January 22, 20188 yr I'm heading backtoreality (hence my screen name) after being a smoker for 27 years out of 57. I quit for nine of them and felt the best I've ever felt but relapsed and it started another chapter of smoking for over a decade. My mother lost her life at age 41 (I was 15) to smoking, but that never slowed me down and I considered myself a confirmed smoker who would/could never even consider quitting again. Then my younger sister (another forever smoker) quit a year ago. I was so impressed and amazed that it inspired me to start harboring a tiny flicker of hope that I could quit, too, maybe? I decided to be free from cigarettes two weeks ago (1/11/18) but then spent the first week and a half mooching smokes off people, buying whole packs, smoking one to four of them, then soaking them in the sink and tossing them away. I tried not to beat myself up over it and just kept educating myself and strengthening my resolve. Thanks to Allen Carr's book, The Easy Way to Stop Smoking, I have new hope and a whole other way of seeing this addiction for what it really is. This is Day 4 and it's been emotional and strange quitting. Lots of feelings bombing into my psyche, insomnia for a couple of days running and alternating states of frustrated "arrrgh's" and proudly amazed "ahhh's." What a rollercoaster! It's been a Godsend, having this forum, and I've been educating myself with YouTube videos, the reddit stop smoking forums and lots of books. I put a quit smoking app on my phone and look at my early progress dozens of times a day. I've also cut way back on sugar and caffeine, chugging water instead (which seems to lessen the cravings) Prior to quitting, I drank sweet tea and cola all day, every day, so the concept of hydrating my body with actual water never crossed my mind. Here's to healthy changes! I will never take another puff of a cigarette. No matter what. My final cigarette was smushed out at 10:30 a.m. on January 18th, 2018.
January 22, 20188 yr 19 minutes ago, backtoreality said: I will never take another puff of a cigarette. No matter what. My final cigarette was smushed out at 10:30 a.m. on January 18th, 2018. Always great to see someone say yes to freedom and no to slavery. Welcome to the Quit Train backtoreality and congratulations on taking your life back.
January 22, 20188 yr Yes you can do this BTR!! I watched my father die of smoking related disease as well as a sister and continued to smoke in spite of all that. I just got to some point in my own life where I knew "it was just time". Let this be YOUR time Hang around here and let us support you while you educate yourself even more about this horrible addiction. I think you'll be pleased with what a great tool it is to have a support group like this to help you find your freedom
January 22, 20188 yr Welcome aboard this fabulous train... Its a fascinating journey...plenty of ups and down ..curves in the track...but...will gtake you all the way to freedom... You have the read...the book...you have watched some videos...you have your weapons.... You can do it....commit to NOPE !!!...never take another puff... Come and pledge with us...the days turn to weeks,months, years.... Looking forward to getting to know you better ....
January 22, 20188 yr Welcome to this wonderful train, BTR! Your 5th day is coming to a close soon! This is a great accomplishment. You can definitely do this BTR. We are all doing it here and some of us, like me, never really thought we could. It's a myth that you can't quit smoking or that it's too difficult. It's definitely doable as you can see. Keep your outlook as positive as you can- if you find yourself feeling sorry for yourself, deprived, depressed, angry, whatever, acknowledge that feeling, attribute it to the addiction, and move on. Think instead about the positive aspects of your quit and don't fall into that hole. We're here when you need a boost or a hand-up out of the hole, should you start to fall in. KTQ!!! (Keep that quit!)
January 22, 20188 yr Welcome BTR it is good to have you along on this train. There are many people here that will be more than happy to help you along the way -- especially when the going might get a little tough, there is always a hand there. I have been only doing this for the last 2 1/2 weeks and this sight and the people here have been fantastic. Read, research and post -- it really does help.
January 23, 20188 yr 2 hours ago, Joel Spitzer said: Here are a number resource pages addressing issues you raised here: "I quit for nine of them and felt the best I've ever felt but relapsed and it started another chapter of smoking for over a decade." http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/lost-long-term-quits/ http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/ive-relapsed-and-i-hate-it/ http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/the-lucky-ones-get-hooked/ http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/can-taking-a-break-from-smoking-help-you-get-rid-of-nicotine-tolerance/ "I considered myself a confirmed smoker who would/could never even consider quitting again." http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/i-cant-quit-because-i-am-addicted/ http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/i-cant-quit-because/ http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/breaking-free-from-nicotines-grip-is-more-doable-than-most-people-think/ "My mother lost her life at age 41" http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/premature-deaths-caused-by-smoking/ http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/treat-quitting-smoking-as-if-you-are-fighting-for-your-life/ "Then my younger sister (another forever smoker) quit a year ago." http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/showing-others-that-there-is-life-without-smoking/ "I decided to be free from cigarettes two weeks ago (1/11/18) but then spent the first week and a half mooching smokes off people, buying whole packs, smoking one to four of them, then soaking them in the sink and tossing them away." http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/i-am-doing-okay-im-not-buying-cigarettes/ "I tried not to beat myself up over it and just kept educating myself and strengthening my resolve." http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/dont-beat-yourself-up-for-smoking/ http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/dont-be-so-hard-on-yourself-youre-only-human/ "This is Day 4 and it's been emotional and strange quitting. " http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/understanding-the-emotional-loss-experienced-when-quitting-smoking/ "insomnia for a couple of days" http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/going-back-to-normal-after-quitting/ "What a rollercoaster!" http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/the-real-cigarette-induced-roller-coaster-ride/ "I've also cut way back on sugar and caffeine" http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/blood-sugar-issues-when-quitting-smoking/ http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/why-i-recommend-cranberry-juice-when-first-quitting-smoking/ http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/disorientation-that-may-occur-when-first-quitting-smoking/ http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/possible-changes-in-caffeine-tolerance/ " I will never take another puff of a cigarette." http://whyquit.com/joels-videos/never-take-another-puff/ Sorry, Joel, I just think that is a whole lot of assignments without a lot of empathy for a new quitter. I would have run screaming from the site! BTR, just take it one moment at a time, and remember Not One Puff Ever!! You absolutely can do this...and there are a lot of quitters here to help you!
