My quit..

Hiya,

It's been tough for me to quit. I'm 37, started smoking at 21 when I
was in college. At the time, I swore to myself I would quit "soon",
then "no more than 1 year", then "4 years max", then.. well, I forget
what the next excuse was. Now it's been a good 16 years. In those 16
years, I never quit for more than 24 hours - except one time about 2
years ago. I was sick and after about 36 hours of not smoking I kept
pushing it. I was actually quit for about 4 weeks before I drank a
few beers and had "just one puff". Argh..

So here I am determined to quit again. This time for good. I won't
repeat the mistake I made last time -- never take another puff. I had
my last cig on July 3rd at 8:30pm. So in less than 3 hours from now
it will be exactly 1 week quit. Cold turkey, the only way I know to
do it.

As I recall the last time I quit, it was about 3 days of significant
withdrawal symptoms and it wasn't until day 7 that I felt like I was
really over the worst of it. This time is similar, but now on day 7
I'm still having more cravings than I am want (or, rather, expected.)
So, it still sucks a bit. I just hope I can get over the major
psychological craving triggers soon. I find myself eating more, but I
limit the snacks to fruit and vegetables only (carrots and celery
mainly).

By the way, I see references to the (acronym?) "HOF", what does that
mean? I can't find a definition..

Cheers,
// CHRIS

On Tue, 10 Jul 2007 21:54:11 -0000, Chris Morse <win32mfc@gmail.com>
wrote:

>
>Hiya,
>
>It's been tough for me to quit. I'm 37, started smoking at 21 when I
>was in college. At the time, I swore to myself I would quit "soon",
>then "no more than 1 year", then "4 years max", then.. well, I forget
>what the next excuse was. Now it's been a good 16 years. In those 16
>years, I never quit for more than 24 hours - except one time about 2
>years ago. I was sick and after about 36 hours of not smoking I kept
>pushing it. I was actually quit for about 4 weeks before I drank a
>few beers and had "just one puff". Argh..
>
>So here I am determined to quit again. This time for good. I won't
>repeat the mistake I made last time -- never take another puff. I had
>my last cig on July 3rd at 8:30pm. So in less than 3 hours from now
>it will be exactly 1 week quit. Cold turkey, the only way I know to
>do it.
>
>As I recall the last time I quit, it was about 3 days of significant
>withdrawal symptoms and it wasn't until day 7 that I felt like I was
>really over the worst of it. This time is similar, but now on day 7
>I'm still having more cravings than I am want (or, rather, expected.)
>So, it still sucks a bit. I just hope I can get over the major
>psychological craving triggers soon. I find myself eating more, but I
>limit the snacks to fruit and vegetables only (carrots and celery
>mainly).
>
>By the way, I see references to the (acronym?) "HOF", what does that
>mean? I can't find a definition..

That would be Half Old Fogey for a 6 month quit. OF is Old Fogey.
Welcome, Chris. My opinion is that you are brave to go CT. Good for
you for eating healthy stuff. Unfortunately, I got hooked on Jelly
Bellies and then chocolate. (
Remember to stay strong and stay stubborn and, most importantly, there
is no such thing as just one.
Sue

