I'M A QUITTER FOR ONE YEAR!!!!

[minniepauz]

Isn't THAT the truth, Sandy!!

[colopam]

2 years ALREADY!!! Man the time has flown!!! I'm sure not from the quitting perspective but it truly seems as if it were only a couple of months ago!!!! CONGRATS!!!!!!

Hugs Pam

[cin-d-rella]

To all of you who have quit...smoking or drinking or food addiction.............WAY TO GO !!!!! YAY FOR DEE !!! Through all the stress you didn't cave...you are a strong woman !! I am glad you are letting us share your accomplishment....it makes me feel that I could actually get my butt to the gym on Monday. Do you feel a whole lot better ? I think you should get to have a day or weekend at the Hershey Spa for that. Congrats. Menopausal women DO know what they want ... watch out world !!!!!!!!!!!! Love Cin-d-rella.

[DayDreamer]

Many congrats Dee. You posting this has reminded me that I shall be two years quitter next month......I can't believe it either

[minniepauz]

Thanks for all the congrats....I just hope that someone might see my experience as proof that they can quit too. I smoked for 43 years (a pack or more a day) and never thought I could quit. At first I "didn't WANT to quit" because I "enjoyed" smoking, "needed nicotine" to keep me calm or from gaining weight. Then I realized that as an adult I could no longer justify the excuses I was making for taking such a risk...I literally decided I didn't want even the slightest risk of cancer or emphysema. That would be so much harder to deal with than quitting.

Please, please quit before it's too late....a fellow cartoonist explains what his family went through when his Mom was diagnosed with lung cancer. She quit smoking then, but it was too late and she died. Now she's gone and it's her kids that are suffering the most. It's just not worth it.

[colopam]

Not to make light of wonderful accomplishments but I was commenting to my DH after seeing a Commit lozenge commercial the other nite that it was a good thing that we've kept our New Years resolution to not smoke (a running joke with us since we are non smokers), I'm the only non tobacco user in my immediate family, two oldest brothers smoke (alot as do their wives) and my brother that's 2 yrs older than myself chews (ick!) but when he's tried to quit his wife encourages him to start again as she can't take the moodiness (some support huh?), hmmm hadn't thought about it but another reason for us to not "enjoy" each others company.

Hugs Pam

[minniepauz]

Pam...around here you can "make light" of anything!! You know that...hahahah

But quitting smoking DOES make a huge change in your social life that many people cannot imagine. I think that's why a lot of smokers don't quit, because they don't want to change that part of their life. It's really hard to explain, but for instance, when you're single and you put a profile on the dating site, it's usually the most important criteria....smoker or nonsmoker. Some people lie and then wonder why their relationships don't work out. It's very disappointing when someone promises they will quit smoking and then they "can't" or won't. My girlfriend married a smoker recently and is already complaining because he hasn't quit yet.

When I quit, I found out I didn't enjoy being with the smokers in my life quite as much...I LOVE them the same, but it's tough to put up with the smell, etc. This includes my sister and my best friend....it just changed our relationship.

[toollady]

I finally quit smoking about 7 wks ago. Had smoked the last stint for 26-27 yrs. (had quit for 3 yrs. before I turned 30). But, what I've found out is I think it's harder to quit as you get older, at least it was for me. lol

I actually had some help..my doctor prescribed Chantix for me and most insurances are paying for it now since it has proven so successful! It really made it surprisingly easy to quit. Can't fully explain how, but it did...I still "pop a pill" once every couple of days when I start feeling like I might faulter, but am pretty much off of those too.

Dee was the one I couldn't get over!! We were both heavy smokers and for her to quit cold turkey like she did...well, I was SO PROUD of her!! I have to disagree with her on one thing tho...it didn't affect our relationship Sis, since we NEVER get to see each other!

[minniepauz]

Dee was the one I couldn't get over!! We were both heavy smokers and for her to quit cold turkey like she did...well, I was SO PROUD of her!! I have to disagree with her on one thing tho...it didn't affect our relationship Sis, since we NEVER get to see each other!

I guess what I was talking about was when you came up here the last time and I had quit, but you hadn't. You thought you might be able to quit while you were here, but that didn't happen. I just remember you and Pat (my neighbor) smoking on the deck and I was wishing you guys could find the strength to quit.