January 23, 20188 yr Nancy, i love you. Now about the subject at hand, am I the only one who , upon reading the title of this thread, thought, "Ahh, so someone finally got divorced". But yes, quitting smoking feels pretty good too.
January 23, 20188 yr I think it's a shame so many of the Old Timers don't post here often ,or not at all... There has been so many sat on this Train and have reached thier freedom... This has always been a small site compared to others ,that's what has made it different...it's been a friendly happy and supportive community... Face to face interaration is just as important ...
January 23, 20188 yr 5 hours ago, Joel Spitzer said: Hello again Nancy. I actually shot a video a three days ago that kind of touches on the issue you have raised here--of how some people literally ignore efforts that I do to help them to quit. It wasn't regarding Quittrain but more so some other recent outreach I have been doing on YouTube. I didn't post that video here because it didn't seem relevant to me for this board at the time, but in lieu of this conversation it does seem more applicable now. The problem is that when there are tons of videos and links posted everywhere, it becomes Spam. The OP came in and made a comment about how great it was to not be smoking anymore. They didn't ask for 20 links to videos. So also than - not only here but on comment sections of youtube there are tons of links spammed? I wonder how long the creators of those videos are going to want to put up with that mess? Joel I am sure you have helped many and that is great but most people likely do not want non-stop videos shoved down their throats. it would be like if someone mentioned wanting to join a church/find religion or whatever and then suddenly every morning Jehovah Witness came beating down the door and littering the grounds with pamphlets.
January 23, 20188 yr Author Ah, Joel and Nancy, thank you both so much for looking out for me! Joel, your videos are not scaring me; quite the opposite. I want to have as much information in my think-bank as I can and I really like the way you present the topics. And Nancy (that's my sister's name, too!) thank you for stepping up on my behalf to make sure the information wasn't too much/overwhelming. If I could give you physical hugs right now, both of you, I would (and they wouldn't be stinky!) but virtual hugs will have to do. You don't have to give your time and effort and care to this cause, but you do. You pay it forward. I'm getting all teary sitting at work and reading this. Tears of joy! Again, a hundred thousand thanks!
January 23, 20188 yr 7 hours ago, Joel Spitzer said: The person may choose to skip the material but that is their choice. If I were not to post it at all that would be my choice and I feel that would be robbing them of the opportunity to benefit from materials that I have. Choice...it all comes down to choices. Relevant information to quitting is made available here and each quitter has the choice to either digest that information or skip over it. For some the amount of information may seem overwhelming. For others, they may dive into it and learn as much as possible about their new endeavor. Quitters differ. Choices vary. Me personally, I was a consumer of information during the initial phase of my quit. I watched the videos, read the articles, and even got very interested in neuroscience for a while. That's what worked for me, but is by no means a prerequisite for a successful quit. I made the choice for myself to take in as much information as possible. Take what you need and leave the rest.
January 24, 20188 yr 22 hours ago, Nancy said: Sorry, Joel, I just think that is a whole lot of assignments without a lot of empathy for a new quitter. I would have run screaming from the site! BTR, just take it one moment at a time, and remember Not One Puff Ever!! You absolutely can do this...and there are a lot of quitters here to help you! I’m already running screaming from the site Nancy! Thank you! Sorry Joel....just too much. I’m holding my Quit but checking in less & less. ? Edited January 24, 20188 yr by Tyme2B
January 24, 20188 yr 1 hour ago, Tyme2B said: I’m already running screaming from the site Nancy! Thank you! Sorry Joel....just too much. I’m holding my Quit but checking in less & less. ? Stick with us Tyme! We are here for you....
January 24, 20188 yr Tyme....stay with us....just do a daily NOPE.....if this is all you want from here... So good to hear your still quit...this is all that matters !!!!!
January 24, 20188 yr Hey T2B Glad you checked in. You do what ever you need to do to keep your quit. We are here for you if/when you need us. Let us know how you're doing though please. You know how we worry about all our family of quitters. We want everyone to succeed as much as we want our own quits to succeed.
