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Post by slim on Feb 6, 2023 23:53:53 GMT -5
Do you want to Quit Smoking: If you are interested in quitting smoking, there is something you should know. The first few days, weeks, even months after quitting, nicotine withdrawal may seriously challenge your determination and commitment. Even with the help of smoking cessation aids, minute to minute living can be quite difficult. Do not kid yourself, quitting smoking can be one of the most difficult things you may ever attempt. Anyone suggesting the contrary was never really addicted to cigarettes.
Someone contemplating quitting may have two immediate questions; ‘How do I make it through the first few days and weeks and secondly, how long does my recovery take?’ The answer to part one of the question is difficult but there is one certainty. You must have a plan. You are not going to be able to just toss your cigarettes aside and just forget about them. If smoking cessation aids are available, use them. If you have one or more in mind but aren’t sure how to use them, put your question on the board. You’ll be surprised at all the things you’ll learn. You must also have an attitude. You must be serious about this. Few people are able to quit on the first attempt. You must have the mind set that dictates nothing and no one is going to get in your way. You must have a support network. Forget about short-cuts, magic and voodoo. There are no easy solutions to breaking this habit, particularly a habit that is so ingrained in your being that it has become part of you, part of your existence. Make no mistake, the nico-beast is a tough hombre and your job is to kick him out of your life. Problem is, he isn’t going peacefully. You happen to have an addiction and the sooner you accept this idea, the sooner you will be able to understand the problem and take action to resolve it.
How long will this process take? Who knows. Everyone is different, but a common thread of the successful quitters is having ample support. We always suggest you visit this site as long and as often as you can. You’ll never be short of support. You’ll find people at all different stages of quitting and are quite willing to share their experiences. We have lots of attitude. We hate the beast.
The following are a few tidbits which may help you along the way.
1) Decide to avoid (at any cost) any kind of argument, confrontation, heated discussion. These types of stress are real quit busters.
2) Get physical – work out, begin a new hobby or pursue a new interest, go for a walk
3) Don’t sit around and mope feeling sorry for yourself. Boredom and pity can take its toll on new quitters. Don’t let the ‘junkie thinkin’ syndrome take over.
4) Go to bed early – nicotine withdrawal will play havoc with your body, mind, and spirit. If you are tired, go to sleep, don’t fight it. The more you sleep, the better.
5) Stay away from other smokers for the time being. Why tempt yourself. If you are having cravings (which you will), have an idea of what you are going to do to get your mind on other things.
6) Stay away from booze, limit fried foods and sweets. It’s okay to treat yourself to a few goodies because you should reward yourself. Just don’t get carried away.
7) Keep your eye on the prize. You have to recreate your own image. Your new image is a person who no longer smells, who no longer walks around in a cloud of smoke. You must visualize yourself as a non-smoker because you no longer smoke.
Watch other non-smokers. You’ll be wondering what to do with yourself after a meal. You’ll wonder what to do with your hands while sitting in your favorite chair watching TV. Somehow, some way, millions of other non-smokers are able to do it. Watch them. If you get anxious, get up, walk around and spend that nervous energy. You may as well get some exercise since you are not smoking.
9) You must have support. If family isn’t an option, try a friend or stay close to the support group at this site…You won’t find a site with more caring people and more prepared to lend a helping hand.
10) Keep the faith. Have faith in your God, have faith in yourself. Do what you have to do to stay the course. The beginning stage of your quit will provide a few not so pleasant days. However, the faith you hold and your determination to quit will pull you into the sunlight and a new world will suddenly present itself. Experience this new world, embrace it, enjoy it. Do it while you still have the choice.
just4u -- Bubb
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Post by slim on Feb 6, 2023 23:08:24 GMT -5
Hi Don,
Its been a while since I cruised this site. I do wonder where all the folks go these days for online support. It was such a huge reason why we all made it through the quit process. I actually get very nostalgic when coming here. So many emotions come flooding back into my head. How has it been that over 21 years have passed since i last took a puff. Seems like yesterday we were stalking this board for support, advise, encouragement, laughter and friendship! Honestly, Don, you were a big help to me in my early quit days. Thank you! and if anyone else pops in, Thank you for everything. Happy 2023 to all and Keep the quit!