Even when I would talk to you on the phone, it would bother me to hear you inhaling or even lighting a cigarette....I can't explain it, but you'll probably start feeling the same about people close to you who still smoke. By the way, doesn't it bother you to go into Helen's? I can't stand to go into smokey places anymore. I tried going to Bingo with Pat once and almost died!

[minniepauz]

Well Friends, I almost didn't post this today (my 3 year anniversary) because I read somewhere if you're still counting the days and years, you're not really "over" it. I disagree with that and wanted to bring the subject up again because I think it lights a spark with others who have been wanting to quit.

I would love to help anyone quit smoking, but all I can do is tell you that it's wonderful being a non-smoker! After 3 years I DO still think about it once in awhile, but not as something I would do again. I remember how it felt to be stressed out and HAVE to have a cigarette!! Now if I get stressed out, I just deal with the issue and remind myself that "this too shall pass". I keep saying I'm going to try yoga or other meditation, but I haven't done either in 60 years so I guess I'm not starting now. (still might! )

I hope all our non-smokers here will give their reasons why they're happy to be a non-smoker and maybe the smokers will post what they like about being a smoker? I'm not trying to be sarcastic or to shame anyone.....it's just a good exercise to reinforce your own desire to quit. Remember I smoked for 43 years so I know everything you're feeling!

[gracious granny]

CONGRAGULATIONS!!!! on your 3 year anniversary. On April 17th (God willing) my husband and I will be 18 yrs. without cigarrettes. He had been a smoker for about 20 yrs. and me for 13.
The fear of having to quit again IS what made me NEVER pick up the habit again. Its really hard, REALLY HARD . After all these years I still count the years and I think that thats a good thing, helps build your resolve. Also I never smoked again to spite my father who said (when I quit) that he'd give me a month and I'd be smoking again.

[hormonehag]

Congrats to all those who have quit, are quitting or want to quit.

Talking about keeping stats...
My Stats:
Your Quit Date is: 12/31/2004 11:45:00 PM
Time Smoke-Free: 1168 days, 22 hours, 1 minute and 32 seconds
Cigarettes NOT smoked: 23378
Lifetime Saved: 5 months, 28 days, 13 hours
Money Saved: $9,352.00

I joined up on an online support group the last time I quit...(this was my 4th try and my final quit as far as I am concerned)

My reason for quitting? Between the morning cough everyday, and knowing that several health issues I had to contend with would become much worse if I continued.

See the money saved? Well I took what I spent and saved it for a couple of months, and then went down to a local car dealership and bought my first BRAND NEW car for me (no more used cars for me!) What I spent in cigarettes easily makes my car payments, and I was thrilled to have a new car...

So you can find lots of benefits for quitting. It's not easy, and it really comes down to truly wanting to quit. I quit cold turkey, but I applaud those who find any way that helps them in their quit.

kat

[minniepauz]

Thanks for your comments and welcome to the forum, Kat! And a big congrats on quitting!! I'm working on my 4th year now and have no regrets and no desire to ever smoke again. I know how hard it is for someone who is still smoking to imagine that, but it's the same as menopause....you think it's never going to end and then one day you realize you're free of hot flashes!!

[Grandma Cathy]

A huge congrats to you!!! I'm in my 16th month of being an ex-smoker and it is so completely wonderful that I can't describe it. I, too, put on about 25 pounds after I quit. I knew I would and didn't worry about it all. I knew my body and weight would eventually stabilize and it did. I'm now in my 4th week of a weight loss/nutrition program and have lost 11 of those 25 pounds.

Keep up the good work, enjoy every breath, and live!!

[minniepauz]

Thanks for the feedback, Cathy and welcome to our forum! As you can see, it's more than just about menopause. The world is a different place when you get to this age, isn't it? We start thinking differently and have new priorities.

Congratulations on your lasting quit!! After that first year it seems so much easier! I'm still a very happy non-smoker and I believe my sister has just hit the year mark!! (toollady) I'd better contact her!

Way to go on losing the weight too! I waited to long and put on too much, but I'm starting to lose it now.