|
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,093 Likes: 40
Boards Chief Administrator Pulitzer
|
OP
Boards Chief Administrator Pulitzer
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,093 Likes: 40 |
Well, the day has finally come! I'm ready to quit. So here I sit, almost two hours without a cigarette, wondering whether this is worth posting on the boards. Well, to tell you the truth, I'll be proud of myself if I can actually do this, and... I could use the accountability and the encouragement. So wish me luck, guys, I'll need the support. Sara
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 9,362
Boards Chief Administrator Emeritus Nobel Peace Prize Winner
|
Boards Chief Administrator Emeritus Nobel Peace Prize Winner
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 9,362 |
Well, done, Sara! I'm sure you can find plenty to do here on the mbs to keep your mind - and hands - off those cigarettes! Good luck! LabRat
Athos: If you'd told us what you were doing, we might have been able to plan this properly. Aramis: Yes, sorry. Athos: No, no, by all means, let's keep things suicidal.
The Musketeers
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,099
Top Banana
|
Top Banana
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,099 |
Great decision, Sara, and very courageous. We'll be here to support you and help you go through the first few difficult weeks. After that it should get easier (but we'll still be here). Kaethel
- I'm your partner. I'm your friend. - Is that what we are? - Oh, you know what? I don't know what we are. We kiss and then we never talk about it. We nearly die frozen in each other's arms, but we never talk about it, so no, I got no clue what we are.
~ Rick Castle and Kate Beckett ~ Knockout ~
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,644
Pulitzer
|
Pulitzer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,644 |
Good decision, Sara! And I'm sure it won't be easy, but I'm also sure that you can do it. Feel free to vent or whatever, anytime you need to... We're here for ya PJ
"You told me you weren't like other men," she said, shaking her head at him when the storm of laughter had passed. He grinned at her - a goofy, Clark Kent kind of a grin. "I have a gift for understatement." "You can say that again," she told him. "I have a...." "Oh, shut up."
--Stardust, Caroline K
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,047
Top Banana
|
Top Banana
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,047 |
Very good idea! Good luck, it's a great step towards better health! ~Liz
Lois: Can I go? Clark: No. Lois: Oh come on, Clark, why do we go through this? We both know Iβm going to go. Clark: Then why do you ask? Lois: Iβm trying to be nice.
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,994
Pulitzer
|
Pulitzer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,994 |
Go Sara! Go Sara! Go! Go! Go Sara, Sara, Sara! Go Sara! Yippeee!!!!! James
|
|
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
Good to stop now, Sara. I've been married to a smoker for 13 years and that means we've spent over $32,000 on his cigarettes. Nice down payment on a house that would be. Would also pay off our credit card debt. I don't even want to consider the interest that would earn if it was in a savings plan those 13 years. GOOD to STOP NOW! TEEEEEEEJ
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 165
Hack from Nowheresville
|
Hack from Nowheresville
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 165 |
Good luck! I know you can do it! Any time you need someone to act totally foolish/silly to distract you from cravings, tell me to go drink some caffine...
In this life of froth and bubble, Two things stand like stone. Kindness in another's trouble, Courage in your own.
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,454
Pulitzer
|
Pulitzer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,454 |
Good luck, Sara! You'll need lots of willpower, but just think of the benefits to your health, as well as the fact that your clothes and hair and all of you will smell much nicer. You'll never have Larry Hagman sit in front of you with a miniature fan telling you that kissing a smoker is like kissing a dirty ol' ashtray. (Yeah, yeah, I've just aged myself here ) And, as TJ says, think of how much money you'll be saving! I don't know how many you smoked per day, but I'm sure you could work out how long it would take you to save enough for another air ticket to visit some FoLC friends, or the Lois and Clark DVDs coming out this year! Wendy
Just a fly-by! *waves*
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,627
Pulitzer
|
Pulitzer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,627 |
"Meg...who let you back in the house?" -Family Guy
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,168
Top Banana
|
Top Banana
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,168 |
Good luck, Sara! Great decision!! You know where to find us if you need some distraction... Julie
Mulder: Imagine if you could come back and take out five people who had caused you to suffer. Who would they be? Scully: I only get five? Mulder: I remembered your birthday this year, didn't I, Scully?
