ROFL, mamakitty!! Way to kick the junkie to the curb. So glad you're back & very happy to hear your promise to post HELP before you slip. It ahd helped me & many others. In fact, I'm going to promisr again right now. I promise, along with mamakitty, to always post HELP & wait for 5 responses before I ever smoke. I have your hand, mamakitty & we're doing this. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]5/13/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 94 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,880 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1,034.00 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 9 [B]Hrs:[/B] 11 [B]Mins:[/B] 22 [B]Seconds:[/B] 8

Hi Aloha, I took Chantix for 1 month before stopping because I felt like I could and didn't want the nausea on our trip with all that great food:) Nausea isn't terrible. Just for about an hour after I take it with lunch. I only take one a day... Two was too much. I'm having some smoking thoughts... so I'm here reading. I'm trying to be creative with my thoughts. If the Nicodemon was kind of like a bad tele-sales person maybe that call might sound like this: Nic: Hailo? Is this Mamakitty (mispronounce my last name badly here) mk: Uh, yes. May I ask who is calling please? Nic: Maam, I am here to tell you that you have just won a smoke in the back yard! mk: get lost. Nic: I will send your coupon by mail if you... mk: click-zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz How's that? Have I lost it?:) Off to do something constructive:) Thanks for checking in on me. mk [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]8/14/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 1 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 15 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $3.75 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 4 [B]Mins:[/B] 15 [B]Seconds:[/B] 4

mk Thank you for that promise! And yes, three against one and we can definitely scare that bugger away! How are u doing with changing the self-talk? Yes, I think many of us have noticed increased urges after stopping the chantix. I know John and Sue stopped abruptly and they seemed to have really strong urges, but even those of us who tapered off noticed a difference. But, that is all past for most of us, I think. How many weeks did u take it before stopping? And, remember to eat something first. oh, and congratulations on day 1! -aloha [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]3/22/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 146 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 5,840 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $992.80 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 20 [B]Hrs:[/B] 10 [B]Mins:[/B] 26 [B]Seconds:[/B] 33

Thanks Alohakeia and Lady, I promise to post a HELP note thread and wait for responses before I light up, if it ever gets that way again. I feel lots of little tugs, but I can handle it today:) I think the Chantix helps take that edge off for me. Slight nausea and all... In fact, I think because I stopped taking it (before Paris) and didn't realize the anxiety I was feeling might also be a kind of withdrawal from that... I plan to gradually reduce my dose when I get off it. Of course, Chantix or not, I can still choose whether or not to light up. (That's the biggest bugger to tackle if it ever shows it's ugly face. But now, it'll have to answer to you too:) Hey it's good to be back! mk [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]8/14/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 1 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 15 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $3.75 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 3 [B]Mins:[/B] 34 [B]Seconds:[/B] 33

Mamakitty, So glad to see you back and doing what needs to be done. JohnW reminded me today of the things people gave me early in the quit that helped. Positive attitude. When the negative thinking comes into play, kick it to the curb quickly. No room for negative thinking in a quit. Don't forget the rewards either. They play an important part in all this. Take a lot of deep breaths, drink plenty of ice water, and keep your coping mechanisms close at hand. Quitting isn't easy but like you said it takes one day at a time. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]7/1/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 774 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 15,480 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $2,709.00 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 69 [B]Hrs:[/B] 23 [B]Mins:[/B] 7 [B]Seconds:[/B] 46

mk Thanks for sharing your thoughts today as you recommit to being completely free of this addiction. What a wonderful gift to yourself, for yourself. I'm thankful you didn't wait any longer, too. From what I've read around here, as well as how this quit has been for me, I think the chantix is a great aid, and that positive attitudes, thoughts, and self talk really do make this easier. Are you ready to make a promise that you will post here with a thread that has HELP in the title and wait for responses before you light up? That way you really can lean on us when you need to. I know I would like to be there for you, and there are many others who would too, I am sure. Anyways, congratulations on your first day of health! -aloha [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]3/22/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 145 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 5,800 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $986.00 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 20 [B]Hrs:[/B] 8 [B]Mins:[/B] 0 [B]Seconds:[/B] 38

H-e-e-eigh Mr. Ed! It doesn't take much to make the hens cackle on the farm. At least not this one:) Glad you stopped by. Thanks to all of you for the support and encouragement. Alohakeia, I'll try to share a bit in case it helps anyone... So far so good today! It's a little tough, but I'm very thankful that I didn't wait any longer to get back to my quit. It's frightening how fast my body swung back into smoke-mode even though I didn't smoke nearly as many as I used to. I could see how that could happen though... It was also scary to realize that I can't get a full breath again sometimes because of them. It's a panicky feeling. The cough and clearing my throat came back a little bit. When I smoked outdoors alone I noticed that I immediately went into "thoughtful mode" - where I'd light up, relax, and reflect or think deeply about something I was working on. I wondered if the cigarette was really satisfying me... Well, I learned that cigarettes are NOT satisfying. They hurt my lungs, poison my body, trick me into wanting more, keep me away from my family, steal my time, hurt my self esteem, and prevent me from being able to enjoy exercise. Today I woke up a little groggy (Chantix does that to me) but put on my walking shoes and took the dog for an hour long walk before the sun got too intense (102 today!) As I walked, I thought about how I could think more positive about my quit this time around. I've been too negative and rebellious in my self talk. I decided to just give myself permission to stop smoking and to feel joy about leaving cigarettes behind:) This is quite a process for me, but I have great hope that I will succeed at quitting forever. I had doubts before, but that doubt is fading as experience, truth and acceptance push it aside. Joyful, you can do it too. It starts one day at a time - and hey, I'm choosing to go to bed without one tonight:) Try it for one night, and then another...:) I wouldn't have even posted this topic if it weren't for you. I learned from reading your posts about slipping and the responses. I felt much the same, so am trying an attitude adjustment. Sparky, thanks for sharing your relapse and puff stories with me. Makes me feel more normal about my own struggle... I guess it's kind of like learning to ride a bike. Takes a few tries. I sure hope someday I won't ever have to worry about fighting myself over this stuff anymore. Now, I'm feeling pretty determined and committed, and I promise to lean on you all when I need help. Thanks for everything buddies:) good night, mamakitty [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]8/14/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 0 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 0 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $0.00 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 2 [B]Mins:[/B] 22 [B]Seconds:[/B] 22

Hi mamakitty, just wanted to say congratulations for not giving up & getting back in there & making the committment to quit smoking. U can do this :) It's an everyday, one day at a time challenge of putting your desire to quit over your desire to smoke, right? I hope I can get back to it again soon also. U know all the techniques that will help u stay quit. It's just a matter of using them :) I didn't last night :( And of course the worst happened. But you're committed & confident & should be proud of yourself & know that everyone in here is on your side and here to help you fight this battle. Don't forget to watch out for H.A.L.T. :) And your off :) :) :) WOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! Just breathe.........AHHHHHHHHH [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]8/15/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 0 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 0 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $0.00 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 1 [B]Mins:[/B] 59 [B]Seconds:[/B] 16

Welcome back Mamakitty! We are cheering you on! Danielle, Bilingual Support Specialist

yeah, it was mamakitty!..it was her for sure...she did it..not us! ;) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]3/22/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 145 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 5,800 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $986.00 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 20 [B]Hrs:[/B] 7 [B]Mins:[/B] 34 [B]Seconds:[/B] 43