Still quit 6/11/01
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Post by slim on Jan 7, 2018 13:58:20 GMT -5
Wishing everyone that comes by a Very happy and healthy smober New Year! I am enjoying a smokefree life and now I just pray my kids stay that way as well. Alyssa is 22 and Andrew is 18. I know, Crazy. I am over 16 years smokefree and ever grateful for the help i received here at smokebusters and Just4u. Best wishes to all.
_slim reborn June 11, 2001
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Post by slim on Aug 8, 2017 22:23:44 GMT -5
Hello my fellow quitters. I saw the bookmark and thought I would stop by and say hi. Seems like I lived on every post of this board for years and managed to stay quit. Its so nice to live life without the nasty smokes. Don, I finally past 16 years...you will always be ahead of me leading the way, and i can't thank you enough for all your words of wisdom and encouragement. I am very thankful for this board and all the contributors. A really big part of my life! I am doing fine, my kids are now adults and smokefree thank goodness. Hope everyone is doing well and living the good life. _slim Reborn 6/11/2001
One of the first posts when i joined the original Just4u board...thank you Judyb "Welcome Slim, I'm glad that you found this board. It is full of wonderfully experienced quitters. Don't give up on your quit, especially during the urges. Come here and post, whether it's gibberish or just questions. The folks here are helpful. Slim, the "brain fog" will pass also. You're getting more oxygen than you've had in ages plus your body is trying to detox from all of the chemicals you've introduced it to from smoking. Hang tough.
I can't add to all the wonderful advice you have received up there, so I'll just post this:
41 TIPS FOR GAINING FREEDOM FROM NICOTINE
1.It's not as hard as you think. Once you begin to be honest with yourself and to look at the facts about smoking, it will become a pleasure to remove this addiction from your life. 2.Square off with your smoking habit. Look at it and size it up. Ask yourself exactly what it is doing for you; then ask yourself what it is not doing for you. You can begin with your hair and work your way down to the tips of your toes. It is a medical fact that smoking affects every organ in the human body in a harmful way. 3.Look at quitting cigarettes as giving yourself a gift-a very big gift. You are giving yourself a better quality of life and, very possibly, a longer life. You are giving yourself a healthier body. You are giving yourself more self-esteem. Wrap all this in a package and look at it for the gift it really is, then "Go for it!" 4. Set a date. Make a commitment. Give it a try. Remember, it is all right if you don't succeed at first. Just keep trying. The only way you can lose is by ceasing to try. 5.Don't look at it as if you are giving up something. This makes it seem too much like a loss. What you are really doing is tossing something out of your life that has done you harm and doesn't belong here anymore. You are throwing away pure garbage. No longer are you going to allow your lungs to be resting place for nicotine and tars. 6.Always keep a positive attitude. After all, this is one of the most positive things you've ever done. Stay away from negative people and worrisome situations. 7.Quit for yourself. Even though your family and loved ones will benefit tremendously from your quitting, it is you that will benefit the most. 8. Treat giving up smoking with the respect it rightly deserves. Become willing to go to any lengths to remove it from your life. If you are not willing, try praying for the willingness. This usually works. 9.Look up the work 'nicotine' in your dictionary and write down the definition in big letters: "A poisonous alkaloid used as an insecticide." Put it where you can see it. 10.Don't say, "I'll take my chances" and continue to smoke. They are not ours to take. We didn't give ourselves life and we don't have the right to "take our chances" on giving it away. That is up to a higher power. 11.Don't fool yourself by saying you have too many pressures in your life right now to give up cigarettes. If you are smoking, this in itself is a pressure, a very great pressure. Every day is a gamble and your life is at stake. By getting nicotine out of your life, other things will become easier to handle. You will feel better about yourself and you will have more energy. You will have accomplished something more meaningful than all the money and material objects you could ever acquire. You will have given yourself what no one else could give you. You will no longer have the pressure of being a smoker. 