Here we go again

[Trish]

Hey everyone...back again.  I had picked today as a quit date last week and it kinda worked out perfectly as the family had to leave town for a couple of days.  I am stuck here on dog/garden duty.  So, having the house to myself and not having cigarettes right in front of me for the first 24 hours may be helpful.  So it's been like two and a half hours since my last cigarette.  Have I quit?  Who knows?   Do I want to?  Hell yes. 

[Devil Doll]

You can do it Trish! 

[Paul723]

You quit! Good riddance to the cigarettes! Forward only now!

[Nancy]

Yes, you have quit.  You are now a non -smoker.  You can do anything else that is not illegal or immoral; you just can't smoke!  You can beat it this time, Trish, I just know it!!

[REZ]

Do not know all of your history Trish but, if you want to quit with your heart and soul then you are now a non smoker.

 

Take it one day at a time and soon the days turn in to weeks and then in to months!

 

It starts off a little tuff but does get easier, I promise you!

[Pippa]

You got this Trish - remember we are here to support you if you need it !

[Trish]

Thanks guys.  History...well...failed quits.  JK.  Um...been trying to quit since Feb.  Always let stress get the better of me.  Been quit a month at a time, 3 weeks, etc.  Been somewhat tring the last month but cave everytime hubby comes home with cigs.  That's the worst part right now is having it in front of me.  But I know Marti started a thread on this topic so I will be hecking that out again before the get back.  Almost 5 hours in now and I am getting hungr so I guess it's time for dinner!

[beacon]

Well, good and I am thinking about you. I am sending strong quit vibes your way

[beacon]

For stress

 

http://www.womensheart.org/content/Exercise/relaxation_and_deep_breathing_ex.asp

 

The Art of Relaxation

 

It is surprising how little Americans know about the art of relaxation. Relaxation is more than getting away from the work-a-day grind, and it is more than the absence of stress. It is something positive and satisfying-a feeling in which one experiences peace of mind. True relaxation requires becoming sensitive to one's basic needs for peace, self-awareness, thoughtful reflection-and the willingness to meet these needs rather than ignoring or dismissing them.

 

 

The continuing pressures of everyday life take a heavy toll on the physical and mental well-being of millions of people each year. Medical research into the origins of common diseases such as high blood pressure, heart disease, ulcers, and headaches shows a connection between stress and the development of such ailments. In the area of mental health, stress frequently underlies emotional and behavioral problems, including nervous breakdowns. Various environmental factors-from noise and air pollution to economic disruptions, such as un- employment. inflation, and recession -can make living conditions even more stressful. These conditions, in turn, can create a greater need for mental health services to help people cope more effectively with their environment.

 

In the course of a day, people are frequently distracted from their activities by personal problems – conflicts with family member, disagreements with employers, poor living or working conditions, boredom, loneliness––to name just a few. It is easy to get so preoccupied with living, thinking, organizing, existing, and working that a person disregards his or her needs for relaxation.

 

More people reared in our production – oriented society feel guilty, or at least ill –at–ease, when they are not actively involved in accomplishing tasks or producing things. Even their vacations become whirlwind productions that leave the participants exhausted after concentrating too many experiences into a short period of time. Such behavior undermines the value of vacation time as an opportunity for diversion, restoration of one’s energies, and gaining new experiences.

 

Unfortunately, some people pursue relaxation with the same concern for time, productivity and activity that they show in their everyday life patterns. Far too few people know how to turn off the body clocks and gain satisfaction out of just being instead of always striving. The secret in getting the best results from attempts at relaxation is simple: Find those activities which give you pleasure, and, when you pursue them, commit your energies to total mental and physical well-being. If your diversion results in an artistic product, musical skills, further education, a better physique, or whatever, that’s great. But, remember that relaxation, not achievement, is your main reason for participating in the activity.

 

Mental health specialists have come up with some suggestions for learning the art of relaxation. Below is a simple relaxation exercise that involves deep breathing, meditation and biofeedback. Give it a try!

 

"I Am Relaxed"...deep breathing and relaxation exercise

Sit comfortably and quietly.

 

Tell yourself that you are going to use the next 5, 10, or 20 minutes to re-balance, to heal, to relax yourself.

 

Surrender the weight of your body, allowing the chair, or floor, to support you.

 

Close your eyes, gently cutting out visual stimulation and distraction.

 

As you inhale, repeat to yourself: “I AM”

 

As you exhale, say... “RELAXED.”

 

Continue to breath normally not trying to change it in any way. Just watch it happening and continue to repeat: “I AM” with inhalation; ... “RELAXED” with exhalation.

 

As your mind begins to wander, gently bring it back to the awareness of your breath and your statement “I AM RELAXED.” Be compassionate and loving with your "leaping frog" mind which wants to be anywhere but here.

 

Continue doing this for as long as you have established.

 

To conclude, discontinue the phrase and slowly stretch your hands and feet, your arms and legs, then your whole body.

 

Open your eyes a sliver at a time – like the sun coming up in the morning.

 

Continue on your way.

