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Each monthly milestone of mine serves as a reminder of how important the quit, and moreso the people on here are in my quit journey. I am not exaggerating when I say that I have come this far thanks to the support I continue receiving here every time. Whether it's when I'm feeling like I can't go on, or when I've blogged random thoughts. The Nope pledge helps me tide over 24 hours each day, most of the days are decent, and then some are not, but I consciously keep repeating to myself nope throughout the day. The wealth of information on the site to identify this addiction we are fighting and ways to fight it have also been key. Know thine enemy they say, and I believe that. Another amazing bonus is that I've made such good friends on here, people who I've not even met, but who understand me a better than a lot of people I've known for a while. I am so so glad I got on the train So thank you to each and every one of you for making me stick it out. Like my title says - 7 months down, forever to go!!!

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Tomorrow I'll be celebrating 5 months. And where part of the third and all of the fourth month honestly seemed like they never ended, the past fifth month was one of, uhm... whats it called? Reaping what Ive sown? I think I should start saying it out loud, because I cant go around it anymore, it's too darn obvious: my anxiety attacks are rapidly decreasing in number and in ferocity. Mind this: I came from 2 to 3 HEAVY attacks per week, where time in between was just too little to unwind. They varied from sudden, fullblown 30minute apocalypses, to gradual tension build up, which could last half a day and leave me completely numb. It's been like that for years. And now... I went down to 1 in two weeks, with bits and pieces of distress in between but totally incomparable to what its been. I believe part of that is because I'm paying so much more attention to what I need, when I need it ('HALT'!). I am really learning to just be with what I feel. And yep, it still s*cks from time to time. And then that's just that. And by the way, while writing this I still have this nagging voice that says something like, 'ahhh just wait... it'll be back soon enough...dont hold your hopes so high!.'. But I know that this isn't incidental. This is progress for the long run and I am going to be so, so, so sooooo very thankful for having quit and gaining peace of mind. And... I am growing a super mighty ' I won't' muscle. Applicable on a daily basis, to many non-smoking related things!

G’day nope...Nope....NOpe....NOPe....NOPE C

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Must be having a senior moment. For some reason, I posted twice. I actually really needed the double Nope today!!!!?

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NOPE.... Not for me....?

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G’day nope...Nope....NOpe....NOPe....NOPE C

Hey Tammy.... here is your woohoo thread I had all set for yesterday but after getting home 2.45am Sunday and 11pm Sunday night after being out all day I was the walking dead last night...so didn't get around to posting it... and I am so very, very sorry because you deserved a super special, shiney and sparkly 7 month woohoo.... so here was what I had planned... Congratulations @Tammy for being 7 months smoke free! Well done on having a wonderful base to a lifetime quit. It really is an honour to share your journey. Thank you for all you bring to the boards, your support of others is a great gift and you're always there when someone is in need with words that are spot on every time. So rewards are still important, especially at this stage of your quit, when its not all new and shiny and you still have a way to go for that first year. You make sure you do something super special for your 7th month... something just for you, and just for fun. Then tell us all about it so we can be super inspired or super jealous.. or a bit of both.

NOPE......no ta ??

Hugs Congrats my beautiful Chicklette..... 7 months ....you are flying with this Quit ....We are so lucky to have you on board ....you bring so much support and fun... Because we are late ...I'm sending over a friend to clean your kitchen as a treat ...He may cook you a Reward meal too.... Enjoy the celebration....

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Great post MLMR, I'm really happy to read this! You are doing awesome and it's GREAT that your anxiety attacks are getting to be so few and far between

The fear of being without nicotine is greater than the fear of losing body parts or even life for some. I wonder if the real fear is that they can succeed in quitting smoking. I sometimes see smokers and want to tell them, "quit - don't be afraid, it won't hurt you."

The art of folding ....spend all those minutes learning ...

Thanks for remembering Jillar and for the congratulations everyone! I must say I am super proud. I year ago I doubt I would have believed that I'd be here but the time flew by and it was easier than I thought. I know it has been said time and time again but it is so true that if I can do it, than anyone can...I love having more money, more time and being able to exercise again. Life is good...thanks again everyone! The support I had on QSMB was priceless and when it went down, being able to come here helped fill the void, even if I didn't use it in the same was as I had before...stay strong and carry on everyone. I love and thank you all <3 <3 <3

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Hi IGT, "The only thing that I can do to keep myself from smoking is not smoke (it make sense to me) and that's getting harder to do" I had to replace the crutch that was smoking to me with something else. I used exercise , a straw and a fake cigg to make believe. Candy, move a muscle change a thought was the key for me. We blow our quits when we lose direction or just don't give a F. Check out No mans land

There are so many unintended benefits associated with quitting smoking. Making the decision to quit and committing to the process will impact every area of your life. Strength begets strength. Confidence begets confidence. And so on... Congratulations on five months smokefree. Enjoy the many benefits of being a successful quitter.

Great post M...don't look now...the magic has started to happen ...way to go !!!

A study at the University of Birmingham shows the effect of vaping liquid after being inhaled, and it's not good. Derek Beres 21 August, 2018 Here we go again. Advocates for a “healthier” alternative to cigarettes took another hit from a recent study published in the journal, Thorax. A number of previous studies have focused on e-cigarette liquid before being vaped. For this research, University of Birmingham coauthor Dr. David Thickett, a professor in the Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, investigated the effects on the lungs after inhalation. Thickett and his team took tissue samples from eight nonsmokers to study the effects of the liquid over the next 48 hours. They discovered that the vapor causes the production of inflammatory cytokines, as well as the inhibition of a cellular “safety device,” phagocytosis. Simply put: "We show a significant increase in cytotoxicity caused by the vaping process itself." Cytokines are a broad group of proteins that affect local cells. They are particularly critical in the functioning of the immune system. They help determine the body’s response to a host of potential issues, including cancer, sepsis, trauma, and, as this study shows, inflammation. Vaping increases inflammatory behavior in lung tissue cells. It also decreases the efficacy of a process called phagocytosis, in which pathogens and cell debris are removed from the immune system. As the inflammatory cell response is increasing, the very mechanism that helps combat it is silenced. The popularity of vaping continues, however. In 2017, over one-quarter of high school seniors and 13 percent of eighth graders claimed they vaped. Research shows that college freshmen who vape are more likely to indulge in cigarettes as well. But when a company like Juul is valued at $16 billion, chances that we'll slow down are slim. And so the debate regarding the safety of cigarettes versus e-cigs continues. Thickett notes that there are still fewer carcinogens in the vaping liquid. In this sense, vaping appears safer than cigarettes. Yet Thickett says that in 20 or 30 years time, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease remains a real possibility for e-cig users. "I don’t believe e-cigarettes are more harmful than ordinary cigarettes. But we should have a cautious scepticism that they are as safe as we are being led to believe." The authors of the study also note that they have not studied the flavors used in vaping liquid, which could promote further toxic effects. The lesson remains: nothing goes into your lungs without consequence. The question is how much of a risk you’re willing to take.

I feel the same as you Tammy. I know you are so far away but feel so close at heart. I love reading your blog and following your journey. Congratulations on 7 months.

Boy Jane, I am really missing your sparkle and humor. I really hope you find you way back to us!!!!!!!

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Congratulations, Kermit, on your One YEAR of Freedom ! Celebrate wildly.

Congratulations Kermit! Welcome to the Lido Deck!