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Memorial weekend eight years ago today I decided I wasn't going to buy anymore cigarettes and quit. I had a pretty rough first year and I googled a lot of my symptoms the first three weeks and each time I did it led me to my first forum. I couldn't believe all the people willing to give their time to help another person succeed. It was truly awe inspiring so I signed up. It was the best decision I could have made to win the battle with this addiction. Now I get to offer my support along with the many others. I've made great friends from all over the world and have had some great laughs along the way.

Yesterday, I celebrated 10 years since I quit smoking. Except celebrated is a bit of an exaggeration on what I actually did. I remembered the anniversary at around 7pm, promptly texted my eldest son to say “hey it's been 10 years” - he congratulated me - and logged onto Quit Train to log my 10 years on a little section in my profile. I’ve done that almost every year (usually a couple of days late and my 6th year anniversary I totally missed and didn't realise until the following year) since quitting for reasons I struggle to articulate other than it feels important to do so. Anyway, that was the extent of my ‘celebration’, other than the thought of “what shall I have/get as my reward?” And that started a little trip down memory lane. Sort of … This wasn’t my first quit attempt by any stretch of the imagination. I struggled for a few years, cold turkey or with aids, always finding a reason to abandon the ‘attempt’. Eventually a mix of hypnotherapy and Champix did the trick. I had planned to quit on the 20th but on the morning of the 18th I had run out and made the decision to not buy any more, bringing forward my quit day. Still, it wasn’t easy and there were some really hard days. What did I do to get through those hard days? I honestly don’t remember, I don’t have any words of wisdom, but I think I did the 4 second breathing thing through craves, after meals I would have fruit flavoured chewing gum and I found rewards to be really important in those early days, weeks, months. Things I would buy with the money saved. Never anything extravagant and honestly I don't even remember what they were - maybe a chocolate bar or a donut? I think for my 6 month and 1 year anniversary I bought some jewellery. Maybe a ring and a necklace? Ooh maybe perfume! Are you sensing a theme here yet? I also rewarded myself on my 2 year anniversary - I think I bought a kindle or a tablet? I also made the decision that I would next reward myself when I got to 5 years. But when I got there I didn't feel the need for a reward. Smoking was no longer part of who I was that would need rewarding for not partaking. So my almost immediate thought of “what shall I have/get as my reward?” at 10 years made me chuckle. I think I just wanted an excuse to treat myself! The only ‘reward’ I have these days is a square of chocolate after a meal but that’s more a reward for doing the clean up than anything else. Sometimes I’ll have grapes. My point is, ‘smoking’ is just something other people do and has nothing to do with me. I know quitting was hard but I don’t remember it, even the once so important rewards. I barely remember the anniversary. If you are down in the trenches of your quit and holding on for dear life, I salute you and I congratulate you. You will find that one day, almost without realising, you can do everything without needing the crutch of a cigarette. I have lived celebrations, deaths, vacations, going for a walk, writing a letter, drinking a beer, drinking coffee, reading a book, watching a movie, eating a meal, waking up, going to bed, and everything in between, all without smoking and it was absolutely fine. (I actually struggled to come up with this list of what I previously couldn’t do without a smoke because … you guessed it … I don't remember!) I implore you to keep the faith, keep your quit. Because one day, you will not remember this stage of your life that clearly or with the focus it currently has. Congratulations to all, wherever you are in your quit, 1 hour, 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 1 year, 1 decade … wow, time sure does fly.

Eleven Although Ten years quit was the milestone, in this eleventh year I have utilized the lessons learned by quitting nicotine/dealing with addiction in another profound way. My body was rebelling after my years of abuse, from smoking, from defying gravity for 69 years ! Arthritis was making for painful days. No surprise. I was lucky I could still breathe after so many years smoking like a whore in church. After experiencing symptoms of an autoimmune disease, I decided to take radical action. First, I learned everything about Sjögren's syndrome and then looked for solutions, just I had come to this site and availed myself to Joel Spitzer's work and other information. Second, I took the initiative. Instead of quitting nicotine (smoking), I stopped consuming anybody with a mother, cold turkey (pardon the expression, lol) including dairy. As a 'foodie' omnivore, I never in my wildest days thought of changing. But here I am, a raw vegan. I found a marvelous resource online, just as I had found y'all. Dr. Brooke Goldner offers a free hyper nourishing protocol that has help thousands reverse disease. Look her up if you are curious or in pain yourself. Sure, it was a radical act for me but there was no doubt in my mind that I could succeed, after all I quit nicotine! The results have been astounding. My body moves freely again. I feel healthier than ever before and empowered. Exactly what quitting nicotine/smoking did for me. The changes also helped me face other truths; Dealing with habits and addictions around Food! To examine using food as comfort or reward just as I used cigarettes. Now, food is nourishment and I know all the cells in my body rejoice after being malnourished for decades. The lessons learned around my nicotine addiction were a struggle eleven years ago, now they are easier to initiate and complete. To change is a pure gift we have the power to give ourselves. To trust ourselves again after a lifetime of addictive behavior. To stay current and change whenever needed because we have the tools! Our brain knows the drill and also understands the profound rewards. Hello to all you beautiful nicotine free creature who understand the need to change, who have the desire to confront their addictions and gather the tools to begin and and continue on this marvelous journey. Here is a kindly hand up, or stand on my shoulders if you need to see the other side. Know in your struggles and successes that others understand and are amazed at your fortitude minute by minute, day by day and soon...year by year. Decade by decade! Thank you for telling your stories and strengthening the thread that weaves us all together. NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE. Sazerac.

Thank you Everyone… It’s hard to believe it’s 11 yrs , it’s flown in the blink of an eye … I still remember my early Quit when I counted every minute of every day , now the years are whizzing by. Ive met some Wonderful friends along the way ,who will stay in my heart ,some are still here and some have gone off to have a great smoke free life ,I owe my success to you all snd all the folks who have taken their seat on the Train . Quitting is the best feeling ever …never doubt yourself

I recently saw this CDC anti-smoking campaign ad and it really hit me hard. I couldn’t stop thinking about it. It struck me that had I seen this before I quit smoking it wouldn’t have convinced me to quit. I would have watched it as I would a horror film, probably lighting up as soon as it was over and going on about my day, my way, as an addict. The one truth I’ve learned during my own quit and from other’s stories is that your quit has to be your decision and for you. Nothing anyone says or does will cause you to put those smokes down once and for all. It’s got to come from within. It’s got to be you. My fear is in what way the effects of all those years of smoking are going to show up. Will it be my teeth, jaw, heart, lungs, feet, and/or etc., etc? It’s coming, eventually. I know it. It has to. I just hope that I can draw on the strength it took for me to quit to see me through any complications that arise. All in all, I’m thankful there are Stop Smoking campaigns out there. If they can give a smoker pause to consider exactly what they are doing to themselves and what they can expect in the future soberly enough to try quitting for good then they are worth it. So if you are here reading this and wanting to quit look these ads up. Listen to their stories, read the stories posted on this forum. They help. They help so much. But ultimately it’s you. Just you, the addict and the substance of your addiction. And yes, there is victory to be had. You just have to fight for it.

You know today I was reflecting on smoking and quitting and it dawned on me that 7 years ago today I could not imagine not lighting up upon awakening in the morning, after a meal or after finishing any task yet today, after 7 years being smoke free I can not for the life of me fathom why I ever smoked those damn things. They did absolutely nothing positive for me! Quitting brings about a complete metamorphosis in your life! You come out the other side as a completely different person free from the chains of addiction and able to live your life to the fullest.

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

Tomorrow will be my quit day! I had quit for 10 years and then divorced and took up smoking again for the past 20 years, this time needs to be my last time quitting ever, my health depends on it and I’m going to be a grandma in March, and want to be around to enjoy my grandkids! Will be needing support and tips from others too! I live in Portland Maine, 59 years old,

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

nope

Nope! I was in Amhurst last Monday for a few hours. No snow there then thank goodness!

