Joel Spitzer

You are welcome Julian: Here is a resource pages addressing the fantasy and appeal of cigarettes, as well as another addressing the comment of saying you loved smoking: http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/the-fallacy-of-good-cigarettes/ http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/i-smoke-because-i-like-smoking/

Hello Berkshiredrifter: Here are a few resource pages to help you face encountering smokers again: http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/watching-others-smoke/ http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/videos-related-to-facing-or-avoiding-triggers/ http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/going-to-places-where-you-cant-smoke-when-first-quitting-smoking/ http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/can-second-hand-smoke-cause-relapse/

Hello Julian: Congratulations on 53 days. I want to caution you though on one thing. Once a person had established an addiction to nicotine--that relationship is never over. Former smokers who were "once addicted" to nicotine are in fact still addicted to nicotine. It is just that once they get far enough into their quit that addiction becomes asymptomatic. There is basically no outwardly signs of that addiction and the former smoker may begin to think that as you say their relationship is over. Again though, their addiction is still there and if given any opportunity can take the person down in an instant. Check out the video and resources on this page: http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/i-know-too-much-about-smoking-to-ever-be-able-to-relapse/ While it was titled "I know too much about smoking to ever be able to relapse" it could have easily have been titled, "I hate smoking so much to ever be able to relapse." Another page worth looking at on this topic is http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/what-should-i-call-myself/ One last page that ties well into this topic is http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/can-taking-a-break-from-smoking-help-you-get-rid-of-nicotine-tolerance/ While your physiological dependence with nicotine is not over, your chance of ever being an active smoker again will be over as long as you make and stick to a personal commitment to never take another puff. Joel

Related resources to waiting to get sick to quit: http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/i-will-quit-when/ http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/waiting-to-bottom-out/

One other resource page addressing the fear of not being able to quit is this one: http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/the-fear-of-failure/

You will continue to stay in control but not so much by being "tougher" as in toughing it out, but by being smarter than nicotine. When it comes down to it, being smarter than nicotine is really quite simple considering nicotine has no intelligence what so ever. Check out the page http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/resources-related-to-the-importance-of-being-smarter-than-nicotine-as-opposed-to-having-to-be-stronger/. It addresses this issue.

There are so many people who face a similar fear--that after years or decades of smoking there just is no way that they can quit smoking. These people are wrong. Here is a resource page addressing this issue: http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/breaking-free-from-nicotines-grip-is-more-doable-than-most-people-think/ My most powerful page addressing the issue of people feeling that they can't quit is this one: http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/i-cant-quit-or-i-wont-quit/ One other page worth mentioning here is http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/unexpected-benefits-after-quitting/ Sharing your insights here are hopefully helping others who find they way here to realize that there is life after smoking and you can keep that life by finally making and sticking to a personal commitment to never take another puff.

Here are a few resource pages on issues you raised here: http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/smoking-triggers/ Video addressing complacency (Similar to term you used of cocky) http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/craves-and-thoughts-that-occur-over-time/ Lots of resources to help face thoughts that may happen over time)

Here are a couple or resources pages that tie really well into your observations here: http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/quitting-smoking-can-make-you-calmer-happier-and-healthier/ http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/i-feel-100-better-since-i-quit-smoking/

Just a quick question here. I believe I am having an issue with my YouTube video counters. Just want to make sure. I put this video here at Quittrain before releasing it on my YouTube channel. My YouTube video counter says no one has seen this yet, but I believe the counter here says 9 people have seen this new post. One moderator confirmed that she watched the video, so I am thinking that there may be an issue with my YouTube counters for videos watched here at Quittrain. Its not really a big deal but just a point of curiosity for me. Can anyone else confirm to me that they watched the video, or even just clicked it and watched it for a few seconds. Just want to know if this is an actual issue or not. Thanks. Joel

Short video I shot three years ago introducing this particular article.

Just shot a new video addressing this issue. Here is a link to the video:

Many people when first quitting smoking want to know what physical symptom they should expect to have. This video explains why it is impossible to answer this question with 100% accuracy for any individual person quitting. Related resources: Every quit is different Comparing quits with others What is nicotine withdrawal really like? Does nicotine withdrawal really last for months or years? Going back to normal after quitting Why I recommend cranberry juice when first quitting smoking Blood sugar issues when quitting smoking Is anyone else experiencing the symptom of…? Is this a symptom of quitting smoking? (part 2)

Check out these resource pages: http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/i-feel-100-better-since-i-quit-smoking/ http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/feel-how-smoking-affects-the-lungs/ (Highlights the kind of breathing problems you really are minimizing the risks of by having quit smoking)

One other point I need to make is once past the first three days, be really careful about writing off new symptoms to simply being caused by not smoking. In most states in America we are right now on the peak of a much higher than average flu season. Check out the resources on the page http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/after-quitting-smoking-is-there-such-a-thing-as-the-quitters-flu/ that addresses this kind of time period.

Video discusses how it is impossible to determine with any certainty what kind of withdrawals or problems a person may encounter when quitting because every quit is different. Every quit is different. Not only that, when a person quits multiple times, each one of those quits are different also. Some people quit and have a terrible time, relapse down the road and are terrified to quit again because they “know” what will happen the next time. Well, actually they don’t know, the next time may be a breeze in comparison. On the alternate side, some people have an easy quit, go back with the attitude, “Oh well, if I have to, I’ll just quit again.” They may find the next quit horrendous, and possibly not be able to pull it off. The reason I mention this is it is possible that you won’t have any major symptoms this time. I have had a lot of four pack a day smokers who smoked 40 plus years who toss them with minimal withdrawal. The reason they never tried to quit before is they witnessed people who smoked one fourth of what they did go thorough terrible side effects and figured, “If it did that to them, it will kill me.” But when the time came, their quit was easy in comparison. You may find that this quit will be relatively easy. Stranger things have happened. But if it does, don’t think this didn’t mean you weren’t addicted. The factor that really shows the addiction is not how hard or how easy it is to quit. What really shows the addiction is how universally easy it is to go back. One puff and the quit can go out the window. Summing up, the first few days may be relatively easy, or for some, it may be very difficult. Who knows? The only thing we know is once you get past the third day nicotine free it will ease up physically. Psychological triggers will exist but more controllable measures can be taken with them, basically keeping your ammunition up for why you don’t want to be a smoker. Easy or hard, quitting is worth it. Once you have quit for even a few hours, you have invested some effort, time, and maybe even a little pain. Make this effort count for something. As long as you hang in there now, all of this will have accomplished a goal. It got you off of cigarettes. After that, to stay off, the make or break point simply translates to…Never Take Another Puff! Joel Related resources: Comparing quits with others Amount smoked The fear of failure “If I relapse I’ll smoke until it kills me” Breaking free from nicotine’s grip is more doable than most people think What is nicotine withdrawal really like?

You are welcome Octain.

http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/feel-how-smoking-affects-the-lungs/ addresses breathing issues http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/does-everything-smell-and-taste-better-after-you-quit-smoking/ http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/weight-related-videos/

Check out these resource pages: http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/videos-related-to-facing-or-avoiding-triggers/ Addresses the garage http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/smoking-breaks/ Addresses the time issue http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/why-many-people-cough-more-after-quitting/ Addresses one reason why you may be clearing your throat quite often

Check out the resources on the page http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/i-will-not-smoke-today/ It relates to the value of using your first though every day to being that you have quit smoking.

Thanks reciprocity, that explains why it was taking me so long find a delete button.

One other page I think that is worth adding here is http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/use-of-the-terms-nicodemon-and-hell-week/ It addresses a couple of commonly terms that people often use when regarding quitting that their imagery can cause fears in people considering quitting. Again, they are highlighting issues that are unwarranted fears.

Hello Jerry: That is what a number of the resources on that page were addressing---although not that the fears were stupid as much as they were irrational. Yet they are fears that are very common and keep many smokers from even trying to quit. Also, mentioned above was the comment about expected problems at other specific time periods after a quit. Check out the resource pages http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/the-terrible-3s/ and http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/predestined-bad-days-after-quitting-2/. That second page has lots of additional resources on the bottom addressing longer term issues that can generate fears for smokers first trying to quit and help explain why most of these fears are also unwarranted. The last fear that I am going to address on here is how many people fear they are destined to relapse. As the page fear of relapse addresses though this fear is totally unwarranted for anyone who makes AND sticks to his or her personal commitment to never take another puff. Joel

You are welcome Latoya: Most smokers are afraid of quitting and don't think they are going to make it too far--often discounting their first few days quitting and sometimes even longer as a fluke--fearing that they are eventually and inevitably going to relapse. That fear of relapsing even stop some people from even starting a quit. The page http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/the-fear-of-relapsing/ addresses this issue and provides a number of other pages that can help former smokers from securing their quits.. As far as for still thinking about them, check out the resources on the page http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/craves-and-thoughts-that-occur-over-time/ Just know that in reality, thinking about them poses no real risk. The resource page http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/actions-speak-louder-than-words-or-thoughts/ addresses this issue. Your quit will stay strong and secure as long as you simply stick to your personal commitment to never take another puff. Joel

I forgot to use the quote feature when replying to Jerry so copied what was here to the post below. Is there a way for a member to delete his or her own post on the board?