MarylandQuitter

What is 5:2?

Great to see you back, HAT! When you go AWOL, we pretty much know why. You're right, this might be your last chance so do whatever it takes to quit. It's 0345 here so I assume you've choked down those last two smokes by now so you've already quit smoking. I like the fact that you have to drop some weight because you're going to see how crucial it will be to quit smoking during this process, as you've already started to feel. Part of me wants to kick your ass because you've known all along what smoking was doing to you and you're daughter needs you around for many decades to come, yet part of me is very happy for you to have this opportunity to join the Reserves which could lead to a very nice career which will not only provide you and your daughter some great benefits, but also give you a whole new perspective on life. Don't squander this opportunity. Have you pre-responded to your own S.O.S.? Even if you have already, I would do so again because you now have a different mindset, your goals have changed and life is now taking you in a new direction. You already know what to expect when you quit so what's your plan to stay quit this time? If you don't have one, that's okay because all you need to do is never light another cigarette, ever. However, making some sort of plan and being prepared for areas in which you've failed in the past could make a huge difference this time. When you get a chance, list the concerns that you have that may lead you back to smoking. If you don't have any, that's okay too because if you're mind is truly made up and you want to quit smoking more than you want to continue to suffer and smoke, nothing will stop you from quitting. Be realistic and honest with yourself though. If you have any concerns at all, especially areas in which you failed in the past, share them so we can help. I guarantee is there is a solution for anything that may come between you and quitting. Glad to see you back. :)

When he gets home you do not smoke. You've quit already. Got it? What's it going to take? You have a clean bill of health and all of your fears were put to rest. Are you wanting to watch your fears come to fruition? No matter how bad you want to smoke you can't. As adults there are certain things that we want to do but cannot because we know better. Smoking should be at the top of the that list.

Nope!

Great decision, Trish. It doesn't matter if you ever want to smoke again, you simply don't ever take another puff. Ever. Do you have any cigarettes in the house, car, barn, shed or any other place that you can get your hands on them? If so, flush them. Don't even keep one laying around. You're already quit and have quit previously, so... The Smoker's Vow To be said just before taking your first puff after having quit for any appreciable period of time With this puff I enslave myself to a lifetime of addiction. While I can't promise to always love you, I do promise to obey every craving and support my addiction to you no matter how expensive you become. I will let no husband or wife, no family member or friend, no doctor or any other health professional, no employer or government policy, no burns or no stench, no cough or raspy voice, no cancer or emphysema, no heart attack or stroke, no threat of loss of life or limbs, come between us. I will smoke you forever from this day forth, for better or worse, whether richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do us part! "You may now light the cigarette." "I now pronounce you a full-fledged smoker." http://whyquit.com/joel/Joel_04_11_Smokers_Vow.html

Looks great, Action. I especially like the shade of gray that you chose for the entrance. Looks very similar to what my wife picked out for our son's room. Your home looks like a great place to build memories. Very nice.

Great post, El Bandito. I hope many lurkers read this and make a firm decision to free themselves from the bondage of smoking.

The topic of blood sugar when quitting has been brought up a couple of time in each of your threads and I thought this video might be helpful to go along with the excellent advice from others. http://www.quittrain.com/topic/2096-joel-spitzers-quit-smoking-video-library/?p=47403

Blood Sugar Symptoms Many of the most common symptoms people encounter when first stopping smoking is due to a drop in blood sugar often encountered in the first few days after quitting. Video discusses why this happens and how to minimize the effect. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYGsz7WNh_8&list=PL8EB359C247D3FE6C Related articles: "Minimizing the Most Common Side Effects to Quitting Smoking" http://www.ffn.yuku.com/topic/13919 Eating Healthy - Blood Sugar http://ffn.yuku.com/topic/11649 Related video: Common symptoms Going back to normal after quitting smoking

JOHNNY CASH!!!!! One of my top 3. Gonna have to toss this one in the ring. All of the icons on one stage. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcF0DtxSyfU

Yes, your chainsaw has a carb. Probably needs a tune-up. What kind do you have?

