posted on February 28, 2001 01:16:33 PM
Hello mates
Here was my day so far: Woke up and had four nails in the coffin left in my pack too (chepi) - I took one out, put it on my desk, went to get a cup of tea, came back with my tea, sat down to make a phone call, all three cats went into "Jet Propel" mode (all you cat owners KNOW what I am talking about) - they hit every surface in my bedroom in about .002 seconds, and my tea cup was now empty and there was tea all over my desk and floor, and the cig and book of matches were sopping wet. Hmmmm. Okay so after I cleaned this HUGE mess, I went into the kitchen to make ANOTHER cup of tea. Put a NEW cig on the table. Turned to get the tea. Came back and the kitten was on the floor, rolling around with the cig. This cig was now filled with kitten drool and tiny teeth mark punctures. (And don't think for one minute that I didn't consider saving it for later and smoking it anyway!) Sigh. I hid the third cigarette till I was ready with my tea. Then I smoked it. Then I hadda go out and get some errands done, and then - I BOUGHT ANOTHER FREAKIN PACK!!!! Sheeeeeesh, thank god this is almost over. I'll tell ya, I ran back in here, signed on and read this thread right away. LOL!! I was happy to see your list, MyBiddness, cos after TODAY no more of this B@LLSH*T!!! Nice to see my cats are trying to help me quit, huh?
Rocker
[ edited by nycrocker on Feb 28, 2001 01:19 PM ]
posted on February 28, 2001 01:39:40 PM
things for the soon to be non-smokers to do *instead* of light a cig.
Get in the tub
Auto-write
Go ahead and cry
Brush your teeth
Clamp your teeth on your hand and don't let go until the craving passes
Count until the craving passes
Dance
DO NOT....
tell yourself all the tired old lines like "but I cannnn't......"
Tell yourself instead that "there is no whining is baseball."
Tell yourself, that until you quit smoking, everything else that you do is compromised.
Tell yourself that their are things in life that you cannot access as long as you smoke.
Ask yourself if you can get where you want to be with a cigarette in your hand?
posted on February 28, 2001 03:14:21 PM
Had to deal with my RL today so I just now got around to reading everyone's thoughts on the day before.
chepistar: the gas nozzle story is so funny.
mybiddness: Thank you for starting this whole thing. Since I don't have a formal list of things I'm looking forward to, I'll use yours since they sound like what I would list if I weren't so lazy.
rocker: I have cats too and I have taken scotch tape to cover the claw holes and smoked many dried out coffee flavored cigarettes.
Have I left anyone out? verymodern: your suggestions for what to do when the cravings hit tomorrow are appreciated.
everyone else who has posted their words of encouragement to us.....Thank you!
This will be my 4th serious attempt to quit. I feel determined and confident. I am with great company.
posted on February 28, 2001 03:26:26 PMThis will be my 4th serious attempt to quit. I feel determined and confident. I am with great company.
You sound strong boots.
When you get to where you got before, this time keep running.
Keep running, and don't look back, there is a whole new life for you.
RUN BOOTS RUN!
posted on February 28, 2001 03:58:43 PM
boots - you sound like you're goin to me.
Keep you eye on the horizon.
Go TO your new life and just don't look back.
Shut the door and keep walking....
Don't look back.
JUST GO and go and go and go.
This is step one on a great journey but you gotta leave the cigs to board the train.
Put 'em down and don't look back.
Do anything else but DO NOT look back.
Tomorrow, if your feel like you are going to, freeze in your tracks and focus forward. Damnit it is worth it, I swear it is.
posted on February 28, 2001 04:58:49 PMVeryModern Your words are very inspiring - just the kind of encouragement we're all going to need. Anytime I start feeling discouraged I'll know I can always revisit this thread and get back on the right track. All of you who have posted here have been such an encouragement and I'm sure I speak for all of the new almost non-smokers in the crowd.
n.t. I understand your reluctance but keep hanging in there with us and you never know when the right time will come for you too! Thanks for being there for us and I hope we can be there for you sometime too.
I have 4 cigs left. Since I think my need to smoke is as much or more psychological than addiction to the nicotine I'm going to be concentrating a lot on out-psyching the psyche.
It's like VeryModern said. You have to be very careful of the messages that you give yourself. One thing I'm doing is that I'm not going to say that I'm "trying" to quit. That seems too negative to me. It's just a mind game but at least for me I know that if I keep saying I'm "trying" it sets me up for failure. Trying implies that I might not make it. I'd rather just say "I quit smoking" or "I don't smoke" and be done with it.
