by offering something different in the means of education and support to someone who is taking their quit seriously , that someone could go on to help someone else . 

Every life matters . Even "just one " more life saved can make a difference in this world we live in . Someone out there who thinks they don't matter , matter to me . Their talents are stuck in a bottle or in a cloud of smoke . Believe in yourself ! 

 

Are you smoking and lurking  ? One cigarette could be your last either way you want to look at it . How will you stop ?  

I hope people will choose "doing"  over "trying " and "life " over "death " but no matter what , no one should give up or not try at all . Your curiosity brought you here . You are " the train " . Begin the journey and ride it to the end . 

 

 

[Boo]

1 hour ago, Abby said:

Are you smoking and lurking  ? One cigarette could be your last either way you want to look at it . How will you stop ?  

 

The lurking phase was tougher than the quit itself.  I called it preparation.  In reality, it was procrastination.

 

Constantly torn between wanting to quit but not wanting to give up my cigarettes.  Knowing that the only wise choice was to quit smoking right now, but always finding an excuse to put it off.  That lingering feeling of shame and weakness that came with continuing to smoke despite knowing that I needed to quit.  

 

After committing to the quit, every challenge was a part of the process.  I was honed in.  Focused.  On target.  Like the Blues Brothers, I felt like I was "on a mission from God."

 

Working towards a goal is far more satisfying than looking at moving targets.  It all starts with that first step.

[garry mhudson]

Well said Boo. Could not agree more. you are so right when you said "the lurking phase was tougher than the quit". I never realized that till I quit. what a waste.

[Katgirl]

I never lurked. I joined several days AFTER I quit. I use this forum to strengthen my resolve, and reinforce my decision to quit. It helps to be around others, who have had similar experiences, around smoking, and now, around quitting. I don’t need to attend group meetings, and would be even more hesitant to do so, now that the COVID Delta variant is running rampant everywhere. This forum is a Godsend, and may be even more than I need to keep my quit. I have come to enjoy it, so much, though, that I check in daily, several times. I enjoy the silly games, and just communicating with other members. It’s a way to stay connected to people. The ability to socialize is a luxury, during this scary time. Just as we thought we were out of the woods, the pandemic is front and center, again. Just yesterday, I heard that several American athletes had to withdraw from the Olympics, because they tested positive for Covid. How devastating for them. If anyone is lurking, join us. You won’t be sorry….

 

 

 

[Doreensfree]

Fear ....

Many smokers are frightened they won't be able to have a life without thier cigerette,s....

For me the Fear of carrying on smoking outweighed the Fear of Quitting ...

I read for a day what the old members had to say ....and how easier it was to Quit than they imagined ..

Our brains are our worst enemies......

Once I rid myself of the fear ...and knew I was giving up nothing ...it became clearer ....

I stay to help those who come after me ....and hopefully show them the way out of the 

Nicotine Trap .!!!!!

 

[Katgirl]

@Doreensfree, you make an excellent point. It was my Cardiologist, who put fear in me. He straight up told me that if I kept smoking, my arteries could constrict to the point, where I could have a massive heart attack, and die. That scared the crap out of me, and within 2 weeks of him saying that, I quit. 3 or 4 days later, I found this place, and hopped aboard the train…

[jillar]

I think the beauty of an online forum is that we're here 24/7. You don't have to make an appt. or make a specific time to be available. We're here when you need us

[Katgirl]

@jillar, Exactly right. I also think that the fact that it is an online forum, is freeing, in a lot of ways. There is no pressure to look good, or possible nervousness, related to meeting new people, no worry about contracting Covid, no need to wear masks. There is a certain anonymity to the forum which makes it easier to be oneself. In my case,  I chose an actual pic of myself, rather than an avatar, but we don’t even have to reveal what we look like.  Therein lies the beauty of any online forum. But, we can still be social, and even make real friends, should we so choose. It’s perfect!

Edited July 29, 2021 by Katgirl

[Abby]

 

I never lurked but I know people do lurk . Not all are procrastinating some just are not into the net and understandable . I get it ! 

 

My quit bud of nine years only lurked and posted possibly 3 times in nine years . Not everyone is comfortable posting on line and not everyone is comfortable sharing in person either . 

 

The key is to find a method that suits you and your level of comfort . How you get there is your decision as it was mine .

 

If you are lurking and wondering what method or NRT to use perhaps doing a search here or checking the videos here or just asking the question may help you decide. Knowledge is power .

