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Hellllooooo ! so excited, I was a member of qsmb. Today I have been quit smoking 18 months, so I thought I would send a post to them... but they had gone, but then I found Quit Train, and started recognizing names, especially my lovely, lovely friend Jillar, oh just missed you all so much. Here is the piece I wrote, with love. Hi to everyone, there may some of you who remember me, and I know there will be many people who were lost souls, living in a fog of cigarette smoke and laying in there beds at night wheezing. But now you have discovered this forum and you are no longer alone, you are amongst people you will probably never meet, but these people will come to represent some of the most life changing and influential people you will ever bond with in your lives. I love them all, if it wasn’t for these people and this message board, I wouldn’t be able to hold my head up high today and yell from the rooftops, I am 18 months smoke free! I smoked for 42 years, during the bad times I was on 40 a day, during the good times it was probably 8 a day. I can still remember the exact moment I had my first cigarette, I was 16, in a night club, dancing to my beloved Tamla Motown music, spinning around under the disco ball, young free and single, little did I know that was the last freedom I would have for 42 years, because from that day on I was a slave to cigarettes. It is only now that I realised how smoking dictated my life on so many levels. The freedom I feel today is sensational, and it is all down to this forum, thank you so much QSMB. In 4 weeks’ time I will celebrate my 60th birthday, my life could have been so different, it fills my heart with great sadness at what I feel I have missed out on, all because of my addiction to cigarettes. I am now waiting to see a lung person, the waiting list here in the UK, is about 20 weeks, I will not be priority because I am considered old at 60 (I am not old! I am a skipping and prancing bunny!) I am fat (I am not fat, I am a voluptuous temptress who knows a bit about life) and because I am an ex smoker and nothing that my over active and joyously bizarre mind can come up with, will change that fact. Yes I regret starting to smoke, but I have made the decision not to beat my self up about it, what is the point, it wont do any good, I have done what I have done, it is what it is, and now I find myself on a consultants waiting list, there will be tests, and talks and x rays et al, but nothing will change what I have done to my body and my life, my fault, no one else’s. I get a tightness in my chest that seems to be set off mostly by stress – I have mental health issues – I failed miserably in a lung function test a couple of months ago, it was so poor the nurse thought the machine was faulty (!) I now have an inhaler, but I don’t use it every day. I still go to the gym and nearly kill my self with the tread mill set to the highest incline, I push 66 kilo with my legs 30 times – I love that machine, it nearly makes me faint, and I swim for about 45 minutes, and I know I wouldn’t be able to do this if I was still a smoker. So, there is all this smoking related crap going on in my life, but now I have the freedom of not wondering when and where my next cigarette will come from, I have more money, further enabling myself and my gorgeous Colin to work through our bucket list. My skin is now really great, some of my few wrinkles have disappeared which was something I didn’t think possible, I am still fat because chocolate tastes so damn good now. My family are so pleased I have stopped, even though I had tried to be a secret smoker, I realise now I must have been such an embarrassment to them – my brother in law is a scientist into smoking related illnesses and condition, he has written books, is always on the radio and writes articles for the Times and the Independent newspapers, and he gives talks. I must say, he is rather ecstatic with me. I never smoked in front of my children or grand children. So, please put yourself through this journey (I hate the “this journey” thing but it works in this instance,) it ruins your health, people judge you, it upsets those who love you the most, it steals your money , it detrimentally affects every single bit of your body in ways you are not aware of . It is destructive and vile, it is a poison and a demon, it eats you away, bit by bit, subtly at first and as you age it gains momentum, I feel stupid and saddened and angered at my own idiocy, I feel enraged with myself. I am so pleased I am an ex smoker I quite enjoy smugly telling people this. Please use this forum, I couldn’t of done it without the wonderful people here. They care, they have been where you are right now, they will offer advice, friendship and support. You will develop a sense of belonging, a glorious feeling of positivity. You can do it, yes, you really can, and people here at QSMB will gently hold you and protect you, and care about you. Please do it. Please stop smoking. Lot’s of love and big squish cuddles and kisses, Diane xxx

Thanks guys. I’m at work, but as soon as I get home - I’m working out and trying for new pr’s. I won’t let some dumb, unevolved part of my brain dictate my life.

