Aine

No glitter, sorry to report. I'd be perfectly content to have a couple of handfuls occasionally; I just don't seem to have come equipped with the basic equipment. Story of my life. . .I've been really depressed over 12 pounds weight gain. I don't plan on using that for an excuse to smoke- just how I've been feeling. On the positive side, the cravings to smoke have lessened considerably so that I am having many hours in a day where the obsessional thoughts are not happening. No cough except when I've tried to kill myself on a piece of gym equipment! I am also totally amazed and appalled at how frigging creative my denial system is and just how plain stupid it is some days. I'm starting to adjust to living life as a non-smoker, and more and more I'm seeing how it is not just a change in a behavior but a change in a mindset, touching on just about every aspect of my life--exercise, eating habit, self image, hobbies, you name it, it seems to need to be looked at in order not to return to smoking.But. . . When I get a bit stuck in my head and feeling all dark and shit, I go outside and see this! It is a really good spring around here this year!

x

no smoking for me today!

How weird! I just finished making some! Don't be scared-- all you need is a blender. And... Can of garbanzo/chickpeas Minced garlic Olive oil Cumin Salt pepper Paprika Sesame seeds ( buy a few cups or so at a whole foods place) Tahini paste is an ingredient in hummis. You can buy it or make it. This takes a few minutes but you don't have to make it every time you want hummis. Ingredients: 5 cups sesame seeds 1 1/2 cups olive oil or vegetable oil Preparation: Preheat oven to 350. Toast sesame seeds for 5-10 minutes, tossing the seeds frequently with a spatula. Do not allow to brown. Cool for 20 minutes. Pour sesame seeds into food processor and add oil. Blend for 2 minutes. Check for consistency. The goal is a thick, yet pourable texture. Add more oil and blend until desired consistency. Yield: 4 cups Storing Tahini Tahini should be stored in the refrigerator in a tightly closed container. It will keep for up to 3 months. Then for the hummis! Put a can of drained chickpeas in the blender and add in about half the liquid. Blend on high until goopy.. Add in garlic to taste (I use about 3 tbsps) blender still running. Add in about 3 tbsps tahini paste. Add in about 1/4 tsp cumin and a dash or two of paprika . Add a drizzle of olive oil, till you have a smooth pudding consistency. Salt and pepper to taste. Voila! You won't have to do the tahini step for awhile so the next batches will only take a couple minutes.

Yeah, what Soberjulie said. :yes3:

Walk now. It doesn't have to be far. Just take a walk enjoy the day. Ice water helps me when I'm craving. You have done what you're supposed to do this is an SOS. No need to feel bad about that. I don't much care how I look right now either. I can relate. My head lies to me about how smoking will help, and my head lies to me about how bad I look. In reality, neither of those statements are true. You're fine Evelyn, and so am I. Enjoy the day if you can.

Generally , the emails that have me chucking the stapler across the office are ones from people who should know stuff I've told them a million times but seem to have forgotten and then attempt to recreate a whole new "thing" that will override what I've already done and then...they excitedly ask me to work hard and actually make the "thing" they have just thought up, smart little buggers that they are . What makes you start shouting if you don't mind me asking?

I will not smoke today!

We blame Julie.

Same thing happened to me the first month after quitting. A couple of days I just burst into tears and sobbed, hard. Grief over letting go of my life long crutch, I think. Whatever the case, it helped to cry. Just know it is normal and it doesn't mean you get to smoke to get through it! (That's what my brain told me, anyway. . . :P

Coming out of the shadows. . . Beautiful.

I am watching -- I will be taking care of my mum today so I'll be off and on . Meanwhile your homework is to watch at least 3 of Joel's videos. They are in the newbie package. You have a choice-- some minutes are harder than others though...you head may be telling you you are a piece of shit but it is lying to you . You are a non smoker. You just have to stay that way just for this minute. Then do it again. Lots of good people here who care!

Smart man.

Hey, Marti, I'm in the same boat. REALLY unhappy with weight gain, 6 pounds, less than I feared, but I started with too many pounds and the years of nicotine did something to my metabolism so I am having to exercise more and eat less than in the past to lose anything. . .it's so frustrating. Nights are where I do the damage; I have not trained myself to put up with the "discomfort" of being mildly hungry. Or any hungry. And, I eat to replace smoking, I think, or some neurotic reason. Doesn't matter, really; I usually am not eating out of hunger. I'm tired when I get home from work. No energy, and the idea of jogging around the house or through the pasture makes me fatigued from the thought alone. . .Hummus was a great idea for awhile, but now, just STOP eating is the goal for the evenings. Sigh. I really, really want some chips about now. Oh, yeah. It's evening. Ok. It's just for tonight. I'm going to pop some popcorn, no butter. Yech. I need bacon.

What I do know is that smokers heal tremendously slower than non smokers. And, much less scarring factor with non smokers, plus, much greater chance of the graft not being rejected. So, yeah for you!

I TOLD you I'd send you the money. Geez.

I am not smoking today. Unless. . . Just kidding.

When did you first start smoking? What do you do for a living? What do you do for fun? Hobbies?

My sister and I made hummus! Homemade. First time. :dance3:

Gym. 3 miles bike and walk, and then spent 25 minutes on things that made my stomach and arms hurt. lol!

Quitting smoking, for me, has been much more than getting through the first 72 hours of physical withdrawal. For some it is easy peasy, for some, it is a bit rougher in patches. I smoked heavy for 40 years. It is taking some time to retrain my brain, so it's perfectly okay to find yourself "uneasy" at this stage, Laura. Glad you are here, by the way! How long did you smoke and when did you quit?

Thank you for staying and giving back, Markus. You have helped me. Best wishes.

And, it has been minute by minute several times for me. You are right. They add up. :)

Why do you want to quit?