New Non-Smokers Thread -

[BirdDawg]

Re: New Non-Smokers Thread -

Thanks for the welcome! I'm curious to know how long people who have quit "taste" cigarettes on their breath? Is this something that passes quickly? Maybe it's not cigarette breath I have...maybe it's just NORMAL breath. Who would know.

Stay strong, Joy. Living should be easy....

[ValidRouge]

Re: New Non-Smokers Thread -

Michelle, when I wake up in the morning I still "taste" it. I was reading that the body starts getting the tars and stuff out of your body. I got some of the Targon mouthwash that Sadie was talking about today. I like it. Hopefully that will help.

I don't have the mucus/tar buildup that I had in the back of my throat EVERY MORNING for the last 15 or so years, which is really nice.

You'll still have Ketosis breath LOL

[DAWNIMMEL]

Re: New Non-Smokers Thread -

Congrats and keep up the good work...........Dawn

[Sweet_Sadie]

Re: New Non-Smokers Thread -

Joy, You are a beautiful inspiration to a lot of people here! I love your new picture! I'm glad you like the Targon - you will FREAK out at how much your teeth improve after only one bottle! And it takes a while to go through a bottle at about one tablespoon at a time (daily, which is all it takes!)

[Sweet_Sadie]

Re: New Non-Smokers Thread -

I never had a smoker's cough until I had been quit for a little over a year.

For some reason at about 13 months after a no cheat quit, I would wake up and cough and have "morning chunkies" [the breakafast of (barfing) champions!] It was very short lived (not more than 2 weeks) but it reminded me of the "morning chunkies" I had EVERY morning when I was a chainsmoker!

Now I'm free - - Read about Psyllia in the lung and about how it recovers... if you want!

[Laker75]

Re: New Non-Smokers Thread -

HOWDY, Gang!

Survived the weekend and I'm back to see how everyone else is doing. The truth of the matter is, I ended up not going away, since I didn't think I was ready for the drive... let alone the visit with my chain-smoking mother-in-law. So, I stayed back, and picked up an extra shift at work to keep myself occupied. Valid, I'm glad your car trip was a great experience; maybe when I go away this weekend I'll be able to report the same...

Like ValidRouge, I'm a day away from the allmighty 2 week milestone (YAY!). I also hit my mini-goal today of 153 lbs (Finally, I've been after that one forever) and find myself 10 lbs from GOAL! It's a happy day!

Michelle; I'm so glad you're on board with us... I don't know about anyone else, but this thread has made a big difference for me in dealing with the cravings when they hit.

Thanks to all who drop in to offer encouragement and support!!! And to all of us struggling and succeeding, HOORAY for us for fighting the good fight.

Take care and keep posting!!!

S.

[rosecat2000]

Re: New Non-Smokers Thread -

Great to see you all hanging in there. Congratulations on getting through some tough days.

Joy - your new picture is beautiful.

Quitters united!!

[ValidRouge]

Re: New Non-Smokers Thread -

Sadie, that's good to know about the Targon. I'd really love to have white teeth again. I like the mouthwash, I feel really refreshed after using it.

Laker, Congratulations! That is so awesome meeting your mini-goal! Are you in pre-maintenance yet or still climbing rungs?

[H2Ohhh]

Re: New Non-Smokers Thread -

Hello everyone! Here I am, squealing into the party late, as usual. I'm so glad I found this thread. Brook, thanks for starting it. Valid and Laker, thanks for setting a great example of support! Michelle, my last cig was Wednesday, Aug 2 at 8:00 a.m. -- so we basically quit on the same day. Still going strong here after nearly a week. Hope everyone else here is doing well too.

I never mentioned smoking because I've kept it a secret from so many people for so long. Namely my mom and dad, who never smoked and are both HUGE anti-smoking advocates. I realize the chance of them wandering in here is about .00001%, but I was still afraid.

My story, in brief: I quit in 2001 because a boyfriend asked me to. I started again in 2003 because a different boyfriend smoked. I quit again in 2004 because I started exercising more and saw the irony of lighting up after a 3-mile run. I started again in 2004 because my boyfriend (now husband) smoked. (Funny thing, when we met we hid it from each other for several weeks -- and then discovered we had the same secret!)

When I quit (for the last time HA HA) in November 2005, I felt more committed than ever. I'd scheduled some dental work and couldn't smoke (anyone thinking of quitting, schedule ZOOM whitening -- you'll clean up your teeth and it forces you to not smoke for three days, so why not keep going!?). So fiance says "Let's quit togther. If you can't do it for three days, why not stop for good? And I don't want to stink up my new truck." (If you knew him you'd understand that a smelly truck is a greater travesty than lung cancer!) So, unlike previous times, I was forced to have a quit date. And this time I even took Wellbutrin, which in my opinion helped a lot.

