Five Years and OOF Status

Dear AS3,
Five years ago today, I threw my last pack of Merits into the trash,
slapped on a patch, and embarked on this journey.
This was not the first time I had been here... I quit for a few months
back in 1997 but faltered and crashed a few months later. It took me
five more years, which included a divorce, sobriety, and the death of my
mother from lung cancer, before I was able to quit, hopefully for good.
I say Hopefully because I am, at any one time, one puff away from a
pack a day.
Many of you have seen me post to newbies (and oldbies) to approach this
thing from a ODAAT perspective (One Day At A Time), and also to Remain
Vigilant. My own personal experience showed me that I couldn't afford
to let Stinkin Junkie Thinkin lurk too long, and letting down my guard
was a certain guarantee that I would soon be miserable.
I hit the wall at six months. I had gone from daily craves to hourly
craves to minute by minute craves. After doing ODAAT and climbing the
walls (and everything else nearby) for about two weeks, I was
emotionally, physically, and mentally blown up. I knew that I was at
the jumping-off spot and that if it didn't stop, I would smoke. The
next morning, when I woke up, the craves were gone and I haven't been
hit that hard ever again. Just shows ya, if you hang on long enough, ya
get what ya need....
In my early days here I posted a lot. A whole lot. I had some good
times and some bad times... fought in particular with one individual
whose viewpoint I had major issues with, but in the long run, I am still
quit today. I don't post nearly as much as I used to, but I still read
a whole lot.
I must admit I am impressed with the current crop of newbs. You guys
seem to have each others' backs, and that often is what it takes. You
guys are hanging out and hanging on, and I think many of you will beat
this thing. Remember, just don't smoke that FIRST shit stick, and you
never have to worry about any of the other ones! Do WHATEVER it takes
to avoid that first cig. If you can last the first few seconds of a
crave, you will make it. Craves never last forever.
Some of the things I relied on to survive:
1. Exercise. Lots of long walks and eventually regular trips to the
gym and weight room. I am, at the age of 48, in the best shape of my
life (IMHO).
2. Water. Flush that crap out of your system.
3. NRT. This is NOT like smoking. There are no heroes here... if you
can't hack the pain (and I couldn't) slap a patch on, or chew the gum,
or use lozenges, or staple a chicken to your forehead. Whatever it takes.
4. Support from friends and family. This place was a HUGE help, but I
also enlisted those IRL who were closest to me. If they wouldn't
support me, fuck em. That's how seriously I took it.
5. Willingness. A willingness to endure some pain and some tough
times. I wanted to quit AT ALL COSTS and I had to make the commitment
to see it all the way through.
6. A sense of humor, even though early in my quit I was a real sour
asshole. Eventually I re-learned how to laugh at myself. You will too.
7. Healthy eating. While early on I ate every fucking thing that was
in front of me, at some point I began to see that I was changing one
obsession for another. A few pounds is fine ,and to be expected. I
just couldn't let it go too far. Now I eat lots of veggies and fruit,
and lean meats. Works for me...
Finally, I just really want to thank AS3 for its unvarying support. You
guys, all of you, rock. Joy, Lee, Mike, BB, Keven, Kathleen, Robin,
Edna, ... all you guys were a big part of my quit. Jef, thanks for all
you do for this place. Lynn, Summer, Cat and Robin, thanks for your
service work. It is invaluable to this place.
Most of all I want to recognize Cat, for having the strength to finally
get it right, and Becky and Crystal for never quitting quitting. You
guys are poster children for AS3, and you will get it too.
Toodles! Off to enjoy my evening! Cuz, as Marvin says, Life is Good
and I smell like, well not bread, but something good!
Thanks again AS3, for my life.

Five years, 0 minutes and 4 seconds. 54780 cigarettes not smoked, saving
$10,271.25. Life saved: 27 weeks, 1 day, 5 hours, 0 minutes.

YAY STEVES! What a lovely and inspiring post.

I do have a question, though: I've stapled a chicken to my forehead
but the dern thing keeps falling off. Did you find that duct tape was
necessary as well?

Seriously, congratulations. You deserve it. I hope five years from now
to be posting something similar.


Ashley

Duct tape works just as well!
If you keep on doing what you are doing, you too will be posting at 5
years quit.
Thanks for the congrats.
SteveS
OOF

writer272002 wrote:
> YAY STEVES! What a lovely and inspiring post.
>
> I do have a question, though: I've stapled a chicken to my forehead
> but the dern thing keeps falling off. Did you find that duct tape was
> necessary as well?
>
> Seriously, congratulations. You deserve it. I hope five years from now
> to be posting something similar.
>
>
> Ashley
>

SteveS wrote:
> Dear AS3,
> Five years ago today, I threw my last pack of Merits into the trash,
> slapped on a patch, and embarked on this journey.
> This was not the first time I had been here... I quit for a few months
> back in 1997 but faltered and crashed a few months later. It took me
> five more years, which included a divorce, sobriety, and the death of my
> mother from lung cancer, before I was able to quit, hopefully for good.
> I say Hopefully because I am, at any one time, one puff away from a
> pack a day.
> Many of you have seen me post to newbies (and oldbies) to approach this
> thing from a ODAAT perspective (One Day At A Time), and also to Remain
> Vigilant. My own personal experience showed me that I couldn't afford
> to let Stinkin Junkie Thinkin lurk too long, and letting down my guard
> was a certain guarantee that I would soon be miserable.
> I hit the wall at six months. I had gone from daily craves to hourly
> craves to minute by minute craves. After doing ODAAT and climbing the
> walls (and everything else nearby) for about two weeks, I was
> emotionally, physically, and mentally blown up. I knew that I was at
> the jumping-off spot and that if it didn't stop, I would smoke. The
> next morning, when I woke up, the craves were gone and I haven't been
> hit that hard ever again. Just shows ya, if you hang on long enough, ya
> get what ya need....
> In my early days here I posted a lot. A whole lot. I had some good
> times and some bad times... fought in particular with one individual
> whose viewpoint I had major issues with, but in the long run, I am still
> quit today. I don't post nearly as much as I used to, but I still read
> a whole lot.
> I must admit I am impressed with the current crop of newbs. You guys
> seem to have each others' backs, and that often is what it takes. You
> guys are hanging out and hanging on, and I think many of you will beat
> this thing. Remember, just don't smoke that FIRST shit stick, and you
> never have to worry about any of the other ones! Do WHATEVER it takes
> to avoid that first cig. If you can last the first few seconds of a
> crave, you will make it. Craves never last forever.
> Some of the things I relied on to survive:
> 1. Exercise. Lots of long walks and eventually regular trips to the
> gym and weight room. I am, at the age of 48, in the best shape of my
> life (IMHO).
> 2. Water. Flush that crap out of your system.
> 3. NRT. This is NOT like smoking. There are no heroes here... if you
> can't hack the pain (and I couldn't) slap a patch on, or chew the gum,
> or use lozenges, or staple a chicken to your forehead. Whatever it takes.
> 4. Support from friends and family. This place was a HUGE help, but I
> also enlisted those IRL who were closest to me. If they wouldn't
> support me, fuck em. That's how seriously I took it.
> 5. Willingness. A willingness to endure some pain and some tough
> times. I wanted to quit AT ALL COSTS and I had to make the commitment
> to see it all the way through.
> 6. A sense of humor, even though early in my quit I was a real sour
> asshole. Eventually I re-learned how to laugh at myself. You will too.
> 7. Healthy eating. While early on I ate every fucking thing that was
> in front of me, at some point I began to see that I was changing one
> obsession for another. A few pounds is fine ,and to be expected. I
> just couldn't let it go too far. Now I eat lots of veggies and fruit,
> and lean meats. Works for me...
> Finally, I just really want to thank AS3 for its unvarying support. You
> guys, all of you, rock. Joy, Lee, Mike, BB, Keven, Kathleen, Robin,
> Edna, ... all you guys were a big part of my quit. Jef, thanks for all
> you do for this place. Lynn, Summer, Cat and Robin, thanks for your
> service work. It is invaluable to this place.
> Most of all I want to recognize Cat, for having the strength to finally
> get it right, and Becky and Crystal for never quitting quitting. You
> guys are poster children for AS3, and you will get it too.
> Toodles! Off to enjoy my evening! Cuz, as Marvin says, Life is Good
> and I smell like, well not bread, but something good!
> Thanks again AS3, for my life.
>
> Five years, 0 minutes and 4 seconds. 54780 cigarettes not smoked, saving
> $10,271.25. Life saved: 27 weeks, 1 day, 5 hours, 0 minutes.

