polhigg
52 minutes ago

thanks minty :) ♥
that is jsut what i needed right now!! makes me very happy and proud to be SMOKEFREE!

Marie
43 minutes ago

I am standing up being very proud to be a smoke free person. Thanks for that makes fantastic reading. Am looking forward to it all kicking in, especially the not quite so depressed part. LOL
Have a great day

minty fresh
1 hour ago

Well done Bella - enjoying being a non smoker is a huge part of quitting - learning to breathe properly again and take life at a more relaxed pace. I found the following thing and thought I'd add it as extra incentive:-

Taken from http://www.stop-smoking-tips.com/benefits-quitting-smoking.html

* After 20 minutes - Smoking causes increase in blood pressure. This high blood pressure is very harmful as it increases the danger of heart attack. But as soon as we quit smoking the risk minimizes and blood pressure rate becomes normal.
* After 8 hours - Nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in the blood are greatly reduced; oxygen levels in the blood return to normal. The chances of a heart attack start to fall.
* After 10 hours - Carbon monoxide (CO) level becomes half after 10 hours of quitting smoking. Carbon monoxide is one of the major pollutants that produce bad effects on cognitive skills and health. It also affects the oxygen, which is one of the most vital substances, which are necessary for survival. When the carbon monoxide level is high, it decreases intake of blood from lungs, which can lead to many serious problems. We increase our energy levels by smoothing the passage of oxygen as we restrict the carbon monoxide level by quitting smoking.
* After 24 hours - If you successfully completed 24 hours, it is a marvelous starting, for the chain smokers that provides them strong bearing power, less level of tiredness after exercise and quick recovery.
* After 48 Hours - When move to 48 hours from one whole day, it gives us a totally new experience as nicotine is removed from their body, which earlier has resulted in bad side effects by causing stomachache, vomiting and it also develops the probability of hypothermia.
* After 72 hours - Bronchial tubes begin to relax; energy levels increase. Breathing becomes easier.
* After 2-22 weeks - After 2 to 22 weeks of quitting smoking you will get rid of bad circulation and also of numerous other disorders like slow cold feet, skin healing, peripheral vascular disease (PVT), and Raynaud’s disease.
* After 1 year - After you quit smoking for 1 year, you will reduce the risk of heart attack to half.
* After 10 years - After reducing the danger of heart attack our good habit of quitting smoking results in minimizing the danger of lung cancer to half.
* After 15 years - After 15 years person who once was chain smoker leads a healthy life as a normal man who has never smoked. At last the good habit has repaid back.

Well done again Bella - keep on blogging. ☺

Bella*
12 minutes ago

Just read this.. wow... now if thats not a goal plan what is?! This is sooo motivating!! I've saved the link to my favourites.. may to remind myself why I'm doing this from time to time :)

Thanks Minty fresh.. xx

minty fresh
1 hour ago

Wohoo Jonosmo 80 days already well done! All of those days only breathing oxygen (laced with car fumes of course!) your lungs will be thanking you from the bottom of your very own healthy heart! Congratulations! ☺

tiggie
1 hour ago

Hi Chrissie, it's day 3 for me too. I am not a drinker so don't have to worry about that bit, but i have slept for the first 2 days, couldn't even get my daughter to school yesterday. Got up today ok and feel fine, especially no yuk taste in my mouth anymore. I am breathing easier too. Occassional thought of "i'll just have a smoke" but remind myself i am a non smoker. Yay. Think i am becoming a bit bad tempered so having to watch that. Are u on patches,gum or willpower only.

minty fresh
1 hour ago

BRAVO Chrissie - I think that once we all think about what smoking was to us we'd all discover it was the habit that kept us hooked - more so than the nicotine!! And like me I had to quit alcohol too - until I broke the connection - now I can drink alcohol but choose not to very often! Maybe that was all habit too i.e. Friday night, having a cigarette..have a drink or 3 as well. Now no smokes and Friday night doesn't mean drinks! You can do this Chrissie - keep on blogging as I found that helped a lot when I just needed to vent. ☺

chrissie34
38 minutes ago

Thanks guys for your support i have the determination to do it this time, being able to come on here and talk about how i feel is a big help!!! Sometimes my partner who doesnt smoke, cant seem to understand exactly how hard it is to give up!!! In saying that very supportive of me and really wants me to give up to as his father died from cancer and was from smoking!!! Hey tiggie i am actually taking the Zyban tablets and i have also got patches and lozenges but only used one patch so far on first day!! I have used these Zyban before and gave up for 3mths but thought i could smoke when i drink haha not so!!!! so here i am again trying with no alcohol this time!!!!!!!!!

