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Turkey's Triumphs: Page 12

Messages from cold turkey quitters who've remained nicotine-free for at least 1 year


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Our victory messages
240 - 08/25/08

Two years ago, this website opened my eyes and helped me on my journey. Two years ago, I was hanging on for dear life, sweating it out, not really daring to believe I could experience freedom, yet unwilling to be defeated another countless time. Enough was enough. I'd been feeding my loathesome addiction for 27 years, & I had just one more quit left in me. Do or die. Really quit or die in addiction.

The death toll in my immediate family helped convince me. I'd lost my mom & two grandparents due to smoking related illnesses.

The junkie in my head screamed that quitting was pointless because I was dead already, better 'enjoy' myself by continuing to smoke in the time I had left. Weirdly enough, that one almost broke me. Until I realized that I didn't actually care if I had but 5 minutes left, I didn't want to die an addict.

I wanted to seize control of my own life. I did not want to have to keep feeding a hunger that was never satisfied no matter how many death sticks I sucked. I did not want to keep paying big tobacco big money for the privlege of killing myself. I was just done. So I quit.

For all the newbies out there: You can succeed. You can be happy. No one's too hard core to quit. No one. NTAP

Hope

239 - 08/22/08

Yesterday I looked at the date - 21/08/09. Mmmm, that date means something... I thought on it a while. Am I missing an anniversary? And then it hit me - 3 years not smoking!

It is unbelievable to me that this date could have snuck up on me. This is because 3 years ago when I quit cold turkey, I clung to why quit and all the gallant quitters on line. I counted my days and all that those days meant. It was huge to me even as a lurker. I visited often over the first year. Thank you each and every one of you.

For the newbies and those considering to take the plunge and quit I wish to convey that it gets better and easier. Eventually it will be a distant memory and the only time you think about smoking is when you feel sorry for the people that do. I wish you well. You can do it too.

Jo

238 - 08/19/08

Hello, I'm from Mexico City and today I'm celebrating my first anniversary. I just wanted to say that after taking this decision my whole perspective of live has changed. Things are easier now, no cravings at all. Now I CAN DO THINGS. Nicotine kept me as a slave for a long time and I didn't want to see. Now I'm more active, I lost 15 kilos (33 pounds) started to do mountain bike, started a company, and so many things. This was more than just a vice, this was a challenge and I conquered it.

If you're reading this I want to tell you: if you're here you're ready to do it, just take that little step... is not that hard.

Jorge
(used to smoke 20 cigarretes a day)

237 - 08/18/08

Just wanted to drop a quick line to say thank you to whomever is the mastermind behind the WhyQuit website. I quit smoking in Jan of 2007 because of the information that I read on the site. I have since tried giving out the web address to anyone who will listen to me and pray daily that people who need help will find you!

Thanks again!

Sara Fritz

236 - 08/16/08

I just wanted to stop by and say "hi" as I recently celebrated my FIVE year anniversary on August 9th! I do not post here or read often as I am busy completing medical school - something I am not sure I could have done in my smoking days. Quitting smoking gave me a sense of control over myself and my life that has allowed me to accomplish incredible things - like medical school (I'm still amazed I've come this far).

Every patient I meet who smokes gets a thorough education courtesy of WhyQuit.com and Freedom From Tobacco! I feel happy and healthy and don't regret for one minute putting down cigarettes for good.

Best wishes,

Laura

Still going strong... five years, one week, 12 hours, 8 minutes and 26 seconds, 36,690 cigarettes not smoked, saving $11,007.03, life saved: 18 weeks, 1 day, 9 hours, 30 minutes.

235 - 08/15/08

I'm back to celebrate another successful year of not smoking. That's two years now, as of this last Mothers Day. For 45 years I carried that monkey, and now thanks to WhyQuit, I am free!

