(OT) any ex smokers out there? How did you kick it?
- Thread starter bfunk13
- Start date
-
Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.
We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.
We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.
- Status
bfunk13 said:
Way to go . . . we're all pulling for you . . . as if you didn't know that already . . . but as much as we all hope you are able to stick with it always remember that there are at least three others who are counting on you even more than us to keep up the good work . . . three others who are a lot more important to you and who care about you more than even we do. Keep up the good work.
bfunk13 said:
From the short time I've know you here at hearth.com I kind of pegged you for the type of guy who once he makes his mind up on something is willing to stick it out and make it happen no matter what . . . some folks might call that being stubborn . . . I call it being tenacious . . . so yeah . . . keep up the good work.
bfunk13 said:
I remember that after I had stopped for a couple months that people just looked so silly with cigarettes in their mouths.
You nailed it, as stubborn as a mule actually.
And if it's something i feel strongly about, no one can change my mind.
I can feel it already this time, i will not fail.
Thanks to everyone who posted here, i am not kidding when i say it really helps.
Your the man! Great idea- the mp3..Listening to toons and singing along releases feel good chemicals in the brain..I know it helps..So, how is it on top of the world?.I'm sure you feel the affection from all who post here! Your family must be thrilled..
Now you have 2 websites to update! Go Bfunk go
Now you have 2 websites to update! Go Bfunk go
You are doing great! I was standing in line at the auto parts store the other day, and heard an old man behind me cough. It was one of those deep, juicy, trying-to-stir-things-up-enough-to-absorb-a-little-oxygen-here coughs--a cough that didn't ask for much--kind of a hopeless cough, if you get what I mean. And I was so glad that this will never have to be you.
Ever seen a picture of a smoker's lungs compared with those of a non-smoker? You look at this delicate-looking pink organ--complex, like a coral reef--and then you see these blackened hard lumps, like overcooked meat (and I suppose that's a pretty good analogy), and you wonder why anyone would do that to such an amazing structure in your body--I mean, think about it--how much we need them--if they stopped functioning now, we'd spend the next few minutes dying in agony. Why risk something so wonderfully made?
Here's a thought-for-the-day from another great website, whyquit.com. I am so impressed by the knowledge the author has to share, and the compassion this man has for smokers. I found the following on this page, and I hope he won't mind that I copied it here (lots and lots of good info on this page, btw, but some very graphic lung images: http://whyquit.com/joel/Joel_02_17_smoke_in_lung.html):
and one more piece of info from Wikipedia:
I know that I keep throwing the tough stuff at you--don't doubt for a minute that I am 100% impressed and supportive of what you are doing, even if I come at it from a shock-value angle. The reality is that we kid ourselves--denial is one of the hallmarks of addiction--and we have to be willing to set down the denial and face reality to break the chains of addiction. Keeping it real keeps us on track. I know that some days are going to be harder than others, but I promise you these are the ones you will look back on YEARS from now, and be proud and grateful that you made it through.
A couple of insights to share: when you struggle with an addiction like this, you just keep trying, and if you fall, you pick yourself up and you try again. Because this is the simple truth--you never know which time is going to be THE time, until the time you look back and realize you made it (and I think you're right--I think this is it for you). I failed at quitting so many times, fell flat on my face, and just kept getting up and trying again. Until the time that I didn't start again. And (I think I'm repeating myself here from an earlier post, but o well) each time I tried, I learned something about the process, about myself, until one day I had all this information at hand, and it came together and I became free. And it is SO INCREDIBLY AMAZINGLY WONDERFUL that you are doing this, too.
I bet your wife is so happy and so proud of you. You might consider taking her out someplace nice for dinner sometime, and telling her that it's because you got a refund when you cancelled your addiction contract with the tobacco companies.
Ever seen a picture of a smoker's lungs compared with those of a non-smoker? You look at this delicate-looking pink organ--complex, like a coral reef--and then you see these blackened hard lumps, like overcooked meat (and I suppose that's a pretty good analogy), and you wonder why anyone would do that to such an amazing structure in your body--I mean, think about it--how much we need them--if they stopped functioning now, we'd spend the next few minutes dying in agony. Why risk something so wonderfully made?
