Okay Sunday’s my sponsor day!! I’m ready. I’ll be here to encourage, listen, talk, and be yelled at if it helps you stay smoke-free on my watch.
Shayna consider friday my day…I will be looking in on you!
Jeannie: “That’s based on 15 cigarettes a day, which is probably average.” Does anyone know what the average IS?
I’ll pick up a pack of smokes about every three months or so and smoke one on the way to work and one on the way home. I perform better at work because it gives me a little kick. Now that I don’t take Ritalin any more, I’ve got to self-medicate with something. Can anyone supply any data on what that level of smoking is doing to me?
I used to smoke Camel Unfiltered when I was in the military. People would see that I was smoking and ask to bum a smoke. I’d pull out this pack and they’d turn green and pass on the offer. It was kinda’ funny. Anywho, I had no trouble quitting.
What I’m having a problem with now is caffeine. I went rock climbing last weekend and was nickin’ for a coke badly (that’s a funny way to put it huh).
Shayna: “a good, menthol cigarette.” Um, that’s an oxymoron. How the christ do you smoke menthol? Jesus, I’d want to quit too.
While you’re picking days of non-smoking to dedicate to different people, don’t forget to leave one for yourself.
Lissa: I don’t really know either you or your husband, but his buying you a pack of cigarettes when you’re trying to quit because he doesn’t like your (temporary) temperament sounds pretty damn inconsiderate and selfish to me. I hope you chastise him soundly.
The Tacoma Narrows Bridge wasn’t addicted to anything.
Delta-9: [threadhighjack][adverbpolice] “…doing wonderful” should be wonderfully.[/adverbpolice] Please, if I use incorrect grammar correct me. I’d much rather be corrected here in a room full of strangers whom I’ll never meet than look like an idiot in a room full of “real” people.[/threadhighjack]
Jeannie: I’m glad you got back on the wagon. I had some tough love all typed out for ya’ and I’ve had to go back and delete it. You’re doing great!!!
You’re all doing great and gosh darnit, people like you!!!
inertia–When I said “average,” I meant for me. Some days I would smoke just a few. Some days I smoked a whole pack (or even more, if it was a terrifically bad day). So, I figured about 15 a day would be accurate enough for the meter.
My last check in for today:
I have been smoke free for: Three days, 7 hours, 12 minutes and 37 seconds.
49 cigarettes not smoked,
Money saved: $9.90.
Life saved: 4 hours, 5 minutes.
Today, I did not smoke for zyada. Tomorrow, I will not smoke for Grace.
Nice going Jeannie.
You’re doing fine. The worst is almost over. Hang on.
Don’t forget to check in, or I start imagining things. 
Hey all… my girlfriend and I quit as of last Sunday. I sorta cheated yesterday evening (actually, 3 AM this morning) as I was wandering around Disney World in near panic. A friend of mine walked up to me and offered me a piece of Nicorette… and let me tell you I tore that gum up!!!
Seriously though, i haven’t smoked anything since last sunday afternoon. Let me get some of that good old fashioned doper support so I don’t start back!
I am so sorry I have missed you guys for the past few days (almost a week!) I had final exams and overtime at work and I have been dieting like crazy. (I lost 11 pounds last week! Yay Me!!)
You are all doing so well!!
I will volunteer to be the sponsor for any day that someone does not have one! I will even post from home on that day just to let you know I am trying to help!
You are almost past the trouble spots! A few more days and you will be looking back at these days of struggling with wonderment!
You are all amazing, strong, brave people and I love you guys! Keep up all the wonderful work!
You people are so incredibly, amazingly, fabulously wonderful, I just can’t get over it.
Ok inertia, no fair making me laugh when I’m mad. “Shayna: “a good, menthol cigarette.” Um, that’s an oxymoron. How the christ do you smoke menthol? Jesus, I’d want to quit too.” That’s hilarious. I’m afraid if I started to describe how much I enjoyed that cool, minty taste, I’d start craving one again, so I won’t. 
Thank you for your kind words of encouragement. I appreciate them more than you know.
And Welcome Aboard, muffinman! It would be my honor to sponsor your not smoking tomorrow if you’d like. Go get yourself a meter and plug in your quit day and time (and all the other info about how much you smoked) and join us here every day if you need to. We’ll totally guilt you into not smoking again if that’s what it takes, won’t we, Wally?