I almost didn't visit again this year, as not smoking is now where I'm at, and I rarely think about the fact that I did for so long. But I got a call the other day from my son Eric. He is 41, and has smoked most of his adult life. I thought he had quit, even before I did (we are 2000 miles apart), but apparently it lasted only 6 months. I told him about this site, and said that if he sincerely wants to be free, that he had to learn about how addiction works, and how it can be beat!

I hope he does come here, and gets his freedom back. If I could not do much for him in his growing up, I might at least be able to send him here so he can have a better chance for a healthy future.

Son, if you are reading this, know that I love you, and that you can beat this thing!

Thanks to all of the contributors to this site, and a specials thanks to Joel. See you all again next year!

Tom Morford

234 - 08/04/08

I just wanted to send my most humble thanks once again. It is August, the second August of my new life. My life free of tobacco and my life free of stink, expense, horrible coughing and all the other nasty things that went with my old life as a slave. I smoked for almost 40 years.

Thank you WhyQuit! You all were instrumental in me getting FREE and though I never joined formally I was here every day for a very long time. Now that I love my new life without smoking I only come every now and then. Not sure why, maybe hoping that if there's something I can give back I can find a way....

On the 14th of this month I celebrate two free years. It's WONDERFUL on the other side of the fire mountain, I love not smoking!

Joel's videos and reading here helped me so much - if you guys ever need any help e-mail me. I'll volunteer to do whatever I can to help anyone who wants to quit smoking - life is so good without the awful things done to us by nicotine! I hardly ever think of smoking anymore except to feel sorry for those who are still puffing away and to try to cover my nose from the stench outside buildings and other places where smokers leave permanent odors.... call me non-smoker in Texas and my blessings on all at WhyQuit!

Deb

233 - 07/29/08

Well, at 9:30 A.M. this morning it will be one year since I QUIT! I just can't believe it. It is an unbelievable feat for me. I smoked 2 packs a day for 40 years! Now, I'm clean and free!

I can remember the days of lurking at WhyQuit and seeing people with a one year anniversary and thinking I could not do it. But, several months of pain later and now it's me who is CELEBRATING ONE YEAR! I really get dazed thinking about it. I just cannot believe it. I have to pinch myself. I did it cold turkey. It is totally amazing to me.

Well, this anniversary is grander than my birthday; then again, maybe this is being born again. Take care and never take another puff!

Patti

232 - 07/29/08

Today I am very happy to celebrate one whole year free of nicotine after 32 years of slavery. To all the newbies who might be reading know this; it gets better and better and it wont be long before you'll be wondering what all the fuss was about!

Of course I wouldn't want to undermine my quit or anyone else's because, at the end of the day, it is without doubt the toughest and best thing you could ever do and we should all be very proud of ourselves and of each other. Think of all the recovering alcoholics and drug addicts out there - most of them haven't quit smoking - it's not easy but it is simple just never take another puff.

So take care, everyone, and keep up the good work and let your quit be a shining example to anyone who wants to end the misery of their addiction.

Sean - free of nicotine for one year, 53 minutes and 12 seconds. 10981 cigarettes not smoked, saving £567.36. Life saved: 5 weeks, 3 days, 3 hours, 5 minutes.

231 - 07/28/08

Well, when I was thinking of what to say today, I came up with lots of stuff lol. It is hard to put it all into a few short sentences but I will try.

I am sooooooooooooooooooooooooo proud of myself! 365 days smoke free. I really can't remember how hard it was the first week but I do know I cried on day 4 and was a witch :). This year has been difficult but not because I quit smoking. I am so glad I didn't smoke as that would have been another thing that made me feel awful. So, at 10:15 today (my time) on July 28th, 2007 I quit smoking. I love me, I am strong, if I can do that I can do anything.

For all the newbies that are starting this journey, the things I would say are READ READ READ and come to this site every day, all day if you need too. Use the support given and listen. Tell the smoking devil on your shoulder to take off, tell him you are not listening and you dont need him :) Everyone can quit smoking, everyone. There is no reason you can't. The testimony is on this site, dig those heels in, You are much stronger than you think!!!. You don't need luck. Do it.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank all of you, even though I didn't participate much I was surely reading. It was great to listen to all the stories, the ones that were so uplifting and understood the ones where people were struggling. Everyone pretty much managed to beat Nicotine and that gave me hope everyday. So, I am now beginning my second year as a non smoker. It also marks the time when I have to get a grip and make new things happen in my life. I am strong enough to quit smoking, I am strong enough to do anything!!! HURRAH FOR ME LOL...

Sue

230 - 07/21/08

It really seems like yesterday...I spent a lot of time lurking around this site. It was my float & my salvation in many ways. The more I learned about my cigarette addiction, the more committed I was to stopping smoking.

Thirty five or so years (YEARS!) of smoking & now I am free. My anniversary was on Friday, which was a really bad day for me...lots of stress. I still think of smoking when that stress comes up. I think I want to smoke, but when I visualize myself having a cig...POP goes the bubble. No way am I going back there.

So, noobs...really & truly...if I can quit so can you. Just stop smoking & come here to find out how to stay quit. It will be ok. Everything will be better & you will be so proud of yourself. I am.

Sonja
1 year, three days NTAP

229 - 07/18/08

Today I celebrate one year free of nicotine! I have thought about what I would post on this milestone many times over the last year and now that it is here all those profound thoughts have left me with somewhat of a loss for words. Why? Why is there nothing profound for me to say? Well, first off, I am not a writer; I am a talker, just ask anyone who knows me. I won't shut up! I think the other main reason is the overall sense of comfort I have reached. I just don't think about smoking like I used to and when I do it is usually a fleeting memory that makes me chuckle.

So instead of writing a beautiful post like I see so often on these boards I will just bullet point my thoughts:

  1. I think my son's memory of Mommy as a smoker is fading. He saw a pack of someone else's cigarettes and asked me what they were (and they were my old brand.) I just tossed them aside and said they were icky, nasty sticks. I will have the talk with him soon.
  2. My schedule is not dictated by where I am, what I am doing, or how long I will be tied up. I don't have to get out of bed early, go out in the heat, cold or rain to get a fix.
  3. I don't stink; therefore I don't have to worry about hiding that stink. I can walk into my son's summer camp and not worry someone will smell the tobacco on me or ride an elevator feeling embarrassed I smell.
  4. I don't have the phlegm thing going on anymore.
  5. I have not had a horrible chest cold in a while.
  6. I can hang out with friends, have a cocktail, play cards, sit on the portch, eat, drink coffee and still have fun without smoking. In fact now I can walk for 3 miles on the treadmill, mow the entire yard and do many things that I thought might kill me before for lack of oxygen.
  7. I have met peole than never knew me as a smoker and don't believe me when I tell them I was. I have old time friends that tell me they can't picture me with a smoke anymore.

I could seriously write a list longer than my outstretched arms but the point is this, life is so much better now. Comfort crept up on me. It wasn't fast, it wasn't slow, it had it's own pace. I can't even say when it happened but it did. It will for everyone who sticks with the program. Never take another puff. I won't get complacent because I can't; I won't risk losing this awesome feeling of being an ex-smoker. I will deal with any life event that comes my way as a non-smoker!

Once again, thank you to John, Joel, all managers and members who give us all support. Without the education I don't know if I would have stuck with it.

C'mon celebrate with me! After all, everyday without nicotine is a milestone for each one of us!

Jean - Gold today and gold tomorrow so long as I follow the one rule....NTAP!

228 - 07/14/08

I know I'm not dreaming, but its still hard to believe 365 days have passed since I threw away all my nicotine along with those expensive pills, patches, gums and lozengers and just stopped smoking COLD TURKEY. I was soooo fed up and mad at myself continuting to use a deadly product that maims and kills, but I could not seem to break that daily cycle. I'd been "trying" to stop for a long-long time, it seemed impossible and you know what?? In the end it was easier than I ever could have imagined. All I needed was an EDUCATION and Using Attitude To Reduce Stress , Patience and some PRACTICE???? All of you before me have led by your example, I believed IN YOU and followed in your Footsteps. If you are here for the first look or just arrived or stuggling...it works!! BELIEVE!

Listen to me, you'd think we did something awesome, wonderful, outstanding, and maybe just saved a life... well hello, yes I truly believe mine was saved!!! After 47 years of using, I know I AM lucky to be alive, so I know ITS NEVER TO LATE TO STOP USING NICOTINE, but if young, stop NOW!!!! My constant cough is gone and I no longer hide with guilt and fear of my future health. Now my new bike is used daily, I can, swim, sing and play with my Grandchildren, oh this new life is pure joy.

Joel 4-22-02: This is a fight for your health and your life. Give it your all because the alternative is cigarette smoking and if cigarettes are given the opportunity, they will take your all. To keep your FREEDOM, your health and your life, you must understand that your quit is contingent on knowing that to stay smoke free you must NEVER TAKE ANOTHER PUFF!

He also meant Chew, Dip and any nicotine!!!

Star

1 Year Free and Proud - Living, Laughing and Loving every day with a smile!!!!

227 - 07/01/08

I can't believe it. It has been a year since I decided once and for all to NTAP. I felt like I was hanging on by my finger tips sometimes, but I made it! I've said this before and I'll say it again - if I can do it, ANYONE CAN! It is really very simple - NTAP!

Thank everyone here for all your words of wisdom - I don't know if I could have educated myself well enough to get through the last year of "firsts".

And to all the really newbies out there - IT GETS EASIER. I won't lie - it took me longer than a lot of people here to find comfort, but I did find it.

Celebrate every day and remember - NTAP.

xddcq20

Free and Healing for One Year, One Day, 21 Hours and 54 Minutes, while extending my life expectancy 25 Days and 13 Hours, by avoiding the use of 7358 nicotine delivery devices that would have cost me $2,110.46.

226 - 06/22/08

It's with great happiness I announce my Gold Status! Yes it has been nine days since - I didn't 'forget' my gold day it's just taken me a little while to drop in! I look back on the last year and I know in my heart of hearts that I will NTAP! The best things about being quit:

But mostly my life is my own now to do as I please with - I am not owned by a chemical addication - I am truely free!

Katy

IsisVision - Free and Healing for One Year, Nine Days, 12 Hours and 6 Minutes, while extending my life expectancy 46 Days and 22 Hours, by avoiding the use of 13518 nicotine delivery devices that would have cost me $5,491.57.

225 - 06/19/08

It's been a year today. I remember just a few days over a year ago today I decided to quit. It had been on my mind for so long. My hubby said jokingly on fathers day it would make a great present but I knew he meant it. My sons grandfather who was like a 2nd dad had inoperable cancer and not much time left. My oldest said Mom Giddy's (grandfather) last wish from me is to quit smoking and I am asking the same of you.

We all know there's many reasons to quit but none take away the cravings or withdrawl. I started with the gum and then thought this is stupid, I wanted away from nicotine. I was in a chat and asked if anyone had a suggestion. One person gave me this site. I read for days especially the 72 hours. I was waiting to join. I was so proud the moment I joined. Today its been 1 year since my body went totally smoke free.

Please anyone who is reading this thinking about quitting, you can do it and this group WILL help. I always knew they were here for me if things got rough. Between all the info here and knowing that you have all these people who know how you feel, understand what your body is already saying before you lay down that last smoke. I wish I could tell that person how grateful I am for giving me this group address. I've shared it with anyone who mentioned they were even considering quitting. Thanks to all of you for making the last year easier and the rest of my life better.