(The X-Files)
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,093 Likes: 40
Boards Chief Administrator Pulitzer
|
OP
Boards Chief Administrator Pulitzer
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,093 Likes: 40 |
Just wanted to take quick second, before I have to rush off again, to thank *each* and *every* one of you for responding. I think I found an new Stop Smoking Program! Seriously, just knowing how much support I've gotten already just in my first day, is more than helpful. Kept thinking at work "Can't have a cigarette... can't go into irc later smelling like an ashtray. They'll know." So thanks, Lab, Kae, Pam, Liz, James, TEEEJ, Jenni, Wendy, Jen and Julie!!!! Sara <--- Just about how I'm feeling right now. :p
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,099
Top Banana
|
Top Banana
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,099 |
Hang in there, Sara!! You'll be fine. Kaethel
- I'm your partner. I'm your friend. - Is that what we are? - Oh, you know what? I don't know what we are. We kiss and then we never talk about it. We nearly die frozen in each other's arms, but we never talk about it, so no, I got no clue what we are.
~ Rick Castle and Kate Beckett ~ Knockout ~
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,293
Top Banana
|
Top Banana
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,293 |
Yay, Sara! You can do it - we're all rooting for you. Yvonne
|
|
|
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 291
Hack from Nowheresville
|
Hack from Nowheresville
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 291 |
So glad to hear this, Sara! I know you can do it. And I know how you can distract yourself... write some fanfic!
Molly
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 652
Columnist
|
Columnist
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 652 |
Good luck!
I believe there's a hero in all of us that keeps us honest, gives us strength, makes us noble, and finally allows us to die with pride, even though sometimes we have to be steady and give up the thing we want the most. Even our dreams. -- Aunt May, Spider-Man 2
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,587
Merriwether
|
Merriwether
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,587 |
Darn. I can't remember what comedian it was who talked about quitting smoking by taking deep breaths (thus getting a little nicotine taste in the mouth, courtesy of smoker's lungs ) and munching carrot sticks. And I can't give Google enough to find it -- if it's even online. Did find out that both of those things are really recommended, though. Good luck, and good for you! Look what a great thing you are doing for yourself! Go Sara!
Do you know the most surprising thing about divorce? It doesn't actually kill you, like a bullet to the heart or a head-on car wreck. It should. When someone you've promised to cherish till death do you part says, "I never loved you," it should kill you instantly.
- Under the Tuscan Sun
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 189
Hack from Nowheresville
|
Hack from Nowheresville
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 189 |
go sara! you can do it!! and if you can do it maybe i could do it........
Tempus: Because you are, in a word, looney toons!.
Inmate: Looney toons is two words.
Tempus: Not if you say it fast.
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,441 Likes: 1
Top Banana
|
Top Banana
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,441 Likes: 1 |
Sara, The only "safer" cigarette is your last one. -Duane Alan Hahn Ankit,
If she had to move heaven and Earth, perhaps come back to haunt Perry and explain the story after they'd killed her, she would do it.
Waking a Miracle by Aria
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,093 Likes: 40
Boards Chief Administrator Pulitzer
|
OP
Boards Chief Administrator Pulitzer
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,093 Likes: 40 |
Rough first day, but I didn't hurt anyone. I'm *really* bowled over by the amount of replies I've gotten and I really can't thank you all enough. I've read all the posts *several* times. Makes me want one just that much less. So thanks Yvonne, Molly, Emily, Rivka, Jen, and Ankit!!! As well as everyone else too!! Sara
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 9,362
Boards Chief Administrator Emeritus Nobel Peace Prize Winner
|
Boards Chief Administrator Emeritus Nobel Peace Prize Winner
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 9,362 |
Keeping the violence under control - that's a positive first step, Sara! And even nicer to get a new Sara fic. LabRat (not that I'm hinting or anything...)
Athos: If you'd told us what you were doing, we might have been able to plan this properly. Aramis: Yes, sorry. Athos: No, no, by all means, let's keep things suicidal.
