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I am from Ohio known for it's crappy weather and Rock Hall of Fame. I smoked for 42 years and finally was able to quit with the support of this forum. I wanted to quit for many years and was so ashamed of my smoking. I found myself so isolated because it was just easier to stay home and smoke. Though I knew it was robbing me of my life, I just did not seem to have the power to quit. I stumbled across this forum looking for some form of help. I will be three years quit in August. I love that I have met people around the world that have helped me and shared my journey.

NOPE!

He...... first dibs on the prawns buddy

NOPE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nope!

Life long, small rural town, Georgia girl here! Peaches, dirt roads, and sweet iced tea. Farm country, peace, and quiet. The closest city would be Augusta,—Home of the Masters! I quit smoking because I was so tired of the stench. I was tired of blowing all of that money into thin air. I was tired of ostracizing myself from life. I am a bit of a social misfit. Oh and I. Love. Shrimp.

So today is the first day of the opening of the economy in the place I live in The big issues are outdoor dining on patios/decks is now allowed but with some restrictions still in terms of who you can sit with, which is dumb I think but anyway. You can now go into stores and buy stuff other than food/pharmacy items. You know, stuff you might need sometimes like, shoes, clothes, hardware or building supplies? They are going to open things up in 3 stages with a gap of 21 days between stages. They're being super conservative as they don't want to close things down again. We are at about 75% vaccinated 1st dose and they are rapidly working on 2nd doses now so by end of July, if not sooner we will likely be close to 80-85% fully vaccinated. I don't know what's right or wrong in terms of opening things back up. Other places seem to have flung the doors open wider than here. I guess the powers to be here are concerned about the India variant. It's here and from what they are saying, you need full vaccination to avoid the bad effects of getting that strain. Now; today and likely all weekend around these parts, it will be next to impossible to get a table on a patio because they will not take reservations and the crowd capacity will be pretty low. Almost everyone will want to get out, have a drink/meal in a more social setting. I think the warden & I will hold off going out for awhile yet. I think the next stage of opening will allow for personal care places to open like hairdressers, nail places and what not. The wife is chomping at the bit to get her nails done. Don't know why. I never notice any difference but she seems to just love it Same issue will be there when these places open up. Try and book a haircut! Yeah; umm .... how bout mid-Sept? How's that work for ya? I have had mine in a ponytail the past month or so cuz it's just too long and gets in the way. Can't remember the last cut I got & I'm not doing it myself! I'll just be an old hippie dude for the summer I guess

Smoke? I don't do that anymore . Of course it's nope .

NOPE

G’day NOPE .....Not One Puff Ever.... (replace Ever with Min,Hour, Day as required)

I'm Johnny and I live in the Raleigh, NC area. I quit in November 2014 with the help of a site similar to this that shut down a couple of years ago. A number of people from that site are here now. I smoked for roughly 20 years. I picked up the habit (addiction) my freshman year in college. It was initially a social thing (buming a smoke during a party or hanging out with friends drinking beer) but it didn't take too long for me to start buying smokes on a regular basis and becoming a true addict. I never thought that would happen but it did happen rather quickly. Over time, I started feeling more and more sluggish, out of breath, coughing like crazy, downright sick, etc. I was ashamed of how I smelled around non-smokers in an increasing anti-smoking society, sick of the money I was spending on smoking, etc. I wanted to quit and made several attempts but failed each time. It wasn't until I joined an online support forum like this that I got the support and education that really helped me see that smoking was a lifestyle I truly needed to leave. Places like this, if you read up on nicotine addiction and reach out for help, really do help you quit for good. Also, other than QuitTrain, if a newer quitter hasn't read Allen Carr's "Easy Way to Quit Smoking," I highly recommend giving it a read. Some successful quitters didn't like the book but it helped put me into the mindset that smoking does nothing positive for you. The book might not make quitting easy but I do believe it helps a lot. PS, shrimp are great.

We have all been there piggy.... Just be glad you have hair !!!!......alot of guys don't have that luxury ....whaha....

I've always like Hunter S. Thompson's quote about music as fuel. "Music has always been a matter of energy to me, a question of fuel. Sentimental people call it inspiration, but what they really mean is fuel. I have always needed fuel. I am a serious consumer. On some nights I still believe that a car with the gas needle on empty can run about fifty miles more if you have the right music very loud on the radio.

There's lots of info. elsewhere on the site indicating my little corner of the world - Canada; the town next to Niagara Falls lol In terms of why I quit, I think my story is pretty boring and probably similar to many others. I had finally had enough of getting bronchitis every winter that would last for weeks if not a month and a half or so. Not to mention the ever increasing cost of smokes, finding places to smoke and generally feeling like a social pariah. It was Sat. morning Jan. 28th and I was standing in a cold damp parking lot having just come out from grocery shopping and as I lit up a smoke, to 'get me fix' I launched into a coughing fit to end all coughing fits. After managing to regain some control over this coughing fit, it just dawned on me; "what the hell was I doing to myself?' This was insane and I decided at that moment to quit the very next day. I went out and bought some stage 1 patches 21mg I believe and slapped one on after having my last smoke at about 8:30 AM the next day, Sunday. I ended up forgetting to replace it after my morning shower on Monday so decided to go cold turkey at that point. I didn't join a quit smoking forum until about a week later, as I was researching addiction and quitting smoking. I really didn't expect much to come from joining but as I went along and read all the posts from others experiencing the same things I was going through, the site became my home almost 24/7 while I rode the monster (the early days of quitting). Surprising to me, I found being a member and staying active on the site helped me immensely! Can't recommend it enough to new comers and I am not a social media person normally - not at all.