I am not smoking AND having a fun time. Very busy with beach, fishing and no smoke chats with my brother. Not going to work much, so not on computer much. Will "see" you all next week.

Recognize high-risk situations — remember H.A.L.T. — and plan ahead for them Hungry —Don't skip meals, have healthy snacks on hand. Angry —Accept the anger, deal with your feelings and vent them safely. Discuss your feelings with a friend, take a walk, and breathe deeply. Lonely —Call someone, visit a friend, and talk with a friend on Quit train Tired —Take a nap, relax, enjoy a warm bath, pamper yourself.

@Phillyquitter89 , what you are experiencing is totally normal and it WILL go away, with time, as long as you don't smoke. Each crave you get past makes it weaker and weaker until it's just a wimpy little thought that crosses your mind. I promise, it will and does get better

NOPE

Nope

Ooowww it Saturday....? It's kilt fitting day.....? And it's a beautiful sunny NOPE day ?? Have a good one friends ?

Nope not today!

NOPE

NOPE!

Nope

NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE (for all the days I missed)

Well happy Sundee to those in the land of NOPE. Today is Ball Point Pen Day, because 75 years ago today the USA patent was issued to the Biro brothers from Hungry for their new invention, the ball point pen, before then your option was pencil, slate or a fountain pen. I think @Sslip remembers chiselling things into stone tablets too. So because once upon a time in the olden days we didn't type everything and biros are way easier to use than fountain pens we say woohoo to the Biro. To a world without ball point pends and lungs full of smoke and tar I say: NOPE ... cos nothing controls my life but me. Topic of the Day: Sundee Slang Fest... come along and share your slang, there is an angry Scot amongst us so there should be so good ones today... (For those who don't know, Topic of the Day is an A-Z game in the games thread)

Can i just give you a wee example of how things have changed for me .. Hubby was a total a**e today and done something really stupid and selfish, it was that bad that I got out the car and went to get train home, my blood was boiling, i had the death stare, people were burning and flowers were wilting in front of my eyes(ok that bit wasn't me that was the sweltering sun and pale skinned people with no sun cream on) anyhoo 10 months ago I would have been chain smoking like a mad woman but today it didn't enter my mind to have a puff not even once but I did by myself a cake or 2 and some raspberries for my train journey home..? I amaze myself sometimes because I remember how hard it was for me and it felt like the craves were never ending.. but they are ending and they will be for you too.. ?

Push forward....every battle won ..is a step to winning your war...you truly don't want to be a smoker....don't throw away your great quit... Tell yourself how proud to say ,you don't need to smoke any more.....

Hiya philly, sorry you are having a rough time if it. I see you just quit 27th of April? Im seven months quit and i promise it does get easier!! Like think back to your verrry early days....were they not worse than it is now? Youve did a great thing joining this forum and posting. Post a lot and read a lot here...that i promise will make things a bit better for you, take your mind off craves, learn about the addiction and hey we have some fun along the way. What's your story...how long did you smoke? Tried quitting before?

#NOPE

NOPE!

Nope!

YAY! Thank you. This site and you all make quitting so much better. This past week has been challenging and being able to hop on the quit train for education, humor and distraction is a blessing for which I'm very grateful!!!

NOPE!!!

As much as you may have missed us, you were also missed here Welcome back!

What's been going on here ???.....lol.... I have been thrown out of their country..they havnt any sausage left...there is a shortage... The hot dogs there was quite amusing..just a long round piece of bread very long , with a whole in the middle with a sausage going through it..of course I ate it ,just the same.. Folks it was a good city break ..no complaints... Of course very sad in places..until you see Auschwitz..it's hard to visualise the true horror.. But I'm back...with a full blown cold..that some kind person passed on to me... I will ease my way back in.. Can I also ..just say ...I missed you guys ...weird eh !!!!