pukeko
2 hours ago

drink water water water...breathe deeply....I have on the good advice of poppy...trying st john wort & vitamin c..........day 3 did not yell (talk loudly) at to my kids...bit snappy at husband...hahaha All part of thw withdrawal...go with the flow....Have a read of http://www.whyquit.com/joel/ntap.pdf...thinking of you....this is all about you...no one but you....we are all here...you can do anything your mind sets....xx study....beak...walk...study...break...walk....xx

minty fresh
2 hours ago

Stick with it Ceroca!!!! You don't want to go back and do this all over again another time do you? Your tutor was a bit off the mark there I'm afraid....there is no 'bad time' to quit smoking. Okay stress and pressures are usual times we used to reach for cigarettes, but they didn't 'help' the stress or the pressure. Smoking also doesn't help you concentrate or write a better essay. As you say smoking doesn't make you smarter!!

You may need to break your study up a bit and instead of sit there with a pile of books in front of you whilst feeling unmotivated - get up put your walking shoes on and go for a walk for half an hour - don't just wander aimlessly, plan your route and stride it out. Come back put the kettle on, make a cuppa and then decide that you'll do an hour or two at the books. Then stop and do something else for an hour...then get back into the books again. This way you'll be moving and increase your motivation to both study and stay smoke free.

Oh well, your partners Mum has thrown in the towel - she's made her choice for whatever reason - a bit silly of her but that's her thing. Your quit is about you, now it's time for you to show people that you can do things alone and won't buckle just because you don't have someone quitting with you. This is all about YOU...you're quitting for your reasons and YOU will benefit immensely by not smoking. I think you have a real friend there with your smoking buddy as she cared enough about you not to smoke in your presence.

Stay positive Ceroca - you're doing it!!! Onwards and upwards my friend ☺

lisa2
4 hours ago

goodmorning tea addict and pukeko thanxs for your support for the last 3 morrnings rather than go out for a smoke and fill in time before my son goes to kindy iv been coming on hear reading other peoples blogs, it really helps it really does! my bro told me yesterday "slow and steady wins the race" made me laugh. tea addict seems like were the newbys atm i guess the best thing we can do is keep coming back here it seems to be keeping me at the least honest i was thinking lastnight "how come theres rehab for other drugs but not nicotine?? would it be worth my time creating such a place?? i think i would no exactly were i would hire my concealers from a..

tea addict
1 hour ago

Hey pukeko and lisa2!
Great to hear from you - perfect timing - just thought I'd have a quick look here, before I cracked up. Put the kettle on about 6 times already today - LOL

I'm patched and about to go crazy already. It's the thought of it, more than anything physical. I've got a busy day planned - will check in later (or sooner)
Nice to hear from you guys (-: Have a lovely day (-:

lisa2
1 hour ago

lol i do that with jug to whats that about a? everytime i cant fight the craving today im having a lozenge and because iv been having them on and off and inbetween the past two days when i had one thismorn it gave me an instant hit it was all i needed i guess a coffee goes hand in hand with a smoke a iv been playing on that hard out... i use to get back from kindy every morn and think rite ill have a smoke then get stuck into the house work so the last few days iv done stuff all pretending that house work is my trigger lol got it together today and am washing a load of washing that i already washed yesterday morn in two hours i will have been smoke free for 24hours very happy!!!

tea addict
1 hour ago

Hey Lisa - put this on real loud - and shout along to the words - Fits my mood LOL !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=886AQqcM8Tk

"And I'm a little bit lost without you
And I'm a bloody big mess inside
And I'm a little bit lost without you
This ain't a love song this is goodbye

It's alright (It's alright)
'cause you can try but you'll never keep me down
It's alright (It's alright)
I may be lost but you'll never keep me down"

polhigg
43 minutes ago

lol tea addict, that fits perfectly :P
everytime i hear that song on the radio now, im gonna smile :)

tiggie
16 hours ago

I am sure 2moro will be better for you. get some sleep and hang in there.

minty fresh
14 hours ago

Awww Lisa - sorry about you having to put your dog down, but as you said before, it may have been only a matter of time before he attacked a person and you'd have never forgiven yourself for that. Thinking of you and your family.

I hope that the YouTube video ("Thanks Tobacco You Killed My Mom") is stuck in your head ....it puts a whole new perspective on smoking doesn't it? I also hope that you've found the other videos I found on YouTube helpful. There is a really interesting documentary I've added to my page called "Death in the West"....well worth watching. For others who have not yet had a chance to take a look at the YouTube page I created, hop on over and take a look:- http://www.youtube.com/user/SmokefreeNewZealand - I add new videos as I find them...I don't go for gory videos as they never 'worked' for me. See what you think.

