Not craving, but frowning

[nsd_user663_32615]

Hello Quitters - my last day in month 3.

I love reading the happy posts on here, seeing people celebrating milestones and feeling euphoric about the benefits of quitting. My experience hasn’t always been so joyous – partly because I am still physically in a mess, and partly because of a real sense of shame. I’m not ashamed of starting to smoke. I was a kid, doing what kids do. What shames me is why I let it go this far before stopping, despite so many warning shots along the way. I like to think I’m a fairly “sorted” person in other aspects of my life – so why does nicotine make you so bloody stupid?

But at least I’ve done it now, and for the first time, I managed to quit without becoming a neurotic, screeching, wallowing mess. Taking away the element of choice put me in a different mindset – it is irrelevant whether I want to smoke or not – I simply can’t do it any more. Being 51 has helped – I think I have finally become a grown-up. Champix took so much of the pain away from those early weeks. The other big difference has been this forum, where I found the loveliest group of virtual people I could ever have imagined. You told me to read read read, and I did. And it helped. Between you, you have made me laugh, helped me to understand and given me strength.

In truth, quitting has never been easier – better information, better drugs, and the wonders of the internet for support. It hasn’t been a breeze, but frankly, it hasn’t really been that difficult, either - not nearly as bad as I had feared.

So all you newbies – don’t cave in. Use whatever helps you to get through those first weeks, because it really doesn’t matter how you stop, only that you do. Try not to lapse, but if you do, don’t turn it into a relapse. This can be done, and the sooner you face it, the less you will suffer in the long term. That’s about it really.

So here I am, three months quit and not one puff - the only Camels I like now are the ones in the zoo (and even they stink a bit...). Over £1,000 saved, and an eye watering 3,500 fags not smoked. I don’t feel ecstatic right now, but I do know that finally, I have done the right thing for myself, and for that I am quietly pleased.

In the words of John Otway: Cor Baby, that’s really free! :cool:

[nsd_user663_33545]

Mrs T

yayyyyyyyyyyyyy so well done getsmile.com/emoticons/smil...

You have helped me from day 1 and inspired me .

Your so strong and your achievement is so well deserved.

I learned so much on this forum and from you . It can only get

better .

You go go go go go and keep going .....I know you will

[nsd_user663_3282]

In the words of John Otway: Cor Baby, that’s really free! :cool:

Should've been a number one

Mrs T,

A very eloquent piece :cool:

Congrats on your 3 months, and now there's only one thing left to say....

Keep on keepin' on,

Cav

[nsd_user663_32615]

Thanks to both of you. It's funny, but I've never been part of this sort of forum before (all this technology is a bit modern for me, really!:o) I have found it amazing how a group of people that you have never met can offer so much support and encouragement - it's just magic really, isn't it?

Thanks to you too Cav. Saw Mr O perform again last year, and he can still summersault of the speakers while playing!

[nsd_user663_20978]

Thanks to both of you. It's funny, but I've never been part of this sort of forum before (all this technology is a bit modern for me, really!:o) I have found it amazing how a group of people that you have never met can offer so much support and encouragement - it's just magic really, isn't it?

absolutely i still feel in awe of everyone and there kindness

[nsd_user663_3282]

Saw Mr O perform again last year, and he can still summersault of the speakers while playing!

Ha, ha, ha...he's amazing and can't really help himself....even in a small room where somersaulting lands him right into the audience

Great that him and Wild Billy still tour together :cool:

[nsd_user663_33545]

I have found it amazing how a group of people that you have never met can offer so much support and encouragement - it's just magic really, isn't it?

absolutely i still feel in awe of everyone and there kindness

............its magic getsmile.com/emoticons/smil...

[nsd_user663_35121]

You should be quite rightly LOUDLY pleased Mrs T!

You've done something amazing that non-smokers will never understand.

Your support to me and many others has be wise, thoughtful and generous, so thank you for that!

I hope you're going to spend that £1000 on a nice reward for yourself...you deserve it.

LizzieX

[nsd_user663_32615]

Thanks Lizzie! Don't get me wrong - I am pleased. Just frustrated that I could have saved myself a whole load of agro if I had done this considerably earlier in my smoking career.... Hey ho, it's done now.

I hope you're going to spend that £1000 on a nice reward for yourself...you deserve it.

Aah - have "rewarded" myself about three times over so far!!! And there's another reason why I can't go back to smoking!

[nsd_user663_34721]

I Dont think there is a person on this forum that has, NOT had a "Wise" word from MrsT.

You have been an inspiration to us all.

From my Heart TY

[nsd_user663_33441]

Hey Mrs T:cool:

So, so many congrats, I noticed your quit date in your sig and knew you were at the end of Month 3

What shames me is why I let it go this far before stopping

Yeah, I know what you mean cos my last quit attempt put me off trying again for about 12 years and I so regret it. But look how you have turned it around Mrs T, you not only have quit yourself but you are always there to inspire us newbies to keep going, and by now, you have helped a lot of people, as we have ALL had words of wisdom and support from you So be so proud of yourself and all you have achieved. Your post tonight fills me with tears of joy cos you are living proof that it CAN be done.

You are FABULOUS

Zoe

P.S. Can me and the gang come over to yours tonight for Champagne and nibbles and pizza and stuff, cos today is a big day to celebrate!!

[nsd_user663_20558]

not craving but frowning... excellent pun, love it!

Congratulations on three months of unswerving devotion to the quit. As the others have already said, you're an inspiration to many on the site. Lap up the applause, it's much deserved.

Helen x

[nsd_user663_24115]

Im so happy for you mrs T. this thread has warmed the cockles of my heart.

its better to be late in this world than early inthe next.

Mash x

[nsd_user663_32615]

Aaww - thank you for all the lovely comments everyone - made me a bit teary, but in a good way!

[nsd_user663_35711]

Hey Mrs T

You are one of the lovely supportive people that you thank for helping you, you hae helped many of us newbies stay quit and Im sure that each and everyone of us thanks you for it.

Im the same as you, 51 and if I want to keep breathing then I have to stop, no other way about it, also like yourself I was so annoyed at myself for waiting for it to get to this stage before I really quit. The thing is, as I keep saying, you can try and try and try but until the quit is yours and for you alone I dont think you can succeed. You have to own your quit and I believe that you do.

Keep on going and save me a seat in the penthouse as you will get there just before me.

Love and stuff

Lillie xxx

[nsd_user663_36292]

Members of the "51" club

Mrs T - great, inspirational post. I'm 51 too, after 35 years of puffing away I really started to feel the affect on me. Today is day 7 for me, seeing posts like yours helps keep me going.

Thanks

[nsd_user663_32615]

Haha - 51 Club it is then!!

Thanks both. And I really think we will all make it this time!

[nsd_user663_1658]

Would just like to say this post really made me smile! well done Mrs T for getting to your 3months! A great post to read from a real quitter! said from the heart exactly as you have found it! .............. just great

[nsd_user663_6426]

Well done on your 3 months Mrs T. Thankyou for helping me in these the early days of my quit. I can tell you're a lovely, kind and generous person who talks a great deal of sense. Thanks for your wisdom and sharing it with us. You'll get in the penthouse and so will I shackled to you and all my fellow quitters.

Lisax

P.S. are you married to Mr T. from the A-team? xxxxx