Cognitive Quit Smoking

This quit smoking book that I read when I have down time is pretty good. I
agree with everything it says except one part of its approach. It has everyone
keep their pack of cigarettes in their pocket/purse the first week of their quit
so they do not fall into the “deprived” feeling in their quit.
Wow, I just don’t know if I could have done that. It would certainly prove your
dedication and avoid the temptation of later discoveries of lonely cigarettes in
the corner. And it would answer my ‘what if’ you know the one…. “What if a
lonely crisp cigarette came rolling out from my monitor to my keyboard as I was
typing?” Strange, the thoughts in my head.
I was just curious what you guys thought of this approach. Wow.
Gail
Three weeks, four days, 11 hours, 23 minutes and 27 seconds. 636 cigarettes not
smoked, saving $105.08. Life saved: 2 days, 5 hours, 0 minutes.

A. Tomorrow I am going to my friends house. She is another of my ‘borrow from
me’ smoking friendsand we usually enjoy some wine when we visit. She has not
been supportive for me in my quit. She made a comment to me at the beginning of
my quit “it’s all about conviciton — just be strong and make up your mind and
don’t do it anymore”. Obviously, she’s never acquired the habit. Also, I’ve
been shying away from her because of recent deated debates over PTA monies (long
story). After we meet I may be emotionally exhausted from being angry,
agitated, tense, uncomfortable or just plain tired.
B. I may have a crappy attitutde and look at the drug store (appropriately
called) nearby her house. Noone would know if I had a cigarette. I still feel
the wine a bit in my system and a cigarette would really make everything better
just for now.
C. One smoke won’t hurt. I’ll go buy a pack, just to see how one tastes, relax
with it, and throw the rest away.
B1. If I have a crappy attitude, I’d better breath deep and realize I need to
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Yes, quitting this way is hard work, but we who have been doing it a while
can only say it’s worth it time and again….
Absolutely, if you look back at all the posts from me, Indi, Pam, Pat, etc.
etc., we ALL said we felt stupid and lost at times. The frustration is
clearly there especially in mine and Indi’s posts because we were the new
kids on the black when this website started up. We did a lot of yelling and
stomping around. You think I’m exaggerating? I’m not.
Yes, you will. That’s why Steve and Pam ask for those ABC’s every once in a
while. I’ll ask too and so will Indi and Pat. Because we know that if
you’re doing them, you’re that much closer to your freedom!!!
- Cat

This will be an ABC for the beach this weekend. I was just thinking
that this may help with later on when it gets warmer also but not sure
yet. May have to do a different set due to different circumstances.
A = Event
Going to the beach this weekend.
B = Belief
Up there in my top twenty favorite things to do are to walk along the
beach (OMG, I just realized how wonderful this is going to be with my
new improved handy dandy smelling apendage - uh, my nose) and sitting in
a beach chair relaxing, listening to and watching the waves, reading a
book, smoking a cigarette…uh oh, a little attitude adjustment might be
needed here? Well, I guess I could do a B1, B2, B3, etc. as choices on
what to do besides smoking, but I think for this exercise, I’m not going
to do that because by listing what I love about the beach, I just
realized that that’s enough! Who needs the smoking when I’ve already
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This is a quick hello - I promise to post again tomorrow and tell
you what’s been happening with me. I’m on day 25 of my quit, had
been feeling very down with it all and got things a bit out of
perspective, but a good chat to ‘coach’ tonight has got me back on
track again (thankyou Steve).
I was supposed to be getting an early night here, but I’m trying to
catch up reading all the posts here. However, 1am and its really
time I got to bed now
more tomorrow…
Katie

…..seem to be springing up like mushrooms. sorry gotta run - gotta date :)))
Pam

At least 3 posts I’ve written haven’t appeared here and I’m starting
to get fed up about it! (2 last night, and one this afternoon).
Lets see if this works!
Pam

Anyone been preparing any recently that they’d like to share? We’ve
one or two very new quitters on board who would benefit from hearing
how to tackle them.
Just a reminder to all that there are some in the ABC folder in the
files section.
Pam

Strange thing happenned to me this morning. I’d been to the dentist
for some treatment on the tooth I broke a little while back, and had
to have an injection. I’m a total wimp where pain’s concerned -
maybe I’ve got a low pain threshhold. Anyway, when it was done, and
I came out and got back in the car, the first thing I did
was ‘reach’ in my purse for the cig packet!
That was an association I’d not come up against since quitting 11
months ago. It was by no means whatsoever a crave or an urge to
smoke, and I abc’d it ‘on the spot’, and the moment passed. It was
good to find that Warren’s still working quietly in the background bye for now
Pam

C’mon gang - let me hear those quit dates! 11 of you have let me
have your quit dates - lets hear from some of the lurkers and the
rest of the regular posters. Have a look at those stats in the
Files section (together with all the other info in there)
All contributors get a prize from me. Pam