Congratulations @Sslip on being 5 months quit. Sometimes its easy to forget you are only 5 months quit with the amount of valuable support and care you show to everyone on the QT. We are all so proud to be sharing our journeys with you because it makes it easier to NOPE each day knowing your there to give us a hand when or if we need it. So for putting in all the work you have to keep your quit and everyone else's, we say well done. You have a fantastic quit happening over there in Kent. Make sure you do something special today to celebrate you achievement and do something to spoil yourself this month not just everyone around you.

Working out over a smoke is the way to go. Great choice philly!

I just celebrated two years @Phillyquitter89, cravings (if you can call them that now) are literally a fleeting thought that are gone as quickly as they came. It's nothing like my first six months quit. And timeline's are so different for everyone so you can't base your quit on another's quit. But I can tell you that I too romanced the cigarette and I'm sure that's what made my quit harder. My suggestion to you would be to remind yourself, especially whenyou have a bad crave, of all the benefits you are already seeing. How good you smell, how much better you can taste and smell. And all the money you've saved so far! Also get yourself a ticker for your signature. That way you can watch all the time, money and cigs not smoked add up. It's a great motivator and shows you what you stand to lose should you cave to a crave. You have a great quit going so keep it up, it will get better!

Hi @Phillyquitter89, Jillar and weegie are right what you feel just now will not be the same as what you feel next month or at 4 then 5 and so on for every crave you beat the cravings get weaker and you get stronger until you realise one day you didn't have a crave at all that day then you realise you no longer have craves just passing thoughts.. I promise hang in there it truely does get easier x

#NOPE

NOPE

Shes back, and she wants her sausages. Be warned.

Ooo well done slippy. I agree i canny believe youre 5 months quit and not five years quit!! Ps ive made you a roast lamb with roasties, enjoy

Thanks @Octain that sounds like the perfect brew for washing down concrete pills...

OH Yay Dore's back.... I can stand down....I'm not disappointed that I didn't have be part of the rescue mission, not at all not one bit... not even after Pork Chop promised I couls have the grenade launcher... that wouldn't have been cool at all... uh uh, nope.... see happy face:

Pretty sure he's banned from any commonwealth countries so looks like I'm out too!

nope

NOPE!!!!!

NOPE - smoking sucks!

Have a relaxing weekend..... NOPE.....

NOPE!

G'day NOPE from me C

Congratulations @Rosewothorne on being quit for 2 months. You are doing so well with your quit and we are all very proud of how far you have come. You have had some big triggers along the way and you have beaten them all so well done. Thanks for all your contributions around the boards too. Make sure you do something special to spoil yourself this month, you deserve a reward.

Is this a better selection?

PQ89 -- It really does get better. I had the same thoughts as you a couple of months back. I have 5 full months behind now in my quit and it did take some time to get the real cravings out of the way. I will say for me as time went by it did get better but I was still wondering the same as you during the third month but it got easier and easier as the time went by. Now I may get a crave or two a day but the craves go away in less than a minute. I just remember to come here everyday and read, do some research, at times reach out to other -- and most importantly do my daily "NOPE" (it really has worked for me).

Hopefully you are feeling better now PQ89 as the above responses have been honest and pretty much covered your original question. This quitting smoking this is tuff - no question but, with steadfast personal commitment. education about nicotine addiction and support of others in the same position as you are in, it is VERY doable! It's a process that takes time. It won't happen overnight but IT WILL HAPPEN! Just don't smoke - Not One Puff Ever (NOPE) is all you have to live be each day. You have a nice quit going now but you are still learning coping tools so embrace that part of your quit. Fight those strong cravings because they will not be plaguing you much longer. I am 1 year and a bit quit. Do I still think about smoking - yes I do but as Jillar said it's not a craving but merely a fleeting thought. It might be 3 months, it might be 5 or 6 months but there will come a time when you just know you have all the power over this addiction Just don't smoke!

Doreen! So good to "see" you! Welcome home my friend. You have been missed!!! xoxoxo

yeah not far enough south for me... I'm over 9,300miles from the nearest stop and my mechanic insists my car has no submarine or aqua mode so i'm not making any meetings.