I quit smoking on July 7th, 2008, which was 6 months ago today.

So far, so good.  ;)

congrats! i quit, hell, it's probably five years ago or so, actually. kicking liquor would be a smart next move. too bad the world's too sheeshy to be in sober.

congrats! i quit, hell, it's probably five years ago or so, actually. kicking liquor would be a smart next move. too bad the world's too sheeshy to be in sober.


I've actually cut back quite a bit on my drinking, mainly because I can't really afford to go out much right now.

Congrats, Al-B. How'd you do it and manage to stay quit?

signature banned as well

I quit smoking on July 7th, 2008, which was 6 months ago today.

So far, so good.  ;)



YAY!!! WTG!!! How did you do it? With or without help? We did it with help (Chantix).

BTW, you quit on my youngest step-daughter's birthday.

Oh and karma to you.



Cat

Congrats, Al.  Keep it up. :)

congratulations Al,It must've been hard to quit. :)

Congrats, Al-B. How'd you do it and manage to stay quit?


He probably stopped putting cigarettes in his mouth and lighting them (then repeated ad infinitum!)

Seriously, a fantastic achievement and well done to anyone else who's managed to pack up the smokes... :)

I've heard how difficult it can be to quit smoking...

My mother-in-law had stopped for a short time but then started up again (makes me glad that I've never tried smoking!)...

Congrats on being smoke-free for 6 months, Al!  :) 

Wonderful news, Al.  Here's some karma to your continued success.

I've heard how difficult it can be to quit smoking...

My mother-in-law had stopped for a short time but then started up again (makes me glad that I've never tried smoking!)...


Nicotine is one of the most addictive drugs known to man, so weaning yourself off of it is no mean feat...

A lot of it is down to determination and willpower...

Congratulations, Al!  I think that is wonderful.  WTG!

Way to go..Congratulations here's to another 6 months. :)

Congratulations and keep going for another 6 months

Ah but would you say no to her?

http://img125.imageshack.us/img125/9863/00119362zoomark8.jpg

Congrats, Al-B. How'd you do it and manage to stay quit?

signature banned as well


It wasn't planned. I mean, I'd been wanting to quit for some time but never really set a date for myself or anything.

Then on the Fourth of July I went to a friends house, and he and all his neighbors were having a block party. For the occasion I had with me a pack-and-a-half of Marlboro Lights and a fine Honduran cigar. I managed to smoke all those and then some over the next 6-8 hours.

When I got up the next morning I felt like pure ass. If I would have climbed on top of a speeding steam locomotive and stuck my head into the smokestack and breathed nothing but that for three hours straight I probably wouldn't have felt much worse.

So I was like "Screw this, I'm done with it, I've had enough, no more, no mas," and all that, and I made up my mind that I was finally going to quit once and for all. I went on the patch for the first week and did all right. After another week I went to the bar and had a few beers just to prove to myself that I could drink without smoking, because really that was the hardest part. Once I got past that it wasn't too bad, although the next month I was really cranky and irritable at work and it got rather tough at times, but after about 2 months I was home free.

Now here's the weird thing, and I hope you all don't call BS on me or think I'm cheating: When I go out to the bar I still might bum a smoke from one of my friends, but I never inhale. Maybe part of it is the social aspect of it, maybe part of it is that I like the way cigarette smoke tastes with beer, but I've reprogrammed myself to believe that actually inhaling cigarette smoke is disgusting and repulsive.  But I hardly even do that anymore.


Nicotine is one of the most addictive drugs known to man, so weaning yourself off of it is no mean feat...

A lot of it is down to determination and willpower...


True, you have to really want to do it. What I figured out and what I tell people is that you have to do it for YOU.

The ritual of smoking a cigarette is almost as addictive as the nicotine! I smoked for 15 years and having a cigarette was usually my reward for something:  "I'll finish this pile of work and have a cigarette", "I'll finish this meal and have a cigarette".  It's a very tough cycle to break, but I mean what I say, it does get easier!  Hang in there  :)

Way to go, Al! I wish you continued success!  ;)

I quit smoking on July 7th, 2008, which was 6 months ago today.

So far, so good.  ;)


EXCELLENT!!! I'm happy for you!

I quit smoking on July 7th, 2008, which was 6 months ago today.