12.Don't use the excuse that you might gain weight to justify your continuing to smoke. Even if you do gain a little, the fact that you will be more active and will get more exercise should counteract any weight gain. Remember, overeating, not stopping smoking, causes weight gain. 13.Plan to do things that will keep your mind off smoking. Sometimes our minds can be our worst enemies. They will tell us that we need a cigarette for just about any reason that is handy at the time. By doing things like going to the movies in the non-smoking section, munching on corn or sucking on a lollipop, we can keep our minds occupied and get a break. Go to museums and other places where smoking isn't allowed. Swimming is a good idea, too. 14. Quit smoking one day at a time and think only about the part of the day your are in. "I am not going to smoke before noon." "I am not going to smoke before 3 o'clock." Sometimes just do it one hour at a time. This is a lot easier than trying to quit forever. 15.Don't subject yourself to smoky situations. If you do come in contact with someone who is smoking, just say to yourself "He is having the cigarette I might be having" then, be grateful you don't have to have it. 16.While you are quitting, look at it as an investment. Once you have quit for one hour, you have invested this hour in becoming a healthier person. Now, invest one more hour. Continue to add to your investment hour by hour. It will grow and become more valuable as the hours go by. You will begin to see and feel the rewards from this investment more and more. Protect and guard it just as you would a treasure. 17.Start being kind to yourself. It is the beginning of a new way of life for you and you are the most important one there. Treat yourself with respect and love and remember, you are no longer filling you system with poison every few minutes. Breathe the clean air and breathe it deeply. Smell the different and wonderful fragrances. Begin to spend time outdoors close to nature. Many new sensations await you. 18. Don't get too angry. If we are angry, our minds tell us we need a cigarette to cope. Until your mind learns that it doesn't need a cigarette to cope, try to avoid situations that might be setting you up. Avoid certain people that may bother you. If you can't get some time off, quit smoking on a long weekend. Avoid, as best you can, things like getting stuck in traffic. Use a lot of caution. Anger can be very destructive. 19. Don't get too hungry. It is amazing how our minds will tell us that everything's wrong when all we really need to do is eat. 20. Don't get too tired. If we are tired, it is easy to become irritated and when we get irritated our minds will tell us that a cigarette will help. Our overall resistance becomes weak and it is easy to say, "Oh well, I guess I'll have a smoke." 21. Don't get too lonely. It is good to know some people who are going through the same thing. (QUITSTOP!!!!!) 22. You can remember these four things by the word "HALT" Hungry, angry, lonely, tired. If you feel you need a cigarette, check. Make sure you are not experiencing any of these. 23. Don't get too bored. It is hard to just sit and not smoke. Keep busy. Find things to do that you enjoy. Bike riding, hiking, swimming, exploring new places, and trying new restaurants. This is the time to indulge yourself. 24. Have something to fidget with. We are accustomed to holding a cigarette; being without one might leave our hands at a loss. Get a small rubber ball or a yo-yo. Play dough is good also or a piece of clay. 25. Have something handy to put in your mouth. Life Savers, sugar-less gum, lollypops, etc. Avoid fattening foods like cookies. They don't last long and they fill you up. Experiment while you are still smoking to see what will relieve the craving. If Life Savers work, that stock up. 26.If you always have a cigarette with a cup of coffee, stop drinking coffee before you quit smoking. 27.Don't drink alcohol while you are quitting. Once alcohol is in you system your defenses will be greatly diminished. 28.Remember that the discomfort you experience in the first 2 weeks will definitely come to an end and you will never have to go through it again. 29.Frequently give yourself a pat on the back. What you are doing isn't easy by any means. It takes a lot of guts to try to quit smoking. 30.If you are feeling pain from withdrawal, let it become a lasting memory to serve as a reminder of exactly how strong the drug nicotine is and how hooked you really are. 31.Remember, every minute you were sucking on cigarettes they were sucking on you. They were sucking the very life out of you. Don't let them have anymore. 32. Avoid the self-pity trap. If we begin to feel sorry for ourselves, our minds will tell us that we deserve a cigarette to make us feel better. 