Oh, the possibilities!

[PixelSketch]

Greetings from the land of wandering moose and timbits!  :wacko:

 

 

It's been a very long time since I checked in. I'm actually not altogether sure when I signed in last. I guess I reached a stage where I didn't want to think or talk or read or hear about smoking. Not even in a positive "yay, we're smoke-free!" kind of way. It took me a long time to figure that out.

 

My early days were filled with nothing but thoughts of smoking. Once I reached a stage where it hardly ever crossed my mind, I suppose I didn't want to encourage those thoughts to come back. 

 

I didn't mean to leave so abruptly, in fact I never meant to leave at all, but every time I started to sign in, something stopped me. And then one day turned into two, and then into a week and a month and before I knew it...today had arrived. 

 

Yesterday I marked six months smoke-free. And I felt the need to come back and let you all know, that though you may not see or hear me, I'm still on the train with you. 

 

I quit romancing the cigarette months ago. I found a new love. Maybe even an obsession. It's actually a very old love. I'm back into weight lifting. Any free time I have is spent at the barbell, aiming to lift ever heavier things and put them back down again. It's spent creating meal plans, and counting macros. It's spent running, with the wind in my hair and the rhythmic tattoo of my shoes on the pavement. 

 

I often think of you guys when I run. And I send up thoughts hoping you're all well, and still riding the train. And I send up a thank you. Because without your support through those very tough early days, I wouldn't be pushing my lungs well beyond what I thought they were capable of. I wouldn't be lifting weights I've only dreamed of lifting. I wouldn't feel as strong and healthy and full of possibilities as I do now.

 

And it's those possibilities that matter the most. If you're struggling right now, and wondering if this quit is really worth the pain you're feeling right now, listen up. Six months ago, I had certainties, but no possibilities in my life. A big giant pack of cigarettes had suffocated those. I was certain my allergies and my wheezing was getting worse. I was certain I, a former athlete, could not walk briskly down the street without getting short of breath. I was certain I could not get through one day without coughing. And I was certain that smoking would bring me an early, and unpleasant, end.

 

Today, well, the future is uncertain. But it's full of new goals and dreams and, yes, possibilities. It's amazing how your life gets bigger somehow, and makes space for new adventures, when you're no longer planning the majority of your days around a cigarette. Suddenly there's time for...living.

 

Do I ever think about having a smoke? Yes. But it's just a thought. It doesn't happen often. And I remind myself of what my life looks like now, and what it looked like then, and that makes the choice, and it is a choice, an easy one for me. NOPE. 

 

My hope is that everyone here keeps on choosing NOPE too. Every single day. Because it gets better. And it will be worth it. You'll see.

 

Hugs,

 

Ali

[Doreensfree]

What a wonderful surprise to see your post this morning..it's so good to see you.

Never doubted your quit for a second...but it's great to hear how far you have come since your early days ...

Spreading your wings from the board is sometimes the best thing to do...different strokes for different folks...

I'm so proud and happy for you..you have turned your life around...

I love to hear success posts like yours...

I wish you well for the future in all that you achieve...smoke free of course...

Lots of love

Doreen xxx

[Boo]

Welcome back Pixel!  Good to see you again.

 

 I quit romancing the cigarette months ago. I found a new love. Maybe even an obsession. It's actually a very old love. I'm back into weight lifting. Any free time I have is spent at the barbell, aiming to lift ever heavier things and put them back down again. It's spent creating meal plans, and counting macros. It's spent running, with the wind in my hair and the rhythmic tattoo of my shoes on the pavement. 

 

I often think of you guys when I run. And I send up thoughts hoping you're all well, and still riding the train. And I send up a thank you. Because without your support through those very tough early days, I wouldn't be pushing my lungs well beyond what I thought they were capable of. I wouldn't be lifting weights I've only dreamed of lifting. I wouldn't feel as strong and healthy and full of possibilities as I do now.

 

Hell yeah!  Quit smoking.  Started lifting and running.  And now the benefits have begun to accumulate exponentially.

 

I do love a good success story first thing in the morning. 

[Reciprocity]

Very nice to hear from you again PS :) Your post is very uplifting and well written and so true. I'm thrilled you are doing so well now and yes, the choice does become easier and easier with time. Congratulations on your 1/2 year milestone and thanks for dropping by. Hopefully you'll stop by again. We'll do it up big for your 1 year anniversary :)

[Stewie]

What pig lover said.

 

Love the image. If that´s Canada im moving tommorow.  :P

[bakon]

It's not Canada...the cup is here in Pittsburgh.

 

Also you need to pay to forward. You have a dept of one year posting. During the one year you get to help all those who have less time, and even old timers. It's not written as a rule, but either is nose picking. It's just a rule.

So check in more and enjoy your gym time. I used weights as a distraction after the first month and still spend a good amount of time when not outdoors in warm weather. Just can't walk on a treadmill when there is sunny outside...few others in here got very heavy into exercise...think it's our addictive side.

[Doreensfree]

 

Ya right bakon...I believe you !!!

[Pearlie]

Great post, PS!  A big congratulations to you for six months smoke free!!   :)

[PixelSketch]

Thank you so much everyone!  :wub:

 

 

Also you need to pay to forward. You have a dept of one year posting. During the one year you get to help all those who have less time, and even old timers. It's not written as a rule, but either is nose picking. It's just a rule.
 

Agreed! Sometimes, though, you have to put the oxygen mask on yourself first before you help the person next to you. If Air Canada said it, it must be true. :P Everyone finds their own way through this. I finally got to the point where I could come back. While I probably won't be here every day, I will be here more and I will post whenever I think I can be of help.  :wub:

[bakon]

Ok. And now the subject of the cup....

[Jryan19982]

I agree with the need to step away as I did the same thing on the other quit board but I checked in from time to time. You didn't need to take care of your quit first and foremost.

[PixelSketch]

We're no fools. We keep the original in the vault at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto full time. The cup is always here. We just let you hold on to the presentation cup version for a bit now and again. 'Cause we're nice like that.  :lol2:

 

 

 

It's not Canada...the cup is here in Pittsburgh.