The sunsets over Lake Erie are awesome. That area of Ohio will always be home to me and just reading this thread makes me miss it a bit. It's a beautiful area.

NOPE

Now that's some finger picking!

Are You Stronger Than Your Cigarettes? This video discusses the importance of understanding that you won't be able to quit smoking and stay free by becoming stronger than cigarettes but rather by becoming smarter than nicotine. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxLxDuTOCT0 Related videos: Are you smart enough for an IQ pin? "I know I will quit smoking" Related article and commentary: Stronger or Smarter? http://ffn.yuku.com/topic/11391 Stronger or Smarter? http://ffn.yuku.com/sreply/228166/Str...

Congratulations, El Bandito! :)

Good deal, Tom! One Day At A Time at the beginning is so important to set realistic goals. Read, watch videos and take advantage of everything Quit Train has to offer. Have you given any thought to my previous suggestion of starting your own blog? I think your first post in this thread is a good start. :)

Long Term Quitters Who Say They Are Having Bad Days Video discusses how longer-term quitters sometimes lose perspective of what really constitutes a bad day when it comes to thoughts for cigarettes. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TpXVAEgOtU&index=31&list=PL4F05C03D0F9B86DB Related article: "Bad Days" http://www.ffn.yuku.com/topic/12487

Complacency Video discussing the importance of not allowing yourself to become complacent after longer term success not smoking. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZSktbwotI4&index=30&list=PL4F05C03D0F9B86DB Related article: Complacency http://www.ffn.yuku.com/topic/12452

You Mean You Haven't Had A Single Puff Of A Cigarette? This video discusses the danger of other people or former smokers themselves in making an arbitrary distinction between the ingestion of a smaller dosage of nicotine in contrast to some larger amount. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hvve35Z3ArY&list=PL4F05C03D0F9B86DB&index=48 Related video: Words that translate to relapse https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdBvS... The below video touches on the advantages for people who understand this concept as opposed to those who do not: People in recovery from other addictions

Smoking A Cigarette Will Help Me Secure My Quit This video discusses how some people can bargain themselves into smoking with the thought that taking a cigarette that tastes bad will reinforce their resolve to stay smoke free. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YY6tAeam9Lg&list=PL4F05C03D0F9B86DB&index=41 Related videos: The emotional stages of loss (The bargaining phase) Complacency: Fixating on a cigarette The fallacy of "good cigarettes"

Fixating On A Cigarette This video discusses how people often fixate on the desire to have "a good" cigarette. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZLJ_nlkUCQ&list=PL4F05C03D0F9B86DB&index=42 Related resources: Fixating on a Cigarette http://ffn.yuku.com/topic/17045 Videos: "I want one" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHvi6... I smoke because I like smoking Just think of something else The fallacy of "good cigarettes"

What Is Your Quit Smoking Mantra? Many people use mantras to help them to quit smoking. This video discusses the limitations of simply relying on a mantra to focus your attention as to why you quit smoking. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-q-5kHiIJA&index=17&list=PL4F05C03D0F9B86DB Related articles: Smoking is an option http://ffn.yuku.com/topic/11402/Smoki... Never take another puff http://www.ffn.yuku.com/topic/11384 Just think about something else http://www.ffn.yuku.com/topic/173

Watching Others Smoke Video discussing how to watch others smoke and to use such occasions to reinforce your desire to stay smoke free. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEEk5-0kj1A&list=PL4F05C03D0F9B86DB&index=15 Related articles: The Palmolive Bottle Demonstration http://ffn.yuku.com/topic/9971 Another slant on how to watch people smoke http://www.ffn.yuku.com/topic/11405 Related video: The Palmolive Bottle Demonstration

Will I Ever Stop Thinking Of Cigarettes? Most people overestimate how much of a battle staying smoke free will be once they quit smoking. This video discusses how people will generally stop thinking about smoking, and much sooner than they usually think. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8310BI-euJw&index=14&list=PL4F05C03D0F9B86DB Related resources: Craves and thoughts that occur over time http://www.ffn.yuku.com/topic/207 Related videos: Tell a newbie how many seconds a day you still want a cigarette Talking to others about not smoking