Turkey's Triumphs: Page 19

I have been nicotine free for 4 years. I was very upset, with several losses to smoking when I started this journey and didn't join up because I was so afraid I'd fail (but I spent many hours reading and reading, and posting when reached my first year). I'm 59 now, started the journey on 10 March 2007 being 55. Although time seemed to pass slowly at first, it zips by now and I find it difficult to believe I could have wasted so much money, time and effort poisoning myself.

My health improved quite early on, and I join in with activities instead of staying indoors smoking alone (even my smoking friends thought I smoked too much). I never think of wanting nicotine but often think of WhyQuit and Freedom and am so thankful I found you all. When this happens, if I'm on my own, I say out loud 'I'm not going to smoke today' and I smile a big smile!

It really does get better and better and sooner than you may have thought possible! Thanks again,

Maggie

In 2005 I was diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). I should have seen it coming, but I didn't pay much attention to my health until it was too late. I smoked two to three packs of cigarettes a day almost constantly for 40 years.

When my doctor told me about COPD I was in shock. I didn't really know what to think. After a few days it soaked in and I knew what I had to do. But as you might guess, it didn't exactly work out that way. A few months went by and I went to see my doctor again. I told her that I didn't really know what COPD was and asked her to explain it to me. She said I had emphysema and that while there is no cure for it, quitting smoking would help some. I knew that I needed to quit for a few years, but this gave that thought some urgency.

I had heard that Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) was useless and didn't work, so I went home and looked up "Cold Turkey" on my computer. I remember thinking at the time that all I would find was how to make a turkey sandwich. What I actually found was WhyQuit.com, and it changed my life. I started reading Joel's Library and the more I read the more I felt I could do it. Of all the information I read I picked three things to concentrate on.

1. Quit for one hour at a time.
2. A cigarette craving lasts less than three minutes. When you have one, start thinking about something to distract yourself from it.
3. After three days your body is 100% nicotine free, then it is just a matter of retraining yourself to not be a smoker.

I made the decision to quit smoking on February 10th, 2006. I wasn't sure I could really succeed the first time because of all the stories I've heard about how many times people have tried to quit. I quit at midnight on the day I had chosen as my quit day. I did what WhyQuit had suggested when that first craving hit and started thinking about something to distract myself from the craving and after three minutes it passed, just as he had said it would. When the next one came I did it again, and again it passed.

Since I quit at midnight and went to bed at about 8:00 AM later that morning (I worked nights all of my life...) I figured the first day was only a half day and the next day would be a little harder, but it wasn't. After the third day I told myself that I was now nicotine free and all I had to do was ignore any cravings. I am pleased to say that strategy worked for me.

I was surprised that I didn't really get that many cravings after those first three days. I thought that I would have them constantly but I didn't. About three months after I quit I had the ultimate test of my resolve. My wife had major surgery and I thought if anything would stress me out enough to make me start smoking again that would have been it. It didn't happen. In fact, I didn't even get a craving standing in front of the hospital where people were smoking.

As time went by I had no desire to smoke at all. In fact I now avoid places where people smoke, not because of any temptations to smoke because I really don't have any, but because of the smell. Today I went to one of the local tribal casinos and my first thought after walking in the door was that it been at least five years since I have been there because the last time I didn't notice that horrible smell. So obviously I still smoked at the time.

Now that it has been five years I would once again like to say thank you to WhyQuit and Joel Spitzer for his most excellent library. I still read it quite often.

There ya go... Thanks!

Axel

I've returned to celebrate my three years and 30 days of freedom. I was one of those smokers labeled as a "lifer". Look at me now though... I am so happy. Now people are astounded to hear that I was a nicotine addict for 24 years before I quit on 1/20/2008. It is a beautiful life, this smokeless, nicotineless days and it was all possible thanks to this great forum. I have received tremendous help and support here. Thank you Joel and everyone who keeps this forum happening!

NTAPF - Never Take Another Puff Forever

Love,
zoe

Have absolutely no desire to smoke. Just want to tell you newbies that my life has actually been absolutely a mess during this time. If I can do this you can. I have never had so much stress in my life and I still managed to quit.

I recommend this site for anyone wanting to quit. I remember being on here daily, it was like I had a massive amount of best buds to help me. When I quit my dad was very ill. He passed away 4 months after I quit. Then there has been a lot of selfishness among my family and it is still getting worse and worse. I am learning to live with it, tried counseling, but it is something I will never get over. I also have two teenagers who were hurt by this, even my hubby. They stay away from my family as much as possible.

I also lost my best friend because there was too much drama to deal with, and I guess she thought I should just let it go, and she also is single so she didn't like the time I spent with my kids, being involved in their activities.

Speaking of teens, they are driving me nuts. I know this has all affected them. They are such good kids, but trying to get them to be aware of things and not be nieve is driving me nuts. They think I am butting in their business. And I still havent had a smoke. I actually cannot stand the smell.

I can now work out and breathe too. I could never do that. It has taken a long time, I know, but it has gone fast. I did gain thirty pounds. I have now lost ten since November. and when I lose ten more I will be much happier.Really need to lose like fifty, but one step at a time, just like quitting smoking. You all can do this, trust me.

You will not believe how good you will breathe, how you can just sleep better, function better. What I love the most is that I used to panic if i had only one cigarette left and couldnt get to store till morning or didnt have any money. You all know you do this, right? Oh and get this... It has been since May 15, 2009. So only 20 months. My kids don't even remember me smoking, and they complained about it all the time. My husband never smoked, hates it and he never even says much at all about my quitting. never has. So have done this for myself. You can too.