One of the things I'm going to do is to save my last cigarette butt in a plastic baggie and hang it on the cork board next to my computer with a personal note to myself as to why I have to quit. That might not do anything for some people but I think that everytime I look at my "last cigarette" it'll help me to remember my resolve and stick with it.
Rocker LOL about the cats. I think mine know that something is going on around here. All of our inside animals are being especially persnickity and cranky today.
Our Texas storms are awful tonight and keep knocking out my cable so if I disappear I'm still thinking of all of you and cheering you on!
posted on February 28, 2001 05:10:07 PM
Here is another tip via Oprah's Doctor Phil. Offered regarding weight loss but applicable to smoking for sure.
You have to pick a destination.
You have to see yourself going TO something as opposed to leaving something because otherwise you will get a few feet, a few yards away and then go running back to what you know.
Imagine your new land where you do not smoke. Visualize it and Head THERE, and do not, not, not look back. There is nothing back there that you want to hold on to.
One of you guys be brave. Declare yourself team leader and take everyone to victory.
Boots c'mon. You been down this road 4 times.
posted on February 28, 2001 05:48:30 PM
Excellent again VeryModern I just dug out my Phil McGraw Life Strategies Workbook and I'll go through it tonight to see if there's anything else that we can apply here. I had bought it to eBay - but this is better! LOL
Another hint - Be sure you clean all the bed linens, furniture, etc. Anything that might have a lingering smell of cigarettes that might trigger a relapse.
I'm excited now... going to read Phil and see what else I can find.
Boots If you can accept VeryModerns challenge to lead this crazy bunch I'll help as much as I can!
It just occured to me. This is the first time in my life I can say I'm proud to be a part of a bunch of quitters! LOL
posted on February 28, 2001 08:11:46 PM
The sun will come out tomorrow, and you will
feel better, and the world will be better, and I will be rooting for you....been smoke
free for 2 years and 5 months and I can't stand the smell of cigarettes. Every night I
told myself I didn't like smoking (that wasn't really true) but I didn't like what I
knew it was doing to me.
YOU GO GIRRRRLS...HAPPINESS IS WAITING
FOR YOU...no more post nasal drip, no more
sinus infections, scratchy throat, shortness of breath, bad breath, coughing...A whole new world and you all deserve it. Best to all of you.
Rocker You are the boss a you, and that damned weed is not the boss a you.
{{{{ALL}}}}
edited because cooughing with the double oo
is just a little too dramatic or is that phlegmatic!!
[ edited by zilvy on Feb 28, 2001 08:17 PM ]
posted on February 28, 2001 09:28:15 PMVeryModern: While I'm very flattered that you feel I'm capable to lead this group, I think we all have that quality.
rocker compared this group to a 12 step group. A bunch of people with the same common desire to quit. One of the reasons that method of recovery is so successful is that no ONE person is designated as leader.
I know I can take responsiblity for my own addiction, but I'm not ready to take on everyone else's. I am, however, right here every step of the way with encouragement, laughter, tears, and ANYTHING else someone may need to help them through a craving.
We are all special. We are all determined. We are all going to meet our personal goals.
mybiddness: Since you took the first step in getting this project off the ground, I think you should be the one to start the new thread for our group of winners.
Um... is anyone else starting to panic? LOL!!
I am smoking till I go to bed. (Can I stay up for another week? LOL!!)
Zilvy THANK YOU!!!! I ROF LMAO when I read that:
I'M the bossa me, the WEED is not the bossa me!!
Oh my god, hilarious, that is PERFECT! That is SO ME! LOL!!! I will have to keep screaming that over and over, thank you SO much for that EXCELLENT new twist on my old rant. I am DEFINITELY going to be using that one over and over now!!!
I agree, MyBid, YOU start the new thread, you did such a great job getting us all into this one. And I was doin a lotta yakking about quitting smoking, but you really took the action and got the ball rolling for all of us. Ya know, I'm REALLY glad you started this thread, cos when I freak out from missing smoking, I am gonna RUN back here and read everything I b*tched and moaned about, and remind myself WHY I quit.
Boots I always love what you post here.
VeryModern THANK YOU for your help and encouragement. I kiss your hand - as usual.
OKay let's say it loud and proud:
I'M THE BOSSA ME, THAT WEED IS NOT THE BOSSA ME!!!
Ladies and gentlemen (and everything in between....) START YOUR QUIT METERS!!!!!!