>
>Cheers,
>// CHRIS

On 7/10/2007 4:54:11 PM, Chris Morse wrote:
>
> Hiya,
>
> It's been tough for me to quit. I'm 37, started smoking at 21 when I
> was in college. At the time, I swore to myself I would quit "soon",
> then "no more than 1 year", then "4 years max", then.. well, I forget
> what the next excuse was. Now it's been a good 16 years. In those 16
> years, I never quit for more than 24 hours - except one time about 2
> years ago. I was sick and after about 36 hours of not smoking I kept
> pushing it. I was actually quit for about 4 weeks before I drank a
> few beers and had "just one puff". Argh..
>
> So here I am determined to quit again. This time for good. I won't
> repeat the mistake I made last time -- never take another puff. I had
> my last cig on July 3rd at 8:30pm. So in less than 3 hours from now
> it will be exactly 1 week quit. Cold turkey, the only way I know to
> do it.
>
> As I recall the last time I quit, it was about 3 days of significant
> withdrawal symptoms and it wasn't until day 7 that I felt like I was
> really over the worst of it. This time is similar, but now on day 7
> I'm still having more cravings than I am want (or, rather, expected.)
> So, it still sucks a bit. I just hope I can get over the major
> psychological craving triggers soon. I find myself eating more, but I
> limit the snacks to fruit and vegetables only (carrots and celery
> mainly).
>
> By the way, I see references to the (acronym?) "HOF", what does that
> mean? I can't find a definition..
>
> Cheers,
> // CHRIS
>
>

Great decision - keep it up. I just posted for my 3 year anniversary tonight
- check it out, because I've been told by many since I posted the original
last year for my 2 year anniversary that it helped them stay on track. Great
job with the healthier food - everything you can do that changes your habits
helps change your triggers. Less triggers = less cravings. Alter your
schedule as much as you can, avoid things that make you want to smoke. If you
had things that you always associated with smoking, avoid them for a while
until you feel less vulnerable.

And, as many have said, remember that you WILL crave - but you will crave
whether you smoke or not. If you light up, you'll crave again in a little
while after the smoke is gone and extinguished. Why bother giving in if, by
holding out, you can end the craving eventually?

Just remember, smoking is NOT an option. PERIOD. No matter what happens, this
has to be your focus. Job problems, family problems, everything else has to
take a back seat to this process. THIS is your battle right now. Fight it as
if your life depended on it - it very well may.

So congratulations and I'd say best of luck, but luck has nothing to do with
it. So I'll wish you the best of determination and stubbornness. Don't let
them little piece of shit things rule your life.

John

I quit those damn smokes 2 Years, 11 Months, 4 Weeks, 1 Day, 20 hours, 23
minutes and 18 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 $5,742.70.

--
John

Welcome to AS3, Chris. Congratulations on quitting this past week and
going cold turkey is very brave and strong! Do come here and read and
post as much as you need as we are all here to support each other in
our journeys to smobriety. You can find out a lot about getting
smober by going to our unofficial website, www.quitbuddies.org. You
will find out a lot by reading the FAQs there and there are also many
good links there for other reading as well. Also, be sure to check
out the humor section as you will find that laughter is one of the
best ways to stay smober. You just can't laugh and smoke at the same
time. <G>

Hang Tuff!
Don't Puff!

FlatironMike
FSS
Four months, four weeks, one day, 23 hours, 10 minutes and 58 seconds.
2999 cigarettes not smoked, saving $899.54. Life saved: 1 week, 3
days, 9 hours, 55 minutes.

On Jul 10, 9:08 pm, "John" <jdth...@deletethis.hotmail.com> wrote:
> On 7/10/2007 4:54:11 PM, Chris Morse wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > Hiya,
>
> > It's been tough for me to quit. I'm 37, started smoking at 21 when I
> > was in college. At the time, I swore to myself I would quit "soon",
> > then "no more than 1 year", then "4 years max", then.. well, I forget
> > what the next excuse was. Now it's been a good 16 years. In those 16
> > years, I never quit for more than 24 hours - except one time about 2
> > years ago. I was sick and after about 36 hours of not smoking I kept
> > pushing it. I was actually quit for about 4 weeks before I drank a
> > few beers and had "just one puff". Argh..
>
> > So here I am determined to quit again. This time for good. I won't
> > repeat the mistake I made last time -- never take another puff. I had
> > my last cig on July 3rd at 8:30pm. So in less than 3 hours from now
> > it will be exactly 1 week quit. Cold turkey, the only way I know to
> > do it.
>
> > As I recall the last time I quit, it was about 3 days of significant
> > withdrawal symptoms and it wasn't until day 7 that I felt like I was
> > really over the worst of it. This time is similar, but now on day 7
> > I'm still having more cravings than I am want (or, rather, expected.)
> > So, it still sucks a bit. I just hope I can get over the major
> > psychological craving triggers soon. I find myself eating more, but I
> > limit the snacks to fruit and vegetables only (carrots and celery
> > mainly).
>
> > By the way, I see references to the (acronym?) "HOF", what does that
> > mean? I can't find a definition..
>
> > Cheers,
> > // CHRIS
>
> Great decision - keep it up. I just posted for my 3 year anniversary tonight
> - check it out, because I've been told by many since I posted the original
> last year for my 2 year anniversary that it helped them stay on track. Great
> job with the healthier food - everything you can do that changes your habits
> helps change your triggers. Less triggers = less cravings. Alter your
> schedule as much as you can, avoid things that make you want to smoke. If you
> had things that you always associated with smoking, avoid them for a while
> until you feel less vulnerable.
>
> And, as many have said, remember that you WILL crave - but you will crave
> whether you smoke or not. If you light up, you'll crave again in a little
> while after the smoke is gone and extinguished. Why bother giving in if, by
> holding out, you can end the craving eventually?
>
> Just remember, smoking is NOT an option. PERIOD. No matter what happens, this
> has to be your focus. Job problems, family problems, everything else has to
> take a back seat to this process. THIS is your battle right now. Fight it as
> if your life depended on it - it very well may.
>
> So congratulations and I'd say best of luck, but luck has nothing to do with
> it. So I'll wish you the best of determination and stubbornness. Don't let
> them little piece of shit things rule your life.
>
> John
>
> I quit those damn smokes 2 Years, 11 Months, 4 Weeks, 1 Day, 20 hours, 23
> minutes and 18 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 $5,742.70.
>
> --
> John- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Chris - Listen to John - read his earlier post. Read ALL the posts.
You can do this. All you have to do is NOT SMOKE. Don't smoke.
Hugs,
Pam

Welcome Chris. This is the right place to be. We are a bunch of nuts
because at one time we used to smoke, but some of us are wiser than others.
So, keep reading, posting, and smoke free. Oh, and congratulations on
controlling your life, again forever this time.

--
AZ
"Chris Morse" <win32mfc@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1184104451.236956.98170@k79g2000hse.googlegro ups.com...
>
> Hiya,
>
> It's been tough for me to quit. I'm 37, started smoking at 21 when I
> was in college. At the time, I swore to myself I would quit "soon",
> then "no more than 1 year", then "4 years max", then.. well, I forget
> what the next excuse was. Now it's been a good 16 years. In those 16
> years, I never quit for more than 24 hours - except one time about 2
> years ago. I was sick and after about 36 hours of not smoking I kept
> pushing it. I was actually quit for about 4 weeks before I drank a
> few beers and had "just one puff". Argh..
>
> So here I am determined to quit again. This time for good. I won't
> repeat the mistake I made last time -- never take another puff. I had
> my last cig on July 3rd at 8:30pm. So in less than 3 hours from now
> it will be exactly 1 week quit. Cold turkey, the only way I know to
> do it.
>
> As I recall the last time I quit, it was about 3 days of significant
> withdrawal symptoms and it wasn't until day 7 that I felt like I was
> really over the worst of it. This time is similar, but now on day 7
> I'm still having more cravings than I am want (or, rather, expected.)
> So, it still sucks a bit. I just hope I can get over the major
> psychological craving triggers soon. I find myself eating more, but I
> limit the snacks to fruit and vegetables only (carrots and celery
> mainly).
>
> By the way, I see references to the (acronym?) "HOF", what does that
> mean? I can't find a definition..
>
> Cheers,
> // CHRIS
>

Hi Chris,

Welcome to the group. There are a ton of resources available that are
documented in the regular FAQ updates. This is a wonderful place to
come to vent, crow, kid around and generally celebrate a smoke-free
life. You've come to the right spot!

Cheers,
Rob

On Jul 10, 8:45 pm, Sue <sebr...@thegrid.net> wrote:
> That would be Half Old Fogey for a 6 month quit. OF is Old Fogey.

Ah, AB3 slang! Shortly after I posted, I found the FAQ and saw OF is
Old Fogey, but HOF was missing from the list. Thanks!

> Welcome, Chris. My opinion is that you are brave to go CT. Good for
> you for eating healthy stuff. Unfortunately, I got hooked on Jelly
> Bellies and then chocolate. (

Thanks - I've done enough reading about quitting to become aware of
the weight-gain trap. Also, a few months ago, I decided to do read up
on nutrition. My wife and I both decided that we were not eating very
well - too many frozen pizza's, pasta, mac & cheese, hot dogs... From
a radio interview I heard, I got turned on to the book "Eat To Live";
the first 4 chapters are real eye openers on the subject of "basic"
fact-based human nutrition.

> Remember to stay strong and stay stubborn and, most importantly, there
> is no such thing as just one.
> Sue

I'm trying! One crave at a time.. The longer I'm quit, though, the
harder it is to convince myself to actually light a cigarette, as I
know I'll be throwing out all that quit-time out the window and will
have to start all over again.

Cheers!
// CHRIS

That is exactly the point in getting smober, Chris. When you have X
number of days/weeks/months/years to go and light up a sickerette and
blow the quit getting more and more something you don't want to do.
It certanly can help at some of the times where the nicodemon is
really in your face.

Hang Tuff
Don't Puff!

FlatironMike
FSS
Five months, 11 hours, 32 minutes and 13 seconds. 3009 cigarettes not
smoked, saving $902.63. Life saved: 1 week, 3 days, 10 hours, 45
minutes.

On Jul 10, 9:41 pm, FlatIronMike <FlatironMike...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Welcome to AS3, Chris. Congratulations on quitting this past week and
> going cold turkey is very brave and strong! Do come here and read and
> post as much as you need as we are all here to support each other in
> our journeys to smobriety. You can find out a lot about getting
> smober by going to our unofficial website,www.quitbuddies.org. You
> will find out a lot by reading the FAQs there and there are also many
> good links there for other reading as well. Also, be sure to check
> out the humor section as you will find that laughter is one of the
> best ways to stay smober. You just can't laugh and smoke at the same
> time. <G>
>
> Hang Tuff!
> Don't Puff!
>
> FlatironMike

Thanks! When I first quit, I found http://www.WhyQuit.org and watched
a bunch of the video's that are available there. There's a page for
each day up to day 6, and, every morning, that helped me stay focused
on quitting and not caving to the craving.

// CHRIS

On Jul 10, 9:08 pm, "John" <jdth...@deletethis.hotmail.com> wrote:
> Great decision - keep it up. I just posted for my 3 year anniversary tonight
> - check it out, because I've been told by many since I posted the original
> last year for my 2 year anniversary that it helped them stay on track. Great
> job with the healthier food - everything you can do that changes your habits
> helps change your triggers. Less triggers = less cravings. Alter your
> schedule as much as you can, avoid things that make you want to smoke. If you
> had things that you always associated with smoking, avoid them for a while
> until you feel less vulnerable.

Thanks- Ya, I read your 3-year anniv post. Very good. I really feel
bad for the marriage situation. That's rough. I'm sure my story
doesn't compare (I wasn't married) but I lost my first girlfriend of
3+ years to her Jehovah's Witness religion. She wanted to tell her
mother about us (we were basically dating in secret from her), her
mother got real upset and told the "elders" at the church about it
all. They must have brainwashed my girlfriend because I was no longer
allowed to talk to her. I could only write letters, give them to the
congregation local to where I was going to college, they would mail it
to her congregation and then read the letter to her. They wanted me
to become a jehovah's witness in order to see her again. I couldn't
do that, and I never saw her again - never even got a chance to say a
"proper" goodbye (though I tried several times.)