Congratulations SteveS!!

Five years is fantastic!

Great post too!

Cheers and High-Fives,
Marvin

--
I don't smoke. I smell like bread. Life is Good.

Nice post, Steve, and excellent advice (not much of which I followed
by that's me - water??? ewww - exercise?? oh, no!!! - healthy
eating?? not that I know of ). What a major mile stone you have
reached. Congratulations!!!
Sue
One year, three months, two weeks, five days, 19 hours, 28 minutes and
38 seconds. 15734 cigarettes not smoked, saving $2,619.84. Life saved:
7 weeks, 5 days, 15 hours, 10 minutes.


On Tue, 10 Jul 2007 19:39:29 -0400, SteveS <inyourh@spamm.ers> wrote:

>Dear AS3,
>Five years ago today, I threw my last pack of Merits into the trash,
>slapped on a patch, and embarked on this journey.
>This was not the first time I had been here... I quit for a few months
>back in 1997 but faltered and crashed a few months later. It took me
>five more years, which included a divorce, sobriety, and the death of my
>mother from lung cancer, before I was able to quit, hopefully for good.
> I say Hopefully because I am, at any one time, one puff away from a
>pack a day.
>Many of you have seen me post to newbies (and oldbies) to approach this
>thing from a ODAAT perspective (One Day At A Time), and also to Remain
>Vigilant. My own personal experience showed me that I couldn't afford
>to let Stinkin Junkie Thinkin lurk too long, and letting down my guard
>was a certain guarantee that I would soon be miserable.
>I hit the wall at six months. I had gone from daily craves to hourly
>craves to minute by minute craves. After doing ODAAT and climbing the
>walls (and everything else nearby) for about two weeks, I was
>emotionally, physically, and mentally blown up. I knew that I was at
>the jumping-off spot and that if it didn't stop, I would smoke. The
>next morning, when I woke up, the craves were gone and I haven't been
>hit that hard ever again. Just shows ya, if you hang on long enough, ya
>get what ya need....
>In my early days here I posted a lot. A whole lot. I had some good
>times and some bad times... fought in particular with one individual
>whose viewpoint I had major issues with, but in the long run, I am still
>quit today. I don't post nearly as much as I used to, but I still read
>a whole lot.
>I must admit I am impressed with the current crop of newbs. You guys
>seem to have each others' backs, and that often is what it takes. You
>guys are hanging out and hanging on, and I think many of you will beat
>this thing. Remember, just don't smoke that FIRST shit stick, and you
>never have to worry about any of the other ones! Do WHATEVER it takes
>to avoid that first cig. If you can last the first few seconds of a
>crave, you will make it. Craves never last forever.
>Some of the things I relied on to survive:
>1. Exercise. Lots of long walks and eventually regular trips to the
>gym and weight room. I am, at the age of 48, in the best shape of my
>life (IMHO).
>2. Water. Flush that crap out of your system.
>3. NRT. This is NOT like smoking. There are no heroes here... if you
>can't hack the pain (and I couldn't) slap a patch on, or chew the gum,
>or use lozenges, or staple a chicken to your forehead. Whatever it takes.
>4. Support from friends and family. This place was a HUGE help, but I
>also enlisted those IRL who were closest to me. If they wouldn't
>support me, fuck em. That's how seriously I took it.
>5. Willingness. A willingness to endure some pain and some tough
>times. I wanted to quit AT ALL COSTS and I had to make the commitment
>to see it all the way through.
>6. A sense of humor, even though early in my quit I was a real sour
>asshole. Eventually I re-learned how to laugh at myself. You will too.
>7. Healthy eating. While early on I ate every fucking thing that was
>in front of me, at some point I began to see that I was changing one
>obsession for another. A few pounds is fine ,and to be expected. I
>just couldn't let it go too far. Now I eat lots of veggies and fruit,
>and lean meats. Works for me...
>Finally, I just really want to thank AS3 for its unvarying support. You
>guys, all of you, rock. Joy, Lee, Mike, BB, Keven, Kathleen, Robin,
>Edna, ... all you guys were a big part of my quit. Jef, thanks for all
>you do for this place. Lynn, Summer, Cat and Robin, thanks for your
>service work. It is invaluable to this place.
>Most of all I want to recognize Cat, for having the strength to finally
>get it right, and Becky and Crystal for never quitting quitting. You
>guys are poster children for AS3, and you will get it too.
>Toodles! Off to enjoy my evening! Cuz, as Marvin says, Life is Good
>and I smell like, well not bread, but something good!
>Thanks again AS3, for my life.
>
>Five years, 0 minutes and 4 seconds. 54780 cigarettes not smoked, saving
>$10,271.25. Life saved: 27 weeks, 1 day, 5 hours, 0 minutes.

On Tue, 10 Jul 2007 19:39:29 -0400, SteveS <inyourh@spamm.ers> wrote:

>Thanks again AS3, for my life.
>
>Five years, 0 minutes and 4 seconds. 54780 cigarettes not smoked, saving
>$10,271.25. Life saved: 27 weeks, 1 day, 5 hours, 0 minutes.

Congratulations, SteveS on your OneHalf Titanic Old Fogey status!!! I
guess that makes you OHTOF. Enjoy!!

--
BessieBee

"OK, so what's the speed of dark?"
Steven Wright

Congratulations on a wonderful milestone Steve.