As Tiggie said...tomorrow is another day.....a day to be more determined and pig headed without excuses - you WILL succeed Lisa. ☺

pukeko
5 hours ago

Lisa sorry about your dog being put to sleep yesterday XX . A hard decision..think you are pretty strong minded for not having a smoke after 12.45...Well Done xx
Today is a brand new day................That AU HA moment is here remember WATER WATER WATER hahaha One Day At A Time xx

pukeko
17 hours ago

oohhhhhhh can you pass the sleep stuff around...............hahahah...hope you enjoy!!.luki you xx
Not sure? I only have had no sleep nights..............need to check that school though!!
Well done for no smokes xx

tiggie
16 hours ago

Thanks pukeko, u can gladly have some of my Zzzzzzzs. I can't let this continue as i need to get up and get things done so hopefully this is just my body wondering where the stimulants have gone as i am only wearing patches thru day. will wait and see. Day 2...check.

pukeko
5 hours ago

Check Day 3 has begun...tiggie did you spike my tea.................great sleep ever.........hahaha lol
thank you for sharing xx
Good Luck for today x

just jag
18 hours ago

Welcome to the club polhigg. I am always starving even when I have eaten a big meal and I crave coffee all the time which doesn't help with milk and two sugars! Been exercising heaps, it just makes me hungrier. Thought I was going in the Guiness Book of Records for the first 9 months as this 65 year old looked pregnant! Someone told me it takes a year for your body to adjust so heres hoping.

pukeko
17 hours ago

oooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhh i think i started something sorry team...but thanks coz i do not feel so bad lol.......really need the team spirit aye,,,,,,,,,
see below ang38 started fat fit fagfree club lol ...we can all join.hahahaha xx

pukeko
17 hours ago

I am sooooooo impressed...you obviously dooo feel different .AWESOME!! funny aye ,,,,,,,when the time is right .....ONE DAY AT A TIME awesome job chrissie34 xx

minty fresh
17 hours ago

Congratulations Angler - 30 days without inhaling all of those noxious fumes laced with deadly chemicals!!! Fantastic - I bet you're noticing the benefits of quitting smoking from no more stinky breath, clothes, hair, fingers, ashtrays, car etc etc A fit group would go down really well and be a lot of fun too. Keep on keeping on Angler ☺

pukeko
17 hours ago

HAHAHA FIT GROUP UNITE..
take no money................

do take water.....................we are fit fat faggers that have quit & gained fat hahahahahaha

but lost the fag!!!

UNITE RE GROUP >>>GO FORWARD EACH OF US>>>ZUMBA YOGA>>>WALK>>>DANCE >>>RUN>>>>
100 jogs on the spot every day....
Thanx angler38
.You are team leader.
..lets go...........xx anyone can sign on... hahahaah lol.......team effort !!!!

Greenslime
3 hours ago

Yay Angler, well done! 30 days, ie 1 month! nice goin. keep it up.

poppins
20 hours ago

BELLA Congrats on your decision to quit. ONE DAY AT A TIME or ONE MINUTE AT A TIME is what keeps me going and im at day 33 not easy but IT IS ACHEIVABLE IF WE WANT IT!!!!!YOU CAN DO THIS TO WITH ALL OUR HELP this is a great family Keep strong POPPINS

redhead72
20 hours ago

what an inspiration.... way to go .......

rubytuesday
19 hours ago

Constant cravings for 3+ years dosnt ring my bell. My experience of quitting for 2 years, a decade ago is not like that, i very rarely craved a cigarette after about 6 months..for all the new people joined up dont be discouraged, it isnt the same for everyone.

polhigg
18 hours ago

I certainly hope you're right rubytuesday.... otheriwse i'm jumping ship!!!

Craving constantly after 3 years!? say it isnt so.

minty fresh
17 hours ago

Supremecat - huge congratulations for not smoking for 3 ½ years - fantastic ...... keep up the great work. Like RubyTuesday mentioned though.....craving cigarettes that far down the track is not the same for everyone, so don't be discouraged. That would be awful to feel deprived for so long. The cravings/urges to smoke do lessen and in my case don't even feature. Onwards and upwards everyone and well done again Supremecat ☺

pukeko
17 hours ago

Thank you...........we need that!!! not so the craving hahahah ohhh i mean the habit !! lol xx
we all need inspiration from long time quitters xx
THANX!!

