[jbug]

I've been thinking about it all day. I'm ready to quit smoking. I've been feeling guilty all day about buying my cigarettes because I spent some of my grocery money on cigarettes and although I was able to buy food it wasn't all that I wanted to buy and so I feel guilty. In Arkansas you aren't allowed to return cigarettes so I'm stuck with them so as soon as I'm done smoking them I'm done. No more. I can't afford to continue to smoke. I can't seem to justify the expense.

Jbug

[kimmydawn]

(((((((((((((((((((((((( jbug )))))))))))))))))))))))))

KD

[thelostone]

good luck. as with many things we accomplish in life, the biggest sign of success or failure is the will to do it. and that only comes when you are doing it for you.

lost

[smiley1984]

Well Done.
It will be hard, but it is the BEST thing you can do for your health. And financially not only will it save you money on cigarettes, it will save you lots of medical expenses in the future.

The most important way to be successful is to commit to it 100% - you have to really want this. Get a plan, have things to do instead of smoke. Maybe even go and see an addiction medicine dr or someone else to give you some hints/ideas. If you are going to make a good effort - you want to be successful. But research shows that to be successful, it doesn't matter what method you use whether it is patches or weaning or going cold turkey - the only thing that helps is being totally committed and wanting to.

WELL DONE on making the decision, let us know how you are going. It will be hard but you are strong - look at how much weight you have lost. Think of how good and healthy it will feel when you reach your goal weight, and don't smoke - you will live a much longer life and be able to do so many more things.

GOOD LUCK!!!!

[jbug]

I also have another reason for wanting to do it. When I go to see my surgeon in September I am hoping for him to be able to do my next round of surgeries and I know he won't do them if I am smoking. So I want to be able to be honest this time when I see him and be able to tell him no I'm not smoking.

I am trying to figure out what to do with the smokes I do have as if I had something to do with the ones I have now I'd just get rid of them but can't bring myself to just throw them away. I for some reason just can't do it.

Jbug

[ECHOES]

We so throw away, get rid of what we don't need and what harms us.
You have no use for them and you don't want them near you anymore.
They are worthless to you now.
Throwing them away is the perfect thing to do!

[jbug]

I will try to get the strength to throw them away.

Jbug

[thelostone]

do you know anyone you could give them too?

lost

[ECHOES]

I supsect you aren't exactly ready if you still value them and don't want to part with them... something to think about.

They aren't any good for anyone. Pitch them and feel good about removing them from doing anyone harm

Can you tell I am a reformed smoker?! I quit 3/1/05 after 34 years of smoking. I feel so much better !!!!

jbug, PM me anytime for my tips on quitting or for support while you get through the first 2 weeks...after that short time it's much easier. And you will feel SO proud of yourself!

[jbug]

When I took my trash out tonight I decided enough was enough and I took what was left of my cigarettes and into the dumpster they went.

So far I've had 2 cravings and I drank a glass of water each time and it helped some but I need to find something to replace the cigarettes. I don't want to use the gum or the patches and I know I can't use the patches as I've used them in the past and I've broken out when using them. I don't like the taste of the gum so I know I won't use it so need to find something else. But I've made it through 2 cravings so far and am feeling ok.

Jbug

[KathyM]

jbug

When my sister had cravings, she'd puff on a drinking straw like a cigarette. It provided a little oral fixation relief for her hands. It also provided a little relief from the physical habit of deep inhalation that comes from smoking. In the process, it reminded her lungs how good it felt to breathe clean air properly.

Good luck!

[jbug]

That is a great idea. I didn't think about that.

I also chucked my ashtray and my lighters. It pained me to chuck the ashtray as my friend Michelle brought it back to me from her cruise but I knew that if I kept it that it would be too easy to just buy one one more pack so I got rid of all smoking stuff. I hope she understands. If not I'm not sure but I think that if I explain to her why I got rid of it I think it will be ok. It would just be too easy to keep it.

Jbug

[KathyM]

If this is considered a symbol (reminder) of your friendship and it's not yet gone, you can also pack up the ashtray and store it away out of site (like in an attic). When you reach the point where smoking is disgusting to you, depending on the size, you can use it for something else - maybe fill it will wrapped mints. It will then not only serve as a reminder of your friendship, it will also remind you of your victory over cigarettes.

If it's already gone, ask Michelle to go on another cruise and bring you back a bowl to go along with your straw.

I'm sure she'll understand why you needed to get rid of the ashtray.

[jbug]

The ashtray is already gone it's in the dumpster. I'm sure that when I explain to her why I got rid of it she will understand. But I don't think it will be that big of a deal because she doesn't come over to often and when I talk to her on the phone she doesn't ask about the ashtray.

I talked to my mom about it and she thinks that when I explain to Michelle why I got rid of it that Michelle will be happy that I am getting healthy and not be upset that I got rid of the ashtray. I got rid of the lighter she got me because it broke and she wasn't upset so I don't think she will be upset at the ashtray.

Jbug