And if in doubt, remember Wally’s Words of Wisdom: smoking is dumb… smoking is dangerous… smoking is expensive… smoking is an addiction… You will stop this nonsensical habit now… You’ll never be sorry if you beat this.
Jeannie, you are incredible. I knew you could do it! You Go Girl!
Falcon, I did not smoke for you today. And believe me, I wanted to!
Tomorrow, I will not smoke for Grace and myself.
I am now 5 days, 23 hours, 4 minutes, 1 second and 71 cigarettes smoke free! I’ve got $11.09 more money in my pocket and can do all sorts of things with the extra 5 hours, 55 minutes I’ll have in my life.
See you guys tomorrow…
Good for all of you. I’ve made it past the worst myself, but I remember.
But, if you don’t take the money you save and put it away, you will never know that you saved it! I’ve save over $2000 and it doesn’t show a bit in the budget.
One year, four months, five days, 11 hours, 33 minutes and 7 seconds. 17236 cigarettes not smoked, saving $2,326.78. Life saved: 8 weeks, 3 days, 20 hours, 20 minutes.
Shayna it’s Sunday don’t smoke with your coffee this morning.
I like peppermint first thing sometimes.
Good morning everyone. Your friendly sponsor reporting in for duty. How’s everyone doing so far?
Good morning. One rather crabby non-smoker checking in today. I can’t believe I’m on day 7. There are moments when the reality of that hits me and I’m just blown away. That’s a long time without a cigarette. Then there are times when it doesn’t feel like 7 days at all, but more like just a few hours since my last cigarette, and I find myself thinking things like, “I haven’t had a cigarette in a while, it’s time to light one up.”
Jeannie, you have bypassed the 72 hour milestone that means your body will no longer be physically craving nicotine. Everything from here on out will be mental. And as hard as it still is for me sometimes, it’s one hell of a lot easier than suffering through the physical drug withdrawal we went through in days 1-3. No backsliding allowed now, you hear me? I know I’m not your official sponsor today, but I am rooting for you all the way.
Dave, Chief Crunch, Lissa - where are you guys?
evilbeth, I would be thrilled if you would be my sponsor next Saturday. It seems so far away right now, but I know I’ll still be in danger of slipping if something upsets me.
And if you think we’re strong and brave, I’m even more impressed with what you’ve accomplished! I think it’s much harder to have to limit something you enjoy than it is to completely give it up. You can’t stop eating entirely, so you must be very careful every single time you eat a meal or a snack - probably for the rest of your life. That temptation will always be in front of you and you’ll never not want it. That’s very different than cigarettes, which at some point will hold no interest for me and will never be a temptation again. I admire the strength and courage you’re showing so much. We’re all in a battle to have healthier lives. Here’s to everyone being successful!
Jvanhorn, that is a very good suggestion about actually putting the money aside. I’ve already set up a dummy account in my Quicken program and am putting my daily savings into that and taking it out of my checking balance, even though I haven’t actually transferred the money yet. That way I won’t ‘see’ the money in my checking account so I won’t spend it. Then, I’ll actually transfer whatever has accumulated in that dummy account into my savings account twice a month when I’m at the bank depositing my paychecks.
And thank you for continuing to pop in with encouragement and advice. Seeing your counter is reeeeeally an inspiration!
aha, I haven’t even brewed a pot and I don’t think I will. I’d rather avoid the temptation right now.
And today is the day I promised Grace I would not smoke for her. Grace, I’m gonna need you to pull me through, girlfriend. Not a pretty day today, and you know why.
muffinman, today I get to sponsor you! I can be a nice sponsor, or a not-so-nice sponsor. It’s up to you. If you make me, I will come out there and spank you. NO SMOKING!!!
Cristi, today is your last day to suck that acrid, chemical-filled garbage into your lungs. Re-read Wally’s Words of Wisdom if you have any doubts about doing this. I will be here to help you get through tomorrow, as will everyone else here.
Today makes 6 days, 9 hours, 31 minutes and 9 seconds that I have not smoked. I have avoided 76 cigarettes and saved $11.90, tacking 6 hours, 20 minutes to my life.
I love you, Wally!
I’m still going strong. I feel like I’m getting sick, stuffy head, coughing, et cetera, I don’t know if it’s related to the quitting or if I’m just getting a cold. The only time I really think about lighting up is after a meal, but otherwise I haven’t too many problems. Thanks for the support, guys.
