Please Stop Smoking!

Bumping up one more time. Then I think I will stop until the new board is in. This one is getting impossible to navigate. It freezes up every time I open a thread. All other places I go to like Africam or Pete's Place or the sports, or whatever, work just fine. The only place I have a problem with is this one.

Not wild about all the advertising on it, either.

Will post when this nonsense stops and everything is normal again. Hopefully, soon.

Hugs to all of you. Bless you all too.

Keep up on the quitting smoking struggle. Remember, one day at a time.

And a slip is not a miss.

Gran Marion, keep posting those tips.. I am sure there is someone lurking out here, struggling to quit like some others are..any help is really appreciated and can be passed on to someone else even if they d0 not post here...
Have a great day..

elaine

TIP 50: Slip Ups Can Happen

Last week we talked about how quitting builds your confidence.

Are you so confident now that you think you can handle an occasional smoke? research shows that it’s not possible for former heavy smokers to just have 1 cigarette. One or 2 smokes can quickly turn into 1 or 2 packs.

Slip-ups may happen. Weekends and holidays can be tough. Especially if you go out with friends or get together with family. These are times where you probably used to smoke. And now that’s not part of the routine.

Tips for dealing with a slip-up:

Understand that you've had a slip. You've had a small setback. This doesn't make you a smoker again.

Don't be too hard on yourself. One slip-up doesn't make you a failure. It doesn't mean you can't quit for good.

Don't be too easy on yourself either. If you slip-up, don't say, "Well, I've blown it. I might as well smoke the rest of this pack." It's important to get back on the nonsmoking track right away.

Remember, your goal is no cigarettes — not even one puff.

Feel good about all the time you went without smoking. Try to learn how to make your coping skills better.

Find the trigger. Exactly what was it that made you smoke? Be aware of that trigger. Decide now how you will cope with it when it comes up again.

Learn from your experience. What has helped you the most to keep from smoking? Make sure to do that on your next try.

So if you’ve had a slip-up, remember that the most important thing is to put it behind you and move on.

TIP 51: A Lower Risk of Lung Cancer

Remember, it’s still important to avoid places and situations that may tempt you. You’re getting stronger each day, so do everything you can to stay that way.

Now that you’ve quit, your risk of lung cancer and other diseases may be getting lower.

Ten years after you quit, your risk of lung cancer is 30% to 50% of the risk if you still smoked.

The National Cancer Institute puts it plainly: On average, people who quit smoking may live longer than those who keep smoking. By 15 years of being quit, a former smoker's risk of premature death approaches that of someone who has never smoked.

Remember, the more cigarettes you don’t smoke each year, the more your body may recover.

There are benefits to quitting you can see and feel right away. And there are those that may happen without your knowing it: like a reduced risk of many diseases.

TIP 52: Sure-Fire Stress Busters.

Daily hassles and bigger issues in your life can cause stress – and stress is a smoking trigger for many people.

Here are some tips on ways to handle stress – without lighting up:

Take 15 to 20 minutes a day to sit quietly, breathe deeply, and think of a relaxing scene.

Try to accept things you can’t change. You don’t have to solve all of life’s problems.

Count to 10 before responding when you feel angry or upset.

Exercise regularly. Do something you enjoy, like walking, swimming, jogging, golfing, walking a pet, or biking. Always check with your doctor first before starting any exercise program.

Learn to say no. Don’t promise too much. Give yourself enough time to get things done.

Eat a healthy diet. Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can give you more energy – plus the fuel you need to keep stress under control.

Laugh. Humor is a great way to relieve stress. Studies suggest laughter may lower blood pressure, boost the immune system, and even increase circulation.

We can do this - One Day at a Time!

{{{Hugs & Prayers}}}

Sending more Hugs & Prayers out to those who need them.

♥ Marion

Wonderful that I found this. I didn't think I would. I'd like to keep this going. Some of us still need it handy. I have lots more tips to post too.

In the meantime, take care, all of you.