> And, as many have said, remember that you WILL crave - but you will crave
> whether you smoke or not. If you light up, you'll crave again in a little
> while after the smoke is gone and extinguished. Why bother giving in if, by
> holding out, you can end the craving eventually?

I agree. There's just that damn urge to have one just to get rid of
the cravings.
But I don't want to go back to that way of live.. Fighting one crave
at a time.

> Just remember, smoking is NOT an option. PERIOD. No matter what happens, this
> has to be your focus. Job problems, family problems, everything else has to
> take a back seat to this process. THIS is your battle right now. Fight it as
> if your life depended on it - it very well may.
>
> So congratulations and I'd say best of luck, but luck has nothing to do with
> it. So I'll wish you the best of determination and stubbornness. Don't let
> them little piece of shit things rule your life.
>
> John

Thanks John. I am determined. Much like you wrote in your 3 year
anniv post, I hate so many things about smoking, I don't want to go
back.

// CHRIS

On Jul 11, 8:11 am, "AZ" <azi...@bellsouth.net> wrote:
> Welcome Chris. This is the right place to be. We are a bunch of nuts
> because at one time we used to smoke, but some of us are wiser than others.
> So, keep reading, posting, and smoke free. Oh, and congratulations on
> controlling your life, again forever this time.

Thanks, AZ! And thanks also to everyone that's replied with
encouragement.
It really helps to have people to talk to that are in the same
"place".
My wife doesn't smoke and doesn't understand what I'm going through.
And I hope that my 3 year old son doesn't "remember" when dad smoked..

// CHRIS

congrats on your seven days!
QUITTING IS TOUGH, but you can do it, just like a lot of us did!
i started smoking when i was fifteen and quit when i was almost
49.....................it CAN be done!





"Chris Morse" <win32mfc@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1184104451.236956.98170@k79g2000hse.googlegro ups.com...
>
> Hiya,
>
> It's been tough for me to quit. I'm 37, started smoking at 21 when I
> was in college. At the time, I swore to myself I would quit "soon",
> then "no more than 1 year", then "4 years max", then.. well, I forget
> what the next excuse was. Now it's been a good 16 years. In those 16
> years, I never quit for more than 24 hours - except one time about 2
> years ago. I was sick and after about 36 hours of not smoking I kept
> pushing it. I was actually quit for about 4 weeks before I drank a
> few beers and had "just one puff". Argh..
>
> So here I am determined to quit again. This time for good. I won't
> repeat the mistake I made last time -- never take another puff. I had
> my last cig on July 3rd at 8:30pm. So in less than 3 hours from now
> it will be exactly 1 week quit. Cold turkey, the only way I know to
> do it.
>
> As I recall the last time I quit, it was about 3 days of significant
> withdrawal symptoms and it wasn't until day 7 that I felt like I was
> really over the worst of it. This time is similar, but now on day 7
> I'm still having more cravings than I am want (or, rather, expected.)
> So, it still sucks a bit. I just hope I can get over the major
> psychological craving triggers soon. I find myself eating more, but I
> limit the snacks to fruit and vegetables only (carrots and celery
> mainly).
>
> By the way, I see references to the (acronym?) "HOF", what does that
> mean? I can't find a definition..
>
> Cheers,
> // CHRIS
>

Chris Morse <win32mfc@gmail.com> wrote:

>As I recall the last time I quit, it was about 3 days of significant
>withdrawal symptoms and it wasn't until day 7 that I felt like I was
>really over the worst of it. This time is similar, but now on day 7
>I'm still having more cravings than I am want (or, rather, expected.)
>So, it still sucks a bit. I just hope I can get over the major
>psychological craving triggers soon. I find myself eating more, but I
>limit the snacks to fruit and vegetables only (carrots and celery
>mainly).

