Poppy
1 hour ago

Well done Pukeko
I have been quit for 1 Month, 2 Weeks, 23 hours and 25 seconds (45 days). I have saved $282.30 by not smoking 919 cigarettes. I have saved 3 Days, 4 hours and 35 minutes of my life. My Quit Date: 23/07/2010 9:30 a.m.

MichaelSmale
17 hours ago

Ha ha, I can comment on my own post... lol

minty fresh
17 hours ago

Hi Michael - mine was YouTube!!! Educating myself on the harms of smoking. I set up a page for us quitters so that I could put a lot of helpful videos in one place - hop over and take a look, see what you think.

http://www.youtube.com/user/SmokefreeNewZealand

I love your strategy about breathing deeply and reminding yourself that you'll be fit and strong by quitting. I found that saying positive comments (or mantras) really helped me stay on track too. Well done Michael and keep on blogging.....who's the geezer who made the first comment???? lol oh it's you!! lol

pukeko
14 hours ago

How about me...hahahaha lol....grumpy crybaby scream (talk loudly) to my kids hahahaha omg talk talk talk as i said to hubby if you were at home ....we would be divorced and you would have been raising the kids.....on your own
BUT THANK GOD.....for QUITLINE...minty fresh mistermister menthol maggie,.partner in crime steve 76....mandykoo marie tomaiiz mittens debz30 to mention a few...of my life journey....tiwi,lese37,polhigg,poppy
This is a team effort ...yes a personal journey...but sorry team when you enter my life...it is a part of my life
I have been quit for 2 Months, 1 Day, 20 hours, 33 minutes and 33 seconds (63 days). I have saved $456.09 by not smoking 1,596 cigarettes. I have saved 5 Days and 13 hours of my life. My Quit Date: 4/07/2010 10:30 PM

LOL Minty freak out omg I can do it hahahahahahahahahak OMG hahahahaha

minty fresh
12 hours ago

LMAO Pukeko - I LOVE your stats!!! More than 2 months....WELL DONE YOU!!!!! And look at all that money....party round at your place...I'll do some Zumba (don't tell the Earthquake Commission...I think I triggered the first one!). The aftershocks are nothing to do with me!

Well done Pukeko - you're doing great. ♥♥♥

minty fresh
17 hours ago

Hi there Polhigg - here's the link to the video in question:-
http://www.youtube.com/user/SmokefreeNewZealand?feature=mhum#p/f/1/u_8BerrJg0M

It'll take you straight to it. Take a look around the rest of the SmokefreeNewZealand page too - there's bound to be something that will resonate with you. Good luck Polhigg - we're all here with you. Thanks Lisa and Dentarthurdent for mentioning the page - I'm glad that you've both found it a bit helpful. ♥♥♥

pukeko
14 hours ago

lisa 2 you can do it...you have your head in the game....proud of you...mintyfresh is awesome lol minty fresh even in your own personal crisis in chch LEGEND !!

lisa2
14 hours ago

thankyou so much pukeko you really are a positive influence on me and i do look forward to reading your posts each day im am finding the evenings are much more mellower than the days and me and my boys+man are having a nice relaxing evening look i can even spell anxious now lol thanks heaps guys!!!

Dentarthurdent
17 hours ago

Hey Polhigg. I'm sorry to hear you have slipped. If I were you I would be going out to the car and grabbing that packet and binning them quick smart. Too much temptation I think.
Sit back for a moment, think about the reasons you wanted to quit in the first place. These should still be the same. If you haven't already, have a look at Minty's youtube site and have a nosy at some of the vids there, particularly "Thanks tobacco, you killed my Mum".
That's the future of a smoker and I find this video a pretty powerful motivator to not smoke again when I am struggling.
The weight gain is something most of us go through but really is minor considering the effects of smoking. It should be treated as a temporary condition, I would consider lung cancer and the other side effects of smoking much worse.
As you yourself said in an earlier blog, you gotta get up, dust yourself off and start again.
Kia Kaha