Pretty sure I could change that dislike of shrimp for ya

NOPE…

NOPE!!!!!!

Please introduce yourself . My name is Abby , fairly new to quit train but have been for quit for some time . I smoked 28 years and was up to two packs a day . Eh I am Canadian . People here from around the world with one common goal . Love to know where you all are from . I never thought I could quit . I came upon joining a quit site as a last resort when I was deathly sick ( a do or die situation ) and after several failed attempts to quit decided to just do it , no more trying . I was scared , had little hope , depressed and didn't know where to start . Everyone helped me , welcomed me and voila I'm still here . I would say the experience is a good one . I owe my quit to the help and support of fellow ex smokers like those here at quit train . I attribute my quit to their patience , understanding , to their keeping me on track and on the rails , to keeping me distracted through games and humour , teaching me through education and videos , testimonies and a much needed kick in the butt too when needed . Sometimes things hurt , oh yeah , that truth sometimes hurts , but sometime it was the whistle I needed to hear . With that , and the education I learned researching about addiction on my own ; learning from those who went before me and those who devote their lives to helping others quit like Joel Spitzer videos , books written by many , the administrators and founders of such sites it was a complete recipie . From there it was daily practise . I am grateful I put the work into making it all come together . It wasn't easy , but something worth having sometimes doesn't come as a hand out . I learned that when I took my first easy eight year quit for granted and blew it away with one puff . Quitting smoking changed my life . It was all worth it . Every crave , every struggle . Glad you are here , glad I'm here too , glad we are all here . That's it from me. Anyone else want to share ? Newcomers , elders ? Ps . Likes music , loves being smoke free , dislikes shrimp .

Wowsers, can't believe the money I would have spent on cigarettes, just mind blowing! Oh and I don't think I've ever tasted shrimp!

I am Robbie, female 66 years old, live in a country town close to many beautiful beaches and a bigger city in Victoria, Australia. I had to quit smoking and tried many times without success, I have breathing problems now and probably couldn't even smoke a cigarette if I tried....but I'm definitely not going to try! I love listening to live music, which comes and goes during this wretched pandemic and I play guitar, mandolin and ukulele. Love to sing, but that's not allowed at the moment...sigh. Quitting has been tough as I am on my own and always become depressed during the early stages so I basically cried for the first three weeks. Those chemicals mess with my head big time! Doing better this time with the help of Quit Train and a few squirts of nicotine spray during the day; I know that I have to stop that too but not while my quit is still new. This pandemic and now the Winter months have added an extra layer of challenges to my quit but I'm much more confident this time around. Cheers everyone!

Amen sister what a great statement!! I second that

NOPE!

^^This^^ @Abby, the whole forum you posted this in is filled with introduction threads from pretty much every member so you don't have to go to each profile

Music is a piece of art that goes in the ears straight to the heart Sometimes music is the only thing that gets your mind off of everything else

Got my serious doubts bout that @reciprocity and @Cbdave So , looks like we have to go to everyone's profile to know a little more about people here . I thought it might be welcoming for us to introduce ourselves to others . Why or how you came to quit , why did you personally finally make the decision to quit or like me did health make the decision instead . What part of the world is everybody from ? Just share what you are comfortable with . We know @reciprocity and @Cbdave are kinda strange . They like shrimp , isn't that strange ? ( Just kidding , or maybe not ) Maybe I guess I'm kinda strange lol but who in the world would like shrimp .. or salmon . No fishy fishy for me , I'll catch em fish , but not gonna make me eat em .

Way to go Katgirl, this deserves a sweet reward.

Gday NOPE....... for me

Thank you Kat, it will be months down the line before I could go power walking, I had to stop the stirs at work to keep my heart rate and blood pressure down. I keep my prurient down to 1000 calories and the 599 to 750 in fruits and veggies. I was doing great lost 20 ;bs and dropped my A1Cfrom 11.6 to 6.7 in 3 months. I just decided to take a couple of Days off which turned to weeks, All me just ;let my self get the best of me. Thank you for the info it is very much appreciated.

Opah, are you exercising and eating half the amount you used to eat? Have a 4 ounce steak, instead of 8 or 10. Cut your meat in small bites, and chew slowly. It really works. I only have a one month quit going, but I am doing all of these things. And I am 70 years old , Opah. I do 2 20 minute power walks every day. It has been three weeks. I have lost 8 pounds, instead of putting on weight, because I quit smoking. When I say power walk, I get my heart rate really up there. I just finished my 2nd work out, and my heart rate was at 136, which is a little above my perfect target. My lungs hurt a bit when I work out, as expected after smoking for years, but I work through it. You can do something similar, Opah. I am sorry about your vision troubles. I will pray for a good outcome for you. Fondly, KAT P. S. I always enjoy reading what you have to say. I feel we would be great friends.