No worries! Day 7 was almost as bad as the first 2 days for me, after
that it gets so much better that you'll think it must be a sin :-)

>By the way, I see references to the (acronym?) "HOF", what does that
>mean? I can't find a definition..

Half Old Fogey I *think*!

--
Tihomir
*I don't smoke anymore*

.... Dammit, Jim! I'm a doctor, not a Detective!

Congrats on FWD!!! Hehe...First Week Done!

Welcome to AS3! You can do this Chris!

Cheers!
Cat
OFHOF



"Chris Morse" <win32mfc@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1184104451.236956.98170@k79g2000hse.googlegro ups.com...
>
> Hiya,
>
> It's been tough for me to quit. I'm 37, started smoking at 21 when I
> was in college. At the time, I swore to myself I would quit "soon",
> then "no more than 1 year", then "4 years max", then.. well, I forget
> what the next excuse was. Now it's been a good 16 years. In those 16
> years, I never quit for more than 24 hours - except one time about 2
> years ago. I was sick and after about 36 hours of not smoking I kept
> pushing it. I was actually quit for about 4 weeks before I drank a
> few beers and had "just one puff". Argh..
>
> So here I am determined to quit again. This time for good. I won't
> repeat the mistake I made last time -- never take another puff. I had
> my last cig on July 3rd at 8:30pm. So in less than 3 hours from now
> it will be exactly 1 week quit. Cold turkey, the only way I know to
> do it.
>
> As I recall the last time I quit, it was about 3 days of significant
> withdrawal symptoms and it wasn't until day 7 that I felt like I was
> really over the worst of it. This time is similar, but now on day 7
> I'm still having more cravings than I am want (or, rather, expected.)
> So, it still sucks a bit. I just hope I can get over the major
> psychological craving triggers soon. I find myself eating more, but I
> limit the snacks to fruit and vegetables only (carrots and celery
> mainly).
>
> By the way, I see references to the (acronym?) "HOF", what does that
> mean? I can't find a definition..
>
> Cheers,
> // CHRIS
>

Welcome to AS3 Chris, I'm a little behind the times. You can do this, just
keep posting! AS3 is the best quit aid there is! And HOF means half old
fogey, or 6 months quit!

welcome, again!

Sarah and Steve

"Chris Morse" <win32mfc@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1184104451.236956.98170@k79g2000hse.googlegro ups.com...
:
: Hiya,
:
: It's been tough for me to quit. I'm 37, started smoking at 21 when I
: was in college. At the time, I swore to myself I would quit "soon",
: then "no more than 1 year", then "4 years max", then.. well, I forget
: what the next excuse was. Now it's been a good 16 years. In those 16
: years, I never quit for more than 24 hours - except one time about 2
: years ago. I was sick and after about 36 hours of not smoking I kept
: pushing it. I was actually quit for about 4 weeks before I drank a
: few beers and had "just one puff". Argh..
:
: So here I am determined to quit again. This time for good. I won't
: repeat the mistake I made last time -- never take another puff. I had
: my last cig on July 3rd at 8:30pm. So in less than 3 hours from now
: it will be exactly 1 week quit. Cold turkey, the only way I know to
: do it.
:
: As I recall the last time I quit, it was about 3 days of significant
: withdrawal symptoms and it wasn't until day 7 that I felt like I was
: really over the worst of it. This time is similar, but now on day 7
: I'm still having more cravings than I am want (or, rather, expected.)
: So, it still sucks a bit. I just hope I can get over the major
: psychological craving triggers soon. I find myself eating more, but I
: limit the snacks to fruit and vegetables only (carrots and celery
: mainly).
:
: By the way, I see references to the (acronym?) "HOF", what does that
: mean? I can't find a definition..
:
: Cheers,
: // CHRIS
: