Aine

Sparkles AND Jiminy--well done! Because you know what a hot damn sparkly person I am!

52 here and menopause started last year. Think I'm almost through the worst of it. . .moderate hot flashes; yeah, fans and arguments with hubby over "you can't be hot," etc. But, usually sitting down, drinking ice water, and 15 minutes later it's pretty much over. I eat lots of garlic; don't know yif that has helped with minor hot flashes or not. I chose to avoid the artificial hormone route. Lots of reasons, negative stories, etc. but mostly, trying to accept that aging is a part of life and thousands of years of women like us have gone through it just fine. Course, I want my own "hut" on the edge of the village quite frequently. . . Part I hate is the changes in skin and this weird weight gain around the middle. I've never been exactly svelte, but this is just weird. Sigh. Part of life. Right.

6 months clean off nicotine tomorrow. And, a live husband. Life IS a peach. Thanks all of you for being here. The support made it possible.

Good to hear from you, Lady bug! Hope you post more, and I don't know why it would ever be a bad thing to tell people who want to stop smoking to come here or any other forum that could be helpful. I tell people who express a desire to stop smoking how I did it. That is all one can do, really. Attraction rather than promotion. . .

It is not weakness. It is addiction. Nature of the beast, I'm afraid. Killable, however!

Day 3 does seem to be pretty rough for most of us. It was terrible for me. Better after that until day 7, then a couple of pretty good weeks until a few bad hours around week 3. Hang in. It can be done and you can do it. Big tobacco loves to spread the lie that relapse is almost a foregone conclusion. They lie, too

children: number one reason for me. No matter what I tell myself when I want the relief of a drag for a momentary buzz, it is the heights of self absorption to believe I am not actively abusing my 13 year old son. Reality: I don't want to smoke a cigarette. I want to smoke MANY cigarettes. Quickly and frequently until I die. Which, given my 3 pack a day habit, probably was not as far in the future as I had hoped. Don't lie to yourself, get past the momentary ( minutes or days) discomfort. Believe all of us when we say it gets better. Not quickly or overnight for many of us, but each day is easier and more comfortable than the previous one. Your body says you HAVE to. It lies.

Congrats Julie !

You have had a little time. Do it now. It will be no different tomorrow, next month, or in 20 years. Except your lungs. They might be different.

There is quit, and then there is smoking. Cutting down? Sounds like kinda pregnant. . .lol! You can quit now, Amy. Toss the paraphernalia, and stay close to the forum. Get the healthy snacks ready and the licorice. I'm 5 months a non smoker now; 3-4 packs a day for 40 years and I was pretty convinced I was not able to quit. I have 2-3 craves a day right now, which is a bit unusual, but I'm in the middle of moving to a new place and my husband and I are pretty busy trying to get settled, so I'm blaming it on stress right now. The craves are seconds long, then the rest of the day I don't think about smoking much. Overall, life is better than I expected, but then, it usually is. :lol2: All of that was basically, "if I can do it, then you can, too." Or, just pop in and chat with us! I like seeing your pretty smiling face!

so, will you be moving the dirt back today?

I and my son took our bikes (bought one for30 dollars off the side of the road In someone's yard) and I rode 4 1/2 miles! 25 years ago, as a smoker, I could barely ride 2 miles. Hehehhee!

You have a camera, right? Want to see! It's not about who spent the most money on paying the landscaper, it's about who you are. I love kid's toys interspersed with overgrown flowers and chimneys are just plain cool, I don't know why. Always liked them, though.

Grape Arbor Herbs Big Garden More Herbs Spring

If nicotine weren't addictive, then will power would work in stopping me from having that second smoke. I've never been one of those people with willpower, anyway. Except the will to continue to get those substances I have been hooked on! For me, the above scenario does seem to have led to repercussions, though.I can sure relate with the mind set and excuses, though. My brain goes to a similar place; just can't express it as well as you did!

She could have said you were trying to suck it; which brings up several questions, really. . .

I don't think it's dumb. I have several "boy, it would be good to smoke" moments a day. Yesterday only a couple, but today, several. They don't last long, and I just repeat to myself, "you aren't smoking just one, you are going to smoke 3 packs a day". That so far does it for me! Just have to realize that I'm not smoking today. Maybe tomorrow. Not today.

Love you and how can I help? That's my standard response to those I care about. Like you said, anything else just comes off sounding insensitive it seems, according to feedback I've received in the past :-) Sympathies, Marti. It sounds like a tough deal all around.

I am a red head and allergic to everything I think. Sulfur based antibiotics do it too. Red wine red anything that has red food dye in it, any processed pork such as sausage and smoked ham that has nitrates. I avoid Chinese food because of the msg. End up with skin rashes . My dermatologist said it was a common list for redheads particularly. I sympathize. I resort to no oral meds except dye free Benadryl at night and over the counter cortisone cream for day. Diet goes back to as plain as I can make it for a couple of days. Plain chicken or turkey sweet potatoes rice any veggies. I always clear up if I do that. Good luck--it is miserable I know.

Just starting <I>Mr. Mercedes. . .

Korean drama

Here! smoke free, 3 months no smoke, ten pounds heavier, lost a pound finally so may be on the way down rather than up! Found a muscle, I think? On my leg from my gym time-- probably a tumor or something. . . And 3 new recipes for hummus!!! Evenings are still tricky because I am not doing much except computer. Days though are pretty good without a lot of thought for smoking. Sat in a restaurant a few days ago and the smoke didn't smell that good (it has been smelling pretty good to me so I have tried to avoid it). Just an update--back to work a bit and not posting as much).

No smoking today!

Logging in here and sending out SOS messages and practically living in chat the first 3 days and reading and watching all the literature in the newbie packet made it possible for me to get a whole day clen off off nicotine . All forms--no patch, synthetic or burning it. I smoked 3 packs a day and I didn't think I could quit. I haven't smoked today, though, and those days add up if you want . Glad you are here.

Good to know you are enjoying yourself--you deserve it! Good to hear from you, too!