"SteveS" <inyourh@spamm.ers> wrote in message
news:koSdnVhHBYo2hQnbnZ2dnUVZ_v-tnZ2d@comcast.com...
> Dear AS3,
> Five years ago today, I threw my last pack of Merits into the trash,
> slapped on a patch, and embarked on this journey.
> This was not the first time I had been here... I quit for a few months
> back in 1997 but faltered and crashed a few months later. It took me five
> more years, which included a divorce, sobriety, and the death of my mother
> from lung cancer, before I was able to quit, hopefully for good. I say
> Hopefully because I am, at any one time, one puff away from a pack a day.
> Many of you have seen me post to newbies (and oldbies) to approach this
> thing from a ODAAT perspective (One Day At A Time), and also to Remain
> Vigilant. My own personal experience showed me that I couldn't afford to
> let Stinkin Junkie Thinkin lurk too long, and letting down my guard was a
> certain guarantee that I would soon be miserable.
> I hit the wall at six months. I had gone from daily craves to hourly
> craves to minute by minute craves. After doing ODAAT and climbing the
> walls (and everything else nearby) for about two weeks, I was emotionally,
> physically, and mentally blown up. I knew that I was at the jumping-off
> spot and that if it didn't stop, I would smoke. The next morning, when I
> woke up, the craves were gone and I haven't been hit that hard ever again.
> Just shows ya, if you hang on long enough, ya get what ya need....
> In my early days here I posted a lot. A whole lot. I had some good times
> and some bad times... fought in particular with one individual whose
> viewpoint I had major issues with, but in the long run, I am still quit
> today. I don't post nearly as much as I used to, but I still read a whole
> lot.
> I must admit I am impressed with the current crop of newbs. You guys seem
> to have each others' backs, and that often is what it takes. You guys are
> hanging out and hanging on, and I think many of you will beat this thing.
> Remember, just don't smoke that FIRST shit stick, and you never have to
> worry about any of the other ones! Do WHATEVER it takes to avoid that
> first cig. If you can last the first few seconds of a crave, you will
> make it. Craves never last forever.
> Some of the things I relied on to survive:
> 1. Exercise. Lots of long walks and eventually regular trips to the gym
> and weight room. I am, at the age of 48, in the best shape of my life
> (IMHO).
> 2. Water. Flush that crap out of your system.
> 3. NRT. This is NOT like smoking. There are no heroes here... if you
> can't hack the pain (and I couldn't) slap a patch on, or chew the gum, or
> use lozenges, or staple a chicken to your forehead. Whatever it takes.
> 4. Support from friends and family. This place was a HUGE help, but I
> also enlisted those IRL who were closest to me. If they wouldn't support
> me, fuck em. That's how seriously I took it.
> 5. Willingness. A willingness to endure some pain and some tough times.
> I wanted to quit AT ALL COSTS and I had to make the commitment to see it
> all the way through.
> 6. A sense of humor, even though early in my quit I was a real sour
> asshole. Eventually I re-learned how to laugh at myself. You will too.
> 7. Healthy eating. While early on I ate every fucking thing that was in
> front of me, at some point I began to see that I was changing one
> obsession for another. A few pounds is fine ,and to be expected. I just
> couldn't let it go too far. Now I eat lots of veggies and fruit, and lean
> meats. Works for me...
> Finally, I just really want to thank AS3 for its unvarying support. You
> guys, all of you, rock. Joy, Lee, Mike, BB, Keven, Kathleen, Robin, Edna,
> ... all you guys were a big part of my quit. Jef, thanks for all you do
> for this place. Lynn, Summer, Cat and Robin, thanks for your service
> work. It is invaluable to this place.
> Most of all I want to recognize Cat, for having the strength to finally
> get it right, and Becky and Crystal for never quitting quitting. You guys
> are poster children for AS3, and you will get it too.
> Toodles! Off to enjoy my evening! Cuz, as Marvin says, Life is Good and
> I smell like, well not bread, but something good!
> Thanks again AS3, for my life.
>
> Five years, 0 minutes and 4 seconds. 54780 cigarettes not smoked, saving
> $10,271.25. Life saved: 27 weeks, 1 day, 5 hours, 0 minutes.

GoSteveS!!GoSteveS!!GoSteveS!!GoSteveS!!
GoSteveS!!GoSteveS!!GoSteveS!!GoSteveS!!
GoSteveS!!GoSteveS!!GoSteveS!!GoSteveS!!
GoSteveS!!GoSteveS!!GoSteveS!!GoSteveS!!
GoSteveS!!GoSteveS!!GoSteveS!!GoSteveS!!
GoSteveS!!GoSteveS!!GoSteveS!!GoSteveS!!
GoSteveS!!GoSteveS!!GoSteveS!!GoSteveS!!
GoSteveS!!GoSteveS!!GoSteveS!!GoSteveS!!
--
Les Stewart 7y+
Beaumont, TX 30ºN 94ºW





"SteveS" <inyourh@spamm.ers> wrote in message
news:koSdnVhHBYo2hQnbnZ2dnUVZ_v-tnZ2d@comcast.com...
> Dear AS3,
> Five years ago today, I threw my last pack of Merits

Awesome post - inspirational as hell. Thanks for sharing, and congratulations
on one hell of a milestone.


I quit those damn smokes 2 Years, 11 Months, 4 Weeks, 1 Day, 20 hours, 17
minutes and 5 seconds ago, giving my new baby an additional 3 Months, 3
Weeks, 22 hours and 35 minutes of having a father in this life, by avoiding
the use of 32,815 evil nicotine delivery devices that would have raped me out
of $5,742.68.


On 7/10/2007 6:39:27 PM, SteveS wrote:
> Dear AS3,
> Five years ago today, I threw my last pack of Merits into the trash,
> slapped on a patch, and embarked on this journey.
> This was not the first time I had been here... I quit for a few months
> back in 1997 but faltered and crashed a few months later. It took me
> five more years, which included a divorce, sobriety, and the death of my
> mother from lung cancer, before I was able to quit, hopefully for good.
> I say Hopefully because I am, at any one time, one puff away from a
> pack a day.
> Many of you have seen me post to newbies (and oldbies) to approach this
> thing from a ODAAT perspective (One Day At A Time), and also to Remain
> Vigilant. My own personal experience showed me that I couldn't afford
> to let Stinkin Junkie Thinkin lurk too long, and letting down my guard
> was a certain guarantee that I would soon be miserable.
> I hit the wall at six months. I had gone from daily craves to hourly
> craves to minute by minute craves. After doing ODAAT and climbing the
> walls (and everything else nearby) for about two weeks, I was
> emotionally, physically, and mentally blown up. I knew that I was at
> the jumping-off spot and that if it didn't stop, I would smoke. The
> next morning, when I woke up, the craves were gone and I haven't been
> hit that hard ever again. Just shows ya, if you hang on long enough, ya
> get what ya need....
> In my early days here I posted a lot. A whole lot. I had some good
> times and some bad times... fought in particular with one individual
> whose viewpoint I had major issues with, but in the long run, I am still
> quit today. I don't post nearly as much as I used to, but I still read
> a whole lot.
> I must admit I am impressed with the current crop of newbs. You guys
> seem to have each others' backs, and that often is what it takes. You
> guys are hanging out and hanging on, and I think many of you will beat
> this thing. Remember, just don't smoke that FIRST shit stick, and you
> never have to worry about any of the other ones! Do WHATEVER it takes
> to avoid that first cig. If you can last the first few seconds of a
> crave, you will make it. Craves never last forever.
> Some of the things I relied on to survive:
> 1. Exercise. Lots of long walks and eventually regular trips to the
> gym and weight room. I am, at the age of 48, in the best shape of my
> life (IMHO).
> 2. Water. Flush that crap out of your system.
> 3. NRT. This is NOT like smoking. There are no heroes here... if you
> can't hack the pain (and I couldn't) slap a patch on, or chew the gum,
> or use lozenges, or staple a chicken to your forehead. Whatever it takes.
> 4. Support from friends and family. This place was a HUGE help, but I also
> enlisted those IRL who were closest to me. If they wouldn't support me,
> fuck em. That's how seriously I took it. 5. Willingness. A willingness to
> endure some pain and some tough times. I wanted to quit AT ALL COSTS and I
> had to make the commitment to see it all the way through.
> 6. A sense of humor, even though early in my quit I was a real sour
> asshole. Eventually I re-learned how to laugh at myself. You will too.
> 7. Healthy eating. While early on I ate every fucking thing that was
> in front of me, at some point I began to see that I was changing one
> obsession for another. A few pounds is fine ,and to be expected. I
> just couldn't let it go too far. Now I eat lots of veggies and fruit,
> and lean meats. Works for me...
> Finally, I just really want to thank AS3 for its unvarying support. You
> guys, all of you, rock. Joy, Lee, Mike, BB, Keven, Kathleen, Robin,
> Edna, ... all you guys were a big part of my quit. Jef, thanks for all
> you do for this place. Lynn, Summer, Cat and Robin, thanks for your
> service work. It is invaluable to this place.
> Most of all I want to recognize Cat, for having the strength to finally
> get it right, and Becky and Crystal for never quitting quitting. You
> guys are poster children for AS3, and you will get it too.
> Toodles! Off to enjoy my evening! Cuz, as Marvin says, Life is Good
> and I smell like, well not bread, but something good!
> Thanks again AS3, for my life.
>
> Five years, 0 minutes and 4 seconds. 54780 cigarettes not smoked, saving
> $10,271.25. Life saved: 27 weeks, 1 day, 5 hours, 0 minutes.
>


--
John

Steve S! Thank YOU for a wonderful posting on your OOFdom! Your
insights are very on-target and useful. I've been lucky that so far,
I have mainly had triggers and the craves I've had were minor. Still,
I am vigilant and take this quit one day at a time as I lost a 3+ year
quit in 2001 as I got smug and lazy. To help you enjoy this event
even more, the Yodeling Gnomes will be arriving to seranade you in
songs of smobriety as you reflect on how much being smober has
enriched your life!