Each of us is unique and most methods will work if we do the work . One better than the other . I personally can't answer that with a lot of personal experience  . They won't eliminate the craves but some can make the journey a bit easier I've heard .

 

This quit I did cold turkey with a one week trial of Chantix . It was at that point I said I'm done putting more junk , meaning nicotene in any form into my body . 

 

I tried the patch which I sabatogued by taking it off when I needed a smoke . It too would have worked , but my heart was more into smoking than not and I was only quitting to please others not myself . I was just trying  to quit to really just keep smoking . My failures gave me that reason to continue  . I can't then was real to me and the truth in my eyes although in fact it was the biggest lie I ever told myself .  Every one of us can quit , you only have to do it ! 

 

My first attempt at quitting smoking was a ten week course through the health care system .  I never went bk after the second class.

I left both times wanting to chain smoke .

I had fear of losing control !  You see ,  I thought when I was smoking cigarettes tha  I was in control but truth ..... they were controlling me .

That course would have worked but again my heart was still into getting my fix to stop the crave more than to get through it to kick addiction to the curb. I was trying but giving up before I gave myself a chance . 

 

The next time I got pretty serious about quitting , I was all on my own , cold turkey , no groups , no support . I had an eight year quit that I'm still proud of , just not proud that I gave that quit away .

You see one puff was not enough . You can't be a social smoker and you have to quit smoking and stay quit for the quit to stick .  It's the only way through . 

 

One puff is what got us started and one puff if you are quit will get you started a second time. Don't entertain it , don't dine with it . It will leave you with a hefty bill to pay every time ! 

 

This new venture I'm setting up in the city I live is different again and I hope it will attract many who feel it's something they would like . It won't be for all and that's ok .  There is always room for more ways  to get support to quit . Gaurenteed , I will be speaking to those attending that online sites such as quit train can be of support as well as  reinforcement . 

 

Thanks everyone for helping out those who may be watching who are already quit or thinking about it . 

Lurkers , watchers  whatever brought you to this site ... if you were thinking about quitting or already started or for some unknown reason you just happened along the site and you are a smoker  congrats on this discovery and your search . 

 

No matter where you are from , how much you smoje , whether you are ready to quit or not welcome to quit train . Love to hear from you though . How's your quit going ? What's holding you back from putting the pack under water .  Questions ? Just ask . We are not specialists, just ordinary people . 

 

As the moderators here said .. quittrain is here twenty four .. seven .  

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 29, 2021 by Abby

[d2e8b8]

@Abby the passion you have for this is nice to see.  It's great to find a purpose and be able to help others and contribute a little bit to the world.  As you said, if we can make a difference in even 1 person's life, it will be worth it.

[Katgirl]

We all want to remain nicotine free, and guard our quits. Encouraging each other to remain vigilant is of paramount importance, and is the main focus of this forum. If we can support each other, in times of trouble, we are achieving the main goal of QuitTrain. We would all prefer that every smoker finds a way to quit. Unfortunately, that’s an unrealistic hope. Every smoker must make that decision on their own. My wish is that many others will hop aboard the train and join the rest of us, here, on our healthier journey through life. 

Edited July 30, 2021 by Katgirl

[Doreensfree]

During my 52 Smoking career....

I have tried to Quit far too many times to count ....tried every method known to man ....

Now I have a strong quit behind me ..I know why it didn't happen .....for a few reasons ...

1...  Fear ....couldn't imagine a life without my crutch 

2....I never committed to it .....

3.... I did it alone .....

It took a group of quitters who knew what I was going through to help me through all these obstacles....

I met the most wonderful up friends ....who had my back and I had Thiers ....

They showed me the way ....they took away my fear ...they helped me commit ....

Everyone's quit is different ...as we are all different ....

If your lurking ...it means you deep down want to Quit ....whether you jump on and take a seat or you are 

Reading and learning about this horrible addiction ...

The important thing is ...Life Is so much better when you free yourself from the Nicotine Prison ....

Believe in yourself .....you can be free ....you just have to want it badly enough ...

[Abby]

You make some good points everyone 

Every time Doreens avatar shows up it reminds me of a dear quit friend . Her handle was froglady , she had my back when I needed . She was funny and knew how to encourage everyone by just being her , nothing more , and nothing less . It was who she was . She was a wonderful artist and yes she painted frogs . I miss her . She passed away . Many of my dear quit friends passed away now and they passed away free from addiction . 