After six weeks I was still a nonsmoker. He, on the other hand, had only "cut down." When I realized he was gradually smoking more, I got really angry. I said "This was your idea and you haven't followed through so now you're the one who's making it hard on me!" I decided to guilt-trip him by having a cig every time he had one -- ya know, making him think twice. Stupid idea. Needless to say, I got hooked again. So I was right back where I started -- and nearly ten pounds heavier.

A month after I started smoking again, he suggests starting Atkins. I went along with him just for fun (see my intro post for more info) ... and, like with the smoking, he went right back to his old ways after two months. At that point I realized that's just how he is -- whether it's smoking, diet, budget, whatever. I can blame him all I want for making it hard on me, but what it boils down to is I am in charge of my behavior. I've continued with Atkins for 8 months now, even though he eats Wonder Bread, Snickers bars, etc. right in front of me.

So I'm stronger than I thought. I think that's my biggest lesson in doing Atkins, to tell you the truth: I DO HAVE SELF-CONTROL. I agree that quitting sugar was just as hard, if not harder, than quitting smoking. Gee whiz -- if I can turn down a frosted chocolate cupcake, I can turn down something a lot nastier!

Like Joy, I'm having a harder time with sugar cravings than cig cravings. I've gained a couple pounds, even though I stepped up my exercise just in case. Starting today, I'm counting calories in addition to carbs, just to keep myself from snacking too much and gaining more. Trying to drink more water, too -- if that's possible! We'll see how it goes. But for now, I'm smoke-free for 5 days, and I feel great.

Thanks for listening to my story. Now I hope to pay it forward by supporting the next person to join this thread. C'mon -- who's next?!

H2Ohhh

P.S. - I'd never heard of Allen Carr, but a coworker gave me one of his books last week as a show of support. It's great!

[ValidRouge]

Re: New Non-Smokers Thread -

H2Ohhhhhh,
I'm so glad you're here with us! Sounds like you are off to a good start. You know, it sounds like your DH comes up with fabulous plans. You stick to them and you are going to have a great life...thin, healthy, smoke-free, long and happy life. You are a strong woman and you can conquer this....don't let someone else's actions guide YOUR life!

Give it a few days and things should calm down for you. Keep the carbs under control from the get go and you'll be okay I think.

[H2Ohhh]

Re: New Non-Smokers Thread -

Thanks Joy! Right now I'm feeling a**-kickin' strong about it ... and getting stronger!

(But I'm prepared to deal with any cravings by thinking of carrying around an oxygen tank -- not fun.)

[Laker75]

Re: New Non-Smokers Thread -

H2Ohhhh - so glad you found us and are on-board with our quit; I haven't seen a post from Michelle today, so hopefully she is still committed to making this work for her. I'm pleased for you making it a week; you must be very proud. My hubby and I are quitting together, too; and I've already given him "the lecture" when he weakened and had one a few days back. Hopefully he'll stay on board; but if not, I'm still moving ahead...

ValidRouge; Congrats on making the 2 week mark! Have you got any rewards planned for yourself? I haven't given mine much thought since the school year is starting up again, and pretty much all extra cash is going to getting my sweet little punkin' all ready and handsome for grade 1. But I am definitely open to suggestions.

I am moving up the rungs; doing nuts and seeds right now, and looking forward to the move to berries next week (YAY!!!) A coworker had some rasperries this morning, and I almost made the jump right there, but decided some planning and waiting will make the first taste that much sweeter.

Okay, one last hourrah before I close for today. YAY US! We are stronger than this smoking addiction. We have clean air in our lungs, more money in our pocket and a supportive place to come when the going gets tough. It's truly a blessing.

Take care!

S.

[ValidRouge]

Re: New Non-Smokers Thread -

H2Ohhhh--that wouldn't be fun would it? No No!

Laker--I haven't planned any rewards yet, although I've thought about having my teeth whitened. But, Ive got the Targon mouthwash sadie was talking about. I'm going to use that whole bottle and see how it does first.

I love berries. I have an absolutely OUT OF THIS WORLD recipe for Strawberry crepes when you get to that rung. You could use any berry. It's just decadent.

[Laker75]

Re: New Non-Smokers Thread -

Excellent; I'll come knockin' for that berry crepe recipe as soon as I hit that rung.

Hope day, ummmmm... 15 is treating you well! Yesterday was a tough one, but I'm still here, fighting.

Keep up the great work!

S.

[Laker75]

Re: New Non-Smokers Thread -

*peeks around corner into an empty room*

hello? Anyone still with me?

S.