33. Remember, If you just keep trying, you will win. It is good against evil and the odds are stacked in your favor. 34.Before quitting, plan your activities for the first few days after you quit. This way you won't have to make too many decisions while you are withdrawing. At first, making decisions may be hard without a cigarette. 35.If you are not going to quit right away, then start cutting down. If you smoke 2 packs a day and you cut back 1 cigarette a day for a month, you will be down to just 10 cigarettes a day. Some people, however, have found cutting back to be almost as hard as quitting. 36.Drink lots or liquids to help flush the poison out of your system. Orange juice is good because smoking depletes the Vitamin C content in our bodies. 37.Remember, it is the first cigarette that gets you started. It takes only one. This is the one you don't have. You can always put off lighting that first one for a little while. Don't fool yourself and think you can start and stop at will. You can't. Many people have tried this and gone on to live the rest of their lives never to experience freedom from nicotine again. 38. Frequently remind yourself about the differences you have noticed in yourself. Things like: Your breath no longer smells like a dirty ashtray, Your fingers aren't stained from tobacco, That sickly sounding smoker's cough is disappearing, Your senses of smell and taste are returning, Your complexion is beginning to improve, Your general attitude about yourself is better because you are beginning to really care about yourself. 39. Give it away. Whenever you have a chance to give your experience, strength, and hope to another smoker, use it. This act of giving will insure your chances for staying off nicotine and give strength to others who need it. There is much reward in helping someone else to gain freedom from this harmful substance. 40. Have a follow-up program. Don't assume it is over because you have made it through a couple of weeks. Nicotine is very cunning. (QUITSTOP!!!!) 41. WHEN YOU WANT A SMOKE, READ THIS LIST OF TIPS!!!!! judyb Two years, ten months, three weeks, six days, 12 hours, 27 minutes and 11 seconds. 37188 cigarettes not smoked, saving $3,700.22. Life saved: 18 weeks, 3 days, 3 hours, 0 minutes."
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Post by slim on Jul 4, 2014 0:16:45 GMT -5
I meant to post here on my 13th year of freedom! Don, its awesome that our kids didn't have to grow up with us smoking away! I am confident that we will all benefit from that decision. And it was just that.... a decision to become smokefree. One of the hardest things i have ever done without question!!!! Country, your in my thoughts...I pray that everything is fine! Quit: 06/11/2001 at 18:30:00 13 Years 3 Weeks 1 Day 6 Hours 36 Minutes 26 Seconds. Cigarettes not smoked: 143108. Money saved: $28,621.65. Time/Life saved: 2 Yrs 8 Mos 2 Wks 5 Days 19 Hrs 22 Mins 35 Secs
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Post by slim on Feb 8, 2014 18:42:51 GMT -5
Quit: 06/11/2001 at 18:30:00 12 Years 7 Months 4 Weeks 3 Minutes 43 Seconds. Cigarettes not smoked: 138750. Money saved: $27,750.02. Time/Life saved: 2 Yrs 7 Mos 2 Wks 4 Days 13 Hrs 46 Secs Good stuff! I am almost up to the Car i want in savings. Always amazed me that I wasn't able to quit on the lost dollars alone..Needed something else for sure! Thank you my friends.
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Post by slim on Jun 4, 2013 23:12:47 GMT -5
Hey Don and Ann I am still here doing the smokeless thing still! I was driving down the road today and came to a stop light....a gal was smoking in a car next to me...amazing how powerful the smell was and continued as i drove away. Hard to imagine going back to smoking after almost 12 years. Like you Don the kids are growing up fast...and i have become this older dad. My shoulder is killing me and the pants are getting snug. May have to do some diet and exercise myself. 72 and Sunny here in Michigan...Loving it!
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Post by slim on Mar 1, 2013 23:11:52 GMT -5
Hey Country....seems like we have all moved on to the smokefree zone. Being from Michigan I am really looking forward to some Spring like weather!! cheers to you Smoke Free since 6/11/01
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Post by slim on Aug 31, 2012 18:33:31 GMT -5
I am coming up for air this Labor day weekend. I sure need a day off. Wearing two hats is like having two jobs. Looking forward to the long weekend and some long overdue rest. Don, hang in there in my friend. Sounds like things are leveling off for you anyways. If i had smoking in my life right now...it would take to much time. haha
Country...i am sorry to hear that news. Praying things go well for you.
