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1. aurora

   

   94 posts
   Registered:
   08 Mar 2018
   13 Mar 2018

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   Well, I did it!  Week one of being a non smoker today!
   
   I have smoked for 35 years. I have quit at least 15 times. 
    
   I have tried hypnosis, NRT’s such as the patch, gum, spray, cold turkey and just plain willpower. 
   
   This time I’m going to make it!  I want to be free from this habit and the guilt and shame. I want to be healthier and feel better. I want to be an example for my boy. I want my car to be smoke free.  I want to spend my money on living, not dying. 
   I am so determined, and it took me so long to do this last quit. I thought about it for a year. i set date after date and could not jump off that ledge. I dreaded it. 
   But last week I did it!  
   It was a tough week, not so much the cravings, but the withdrawal was hard. Constant headaches and feeling sleeplessness. 
   I’m starting to feel better. No headache today!  Sleeping better.  
   Thinking about smoking a lot, then I chew the gum. Drink some water. Keep busy. Deep breaths. I’ve had to avoid a lot of things. Alcohol, other smokers, even going outside for “fresh” air. I know it will get tough when I face certain situations, which I can’t avoid forever. 
   
   I love what I’m gaining! Freedom! Health! Money! Self respect!  
   Today, I’m celebrating!
   
   
2. minnow

   

   9 posts
   Registered:
   24 Jan 2018
   13 Mar 2018 in reply to aurora

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   Good for you Aurora. Took me a bit to get on track as well but I did it. I chose a book to help me and am amazed at the results. At the time of my quit date I had a prescription which you cant'
    take alcohol and was hard on my stomach. So I stopped smoking drinking and coffee . Feel so good. Only have cravings for coffee when a person walks by with a Timmy lol
   decided don't need the later after going this long ..
3. ocean

   

   286 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   13 Mar 2018

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   Congratulations Aurora!  Soon you will feel your sinus' getting clear, or chest easing up.  I know what it's like to be in planning mode for that long, so typically me as well.  Doesn't it feel great to just do it?
4. jennifer, quit coach

   

   103 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   13 Mar 2018

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   Good Morning Aurora,
   
   Congratulations for reaching your one week milestone! 
   
   It sounds as though you have lots of great quit experience, or as we think of it here on SHO, quit wisdom! I love all your reasons for wanting to stay smoke-free that you've listed here, you sound motivated to beat those cravings and continue to add up smoke-free days!
   
   Come by anytime to let us know how you are doing - we love to hear updates!
   
   
   
   
5. aurora

   

   94 posts
   Registered:
   08 Mar 2018
   16 Mar 2018

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   It's Friday March 16 and I'm smoke free! 12 days....thank you everyone for your encouragement and sharing your experiences.  I have made it through nearly two  whole weeks, which is amazing to me. 
   The physical  withdrawal has been easing off but  I've been finding the stress of every day life harder to deal with - the emotional side.  Lots of fatigue and this last week has been full of irritability. Have found it harder to stay motivated, and yet I don't really have strong cravings.  Just tired.....and I  am not giving up.  Now it is the marathon.
   I really enjoy the freedom, just need to find new ways.....adapt and be really really good to myself. 

6. treepeo

   

   832 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   17 Mar 2018

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   Hi aurora, 
   
   Congratulations for being smoke free for 12 days!  That is wonderful, and you should be so proud of yourself!
   
   It is normal to feel tired and irritable.  Unfortunately, we can experience a lot of side effects when we quit, none of them pleasant.  But hang in there, because the end result is worth all the effort you put in.
   
   Do something nice to reward yourself, aurora, because you deserve a little pampering!  Way to go!
7. eagerquit

   

   415 posts
   Registered:
   07 Mar 2018
   17 Mar 2018 in reply to aurora

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   Good Morning Aurora,
   
   Congratulations Aurora on 12 days smoke free. I am right behind you with 10 days and like you, I am seeing a let up in the withdrawal. Something you said in your first post made a lot of sense to me: "I want to spend my money on living, not dying." Thanks for sharing that thought.
   
   All the very best,
   
   Eagerquit