Day 17 :)

[nsd_user663_18143]

In to my 3rd week! It's weird, as it feels almost alien to me now that i ever used to wander across the car park at work in the cold for a cig, or that i ever smoked in my car. My cough is starting to subside and i ran up the stairs last night and realised that i wasn't heaving when i got to the top - the small things make all the difference!!

I went to a friends house last night with a few mates (to watch Xfactor results, hurray that Wagner is finally gone!) and they smoke in their house (albeit in the kitchen stood by the back door). I'd been worrying about it all day so stocked up on lollies and brought my inhaler out for the first time. But, it seems i had nothing to worry about! I stood with my friend while she was smoking so i got the gossip and puffed away on my inhaler. After 3 glasses of red i thought it would get really tough and yes, there was that little niggling voice in my head saying "just one won't hurt etc etc" but popping a lolly in seemed to quash that right away. So all in all i had a lovely night with good friends, didn't miss out on any of the gossip, and still remained smoke free!! I was really proud of myself when i got home!

I've still got my guard up in these situations so i think the real test will come a few months down the line when i'm a bit more used to the non-smoker life, but the inhaler did really help so i might just have to have that on hand just in case - and lollies really help me (I've taken to waving it around when i'm talking, rather like a cigarette, much to the amusement of my friends!!)

Here's to 3 full weeks of non-smoker-dom!!

Xxx

[nsd_user663_17077]

If you have smoking friends, I would suggest doing what I did with mine last time - tell them not to let you have a puff, as I think when drinking this is our downfall! I had my friends tell me "sure you can have a ciggie, but you better order a taxi and get your butt to the shops as no one here is letting you have theirs!"

In the end I was beaten, over the course of a month, when I had friends who essentially forgot I was quit, and I got complacent, started bumming one or two on a night out then within around 1 month I was on 20 a day again!

[Hidden]

I have the same issues although strangely not when out but mainly at work.

Whenever I go for a walk around the building there is someone holed up in the smoking area, offering me a ciggi.

Still as time goes by I am sure they will forget I ever smoked andn stop offering.

On the upside though I am getting used to saying "no thanks I don't smoke" :eek:

[nsd_user663_18817]

Hi John & Jenni

I was out with some smoking friends last night (I can't avoid them, they are everywhere.)

I told them that, although I would love a smoke, the desire to be a non smoker was greater.

Can you imagine what it will feel like to say "It was a year ago today since I stopped"?

At the moment, that is a stronger feeling than wanting to smoke.

Long may it continue.

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Hi John & Jenni

I was out with some smoking friends last night (I can't avoid them, they are everywhere.)

I told them that, although I would love a smoke, the desire to be a non smoker was greater.

Can you imagine what it will feel like to say "It was a year ago today since I stopped"?

At the moment, that is a stronger feeling than wanting to smoke.

Long may it continue.

Here Here!!

[nsd_user663_15147]

That's great Domo66!

Also, massive a well done to you Jennifox! It takes a while to get rid of the feeling that we need a 'back-up' (lolipop, inhaler etc) but eitherway these replacements aren't harming you... 3 weeks of not smoking is amazing

John - I got the most awesome thing the other day... Someone started working at our company about 1 week into my quit... we were talking the other day and I mentioned that I quit recently - he was SO suprised!

Imagine looking in the mirror and seeing a non-smoker the same way this co-worker saw me? How amazing would that be! I know the day when I can look in the mirror and completely detach my ex-smoking self from my smoking self I'll be very happy indeed

[Hidden]

Hi Sofia

I had not even thought about that!! It certainly would be great to be able to view yourself the way this new employee does.

One day eh? Hopefully not too far in the future

[nsd_user663_18143]

Dom i love that idea - right now 1 year off the fags seems sooo far away but a few weeks ago even a few days of not smoking seemed impossible. But i'm definitely with you, the desire to not smoke is still so much stronger than the desire to smoke, and i hope that stays with me

And it's weird that new people will automatically assume you are a non-smoker, or rather someone who has never smoked. When i announced i had quit (i like to do things on a grand scale!) a friend who i've known since i was 9 and been through my teenage smoking years with was really supportive, but said 'wow, i can't imagine you as a non-smoker!' She was just being honest (she is quite blunt at the best of times!) but that was a scary thought, do my friends just picture me with a fag in my hand all the time, cos i always certainly did...

Day 19 today and it's been a bit of a tough one but i've not caved so it's all good :)