FlatironMike
FSS
Four months, four weeks, one day, 23 hours, 32 minutes and 23 seconds.
2999 cigarettes not smoked, saving $899.63. Life saved: 1 week, 3
days, 9 hours, 55 minutes.

YAY!! CONGRATULATIONS STEVE!
John


On Tue, 10 Jul 2007, SteveS wrote:

> Dear AS3,
> Five years ago today, I threw my last pack of Merits into the trash, slapped
> on a patch, and embarked on this journey.
> This was not the first time I had been here... I quit for a few months back
> in 1997 but faltered and crashed a few months later. It took me five more
> years, which included a divorce, sobriety, and the death of my mother from
> lung cancer, before I was able to quit, hopefully for good. I say Hopefully
> because I am, at any one time, one puff away from a pack a day.
> Many of you have seen me post to newbies (and oldbies) to approach this thing
> from a ODAAT perspective (One Day At A Time), and also to Remain Vigilant.
> My own personal experience showed me that I couldn't afford to let Stinkin
> Junkie Thinkin lurk too long, and letting down my guard was a certain
> guarantee that I would soon be miserable.
> I hit the wall at six months. I had gone from daily craves to hourly craves
> to minute by minute craves. After doing ODAAT and climbing the walls (and
> everything else nearby) for about two weeks, I was emotionally, physically,
> and mentally blown up. I knew that I was at the jumping-off spot and that if
> it didn't stop, I would smoke. The next morning, when I woke up, the craves
> were gone and I haven't been hit that hard ever again. Just shows ya, if you
> hang on long enough, ya get what ya need....
> In my early days here I posted a lot. A whole lot. I had some good times
> and some bad times... fought in particular with one individual whose
> viewpoint I had major issues with, but in the long run, I am still quit
> today. I don't post nearly as much as I used to, but I still read a whole
> lot.
> I must admit I am impressed with the current crop of newbs. You guys seem to
> have each others' backs, and that often is what it takes. You guys are
> hanging out and hanging on, and I think many of you will beat this thing.
> Remember, just don't smoke that FIRST shit stick, and you never have to worry
> about any of the other ones! Do WHATEVER it takes to avoid that first cig.
> If you can last the first few seconds of a crave, you will make it. Craves
> never last forever.
> Some of the things I relied on to survive:
> 1. Exercise. Lots of long walks and eventually regular trips to the gym and
> weight room. I am, at the age of 48, in the best shape of my life (IMHO).
> 2. Water. Flush that crap out of your system.
> 3. NRT. This is NOT like smoking. There are no heroes here... if you can't
> hack the pain (and I couldn't) slap a patch on, or chew the gum, or use
> lozenges, or staple a chicken to your forehead. Whatever it takes.
> 4. Support from friends and family. This place was a HUGE help, but I also
> enlisted those IRL who were closest to me. If they wouldn't support me,
> fuck em. That's how seriously I took it.
> 5. Willingness. A willingness to endure some pain and some tough times. I
> wanted to quit AT ALL COSTS and I had to make the commitment to see it all
> the way through.
> 6. A sense of humor, even though early in my quit I was a real sour asshole.
> Eventually I re-learned how to laugh at myself. You will too.
> 7. Healthy eating. While early on I ate every fucking thing that was in
> front of me, at some point I began to see that I was changing one obsession
> for another. A few pounds is fine ,and to be expected. I just couldn't let
> it go too far. Now I eat lots of veggies and fruit, and lean meats. Works
> for me...
> Finally, I just really want to thank AS3 for its unvarying support. You
> guys, all of you, rock. Joy, Lee, Mike, BB, Keven, Kathleen, Robin, Edna,
> ... all you guys were a big part of my quit. Jef, thanks for all you do for
> this place. Lynn, Summer, Cat and Robin, thanks for your service work. It
> is invaluable to this place.
> Most of all I want to recognize Cat, for having the strength to finally get
> it right, and Becky and Crystal for never quitting quitting. You guys are
> poster children for AS3, and you will get it too.
> Toodles! Off to enjoy my evening! Cuz, as Marvin says, Life is Good and I
> smell like, well not bread, but something good!
> Thanks again AS3, for my life.
>
> Five years, 0 minutes and 4 seconds. 54780 cigarettes not smoked, saving
> $10,271.25. Life saved: 27 weeks, 1 day, 5 hours, 0 minutes.
>

What an inspiring post this is for me! Thank you, and congratulations!

Liz
DOF+

"SteveS" <inyourh@spamm.ers> wrote in message
news:koSdnVhHBYo2hQnbnZ2dnUVZ_v-tnZ2d@comcast.com...
> Dear AS3,
> Five years ago today, I threw my last pack of Merits into the trash,
> slapped on a patch, and embarked on this journey.
> This was not the first time I had been here... I quit for a few months
> back in 1997 but faltered and crashed a few months later. It took me five
> more years, which included a divorce, sobriety, and the death of my mother
> from lung cancer, before I was able to quit, hopefully for good. I say
> Hopefully because I am, at any one time, one puff away from a pack a day.
> Many of you have seen me post to newbies (and oldbies) to approach this
> thing from a ODAAT perspective (One Day At A Time), and also to Remain
> Vigilant. My own personal experience showed me that I couldn't afford to
> let Stinkin Junkie Thinkin lurk too long, and letting down my guard was a
> certain guarantee that I would soon be miserable.
> I hit the wall at six months. I had gone from daily craves to hourly
> craves to minute by minute craves. After doing ODAAT and climbing the
> walls (and everything else nearby) for about two weeks, I was emotionally,
> physically, and mentally blown up. I knew that I was at the jumping-off
> spot and that if it didn't stop, I would smoke. The next morning, when I
> woke up, the craves were gone and I haven't been hit that hard ever again.
> Just shows ya, if you hang on long enough, ya get what ya need....
> In my early days here I posted a lot. A whole lot. I had some good times
> and some bad times... fought in particular with one individual whose
> viewpoint I had major issues with, but in the long run, I am still quit
> today. I don't post nearly as much as I used to, but I still read a whole
> lot.
> I must admit I am impressed with the current crop of newbs. You guys seem
> to have each others' backs, and that often is what it takes. You guys are
> hanging out and hanging on, and I think many of you will beat this thing.
> Remember, just don't smoke that FIRST shit stick, and you never have to
> worry about any of the other ones! Do WHATEVER it takes to avoid that
> first cig. If you can last the first few seconds of a crave, you will
> make it. Craves never last forever.
> Some of the things I relied on to survive:
> 1. Exercise. Lots of long walks and eventually regular trips to the gym
> and weight room. I am, at the age of 48, in the best shape of my life
> (IMHO).
> 2. Water. Flush that crap out of your system.
> 3. NRT. This is NOT like smoking. There are no heroes here... if you
> can't hack the pain (and I couldn't) slap a patch on, or chew the gum, or
> use lozenges, or staple a chicken to your forehead. Whatever it takes.
> 4. Support from friends and family. This place was a HUGE help, but I
> also enlisted those IRL who were closest to me. If they wouldn't support
> me, fuck em. That's how seriously I took it.
> 5. Willingness. A willingness to endure some pain and some tough times.
> I wanted to quit AT ALL COSTS and I had to make the commitment to see it
> all the way through.
> 6. A sense of humor, even though early in my quit I was a real sour
> asshole. Eventually I re-learned how to laugh at myself. You will too.
> 7. Healthy eating. While early on I ate every fucking thing that was in
> front of me, at some point I began to see that I was changing one
> obsession for another. A few pounds is fine ,and to be expected. I just
> couldn't let it go too far. Now I eat lots of veggies and fruit, and lean
> meats. Works for me...
> Finally, I just really want to thank AS3 for its unvarying support. You
> guys, all of you, rock. Joy, Lee, Mike, BB, Keven, Kathleen, Robin, Edna,
> ... all you guys were a big part of my quit. Jef, thanks for all you do
> for this place. Lynn, Summer, Cat and Robin, thanks for your service
> work. It is invaluable to this place.
> Most of all I want to recognize Cat, for having the strength to finally
> get it right, and Becky and Crystal for never quitting quitting. You guys
> are poster children for AS3, and you will get it too.
> Toodles! Off to enjoy my evening! Cuz, as Marvin says, Life is Good and
> I smell like, well not bread, but something good!
> Thanks again AS3, for my life.
>
> Five years, 0 minutes and 4 seconds. 54780 cigarettes not smoked, saving
> $10,271.25. Life saved: 27 weeks, 1 day, 5 hours, 0 minutes.

