Checking In
Hey guys! Just to let you all know I haven’t disappeared. I’m still reading
just not posting.
Six and a half months without a cigarette. I would have told you that this
was impossible. It would have been too, without Steve, all of you, and
CogQuit. Foundation Statements and ABC’s, how much nicer than gritting my
teeth and praying that it would get easier.
My particular combination of quit depression and SAD (better known as winter
blahs) is much improved. I took myself off of the meds because of side
effects and have been feeling better. Starting Prozac on Sat. to help with
my sleeping problems.
To all the new members: Stay here, listen to Steve and the other “oldies”,
write out your Foundation Statements and ABC’s and before you know it you
will hardly think of smoking.
Bright Blessings
Char
March 9th, 2004 at 9:39 am
Char - good to see you checking in here, and hearing how well things
are going. Congrats! Hope to hear from you again soon,
take care
Pam
— In CognitiveQuitSmoking@y…, “Charlotte Crothers” <char@c…
August 25th, 2004 at 12:49 pm
Well today is day 54 and I can’t believe I’ve made it this far. It’s
amazing to me the effect this accomplishment has on my self-esteem. I
guess because I always believed that I would never be able to REALLY
quit smoking. With the help of cog quit I have made it farther than I
ever imagined. There is a new found strength I’ve discovered in
myself the last few weeks and it has really changed the way I see
myself and the world around me. The fog is clearing and I feel like
I’m seeing and experiencing so much for the first time. While the
desire to smoke does still exist and at times seems overwhelming I am
better equipped now to deal with those desires.
A couple of weeks ago I left out of town on my first vacation and
road trip as a non smoker and was extremely proud of myself when I
returned the same way. There were so many doubts and worries
especially where the drive was concerned. In the past I would have
chained smoked through the whole thing. Instead, I dealt with the
cravings one by one as they came –and boy did they come– using the
methods I’ve learned here. Then there was the week long stay with a
chain smoker that I thought would weaken my defenses and make me
break down and join her. To my surprise the urge to light up with her
was minimal. Though I did found myself being envious at times, she
smoked a really nasty brand and the smell was awful. Seeing the
effort she had to put forth to breath when we would go hiking or
swimming also encouraged me to maintain my quit.
When I first quit smoking I rejoined the gym in hopes of curving the
weight gain that commonly follows. When I would go to the gym as a
smoker I couldn’t make it 15 minutes without struggling for air. Any
physical activity really required my struggling to breath and usually
meant I didn’t last long with whatever it is I was doing. I love the
fact that today I am able to run, ride a bike, fly a kite, throw a
frisbee, beat on my boxing bag (a fantastic ciggy craving reliever),
dance, hike, etc..etc.. for extended periods of time without thinking
I am going to die. My lungs still remind me after working out for a
while that I was a smoker for 14 years but progress has definitely
been made.
My cravings or desires to smoke fluctuate from day to day and I
continue to practice patience as I teach Warrenia a new way of doing
things. She can be a slow learner at times, but today I’m filled with
joy to be able to say that I am still a non-smoker. Thank you to this
group for consistently sharing their trials and tribulations. I would
not have made it this far without you.
Blessings,
Millisa
August 25th, 2004 at 8:11 pm
Very Well Done Mellisa :)) Good for you!
Carry on pointing Warrenia toward the appropriate responses and you’ll
soon see her taking even more of the load off your shoulders. Congrats on
those 54 days.
Steve
August 26th, 2004 at 10:53 am
Great Pam - nice to see your new site………..
Jean
August 26th, 2004 at 6:08 pm
Wishing you well Mellisa……… ::)))
Jean
September 10th, 2004 at 8:07 am
Hi, all,
Just checking in. I keep starting over, and keep working, and am not giving
up. I do not want to write this to discourage any new quitters; but I am
having a hard time. My husband and all my friends save 2 smoke. I am not back
to my old habit; yet clearly realize I have not committed myself to the
cogquit thinking in event/tempting situations yet. Especially when I KNOW
they are going to take place! I’ll get through some, not through others.
Never-the-less, I will not give up.
Your posts are so encouraging, and thanks for them.
–Harper
September 10th, 2004 at 8:21 pm
Hi Harper,
Steve
Living and socializing with smokers can make it so much more difficult
to quit. If you continue to work at trying to ‘direct’ what you’ll do in
the known situations, I think you’ll find that you do begin to be able to
control it better. Sometimes there’s an ‘incubation’ period as you think
about this stuff and find ways to begin to insert it into your routines and
awareness.
Keep at it
September 11th, 2004 at 3:29 am
Hi Harper - glad you’re still with us. Keep at it, it does ’stick’
eventually, honest. Can we help?
Pam
September 11th, 2004 at 6:18 pm
Congrats for hanging in, Harper - not easy, I know…………….
It has been a while since the presence of other smokers created a
I knew though, that they had tried to quit and failed - so I did not
All I can offer is what worked for me………..