Here's a thought-for-the-day from another great website, whyquit.com. I am so impressed by the knowledge the author has to share, and the compassion this man has for smokers. I found the following on this page, and I hope he won't mind that I copied it here (lots and lots of good info on this page, btw, but some very graphic lung images: http://whyquit.com/joel/Joel_02_17_smoke_in_lung.html):
and one more piece of info from Wikipedia:
I know that I keep throwing the tough stuff at you--don't doubt for a minute that I am 100% impressed and supportive of what you are doing, even if I come at it from a shock-value angle. The reality is that we kid ourselves--denial is one of the hallmarks of addiction--and we have to be willing to set down the denial and face reality to break the chains of addiction. Keeping it real keeps us on track. I know that some days are going to be harder than others, but I promise you these are the ones you will look back on YEARS from now, and be proud and grateful that you made it through.
A couple of insights to share: when you struggle with an addiction like this, you just keep trying, and if you fall, you pick yourself up and you try again. Because this is the simple truth--you never know which time is going to be THE time, until the time you look back and realize you made it (and I think you're right--I think this is it for you). I failed at quitting so many times, fell flat on my face, and just kept getting up and trying again. Until the time that I didn't start again. And (I think I'm repeating myself here from an earlier post, but o well) each time I tried, I learned something about the process, about myself, until one day I had all this information at hand, and it came together and I became free. And it is SO INCREDIBLY AMAZINGLY WONDERFUL that you are doing this, too.
I bet your wife is so happy and so proud of you. You might consider taking her out someplace nice for dinner sometime, and telling her that it's because you got a refund when you cancelled your addiction contract with the tobacco companies.
My wife and I both smoked for years..... She had a heart attack...... She lived We both stopped.... We both were scared shitless.....
We both stopped.... We both were scared shitless.....Here's another page from that site that has so much good information on it:
http://whyquit.com/whyquit/LinksAAddiction.html
and here's more--double-dog dare you to read all the way to the end:
http://whyquit.com/whyquit/A_Deborah.html
http://smokinggotme.com/story.html
Even when I smoked, I had some places where I didn't smoke--in bed and in the shower come to mind. So while I was quitting, I spent extra time there. That helped.
For some people, patches and gums and stuff seem to help, but my observation has been that they give away some of their power to that stuff. And this is a battle that has to be won from the inside out, if that makes sense. It's like promising that you'll quit on your thirtieth birthday, or the first of the year, or Monday. Just doesn't seem to work. You either do it now or you don't do it.
The following comes from another page on that site, and it was by a young woman who wrote, "I should have a father, not a broken heart":
http://whyquit.com/whyquit/LinksAAddiction.html
and here's more--double-dog dare you to read all the way to the end:
http://whyquit.com/whyquit/A_Deborah.html
http://smokinggotme.com/story.html
Even when I smoked, I had some places where I didn't smoke--in bed and in the shower come to mind. So while I was quitting, I spent extra time there. That helped.
For some people, patches and gums and stuff seem to help, but my observation has been that they give away some of their power to that stuff. And this is a battle that has to be won from the inside out, if that makes sense. It's like promising that you'll quit on your thirtieth birthday, or the first of the year, or Monday. Just doesn't seem to work. You either do it now or you don't do it.
The following comes from another page on that site, and it was by a young woman who wrote, "I should have a father, not a broken heart":
Bfunk
Snowleopard's last post was a grand slam..Right on target woman! Keep them coming. When I originally posted you I was crying..Don't know if you felt the tears between the words..Took one look at those gorgeous kids and my heart sunk. So very much to lose. I know you'll do it this time..If you fall we are here for you!
Your resolve is strong and will be reinforced by all who post here. My story was an extreme case but it does happen. Dh used to say my "grandfather drank like a fish & smoked like a fiend". He survived until he was 95..Oh yeah, wonder what Dh is thinking now.
You already know how wonderful life is. The things we take for granted. I'm here to cheer you on. To enlighten you how much evil one can bring upon yourself and the family.The path to self-destruction has many avenues. Just trying to put up a roadblock, a barrier, to paint a mental picture to keep you and the ones you love safe..Take care...another long post dammit...
Snowleopard's last post was a grand slam..Right on target woman! Keep them coming. When I originally posted you I was crying..Don't know if you felt the tears between the words..Took one look at those gorgeous kids and my heart sunk. So very much to lose. I know you'll do it this time..If you fall we are here for you!
Your resolve is strong and will be reinforced by all who post here. My story was an extreme case but it does happen. Dh used to say my "grandfather drank like a fish & smoked like a fiend". He survived until he was 95..Oh yeah, wonder what Dh is thinking now.
You already know how wonderful life is. The things we take for granted. I'm here to cheer you on. To enlighten you how much evil one can bring upon yourself and the family.The path to self-destruction has many avenues. Just trying to put up a roadblock, a barrier, to paint a mental picture to keep you and the ones you love safe..Take care...another long post dammit...
Those are some hard hitting posts from you two!
But, still ZERO!
I ran into a guy i work with today and he light up, (reds) i could have had one, just one if i wanted.
I would be lying if i said i didn't think about it for a second, but HELL no i am not even having that one.
I know the hard work i have done will just be prolonged if i screw around and have one. I am already feeling better physically. And the cravings are more easily pushed aside and forgotten.
There is no doubt about it this time. I feel great!
8 days, 12 hours, 50 minutes and 15 seconds smoke free.
188 cigarettes not smoked.
$48.40 saved
and 1 day, 10 hours of your life saved.
this ticker gets me every time i pull it up. 188 cigarettes not smoked. You don't realize it smoking a pack a day.
I can't wait to look at this after 6 months!
But, still ZERO!
I ran into a guy i work with today and he light up, (reds) i could have had one, just one if i wanted.
I would be lying if i said i didn't think about it for a second, but HELL no i am not even having that one.
I know the hard work i have done will just be prolonged if i screw around and have one. I am already feeling better physically. And the cravings are more easily pushed aside and forgotten.
There is no doubt about it this time. I feel great!
8 days, 12 hours, 50 minutes and 15 seconds smoke free.
188 cigarettes not smoked.
$48.40 saved
and 1 day, 10 hours of your life saved.
this ticker gets me every time i pull it up. 188 cigarettes not smoked. You don't realize it smoking a pack a day.
I can't wait to look at this after 6 months!
Some people may think Snowleopard and I are being tough on you..Believe me those cancer sticks are worse. So happy you are physically feeling better. It will get easier to control. Its like having and angel on one shoulder and a devil on the other!
So glad you did not weaken. You are empowered now and that's the difference. Congrats on another smoke-free day. Knew you could do it! Looking forward to future updates!!
So glad you did not weaken. You are empowered now and that's the difference. Congrats on another smoke-free day. Knew you could do it! Looking forward to future updates!!
I did not read all the previous posts because I just don't have the time right now but wanted to post this. I quit 19 years ago - 2 packs a day - started when I was 14 or 15. Smoked for 13 years. I hated it, it is much easier to quit when you hate it. I was fed up with letting something so unhealthy run my life from the time I got up to the time I went to bed. In fact it really pissed me off! I wanted to quit for years, but could not find any islands to be on by myself because that is what I thought it would take! A few hours in and I was ready to fight with anyone that even smiled at me let alone said a word. They came out with the patch, I got a script for it, I slapped one on before I went to bed woke up the next day and never smoked again! Used the patch for 2 weeks and was done with it. I did have a script for Buspar and took that for about a month and ate a ton of sunflower seeds. I worked a 12 hr night shift for a tow company and all the drivers smoked around me. I think that helped me. The freedom, health and extra money(every time you would have bought a pack, put it towards a vacation) are all blessings you get when you quit. For you, you will have a better relationship with your children and be a more positive role model for them. Both of my parents smoked and then so did I 
It is a HORRIBLE, debilitating addiction that is very hard to get a handle on. You have to decide that it is something you don't want in your life or quitting will be a continual negative in your life. Sounds kind of wacky, but you just have to let it go and pray for help and strength to let it go & make it through. If I can do it, anyone can, you just have to decide to do it.
It is a HORRIBLE, debilitating addiction that is very hard to get a handle on. You have to decide that it is something you don't want in your life or quitting will be a continual negative in your life. Sounds kind of wacky, but you just have to let it go and pray for help and strength to let it go & make it through. If I can do it, anyone can, you just have to decide to do it.Carol said:I did not read all the previous posts because I just don't have the time right now but wanted to post this. I quit 19 years ago - 2 packs a day - started when I was 14 or 15. Smoked for 13 years. I hated it, it is much easier to quit when you hate it. I was fed up with letting something so unhealthy run my life from the time I got up to the time I went to bed. In fact it really pissed me off! I wanted to quit for years, but could not find any islands to be on by myself because that is what I thought it would take! A few hours in and I was ready to fight with anyone that even smiled at me let alone said a word. They came out with the patch, I got a script for it, I slapped one on before I went to bed woke up the next day and never smoked again! Used the patch for 2 weeks and was done with it. I did have a script for Buspar and took that for about a month and ate a ton of sunflower seeds. I worked a 12 hr night shift for a tow company and all the drivers smoked around me. I think that helped me. The freedom, health and extra money(every time you would have bought a pack, put it towards a vacation) are all blessings you get when you quit. For you, you will have a better relationship with your children and be a more positive role model for them. Both of my parents smoked and then so did I
Congrats to you!