minty fresh
17 hours ago

Hi there Polhigg - good advice there from Quitline (after all they've been trained! lol). From a novices point of view I'd say that with the temptation so close to hand, you know that you will go and have another cigarette if it stays as it is. Sometimes we can talk ourselves into smoking a lot easier than we can talk ourselves out of it and with cigarettes right there, we can really convince ourselves that we're going to cave and almost encourage ourselves to do it. You mentioned your weight being an issue and that you don't feel that your life will be fun anymore. I really want you to seiously think about this:-
If you decide to smoke there is a huge chance that you will get some horrible disease that WILL make you lose weight and not be able to gain it back (that's not going to be very attractive)! How much fun IS smoking? What fun are you missing? Is it the holding of a cigarette? The lighting it? The hanging around in all weathers being a slave to it? By quitting smoking it is freeing you from the attachment you have to smoking and the attachment tobacco companies have with you. Do you want to waste your money on tobacco? Don't you think the Government get enough tax from you without adding cigarettes to the list? Is your outward appearance more important to you than your internal health? Do you want to go back to bad breath and stinky hair? I'm sure that's not the case Polhigg. You're a positive, determined person who has been smokefree for 57 days! You've gotten over the worst of all the phases - the initial grumps and are now tackling the next part - the break of the habit. It's time to persevere with that part and break the habit once and for all. If you don't you'll be back at square one and feeling as if you've failed. You're at a critical point here Polhigg....you either sit and smoke or throw them away (take them to poor old Brighton and bury them in a sand volcano!) and carry on. Really think about it Polhigg - we're here for you and all hoping that you stick with us. ♥

pukeko
16 hours ago

Polhigg my friend....we slip...we beat ourselves up...is it gonna be any better by smoking....you know deep down what you what & from reading your life journey...get back up throw the packet out (under a tap)...deep breath...BIG drink of water....talk to us...we are all here as a team with & for you....we are here ....read over your blogs...you have done an absolutely brilliant job....slipped but got back up good on you xx

minty fresh
17 hours ago

Hello halo - welcome and congratulations on making the best decision of your life!!!! Try drinking water too halo - that might take the edge off of the 'chew'! ☺

pukeko
14 hours ago

nah it is only extending our life ...believe it or not...we believe you!! ,,,hahahah lol....day 1 well done the weight thing.........join our new club.....but wait hahaha thers more xx

cojy
18 hours ago

Hey Minty fresh how long do you think the after shocks will go on?? That has to be very scary, I have trouble sleeping now , with out worry that may have another quake.It would sure raise the stress leval. Hopefuly this wont cause the people that quit to start smoking to releave the stress. hang in there and will be thinking of all I cant remember who said this so can credit him but this fits " these are the times that try mens souls"

minty fresh
18 hours ago

Who knows cojy!!! It's a bit like being on a boat and hoping for a lasting calm - the storm has died down but we are getting pretty regular waves!!! THEY (?) have said that we were due another biggie within 38 hours and we've passed that timeframe. Who knows! I know that some people have picked up the cigarettes again - but I believe that it will be short lived - once this is all over with they'll be back on the wagon with gusto!!! For newbies quitting it is hard enough getting through the initial times of quitting without being thrown a curve ball such as this......they'll all be fine I know. With all of our support they'll be back on track before you know it. ☺

minty fresh
17 hours ago

Hi there Lisa - hope you've had a chance to hug your lad. Days like this do appear and if you can push though this without smoking then you'll be learning a huge lesson. If you give in then the lesson will be lost. Stick with it Lisa - kids are forgiving creatures and your 4 year old will thank you when he's 10 and you have the energy and enough puff to run around and kick a ball with him. Try and turn a blind eye and count to 10 before reacting to his 'mishaps and misadventures'. Tomorrow's another day Lisa. Forget being house proud and start to taking it easier on yourself. Remember you're quitting first and foremost for all of the health benefits that there are and secondly so your kids will have a healthy mum around and a granny for their kids. This is just a phase Lisa - push through it whilst remaining smokefree and it will soon come to an end. Have you thought of using Rescue Remedy? It may help take the edge off of fractious moments. ☺

lisa2
17 hours ago

Once again thankyou minty fresh great advice and great support im not gunna kiss ya key-sta to much lol but just think your a wonderful person to deal with what you went through on Saturday and still come on here a dish out the comforting and sometimes confronting advise you do a great job and in my opinion deserve a pay rise lol

pukeko
14 hours ago

lisa2...the journey is about you...lol lucky for us...kids have an unconditional love....the housework can wait ...you...your life your journey....is actually beginning ...for you ...for your kids... o for awesome ......well done you xx

lisa2
14 hours ago

thankyou so much pukeko you really are a positive influence on me and i do look forward to reading your posts each day im am finding the evenings are much more mellower than the days and me and my boys+man are having a nice relaxing evening look i can even spell anxious now lol thanks heaps guys!!!

minty fresh
17 hours ago

You may be feeling sad today my friend but you should also be feeling quite proud of your achievements......120 days smokefree is HUGE. Well done ☺

pukeko
14 hours ago

mmmmmmmmmmmmmm....thank god you are here....xx

minty fresh
22 hours ago

Well done Chrissie - it was wild wasn't it - I felt like a drunken sailor trying to get to the door - worst thing was....I was sober!!! I hope that you're feeling a little more settled now - I know it's not back to normal but it's better than it was and the Sun is shining. Great day for catching up on the washing ...the wind is there too.

Talk more later. Be good and remember to boil the water!! What area are you in? I'm in Spreydon.

chrissie34
21 hours ago

hey minty fresh

I am in St Albans we have been spared compared to some parts of the city!! Went for a drive yesterday and cannot believe the disaster around the city!! My sister lives in Spencerville and she is lucky but 5 houses around her are completely destroyed... Yes catching up on some washing good day for drying!!!

cojy
18 hours ago

HI Chrissie. See how powerful that demon nicatine is he will do any thing to get you back. :-) but you can just get on board again all is not lost. I have been there and done that. Once I was over a year and a friend gave me a cigar and before you know it i was back on cigarettes and quit many times and then got right back on so when you get back to normal just start over no big lose that you cant over come.

yas01
12 hours ago

Hey Chrissie me to started sat morning again. Wow 9.20pm just had another. Im so sick of them.
I have set my quit date this wednesday. Seems silly but I know a few who quit & had restarted.
Take care all fellow bloggers in chch. Fingers crossed this will stop soon and settle down. xx

pukeko
3 hours ago

Take care guyz xx...so anything we can do from up here please please let us know....xx

Debz30
37 minutes ago

Im gutted, I have started again. I was doing so well....My partner started smoking again beginning of last week and I resisted..but Sat morning's quake shook me up something chronic and I started again, only because there were smokes in the house....we were both pretty stressed, worried about family that we couldnt get hold of....its been a very long weekend. helped family up in Kaiapoi yesterday, back at work today. Ill give up again, I will have to make another quit date and try again, Im very disappointed, but im tired with lack of sleep and cant get down about it at the moment. Big thanks to those that supported me, ill be back at a later date sooner rather than later hopefully :)

steve76
1 day ago

Thats awesome Shane. Big shout in 10 days??

rubytuesday
1 day ago

Good on you, isnt it so good to see the days roll past and know the cigs get further and further away. I'm 4 months clear and over the worst..

Dentarthurdent
1 day ago

Awesome Stuff Shane. 100 Days is nearly there!!!!!

steve76
23 hours ago

Dentarthurdent, you must be in the final stages of preparation for a 100 day party yourself??

1Lyn1
22 hours ago

Really well done Shane. Hope smokefree life is getting easier for you now. Started getting easier for me at about the 90 day mark.

pukeko
3 hours ago

YIPPEE WELL DONE YOU !!whooopee de woop yahhhhhhh!!! 10 more days to the century...have you started to prepare for the party or has dentarturdent ...already got it all set up...AWESOME STUFF well done shane36!!!!

pukeko
1 day ago

Hey struggling dl.....we are a team...watch your back....read about marie being allergic to those patch things coz we are the "patch club" lol

minty fresh
1 day ago

Hi there DL - nuisance isn't it when these quit smoking aids don't suit....I'd make an appointment with my GP and see what he/she can offer me as an alternative - I believe that there are some out there. Good Luck DL and let me know how things are going with you. ☺

minty fresh
1 day ago

Wow Pukeko - death really rocks a community and makes us all think. Just had another after shock here (in chch) so gonna switch off now as the monitor is shaking quite badly again.

Dentarthurdent
21 hours ago

Sorry to hear that pukeko. Glad to hear your's are fine. That sounds awful I know, especially when another family has just lost a child but I hope you know what I mean.
Kia Kaha

pukeko
1 day ago

lisa2...I am so happy for you!!!
There is a website...I should know it coz that was one of my meltdown nights with my kids... ....FOUND IT
....http://www.dedicateddesigns.com.qk?

I too am worried debz30.../ even if you are smoking....get back to us....we are a team...this is a crisis moment....I know what I would be reaching for......we love you...we stand by you....like yas01 walk the walk....then understand........................................I(we) are all here for you guyz.....xx

minty fresh
1 day ago

Hi there Lisa - the Quit Keeper you're looking for is at www.dedicateddesigns.com/qk - Pukeko was close there lol. Just hop on over and input your details (no identifying details needed) and you'll be able to add your stats by pressing Ctrl F12 in emails and blogs. The great thing about this is IT'S FREE!!!!

Good luck Lisa and well done for your stats so far - great work. This quit keeper is really motivational as it ticks over in real time so you can just sit and look at it and inspire yourself!!! lol Well done Lisa ☺

lisa2
1 day ago

Hi Hollie and welcome you have come to the right place everyone is very supportive here, i am sorry to hear about your mother and am sure its a great motivation for you, i am a newby hear to but have fast learnt this group of amazing people is exactly what i have needed to finally become smokefree, every time i think about wanting a smoke i come on here and just read peoples blogs of there own personal journeys from day one till present day the information we need to stay quit is endless on here anyways good luck we all with ya and welcome again.

redhead72
1 day ago

agree with lisa2 100% this site gives continous support and motivation

pukeko
1 day ago

Hey Hollie...hard to deal with...hey...when it happens close...to home...it is always in our lives harder to actually deal with....so until you walk the walk
how can you talk the talk....
grief..omg...I only just learnt about grief...& the guilt of grief... my father was an absolute mfker frm hell...any wonder why i smoked....yeah had the counselling...as your journey in life goes......I have finally learnt....I AM SAFE!!!......I am actually safe....no one can ever hurt me ever again...
I learnt this with ...you guys ....xx talk later ...yep a journey...as we all have xx

minty fresh
1 day ago

Hi there Hollie - well done on making two really good choices, firstly setting a quit date and secondly jumping onboard the quitters wagon with the rest of us bloggers! lol It's great that you're really investigating your personal smoking habits and looking at them for what they are. I used to work in the hospital and knew lots of nurses and docs who smoked, they didn't like what they were doing either and wanted to stop - some of them did before I left there and have since found out that most of them are now smokefree - the ones who are still smoking look REALLY old. You have so many incentives to quit Hollie - you're young and so the smoking damage probably isn't visible yet (i.e. smokers lines), you have a possible health risk with the link to breast cancer, you're working in the health field and you know that you're mother would be so pleased with you if she knew that you'd thrown the cigarettes away and given yourself a chance at living a full, real, honest, fun, adventurous life. You know what Hollie that is precisely what you will be doing.......in order to succeed you have to be determined to push yourself through the 'urges' and 'cravings' despite being tempted. You are not allowed to succumb to excuses and you have to remind yourself that you are doing the best thing for YOU. Let's see if with our help you can push through the first three weeks and beyond. With determination Hollie YOU CAN. Onwards and upwards and keep on blogging ☺

maggie
1 day ago

Hey nurses are the worst as smokers i did a study once to present at conference on how many nurses smoked it was a high percentage i know but i gave up and so far a sucess story 16mths and still going strong stay with it and this very supportive site i have been in touch with quitline today to tell them this is the place that quitters need to have and great members who will be with you all the way on your quit journey.

pukeko
3 hours ago

cojy...thank you for sharing a piece of you & your life xx

tiggie
1 day ago

I think the wind is with me!!!
Down in Dunedin, it is soooo windy, just waiting for my shed or roof to take off,then i will chase frantically round after them which is better than smoking.
Just coming to end of day 5 and so far so good. I am finding it really easy, this can't be right, going from 35 a day to 0. Maybe it's because i know i have u load of awesome peeps to disappoint and not just myself which is weird cause i don't really know any of u if u get my meaning. Thanks for being here anyway. :)

polhigg
1 day ago

wind is supposed to hit us tonight Minty! I'm from bishopdale/harewood area. Was asking about Dallington as that got hit the worse. Took a drive by town (as close as i could get) last night and its pretty horrifiying stuff. we are lucky it happened while most people were sleeping. uni is shut for another whole week, seen pics of the library and it is munted. communial clean up in halswell tomorrow!
hope Debs is okay!!!
amazingly, i have not smoked. though once the quake stopped, it was the first thing i thought it.

xoxoxox

pukeko
1 day ago

Hey guys thinking of you all...we are dealing with death in our community.....omg...I think thank god not my child but it is someones child...& I know of them not personally but what if.....so proud of you if you have not....but wtf still proud of you if you have....hey....we are a team !!!together xx

Dentarthurdent
23 hours ago

Glad to see you guys are all safe and well.

yas01
12 hours ago

Hey there, yes thankfully wind wasnt as bad as they said. Did you just feel that one 9.20pm I hate them.
I have set my quit date for this wednesday.
Take care off to check my wee hes asleep on the couch we are sleeping in the lounge and will be again tonight. We drag our matress out feel safer, table right there, bags packed with food & clothes etc and the front door if we need it. Does your head in when you dont get any for ages you think oh good but then why arent we???
Till tomorrow take care all xxx

minty fresh
1 day ago

Hi there Mags - alls well in Christchurch - a few dips and hollows, sand and bricks for miles but a lot of comradery and even a few laughs. We've been really lucky - just glad our situation is not as bad as it is in Pakistan......now that would be hell!!

Great to hear that all is well with you - keep on blogging Mags ♥ I'd love to see your stats ♥

pukeko
1 day ago

minty fresh...no wonder you are who you are ...always so inspirational....thank you xxx I need this at the moment...xx

maggie
1 day ago

Keep safe matey thinking of you all down there yes true could of been much worse i know Maggiexxxxxx

horlicks
1 day ago

Hi yas01. Go easy on yourself, you have just been through a bloody scary ordeal. Its ok for us to sit here and judge, we are not in your position. I think that if I were in your position I might have given in to the temptation too. Just concentrate on looking after yourself and your family at the moment and go easy on yourself, as you said you are only human. Take carexx

yas01
1 day ago

Thanks horlicks, just read your blog with tears flowing down my face. Just had another big shock. They start with a big bang then rock & roll.
We are very lucky so far though we live out in Hornby no where near the city thankfully.
Will go make a cuppa at least we have power now!
Will be in touch soon, thanks xx

steve76
1 day ago

My thoughts are with you and everyone else from canterbury. We had quite a big one in Gisborne in 07 so can understand the stress and uncertain feelings. Stay strong everyone.

Kind Regards.

tea addict
1 day ago

Hope you are okay - it must be so scary. I am thinking of you and everyone in Xchurch - all the best

pukeko
1 day ago

Yas01 it is a bloody hard time ...each to their own of dealing with stuff...do not beat yourself up you have a game plan !! We are all here for you ..all of you...........
life throws curve balls & this is one hell of a ball ...........take care ...if there is anything we can do ....xx

yas01
18 hours ago

Thanks all, have set Wednesday as my new date. We fine started the clean up went thru the pantry as everything fell out bags of stuff had bursted.
Just had 2 big rumbles about 10mins ago. Very scary as it goes quite for a while then starts again. Weather is now changing to real windy, cold & going to rain I think Yeah just what we need.

pukeko
1 day ago

Horlicks you are doing an o for awesome job !!! One month keep it up ,totally agree with you re this site
One Day At A Time xx

maggie
1 day ago

Good for you keep up the great work i was there last year now nearly 16 mths smokefree you can do it !!!

getmymackon
19 hours ago

O for Orsum Horlicks! Doesn't it feel fantastic? I know it was a great feeling even through the ups and downs to get there. Good for you buddy :-)