So far, so good.  ;)
outstanding AL-B.  get ya a case of beer for your good work thus far

The ritual of smoking a cigarette is almost as addictive as the nicotine! I smoked for 15 years and having a cigarette was usually my reward for something:  "I'll finish this pile of work and have a cigarette", "I'll finish this meal and have a cigarette".  It's a very tough cycle to break, but I mean what I say, it does get easier!  Hang in there  :)


There's only one time I really miss smoking: When I'm out going for a drive on a nice day.

way to go, Al. :)

Congrats!  And here is to another 6 months.

You just added more years to your life and more money in your pocketbook.  Always a good thing. 

Ah but would you say no to her?

http://img125.imageshack.us/img125/9863/00119362zoomark8.jpg


I know I wouldn't.  ;)

There's only one time I really miss smoking: When I'm out going for a drive on a nice day.



You are doing better than me. I only really miss smoking ALL THE TIME.



Cat

???SCARY KARMA TO ME!

I've been teetering on the verge of pneumonia and actually AM scared that I haven't stopped smoking yet.  I don't think it's the nicotene, it's the habit of coming downstairs to m computer to get a surreal getaway from my little evil spawns of satan (joke there...mostly).  It's habit of a habit.  Maybe a little proverbial kick in the behind side of myself would help?  I've tried a couple of the drugs, they make me stutter - seriously.  So, here I am, smoking inbetween replies, waiting for a lightning bolt or an asthma attack to help me make that big step.  8-P

help??  :\'(

???SCARY KARMA TO ME!

I've been teetering on the verge of pneumonia and actually AM scared that I haven't stopped smoking yet.  I don't think it's the nicotene, it's the habit of coming downstairs to m computer to get a surreal getaway from my little evil spawns of satan (joke there...mostly).  It's habit of a habit.  Maybe a little proverbial kick in the behind side of myself would help?  I've tried a couple of the drugs, they make me stutter - seriously.  So, here I am, smoking inbetween replies, waiting for a lightning bolt or an asthma attack to help me make that big step.   8-P

help??  :\'(



Try www.quitnet.com


Cat

???SCARY KARMA TO ME!

I've been teetering on the verge of pneumonia and actually AM scared that I haven't stopped smoking yet.  I don't think it's the nicotene, it's the habit of coming downstairs to m computer to get a surreal getaway from my little evil spawns of satan (joke there...mostly).  It's habit of a habit.  Maybe a little proverbial kick in the behind side of myself would help?  I've tried a couple of the drugs, they make me stutter - seriously.  So, here I am, smoking inbetween replies, waiting for a lightning bolt or an asthma attack to help me make that big step.   8-P

help??  :\'(



Have you tried cold turkey?

Have you tried cold turkey?


It's nice with chips and a side order of bubble and squeak.  ;)



Congrats on making it to six months Al

Have you tried cold turkey?


Yeah, but I don't like it much - too dry.

Sorry, couldn't resist  :-[

Actually I have and did stop for 6 months when I was pregnant.  Then I had to go to court, got nervous and made a pit stop for smokes.  I felt like a teenager trying to score a pack or sneak a beer, and I was 30!  How sad :\'(

Anyhow, I'm trying the most stupid way of stopping.  I am smoking everytime I don't want to, therefore it's making me gag, which in turn reinforces my desire and need to quit.  8-P 8-P Yes, I know you're all rolling your eyes and I would too if I heard this - but think about it this way...

Have any of you ever over-served yourself on let's say tequila and got very sick and can't smell of even talk about tequila anymore without throwing up a little in your mouth?  Hope it's not just me that has done that, but I haven't touched it since!  And actually my odd way of thinking is working.  As of midnight tonight (I'm in central time and it's 10pm now), I plan to have my last smoke to be put out at the stroke of midnight, crush what's left and throw my icky ashtray away.  I don't want to tell anyone in my family for fear I'll fail and dissapoint them, although they are very supportive.  I'm just ready, and no matter what addicition or situation you have that you are able to correct - you can't do it until YOU ARE READY!  

So in whatever way you say your prayers or good wishes, I could use them.  I could really use them.

Thanks for letting me type this out in visible form so I can re-read it if I come downstairs to my little sanctuary in temptation.  Maybe for a change, seeing it and not just thinking or talking about it, I can see my own plight in my own words and will actually beat the beast this time.  For this time, I AM READY! >:(

Also, it would be the greatest gift I could give my little 7 yr old daughter who kicked cancer's butt last year.  The guilt has been more than I can bare anymore.  NO, I never smoked in front of my kids, but they too have enough knowledge about smoking to lately say "Mom, please quit so you don't get sick and die cuz we love you".  If that don't do it for me along with everything else I've done to prepare for this night...nothing will.  