Nope... A foot of snow on the ground and more coming... Go Bills

NOPE

NOPE!

NOPE!!

NOPE

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

I’ll help .., I’ll give the decks a mop

After eating way too much, I can skip the smoke and go straight to the self-loathing. Seriously though, it's been forever since I checked in with this group. I sincerely hope that all of you that have new quits will stick with it. It's been over 7 years since I had a smoke and I can honestly tell you that I rarely think about it or even remember that I smoked at all. And believe me, I loved smoking as much as anyone (pack a day for 30 years). If I can quit and stay quit, anyone can. Just like you've probably committed to not jumping in front of moving busses or putting your arm into a wood chipper (I hope), just commit to not smoking 100% and you can't fail. Get your head right and success is inevitable. All you have to do is not smoke.

Severe engine issues revealed today and I was having trouble coping. Out of nowhere or maybe that somewhere in the mind that tells you that you can’t cope, that there is some nameless something you need to get through this and then just as quickly it’s gone and your left thinking or maybe yelling it aloud in a rage, “I KNOW WHAT I NEEDED!” The addict is always there. It’ll show up when you least expect it to. It enrages me. Leaving me feeling weak and less than. But I am NOT! I’ve been kicking nicotine to the curb for almost three years and I will not release it from the chains that had me bound. The chains that I worked so hard to bind it with. I can’t and I will not. It’s why I still hang around here. Y’all helped me so much and still do. Almost everyday I get some kind of help here. Oh, well after some deep breathing and grounding myself I have gone on about my day. Without that crutch I used to have to carry around with me. It’s good to breathe freely!

NOPE!

Thank you! It seems like forever ago but I will always remember those early days. The key(s) for me were to hang tight to the main reason I wanted to quit and to commit to NOPE every day for the first year, then I added another year for good measure. And I know without a doubt, the folks on the Quit Train were instrumental to my success. Thank you all so very much.

I know I’ve been really bad about checking in here. I’m a couple months past my 4 year anniversary and felt compelled to touch base and if I can help anyone struggling, to do so. If you told me 14 years ago, when I first quit, or any of the 10 years between then and when I actually did quit that I’d be here right now, I wouldn’t believe you. My journey started on the old message board, the one that shall not be named, and I recall reading SO much information. Posts, celebrations, failures, advice, tricks, tips. I remember getting compassion and tough love with every relapse. Every relapse that I would eventually tuck my tail between my legs and come back looking for some commiseration and a new plan of attack. There were also long bouts of staying away, while I was smoking, of course. It’s the normal cycle of a relapse. After enough times, you sort of even stop feeling sorry for yourself. At least I did. At this point though, I feel that I’ve gone from “I used to smoke” to “No, I don’t smoke.” Like, it was a part of my life for about 15 years but where I am now people are surprised to hear that I used to smoke, they would never guess if I hadn’t told them. And for me, that’s a good feeling. The battle with nicotine was mine, and mine alone, but as far as anyone else is concerned, it makes me so happy that I have severed that connection with the cigarette. I don’t have any tips, tricks, or other advice that made this quit stick when the many, many others did not. I just knew, my body knew, my mind knew…I was done. It was like I had never smoked before at all. No withdrawal, no cravings, no triggers…I was free. And that’s where I am today. I am as free as I will allow myself to be, which is honestly why I DO make an effort to come back. To celebrate and to remind myself that I got lucky. To remind myself that before this quit, I struggled countless times. And to remind myself that I can NEVER go back, no matter what. Because it’s easy to go back to it. And it’s easy to stay quit for good…as long as you NEVER TAKE ANOTHER PUFF! If you’re struggling, on the brink of relapse, don’t give up. Speak up, reach out, don’t give in, don’t give up. This to shall pass. Stay the course, shipmates.

