I'm finally doing it....

**Drgnfly423** · 06-21-2006, 01:09 AM

I have signed up for the "Quit for Life" program. On July 5th I'm quitting smoking. I have set a date, am getting nicotine gum, and telling my "allies" (that's what they call my friends). I just thought I would share this here, as this is a huge step for me! Wish me luck. I will probably be posting a continuing saga-type of thing. Hopefully all will go well. Third time is a charm, so they say! I just know that it is the best thing for me and my waaaayyyy-in-the-future children. The money saved think will be pretty cool, too.

**autumnlynn** · 06-21-2006, 02:06 AM

That is really great. You are giving your family the best gift you can -- your health. I know you can do it and we'll be here to encourage you!!

**fernykins** · 06-21-2006, 02:18 AM

Thats great.........You can do it
Fern

**EmilyD** · 06-21-2006, 03:18 AM

Miranda,

Congrats and you can do it.

A side note for encouragement. On 8 July I quit smoking ... 12 years ago. I was a 3-4 pack a day smoker for 30 years. It was my present to myself for my 42 birthday, July 30th.

You will never be sorry that you quit , only sorry you didn't do it sooner!

Keep telling yourself ... I am a non-smoker, I am a non-smoker hundreds of times a day.

**Daisygirl** · 06-21-2006, 05:55 AM

Best of luck -- this is a huge and life altering step. Congratulations on your decision!

**AmyBoz** · 06-21-2006, 06:37 AM

I'm so proud of you!!!

**Jellybeanz** · 06-21-2006, 08:28 AM

Miranda,

Congratulations on your decision! It's the best one you can ever make for yourself.

Another sidennote of encouragement - I quit 4 weeks ago. I smoked around 2 packs a day.. I've been using the patch to help with the physical side of the addiction and little things like chewing on sugar free gum for the mouth issue/habit . I also started walking every morning to help me replace it with a healthy habit. Try to think of ways you will deal with craving times ahead of time and as someone else said... think of yourself as a non smoker when you quit.

Good Luck!! You can do this.

**marei** · 06-21-2006, 08:30 AM

The thing that helped me the most when I quit smoking is to remember the urge for a cigarette only lasts about a minute, if you can do something distracting for a short period of time it helps. The urges get further and further apart, I quit cold turkey and when people asked me how I quit smoking I say"a minute at a time". Good Luck.

**PrairieRose** · 06-21-2006, 08:38 AM

Good for you Miranda! Before long you'll be one of those people who used to annoy you, saying "ugh, I just can't stand the smell of cigarette smoke!".
My dh quit on Valentine's Day of last year (best present he ever gave me!) and it's been wonderful. He even put a No Smoking sign in his office

**betharoo0** · 06-21-2006, 11:46 AM

iam so happy for you, we can be your allies too! set up a sticky somewhere, where we can encourage you and you can post and tell us your journey or when you are about to cave and go for a smoke, you can come vent before you give in....and we will be right here saying noooooo! don't do it!

i too use to smoke, i quit 5 years ago. it was hard but now iam happy, its a frugal thing to do, too!

**Drgnfly423** · 06-21-2006, 12:17 PM

Thanks everyone! I actually started a list of chores that need to be done around the house...so everytime I have a craving I'm going to look on my list and do a chore. I just need to replace that time with something else.
Thanks again, and you all can bet that you will be hearing from me a lot the first few days.

Thanks again.