Marie
20 hours ago

Well done, you sure can. have you deceided what your treat is going to be???

redhead72
20 hours ago

a pair of trainners as I am also trying to lose weight at the same time lol........

pukeko
17 hours ago

hahahaha you are so clever ...keep that xx
Treats are soooooooo important!!!

Greenslime
3 hours ago

Great idea! new running shoes!

just jag
22 hours ago

Oh minty, yet another inspiring post for all the newbies, the inbetweens and the long term quitters. Just another reason for us to kick the nicodemon right out of the ground.

Marie
22 hours ago

Thank you for shareing that. Maybe we should send this out as an e-mail to every teenager in Nz and hopefully some may make the choice not to take up smoking. If I had seen that 46 old years ago I may not have taken them up!!!
Food for thought aye?

Greenslime
21 hours ago

Thanks minty, thats hit the spot

poppins
20 hours ago

Just read that and yes it does effect us in many different ways thankyou for sharing that with us Poppins

pukeko
17 hours ago

minty fresh........THANKS IT PUTS ALL BACK INTO PROSPECTIVE!!
Onwards & Upwards...TOO RIGHT WE ARE A TEAM!!

Debz30
1 day ago

Hey Lisa....It does suck....unfortunately when we are trying to give up smoking, ask any reformed smoker there is always something that comes up to "test us", to make us have that ciggy. At the end of the day you may be stressed out at the moment, but you would still be stressed with a ciggy and its all in ya head.....I wish I was the better one to try and support ya but im going through a hard time myself with my BF starting full time again and his Grandad is in Hospital with cancer and its not looking good in the near future...so Im trying to hang in there but I dont have a demon and an angel on my shoulder...I have both demons on both shoulders currently. But I hear ya pain and it sucks :(

minty fresh
23 hours ago

Hey there Lisa - I read your blog and it brought back memories of my old quit attempts. I was sabotaging myself with my thoughts. Some times even before I'd gotten out of bed I'd decided that I'd probably smoke at least one (which invariably led to 2 then 8!). Later in the day I'd think "I'll do it seriously tomorrow" only to repeat the pattern. Eventually I'd be back to smoking my usual amount and feeling like crap because I'd failed again. Go to http://www.youtube.com/user/SmokefreeNewZealand
and watch the video called "Thanks Tobacco You Killed My Mom"....watch it a couple of times and then think about having a cigarette. This video made me stop smoking after 26 years of puffing away and feeling like crap for doing it. To succeed you have to change the self talk and know that smoking isn't an option. Time to look forward and not backwards. Good luck Lisa - you CAN do it and you WILL do it. ☺

lisa2
22 hours ago

...................so i watched it............thankyou............

minty fresh
22 hours ago

Well done Lisa - this will make a difference. ☺

yas01
22 hours ago

Hi Lisa, you can do it. We all know how you feel its such a hard thing to stop doing. I have moments where something happens and I think oh a smoke will help me calm down & think better. WRONG within 20 mins or so I would be craving more. Its a vicous cycle of addiction. I know mine was more tided up with habits. And I have had to make a consious effort to change those habits.

Tell yourself you can do this we know you can!!

pukeko
17 hours ago

Jump back on...we are here...xx

lisa2
1 day ago

wow thats some heavy stuff its soo true what ever we are going through theres always someone else out there worse of than you, shoot i thought i was having a bad day re your boss i truly believe we teach people how th treat us if you dont take there shit they wont give it to you regardless of what he or anyone else says about you/to you, you know you better DONT CHANGE for them if they consider you a bitch there problem not yours anthor good quote to keep in mind is "kill them with kindness" judgmental people hate that lol hope it gets better just want you to no i read your blog and i heard you.

Debz30
1 day ago

Wow....I cant believe your boss would say that to you, thats Shite. Maybe he was having a bad day? Wow....I dont know what to say to that ,that must be so hard on you Marie...crikey, what an ass! Is he a smoker?

Poppy
1 day ago

Stick with it, your boss sounds like a sexist jerk, "drama bitches" lol at least we don't get the man flu!! Yes we may be bitches hehehe but we f**kn cool bitches that can do anything we put our minds to. I am so glad my boss aint like that. I feel for you love. Just remember you are so much better than him!!!
Chicks rule!!!
Keep your head up and stomp your way through the day You can do it!!!!

minty fresh
1 day ago

What a shit boss you have Marie - I think he needs to ring Quitline to get some tips on how to help an employee quit smoking. Then he needs to ring CPIT and see if there are any courses on how to communicate effectively. Then he needs to go home to his nagging wife so she can wring his neck!

