Craven and Bi-Polar Bear have inspired OCCOM BILL to finally

I LOVE Bill's avatar
Is it actually a picture of Bill?
Anyhow Bill, I'm so proud and so glad the cravings are becoming shorter and less intense. (Aren't you glad now I didn't tell you how often they would hit you at first?)

Heeven, there's nothing to quitting. I did it dozens of times. But wanting to quit and a bit of determination will always eventually get us there. Don't beat up on yourself and don't get discouraged.

Jer, I have July 11th circled. Prepare to be nagged.

Thanks Foxy! That felt fantastic! Of course it's me. Who else would it be?

Well [cough] of course I use my real picture too.

I just like the picture. It fits your personality and style. Somebody I could easily be friends with.

Okay, just to be serious for a moment about life and death which is what this thread is about, living or dying.

I would recommend that you change your avatar for the simple reason that it is no longer a picture of the present you, but your brain doesn't know that. The inner brain, the part that controls how you feel about yourself and the world, is kinda stupid, it only knows what you tell it. If it sees you with that big fat stogie sticking outta you face, it thinks it belongs there. You have to remind your brain that you aren't a smoker.

When you get a craving say something like "That's odd, I feel like having a cigarette and I don't smoke. Weird." and your brain will follow along after awhile and no longer send the cravings. That would be crazy, sending a craving for a smoke to a non-smoker, see?

So, change your image, change the way your brain copes with the world.

Joe

I was wondering but didn't know it would be polite to ask.

Of course.

You already are.

Joe; that's an interesting perspective and one I will make a conscious effort to say to myself "that's odd, I don't...) when the urges come.

I haven't officially quit smoking cigars, you know. I fear that they could act as a powerful stimulant so I haven't had one since I quit. I only smoke those on special occasions anyway, so as long as I don't let them try to fill the void left by cigarettes I should be ok.

I've also noticed that I smell better - not that "I" personally smell nice - but that I pick up other scents now that I never noticed before.

That part's an eye opener isn't it? Good job girl!
I can now smell a smoker from 15 feet away, outside, with a light breeze… when he isn't currently smoking... and envy him. I never smelled that on me.

Have your cravings subsided?

I find my appetite is a bit different these days. Since my taste-buds seem a bit sharper, I am experimenting a little with foods I'd normally not try. Cravings are not a big thing with me but I have adopted a habit of chewing on toothpicks to replace the ciggie in my mouth (at home only, where I smoked the most).

I'm so gushingly proud of all you newbie non smokers.

Bill - especially you! woo hooo

I'm going to have a personal party in your honor Sunday at midnight - provided I'm awake of course.

Exercise, O'Bill?
I just wanted you to do something goofy outside!



Ahhhhh, scents after quitting smoking. A really big one was the smell of water - tap water, lake water, bottled water, ocean water - I could smell it - and pick up all kinds of tiny differences. Wonderful.



I like the sound of the sharpened taste-buds, Heeven. And have you tried cinnamon toothpicks? I found them helpful.

Bill,

You didn't ask me, so if this advice stings, I apologize.

You wrote:



You either smoke or you don't. Quitting cigarettes but continuing to smoke cigars is a like waiting for a special time to ask someone to please kick you in the nuts.

Find some other way to look hip.

Joe

Thanks Ony! That's really sweet of you. When I saw you come into the room I was a little worried my ass might be in jeopardy. One correction though... the 11th was my last day of smoking, and boy did I, so Sunday at Midnight will be the Month marker.

Heeven makes it sound so simple. She must be a lot tougher than me.

I'm still kicking that idea around ehBeth. I think excercise would make a pretty good habit... and BillW said I could be perfect this coming month.

That's pretty direct Joe... Thanks... and I mean thanks. I'll ponder it some more and maybe make it official.

I wonder if Jer is quitting on Sunday, Sunday, Sunday, July 11th 2004 or if that is his last day of smoking. He said he was looking forward to it about a week ago. Anyway;

GO JER!
(Registration hasn't closed... there is still plenty of time to join him )

My last day as a smoker is Sunday. I will not smoke anymore when I wake up on Monday. I did it the same way as O'Bill did - by listing my last day as a smoker.

I am looking forward to it...particularly the part where things taste much better, excercise is so much easier, and being able to smell a pretty girl before I can see her

Congrats Bill!

And thanks for the support guys

That's great Jer. Have no fear. If I can do it, you can do it. Now where's that sissycan at? There is plenty of room for company on your voyage, isn't there?

btw, Bill wanted to chime in with congratulations...looks like you've really done it....BIG PROPS!!!!

The smell thing.....when you guys start smelling the stale smoke on others and, while you'll still love the others, you will find that along with stale smoke smell in buildings, motel rooms, etc. as unpleasant.....THEN....you know you've made it. You've won your wings as non smokers.

I should add that while I love a smoke free environment now, I still love the smell of a good cigar or a good pipe tobacco. I probably always will.

I thank ya BPB. Maybe Squinney would like to join Jer on his up and coming journey?

Fox, I forgot to answer your earlier question. Yes, you released vital information at a fine, reasoned pace. Quicker wouldn't have been better. So far the realization that smokers stink so much is pretty shocking, but I can't say I'm disgusted cause I still envy them. :wink:

only if it's a cute one, and then only in jeopardy of being squeezed or pinched *shrug*

sidenote: i wish my mom would stop. ho hum.

I guess I better not stay in any one place too long then. :wink: