Still winning

I often have to remind myself it's ok to wait for things. Not everything is now. Smoking was very much an immediate hit, nothing else really is. Restless is just a way of describing normal now. When it's time to do something but that is not immediate and will take some time. x

Sue an Action, epic quit buddy team. To date, no one but Sue has offered to mud wrestle me for the attentions of a quit train fella! She's special :) Petra does the wine nights...go chicky. gabby is back, I love her and I worry ya know. Amy and Sus...proper stalking em! Waiting to pounce. You know who I miss is Iam, that guy was uber passionate and has quit, but just did tickers? Sad times. Markus - vigilant quit man, you shaped my success. Jonny5 - youare quit you are done! Loved his style, he re inforced my fake it till you make it, Some I would miss but I stalked em on facebook so all good. You know what tho, there's some newer quitters who I am so pleased to be around. So I can't be sad for those who moved on or fell off for too long as there's new folks, like we were once, who need us and I kinda like the ever evolving quit train.

I haven't planned a treat!! I did a big celebrational thing for 10,000 not smoked recently but this month feels anti climatic. In a good way I suppose, the quit is a done deal like I said...the cravings are gone...I have a thought and think nah, and carry on with my life. I am lovin the newbies though. They don't post so much though hey, I think that's kinda sad. I remember with fondness some totally pointless and random posts I put in social when I should have just posted please tell me I will be ok :) Although I do really like the daisy perfume thing i was recommended and I'm fairly hopeful my cruddy menopausal (how mean, just after I quit too) skin will benefit from sharons obsession with pricey make up haha. Perhaps I'm just a bit jaded for now. Youngest is poorly, so am I. I really want to say to my insane mother "oh your crazy is showing, might wanna tuck that in again" but I know I have to be the bigger person. I say this because at 364 day quit 14 years ago, I used an emotional situation to career off the quit wagon and I haven't forgotten. In honesty months 8/9 ish I worried about it, I mean life was getting tough...jeez, what if it happened again. Now I know it won't and I'm quite relieved to be honest. Relieved that I'm sure I mean. So 11 months.... I wish a lot of things were different in my life. The quit is not one of them thank goodness. The quit gave me the kick I needed for self respect and to stop burying my head in the emotional sand and I will be forever grateful to all who helped me. Ultimately I have gained so many parts of my life back, most of which I never suspected. I don't miss the emotional tears from nowhere. I don't miss the doubts of whether a smoker like me could even pull this off when so many made "there there" noises to me. I don't miss the wondering what to do next or thinking I will have a smoke then do xyz...oh I don't smoke. I don't miss getting in the car and having a moment. I don't miss the sad feeling I got when I finally connected that smoking was a cycle and I could never do that again, like it was some psychotic best buddy. I don't miss the false thinking that smoking calmed me... I quit for financial reasons, that's what makes me laugh. I quit so I could go to Florida with my kids, which turned into the biggest nightmare holiday ever with my crazy mother. The money is good, don't get me wrong. The pride I feel is EPIC and I didn't see that coming. So maybe for 11 months I can just "be" and not celebrate really. Just enjoy who I am. Who I was always meant to be!! Before smoking took the biggest part of me and made me some crazy addict who did nothing lest it took up smoking time. I really like who I am now ya know, even if not everyone agrees. That's ok. That is my celebration i think...that I am the best Marti I can be today and I am smoke free. Still inspiring others to quit. Still healing people as I was always meant to and a deeper and more spiritual connection to my life than I could have ever imagined. I shall call this quit a good quit :) Love to all. x

Tyme, 2 weeks is a really big deal!! I hope you are doing something massive to celebrate how incredible you are!! Jess, celebrating you here, there and everywhere...well deserved :) Love to you both, keep marching. xx

1 and a half days Julie!! lovin the ticker :)