[action]

Trish, I believe that a person has quit once they have put out their last cigarette, and has no intention to smoke another. And it sounds like that's where you are, so you've quit ;)

 

Massive (((hugs))), here if you need me :)

[MarylandQuitter]

Great decision, Trish.  It doesn't matter if you ever want to smoke again, you simply don't ever take another puff.  Ever.

 

Do you have any cigarettes in the house, car, barn, shed or any other place that you can get your hands on them?  If so, flush them.  Don't even keep one laying around.

 

You're already quit and have quit previously, so...

 

The Smoker's Vow

To be said just before taking your first puff after
having quit for any appreciable period of time

 

With this puff I enslave myself
to a lifetime of addiction.
While I can't promise to always love you,
I do promise to obey every craving and
support my addiction to you
no matter how expensive you become.

I will let no husband or wife,
no family member or friend,
no doctor or any other health professional,
no employer or government policy,
no burns or no stench,
no cough or raspy voice,
no cancer or emphysema,
no heart attack or stroke,
no threat of loss of life or limbs,
come between us.

I will smoke you forever
from this day forth,
for better or worse,
whether richer or poorer,
in sickness and in health,
till death do us part!

"You may now light the cigarette."

"I now pronounce you a full-fledged smoker."

http://whyquit.com/joel/Joel_04_11_Smokers_Vow.html

[Trish]

No cigs here...not till hubby gets home.

[MarylandQuitter]

No cigs here...not till hubby gets home.

 

When he gets home you do not smoke.  You've quit already.  Got it?  What's it going to take?  You have a clean bill of health and all of your fears were put to rest.  Are you wanting to watch your fears come to fruition?  No matter how bad you want to smoke you can't.  As adults there are certain things that we want to do but cannot because we know better.  Smoking should be at the top of the that list.

[BAT]

NOPE

[El Bandito]

One Fluffy Leg!

 

Welcome back! Great to see you here Trish. I hope that you managed to get through the evening.

 

All good advice above. I know you can do it.

[Doreensfree]

Welcome back trish,

Whatever is happening in your life.....

Smoking is NOT on the table......this is what got me through it....

It can get you through it too ....

You can do this.......x

[Still winning]

Yay!!  Trish, I know you're bricking it hun, don't. Just decide here and now, it's enough. You have done this enough times, you know the pitfalls, you know the triggers, get some plans laid out.

 

As for hubby smoking, you are gonna use him (in the nicest possible way, well 2nd nicest lol) to secure your quit. Every time he lights up, you are going to remember "I don't have to anymore, because I'm free". Will feel silly a bit but trust me on this. Occasionally watch him smoke, does he look relaxed and overjoyed, nope, some chemical is gonna catch in his throat, he'll make a face or cough - THAT is the real smoking, then get smug because hey, you don't have to do that anymore. 

 

Write down a list of reasons you do not want to smoke. Keep it with you, read it when you crave and remember.  It is your brain trying to drag you back to addiction, there is no pain, there is nothing other thanthoughts.

 

I know you worry you lost a quit at a month, that honestly bears no relation to this quit, other then what you learnt on that practice. Head up, chest out and welcome to your non smoking life. It may be a bumpy ride but christ trish, it's not like you haven't seen some bumpy ride with this family (meant in the nicest way). You are the queen of handling stress in a calm and diplomatic way, you just need to shift that to not smoking and trust yourself :) 

 

xx

[SueBeDoo]

You can and will do this.

Stop thinking positive thoughts about smoking, only think of all the horrible things it does and don't be jealous of your hubby, feel sorry for him, watch him when he gets desperate for a smoke, notice he has more craves as a smoker then not smoking, smell him after he has had a smoke and kiss him, it will be rank.

[sherry]

TRISH..... YAY!!!! look at you get'n back on the horse!! sooo proud of you and happy for you!! yay yay and yay!!.... and to answer your question - yes you are now a non smoker, and only you can take that away from you.... only you.... so, just take it one day, one hour or one minute at a time to stay a non smoker...we're all here pull'n for ya....you got this.. let us know how it's go'n as the day goes on ok? keep climb'n hun!  :dance4: 

[jimmy]

trish this is your sticky quit  don't let anything stand in the way of it you can do this   from one Texan to another 

I know you can do it   one day at a time     be determind  not to smoke   congrats on quiting  

[Devil Doll]

How are you doing this morning Trish?

[Trish]

Doing ok this morning.  Stupid dog barked ALL NIGHT so didn't sleep well.  Don't know what she was all worked up about.  And I hate waking up on day 2 but it's technically not day 2.   :( Just a few more hours though.  I am considering mowing because it's so cool but haven't decided yet.... :huh:

[El Bandito]

Morning Trish!

 

If its cool - maybe mowing is a good plan.

 

Dogs will be dogs I guess!

[Devil Doll]

Doing ok this morning.  Stupid dog barked ALL NIGHT so didn't sleep well.  Don't know what she was all worked up about.  And I hate waking up on day 2 but it's technically not day 2.   :( Just a few more hours though.  I am considering mowing because it's so cool but haven't decided yet.... :huh:

It's Murphy's law the first three days :(

I know that you've got it this time. This is your sticky! :)

[Nicole Diver]

Sending good vibes your way Trish. Just remember every day is easier than the last.