The Musketeers
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,644
Pulitzer
|
Pulitzer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,644 |
Yay, non-violence! Keep that up... Hang in there, Sara, I know you can do it. Y'know, in my experience, nothing will distract you better than a good flame war... want to argue politics with anyone? Whatever your views are, I guarantee you can find someone to disagree with them Just, um, do it in e-mail, k? Otherwise the other admins will kill me PJ
"You told me you weren't like other men," she said, shaking her head at him when the storm of laughter had passed. He grinned at her - a goofy, Clark Kent kind of a grin. "I have a gift for understatement." "You can say that again," she told him. "I have a...." "Oh, shut up."
--Stardust, Caroline K
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,168
Top Banana
|
Top Banana
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,168 |
Yay, Sara! As Labby and Pam said, non-violence is good. <g> Hang in there, you're doing well!!! {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Sara}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}} Julie
Mulder: Imagine if you could come back and take out five people who had caused you to suffer. Who would they be? Scully: I only get five? Mulder: I remembered your birthday this year, didn't I, Scully?
(The X-Files)
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 379
Beat Reporter
|
Beat Reporter
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 379 |
Keep up the good work, Sara! We are all so proud of you!!!!! --Wanda
"He's a man. I'm a woman. Do you want me to draw you a diagram?" -Lois Lane, I've Got a Crush on You.
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,587
Merriwether
|
Merriwether
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,587 |
*waves pom poms* Go Sara! Go Sara! Go Sara!
Do you know the most surprising thing about divorce? It doesn't actually kill you, like a bullet to the heart or a head-on car wreck. It should. When someone you've promised to cherish till death do you part says, "I never loved you," it should kill you instantly.
- Under the Tuscan Sun
|
|
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,454
Pulitzer
|
Pulitzer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,454 |
I think we need to do a count for you, Sara. So, assuming you still haven't had a cigarette, this is Day Three, right? Congratulations on making it this far! And hang on in there - let us know when you need a little extra encouragement, all right? Any other smokers out there ready to stop along with Sara? Mutual encouragement and all that... Wendy
Just a fly-by! *waves*
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,093 Likes: 40
Boards Chief Administrator Pulitzer
|
OP
Boards Chief Administrator Pulitzer
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,093 Likes: 40 |
Thanks, Wendy!!! And thanks for the continued support, everyone!!! For easier time-tracking purposes , I started at 12:00:01 am on March 1st. <g> So... It's been officially 3 days and almost two hours. Today was a hard day and I almost didn't make it. Hope tomorrow's better. You guys really are a *great* help!!! Sara
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,761
Pulitzer
|
Pulitzer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,761 |
My first reaction when I saw this thread's title was, "Good for you, Sara!!" I can't be around so often anymore, but my thoughts are with you. And, yay, you're making it happen!! Let's celebrate!! See ya, AnnaBtG.
What we've got here is failure to communicate...
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,133
Top Banana
|
Top Banana
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,133 |
Keep up the good work, Sara!!! You're doing so well! - Laura
Laura "The Yellow Dart" U. (Alicia U. on the archive)
"A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles." -- Christopher Reeve
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,587
Merriwether
|
Merriwether
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,587 |
Do you know the most surprising thing about divorce? It doesn't actually kill you, like a bullet to the heart or a head-on car wreck. It should. When someone you've promised to cherish till death do you part says, "I never loved you," it should kill you instantly.
- Under the Tuscan Sun
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,093 Likes: 40
Boards Chief Administrator Pulitzer
|
OP
Boards Chief Administrator Pulitzer
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,093 Likes: 40 |
Mountain Standard Time... which makes it... SIX days as of right now. I'll be honset... I did have one or two. So I cheated. But I'm really encouraged by the fact that I didn't enjoy the experience, which is good. And, I'm telling myself that it's far better than having smoked two or three packs. I'm hanging in there. Finding it difficult at times to function without my stress reliever, but I'm dealing. Thanks again, everyone, for your support. I really wouldn't have made it even a day without your support! Sara
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,587
Merriwether
|
Merriwether
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,587 |
Six days is almost a week, yes? Awesome. And yeah, I'd definitely agree that one or two is far better than one or two packs.
