I just thought about something - the main driver that had me start this whole quit smoking thing was that they were raising health insurance rates on smokers at my company. As I was a closet smoker I was left with 2 choices: fess up or quit. (If you smoked and weren't honest about it on the forms you could get the axe.) I was that serious about keeping my secret, I quit.

 

So now almost 2 years later, after I'd quit (smoking), I resigned. Onto greener pastures after 10 years employed there. So the main motivator I'd had to quit is a non-issue now. But yet, the contemplation of smoking is also a non-issue.

 

And I thought I was a lifer. I thought I was wayyyy more addicted than most smokers. So there is hope for us all.

There are no excuses here.  You have proved to yourself you are a non-smoker :)

There are no excuses here.  You have proved to yourself you are a non-smoker :)

2.5 years ago if I was told someone would say something like this about me, I would have never believed it. Not for a second. :)

2.5 years ago if I was told someone would say something like this about me, I would have never believed it. Not for a second. :)

Me either!

After thirty-five years of smoking I didn't think I would ever be able to quit. So I quit thinking and just quit smoking.

Hope where there was none.

Success for the downtrodden.

And it all came from stubbing out that last cigarette. From then on, life just...changed.

I thought I would probably die being a smoker...I felt like a ticking time bomb....

What the use of quiting now....after 52 years...the damage is done....I carnt live without my crutch....

WRONG....on every level.....I'm not going to die a smoker....no way....I can live without my crutch....

and my health has improved so much...it's never too late....

Well done Ava......you did it sweetheart....xx

I know what you mean Ava.

 

I hope that you enjoy your new job :)

We are all special window lickers on the little bus.

Everyone deserves a special meal or gift as a reward no matter how long because it was hard work and we all did it. Anyone who made it a week or even a day got to think the same way....never thought I would really do it and would be stuck forever with those shitsticks

Its sure nice not to have to worry about that smoke controlling your life!

 

Nothing holding you back from doing anything you want too now!

 

Even if its just cleaning windows!

of course my main motivation for quitting was much deeper than this....but back in July 2012 I spoke to my old dear friend from high school who told me he quit smoking.  I always thought of him as a male version of me.  We were a lot alike and used to be smoking buddies too.  I thought to myself  "that's it!  If he can do it, so can I"

Since then....he has quit 2 times...and relapsed both times.  :(

 

I remember his first relapse and the sinking feeling in my stomach...I was only about 6 months in and still shaky.  For a few days...I remember having bad urges to smoke at that time and I know it's because my motivator/quit buddy relapsed...as if it had anything to do with me..lol

 

Recently I spoke to him and once again learned about him smoking again.  Only this time....I felt sad for him but it wasn't a threat to my quit at all. 

We are all special window lickers on the little bus.

Everyone deserves a special meal or gift as a reward no matter how long because it was hard work and we all did it. Anyone who made it a week or even a day got to think the same way....never thought I would really do it and would be stuck forever with those shitsticks

So true Bakon!

I can't even imagine going back to smoking. I have no urges or cravings at 12 weeks thank heavens! Just insomnia....but I am getting medical help for that. I can't imagine EVER going through this again

It gets worse every time

Congrats Ava & everyone else here on our train. We have done this because we have HEART! Yes we deserve treats!