Just checking in.

[nsd_user663_1988]

Hello everyone.

I know that I don't post as often as I used to but still pop my head in everyday to see how everyone is doing. I have been a bit preoccupied at the moment. Started a new job and decorating the spare room at home in time for the immenent arrival in April.

I have now been smokefree for over 6 months now and very proud of it indeed. I feel like I'm free but will always be on the lookout if that little monster tries to reappear.

My weight gain has become very noticeable now that one of my favourite shirts doesn't fit anymore. I know I said before Christmas that I would sort it but it seems to have just got worse. Now that I'm not working in a shop anymore, there will be no temptation to eat chocolate. Gonna stick to 3 meals a day and no snacking.

Have also been looking into the Allen Carr thing alot recently. Even though I did quit using NRT, I am still intriged as to how these people 'never have the desire to smoke again'

My biggest fear is that I am feeling confident that I won't smoke, but every so often the thought still pops into my head. I worry that I may become weak and don't want that to happen. It can happen so easily as we've seen with quitters who haven't smoked in 6 months, 9 months, 1 year or even 5 years. It's happened to me after 3 months on my last quit.

I have just read Allen Carr's last book 'Scandal' which is downloadable off his website. Alot of things do make sense. My wife has ordered the 'Easyway to stop smoking' book for me to read.

Don't panic everyone! I'm not gonna turn into a preacher telling everyone that it's the only way. Everyone is entitled to choose a method that works for them. I'm just interested in what it's all about.

[nsd_user663_1704]

Good morning Barney *mwah* so good to hear from you *hugs*

Allen Carr is a very good read and it makes sense, I guess smokers just need to be in the right place for that trigger to tick over and make the quit work. This is something that comes with time regardless of your methods I reckon.

It is probably best used in this circumstance, where you are an established quitter but know that complatency can still nip in. Enjoy the read!!

I feel different this time already than the 9 month quit as in, I don't feel panic about not smoking ever ever again, I feel relief. I didn't enjoy those weeks of smoking, madness eh? I hated the smell and the whole 'addiction' thing. Though I am only 7 days in but hey ho :rolleyes:

Hope you hayden and mrs barney are all well and good and excited for April!! hope the job was a good move too x x x x x

*hugs*

~Buffy x x

[nsd_user663_1968]

Hello everyone.

I know that I don't post as often as I used to but still pop my head in everyday to see how everyone is doing. I have been a bit preoccupied at the moment. Started a new job and decorating the spare room at home in time for the immenent arrival in April.

I have now been smokefree for over 6 months now and very proud of it indeed. I feel like I'm free but will always be on the lookout if that little monster tries to reappear.

My weight gain has become very noticeable now that one of my favourite shirts doesn't fit anymore. I know I said before Christmas that I would sort it but it seems to have just got worse. Now that I'm not working in a shop anymore, there will be no temptation to eat chocolate. Gonna stick to 3 meals a day and no snacking.

Have also been looking into the Allen Carr thing alot recently. Even though I did quit using NRT, I am still intriged as to how these people 'never have the desire to smoke again'

My biggest fear is that I am feeling confident that I won't smoke, but every so often the thought still pops into my head. I worry that I may become weak and don't want that to happen. It can happen so easily as we've seen with quitters who haven't smoked in 6 months, 9 months, 1 year or even 5 years. It's happened to me after 3 months on my last quit.

I have just read Allen Carr's last book 'Scandal' which is downloadable off his website. Alot of things do make sense. My wife has ordered the 'Easyway to stop smoking' book for me to read.

Don't panic everyone! I'm not gonna turn into a preacher telling everyone that it's the only way. Everyone is entitled to choose a method that works for them. I'm just interested in what it's all about.

Hello Barney

well done to you

Congrats on your new job and not working in a shop will reduce the temptation to eat chocolate. I have said before about my weight and i have a sweet tooth, so when i go to supermarkets have to avoid sweety and cakey aisles in case i am tempted i can normally be strong then i will go and buy crunchy bars or maltesers for a few days then i feel strong and dont buy any its sort of swings and roundabouts.

Enjoy your decorating and good luck with the new addition in april, please keep posting to let us know how you are getting on.

I am going to see my gp on wednesdayas i have finished my Champix tablets i have been on them for 6 months and feel fine at the moment i am ok because i have tablets handy if i need one, when i take that last tablet i lose my safety blanket if you know what i mean its scary.

[nsd_user663_2497]

Hi Barney, congrats on the quit and new job.

I too have recently fancied reading Allen Carr to see what the fuss is about also. I would recommend you take a look at the book in my sig too if you get time, it worked well for me and is an eye opener on so many levels. I'm not sure how similar or dissimilar to Allen Carr it is though.

Keep up the good work.

[nsd_user663_2421]

Hi barney good to hear from you. while ive quit on patches like yourself.[watched you closely when i first quit ] im still curious about alan carr, Hey any amo against nic can only be a good thing eh ? I may even think cold turkey is a good idea now im weaned off the patches, lol. :rolleyes:

[nsd_user663_1966]

My biggest fear is that I am feeling confident that I won't smoke, but every so often the thought still pops into my head. I worry that I may become weak and don't want that to happen. It can happen so easily as we've seen with quitters who haven't smoked in 6 months, 9 months, 1 year or even 5 years. It's happened to me after 3 months on my last quit.

Hi Barney,

Well done on reaching the 6+ Months room. I'm currently approaching 7 months.

You're absolutely right to acknowledge that one can't sit on ones laurels when it comes to quitting smoking. I've lost count but I think I've quit once for 18 months, twice for around 9 months, 3 or 4 times for 6 months and too many shorter periods to count. There was never a truer word than that one cigarette is never enough. I think each time I've restarted I've believed that I can just have one or two and then drop it again but have been back on a pack a day within a week as though I'd never quit.

Truth is like an alcoholic can never have another drink, so the same is true with cigarettes. Lots of people do permanently succeed in staying quit though and I think my circumstance of repeatedly lapsing after extended quits is not that typical.

I'm taking comfort that when I've lapsed before it has tended to be in the pub which aint gonna happen now. What's more I've had a very difficult time of it this time and I've told myself I will not put myself through it again.

For both of us by our efforts, we have presented ourselves with a free choice to be non smokers for the rest of our lives (something which on day one was a dream). All we have to do now is to make that choice willingly.

Well done Barney and good luck

Dickyboy

[nsd_user663_2162]

Hi Barney, I too understand what you mean, it's a matter of watching out without obsessing over the watching out thing...if that makes sense...I know it does in our ex-addicted alike minds

Reading that book can be very inspiring, go ahead you won't become a preacher - I haven't, omg have I?? ::eek::confused: Seriously, everyone has their own method and in my world that means that if people can freely say that patches are great or that Champix really works others are also allowed to say that that book is great and really helpful