Hi Sassy,
Congratulations on your 50 days! You're doing an amazing thing for yourself and your loved ones by quitting smoking. I'm proud of you and want you keep up the great job. I know it isn't easy, but quitting can be done.
It may be hard to believe this, but I don't think you have to feel horrible about "giving up something good". Educate yourself on the harmful aspects of nicotine additction. Knowledge of this addiction is so powerful. We can then use our power to set ourselves free from this crippling addiction.
What's so good about smoking anyways? Can you really name just one positive thing about smoking? How about the smell or taste (honestly, smoking stinks and tastes terrible doesn't it)? Is there anything good about the damage caused to our lungs, heart or circulatory system? Can cancer, COPD or stroke that smoking can give us at any time be good? Do we want the stained fingers, burn holes, brown rotting teeth or the lost money smoking burns up?
If I feel deprived, I know it's time to make another list of pros and cons to see what it really was that I thought I liked about smoking. Then I can know that the "wanting a cigarette right now" feeling isn't coming from me, it's coming from my addiction. I've prepared for those times with concrete things to do to distract, delay or replace my cravings (examples are chewing straws, drinking water, eating mints or laughing at a good joke). I've learned most of my triggers and changed my routines to avoid them.
I know exactly what you mean when about the deprived feeeling. I also know we can turn that deprived feeling around. I've learned to think, when this craving is over (in about 3 minutes), it's one less craving I'll ever have to endure. I think there are a limited number of cravings for every one of us. Soon the cravings do subside and eventually they exist no more.
Smoking is only an addiction to nicotine. Plain and simple, there's nothing good about addiction except beating it down and living our lives in freedom. Millions of people are doing it. I am doing it. You can do it too!
Wishing you all the best.
:)
Pat
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B]1/28/2007
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 425
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 17,000
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $5,950.00
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 51 [B]Hrs:[/B] 22 [B]Mins:[/B] 30 [B]Seconds:[/B] 59
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Quit Meter
$126,547.20
Amount Saved
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Quit Meter
Days: 850
Hours: 12
Minutes: 41
Seconds: 30
Life Gained
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Quit Meter
6591
Smoke Free Days
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Quit Meter
316,368
Cigarettes Not Smoked