I agree, you have to be ready to quit to succeed. I was not ready the few times i tried before.
Thanks for the post.
9 days, 12 hours, 32 minutes and 16 seconds smoke free.
209 cigarettes not smoked.
$54.45 and 1 day, 14 hours of your life saved.
Way to go, man! Keep it up!
I smoked for 11 years. A pack, sometimes 2, of Luckys or Camel filterless a day for a while. I tried to quit about once a year for the last few years I smoked. When my wife was trying to smoke while recovering from pneumonia and having asthma attacks, I decided enough was enough. In the end, I put a nearly full pack of smokes in the glovebox of my truck, and just left them there. Whenever I wanted a cig, I knew they were there, and I could choose not to have one. I felt better every day. I'll never forget laughing like a moron the first time I ran up a flight of stairs without losing my breath. It didn't take long to wonder why I hadn't quit sooner. My dad smoked when I was a kid, and I'm glad I'm not showing my kids the same example. Kudos to you for taking on something this difficult for the sake of your kids.
I smoked for 11 years. A pack, sometimes 2, of Luckys or Camel filterless a day for a while. I tried to quit about once a year for the last few years I smoked. When my wife was trying to smoke while recovering from pneumonia and having asthma attacks, I decided enough was enough. In the end, I put a nearly full pack of smokes in the glovebox of my truck, and just left them there. Whenever I wanted a cig, I knew they were there, and I could choose not to have one. I felt better every day. I'll never forget laughing like a moron the first time I ran up a flight of stairs without losing my breath. It didn't take long to wonder why I hadn't quit sooner. My dad smoked when I was a kid, and I'm glad I'm not showing my kids the same example. Kudos to you for taking on something this difficult for the sake of your kids.
Bfunk, how are you? What's the latest readout? I'm just passing thru. Still have stories but this is your thread not mine! Had enough public humiliation! Hope I rattled you and possibly other smoking posters..Take care..
Awesome. I am speechless..That's pretty hard, alright let's face it..almost impossible to do Yeah Baby..Just sitting here grinning...I always access page 1 first so I can look at your children. Didn't have any...wish I did...
Regards..D
Yeah Baby..Just sitting here grinning...I always access page 1 first so I can look at your children. Didn't have any...wish I did...Regards..D
firefighterjake said:
I always thought the physical addiction was much stronger than the mental. Maybe 80%-20%
Well, its NOT! By now i should be free of nicotine in my system, breaking the mental part of it is way tougher than i would have ever thought.
I never realized the triggers that go along with smoking, and lighting up without even thinking about it.
I must admit i have been a little "off" on my easy going personality.
I was just a bit "testy" today, a guy i work with smarted off and could have easily got his teeth knocked out. LOL, 10 years ago there is no doubt about it.
Part may have been its day 8 of my shift. 8 12hr. days.
But, i thought of my wife and boys and how i need to support them, so i bit my tongue and walked out.
Also i am 6'4 350 and just a pissed off stare and a few choice words gets the job done.
I would say thats a bad change, on the good side, in my job i gauge oil tanks they are 20' tall and i am usually winded after running up and down.
I have noticed already not being winded and no big deal to gauge a bunch in a row.
Its all good, i am now off for 6 days.
I have no doubt that i have quit for good!
piejam said:Awesome. I am speechless..That's pretty hard, alright let's face it..almost impossible to do
Regards..D
Aww, yeah they are the best. I have thousands of photos. I would have had more but my poor wife is only 4'9 90lbs.
I am a bigger boy and these kids take after daddy. After Jacob was born she said "NO MORE"
Attachments
![[Hearth.com] (OT) any ex smokers out there? How did you kick it?](/talk/data/attachments/50/50469-940cf86779cc500ca3d118dff4a6b0de.jpg?hash=rVPARsv_-D)
- Status
Similar threads