I AM READY!!!

Yeah, but I don't like it much - too dry.

Sorry, couldn't resist  :-[

Actually I have and did stop for 6 months when I was pregnant.  Then I had to go to court, got nervous and made a pit stop for smokes.  I felt like a teenager trying to score a pack or sneak a beer, and I was 30!  How sad :\'(

Anyhow, I'm trying the most stupid way of stopping.  I am smoking everytime I don't want to, therefore it's making me gag, which in turn reinforces my desire and need to quit.  8-P 8-P Yes, I know you're all rolling your eyes and I would too if I heard this - but think about it this way...

Have any of you ever over-served yourself on let's say tequila and got very sick and can't smell of even talk about tequila anymore without throwing up a little in your mouth?  Hope it's not just me that has done that, but I haven't touched it since!  And actually my odd way of thinking is working.  As of midnight tonight (I'm in central time and it's 10pm now), I plan to have my last smoke to be put out at the stroke of midnight, crush what's left and throw my icky ashtray away.  I don't want to tell anyone in my family for fear I'll fail and dissapoint them, although they are very supportive.  I'm just ready, and no matter what addicition or situation you have that you are able to correct - you can't do it until YOU ARE READY!  

So in whatever way you say your prayers or good wishes, I could use them.  I could really use them.

Thanks for letting me type this out in visible form so I can re-read it if I come downstairs to my little sanctuary in temptation.  Maybe for a change, seeing it and not just thinking or talking about it, I can see my own plight in my own words and will actually beat the beast this time.  For this time, I AM READY! >:(

Also, it would be the greatest gift I could give my little 7 yr old daughter who kicked cancer's butt last year.  The guilt has been more than I can bare anymore.  NO, I never smoked in front of my kids, but they too have enough knowledge about smoking to lately say "Mom, please quit so you don't get sick and die cuz we love you".  If that don't do it for me along with everything else I've done to prepare for this night...nothing will.  

I AM READY!!!



Good Luck with your situation,Clue. ;)

Yeah, but I don't like it much - too dry.

Sorry, couldn't resist  :-[

Actually I have and did stop for 6 months when I was pregnant.  Then I had to go to court, got nervous and made a pit stop for smokes.  I felt like a teenager trying to score a pack or sneak a beer, and I was 30!  How sad :\'(

Anyhow, I'm trying the most stupid way of stopping.  I am smoking everytime I don't want to, therefore it's making me gag, which in turn reinforces my desire and need to quit.  8-P 8-P Yes, I know you're all rolling your eyes and I would too if I heard this - but think about it this way...

Have any of you ever over-served yourself on let's say tequila and got very sick and can't smell of even talk about tequila anymore without throwing up a little in your mouth?  Hope it's not just me that has done that, but I haven't touched it since!  And actually my odd way of thinking is working.  As of midnight tonight (I'm in central time and it's 10pm now), I plan to have my last smoke to be put out at the stroke of midnight, crush what's left and throw my icky ashtray away.  I don't want to tell anyone in my family for fear I'll fail and dissapoint them, although they are very supportive.  I'm just ready, and no matter what addicition or situation you have that you are able to correct - you can't do it until YOU ARE READY! 

So in whatever way you say your prayers or good wishes, I could use them.  I could really use them.

Thanks for letting me type this out in visible form so I can re-read it if I come downstairs to my little sanctuary in temptation.  Maybe for a change, seeing it and not just thinking or talking about it, I can see my own plight in my own words and will actually beat the beast this time.  For this time, I AM READY! >:(

Also, it would be the greatest gift I could give my little 7 yr old daughter who kicked cancer's butt last year.  The guilt has been more than I can bare anymore.  NO, I never smoked in front of my kids, but they too have enough knowledge about smoking to lately say "Mom, please quit so you don't get sick and die cuz we love you".  If that don't do it for me along with everything else I've done to prepare for this night...nothing will. 

I AM READY!!!
god be with you and your daughter, clue. i hate hate hate hate cancer.

the way i quit was, i took two weeks off from work, and totally spoiled myself rotten. only rule was, no cigarettes. other than that, if i wanted it, i got it. mcdonald's chocolate milkshakes, like three a day. endless godzilla movies. all the beer i wanted to drink. and, erm, der spliffies in ample quantities. just kinda kept myself in a mellow sleepy state until the cravings subsided; that's the thing, if you can get yourself on the far side of that 10-day withdrawal period, your chance of making it for good go way way up. and i respond more to carrots than to sticks. ;)