Rocker
[ edited by nycrocker on Feb 28, 2001 10:00 PM ]
posted on February 28, 2001 10:57:57 PM
HeyRocker I've quit smoking! YIKES!!!! I didn't leave a centimeter of tobacco in that last butt either. LOL
I'm trying to download the quit meter that Bootsnana linked on the first page of this thread. But, I'm doing something wrong. Here's what it says:
SMOKE FREE STATS
Windows95/98/2k/NT version
Download Smoke Free Stats (351kb) or as Zip File (335kb)
(requires the file VB40032.DLL - uncompressed (800kb) or as a compressed exe (380kb) or compressed zip file (380kb))
Put the vb40032.dll file in the same directory as Smoke Free Stats
That's greek to me.
So, I clicked on the download smoke free stats and it looked like it was downloading but then a black box came up that says its searching for a file. But, on the top of the box it says it's finished. WHAT???? I'm not any good at downloading anything that doesn't have exact step-by-step instructions. So, I guess I'll wait and fool around with it tomorrow when I have time to figure it out. Does that sound like the one you downloaded? It's got a lot of neat stuff on it that's a little more than a regular quit meter... but, I can't seem to get it. It even has a journal section. HELP ANYBODY???
I'll tell you a secret. I put my last cigarette out almost an hour ago but I haven't brushed my teeth yet. LOL I'm soooo damned pitiful that I'm savoring the last bit of nicotine! Kinda like when I was a teenager and wouldn't wash my hand for a whole week when Kevin Simms (hot, very hot) kissed it. LOL
Nope, I'm hanging on to the last drop! LOL
Please do me the favor of starting the new thread Rocker YOU are the one who inspired me and got me back on this path! And, it'd be great if you title it something about I'm the bossa me! Too funny!
I'm gonna get a quick shower for bed now... but I AIN'T brushin my teeth!
posted on February 28, 2001 11:20:22 PM MyBid
CONGRATULATIONS PAL!!!! WOW WOW WOW!! YOU GO GIRL!!!
Kinda like when I was a teenager and wouldn't wash my hand for a whole week when Kevin Simms (hot, very hot) kissed it.
LMAO!!! Tooooo d@mn cute!!!
Shoot, I don't know what happened with your
meter MyBid, it is hard to say from here, but fear not, we shall figure it out. Yes it sounds like the one I have, mine has a journal space, AND it has space for a whole group to quit, so I am gonna put ALL you guys in it with me, when I find out tomorrow everyone's time, etc. I am going to try emailing you my meter again MyBid. If it doesn't work out for ya, we WILL somehow figure it out, ok?
Well MyBid, I can start the thread if you really want, BUT, keep in mind I wake up VERY late, AND not only that, but I have rehearsal all day tomorrow afternoon and I don't want you guys to have to wait for me to do it!! So please, ANYONE who needs to vent or talk tomorrow, go ahead and start it if I am not up early enough, ok? Hey we can even keep it on this one if you guys want to. Doesn't matter to me.
I adore you all, good luck, we are all here together for each other, and we not only CAN do it, we WILL do it. And MyBid already DID IT!! WHOOO HOOOOO!!!
posted on February 28, 2001 11:36:44 PM
I'm soooooo excited. I finally got it figured out. This is a great quit meter! If anyone else doesn't already have one then I recommend clicking on Bootsnana's link and getting the one that's recommended on the front page review.
Here's part of what mine says:
At 2 packs per day I've smoked a total of 409,040 cigarettes. Lay them end to end and that's 20.84 miles.
At 10 minutes per cigarette I've shortened my life by 7 years, 9 months, 1 week, 13 hours and 19 minutes and 59 seconds.
I've spent $66,469.00 out of pocket. At 5% interest that would have earned me $144,483.07.
Here's the good news though. Rocker You talked about saving our money? In five years I'll have saved $13,454.58.
And, as of March 13 (which doesn't seem that far away to me) I'll have NOT SMOKED 500 cigarettes.
That is such a coooooool quit meter. Very motivating. And, the site is full of great info to help you stay quit. Thanks a million Bootsnanafor posting that link. Now when I'm feeling a little weak in the knees I can go look at my stats and get motivated to stay on track.
posted on February 28, 2001 11:41:38 PM
Well, I haven't smoked for 56 seconds now. ROF LMAO!!! No I'm not done yet, the day is not over yet.
Pharlap and Therp over on the "Staying up the latest" party thread told me it was March 1 already and I hadda quit. This is what I told them:
I did hereby proclaim, that to ME it is always the SAME day - UNTIL I go to bed. Therefore - I woke up today on Wednesday February 28, I am still awake right now on Wednesday February 28, and it will stay Wednesday February 28 to me until I go to sleep, even if that is not until YOUR Tuesday July 17. I also proclaimed in the smoking thread that I was NOT quitting at midnight. I will quit when I go to sleep and that is it, Sam I am.
