I'm quit 8 days today and trying to overcome the cravings, which seem to be getting worse, not better as the days go by. I was smoking for 15 years before this, my one and only time I've really tried to quit. I had been thinking hard about quitting before I actually did last week, but I didn't actually set a date or anything, I just woke up and said that's it, I QUIT and haven't touched a cig since. I'm doing it cold turkey and my question is this...how many times did it take YOU to stay quit?? Should I have planned this out better so I might be more successful?? Man, I feel like folding but I'm not going to, that's why I just keep typing and typing and typing, keeps me busy!! Any and all input would be appreciated. Congrats to all you other quitters too!! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/3/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 8 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 88 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $68 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 16 [B]Mins:[/B] 17 [B]Seconds:[/B] 21

Pam, you totally nailed it on the head with the "junkie thinking" comment. I am honestly walking around all day trying to think of reasons why I should stop my quit and begin smoking again, or trying to trick my mind into thinking that if I were to just go outside and have half a cigarette then I'd be ok, and be able to then stay smoke free, cause I had that :last" cigarette. I know that it's all excuses, which really solidifies that nicotine is such an addictive drug, and that I was so under it's control. I haven't given in, not even an hour ago when my 11 year old daughter decided to start arguing with me over homework help, and it became an all out shouting brawl. All I wanted to do was smoke, had my slippers and sweater on ready to head out back to light up. But instead I just went out for 5 minutes and tried to clear my head, deep breathing and a lot of tears. I feel ok now, just waiting for the last of my 3 girls to go to sleep (she's almost 5 months old but her schedule is all out of whack these past few days) then I will drift off and smoke, ONLY in my dreams from now on. Thanks for the support, I have a feeling I'm going to be needing a lot more of it in the days to come. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/3/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 8 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 89 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $68 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 16 [B]Mins:[/B] 31 [B]Seconds:[/B] 25

You know, it's so weird. Everytime I have a huge craving and feel like I can't do it anymore, I end up getting over it, and not smoking. When I was SURE I needed that cigarette to make it all better. I'm starting to realize how much of a head game smoking has played in my life. I'm so happy I've quit but I am feeling sad at the same time, like I have lost my best friend and also my only chance to get my own personal space, going outside away from the kids to have a smoke. I'm sure this will pass. Thanks for everyones support, again. I, myself hope to be posting to people and offering them my support soon, I just don't feel "ready" enough to do that yet, kinda being selfish and worrying about just me for a bit. Thanks again all!! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/3/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 9 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 95 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $76.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 17 [B]Mins:[/B] 36 [B]Seconds:[/B] 30

bj, you are amazing. stick around. it takes all of us for each of us. parental responsibilities (ie. interdependencies of at least 3-4 other people in your house) make for a real challenge in and of themselves. there is no good time to quit, just as all the times that would appear to be a good excuse to light up, don't make for a good time to smoke. You were amazing tonight surrounding the homework spat. What I keep thinking is - it's not fair to kids to go light up during a fight, cause they can't (really). keep posting. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 12/29/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 13 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 139 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $65 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 1 [B]Hrs:[/B] 7 [B]Mins:[/B] 47 [B]Seconds:[/B] 6

bj - 8 days is amazing! No matter how many times you have quit, you will STILL have cravings. You may want to read "The Easy Way to Quit" by Alan Carr because it has really helped alot of us. I tried quitting 17 years ago. I lasted 2 days and I never tried again because it was so awful. This time, I did absolutely no planning and I jumped right in without a clue. After quitting, I used the tools offered here, read the book, and got tons of support from Alan Carr. There is no better time to quit than now. Basically, I tried quitting twice....and after the first time, I spent 17 years "thinking" about quitting. There is lots to learn....but after you get through the first 2 weeks, you learn alot as you go. All the best! Windy [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 9/11/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 122 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 2,456 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $610 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 11 [B]Hrs:[/B] 23 [B]Mins:[/B] 5 [B]Seconds:[/B] 2