When all else failed I turned to my foundation statement…………
(my reminder that I wanted to live to see my grandchildren grown)
Somehow it always kept me from giving in …….. :)))
And gave me enough additional time to try to regroup my ABC’s…….
problem for me
but it did in the beginning - (and I have a couple of family members I
did not want to avoid)…..
envy them………
Perhaps you can find a new way to think of those who smoke in your
“neighbourhood”. I suspect all of them wish they had even a few days
in on a non-smoking quit……………
Jean
September 12th, 2004 at 10:52 am
Hi, Pam,
Thanks for your message. I am going to keep at it! Steve walked me through a
lot of thoughts and issues and decisions the other day via a chat, and it
helped me a lot. I’ve got some work yet to do, what with lists and ABCs. But
he helped me decide to fish or cut bait, as it were.
Thanks again!
Take care,
Harper
September 12th, 2004 at 6:07 pm
Hi, Jean,
Thanks for your reply. Via a chat the other day, Steve helped me work through
some thoughts, decisions, and issues, and pointed out how important a
foundation statement is. So I’m going to do the work and keep on working on
it!
Thanks again,
Harper
September 12th, 2004 at 9:55 pm
Hey Jean. Isn’t it great to set an excellent example for your family? I
- Cat
bet they think about quitting more than ever because you quit. It might
take them a while to make a quit stick, but you encourage them by just
simply not smoking. Believe me, I love being a good example…this is
something that hasn’t happened much in my life
September 13th, 2004 at 6:33 am
I am enjoying this rather novel relationship, too, Cat……. :)))
Jean
(I suspect not one of them thought I would last)
August 31st, 2005 at 9:58 am
Hi there - for those of you who don’t know me, I quit almost 3 months
ago, using cog quitting right from the very outset. I don’t post too
often, I’ve been busy recently getting on with my smoke free life,
but touch base with my quitcoaches, Pam and Steve, when I get online.
I’m currenly on medication for depression which my GP and Specialist
(who is an exsmoker) is certain is quit related. I’m getting the
treatment which is applicable to my health condition - self
medicating with NRT’s is not my choice nor is it appropriate.
I’ve found the support and constructive advice here invaluable to get
me to this stage of being quit - and don’t feel any need to be ‘on
guard and vigilant’ for the rest of my life. I got so tired of that
mentality over at other quitsmoking groups together with the ‘hang in
there and drink oodles of water and … other stuff, and what a
refreshing change it was to find solid tools here in Steve’s group,
without all the BS I was encountering elsewhere on the Net. I would
say to the newcomers here… take advantage of the solid experience
and advice on offer here from very talented ppl who give much of
their free time quietly giving support… and forget the hair
splitting and semantics ;
Corin
August 31st, 2005 at 7:08 pm
In a message dated 3/26/2003 5:33:42 PM Eastern Standard Time,
corin@… writes:
self medicating with NRT’s is not my choice nor is it appropriate. Now, self
medicationg I don’t think is the right terminology here. NRT’s are not
considered medications, you do not need a prescription for it. Maybe your
depression is also due to issues that you have not resolved as of yet. Can’t
say. I don’t know. But, as long as you are doing what you think is best for
you….that’s all that matters.
Well, that other stuff and water and the hang in there attitude has helped
many other’s who need just that one kindness, that one word, to help them.
[Unable to display image]
Dedicated to Clifford John Leahy
Merchant Marine
Praying For Your Safe Return
[Unable to display image]
September 1st, 2005 at 12:27 am
Ari
help them.
… if the hang in there and hugging helps you, thats great…but we
don’t do that here… but we do get much support and kindness which
isn’t necessarily posted publicly, in email and chat very often.
Plus, the tools to achieve a secure quit.
Corin
September 1st, 2005 at 7:42 am
I’m not ‘deciding what’s appropriate’ for anyone. This is a focussed
group who’s goal is to help ppl quit cognitively.
3 months cognitively quit and active involvement in thr group (I
don’t recall seeing much being offered by yourself)
You are using antidepressants which indicates that you are having
Oh really??? And what makes YOU qualified to judge me or my health??
Are you a doctor/do you know me?
Absolutely. And I don’t find your post and negativity acceptable.
Have a nice day
Corin
September 2nd, 2005 at 6:34 am
okay, i may be out of line here, but what’s going on? this is such a
supportive, wonderful, non-judgemental group!!!! i couldn’t have quit
otherwise (3 weeks today — thanks so much, steve and pam!!!!). i have to
say how upsetting these negative posts are, and i’m really worried what
impact they’ll have on newbies.
my understanding is that cogquit is retraining what warren knows as
appropriate behaviour, which puts the control in our hands. nrt’s are an
aid, like water, exercise (knitting, in my case) of helping attain the
end goal (smoke-free bliss). some folks need one thing, others need
something else — hey, whatever it takes! the bottom line is you don’t
smoke and lead a much happier existence.
and again, i apologize if i’m totally out of line, but i couldn’t keep
quiet any longer.
peg.
ps: congrats, corin!!! 3 months!!!!
September 2nd, 2005 at 6:35 pm
Hi Peg,
You aren’t out of line at all. In fact, you’re understanding and
sense of the group is right on the mark.