OK - So now you've redeemed yourself!!! Brussel Sprouts

NOPE...

If you're looking at buying any building supplies, buckle up buddy! Lumber and steel prices are skyrocketing. Those who are willing and able to pay the price will likely have to wait as materials are in short supply. The supply chain is FUBAR right now. Don't shoot the messenger. I'm just giving you a heads up.

I laugh so freaking hard on that video, I especially love the one where you see him land and he is out cold,

Things have been pretty open here for awhile. There is a movement to recall our governor for the rules he put in place in the beginning of the pandemic. Naturally, it is politically motivated, and angers me. How can you fault our leaders for trying to keep us safe? Ridiculous! He will be fine, as we are such a blue state, but it still angers me. I would not want the responsibility for making decisions that can have a direct impact on our populations’ health. Even though my significant other and I are fully vaccinated, we still wear masks in stores, when we go shopping. We are leaving next week on our cross country trip, so it will be interesting to see how each state is coping with the pandemic, at this point. We will bring a 50 pack of N- 95’s with us, and plenty of hand sanitizer, as well as wipes to clean surfaces in hotel rooms.

Lol I have had days like that!! And I would think thank goodness its Friday. I also would think don't expect rational behaviour out of irrational people. Have a good weekend

Folks can really get themselves wound up by trying to attach meaning and order to random events. This morning at work things got a bit wonky. One of those Murphy's Law kind of days: "whatever can go wrong, will go wrong." I'll spare you the details. One of the guys at work in particular is wound a bit tight. He's a good man, but he tries to insist on perfect order in a chaotic world. As things were going sideways fast this morning, he was alternating between states of nihilistic despair and homicidal rage. There was talk of the universe lining up against him, forces of nature conspiring to ruin his day, and various people acting with nefarious intent. To hear him tell it, there was a lot of planning that went into making his day a bad one. On the other hand, I don't really have a theory for why things went the way they did this morning and I'm not interested in trying to establish intent for anyone involved. I just figured we caught some bad luck on a Friday morning; things play out like that sometimes. I'm not even sure where this post is going now. I suppose what I'm trying to say is: when things don't go according to plan, sometimes it's best to ask "what now?" rather than "why me?"

Every day may not be good but there is something good in everyday

Congratulations @Katgirl! WooHoo!! Time sure has flown by since you’ve joined us here! A month already!

NOPE - Not One Puff Ever Please pledge to not smoke, even if it one day at a time. Life is better without cigarettes.

@Anita The first couple weeks are hard, but you are 11 days smoke free and you don't want to throw that away. I have been there and done that and trust me you will feel worse if you do. So hang in there,it does get easier!!! Play some games, read other peoples post, do what it takes just don't smoke

Well how do you like that, I go to find a funny pic of lopsided haircuts like the one I just gave myself and find out its a trend! Note to self: eat the edible AFTER you cut your hair

awww @Opah,hang in there. Summer's here and you're smoke free! I'm sorry your eye surgery got postponed but I know you're tough enough to hang just 20 days more

Congratulations to you, Katgirl!

Be gentle with yourself You're doing the best You can

Oh come on , lol am I the only one that doesn't like shrimp ? There has to be someone like me please please , there has to be someone! I'm gettin beat up here bad lol ! Thanks for sharing everyone . There is lot of you I don't know yet both elders who've been here a while and newcomers , so thank you . It's nice to know a bit of your background and how you came to quittrain and your reason to quit . I also don't like those little cabbages .. what do they call those .. Brussel sprouts .

Off for my 40 min walk w pup the best part of my work out day . Weather looking good here tomorrow , changed my mind pools are opening with limited capacity and bookings so starting lane swim . It will take me a while to build up my endurance with that but going to be good for my COPD lungs and mental health . Everyone have a great day .

Yes, I do have one month smoke fee today! I’m not sure why, but it almost seems too easy. Maybe because I had gradually cut down, or was really ready psychologically? My large family is my reason for doing this. I want as much time with them, as God will give me. None of us knows how much time we have left, but we can improve our odds, in that department, by living a healthier lifestyle. Look at me! I quit smoking, and I am working out daily. I have even managed to shed some weight, which can be a problem with a lot of quitters. I will admit that vanity is why I started working out. I wanted to assure that I would at least look as good as I did, before I quit, after quitting. Not the best motivation, I suppose, but it worked for me. Thanks for the well wishes, and a big thank you to whoever started this group. I know that checking in everyday, and participating, is a big reason for my success, so far. So, one day at a time……. Thanks again, friends! KAT

Weird shit is going to happen and worrying about it isn't going to change that try not to let that freak you out cling to the things that will keep you in the present in this moment turn the music up walk barefoot on the sand look up at the stars dance in the kitchen you have right now and that's all you need

NOPE