Saundra

I have been quit for 11 Months, 4 Weeks, 1 Day, 8 hours, 47 minutes and 59 seconds (365 days). I have saved $2,630.63 by not smoking 14,614 cigarettes. I have saved 1 Month, 2 Weeks, 5 Days, 17 hours and 50 minutes of my life. My Quit Date: 6/20/2007 12:00 AM

224 - 06/17/08

I must say, I had my doubts as to reaching any level of real comfort being a non smoker. Amazingly it did happen, so quietly I didn't even know just how comfy I was getting! TOTALY COOL!!!!

I have to admit, on occasion I have a fleeting thought that I need a smoke. BUT it is just that, a fleeting thought and too be expected from someone like me who believed the lie that a smoke would fixed everything. Needless to say, I embraced my quit tuning my lies into truth and remaining committed to NTAP.

My life, good or bad & everywhere in-between, is soooooo worth living nicotine free. I made one of the best decisions of my life when I decided to go nicotine free. I have no regrets.

I'm just grateful to be here today, celebrating living my life nicotine free. I'm grateful for whyquit.com and all the freedomites who have encouraged and inspired me. Thanks everybody! Now lets get down to business & celebrate!!!

Lou/ free and healing freed from 14,454 nicotine feedings since 6/18/07

223 - 06/13/08

I just wanted to thank all of you for the materials available on your website. I just celebrated my 1 year non-smoking on June 1st. Looking forward to the upcoming years smoke-free.

Derrick

222 - 06/11/08

Hi, 25 years ago, I had the flu and was miserable. The last thing I could imagine was smoking a cigarette. So, I took that opportunity to go cold turkey. I remember having a headache for a few days...but that passed. When I recovered from the flu, I also decided to stop drinking coffee -- since they went hand in hand. When I went out for a drink (difficult)...I would twist little cocktail stirrers....and hold them in my hand...and kind of used them as a cigarette. Just that hand to mouth thing...it really helped.

I have never ever had the desire to go back to smoking. TO me it is totally unacceptable...even on the beaches here in fl...there is a smoking ban with a $95 ticket if you're caught. So, to me, take a week, and go cold turkey...it totally worked for me!!

Jeanne Connery

221 - 05/14/08

One year and 97 days ago I would never have thought I'd be writing this testimony.

I told my husband I had a special present for him for our 20th anniversary. "But our anniversary is months away, why don't you wait until then." I told him, "I can't. I have to tell you now. We're going to have another baby." I didn't think I could still get pregnant and I didn't think I was ever going to stop smoking. Well, I did BOTH! I had quit with my previous pregnancies (three older sons who were 17, 15 and 12), but I started right back up again with ferocity. After each quit, I increased my nicotine intake more and more. At 2 to 2 1/2 packs-a-day, I saw not much hope for an end.

But this pregnancy scared me. Now I was much older and this baby was counting on me to not just quit during my pregnancy like the brothers, but for the rest of my life. I went and bought the gum, like I had before. I knew the misery of it but thought this was the "professional" and "responsible" way to quit. So, like many quits before, after the gum chewing time table came to an end and the misery and pain lived on, I searched the net for an image of a black lung. I thought if I put the picture of the black lung on my desktop to stare at when I got the urge, it would help. That's when I came across this site. What a God send! I chewed (sugarless) gum and read, and read, and read. Everytime I had a craving I clicked and read some more until it passed.

I had finally learned WHY everytime I picked it back up again in my post-partum periods. I was still in post acute withdrawal, in addition, I was fatigued (one of my biggest triggers) and riddled with anxiety AND I did not approach my quit with a quitter's mind. I approached my previous quits with a "suspended sentence" on smoking.

All this helped me enormously to fight the battle that came, once again, after delivery of my baby. It was difficult to feel all those cravings hit me all over again, but this time, like a suit of armor, I had WhyQuit.com.

For our twentieth anniversary, I gave my husband another son... and a nicotine-free wife.

Teresa


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