I'm still smoking a little less day by day.

[equus]

I felt so proud of the amount of ciggies left in my packet last night - I'd smoked under 20 and outside of quite attempts failing that's somewhere I haven't been in a long time. I think I smoked 18 yesterday.

Today my target is to match that!! It still seems so novel and fresh, if I get it 2 days in a row I'll be chuffed to bits!

You know what was the best thing? I had slipped up a bit the day before and really wondered if I would be able to pull it back but I did!

I can feel my confidence growing a tiny little bit!

[bahookie]

good for you

Your changing the way you think about smoking. Little bits of confidence build (mony a mickle maks a muckle, lol)

I'm getting there slowly, and amazingly L hasn't smoked for 3 days now. She started when she was 8 and has never stopped, until now.

She isn't even cheating, showering, brushing her teeth and pretending anymore. If she can do it, honestly, it's possible for ANYONE.

I have been quit for 1 Week, 6 Days, 13 hours, 8 minutes and 48 seconds (13 days). I have saved £69.76 by not smoking 270 cigarettes. I have saved 22 hours and 30 minutes of my life. My Quit Date: 09/02/2006 22:30 (I'm proud of that!)

[historyteach]

Way to go, Equus!!!
Yes, our confidence in ourselves grows each time we take one more step towards that goal.
And I must say, I give you credit. I couldn't ever do what you are doing! That's like water torture! drip after drip after drip...lol! But, you ARE doing it, and whatever works for you is what you should do.
So, keep up the good work. I look forward to the day you too call yourself a non-smoker.

Shalom!

[equus]

I couldn't ever do what you are doing! That's like water torture! drip after drip after drip...lol!

YEP - I'll go with that, I'm not going to keep tapering all the way - just enough so my confidence is high enough and my annoyance at tapering high enough to go into quitting believing I will succeed.

As torturous as it is I am remebering things I need to about craving. I can watch the clock till the time of the next ciggy that I set myself - almost counting down the minutes. BUT when the time arrives I find I can wait longer - BIZARRE!!

I also find that I can forget about it even though I haven't had my alotted ciggy - that's a good feeling!

It's like a scrap between me and them wothout the pressure of a full quit YET. Win lose or draw I'm glad I'm fighting it and I'm making some progress. It's definately the start not the end.

[Lavender]

I took places that I normally smoked and chose not to smoke there.
It started with the home and then the car..........
I've been smoke free since October 31, 2005 and I'm never going back.
One day at a time, good luck.

[rider]

GOOD LUCK EQUUS!!!

I'm rooting for ya!

I'm hoping for myself that i can stick with this so that when spring comes and i start riding the equines again i won't be grooming, tacking up, and riding with a cigarette in one hand (or hanging from my mouth as i ride english and you use two hands on the reins!!!).

[rider]

Equus...

P.S. - i did the tapering off method a few years ago. it was the closest i ever came to totally quitting (alas i did not, just wasn't the right time for me yet, i guess). but it taught me much. this time i'm in a better mental place. i fell off the horse recently, but now i don't say "ah screw it" i got back on because i REALLY don't want to be a smoker anymore. i'm 50 and have smoked since i was 13. my parents smoked, my grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends, everyone smoked. think i probably was addicted before i even puffed my very own. gee back then women smoked when they were pregnant!!!!

baby steps. just keep trying...

[equus]

I'm hoping for myself that i can stick with this so that when spring comes and i start riding the equines again i won't be grooming, tacking up, and riding with a cigarette in one hand (or hanging from my mouth as i ride english and you use two hands on the reins!!!).

YAY!! I can help with that - I have the answer.... Only ride corned up 4 yr olds then if tempted to try smoking at the same time you'll fall off!!

Getting fitter is a big motivator for me, I don't really ride anymore but I miss the body I had doing manual work for a living AND I miss being able to breath without funny noises.

I don't kid myself, unless I actually stop I'll be hacking up red brocoli when I'm sixty - where as it's retirement I have riding 7 days a week pencilled in for!

[rider]

ah yes, those squirrely youngsters! hard when they are bucking and rearing to keep the butt (so to speak) in place!

and i hear you about the manual work. i have been finding that i get winded really easily these days. putting up fence, throwing hay, etc. that scares me!!! my face gets all red and i can't catch my breath. also hiking. can't run up the mountain anymore without my chest constricting.

yes. retirement. more time to ride!!!! i am hoping i have a realllllyyyyyyy long retirement. it's time to stop screwing around with the otherwise healthy body the good lord blessed me with. i have always taken it for granted, my health. can't do that anymore...

[equus]

those squirrely youngsters!

What a BRILLIANT description!! I get the feeling I'm not the only one around here to have made my exit from the saddle through the side door!!

That's given me a giggle - which I'm enjoying instead of a fag!

[rider]

equus... also the front and back doors! but ya get back on again.

i can tell you like a challenge as much as i do! And this not smoking is a BIG one!

[historyteach]

It's a big one, all right...
But, it's one that can be won!

Keep the quit and post before you puff!

Shalom!

[OneLady]

Each day you get closer to your goal.

Keep up the good work!!!

[equus]

I've done ok (sort of) but not great. I haven't managed to keep to 18 or less but at least it hasn't shot up.

Blah!! I don't feel defeated or really encouraged, but I'm at least smoking less than I was. I need something to refresh my flagging spirits on the ciggy front!