I wish I was hitting OOF with all of you. Congratulation. its good
to see you here providing support. I can at least say I figured out
what I missed the first time and am almost VOF. My hat is off to you
Steve.

Mike M

On Tue, 10 Jul 2007 19:39:29 -0400, SteveS <inyourh@spamm.ers> wrote:

>Dear AS3,
>Five years ago today, I threw my last pack of Merits into the trash,
>slapped on a patch, and embarked on this journey.
>This was not the first time I had been here... I quit for a few months
>back in 1997 but faltered and crashed a few months later. It took me
>five more years, which included a divorce, sobriety, and the death of my
>mother from lung cancer, before I was able to quit, hopefully for good.
> I say Hopefully because I am, at any one time, one puff away from a
>pack a day.
>Many of you have seen me post to newbies (and oldbies) to approach this
>thing from a ODAAT perspective (One Day At A Time), and also to Remain
>Vigilant. My own personal experience showed me that I couldn't afford
>to let Stinkin Junkie Thinkin lurk too long, and letting down my guard
>was a certain guarantee that I would soon be miserable.
>I hit the wall at six months. I had gone from daily craves to hourly
>craves to minute by minute craves. After doing ODAAT and climbing the
>walls (and everything else nearby) for about two weeks, I was
>emotionally, physically, and mentally blown up. I knew that I was at
>the jumping-off spot and that if it didn't stop, I would smoke. The
>next morning, when I woke up, the craves were gone and I haven't been
>hit that hard ever again. Just shows ya, if you hang on long enough, ya
>get what ya need....
>In my early days here I posted a lot. A whole lot. I had some good
>times and some bad times... fought in particular with one individual
>whose viewpoint I had major issues with, but in the long run, I am still
>quit today. I don't post nearly as much as I used to, but I still read
>a whole lot.
>I must admit I am impressed with the current crop of newbs. You guys
>seem to have each others' backs, and that often is what it takes. You
>guys are hanging out and hanging on, and I think many of you will beat
>this thing. Remember, just don't smoke that FIRST shit stick, and you
>never have to worry about any of the other ones! Do WHATEVER it takes
>to avoid that first cig. If you can last the first few seconds of a
>crave, you will make it. Craves never last forever.
>Some of the things I relied on to survive:
>1. Exercise. Lots of long walks and eventually regular trips to the
>gym and weight room. I am, at the age of 48, in the best shape of my
>life (IMHO).
>2. Water. Flush that crap out of your system.
>3. NRT. This is NOT like smoking. There are no heroes here... if you
>can't hack the pain (and I couldn't) slap a patch on, or chew the gum,
>or use lozenges, or staple a chicken to your forehead. Whatever it takes.
>4. Support from friends and family. This place was a HUGE help, but I
>also enlisted those IRL who were closest to me. If they wouldn't
>support me, fuck em. That's how seriously I took it.
>5. Willingness. A willingness to endure some pain and some tough
>times. I wanted to quit AT ALL COSTS and I had to make the commitment
>to see it all the way through.
>6. A sense of humor, even though early in my quit I was a real sour
>asshole. Eventually I re-learned how to laugh at myself. You will too.
>7. Healthy eating. While early on I ate every fucking thing that was
>in front of me, at some point I began to see that I was changing one
>obsession for another. A few pounds is fine ,and to be expected. I
>just couldn't let it go too far. Now I eat lots of veggies and fruit,
>and lean meats. Works for me...
>Finally, I just really want to thank AS3 for its unvarying support. You
>guys, all of you, rock. Joy, Lee, Mike, BB, Keven, Kathleen, Robin,
>Edna, ... all you guys were a big part of my quit. Jef, thanks for all
>you do for this place. Lynn, Summer, Cat and Robin, thanks for your
>service work. It is invaluable to this place.
>Most of all I want to recognize Cat, for having the strength to finally
>get it right, and Becky and Crystal for never quitting quitting. You
>guys are poster children for AS3, and you will get it too.
>Toodles! Off to enjoy my evening! Cuz, as Marvin says, Life is Good
>and I smell like, well not bread, but something good!
>Thanks again AS3, for my life.
>
>Five years, 0 minutes and 4 seconds. 54780 cigarettes not smoked, saving
>$10,271.25. Life saved: 27 weeks, 1 day, 5 hours, 0 minutes.