Froglady spent every day like many giving back to her community education and most importantly she did it with love , with humour yet serious and without judgement . She was a friend anyone would want having their back. 

I didn't know her other than on line but I wish I had the opportunity to meet her and others in person . 

I wish I could have met many folks in person .  Like mentioned by another member friendships can be made to last a lifetime here and many do keep close touch , but the focus for me is to continue my quit smoking journey and give help if I'm able to others through my testimony and experience . 

I can't wait however to see the friendships develop as people meet up in person with a common goal to quit smoking and take it further than it just being work but also pleasure. I think that will happen here . 

 

Note .. my endeavour may be put off a bit until January . News yesterday reported that all restrictions are off on Aug 16 . That means even those who've contracted covid are free to walk the street . WTH ! This is something Drs , nurses , who were just asked to take a cut in pay and many here including myself are very unhappy about as our numbers begin to climb . Now politics is definitely in the picture more than the safety of people's lives ! I am very high risk even with two shots.   I will be going back to self isolation unfortunatly . I'm sure my immunologist won't be happy with the governments decision to put now kids lives at risk and still others . Wear your masks people and get your vaccine, don't be thinking your safe , you just don't know . Safety is first for me for myself and others but I do have a back up plan that may be just the thing too . I won't quit !  Thanks for your support @d2e8b8

And thanks everyone for contributing what you thought is important to make mention in the thread . 

Edited July 30, 2021 by Abby

[Katgirl]

It’s probably for the best, @Abby, to put your plans off. It’s just too dangerous a time. I know, I wouldn’t go to any kind of group setting with the Delta variant running rampant. I just read an article about the large number of people who contracted Delta, after spending 4th of July in the Cape Cod area. They were OUTSIDE! ALSO, 75% of them were fully vaccinated, and they were mostly symptomatic. THAT is scary! This new variant is much more transmissible than the original virus. We may never be able to go back to the way things were, before COVID. So, online is the way to do everything, for now. Even my Doctor appointments are virtual. It’s sad, but true. 

[Abby]

I may still start it in October but I have more work to do now to change a few things because the silly Gov opened things up here and opened borders that may put people at risk . I may wait to see what happens . This venue still social distances and still has a limit on how many are in the establishment , cleaning protocols are still in place .. masks are not compulsory there they are optional as it is now , but that may change. Everyone  everyone entering is double dosed and temp checked .  

 

I have an appointment with the vendor owner this afternoon . I don't expect a huge amount of people to begin with and this is a very large venue . The flyers only yet to have a date . 

Some rules may need to be implemented for the safety of others which will be put in place . I want people to feel safe first and foremost , so may wait just a few months to see what happens with the reopening which I don't think will last long once school starts but I will not be discouraged or let others discourage me from doing this now or in the future . This will happen . 

People need to quit smoking especially now with covid and variants still in the forefront . Smoking and this disease and its variants puts these people in danger and stopping even a month can make a huge difference for them .   

I've had to be careful for the past eleven years with my own illness . in the past I've had to wear a mask and be around people not masked  . What bothers me most is people who have colds and flu don't stay home . They attend work sick , concerts sick , restaurants sick etc .  I've missed years of Christmases and celebrations because I was sick because people don't care . People just don't know how important staying home when your sick is and can prevent death . 

 

There has been much learned because of covid . I will be self isolating for a bit because it's my choice to do a wait and see approach now until I see what happens with the reopening and the research is done ( which is in progress) on just how much immunity the vaccine has given me . Opening to this scale imo is a mistake . My biggest concern right now is not for the adults who chose not to vaccinate but the children who don't have a voice and sacrificed for us. I want to protect them . . I won't however let the fear others feel who are vaccinated or not vaccinated bring me fear . 

 

This post seems to be getting way off track. Let's focus on the people here , lurking and encouragement for one another .  Thanks . 

 

[Katgirl]

@Abby, if you are immuno compromised, you should be way more careful. If where you live is about to open up, it will shut down again, soon after. Do yourself a favor, and research what is going on with the delta variant. None of us is safe, not even outside. While your motives are admirable, this is not the time to place yourself, or any potential group you start, in harm’s way. 

[Abby]

Thank you for your concern katgirl . 

[Katgirl]

You are very welcome. I’m a Professional Nurse, by trade, and genuinely concerned for everyone’s health.