It was an absolute joy having a physical and filling out papers saying I do NOT smoke!!! You will feel better, I promise. I just hope that you do not have the stress that I did and still do. I will do my best to help you all! Use this website. It is a gift from God. Everyday gets better, I promise. Thanks WhyQuit!! You are probably one of the best things that has happened to me in my life, after my kids and husband.

****** Mary

On the 20th Dec. was my 1 year anniversary of quitting. I stopped cold turkey, from smoking 2 packs a day since I was 16 years old ( I am 57) and I was a total addict! Smoking controlled every moment of my life. So today, on my Quit Counter it says...

I am 1 year and 8 days and 23 hrs and 25 second as a non smoker!I have not smoked 14959 cigs, which has saved me $6456.34 !!I have saved 51 days 22 hours and 35 min of my life! Now how is that for pretty darn special!

I can also say that I never think of smoking unless there is some sort of nerve jarring event. Even then it it just a reflex. I do not crave them at all any more, nor do I want to smoke. I can sit next to smokers and it does not make me want to smoke. I can honestly say that everything is nicer as a non smoker, food tastes better, the air smells better, everything is cleaner such as the car and the house.

There is no way I will ever smoke again. It is like being free for the first time in my life, free of those smokes that ruled my life. I am FREE! Best of luck to all those quitting, remember that you can do it, and take it one moment at a time. Before you know it, you will be 1 year quite too!

Gardener

One year ago today it was December 26th. I was a smoker. On my heaviest days nearly two packs.. light days a half pack. My chest was heavy with smoke and a deep breath would likely come with a cough. Physically I felt drained a fair share of the time. It seemed as though I never had any energy. My feelings toward smoking included helplessness, degradation and humiliation. Looking at it now I clearly see that I wasn't participating in this periodic 'dosing' by choice. There was certainly a time that I did 'light-up' by choice.. but without question at some point along the way I had given up that choice. When I look at it now.. today.. one year later the presence of addiction is very clear.

It is around 9:00pm now and it was just before that time one year ago that I stumbled onto the WhyQuit website and began reading. I read and I actually smoked as I read. Head in my hands. Those that have embarked on this journey with me know the feeling. The 'this needs to end right now' feeling. At 11:40pm that night I had smoked my last. The next three days were tough but far from impossible...

I will not take part in active nicotine addiction ever again. Never.. I say that with absolute confidence. At this point in time it is very easy and extremely simple.

NEWBIES: Here the inside scoop. Accept that you have given up nothing and taken up living. By quitting you are not making any great sacrifice. Any duration of time without nicotine is a gift.. not a sacrifice. Once your mind set switches from 'quitting' to 'having quit' the challenge lightens. There is a difference between being in the process of quitting and having quit. A year ago I would never have thought it possible to go a year without.. heck I was worried about getting through the first morning. Today it honestly takes no effort at all. I don't remember the last anything I would call a crave. There is light at the end of the tunnel and it is different for everyone.. but the constant in this equation is that it is possible to live your life nicotine free.

So now I enter into my second year as an EX-smoker.

e Smart.. Be Strong.. BE FREE!!

NTAP,

Mike

As long as I have breath in my lungs, I will tell everyone how thankful I am NOT to be a smoker. I will, and have, told them where to go for help.

Talk about a great home comming. Being here, where I learned that I am an addict, and how to arrest my addiction. In a few days I will be at 4 years, over 36,174 cigs not smoked, 7,682.55 not spent. Thanks! Not a better web site.

Thank GOD !

Colonel Dave

Greetings from Johannesburg, South Africa. Today four years ago I quit. Since then I've been through a lot. I'm going to get a little dramatic here but there's a reason; one that can be of benefit to anyone starting a quit.

Eight months into my quit I was involved in a fairly serious motorcycle accident. Lying on the ground, bleeding and in pain, I remember my riding companions covering me against the August chill (remember, that's our winter). One serial quitter, knowing I had quit months before, lit up and asked me if I wanted one. I declined.

What gave me the clarity to do so? Something in John R Polito?s Tip Sheet that really hit home: No matter what you're going through, smoking won?t make it easier.

So I went through a crash, surgery and recuperation? without lighting up.

I got married, a nerve racking affair? without lighting up.

I've relocated my business, a traumatic experience? without lighting up.

And I've held on by my fingernails through this grinding recession? without lighting up.

Every day I allow myself a pat on the back. And every time I smell a smoker I shake my head in disbelief that I too once smelled like that. My message to anyone starting a quit: study that tip sheet and pick out the ones that stand out. For me, it was the one above.

Season's greetings, may 2011 be easier for us all than 2010 was, and expect my half-decade anniversary mail twelve months hence.

Best regards

Stan Luntz

I'm now one year off (actually 1 year and 4 days) smoking!
Cheers!
Charlotte

I very seldom get to this website any longer but I just wanted to stop and read some of the posts. It has been 4 years and 4 months since my husband and I my the life changing decision to quit nicotine. It has been the best decision we ever made and I'm so glad we have stuck it out. Honestly, I cannot imagine ever going back to being nicotine dependent.

To all the newbies on this website...hangin in there...it does get so very much better and one day you will be able to look back and see how far you have come. Nicotine is not your friend, but your enemy. It will rob you of your life. Take one day at a time and just remember NTAP.

Blessings to all!

My name is Debbie and I have been nicotine free since July 13, 2006 (4 years and 4 months).