The time to quit!

[If Not For Grace]

Coffee seems to be a trigger-change the place you take your coffee, if you've been haviing it at the kitchen table, take it in the family room or outside if you have a weather proof area. Sometimes we've been doing something for so long we'll just auto light (I do when I'm on the phone). I' Rooting for you guys-good job and brave efforts.

Ruth: who would have thought the love of a bird, you always have the sweetest touches to add to a story. Good Job. I guess the bird deserves a nice new perch eh?

 

[Allan McDougall]

Thank you If Not For Grace;
Indeed our habit/habits are well programmed into our system and we are like a 24GB p.c.. We do not forget much very easily. You mention coffee as a trigger and indeed it is but it is also a powerful drug (caffine) that is very much in control of us like nicotene. When I try to cut back on it I get headache and when I drink it I want more nicotene. Matt and I have set Nov.1 as our quit day and we have been trying to cut back as much as possible before then. I will be able to tell how effective this has been on quit day. If it helps a little it was a good idea. Thank you for caring
God bless you
Allan

 

[Allan McDougall]

Indeed I pray for you and me and both of our friends and family. Everybody wins if we quit these stinky weeds.
DO NOT QUIT QUITTING!
God be with you Matt
Allan

 

[lindart]

What a great thread! I commend all of you for your honesty and encouragement of each other. Know that you are an encouragement to us as well. I am trying to quit and I really like and will use as a tool," never quit quitting"! Stay the course and God bless all of you!

 

[Allan McDougall]

Thank you lindart;
It is great to hear from you and we hope that this thread will encourage you and others to continue the struggle with us.
We have been working this only about 15 days and yesterday I had a very new experience: For the first time I ever remember I lit up, took 1 puff, and dropped it on the ground and sqished it out. I could hardly believe it that I did not want that smoke and was glad to put it out. Later I lit up again but this time it was normal and I had to tell myself no to another (you know how that goes LOL). I cannot forget the great feeling though of not wanting that 1 smoke. It would be wonderful indeed if it returns by Nov. 1 (quit day.)
Have a great day lindart and thanks again for stopping by.
Allan

 

[maltesecorsair]

Hi Allan,
I am having a hard time reducing the smokes below 15. I cut down upto 15, but cant seem to progress beyond that at the moment. And there is only 6 more days to go till Nov 1. I know you are doing better than me, so dont slack off please!

 

[Allan McDougall]

Hello there Matt;
Hope you are hanging in there and do not quit quitting. Don't worry about Nov. 1 as it too is just another day. I will try as long as possible on Nov. 1 to avoid that 1st cig as I have been doing since we stated with this idea. Actually I look forward to Nov.1 as quit day because I really have desire to quit smoking but whatever happens I will never quit quitting.
God be with you my trying to quit friend
Allan

 

[maltesecorsair]

Hi there Allan
Yes sir, I am trying but I still havent gone below the 15 cig mark. And I've got only 4 more days to reduce it to zero, arrgh! No I wont quit quitting, but it's a harder fight than I figured. How are you doing? Did you manage to reduce the number of ciggies smoked per day? We'll keep Nov 1 as the quit day all the same, right? I tried not drinking coffee for a few days but it hasnt diminished my craving for ciggies. I think I've got this "spirit is willing but the flesh is weak" thing. I want to cut down but the craving drives me nuts so I just light up. I should try your 'one hour between smokes' strategy now. Btw how is your family reacting? I bet they are all happy to see you trying to quit hehe. Well, hope to hear about your progress sir. God bless you abundantly sir, take care.

 

[Allan McDougall]

Hi there Matt. Good to hear from you. I am still holding around the 10 per day (cigs) but trying to focus mostly on that first one each day. If I can quit that first one it will be very easy after that LOL. Don't worry about Nov. 1 Matt as it makes no diff. really what day we cut down or quit. I intend to stay with quitting until I do not take the first one each day. If that takes 10 years to accomplish then so be it.
God be with you in the struggle for good health and more pocket money Matt
Your trying to quit friend Allan

 

[maltesecorsair]

Hello Allan,
You do have a lot of determination sir, and that's a great thing. Well I tried the 'an hour between smokes' and it is hard but I think that's the right way to do it so I am sticking with it. Three more days to Nov 1 eeek! Yes sir, I'll take my cue from you and stick with this quitting business until I do quit. Hope you have a wonderful day tomorrow sir.

