Once and for all

[tocevoD]

Weighed myself yesterday when I went for a swim with my son. Was a massive, for me, 13st 12lb. That is massive for me because I was a regular swimmer, runner and biker not a long time ago. Would regularly do 10k runs. Its proof that smoking brings with it a multitude of bad habits. Not everyone will suffer the same but I can't exercise when I'm a smoker, my eating habits become fuddled aswell. Time to put the whole lot back in check. I'm heading towards 50 years of age. This quit needs to be part of a wider health kick.

 

Weighing myself and looking in the mirror has given me that kick up the arse.

[Gus]

Way to go @tocevoD! Keep it up! Enjoy your time with your son. Keep busy. 

[tocevoD]

Had the smoking dreams today. I remember these from the last time I went full on quit for a few years. At the start, about a week in, I'd have dreams of smoking or dreams of trying to get ciggies. Its like one of them frontiers you've got to get over.

[Doreensfree]

What a great feeling when you wake up and know your quit is intact 

Your doing great

[tocevoD]

I dropped him off today at his mum's about 8:30. These are the days I would have been straight the shop for a 20 pack. Not today. Had a couple of urges before dropping him off. Low level ones. "I'll drop him off and get some bifters." They were batted away pretty easily. I'm feeling good this time around. As I say, done a massive quit in the past. This feels more sustainable than that one. This feels like 'THE QUIT'

[DenaliBlues]

Good on you! Your positive attitude will carry you far.

 

I, too, lost a multi-year quit. I did ok with abstention, but never really tackled recovery or confronted the underlying addiction. As a result, I let that quit slip away, for stupid reasons that it was all too easy to rationalize. But no more stinkin thinkin. This time is different for me, too. 

 

Stay vigilant, especially during times when you’re feeling down or bored - that’s when temptation likes to pounce.

 

You’re DOING this @tocevoD!!

[jillar]

That's awesome @tocevoD, ☺ 

[Reciprocity]

Your positivity on this quit being THE QUIT is a good thing. Keep up that attitude and carry on day by day. The magic of time will heal your desire for nicotine.

Nothing beats being quit!

[Mee]

@tocevoD Everyday it will get easier.  Just keep focused on that freedom.  

[tocevoD]

Little update. Coming up to 3weeks 3days in the next few hours. It may seem like I am counting the days because I've just posted that but that couldn't be further from the truth. Truth is I've hardly ever thought about it. I haven't been back the gym as yet. That's the next step. I'm wary of doing too much too soon and crashing and burning. I know the pitfalls and dangers from previous quits. The bravado that can bring you down. I've still got a few big hurdles to pass. The next one is probably the biggest. So I need to keep plugging on the way I am doing.

 

[DenaliBlues]

What a great update, @tocevoD!! So glad that you are making headway and are putting smoking behind you. You’re smart to stay vigilant… this addiction is wily and tends to lurk in the tall grass for a while. Stay strong - you CAN do it. (You ARE doing it!) NOPE… Not One Puff Ever.

 

[Doreensfree]

Your doing great , and taking it easy ,

Learning by what went wrong in the past is a huge step forward . 
Kerp taking it One Day at a Time

[johnny5]

Keep up the great work @tocevoD

[Gus]

This is great news! I’m excited for you. Thanks for updating us. 

[tocevoD]

Just a another update. I'm now at 1m 2w 5days. Sadly there has been 1 relapse day. This happened on the 31st August. A night out at the snooker with a few drinks saw me buy a pack on the way home along with a few more beers. I felt a massive pang of regret the next day. That was just 2weeks and a day ago. I'll have to change my quit date now. I have been having strong urges since. Need to resist as much as I can. Get through tonight and start a new week of work again. The thoughts don't seem to be there as much when in work. Sunday is always the worst for reasons I've explained already.

[Doreensfree]

Sorry you decided to smoke again , 

Resetting your tracker is the right thing to do . 
Knowing your danger signs is a good start, 

you can make plans and have some tools ready to use..

Many of us stayed away from Alcohol until we felt stronger .

Ive seen countless of quits list due to drinking 

Msybe this is something that may help in the future

[jillar]

Boo @tocevoD, what a bummer you smoked, you were doing so well. Maybe you should try letting us help you through a bad crave? Its worked for many of us including myself so its worth a try.......

Edited October 5 by jillar

[DenaliBlues]

@tocevoD the most important thing is that you re-started your quit. Let the relapse reinforce your understanding of the slippery slope… the Stinkin Thinkin that lures you into lighting up again. Smack it down with a big NOPE! 

[Genecanuck]

Good morning @tocevoD. I remember how discouraging it felt when I lost a previous quit because of drinking. I know how strong that pull is to want to smoke when you are drinking and having fun with friends. That one got me last time. I live with a partner that smokes and I find myself having to actively practice relapse prevention thinking when I know I am going to have a few drinks with him. I avoid going outside when he goes to smoke. I am aware when that stinking thinking creeps in that  I can have just one puff. I know that when I feel fuzzy headed, I will have thoughts that its just ok to smoke. I challenge my stinking thinking when I have that false belief that smoking will enhance any pleasure I am feeling.

 

Smoking never enhances any pleasure or fun. When I put nicotine back into my body, I know that the brain starts to scream that it wants more, more more and more nicotine. And then I am back into smoking madness fight or flight mode.

 

I decided that I won't stop living. I will be around smokers. I will have a few drinks. BUT, I can re-wire my brain by acknowledging that having cigarettes during these life events has nothing to do with enhancing pleasure, satisfaction or reducing any stress. It just activates the need for more nicotine.

Recently, I found that I can go into situations where others are smoking and choose not to smoke.

 

And the more I experience those situations as a non smoker, the more that stinking thinking goes away. The urge to smoke only lasts about three to five minutes and it passes. And for me, this is part of my road to recovery.

 

You have some really good self awareness @tocevoD. Just get right back on your smoke free path and keep your quit.

 

 

Edited September 17 by Genecanuck

[Genecanuck]

@tocevoD .. check in with us and let us know how you are doing.

 

[tocevoD]

Sorry for not posting Genecanuck. I'm at the place I need to be to get posting again now.today is my quit day. As mentioned in previous posts it's easier when I've got my son. Got him till Wednesday night next week. Going out for a drink, which I do rarely, is a gateway as is boredom which I have lots of. I need to occupy my time when my son is not with me. The determination is there again. When you go back to it you realise how it makes you feel. Heartburn, lethargy and wasting money. Time to get back on the train.

[jillar]

@tocevoD, you relapsed again?! 

32 minutes ago, tocevoD said:

Time to get back on the train.

Getting back is only part of it tocevod, you also need to stick around and reach out to us when you need the extra support. We can help you think rational when you start wanting to cave to a crave. We are here to support you and hold your hand through the hard parts so that you too can be successful like the rest of us. You deserve it and so does your son!

[Doreensfree]

On 9/17/2024 at 12:33 PM, Genecanuck said:

Good morning @tocevoD. I remember how discouraging it felt when I lost a previous quit because of drinking. I know how strong that pull is to want to smoke when you are drinking and having fun with friends. That one got me last time. I live with a partner that smokes and I find myself having to actively practice relapse prevention thinking when I know I am going to have a few drinks with him. I avoid going outside when he goes to smoke. I am aware when that stinking thinking creeps in that  I can have just one puff. I know that when I feel fuzzy headed, I will have thoughts that its just ok to smoke. I challenge my stinking thinking when I have that false belief that smoking will enhance any pleasure I am feeling.

 

Smoking never enhances any pleasure or fun. When I put nicotine back into my body, I know that the brain starts to scream that it wants more, more more and more nicotine. And then I am back into smoking madness fight or flight mode.

 

I decided that I won't stop living. I will be around smokers. I will have a few drinks. BUT, I can re-wire my brain by acknowledging that having cigarettes during these life events has nothing to do with enhancing pleasure, satisfaction or reducing any stress. It just activates the need for more nicotine.

Recently, I found that I can go into situations where others are smoking and choose not to smoke.

 

And the more I experience those situations as a non smoker, the more that stinking thinking goes away. The urge to smoke only lasts about three to five minutes and it passes. And for me, this is part of my road to recovery.

 

You have some really good self awareness @tocevoD. Just get right back on your smoke free path and keep your quit.

 

 

^^^ This ^^^

[Doreensfree]

@tocevoD

Reread all the green pinned posts on the 

Main Smoking Board .

There is so much help there …

You can do it … you just need the right tools to help you along

[QuittingGirl]

I agree with all the advice given on this thread @tocevoD  You really must come on here at least once a day or more, if you can.  It is very important to be on this forum to get the support that you need.  This is my 2nd time quit and the first time I went back after 6 years because I didn't have the support that I have now by being a member of this group.  They helped me through some really difficult times in the beginning of my quit. We can definitely help you, if you are struggling! So please come on here as much as you can.  You will see how much it helps!