I read the article at the Brain Connection website and noted the Great American Smokeout date of November 18, 2000. I made the decision and have quit the cigarettes, at first one hour at a time then one day at a time and now, another month of smoke free time! I remember all of the good advise I�d read so that even now when I get one of those thoughts of how good it would be to have a cigarette, I replace it with thoughts: how much better I feel now, how nice it is to not have to scrub the TV and computer screens every week, how much money I�ve saved ($$$ go ahead and add it up!) and the truth that if I said okay, one cigarette, it would be many cartons and I�ve come too far to start over.

   Don�t expect a lot from people who are not in your support group. I had two people who would give praise and show confidence that I would be able to accomplish my goal. I had invited two other related smokers to join me in quitting; neither was willing to even try. They and all the others who still smoke do not accept that I have really been able to quit. It is not good to be around others that are smoking and you will have to ask those who want to smoke, not to smoke when they are around you. At best, they will only voice their confidence that you will give in and fail miserably as they have often done. It can be most difficult and these people will not even want to hear how well you are doing and how long it has been! Don�t expect them to and you will not be so disappointed!

   Looking back, I know that I replaced the need to keep my hands busy with not just eating but snacking, near constantly. It was a means to keep from thinking about the nicotine craving. There are plenty of artificially sweetened treats available that taste even better than the calorie laden sugary goodies. Pay attention to how much exercise you do and how often it gets done. Make lists and mark off your accomplishments if it helps make them a regular part of the day. The doctor advised writing down every bite you eat, total the calories and keep it at or below the level the doctor will instruct. It goes according to your height and condition.

   Many advisors say that it is good to cut back and you finally just quit. I could not do that because it meant that I was always checking to see how long it was until the next cigarette. So, I did the opposite! I smoked more than usual to the point of hurting my lungs, coughing fiercely. When the 18th of November came around, I was ready. I kept reminding myself of the rats in the lab test and that I was a lot smarter and could indeed control my need to reward myself with something so harmful (and expensive) as cigarettes. Now, my reward is not having to spend so much money, scrub the windows, curtains and so many other things so very often. 

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  It is now almost a year since I had quit and I must admit that there are moments still when I know it would be a moment when I'd grab a smoke. Like all the times before, I stick that thought with the others. Into the Not Any More category!

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  08-21-02

  It has been 1 3/4 years now. I find I don't even add up the total unless someone asks or I need to write it down. Deb sent in her words of success and I had good cause to do some rearranging and making pretty of this section

  I see the current price of cigarettes and know I am happier than ever that I have quit. I find that I do not want to be around any smokers and will not allow anyone coming around to dare light up. Don't even ask!