On 11 Jul, 00:39, SteveS <inyo...@spamm.ers> wrote:
> Dear AS3,
> Five years ago today, I threw my last pack of Merits into the trash,
> slapped on a patch, and embarked on this journey.
> This was not the first time I had been here... I quit for a few months
> back in 1997 but faltered and crashed a few months later. It took me
> five more years, which included a divorce, sobriety, and the death of my
> mother from lung cancer, before I was able to quit, hopefully for good.
> I say Hopefully because I am, at any one time, one puff away from a
> pack a day.
> Many of you have seen me post to newbies (and oldbies) to approach this
> thing from a ODAAT perspective (One Day At A Time), and also to Remain
> Vigilant. My own personal experience showed me that I couldn't afford
> to let Stinkin Junkie Thinkin lurk too long, and letting down my guard
> was a certain guarantee that I would soon be miserable.
> I hit the wall at six months. I had gone from daily craves to hourly
> craves to minute by minute craves. After doing ODAAT and climbing the
> walls (and everything else nearby) for about two weeks, I was
> emotionally, physically, and mentally blown up. I knew that I was at
> the jumping-off spot and that if it didn't stop, I would smoke. The
> next morning, when I woke up, the craves were gone and I haven't been
> hit that hard ever again. Just shows ya, if you hang on long enough, ya
> get what ya need....
> In my early days here I posted a lot. A whole lot. I had some good
> times and some bad times... fought in particular with one individual
> whose viewpoint I had major issues with, but in the long run, I am still
> quit today. I don't post nearly as much as I used to, but I still read
> a whole lot.
> I must admit I am impressed with the current crop of newbs. You guys
> seem to have each others' backs, and that often is what it takes. You
> guys are hanging out and hanging on, and I think many of you will beat
> this thing. Remember, just don't smoke that FIRST shit stick, and you
> never have to worry about any of the other ones! Do WHATEVER it takes
> to avoid that first cig. If you can last the first few seconds of a
> crave, you will make it. Craves never last forever.
> Some of the things I relied on to survive:
> 1. Exercise. Lots of long walks and eventually regular trips to the
> gym and weight room. I am, at the age of 48, in the best shape of my
> life (IMHO).
> 2. Water. Flush that crap out of your system.
> 3. NRT. This is NOT like smoking. There are no heroes here... if you
> can't hack the pain (and I couldn't) slap a patch on, or chew the gum,
> or use lozenges, or staple a chicken to your forehead. Whatever it takes.
> 4. Support from friends and family. This place was a HUGE help, but I
> also enlisted those IRL who were closest to me. If they wouldn't
> support me, fuck em. That's how seriously I took it.
> 5. Willingness. A willingness to endure some pain and some tough
> times. I wanted to quit AT ALL COSTS and I had to make the commitment
> to see it all the way through.
> 6. A sense of humor, even though early in my quit I was a real sour
> asshole. Eventually I re-learned how to laugh at myself. You will too.
> 7. Healthy eating. While early on I ate every fucking thing that was
> in front of me, at some point I began to see that I was changing one
> obsession for another. A few pounds is fine ,and to be expected. I
> just couldn't let it go too far. Now I eat lots of veggies and fruit,
> and lean meats. Works for me...
> Finally, I just really want to thank AS3 for its unvarying support. You
> guys, all of you, rock. Joy, Lee, Mike, BB, Keven, Kathleen, Robin,
> Edna, ... all you guys were a big part of my quit. Jef, thanks for all
> you do for this place. Lynn, Summer, Cat and Robin, thanks for your
> service work. It is invaluable to this place.
> Most of all I want to recognize Cat, for having the strength to finally
> get it right, and Becky and Crystal for never quitting quitting. You
> guys are poster children for AS3, and you will get it too.
> Toodles! Off to enjoy my evening! Cuz, as Marvin says, Life is Good
> and I smell like, well not bread, but something good!
> Thanks again AS3, for my life.
>
> Five years, 0 minutes and 4 seconds. 54780 cigarettes not smoked, saving
> $10,271.25. Life saved: 27 weeks, 1 day, 5 hours, 0 minutes.

Nice one Steve !! Well done !! Fantastic !! Great post as always, any
new quitters should follow Steve's Seven points, great advise.
OOF thats looks good on you mate.
Regards Chris

Wow, what a post. I'll come out of lurk for some power writing
like that. Congrats on reaching five years smober Steve! Thanks
for being here and for writing posts like that. A perfect recipe for
a quit in under 500 words. I wish I could write like that. All the
very best from Holland,
Robin.

--
Batman: "That's life, Robin, full of ups and downs. It ill befits any of us
to become to confident."
-
"SteveS" <> schreef in bericht ...
> Dear AS3,
> Five years ago today, I threw my last pack of Merits into the trash,
> slapped on a patch, and embarked on this journey.
> This was not the first time I had been here... I quit for a few months
> back in 1997 but faltered and crashed a few months later. It took me five
> more years, which included a divorce, sobriety, and the death of my mother
> from lung cancer, before I was able to quit, hopefully for good. I say
> Hopefully because I am, at any one time, one puff away from a pack a day.
> Many of you have seen me post to newbies (and oldbies) to approach this
> thing from a ODAAT perspective (One Day At A Time), and also to Remain
> Vigilant. My own personal experience showed me that I couldn't afford to
> let Stinkin Junkie Thinkin lurk too long, and letting down my guard was a
> certain guarantee that I would soon be miserable.
> I hit the wall at six months. I had gone from daily craves to hourly
> craves to minute by minute craves. After doing ODAAT and climbing the
> walls (and everything else nearby) for about two weeks, I was emotionally,
> physically, and mentally blown up. I knew that I was at the jumping-off
> spot and that if it didn't stop, I would smoke. The next morning, when I
> woke up, the craves were gone and I haven't been hit that hard ever again.
> Just shows ya, if you hang on long enough, ya get what ya need....
> In my early days here I posted a lot. A whole lot. I had some good times
> and some bad times... fought in particular with one individual whose
> viewpoint I had major issues with, but in the long run, I am still quit
> today. I don't post nearly as much as I used to, but I still read a whole
> lot.
> I must admit I am impressed with the current crop of newbs. You guys seem
> to have each others' backs, and that often is what it takes. You guys are
> hanging out and hanging on, and I think many of you will beat this thing.
> Remember, just don't smoke that FIRST shit stick, and you never have to
> worry about any of the other ones! Do WHATEVER it takes to avoid that
> first cig. If you can last the first few seconds of a crave, you will
> make it. Craves never last forever.
> Some of the things I relied on to survive:
> 1. Exercise. Lots of long walks and eventually regular trips to the gym
> and weight room. I am, at the age of 48, in the best shape of my life
> (IMHO).
> 2. Water. Flush that crap out of your system.
> 3. NRT. This is NOT like smoking. There are no heroes here... if you
> can't hack the pain (and I couldn't) slap a patch on, or chew the gum, or
> use lozenges, or staple a chicken to your forehead. Whatever it takes.
> 4. Support from friends and family. This place was a HUGE help, but I
> also enlisted those IRL who were closest to me. If they wouldn't support
> me, fuck em. That's how seriously I took it.
> 5. Willingness. A willingness to endure some pain and some tough times.
> I wanted to quit AT ALL COSTS and I had to make the commitment to see it
> all the way through.
> 6. A sense of humor, even though early in my quit I was a real sour
> asshole. Eventually I re-learned how to laugh at myself. You will too.
> 7. Healthy eating. While early on I ate every fucking thing that was in
> front of me, at some point I began to see that I was changing one
> obsession for another. A few pounds is fine ,and to be expected. I just
> couldn't let it go too far. Now I eat lots of veggies and fruit, and lean
> meats. Works for me...
> Finally, I just really want to thank AS3 for its unvarying support. You
> guys, all of you, rock. Joy, Lee, Mike, BB, Keven, Kathleen, Robin, Edna,
> ... all you guys were a big part of my quit. Jef, thanks for all you do
> for this place. Lynn, Summer, Cat and Robin, thanks for your service
> work. It is invaluable to this place.
> Most of all I want to recognize Cat, for having the strength to finally
> get it right, and Becky and Crystal for never quitting quitting. You guys
> are poster children for AS3, and you will get it too.
> Toodles! Off to enjoy my evening! Cuz, as Marvin says, Life is Good and
> I smell like, well not bread, but something good!
> Thanks again AS3, for my life.
>
> Five years, 0 minutes and 4 seconds. 54780 cigarettes not smoked, saving
> $10,271.25. Life saved: 27 weeks, 1 day, 5 hours, 0 minutes.

On Jul 10, 6:39?pm, SteveS <inyo...@spamm.ers> wrote:
> Dear AS3,
> Five years ago today, I threw my last pack of Merits into the trash,
> slapped on a patch, and embarked on this journey.
> Thanks again AS3, for my life.
>
> Five years, 0 minutes and 4 seconds. 54780 cigarettes not smoked, saving
> $10,271.25. Life saved: 27 weeks, 1 day, 5 hours, 0 minutes.

