Onwards & upwards! (ramble alert!)

[divenow67]

Hi all...

...just to introduce myself - Paul here and I almost feel like I know some of you with the amount of time I've spent on here - reading and soaking up the tips and info and convincing myself that, whenever the craves try to convince me otherwise, I AM doing the right thing and that I HAVE done the biggest, bestest thing that any smoker can possibly do for themselves - yep, give it up!

So, here I am on Day 33, nearly £200 saved and feeling really good today

Some bad memories of smoking? Well, the constant background, subconcious knowing that this is bad for my health - I'm literally paying good money to f**k myself up & probably die early too gnawing away at my self-respect and, probably, my self-confidence too. Not to mention my bank balance... Coming out of the gym and having to spark up and speed smoke a cigarette before jumping in the car (how stupid does that sound???) Rushing through a lovely meal just so I can go and smoke a cigarette (ditto...) willing a quick end to a good film at the cinema/performance at the theatre just so I can go outside and... well, you get the idea...

Some good smoking memories? Well, in the cold light of day, not really. I mean it's easy to romanticise things in the past (and one of mine is that ice cold beer after a long, hot day on the beach with a cigarette or two (probably three...) as I watch the sun slip down over the horizon. But then I love sunrise and sunset and when I read somewhere that, on average, as a smoker I'm probably going to see 5000 less of each well I'm probably better off as a non-smoker right?!

At the end of the day when I first went to sign up for this forum it told me my email address was already in use - and it was, from a half-hearted past attempt to quit nearly two years ago now that I'd forgotten about - and here I am nearly 7000 cigarettes or £4000 later and, with the benefit of Champix and this forum, I'm determined to nail this once and for all.

Sorry for the massive ramble to anyone who has read thus far. Thanks to all here who have unwittingly helped me get this far and more power to any and everyone who is trying to beat this very powerful and deadly addiction!

Cheers,

Paul.

[nsd_user663_4786]

Hi Paul and welcome (back). Dont worry about the ramble, most of us have done it.

Well done on day 33 that is fantastic, and pleased to hear that the forum has helped.

Your post is very good and I think sums up a lot of what we all feel, good to have you on board, keep up the good work and post often to let us know how you are getting on.

[nsd_user663_3728]

Hi Paul

33 days thats great over a month quit already keep it going

Below is my standard welcome and advice post which I try and give all new members

Welcome to the forum and well done on the decision to quit possibly one of the most important you will ever make and you will be losing nothing but you will regain control of your life and that has to be good

You will find all the help and support you need on here as we all help each other just like a family we are here for you every step of the way cheering the good days and sympathising with the bad but the good far outweigh the bad

Read the posts on here you will find a lot of tips and advice and in the signatures of a lot you will find links to other sites just click on them Here are 2 I find very good to start you off whyquit.com and woofmang.com Read, read and then read some more as the more you read and learn about why you smoked and about your addiction the easier your quit will be

This link is good for the psychological part of quittingwhyquit.com/whyquit/A_Sympt...

Post often to let us know how you're doing, to rant, rave have a moan whatever you like pretty much anything goes on here

Love

Marg xx

[nsd_user663_7254]

Welcome again to the forum Paul, and many congratulations on day 33, that's amazing. I'm a junior member on day 5 at the moment.

I enjoyed reading what you wrote and completely agree with everything you have said.

Keep up the great work..

Sharon

[jackieinv]

Welcome and well done stopping smoking, loved your post. If you keep up what you are doing, especially the reading and educating yourself about the addiction to nicotine, you are a winner.

Jackie

[nsd_user663_5972]

Hi Paul

Welcome back. Great post.

Well done on 33days and good luck with your quit.

[nsd_user663_2040]

Hi Paul

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your quit so far without us...I have no idea how you could have possibley managed...:rolleyes:

Great first post and ramble anytime you like my love we are all guilty.

Anyway no more day 33 rubbish it is into Month 2 already...way to go

Lorna

[divenow67]

Thanks everyone

The Champix has been OK for me really apart from messing up my sleep pattern (a small price that I am more than willing to pay!) but there's nothing quite like the extra support you people and this forum give to help everyone who is taking a big step to make their world a better place.

It is teamwork at it's best!

Paul x