Thanks everyone, couldn't have done it without you.

Wow! That time of the year again! It’s hard to imagine a cigarette in my hand now but we were inseparable 8 years ago. I would like to thank all my fellow quitters for all their support and encouragement along all these years. It was not easy at first but after a short while, it became much easier, mostly thanks to the support I received from the amazing people I met here. Thank you ver much everyone and Class of 2016 ROCKS!!!!!!

Thank you for your kind messages … I still get a buzz watching a newbie reach that Lido Deck Meeting you guys .. The Pleasure has been all mine . QG… Queen is my favourite band too I sang along this morning having breakfast

Congratulations Sweetheart on your Fabulous 11 years. My Fairygod Mother Newbies … Nancy reached out to me and took me under her wing when I first came to the forum … I believe I am still here today because of the kindness she showed me . Have a good day and spoil yourself . Love you as Always

I can paint!!!

Day 5 and doing great! I woke up with more energy and did my exercises and feel great! Yesterday was the first day I was't tired all day so I'm hoping that continues! I still think about being a non-smoker all day and I like the feeling! Thank you all for your inspirations and cheers and to Mac#23....Go Bills! I was born and raised in Buffalo. Tonawanda and then Williamsville! Let's all keep it up!

Congratulations @DenaliBlues on your second year quit! You've helped so many members and probably some lurkers too with your insightful posts so thank you and I hope you stay on for many years and members to come....

NOPE Gabriela's first time in the living room after being adopted from the shelter. She made the mistake of getting into Sofia's chair. NOPE, she won't do THAT again!

Thanks everyone! I appreciate the acknowledgement. I can hardly believe it!!!!!!!!!!!! There were so many failed starts. But, that old Covid threat -- in my mind, I was sure I'd die if I got it and I was still a smoker -- got me to quit and stay quit. And I finally did get Covid, a couple of months ago, and breezed through it. No lung issues. Because I am saving money by not buying cigarettes, I can afford a 2nd dog to keep dog #1 company while I am at work. Gabriela joined us two months ago from a Humane Society shelter. She is reportedly 8 years old, but I suspect she is a bit younger - 5 or 6. She is so playful and frisky. She loves her stuffed squirrel (not a real one!) So much more we can do when we aren't spending our money on poison. Thanks, all.

NOPE!

Hi everyone! I was looking back at my original post from May of last year, and it's really amazing how far I have come since that first post that I made, where I was still smoking 2 cigs a day using the weaning method. OMG, I remember how horrible I felt, in a constant state of perpetual withdrawal all day and night! It was so horrible. Finally after a couple days several of you told me to give it up, I just let go and went cold turkey, I think 2 days later. Plus, all the meltdowns I had where I really couldn't handle it anymore and I was treating my family like crap. You all helped me so much!!! Wow, it all seems like ages ago!! I really have come a long way, thanks to all of you!!! The friendship and support you all gave ME, a total stranger, was mind boggling! Thank you all from the bottom of my heart! I truly couldn't have made it without all of you! I was reading a post that I made from very early in my quit and I wrote how one of the withdrawal symptoms was like a feeling on my tongue...LOL!! It wasn't a pain, just an annoying feeling. I can look back now and laugh at that, but at the time it was just horrible, plus I had a horrible sense of doom. I definitely will not go back to smoking, not only because is it bad for us, BUT, who the hell wants to get those withdrawal symptoms again!! Not me!! I have enough aches and pains in my life...LOL!!! Anyway, thank you all so much again for being here for me! Love, Sandi

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

NOPE…

Yup! 7 years today. I remember that day like it was yesterday. So glad I managed to make it through the quit process and prevent further damage to my health. When people ask me how if feels to be a non-smoker, I say this: Then I do my Happy Quitter's dance:

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

NOPE! Smoking stinks.

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

NOPE for Saturday.

NOPE…

NOPE!

Nope... snowing is over and sun is out.

Nope!

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

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

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