Great post, Steve. You have seen all the permutations of quitting
smoking and have come out alive and well. And not smoking. Just keep
on not doing what you are not doing, Live free and breathe free.

Be strong. Don't smoke. Not even one. Especially not one.

Joyce

9 years 7 months 2 weeks 6 days

Just wanted to say I am really grateful I was around to see it happen!!!
whoooohoooo! Go Steve! Great post.
With hope and heart,
Kathleen


"SteveS" <inyourh@spamm.ers> wrote in message
news:koSdnVhHBYo2hQnbnZ2dnUVZ_v-tnZ2d@comcast.com...
> Dear AS3,
> Five years ago today, I threw my last pack of Merits into the trash,
> slapped on a patch, and embarked on this journey.
> This was not the first time I had been here... I quit for a few months
> back in 1997 but faltered and crashed a few months later. It took me five
> more years, which included a divorce, sobriety, and the death of my mother
> from lung cancer, before I was able to quit, hopefully for good. I say
> Hopefully because I am, at any one time, one puff away from a pack a day.
> Many of you have seen me post to newbies (and oldbies) to approach this
> thing from a ODAAT perspective (One Day At A Time), and also to Remain
> Vigilant. My own personal experience showed me that I couldn't afford to
> let Stinkin Junkie Thinkin lurk too long, and letting down my guard was a
> certain guarantee that I would soon be miserable.
> I hit the wall at six months. I had gone from daily craves to hourly
> craves to minute by minute craves. After doing ODAAT and climbing the
> walls (and everything else nearby) for about two weeks, I was emotionally,
> physically, and mentally blown up. I knew that I was at the jumping-off
> spot and that if it didn't stop, I would smoke. The next morning, when I
> woke up, the craves were gone and I haven't been hit that hard ever again.
> Just shows ya, if you hang on long enough, ya get what ya need....
> In my early days here I posted a lot. A whole lot. I had some good times
> and some bad times... fought in particular with one individual whose
> viewpoint I had major issues with, but in the long run, I am still quit
> today. I don't post nearly as much as I used to, but I still read a whole
> lot.
> I must admit I am impressed with the current crop of newbs. You guys seem
> to have each others' backs, and that often is what it takes. You guys are
> hanging out and hanging on, and I think many of you will beat this thing.
> Remember, just don't smoke that FIRST shit stick, and you never have to
> worry about any of the other ones! Do WHATEVER it takes to avoid that
> first cig. If you can last the first few seconds of a crave, you will
> make it. Craves never last forever.
> Some of the things I relied on to survive:
> 1. Exercise. Lots of long walks and eventually regular trips to the gym
> and weight room. I am, at the age of 48, in the best shape of my life
> (IMHO).
> 2. Water. Flush that crap out of your system.
> 3. NRT. This is NOT like smoking. There are no heroes here... if you
> can't hack the pain (and I couldn't) slap a patch on, or chew the gum, or
> use lozenges, or staple a chicken to your forehead. Whatever it takes.
> 4. Support from friends and family. This place was a HUGE help, but I
> also enlisted those IRL who were closest to me. If they wouldn't support
> me, fuck em. That's how seriously I took it.
> 5. Willingness. A willingness to endure some pain and some tough times.
> I wanted to quit AT ALL COSTS and I had to make the commitment to see it
> all the way through.
> 6. A sense of humor, even though early in my quit I was a real sour
> asshole. Eventually I re-learned how to laugh at myself. You will too.
> 7. Healthy eating. While early on I ate every fucking thing that was in
> front of me, at some point I began to see that I was changing one
> obsession for another. A few pounds is fine ,and to be expected. I just
> couldn't let it go too far. Now I eat lots of veggies and fruit, and lean
> meats. Works for me...
> Finally, I just really want to thank AS3 for its unvarying support. You
> guys, all of you, rock. Joy, Lee, Mike, BB, Keven, Kathleen, Robin, Edna,
> ... all you guys were a big part of my quit. Jef, thanks for all you do
> for this place. Lynn, Summer, Cat and Robin, thanks for your service
> work. It is invaluable to this place.
> Most of all I want to recognize Cat, for having the strength to finally
> get it right, and Becky and Crystal for never quitting quitting. You guys
> are poster children for AS3, and you will get it too.
> Toodles! Off to enjoy my evening! Cuz, as Marvin says, Life is Good and
> I smell like, well not bread, but something good!
> Thanks again AS3, for my life.
>
> Five years, 0 minutes and 4 seconds. 54780 cigarettes not smoked, saving
> $10,271.25. Life saved: 27 weeks, 1 day, 5 hours, 0 minutes.

Thanks Sue, nice meter of your own!
SteveS

Sue wrote:
> Nice post, Steve, and excellent advice (not much of which I followed
> by that's me - water??? ewww - exercise?? oh, no!!! - healthy
> eating?? not that I know of ). What a major mile stone you have
> reached. Congratulations!!!
> Sue
> One year, three months, two weeks, five days, 19 hours, 28 minutes and
> 38 seconds. 15734 cigarettes not smoked, saving $2,619.84. Life saved:
> 7 weeks, 5 days, 15 hours, 10 minutes.
>
>
> On Tue, 10 Jul 2007 19:39:29 -0400, SteveS <inyourh@spamm.ers> wrote:
>
>> Dear AS3,
>> Five years ago today, I threw my last pack of Merits into the trash,
>> slapped on a patch, and embarked on this journey.
>> This was not the first time I had been here... I quit for a few months
>> back in 1997 but faltered and crashed a few months later. It took me
>> five more years, which included a divorce, sobriety, and the death of my
>> mother from lung cancer, before I was able to quit, hopefully for good.
>> I say Hopefully because I am, at any one time, one puff away from a
>> pack a day.
>> Many of you have seen me post to newbies (and oldbies) to approach this
>> thing from a ODAAT perspective (One Day At A Time), and also to Remain
>> Vigilant. My own personal experience showed me that I couldn't afford
>> to let Stinkin Junkie Thinkin lurk too long, and letting down my guard
>> was a certain guarantee that I would soon be miserable.
>> I hit the wall at six months. I had gone from daily craves to hourly
>> craves to minute by minute craves. After doing ODAAT and climbing the
>> walls (and everything else nearby) for about two weeks, I was
>> emotionally, physically, and mentally blown up. I knew that I was at
>> the jumping-off spot and that if it didn't stop, I would smoke. The
>> next morning, when I woke up, the craves were gone and I haven't been
>> hit that hard ever again. Just shows ya, if you hang on long enough, ya
>> get what ya need....
>> In my early days here I posted a lot. A whole lot. I had some good
>> times and some bad times... fought in particular with one individual
>> whose viewpoint I had major issues with, but in the long run, I am still
>> quit today. I don't post nearly as much as I used to, but I still read
>> a whole lot.
>> I must admit I am impressed with the current crop of newbs. You guys
>> seem to have each others' backs, and that often is what it takes. You
>> guys are hanging out and hanging on, and I think many of you will beat
>> this thing. Remember, just don't smoke that FIRST shit stick, and you
>> never have to worry about any of the other ones! Do WHATEVER it takes
>> to avoid that first cig. If you can last the first few seconds of a
>> crave, you will make it. Craves never last forever.
>> Some of the things I relied on to survive:
>> 1. Exercise. Lots of long walks and eventually regular trips to the
>> gym and weight room. I am, at the age of 48, in the best shape of my
>> life (IMHO).
>> 2. Water. Flush that crap out of your system.
>> 3. NRT. This is NOT like smoking. There are no heroes here... if you
>> can't hack the pain (and I couldn't) slap a patch on, or chew the gum,
>> or use lozenges, or staple a chicken to your forehead. Whatever it takes.
>> 4. Support from friends and family. This place was a HUGE help, but I
>> also enlisted those IRL who were closest to me. If they wouldn't
>> support me, fuck em. That's how seriously I took it.
>> 5. Willingness. A willingness to endure some pain and some tough
>> times. I wanted to quit AT ALL COSTS and I had to make the commitment
>> to see it all the way through.
>> 6. A sense of humor, even though early in my quit I was a real sour
>> asshole. Eventually I re-learned how to laugh at myself. You will too.
>> 7. Healthy eating. While early on I ate every fucking thing that was
>> in front of me, at some point I began to see that I was changing one
>> obsession for another. A few pounds is fine ,and to be expected. I
>> just couldn't let it go too far. Now I eat lots of veggies and fruit,
>> and lean meats. Works for me...
>> Finally, I just really want to thank AS3 for its unvarying support. You
>> guys, all of you, rock. Joy, Lee, Mike, BB, Keven, Kathleen, Robin,
>> Edna, ... all you guys were a big part of my quit. Jef, thanks for all
>> you do for this place. Lynn, Summer, Cat and Robin, thanks for your
>> service work. It is invaluable to this place.
>> Most of all I want to recognize Cat, for having the strength to finally
>> get it right, and Becky and Crystal for never quitting quitting. You
>> guys are poster children for AS3, and you will get it too.
>> Toodles! Off to enjoy my evening! Cuz, as Marvin says, Life is Good
>> and I smell like, well not bread, but something good!
>> Thanks again AS3, for my life.
>>
>> Five years, 0 minutes and 4 seconds. 54780 cigarettes not smoked, saving
>> $10,271.25. Life saved: 27 weeks, 1 day, 5 hours, 0 minutes.