I haven't planned a treat!! I did a big celebrational thing for 10,000 not smoked recently but this month feels anti climatic. In a good way I suppose, the quit is a done deal like I said...the cravings are gone...I have a thought and think nah, and carry on with my life. I am lovin the newbies though. They don't post so much though hey, I think that's kinda sad. I remember with fondness some totally pointless and random posts I put in social when I should have just posted please tell me I will be ok :) Although I do really like the daisy perfume thing i was recommended and I'm fairly hopeful my cruddy menopausal (how mean, just after I quit too) skin will benefit from sharons obsession with pricey make up haha. Perhaps I'm just a bit jaded for now. Youngest is poorly, so am I. I really want to say to my insane mother "oh your crazy is showing, might wanna tuck that in again" but I know I have to be the bigger person. I say this because at 364 day quit 14 years ago, I used an emotional situation to career off the quit wagon and I haven't forgotten. In honesty months 8/9 ish I worried about it, I mean life was getting tough...jeez, what if it happened again. Now I know it won't and I'm quite relieved to be honest. Relieved that I'm sure I mean. So 11 months.... I wish a lot of things were different in my life. The quit is not one of them thank goodness. The quit gave me the kick I needed for self respect and to stop burying my head in the emotional sand and I will be forever grateful to all who helped me. Ultimately I have gained so many parts of my life back, most of which I never suspected. I don't miss the emotional tears from nowhere. I don't miss the doubts of whether a smoker like me could even pull this off when so many made "there there" noises to me. I don't miss the wondering what to do next or thinking I will have a smoke then do xyz...oh I don't smoke. I don't miss getting in the car and having a moment. I don't miss the sad feeling I got when I finally connected that smoking was a cycle and I could never do that again, like it was some psychotic best buddy. I don't miss the false thinking that smoking calmed me... I quit for financial reasons, that's what makes me laugh. I quit so I could go to Florida with my kids, which turned into the biggest nightmare holiday ever with my crazy mother. The money is good, don't get me wrong. The pride I feel is EPIC and I didn't see that coming. So maybe for 11 months I can just "be" and not celebrate really. Just enjoy who I am. Who I was always meant to be!! Before smoking took the biggest part of me and made me some crazy addict who did nothing lest it took up smoking time. I really like who I am now ya know, even if not everyone agrees. That's ok. That is my celebration i think...that I am the best Marti I can be today and I am smoke free. Still inspiring others to quit. Still healing people as I was always meant to and a deeper and more spiritual connection to my life than I could have ever imagined. I shall call this quit a good quit :) Love to all. x

Tonight won't be "the night" but as close as I can get without kids I think!! 10,000 cigarettes is close. That's utterly mental. 10,000!! I honestly doubted whether "I" could quit. I mean I really thought I was one of those lifers... people told me I was that smoker. Everyone was stunned when I quit. No massive surprise, I could do 2 or 3 packets per day, depending on home or out. My biggest surprise is that I feel good to have it done now. Yes I asked the "how long will I feel like this" and did each phase to it's full capacity. That said, less than a year..I'm alright you know. I smoked from young until I was 38 and some change. Please can someone post the 10,000 cigarette poster thing for me so I can smile my biggest smile. Absolutely winning, feels amazing. I get some people cruise past landmarks but that's not my way. I'm go big or go home and this inspires me to hold on if I ever were to doubt myself. Power of a quitting website ey!! Converts the doubters :) Love to one an all no matter day 1 or forever quit.

Jeez, tough frikkin month chicky. I mean, UBER tough. My heart absolutely goes out to you for all that's happened and how strong you have to be. I think you're an inspiring lady Jess, I really do. I actually don't have the right words but I want you to know I have been rooting for you in my own way and I think you are absolutely fabulous, as is your quit. I am chuffed to bits to read your 4 months and healing summary. xx

Hey Julie, You want advice. Sips of water and fruit juice for a few days to help regulate blood sugar levels which go nuts with chemicals withdrawal. Know each crave lasts 3-5 minutes and then passes, and nicotine is out of your system in 72 hours! Your body is already healing itself after 24 hours, it will continue to do so. Just do today, don't think too big. Write why you want to quit and keep the list on you to read if you waver. Smile!! You're a non smoker already and that's pretty cool :)

nope

Weird, I always thought mint was good for breathing including asthma, poor you Laura. Have you been going for the same brand, maybe change that or what about bubblegum as a back up for now.

That guy needs a haircut ;) I don't get SOA. Sadly I don't get BDSM either haha Off to watch Twilight again I guess...even tho I could be his "auntie" I'd take Jacob for a turn....