Notice how everyone thinks they're the bossa me? ROF!! I am teasin, ya know I love those guys.
Well... I think I'm gonna go get into my coffin now and read for a while and probably have ONE more. Ya know smoker's breath dissapears in 8 hours. So when we all wake up and brush our teeth, we will all smell so yummy. I have my bag of gummy bears and my bag of Double Bubble waiting for me on my desk. I CAN'T WAIT to talk to you guys tomorrow!!!!!!!
posted on February 28, 2001 11:47:29 PM
MyBid you're back!!!
YAAAY you got the meter working!!! YES isn't it SOOOO COOL?? I love it! I swear it was a blast last time I quit I must've checked it 20 times a day.. LOL... I just leave it on my desktop all the time!
Oh and I REEEEALLY can't tell you how motivating it was to actually put the money aside in an envelope and SEE it in there every day, building up. I don't know WHY I went back last time. But I swear, I feel so much stronger with all of us doing it together. Like chepi said, we're a TEAM.
posted on February 28, 2001 11:50:49 PM
I just popped in at the staying up the latest thread... Yeah, they were bossin ya around... it's a good thing you set em straight.
G'night Rocker We're gonna make it one step at a time. Maybe in the beginning it'll be counted by the minutes. But, if we keep at it - eventually - whole days will pass without our thinking about a smoke... I can't wait!
posted on March 1, 2001 12:10:10 AMWAY TO GO GIRLS
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!
I am so proud of all of you for this is an
outstanding effort you have all put in and I out of anyone knows just how hard this has been and will continue to be, but believe me when I say it will only be for just a little while longer.
No matter what happens or how bad you feel, PLEASE do not give in, keep going. I know that you can do it, if you have a bad day and you have a smoke it is not the end of the world. Just pick yourself up, dust yourself off and try again.
We your official cheer squad will not let anyone put you down, because for most of us who have been smokers at one time or another know just how hard it is to achieve what you are now achieving. HAVE PRIDE IN YOURSELF for the new smoke free life you are now embarking upon.
posted on March 1, 2001 04:25:05 AM
Good Morning Non Smokers!!
Boots - sorry if I offended, did not mean too. I might have gotten carried away.
You sounded really strong and I just had this picture of one of you leading all of you to success.
posted on March 1, 2001 04:38:06 AM
Well, here I am having my coffee, and NO ciggie....
It's something like labour, it'll be over soon, it'll be over soon.
posted on March 1, 2001 04:51:01 AM
Good luck everyone I've done this twice, completely cold turkey.
In July of 1994 I found out I was pregnant and that was it, I didn't smoke again for 4 years. Never even WANTED one till I started again.
Last April I was really really sick, I was hospitalized for a week, I had chest infections, bronchitis, they thought I had meningitis (didn't) and I was told in no uncertain terms that I had to quit for my health (both because I was sick and for the future of my health, because I am still sick). It was hard enough dealing with being told I have a chronic condition and not knowing how to deal with it. I didn' want to make it worse. Only lately I've wanted a cigarette but I can't and I won't. I've got a 6 year old who I have been raising alone since the day I found out I was pregnant and I want to be here for her. I dont want her to end up in the wrong hands because I needed a smoke.
You guys CAN do it. When you want to smoke..post instead
posted on March 1, 2001 06:47:44 AM
Good Morning everyone!
snowyegret: I knew I was leaving people out last night. Anyone else?
So far I've managed to drink my coffee without smoking. That's a biggie for me. My thoughts are fuzzy though. I've tried to express my feelings several times just now...it appears that my concentration level is at an unbelievable low right now.
VeryModern: You did not offend me last night. In fact, I was flattered. It's just that I have a history of failing to quit smoking, and I couldn't stand it if I caused someone else to slip because of my moment of weakness. I have a high confidence level this time, I believe, due to the wonderful words of posters like you who have been through this and won. Please don't duck out and stay out. We need your input.
posted on March 1, 2001 06:58:46 AM
Okay then boots!
RUN!
Eye on horizon.
You want to channel JUPITER guys!
Focus on the future, on the freedom, on the possibilites, and NOT on failure or "I can't".
You sure as hell can, just start walking and keep walking.
Find an icon. Anyone ever heard of "Peace Pilgrim"? She started walking in the 50's or 60's and walked across the country for 30 years for PEACE. She ate when people fed her and she slept when they offered a bed.
C'mon now.
If she can do that, you guys can walk away from cigs.
One step, then another, then another, and DON'T LOOK BACK!