bj, Your last post embodies so many thoughts and feelings that are so common to newer quitters. Believe me when I say that you are NOT alone! [quote] Everytime I have a huge craving and feel like I can't do it anymore, I end up getting over it, and not smoking. When I was SURE I needed that cigarette to make it all better. I'm starting to realize how much of a head game smoking has played in my life. [/quote] I'm SO glad you've figured this out! Honestly, you figured this out a hell of a lot quicker than I did. It took me over a month to figure this out, and some NEVER do! The only control that smoking had on us was control that we gave it! Nicotine is a plant! It cannot control us unless we GIVE it that control. When we realize that, the quit suddenly becomes easier because it's not the nicotine that makes us feel a certain way - it's our own minds that control us and the only way to regain control is to not give that power away to a plant. Way to go on this realization! [quote] I'm so happy I've quit but I am feeling sad at the same time, like I have lost my best friend [/quote] The cigarette has been with you through thick and thin for most of your life. If you were happy, you smoked. If you were sad, you smoked. Any major events that happened in your life, you probably smoked through them. There's probably not one single person on earth who has shared as many intimate, personal and monumental events with you as the cigarette has. Of course you're mourning the "death" of the cigarette! It's completely normal! Many people have written "goodbye" letters to their cigarettes. Somebody (Gonnadoit, I think?) had a funeral for her cigarettes (I believe she used old butts that were yellow and nasty - not pristine, "pretty" new unsmoked cigarettes that could easily be dug up in a moment of insanity). I suggest gaining some closure for yourself. Write a letter or have a funeral. Say goodbye forever. This can help you with the grieving process. But just understand that it's completely normal to grieve. But also understand that this "friend" did nothing for you except steal your money, make you stink and try to kill you! What a friend, huh! But at the same time, it's also OK to mourn for a while. [quote] my only chance to get m

bj, There's no magic to quitting. There's not one thing that works for everybody to keep them quit. The only way to quit is to take it day by day and resist each time you feel a desire to smoke. 8 days is amazing, but I'm afraid it takes longer than that to retrain your mind and body to your new non-smoking ways. We smoked for many, many years - it's going to take more than a few days to undo all of that. But you're off to a wonderful start! The thing is, that idea to go back to smoking so that you can plan your quit better is just junkie thinking. Think about that. I mean, really take a step back and think about what you are saying. I'm not blaming you AT ALL for thinking this because I've come up with way crazier excuses to go back to smoking many times (luckily, the good people here talked me out of each and every one of them and showed me how rediculous I was being), so you're definitely NOT alone here. But I want you to think about what you are saying. You want to go back to smoking so you can plan your quit better so that you will not crave as badly next time. What can you do while you're smoking that you can't do right now? So you didn't plan? Plan now! Even if you've already quit, it's not too late to plan some things. Here are some things I think you should do, even if you've already quit. [b]Write down your reasons for quitting and keep this list close to you at all times.[/b] They will remind you why you wanted to do this so badly. Sometimes when we're craving, we "forget" or at least get distracted from why we wanted to quit in the first place. Having a list will help remind you when you're having a hard time. [b]Make a plan.[/b] Make a plan for what you will do when you're about to cave. It should start with "before I smoke, I must..." and include at least 3 things you will do before you smoke. Such things could include posting and waiting for 10 responses, email/IM a quit buddy, call a friend who supports your quit, read your reasons for quitting 5 times, go workout or take a long walk, etc... all of these things will give you time to think about what you are thinking about doing and will help remind you why you quit. [b]Make a rewards list.[/b] This is THE MOST IMPORTANT ONE!!! Make a list of things you will

My favourite piece of advice I received here in the beginning was from Lady. She told me that I can do anything I want, scream, cry, sleep, tear out the carpet - just dont smoke. That really helped me. I just took each day in stride and tried not to beat myself up about my bad behaviour in the beginning. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 7/11/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 186 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 2,236 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1116 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 13 [B]Hrs:[/B] 12 [B]Mins:[/B] 36 [B]Seconds:[/B] 22

bj, I just finished reading the allan carr book....I highly recomend it to everyone who wants to quit...I have quit so many times before and this time just feels different...allan carr has saved my life. hugs and love, kat [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/1/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 11 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 232 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $55 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 18 [B]Mins:[/B] 44 [B]Seconds:[/B] 35

bj....don't loose yourSELF.....don't deny yourself those minutes that you WOULD have spent sneaking away to smoke.....just sneak away for some OTHER reason!!! shower, face wash, half chapter in a book, memorize a bible verse, get a walkman and listen to a favorite song, wash your hands and work in a thick rich cream, get one of those self foot massagers and roll your feet on it for 5 minutes, start a journal-take "journal breaks", get some stretching/flexing exercises, get some breathing exercises, just go sit outside with your eyes closed and your ears and nose open. the sky is the limit when it comes to treating yourself! Katy [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/4/2002 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 1835 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 73,415 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $10459.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 242 [B]Hrs:[/B] 1 [B]Mins:[/B] 18 [B]Seconds:[/B] 41