January 24, 20188 yr 21 hours ago, Jetblack said: Joel I am sure you have helped many and that is great but most people likely do not want non-stop videos shoved down their throats. it would be like if someone mentioned wanting to join a church/find religion or whatever and then suddenly every morning Jehovah Witness came beating down the door and littering the grounds with pamphlets. I’m sure your intentions are good Joel but suddenly this fantastic site has become a totally different place with your constant posting of information threads & apparent lack of empathy. I know the ex smokers here & they are all supportive, informative & are empathetic but will give a deserved “boot in the butt” as needed. They suggest a particular video too as needed. But recently the vast number of video threads you suggest every time someone posts are like Advertising & Spam and makes one want to avoid them & the site as we don’t wish to be the next target. I so wish our old Quit Train was back....it was extremely helpful & I miss it. But I’m out here reading....I’m still here Doreen & yes I’ll check in Recip ? Thanks Nancy & JB. Has there been a transfer of Ownership of the QT site? Just askin.... And YES....I have a choice not to smoke and I have a choice to ignore advertising Edited January 24, 20188 yr by Tyme2B
January 24, 20188 yr 2 hours ago, Tyme2B said: I’m sure your intentions are good Joel but suddenly this fantastic site has become a totally different place with your constant posting of information threads & apparent lack of empathy. I know the ex smokers here & they are all supportive, informative & are empathetic but will give a deserved “boot in the butt” as needed. They suggest a particular video too as needed. But recently the vast number of video threads you suggest every time someone posts are like Advertising & Spam and makes one want to avoid them & the site as we don’t wish to be the next target. I so wish our old Quit Train was back....it was extremely helpful & I miss it. But I’m out here reading....I’m still here Doreen & yes I’ll check in Recip ? Thanks Nancy & JB. Has there been a transfer of Ownership of the QT site? Just askin.... And YES....I have a choice not to smoke and I have a choice to ignore advertising Empathy is overrated. Boots in Butts are underrated. That being said ... The Sarge wants to punch a Dude in the face who plays like An Expert in a field in which he has no actual, real-world, life experience. Joel has never smoked. Joel has never been addicted to Nicotine Joel has never had to quit. Nothing personal, Joel. Sarge would feel same about anyone doing same. 'Nuff said. Sarge will say no more on the subject. EZPZ Edited January 24, 20188 yr by sgt.barney
January 25, 20188 yr Of course no one wants to expand on the fact that quitting marriage is another way to freedom and peace of mind. It might sound mean but when I was making my list of reasons to quit, one of them was "At least i do not have to deal with being married". Been divorced for years. I think being married was the reason I started smoking at 27 years old. Edited January 25, 20188 yr by Jetblack
February 14, 20188 yr Author It's backtoreality, here. I quit smoking on January 18th, 2017. I started back again last night. I feel such self-loathing after being so over the moon and happy with my success. Maybe too much? I have been cheating my quit by having "just one" and felt that I could go on that way forever. One a week! The best of both worlds. I couldn't believe it when the first three days of hell were over (because I knew that nicotine only stays in the system for 3 days having done some exhaustive homework and reading these forum entries.) It seemed only too easy, if that makes sense, and I really want to be a nonsmoker. After each "freebie" I swore off of them again and managed to put together 18 days with a single cigarette a week. By week 3, they were tasting foul and I would get a dizzy feeling. But then my dog got sick. No excuse, but I used it as one. After smoking 10 cigarettes in a two day period, I bought a pack. When I went to work, I left it at home. Then I bought a pack at work! What a bone-headed thing to do to my still fragile quit. And now I have to start all over again. I am feeling so low. I let myself down. So how did it happen? I picked up a cigarette and lit it and breathed it in. I got cocky and thought I could Cheat the Monster of Nicotine. I let myself not think about the future and how one turns into a thousand for me. I went to my favorite corner store and didn't let it sink in that I might never have another quit in me and that I will likely die of the complications to my health once smoking was normalized in my brain. I didn't pick up and read my Allen Carr book. I didn't use my S.O.S message. In short, I blew it. And a lapse turned into a relapse. I feel so hopeless, but I'm really not. This evening at dinner I took the packs I bought over the last 2 days, soaked them in water and threw them away. Here's to a new resolve and slowly getting back to where I want to be. Smoke free from here on out.
February 14, 20188 yr Hey BTR, it is good to have you back. I think you have come across a major milestone and that is the belief in NOPE -- Not One Puff Ever. NOPE is so important in your quit and all you have to do is make that pledge each day. I thought at first it seemed a little hokey but that simple phrase has helped me so much. Coming on here each day and making that pledge helps keep me accountable and see the realization that smoking has to come off the table completely. I happy that you are not giving up on your quit and that you have the new resolve. Realize we are not here to judge but to help you through this journey, we are each going through it at the same time. We might be at different stages of the journey but we all know what it is like. Keep it going you can do this.
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