quote:

Originally posted by lbj:
They're not ready.

As you know, I can truly appreciate your response.

I am doing OK today, surprisingly so.
It doesn't seem to be a nicotine thing as much a habit of putting something in my mouth or a task completion thing.

I am not particularly surprised.

They say we hold a cigarette to keep our pecker out of our hand. Not sure how that helps, but knowledge non the less.

Stay vigilant

So you're saying I am going to have hairy palms then.

It's only been 21 hours, so let's see what day 2 brings.

Tonight I have church so I am gong to ask for the strength to beat cigarettes.
But I kinda already have my answer.

I quit for good back in 1988, after smoking for close to 15 years, though I stopped off and on the last couple years I smoked. Yeah, it's partly having something in your hand, so I recommend some type of item to keep "handy". Those exercise squeeze balls would work. The physical part of the addiction you just have to power thru. The psychological part is the same. It's a quite insidious habit, but you'll be better off being done with them! I do recommend not letting anyone smoke inside your house though, and then cleaning drapes, carpets, etc, even painting walls. Btw, I haven't had a cig since I quit in '88. When you're done, you're done. Hope it continues to be fairly easy!!

It's been 48 hours and other than feeling like breaking a few things, all in all, not bad.

I look down at my registration date of February 20, 2000 and wonder if I have more zeroes in that date than most anyone else here.

Lbj, try baby carrots. Also remember. You don't smoke cigs. They smoke you. Keep it up baby!

I love your strength.

I believe your daughter will be encouraged by you. What could be better than that.

I have an open pack of Tareyton Kings sitting in the pantry.
I quit mid pack.
There are also about a carton and a half sitting unopened.

This morning, I was pretty close to grabbing one out of automatic habit.
But I didn't.

I even picked up the open pack and smelled it.
Smelled good to me.
They always did.

I haven't cheated either.
And I'm not doing this because I am scared of dying.
As I said before, the decision isn't mine.
If it were up to me, I'd still be smoking.
I never did get sick of them, I loved them, each and every one.

It kind of makes me wonder if people that give them up do so while still loving them.
I know about the addiction part, I am talking about the love part of the activity, they're different.

And does such make things more or less difficult.
Without thinking about the ill effects, quitting is like kicking a good lover out of bed, it makes no sense.

I am approaching 72 hours of not smoking.

Is this all there is?
I keep waiting for shakes, nervousness, sweating, unusual cravings, a nicotine fit, whatever.
This is a nothing burger right now.

I never would have figured this.
Maybe day 4 or 5 will come back with a vengeance or something.

I’m glad for you. But remember you’re pumped right now. It’s a long slow battle that lasts a long time. I know. Be careful at the 2 week and 2 month mark. I’m still trying to quit for good. The temptation for just one hit to see if it’s as good or bad as you remember will be great. But you have extra help with this. You can do it.

Day 5 comes to a close at 6PM.
Not much yet, still amazed at how easy it has been.

Way to go El Beej

No one is more surprised than me.

For the last 48 years I have been told so many times how difficult quitting is.
Therefore, I never once tried until now.

Geez, I wish I hadn't listened to all that or I may have quit sooner.

I mean, I have a lot of stress, or should have like a death sentence from cancer. I would have thought quitting nigh on impossible.


I am not going to cheat and sneak one and I haven't.
I have played this straight up and without patches or gum.
Now prayer? Yeah there has been some of that, maybe even a lot of that.

Today was a great day.
Both my wife and youngest daughter/grandson came to services with me.
It's true, there we all were at ALT in Johnstown. First time for my wife.
Praise God!

God BLESS you lbj!! Couple of happy dances for ya!!

The above is probably the reason I refuse to dance... for my whole life.

As day 9 draws to a close, I have not cheated and things are going fine.

I have discovered that smoking the 48 years was not an oral fixation or hand thing.
It was and continues to be the feel of the heated smoke entering the top of my lungs.

That's the part I miss.
And that is why I still love them, always did, always will.
That's why I never quit, until now.
I loved those Tareyton Kings all the way until the day I quit.

I was about 16 when I settled on the Tareyton kings.
Then I stayed with them exclusively.

I'd rather fight than switch.
All I need is a black eye to prove it.

Day 12, not cheating as of yet.

Happy to read about your lovely vacation. I bet the animals were happy when you guys got home.

Interesting to read about your stopping smoking. That is my hope for my younger sister, who is doing well almost three years after her stage 4 breast cancer diagnosis. We all just do our best, and I will support her anyway I can.

Good for you

quote:

Originally posted by lbj:
Day 12, not cheating as of yet.

Congratulations! I'm an ex-smoker and IMHO the first few days were the hardest. If you can do 12 days without smoking, you can put them away for good. Stay strong! You have a ton of people pulling for you!

JP

Impressive, nice work LBJ!! Ya did it on a whim, too!

Although I still chew tobacco, I quit once, about 8 years ago ... lasted 10 months. It was hard. Really hard. Took a month for the brain-fog to lift.

But I was free! Copenhagen free! Hence, my user name.

Keep it up!

Congratulations, and remember one day at a time.