Well done on your 3 weeks! Tell us how you are directing your quit.
What ABCs seem to be working, what changes have you seen.
thanks,
Steve
September 4th, 2005 at 2:04 am
hi all –
oh my, things are so different now! as i said earlier, i was pretty
brainless until my 2 week mark, and then about a week ago, i started
being able to form the second part of a thought while still retaining the
first part — wow! and now it seems my brain is actually working better,
i.e., my memory has noticeably improved.
i also seem to be more positive and happier. and although i’ve spent the
last 30 years of my life as an insomniac, i now sleep nites, all nite,
and feel absolutely wonderful when i get up in the morning!! another wow!!
i’m managing to accomplish more in a day, and haven’t felt even remotely
lethargic since i quit, and that was a feeling that had been plaguing me
for a long time. as a matter of fact, it was one of the motivating
factors to try another quit.
i seem to be more aware of things that might cause me some grief, and
i’ll find myself preparing an abc on the way to town, knowing a certain
situation may pop up. and then it’s not until i’m on my way home again
that i’ll realize warren helped me to handle the situation i was worried
about so smoothly i wasn’t even aware of it! the abc’s are absolute
magic, and i love them!!!
and imagine, this is only 3 weeks quit — i’m excited about what the
future has for me!! as an aside, i’m now working out daily, and am
enjoying it. truly, i feel like the person i always thought was inside of
me, but just couldn’t get out.
i guess this almost sounds too good to be true — thank goodness it isn’t!!!
peg.
September 5th, 2005 at 1:18 pm
Hi Corin,
That freedom from fear may be one of the biggest benefits of a
thinking quit. You’ve done well.
Steve
September 16th, 2005 at 2:53 am
Momcatjo - Glad my tables could be of help. Be sure to personalize
them heavily. Something in that process might help. I found
motivation to do that hour or two of work partly from reading some
posts on other forums, the ones where people who’ve been off smoking
for months are still “battling inner demons”. That terrifies me, and
helps me get working. I don’t want to hate and battle any part of
myself (or anyone) for months or longer. I know it can’t be
unavoidable.
ionronrote - Thanks for all your posts here and elsewhere. I’m using
you as one personal example for myself, in some respects. Hope that
gives you some joy to know your quit is helping others, or at least
one other.
I’m working on timer exercises. I think I’ll get better at it with
another day or two. I already see I’ve been mis-addressing feelings
of thirst fairly often.
Good day to all and thanks for the guidance.
Mary
September 17th, 2005 at 10:22 pm
Hi all - just checking in and providing some feedback. Mary’s
Marlene
spreadsheet for lists is a marvellous tool. I struggled for a while
to picture how I would link the smoking to the emotion, to the
physical, to the remedy. Mary’s spreadsheet does it beautifully.
Also, went back to the ABC’s and re-read Phil’s post for feelings.
All I could do was go “yeah right, right on, that’s how I feel, that
makes sense”.
Amazing how at different stages of the quit the same words have more
significance or I have a greater understanding. Are others finding
this true too?
I’m at day 30 and proud of it! The longest I’ve ever kept a quit in
over - let’s see - 33 years. Actually I’ve broken my record by 27
days. No wonder I’m proud.
Doing ABC’s in my head, planning on writing more down and wondering -
Steve - why is the timer exercise so important? I feel kinda silly
stopping my work to write something down in my little black book
September 19th, 2005 at 3:29 am
Hi Marlene,
Steve
The timer exercise is a good way to learn to recognize individual and
specific physical sensations after a ‘life time’ of blindly feeding every
sensation a cigarette. I think your probably pretty aware of those
sensations by now and can retire your little book
March 31st, 2006 at 8:15 am
Just a quick hello to wish everyone, especially Steve and Pam, a happy,
Later Gators,
healthy, peaceful New Year. For all the newbies, this method works, folks.
Do the work, it’s worth the effort, the benefits innumerable. I hardly ever
think of smoking and when I do, it’s just to speculate. I have no urges
because I’ve changed the responses to all the old triggers. Over 2 years
quit and it’s hard for me to remember what it’s like to put a smelly smoke
in my mouth. BTW, my sister, Bobbie, will be quit for two years in several
months AND she’s lost over 75 pounds so far! All is possible with the right
kind of thinking
- Cat
Remember, if you smoke after sex you’re doing it too fast. - Woody Allen
May 6th, 2006 at 12:57 am
Hi all,
and I got into the habbit to
I just wanted to check in and wave a quick hello. I am
doing great this time and to be a non smoker becomes
more and more part of my life.
Thanks Steve, Pam for giving me all the tools and
teaching me how to use them.
I still work on ABC
make a new one each time I need one so I come up with
new ideas.
However I gained lots of weight over the last month doc
said is meds causing it and I have to watch what I am
eating.
Steve or Pam are you still coaching the cog diet group
and could you please send me the link. I think I am
strong enough now to take care of loosing some weight.
Thank you for your help
Carmen