Do you know the most surprising thing about divorce? It doesn't actually kill you, like a bullet to the heart or a head-on car wreck. It should. When someone you've promised to cherish till death do you part says, "I never loved you," it should kill you instantly.
- Under the Tuscan Sun
|
|
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
I recommend checking your savings (pun not intended). You might want to consider doing a cash jar for your designated cig money. Watch how fast it grows! Like a Chia Pet with dollar bills. Keep going!!! TEEEEEEEJ
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 9,362
Boards Chief Administrator Emeritus Nobel Peace Prize Winner
|
Boards Chief Administrator Emeritus Nobel Peace Prize Winner
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 9,362 |
Mountain Standard Time... which makes it... SIX days as of right now. I'll be honset... I did have one or two. So I cheated. But I'm really encouraged by the fact that I didn't enjoy the experience, which is good. And, I'm telling myself that it's far better than having smoked two or three packs. I think most people fail at giving up an addiction, Sara, because they pay too much attention to the little steps backwards that are inevitable and let them overcome them. So, much waving of pompoms and hearty ra ras all round for your positive and sensible approach to those. They will happen - but turning them into positives and letting them help you move forward as you are doing is a huge help towards your goal! Well done, you! Keep it up! LabRat
Athos: If you'd told us what you were doing, we might have been able to plan this properly. Aramis: Yes, sorry. Athos: No, no, by all means, let's keep things suicidal.
The Musketeers
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,454
Pulitzer
|
Pulitzer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,454 |
Absolutely! Keep it up, Sara! How many days now? And TJ's right: start putting your saved money in a jar somewhere and whenever you're tempted to buy a packet count how much you've saved so far. Hang in there!! We're rooting for you. Wendy
Just a fly-by! *waves*
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,093 Likes: 40
Boards Chief Administrator Pulitzer
|
OP
Boards Chief Administrator Pulitzer
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,093 Likes: 40 |
Almost 10 whole days. And... if I didn't need the money for other things, I'd be saving it. )
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 280
Hack from Nowheresville
|
Hack from Nowheresville
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 280 |
Ten days Sara, congrats!!!! Keep the good work, you can do it! Carolyn
Pisco and Ceviche ->100% PERUVIAN. Never doubt that.
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,587
Merriwether
|
Merriwether
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,587 |
Do you know the most surprising thing about divorce? It doesn't actually kill you, like a bullet to the heart or a head-on car wreck. It should. When someone you've promised to cherish till death do you part says, "I never loved you," it should kill you instantly.
- Under the Tuscan Sun
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,992
Pulitzer
|
Pulitzer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,992 |
Tricia
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,047
Top Banana
|
Top Banana
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,047 |
Good for you! Keep it up!
~Liz
Lois: Can I go? Clark: No. Lois: Oh come on, Clark, why do we go through this? We both know Iβm going to go. Clark: Then why do you ask? Lois: Iβm trying to be nice.
|
|
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
Updates Sara?? got a lot of money saved up yet??
If so, feel free to send chocolate to various encouragers of your new determination <AHEM!>
TEEEEEEEEJ
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,093 Likes: 40
Boards Chief Administrator Pulitzer
|
OP
Boards Chief Administrator Pulitzer
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,093 Likes: 40 |
Well... I haven't been avoiding this post, really, I've just not been sure what to say. I didn't make it. I may have picked a bad time to do it, set myself up for failure, with all the stress and problems I've been having this semester. Or maybe that's just an excuse. But, as with any addiction, it may be an excuse, but a vaild one. I think. I don't want to be a smoker for the rest of my life. Hopefully, not even the rest of this year. Unfortunately, now's just not the right time for me to do it. I do want everyone to know that I really do appreciate every single response this thread has gotten. I'm very touched that so many of you care! You can't imagine how it helped me when I was going through the first few very tough weeks. I want to apologize, I'm not sure why... I guess I feel I let you guys down, though I really only let myself down. But I'm okay with that for now. I have other things I need to get back on track, so I'm concentrating on those. I do hope that when the time comes again, you'll all be here and willing to give me the same support. Sorry, and thanks again! Sara
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,761
Pulitzer
|
Pulitzer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,761 |
Too bad you didn't make it, Sara But it's the first step! Concentrate on whatever's your priority now, and be sure we'll still be here when you want to try again See ya, AnnaBtG.