 

[Allan McDougall]

Hi Matt;
Keep quitting my trying to quit friend. As long as we are willing to work at it we have a chance but if we quit quitting we are doomed to be addicted the rest of our days. Remember it is that first smoke every day that is the most important to quit. When we fight it is that one that we have to defeat.
God be with you
Allan

 

[jcrook]

I think you must quite smoking, when you think that it really should be. Mean when you think that its really damaging your health. You need to eat some fruits and healthy food along with some food. As you can feel a good change in your health and personality.

 

[Allan McDougall]

Hello jcrook;
Indeed you are very correct. It is impossible to quit smoking until one feels the benefit of better health and personality. Also one has to overcome the fear of life without nicotene,caffiene,alcohol, or whatever other substance each smoker is involved in. Smoking is like living in a little prison cell of our own that no one can enter except other smoking friends so we might justify each others behavior.
Thank you sincerly for your reply;
Allan

 

[maltesecorsair]

Oooh tomorrow is Nov 1 and I am still on 15 cigs waaaaaa!!! Yes Allan, I am trying to delay the first smoke of the day as much as I can sir. But it must be the hardest thing I ever tried too. Did you manage to cut down your cig intake further sir?

 

[Allan McDougall]

Good morning Matt;
I have been smoking 10 per day for the last 3 weeks even though they make me feel ill. I hate when I light that first one and I have not gained much time before having it. I still brush teeth, have breakfast, brush teeth again and then go as long as possible before lighting up. Tomorrow is official quit day and to be honest I am looking forward to it. To quit cannot be as bad as smoking when I really do not want to. We can only try our best and if we fail to get through the day without lighting up that first one then all we can do is try again the next day. I sincerly hope that I continue to quit as long as it takes. I think I can. Do YOU?
God be with you my trying to quit friend.
Allan

 

[maltesecorsair]

Hi Allan,
You know sir, I am taking strength from YOUR determination and strength. Yes sir, I will keep trying to quit no matter how long it takes. It is the 2nd of Nov for me here, and I am sorry to say that I havent been able to quit completely. I am still smoking my devilish 15. I am so glad that I have you as a friend sir, I know that alone I will not be able to do this but I do believe with your persistence and courage and motivation strengthening me, I might just have a chance. Thank you so much for being my friend

 

[Allan McDougall]

Hello Matt;
Thank you for the kind comments but my courage is supported by your courage as well. Yes we are here Nov. 2 and I have not stoped either. I do know that for certain each day that goes by my resolve to quit increases and that to me is just as important as quitting. I find that to go back to the first posting on page 1 of this thread and read as much as possible is extremaly motivating because I know where we were then and I know where we are now. WE ARE MAKING PROGRESSS!. Keep on quitting my friend and soon we will both be free from the stinky weed!
Your trying to quit friend
Allan

 

[maltesecorsair]

Hi Allan,
Yes sir, we have indeed made progress towards quitting which is ofcourse a very important thing. From next week I think I will go to the museum or zoo or somewhere with my camera, as those are places where smoking is prohibited, so I cant light up even if I want to. It is when I sit at home that I smoke more. I really feel sort of stupid because I havent stopped smoking even after so many days. Today I had some wine and alongwith, I had a few extra ciggies. (I invariably light up when drinking.) I am feeling really guilty about it now though. Well, I'll have to cut right back down to my 15 tomorrow.

 

[Allan McDougall]

Great effort Matt;
Three weeks ago you were burning up 20 - 30 stinky weeds a day and now you are pushing for 10 or less. That is about 50% reduction. Think always about how many cigs you are not smoking today and how your health and blood pressure are improving already. Never quit quitting my trying to quit friend.
Allan

 

[maltesecorsair]

Hey there, Allan,
Well sir, I was doing about 50 a day and now I am down to around 15 hehe. I am already spending less money on filthy cigs, yay!!! Should we fix another date for quitting sir? Or do you think we'll just quit at our own pace?