gonfishn21

Thank you guys for the kind words. Who knows, maybe I will hang out more often. I tend to be more like the floating butterfly these days!

Thank you Gus. And you are correct. I have yet to meet the person harmed by quitting. I truly think one must be in the right mindset. You must be quitting for yourself. Beyond that, once you are quit, the world is yours. No more looking for a place to duck out for a smoke. No more missed moments when you do. No more being ruled by an inanimate object designed to slowly kill you under the guise of being your friend. No wool pulled over anyone's eyes. Quitting is tough. And it should be. Nothing worthwhile comes easy.

Ahhhhh! My friend Jillar!!! So nice to see you! I have thought of you often. I hope you are doing well. I very much miss the old days at QSMB. It was a perfect environment to quit. I am in fact seeing my sis next week. Her and her husband are also still nicotine free. Denali, I quit cold turkey after 40+ years of smoking. I can say this: The method does not matter. The best method is the one that sticks. I never wish anyone luck on a quit, I wish you strength, support, commitment and diligence . The beginning is never easy, but the result is glorious. I am almost 8 years quit now, I think. After a while it's easy to lose track. That is when you know you have won. Jillar, I will thank you for being a part of my quit as well. Support is so important. And even though we met after I believe I conquered the demon, the continuing support is crucial. I am proud of you to see that you are still fighting the fight as well. As a smoker I felt picked on. And even though I am not a nicotine nazi now, I know the whole world would be a much better place if smoking had a worldwide ban.

It's been so long I have serious doubts I will be remembered! But, I wanted to pop in and give thanks. I was an old QSMB quitter. There, I made some amazing friends. A few I am still in contact with today. Why is that important? Because quitting, and yes, I am still solidly nicotine free, quitting gave me my life back. I'm here to have those relationships. Although I'm now diabetic, I'm healthier and happier than I have ever been. I have lost all of my quit weight plus, almost 80lbs. I can hike, and breathe! I can dance, and breathe!! For everyone in doubt, those first few weeks are hard, yes they are, but keep going and growing! Love to all!! Gon

I will do that. I am seeing her next weekend. She is still smoke free, as am I. Thanks again for bumping my mental balloons. It's quite an honor.

Thank you so much Jill! I am honored. I am also quite fond of you. I hope you are doing well!!!

Awwwwww, thanks. I was sure feeling it that's for sure!. I pop in now and again to see how the peeps are doing!!!

Wow, this seems so long ago. How cool someone thinks something I wrote helps! As I roll up on 6 years , I think it is, I hope it helps anyone feeling a little weak on their commitment to their selves to quit. You are quitting for you. Be proud for you. Be strong for you. And know I am no special snowflake. Anyone can quit. When it seems tough, and no one is tooting your horn, grab your balloons and and march in your own marching band with your head held high. I'm 50 pounds lighter, much happier and healthier! I never say good luck. Luck has nothing to do with it, IMO. It's all you. Your party, your parade. Just sayin Gon

Congratulations AB! I know how you struggled in the beginning, and I was so hopeful you would hold on. And I am thrilled you did. Gon

Thanks all. Gon has been gone a lot lately, but I still keep a check on those I know. I am so proud of you guys.

Jillar I will. She asks about you! Thank you Greg, have a safe wonderful trip!!!

By the way Jillar, Stacy just celebrated a year free! And her husband too. He quit to support her, and both are free and happy!!!

Awwww, thanks you guys!!!! I was talking to a mutual friend of ours Jonny! I had forgotten it was today! I knew it was this month!. Jillar, I do pop in now and again. I Have been away from home most of the summer working. I am so glad to see both of you going strong! Very proud of you both!!!!

I would light up in my car on my way to my office. Three drags in, I would be coughing up a lung and put it out. 5 minutes later, I would be relighting it, and hacking again. Once I finally made it through a few, I felt fine. On the way home, I looked at the pack. Only three left. After these three, I will quit. And of course, I stopped and bought a carton. After doing this a few times, i again was on the way home and looked to see again I had three left. This time I forgot to get the carton. I was out on my deck. I looked up and asked God for the strength to make the decision. I promised i would go through it all on my own if he just helped me decide. BOOM! I felt it immediately. Call it inner strength, or Divine intervention. It does not matter to me. I did not smoke those last three. I threw them out. A week later I joined QSMB and never looked back.

Excellent post. I it a thing, or an excuse? I do not believe it is either. Just like the long list of symptoms. You may have some, but seldom all. It's a possible condition. It was very strong for me. It led me to write. It concerned me. But I didn't relapse, so it wasn't an excuse. Just something else to be aware of so you are prepared for it if it comes your way. I love this post Nancy.

Tonight I'm making chicken breasts stuffed with mozzarella, spinach and sun dried tomatoes. Served in a cream mushroom garlic sauce. Does not bode well for the waist line, but yum!

Fab, Like everyone else, I have been there. The thoughts of why did I go through this, I'm not happy. I feel deprived, left out, not quite satisfied with anything. And no more pats on the back to sustain me. Yep. No man's land. I like to look at it this way: your addiction is having it's last tantrum to try and lure you back. It's desperate now, because you are winning. It is a last ditch effort to not lose you to the world of non smokers. You have come so far, and your addiction is losing. Stay up on your physical needs, and don't forget to congratulate yourself now and again. And throw in some small rewards as well. This is the last difficult leg of a "Rest of your life journey. I have almost three and a half years now, and I really never ever consider needing one, wanting one, or let alone missing one. You will get there too if you hold strong. Just sayin, Gon

Awesome to see you Jordan!!

I have said this so many times. My partner quit drinking 18 mos. ago. She tells me all of the time, " I can drink today." And I answer," but will you?" Smoking is the same. Of course you can. But then, why are you here? Choosing not to is key. Otherwise you are just abstaining.

Thank you all. This has been trying, but the support from others is always such a comfort. I really meant this to be about the strength of a quit, and no matter what happens in life, it does not "make" you go back to smoking. In the long run they can solidify your fortitude. I am a lucky woman.

Wow. I'm almost 3 years and 3 months quit. The past 4 months have been some of the absolute hardest I have ever faced. Culminating last Thursday in a personal tragedy. Funny, I sure thought about smoking. I thought how it would increase my pain, damage my health when I need to be strongest for a loved one, how many times I would be running out instead of holding a hand, and planning an escape to buy more when I need to be present and listening most. Like all I guess, smoking is such a selfish addiction. Yeah, I thought about it. But I never desired it. I'll live in the present, not the past. No matter what comes my way. I never thought I could be so free of them. Now I truly know, I will never smoke again. Just sayin Gon

Hmmmm, November 15 here, so, I guess you are right!

I also do not pledge nope. My signature on the old site said it all for me. " I no longer smoke. Smoking is no longer an option for me. Smoking is just something I used to do"

Thanks for the welcome all. Great to see good old friends, and new ones on the horizon.

Oh crap, now it's on here twice!!!! Hahahaha!!!