{{{Hugs}}}

Finaly found this post...I was all ready to light up a cig while I searched when i remembered what this post was about....Hope you are all hanging in there and have not slipped back to the puffing away...

holidays are coming up quickly now...I know how hard that is going to be...Relatives can set you up for a downward spiral in a hurry..(See above..while I was seaching..)......

It is never easy when everything seems to go wrong at this time of year..but hang in there...It  may be by your fingernails but you can do it...I have no fingernails left at this point...I give up on all of them...I am not giving up on me...I have made it this far and there is no going back now...But oh the temptation after all this time.....

It is important to keep this bumped up at ths time of year....we will all need the support of those that are trying to quit, have quit and are struggling to quit... Keep hanging in there ladies...with some support you can make it...

Elaine

Hi Elaine.

So glad to see you check in here. It is hard to find the thread. I noticed when I posted yesterday that there are yellow markings on the thread list. Today they were red. Apparently it goes yellow after I look until someone posts. However if you bookmark it, it will come up that way. I think . . .

You are so right about the holidays. Everyone faces more stress at this time, and if you put that added stress together with a physical change, it can get a little dicey. For so long I thought I'd never get over my cravings, then I did for a day or two. I almost celebrated.

Well, t h e y ' r e  b a c k !!!!! Those miserable cravings are back and they are stronger than ever. I'm almost ready to take up drinking. Yeah, like that would work. Give up one habit and try another. Although I still have to admit I've never seen a fat drunk. Still, meds and all make that impossible. And I really don't want to go there.

As you said, we have to hang in there. We have to be here too for each other. It's the only way any of us will win.

&#9829 Marion

There has to be an easier way to find a post after you've posted to it.

 

Soon time to put up some more tips and I will certainly do that. Right now I'm trying to figure out why my square, after I've posted, doesn't look like everybody elses. Why does it continually say Reply, Edit, and so forth, as well as some <tags remark or something> down below the writing.

Makes one want to smoke. Or drink. Better stop while I'm ahead I guess.

Hello everyone. I'm thinking of you all and hoping that you are able to hang in there and not smoke. For those of you who still do and want to quit, it might depend on your stress level. I never could do it no matter what. But I still haven't smoked since Mother's Day and I really don't want to do it any more at all. Do I still get cravings? You bet I do. But they're not as often or as strong as they used to be. I guess that means that I might make it after all. I certainly hope so.

In the meantime, I'm enjoying the extra $$ I have to spend on the holiday season. At least I won't have to watch it go up in smoke!

Bless you all. Hugs coming your way too.

Before I write a word down here, let me apologize for any spelling errors. Both thumbs are shot - they have been for a few months. Now my forefingers are shot too. They simply won't bend. Therefore, I am losing letters, inserting numbers and, although you can't hear me, thank goodness, the air aound me is definitely blue.

That doesn't mean I've forgotten about you and our continual battle against smoking especially those of us who are trying to quit and stay quit.

As the big day approaches, our stress level goes higher and it is very easy to slip into a habit rut. We might drink more and we will probably eat more. Many of us might have spent more, and most of us will work harder to get things done in time for the big celebration.

The support given thus far to us by the wonderful friends we've found on this BB, is a miracle in itself. It has certainly helped me. I for one, do not want to let myself down, nor do I want to let them down. Because I feel so strongly about that, is a miracle in itself.

I always knew my smoking may be helpful to those I love, those who are near and dear to me. But most of them grew up and left home. Then I got sick, and scared - very scared. I began to heal and I immediately came here!

This BB was my miracle. This BB was the best  of all. Thank you all so much.

 

Hi GranMarion, hope all is going well for you and all the others that have quit are trying to quit and  those that are struggling to quit...

It is almost a new year...Another starting point for all of us...

Keep trying if you have not quit...It is such a feeling of freedom..No more being chained to that habit.. no more having a small piece of paper and a very small amount of tobacco controling your life...

time to take that control back ladies...

If you have any tricks that worked for you, please share them with othes, it relly does help to have support from those that have quit..

My only hint now is..Do Not substitute food for the cigs.... lol...I found out the hard way..

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL.....