Have a great smokefree Labor day weekend all!
11 Years 2 Months 2 Weeks 6 Days 1 Hour 3 Minutes 12 Seconds. Cigarettes not smoked: 122971. Money saved: $24,594.26. Time/Life saved: 2 Yrs 4 Mos 23 Hrs 13 Mins 10 Secs
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Post by slim on Aug 9, 2012 21:45:04 GMT -5
Hello all
Still working too much and just coming up for air at this point. The good news is the bills are getting paid ;D
Toots toots Toots Congrats on say 4. It's a worthwhile challenge that very well can save your life! Keep the quit!
Don, Hopefully things will go well with your daughter....I am sure it's frustrating experience to deal with something like that....Just go away already!!!! As for the gulf Coast, we go to the Gulf Shores, AL area with white sandy beaches and lots of southern charm. Pensacola, FL and Mobile. AL are both interesting cities and lots to do. I have never been to the New Orleans coastal area..i am sure that would be cool too. If you want to go more south down the Florida Gulf coast....i am sure you will find lots to great coastal destinations. I hear about Fort Myers alot. I can say i haven't been to the Atlantic side in many years....not sure where to go.....but how can go wrong if you are on the water.
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Post by slim on Jul 23, 2012 21:33:45 GMT -5
Heat index is up again. Might have to migrate to the water's edge this weekend. No smoking here!
Don, hope things go well for you ....good news would be nice! these kids keep me going....
Flo and Judy....Nice!
11 Years 1 Month 1 Week 5 Days 3 Hours 56 Minutes 51 Seconds. Cigarettes not smoked: 121804. Money saved: $24,360.99. Time/Life saved: 2 Yrs 3 Mos 3 Wks 2 Days 20 Hrs 49 Mins 20 Secs
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Post by slim on Jul 16, 2012 19:41:57 GMT -5
A whole week camping with the boys....you are a brave man. The dog days of summer in Michigan...which i personally prefer to ice and cold. :-) My daughter just turned 17...ouch. Time flies when you raising kids. Work is keeping me very busy and not complaining! Happy to be smokefree for: 11 Years 1 Month 5 Days 2 Hours 13 Minutes 9 Seconds. Cigarettes not smoked: 121592. Money saved: $24,318.55. Time/Life saved: 2 Yrs 3 Mos 3 Wks 9 Hrs 27 Mins 44 Secs
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Post by slim on Jul 5, 2012 18:58:52 GMT -5
6 months gone and summer is in full gear! Temps are high and everything needed water until yesterday and today......the rain came down in buckets along with some hail. Winds kicked up pretty high as well....some nasty storms. Should keep the grass from wilting to a dull brown. ;-)
Kids have 2 months till schools starts...i am starting to think that is to long to have off...they get stupid over the long summer break. Things still busy for me and working a bit to hard...looking forward to a get away this summer sometime. or maybe two long weekends...who knows.
Hope you have a nice week and stay cool!~
11 Years 3 Weeks 3 Days 1 Hour 28 Minutes 3 Seconds. Cigarettes not smoked: 121261. Money saved: $24,252.37. Time/Life saved: 2 Yrs 3 Mos 2 Wks 5 Days 2 Hrs 18 Mins 20 Secs
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Post by slim on Jun 30, 2012 9:22:43 GMT -5
Have a good weekend all!
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Post by slim on Jun 11, 2012 22:05:16 GMT -5
Don...never a dull moment for you! My Daughter is driving now and my son is worried about how he looks....ugh Lots of changes for me at work...July will be a whole new world. No smoking allowed. Have a great week all. Haha...just noticed today is my anniversary of 11 years. Time flies when your not smoking. You get a lot more done too! Quit: 06/11/2001 at 18:30:00 11 Years 4 Hours 32 Minutes 6 Seconds. Cigarettes not smoked: 120545. Money saved: $24,109.13. Time/Life saved: 2 Yrs 3 Mos 2 Wks 3 Days 2 Hrs 56 Mins 41 Secs By slim_62 at 2007-01-30
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