Don't let him put you off - don't worry about a darned thing he said - carry on as you are - be yourself....heck what can he do? Sack you for quitting smoking?!? I'd love to see that one in the headlines....he'd really show himself up for being a complete prick. Be proud that you are being true to yourself and not running off for a cigarette. He should be pleased that he's getting more work out of you rather than you nipping out for a cigarette every so often. Stupid man - wonder what his vice is and how he'd cope if it was no longer there. If you are a bit quick tempered then he needs to understand that it's a normal PHASE in quitting. Great work Marie - don't give in to temptation ☺

Marie
21 hours ago

Thanks whanau, just a couple of things, boss is a non smoker, never has.!! He is a bully though, would hate to have gone to school with him. Reckon all his class mates will be in mental accomodation by now.
Us bitches are myself and two males LOL !!! Also another male in the company is on the threshold of quitting too. Then there will be 4.!!
Boss wouldn't sack me for quitting BUT would make working here really uncomfortable. Have seen his MO on 4 members of staff who have caved in to his pressure and left the company! He is a mean operator. So I just smile at him and keep going.
Don't know his achillies heel yet.............. but am working on it. You don't call me a bitch with out getting a kick up the backside.
I love my customers and have really struggled to find someone to whom I have been short or nasty too. Most of them give me cuddles. Might have to revisit them in my mind!!!
Thanks again peoples. You really are my family to let me vent this on you all. Huggs and kisses to all.

Dentarthurdent
14 hours ago

What a Prick.
Good on ya Marie for not smoking. The fact that you can inspire 2 of your colleagues to quit is something you should be very proud of. Also need to be proud of dealing with all that crap without lighting up too.
You've done nothing wrong mate so just keep on doing what you're doing.
What else can I say but, What a PRICK!!!!!!

polhigg
1 day ago

Fantastic Yas!! What a champ :)

minty fresh
22 hours ago

Well done Yas - a week smokefree and reaping the benefits (which get better as time moves on). You're absolutely right to be proud of yourself....walk tall with your head held high Yas - your moving in the right direction. ☺

pukeko
17 hours ago

TOOO right stand proud...you can do this one day at a time...xx

Poppy
1 day ago

Well done, your off to a great start. I never thought I would make it to day 40, but here I am yah. If I can do it you can too!!!!!

michelle Barker
1 day ago

Well, Well done. I had been smoking for the best part of 30years of my life and made the decision along with my 6 year old to quit. So 7 May 2010 at 8pm i quit. It was damn hard, hardest thing I have ever done and yes it is possible I am living proof along with the other bloggers on here. One day at a time..We all here to tautoko!!

Marie
22 hours ago

Bella, welcome to your new quitting family, Congrats on taking the first steps. I am day 72 and never in a million years would I have thought that I could do this. I've been smoking for a very long time and now feel so much better and want to face my older years with a new sence of purpose.
There is a saying "that with age comes wisdom." Why weren't we given this wisdom when we were children??? None of us would be fighting this fight now !!!! Gotta laugh or you will drive your self silly.
Stay positive Bella!

Greenslime
20 hours ago

Welcome Bella! Like Marie said, welcome to your new family, we can help get you through the ups and downs. Im at day 25, and im sure i couldnt have done it without this blog.

redhead72
19 hours ago

Hey Bella, congratulations on taking the first step to the new you. this site is awesome and has become a life line to me, whenever I feel like a smoke I read some of the blogs. Made it to day 7 YIPPEE

Bella*
3 hours ago

Thanks guys.. wow you are all so awesome and inspiring. x

Day 2.. wheew!!

I lit my first smoke when I was 12... geez I wish I could take that "1" moment back.. I never knew 19 years later I would be going through the biggest challenge of my life!!! I smoked around 20 smokes a day prior to yesterday.. Im never going there again.. never!!

michelle Barker
1 day ago

kia ora pukeko, can help us set up a fatline?? Since kicking the habit 117 days ago I/we have piled on 3 to 4 dress sizes!!! Say...our version of Weight Watching..hehe

Debz30
1 day ago

I hear ya my friend! LOL

Die of Lung disease or obesity? HAHA nah im only kidding..... But im exactly the same, have put on so much weight and my BF has well....He really noticed it the other day when he went to put on his jeans and they wouldnt fit....I think thats half the reason for him to start smoking again yesterday...

Signed: Fat Bastard.

pukeko
17 hours ago

HAHAHAHAHA>>>>I was not gonna come on today...........hahahahaha
Minty Fresh...Thank you...yes after my meltdown my boys gladly helped their mum.............one wants me to quit work the other was the counsellor...girl she ok...........we will talk with dad tonight plan of action ...for mum!!