LOL! Always loved watching your cheerleading!
SteveS

Les Stewart wrote:
> GoSteveS!!GoSteveS!!GoSteveS!!GoSteveS!!
> GoSteveS!!GoSteveS!!GoSteveS!!GoSteveS!!
> GoSteveS!!GoSteveS!!GoSteveS!!GoSteveS!!
> GoSteveS!!GoSteveS!!GoSteveS!!GoSteveS!!
> GoSteveS!!GoSteveS!!GoSteveS!!GoSteveS!!
> GoSteveS!!GoSteveS!!GoSteveS!!GoSteveS!!
> GoSteveS!!GoSteveS!!GoSteveS!!GoSteveS!!
> GoSteveS!!GoSteveS!!GoSteveS!!GoSteveS!!

Thanks Marv, always enjoy your posts (and I'll top post ya here)
SteveS

Marvin The Paranoid Android wrote:
> SteveS wrote:
>> Dear AS3,
>> Five years ago today, I threw my last pack of Merits into the trash,
>> slapped on a patch, and embarked on this journey.
>> This was not the first time I had been here... I quit for a few months
>> back in 1997 but faltered and crashed a few months later. It took me
>> five more years, which included a divorce, sobriety, and the death of
>> my mother from lung cancer, before I was able to quit, hopefully for
>> good. I say Hopefully because I am, at any one time, one puff away
>> from a pack a day.
>> Many of you have seen me post to newbies (and oldbies) to approach
>> this thing from a ODAAT perspective (One Day At A Time), and also to
>> Remain Vigilant. My own personal experience showed me that I couldn't
>> afford to let Stinkin Junkie Thinkin lurk too long, and letting down
>> my guard was a certain guarantee that I would soon be miserable.
>> I hit the wall at six months. I had gone from daily craves to hourly
>> craves to minute by minute craves. After doing ODAAT and climbing the
>> walls (and everything else nearby) for about two weeks, I was
>> emotionally, physically, and mentally blown up. I knew that I was at
>> the jumping-off spot and that if it didn't stop, I would smoke. The
>> next morning, when I woke up, the craves were gone and I haven't been
>> hit that hard ever again. Just shows ya, if you hang on long enough,
>> ya get what ya need....
>> In my early days here I posted a lot. A whole lot. I had some good
>> times and some bad times... fought in particular with one individual
>> whose viewpoint I had major issues with, but in the long run, I am
>> still quit today. I don't post nearly as much as I used to, but I
>> still read a whole lot.
>> I must admit I am impressed with the current crop of newbs. You guys
>> seem to have each others' backs, and that often is what it takes. You
>> guys are hanging out and hanging on, and I think many of you will beat
>> this thing. Remember, just don't smoke that FIRST shit stick, and you
>> never have to worry about any of the other ones! Do WHATEVER it takes
>> to avoid that first cig. If you can last the first few seconds of a
>> crave, you will make it. Craves never last forever.
>> Some of the things I relied on to survive:
>> 1. Exercise. Lots of long walks and eventually regular trips to the
>> gym and weight room. I am, at the age of 48, in the best shape of my
>> life (IMHO).
>> 2. Water. Flush that crap out of your system.
>> 3. NRT. This is NOT like smoking. There are no heroes here... if
>> you can't hack the pain (and I couldn't) slap a patch on, or chew the
>> gum, or use lozenges, or staple a chicken to your forehead. Whatever
>> it takes.
>> 4. Support from friends and family. This place was a HUGE help, but
>> I also enlisted those IRL who were closest to me. If they wouldn't
>> support me, fuck em. That's how seriously I took it.
>> 5. Willingness. A willingness to endure some pain and some tough
>> times. I wanted to quit AT ALL COSTS and I had to make the commitment
>> to see it all the way through.
>> 6. A sense of humor, even though early in my quit I was a real sour
>> asshole. Eventually I re-learned how to laugh at myself. You will too.
>> 7. Healthy eating. While early on I ate every fucking thing that was
>> in front of me, at some point I began to see that I was changing one
>> obsession for another. A few pounds is fine ,and to be expected. I
>> just couldn't let it go too far. Now I eat lots of veggies and fruit,
>> and lean meats. Works for me...
>> Finally, I just really want to thank AS3 for its unvarying support.
>> You guys, all of you, rock. Joy, Lee, Mike, BB, Keven, Kathleen,
>> Robin, Edna, ... all you guys were a big part of my quit. Jef, thanks
>> for all you do for this place. Lynn, Summer, Cat and Robin, thanks
>> for your service work. It is invaluable to this place.
>> Most of all I want to recognize Cat, for having the strength to
>> finally get it right, and Becky and Crystal for never quitting
>> quitting. You guys are poster children for AS3, and you will get it too.
>> Toodles! Off to enjoy my evening! Cuz, as Marvin says, Life is Good
>> and I smell like, well not bread, but something good!
>> Thanks again AS3, for my life.
>>
>> Five years, 0 minutes and 4 seconds. 54780 cigarettes not smoked,
>> saving $10,271.25. Life saved: 27 weeks, 1 day, 5 hours, 0 minutes.
>
> Congratulations SteveS!!
>
> Five years is fantastic!
>
> Great post too!
>
> Cheers and High-Fives,
> Marvin
>

Wow, I guess it does! I will definitely enjoy that.
SteveS

BessieBee wrote:
> On Tue, 10 Jul 2007 19:39:29 -0400, SteveS <inyourh@spamm.ers> wrote:
>
>> Thanks again AS3, for my life.
>>
>> Five years, 0 minutes and 4 seconds. 54780 cigarettes not smoked, saving
>> $10,271.25. Life saved: 27 weeks, 1 day, 5 hours, 0 minutes.
>
> Congratulations, SteveS on your OneHalf Titanic Old Fogey status!!! I
> guess that makes you OHTOF. Enjoy!!
>
> --
> BessieBee
>
> "OK, so what's the speed of dark?"
> Steven Wright