I am going to the gym. Nobody smoke while I am gone damn it!
I will be huffing and puffing on a cross-trainer, so don't you dare you smoke. VeryModern Space Junk
posted on March 1, 2001 07:21:52 AMVeryModern I am not looking back. My eyes are on the horizon. I have no idea what Jupiter has to do with it but if it helps I learn the names of all its moons.
Anyone else really hacking up .... I mean coughing productively?
posted on March 1, 2001 07:55:02 AMWell, here I am having my coffee, and NO ciggie.... It's something like labour, it'll be over soon, it'll be over soon.
Snowey I'm doing the same thing... Who'da thunk you could have coffee without a cigarette in the other hand. This is certainly WIERD! LOL
My hubby took care of getting my kiddo off to school this a.m. so that I could sleep in. I told him he needs to just lock me in the bathroom for the next two weeks and slip balogna and cheese under the door once a day but he won't go for it... Guess I'll have to use "gulp" willpower.
Just wanted to say hi and where's Chepi? She was the first to officially quit I think.
I'm going to be working on a large dye order all day today. That's perfect because it'll keep my hands busy and my mind occupied. I really, really need to do that right now.
Thanks all for cheering us on and VeryModern please don't "silently" root! LOL Your words are too valuable to all of us right now.
Eyes on the horizon.
Well technically I'm just trying to get through the next hour - but that IS in the horizon afterall. LOL
Okay, check out this chick.
Peace Pilgrim.
She walked for almost 30 years, one step at a time and never looking back.
I met her!
My grandfather took me to wait for her on the side of the road so I could shake her hand and we could give her some food (bananas).
If she can walk down the road for 30 years, you guys can walk NOT to the 7-11. Think positive. Be Positive. Beleive! Trust! Cry if you need to but be BRAVE.
posted on March 1, 2001 08:48:40 AM
Visualize a winged horse.
Climb on him and tell him to take you far away from where you have been living. Tell him you are sick of smoking and to show you something else.
posted on March 1, 2001 09:26:00 AM
(A shaky Rocker peeps into the room)
HELLO MATES
Okay this is the biggie for me too - but mine is my cup of tea instead of coffee. I am chewing on a straw and typing so my hands and mouth are busy. LOL! I quit at 4 a.m. right before I went to sleep, and I just woke up now so this is my shakiest time.
VeryModern - Thank you that is so awesome about that woman and you are right about walking NOT to 7-11 LOL!!!
Snowyegret - I'm sorry, I didn't know you were on the March 1 thing with us, it is great to see you!
Nettak - My pal, the love of your words comes through the computer as if you were holding our hands
CHEPI - MYBID - BOOTS - How ya doin mates? Today will be the hardest, but it will only get EASIER in time.
Let us now shake and pull our hair out and curse together. LOL! (I think the moderators should waive the NO CURSING rules on the thread, JUST for this week and JUST on the no smoking thread, don't ya think??)
I may have to type the F word many times and email it to one of you.
We smell nice We smell nice We smell nice
Rocker
[ edited by nycrocker on Mar 1, 2001 09:27 AM ]
- I took one out, put it on my desk, went to get a cup of tea, came back with my tea, sat down to make a phone call, all three cats went into "Jet Propel" mode (all you cat owners KNOW what I am talking about) - they hit every surface in my bedroom in about .002 seconds, and my tea cup was now empty and there was tea all over my desk and floor, and the cig and book of matches were sopping wet. Hmmmm. Okay so after I cleaned this HUGE mess, I went into the kitchen to make ANOTHER cup of tea. Put a NEW cig on the table. Turned to get the tea. Came back and the kitten was on the floor, rolling around with the cig. This cig was now filled with kitten drool and tiny teeth mark punctures. (And don't think for one minute that I didn't consider saving it for later and smoking it anyway!) Sigh. I hid the third cigarette till I was ready with my tea. Then I smoked it. Then I hadda go out and get some errands done, and then - I BOUGHT ANOTHER FREAKIN PACK!!!! Sheeeeeesh, thank god this is almost over. I'll tell ya, I ran back in here, signed on and read this thread right away. LOL!! I was happy to see your list, MyBiddness, cos after TODAY no more of this B@LLSH*T!!! Nice to see my cats are trying to help me quit, huh? 
[ edited by nycrocker on Feb 28, 2001 01:19 PM ]
I'd rather just say "I quit smoking" or "I don't smoke" and be done with it.
YOU GO GIRL!!! 
and probably have ONE more. Ya know smoker's breath dissapears in 8 hours. So when we all wake up and brush our teeth, we will all smell so yummy.