Going like a well oiled plan there :) A wine is ok, maybe even 3 or 4, but go easy on getting tanked up if there's access to nicotine. I'm liking the sound of switching gums, that sounds like a big win. x

BOOM!!! 1 week, marching!! You are all kinds of amazing Jackie, massive congrats. x

Jeez 2 day party here we come. Where's the tissues at..... Jess, I want to say you inspire me! Literally, you are an amazing woman and both you and your quit make me feel honoured to know you. Kinda almost nearly 4 months and counting. Much love. x

Hey batgirl, welcome!! I remember the discomfort. We all do. But listen, the hard bit is done! The choice has been made and all we have now is thoughts and feelings of times we would smoke. Sometimes that feels difficult, sometimes it's easier but you made a great choice! Read up, it will help you to try and flip your mindset a little as you never chose to be addicted to smoking but that's what happened...now you choose to get free of that and this was something you could control and do. Massive congrats on your quit to date. x

Goodness but I do feel sorry for your friend. That's the truth, poor her in the freezing cold committing an action that will cause the same reaction in just 20 minutes. In that short span of time it will all start again, addiction fueled merry go round. We all remember that feeling don't we and can easily see the twitch in smokers. Pleased you're free Doreen. x

I am in awe here. I'm sorry you felt like that but recognising it and dealing with it, big up!! :) When are you going out Rob?? Could you follow the advice and write something to remind you of your freedom because, this is SOOOOO worth the fight! Can I offer you my mobile number on Pm in case you get caught short and worry...you're in england right? I agree with all of the above and not wanting to do a meanwhile back at me but more in re-assurance. Week 6, I was nailing my quit, I posted all the time about everything, damn hangnail...worth a post. Over perfume spritzed, worth a post. All of it kept me in touch with my team but week 6 knocked me sideways (it could have been anytime tbh but it was then for me) and the only reason I didn't go down in flames was sos. Have you pre responded to your own sos in that section? Have you promised yourself you will do an sos and wait for 3 responses if you're inclined to do something really dumb like stick something in your mouth and set it on fire? I want to be real for a minute. Sometimes, I used to wish smoking was the answer cause not smoking felt hard. The next day it would be like a gift of an easy day and it would re set me. This does not happen anymore Rob, I promise! I learnt that when it felt hard...THAT IS WHEN THE QUIT WAS GROWING... like got that day done, don't ever have to face that again, winning! You are doing fab Rob, it's ok to wobble but it's not ok to fall down. So take my virtual shove back up again and know we have all been here. We are all absobloodylutely routing for you!

I like this sentiment Bakon. Even on the days with thought's I am content that I quit smoking, most days are a breeze now. I felt like a fraud sometimes saying "it will get easier"...I simply meant you have more easy days. Now a bad day is about people, never smoking, less than a year! Pretty impressive. I want to say I never embraced the suck, there were days I felt damn dreary but I never gave up hope that those before me were telling the truth which is... We all want the freedom from nicotine...crave, fix, crave, fix is absolutely no way to live!!! No matter how tough the moment, we had that the day we chose not to smoke again... This site and these comments are simply inspiring.

Be afraid, be very afraid ;) agreed, i also did not want to let down those who had supported me.

Hey Laura, Only gone and bloody done it!! One month, BOOM!! Brilliant work beauty. Hope you're treating yourself with something lovely!! x

I think it's a superbly powerful quit tool to have people who would will you on. Also the information is invaluable. As Babs said, an educated relapse is always going to be a problem...well done you for not re submerging your head in the sand and coming back. To (kinda) quote Markus he said to guard the quit. That it was the vigilant quit that survived, nothing to do with who was stronger. To (kinda) quote Bakon, NOPE! Can't argue nope, nothing there to argue with, it's a strong statement and one that brooks no disagreement. It's sayings like this and the video's MQ posts and Joels words that we wouldn't get from another place. Smoking cessation clinics are one persons voice, alone it is not entirely believable for some. For me Jac I'm so pleased you're back! No more doubts chicky, hold fast and know "this too will pass" cause it's true, everything, every feeling good or bad passes. x

Well I for one am pleased you're here at all Sharon, plus I love seeing what you cook. Welcome to add me on facebook too, Martine Baxter-Parsons (only one of them on there haha). I agree with what the others have said, my quit was repetedly reinforced with the social side. It's a brilliant pay it forwards tool to have you there. xx

nope

I think it's ok to say something if they bring it to your door. On the whole I'd rather walk away nowadays, who needs the grief. However, I personally have this expression of disbelief in the presence of stupid people, basically I'd be a bad poker player lol.