March 1, new anniversary for me, time to lose the wallet cards.

[nsd_user663_1655]

Hey everyone, long time no see. March 1 will bring in two clean air years for me. It is time to remove my papers from my wallet, as I haven't looked at them in a while. Here is what they say, and they have been in my wallet since day one:

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I am not quit, but have stopped, there was no sacrifice, but a blessing. Non Smoker S.P. Not One Puff Ever

(then i had some urls, of which all can be found around the site, as i'm not a spammer:P)

Remember the reasons I stopped smoking.

-coughing randomly -sick to stomach - smoking hurts when i'm sick

-no energy - smelly and chemical filled - too much time out of day

-bad breath - wheezing and colds turning into bronchitis

-trips to the store constantly -i want to be alive for my wife

-smoking outside in the cold - expensive - filled my pockets too much

-dirty stains on fingers - bad circulation

-declining health - yellow teeth

-I did not have slow enjoyable puffs, instead inhaled fast to get the nicotine

-looked stupid standing around smoking

-out of breath during short exercise - no control over my life

-3500 Canadian per year - physically aging quickly - impotence would suck

-i only felt good because I was topping up the nicotine.

-illusion of concentration - I AM ADDICTED!

The following was added over the next two months:

Cravings >Terrible!>Don't Ever Forget!

-Hard to sleep - stress/agitation

-body shakes - there is a difference between thoughts and cravings

-reaching for something to smoke that isn't there

-time goes really slowly

-snappy and angery for first couple weeks

-made me eat way too much

Reaction/coping

-drank lots of water - walked - found something to do until feelings passed

-had wife and friend as support, both of which had previously stated they gave up on me - tried to avoid smokers, to no avail ( ignore is best policy)

-deep breathing, ps2 - no smoking day forum - feel oxygen going to fingers and toes when breathing heavy

withdrawal

-clumsiness, no concentration, oral fixation, dull clouded mind, constant anger/twitchiness.

I know I am one puff away from a pack a day. I do not want this again.

Quitting Was Worth It. I can Go on and handle this. S.P. (signed)

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I know it may not mean much to some of you, but that list was there when I went to the pub, when i was at work near smokers, when I was sad, lonely, afraid, ready to burst. By the time I finished reading it, the craving was pretty much done with. I know, the grammer in this post is outrageous, but, that is how it is on the paper. With that said and done, and it posted here to sit in archives forever, I move on, to another section of my life, my third year as a Non Smoker (giving myself that title, from ex smoker, on March 1)... and I am loving all things about life, longboarding hard, running, I'm now down to 180 lbs, from 208, still 10 more to go though, haha.

Hope you all are breathing easy, Thanks to those who helped me get to here, and good luck to those who are doing the right thing by tossing that horrible addiction. We are all strong. Believe it.

Viking, The easy breathing Norseman. Come join me for drinks midnight, feb. 28, in the lodge.

[nsd_user663_8123]

An inspiration......

Thanks I will look at that lots.

Congratulations, I hope I will be able to say that I am a non smoker in 2 years time rather than an ex-smoker.

[nsd_user663_5920]

Thanks Viking for that post.

Those were indeed great notes to have helped you and it's good to have them here now. Some really relevant points for many folk at any stage of their quit.

Enjoy your third year of being smokefree and yes, though I may not join you in a drink at the correct time, I will be out of the night time, hopefully enjoying the full moon around UK mid night to raise a glass to your third year beginning.

[nsd_user663_1655]

i'll be in the lodge in spirit But drinking in real

[nsd_user663_3728]

Hi Viking

Long time no see i258.photobucket.com/albums...

Almost 2 years that's great

Just for you i254.photobucket.com/albums...

Love

Marg xx

[nsd_user663_4121]

Excellent post, Viking. Congratulations on your 2 years! I'd join you for a drink tonight but just swore off alcohol (hangover :rolleyes

Hey... just checking but this is not you, is it? Viking :eek: Anyways.... WELL DONE

[nsd_user663_4026]

Truly properly inspirational post. Even though i'm a year done i'm taking a copy of that. Many thanks and well done for 1st March!

[jackieinv]

Great to hear from you and what a super read. I now love to hear from people who have got to where you are because with the help of all my friends here that is where I am going too. See you in the lodge, midnight February 28th.

Jackie

[nsd_user663_3282]

Hey Viking,

Great to see that you're hitting 2 years very shortly. Tis a great feeling and outstanding experience to be here...long may the years roll!!

Excellent notes to keep with you...and eventually share with the forum. Also shows an excellent story of one (Norse) man's battle to freedom and health as well as happiness.

I'll be drinking in the spiritual lodge with you anytime and everytime :cool:

Cav

[nsd_user663_4991]

Hi Viking , Congratulations for 2 whole years of being smoke free

Thanx for taking the time to write such an inspirational and informative post that will no doubt be of great benefit to so many in here.

I can relate to so much of what you have written and constantly remind myself of the damage that smoking causes and my reasons and ongoing happiness for escaping from such a horrendous addiction.

Regards Trev

20 a day for 30 years :eek:

quit 28th april 09

3 months patches

7 months C.T

[nsd_user663_4990]

whoah!! 2 years from the Viking!!!

daaaamn nice quit that!!! great inspiring info there too!! been building up a list myself as the months have gone by, some of the changes you experience while quitting are great.. others .. need work.. but the journey is always worthwhile as you've proven.

Nicely done viking!

[nsd_user663_45204]

I hope you are re-reading that list again Vike

Where did it all go wrong buddy ? Oh and sorry for bouncing an old thread,i literally stumbled across it while using the search function.

[nsd_user663_1655]

Drooped the cards, forgot my reasons within half a year, got ahead of myself and wad bored one day trekking to work. For some reason I figured a smoke would help? My phone has pretty much the same list in it now with updates . I plan to keep this one. Thankyou for the reminder. DAng, I was doing so well. I will be back here soon enough, 16 weeks down, only 52 in a year. Cheers to all the penthouse peoples!

Vike