Five days, 2 hours, 3 minutes and 57 seconds.
50 cigarettes not smoked, saving $7.63.
Life saved: 4 hours, 10 minutes.
I’m still doing fine. I have a litte cough, and I’m a little congested. I have allergies this time of year, and I get asthma symptoms as well. I have a doctor appointment tomorrow to get my presriptions for that stuff.
But, you know what? I don’t think I am going to need the antihistimine (sp?) this year. Really. This past week, my sinuses have given me little or no trouble at all. I can breathe! I may still need my inhaler, because humid days can have a bad effect on me. But I really think I’ll be Allegra-free this year. This is amazing!
And it’s all because I quit smoking. And I did that because of your encouragement. I’ve been told a thousand times that if I quit, my allergies would subside. I think it’s absolutely true!
You are all so wonderful! Thank you so much! I never would have been able to do this without you all.
And a special thanks to Shayna and Wally. Because Shayne put the idea in my head, and Wally nagged us into going through with it.
Today, I will not smoke for Grace.
I have been smoke free for: Three days, 19 hours, 2 minutes and 42 seconds.
56 cigarettes not smoked,
Money saved: $11.38.
Life saved: 4 hours, 40 minutes.
<sigh> Hi everyone. I need y’all to kick me in the ass. No kiddin, pleae, everybody flame me. I slipped BIG TIME last night. I had a few drinks and went back to smoking like a salmon to spawn. I am not smoking now, but I am so ashamed. I NEED folks I haven’t even met to despise me so I can use that as motivation. So, c’mon, whale on me, please. I WAS DOING SO WELL…Maybe I could get some sponsers? Who will make me not smoke today? Tomorrow? Please help me guys…
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
P.S. I love you guys, y’know. At least you’re with me…even if I’m not.
It’s okay, dave. How can I flame you for something that also happened to me when I was quitting?
There are two positives here: First, you’re continuing with your quest to be rid of this monkey on your back. Second, you now know that you have to avoid situations that will tempt you to smoke. Going out with friends to a bar is one of those situations. I know, it sucks, but that’s life on spaceship earth.
Today is a new day. Learn the lessons of yesterday and move on. In other words, promise me you won’t smoke today, dave.
Jeannie, with asthma and allergies, the very worst thing you can do is smoke. But you know that. I just want you to know that I know it too.
Things are going to be easier now. Tomorrow? Who cares about tomorrow. All you have to do is not smoke today, Jeannie. Just today. You’ve done it before. Do it again.
Shayna, For some reson I’ve got this mental picture of you as a running back in a football game. You’ve broken all kinds of tackles, and suddenly you’re in the clear. Sure, you’ve still got quite a run to the goal line, and there are a couple of opponents chasing you, but it’s a clear field.
Run, Shayna, run!
Please do not smoke in this thread. Thank you.
No, Dave, I will not encourage you in your self-flagellation. This is a common addict’s game, and I will not play.
Instead I will say: You are strong enough, you are smart enough, you will win! Each person must make his/her own journey towards health, and this is just one step you took. Not even a backwards step, because now you know a little more about yourself and the traps that lay in wait for you.
You have many friends pulling for you. If you want a sponsor, let me sponsor you tomorrow.
Chief, I’m sorry. I meant to include you in my last post and forgot.
You’re looking good. You’re over the hump. The nicotine addiction is licked. Now it’s psychological.
Every day gets easier. Be proud!
Dave, I’ll sponsor ya. You can’t smoke today, you hear me? Or I’ll drive up to Baltimore and kick yer ass. Lovingly, of course.
Congrats to everyone in the thread!
Just to let everyone know, I still intend to quit tomorrow. I’ve only got three cigarrettes left in my pack, and it’s only 7:30 pm here. I’m trying to stretch them out. I keep telling myself “I can make it five more minutes.”
I bought some gum at Target today. It’s called Everest, and it’s a really strong mint gum. I popped a piece earlier this afternoon, and that killed the craving for a smoke for a little while. I’ll be chewing that stuff like crazy tomorrow.
FYI–I do not have internet access from work. So you won’t be getting a progress report from me until sometime after 5 pm. I’m not sure when, though. Both of my kids have colds now, so I may not be able to get on here until later in the evening. Just don’t want anyone to panic!
evilbeth, I need a sponsor for Thursday. How 'bout it?