What we've got here is failure to communicate...
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,441 Likes: 1
Top Banana
|
Top Banana
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,441 Likes: 1 |
Hey, but now you know, you've done it once right? So you can do it again, and you can maybe aim for more days than you achieved this time, and so on.... I'm positive all of us are very proud of you, ~Ankit
If she had to move heaven and Earth, perhaps come back to haunt Perry and explain the story after they'd killed her, she would do it.
Waking a Miracle by Aria
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,454
Pulitzer
|
Pulitzer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,454 |
Absolutely, Sara! We're very proud of you for trying, and for lasting out as long as you did. And when you're ready to try again we'll still be here, cheerleading. Maybe there are other FoLCs who want to quit too? You could do it together. Wendy
Just a fly-by! *waves*
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 9,362
Boards Chief Administrator Emeritus Nobel Peace Prize Winner
|
Boards Chief Administrator Emeritus Nobel Peace Prize Winner
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 9,362 |
I think you were very brave to set yourself up for a public challenge as difficult as this one, Sara, while knowing there was the possibility of failure. And even braver to admit it didn't work out this time. So well done! And don't beat yourself up too much. If this was easy, everyone would be doing it in a week. It's not easy and maybe you didn't succeed as much as you hoped this time, but you made a good start. Next time, you'll do better. My father tried several times to give up smoking over the years when we were kids and failed many times, but he got there eventually. You will too. LabRat
Athos: If you'd told us what you were doing, we might have been able to plan this properly. Aramis: Yes, sorry. Athos: No, no, by all means, let's keep things suicidal.
The Musketeers
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 699
Columnist
|
Columnist
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 699 |
People who know me well have a hard time believing that I used to smoke, but I did - over 4 packs a day! (cough, cough) I tried innumerable times to quit, and finally, in a fit of desperation quit as a birthday gift for my non-smoking fiance. We've been married more than 20 years now, so that seemed to work for me. You'll find something that works for you, too. Keep trying in the future. Eventually, it will click for you. Irene
I try to take one day at a time, but sometimes several days attack me at once.
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,627
Pulitzer
|
Pulitzer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,627 |
I may have picked a bad time to do it, set myself up for failure, with all the stress and problems I've been having this semester. Ugh, I totally understand. I smoke when I get stressed out, but I told myself this week I'd stop doing it because it's obviously not the healthiest thing in the world. Wouldn't you know all the drama and stress of this campus gathered and combusted this week. It's driving me crazy not being able to jump out on the balcony and light up. If everything doesn't quiet down soon, it's back to the balcony. JD
"Meg...who let you back in the house?" -Family Guy
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,569
Pulitzer
|
Pulitzer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,569 |
Sorry it didn't work out this time, Sara. Congrats for trying. You know, Mark Twain once (reportedly) said, "Quitting smoking is easy. I've done it hundreds of times!" No shame in not having it work out. Better luck next time, when you're ready. Paul
When in doubt, think about penguins. It probably won't help, but at least it'll be fun.
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,206
Top Banana
|
Top Banana
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,206 |
We'll be here to support you when you're ready to try again. Keep your spirits up and you'll succeed eventually.
-- Roger
"The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself." -- Benjamin Franklin
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,587
Merriwether
|
Merriwether
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,587 |
The average smoker quits many times -- because it is very very HARD to do! Don't worry, Sara, you'll get there. *hug* Meanwhile, don't apologize. Deal with what you need to first, so that next time can be more successful. Good luck!
Do you know the most surprising thing about divorce? It doesn't actually kill you, like a bullet to the heart or a head-on car wreck. It should. When someone you've promised to cherish till death do you part says, "I never loved you," it should kill you instantly.
- Under the Tuscan Sun
|
|
|
|