Chose a quit date

[hford]

Hi! I have attempted to quit smoking several times, but decided this time, I need more support, so I joined this group. My quit date is tomorrow. I am excited and nervous about this change. I have identified several barriers that have made my attempts unsuccessful in the past. One being the feeling of sadness. Cigarettes have been my go-to when feeling stressed, happy, sad and lonely for almost fifteen years. I have realized I need to recognize the sadness and fill the void with plenty of positive thoughts, words, friends and family. 

[Evelyn]

Today is the 4th, have you quit? I know what it is to be left with an empty heart :)

[bakon]

Ready?

[Doreensfree]

Welcome aboard...

Read and watch all you can..understanding this monster, it's will give you the tools to fight it ..

Stay close to the board.folks who post have a better chance of staying smoke free..

Looking forward forgetting you know you better..

[Boo]

Welcome aboard and congratulations on making a great decision for yourself.  Every time you have one of those moments when your natural inclination is to smoke and you refuse, new pathways are created in your mind.  With commitment and repetition, not smoking will become your new normal.

 

Enjoy the ride.

[El Bandito]

Hey Hford.

 

Don't be nervous - be excited. You just saved your own health. 

 

Keep reading, posting. You'll get there.

[Stewie]

Welcome hford! Stay close to the forum and nope with us everyday and im sure you will succeed.

[joe]

Welcome to the QT!

 

You have made a great choice in both quitting AND seeking support. Without a doubt, that (support) is the reason I am approaching 3years quit... Ask questions and post often. We all take a different path on this journey, but are heading for the same destination...

 

Glad to have you along! Enjoy your adventure!

[MarylandQuitter]

Welcome, hford!  You will learn that it's impossible that smoking can calm you when you're stressed.  Nicotine raises your blood pressure, increases your heart rate and causes adrenaline to soar through your nervous system.  Your body is flooded with the "fight or flight" mechanism of survival.  We thought it calmed stress because in between cigarettes we were in a mild state of withdrawal which in and of itself is stressful.  So, what did we do? We smoked which relieved the withdrawal symptoms and we erroneously believed it calmed us when we were stressed.  Smoking causes stress, in more ways than just the immediate effects as increased heart rate etc.

 

I too used to reward myself with a cigarette when I was happy, completed a job, needed a break etc.  What kind of reward is that?  As you stick around and take advantage of all of the articles, videos and posts to educate yourself about this addiction, you'll beat it once and for by being smarter than it, not stronger than it; a fallacy often associated with smokers unable to quit or stay quit for very long.

 

Are you quitting cold turkey?  How do you plan on dealing with urges to smoke today?

 

Videos to start watching today, your new beginning and being free from this addiction

 

I'll Be A Nervous Wreck Forever If I Quit Smoking

Video explores the fear that people have that they will become much more nervous when they quit smoking, and likely be more nervous the rest of their lives if they stay free. Despite these fears, most people become calmer as former smokers than they were when actually smoking. The video explains why this is usually the case.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJBu7Bf3LpM&index=15&list=PL0F23FAFB942E402A

 

Be Proud That You Quit Smoking

Video discusses the importance of being proud of yourself when you are first quitting smoking.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpxnCA7fBNs&list=PL8EB359C247D3FE6C&index=15

 

Using Cigarettes As Rewards

Video discusses how what many people find themselves not wanting to do certain activities because they can no longer reward themselves with a cigarette for completion of their tasks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYq43i2tKaY

 

Smoking Doesn't Help Solve Stress

Video discusses how smoking cannot solve stress, and in actuality usually results in making people more nervous in general than if they were former smokers or had never smoked in their lives.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6C5eTa93JSs&index=25&list=PL4F05C03D0F9B86DB

[hford]

Thanks for sharing the videos. And yes, I quit cold turkey this morning. It's been about 10 hours :). I'm excited about the little milestones, because those are important!! 

[hford]

Can I reply to people individually? And how do I do that? I just see the quote button.. but puts my comments on the bottom, is that normal? 

[MarylandQuitter]

Yep.  You can just quote the person and then on top or...

 

Can I reply to people individually? And how do I do that? I just see the quote button.. but puts my comments on the bottom, is that normal? 

 

you can just quote the person and then reply underneath like this.  Replying underneath is the most common way to respond.  :)

[MarylandQuitter]

Thanks for sharing the videos. And yes, I quit cold turkey this morning. It's been about 10 hours :). I'm excited about the little milestones, because those are important!! 

 

You're quite welcome!  Yes, the little milestones are very, very important because they keep you motivated and focused.  Also, celebrate those little milestones!!

[Sazerac]

Welcome hford.

Congratulations on making one of the best decisions of your life.

We are here to support you on your journey and have some fun along the way.

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[Sazerac]

hford,

How are you ?