Not long now...

[nsd_user663_60406]

Hello!

Thought I'd pop by to benchmark today as my one month countdown to a year! Still going strong and can't wait to reach the next room...the penthouse.

I've had a cliche of a roller coaster ride during this quit, found it very difficult at times and faced some of the hardest situations I've ever had to face without cigarettes in my life. Something I never thought I'd be able to do. :rolleyes:

It's been one of the worst years of my life, but by quitting smoking, I've done something positive and proven to myself that I can get through tough times without the crutch I used to depend on, cigs.

Last week I was admitted into hospital and diagnosed with crohn's disease and my consultant said smoking only exacerbates it, so there's another huge reason for me to stay quit. That kind of confirms to me that this quit is for keeps!

This post is probably super cringe and terribly unstructured (as I always say), but I had to drop by before the big day. Thank you to everyone for supporting me throughout this!

Lewis

[nsd_user663_59642]

Brilliant work, Lewis...........you can truly and meaningfully start counting down the days now! If I detach myself from the quitting process and look at it from the outside, it is quite staggering that people can actually cast off the chains of addiction like this, especially when also having to cope with some of the terrible things that life can bring.

I think you have done brilliantly, Lewis, and I take my hat off to you!

Val

xxx

[nsd_user663_62610]

Hi Lewis - Bad news about the Chrons diagnosis but great news that you are still committed staying of the fags! The great thing about these forums is that you don't have to be terribly structured and your post certainly wasn't cringe worthy. Someone told me today about the Beckhard's change equation

D X V X F > R

D = Dissatisfaction with the current state

V = Vision of what is possible

F - First concrete steps to making the change

R = If any of these factors are weak or missing, then you will get resistance to the change

I like your saying 'This quit is for keeps'. Funny enough someone said to me today that if i were offered a cigarette that I should say 'I do not smoke' instead of @I have quit smoking' Apparent;y smoke things like this reinforce the decision Alex

[nsd_user663_52101]

Well done Lewis,

Not long til the penthouse and a big celebration

X

[nsd_user663_60964]

Lewis, I know what a struggle it has been for you at times and that you have indeed had some extremely difficult situations to cope with in the past year. Your determination has been second to none and all I can say is that you deserve your place in the Penthouse, and then some. Your Granny will be so proud of you...

All the best, mate, and fingers crossed that the chron's disease responds well to treatment and remains under good control.

[nsd_user663_61573]

Absolutely over the moon for you Lewis, your an example to us all. Well done

[nsd_user663_42390]

FANTASTIC! Just fantastic Lewis, so so pleased for you because I know what a hard year you have had. WELL DONE! Keep going and I will see you in the Penthouse.

[nsd_user663_59644]

Lewis, just read this, what a great start to my day, blooming fantastic, am sure the rewards are starting to creep in. My word you have shown such grit and determination..

So very very pleased for you:)

[nsd_user663_62294]

Hi Lewis, well done on almost a year. Sorry to hear of your health problems but it's good to know that you have helped yourself by quitting smoking.

[nsd_user663_60406]

Thank youuuu guys! I'm counting down the days (30 today!) and it feels so good to have actually achieved this. Every other time it's only been a matter of months before I was back on them again.

Those at the start or mid quit, please(!!!) hang on. I know it's hard and the temptation to just start again is rife, but once you get to the stage I'm at, it's all positive from then on. The future you will thank you...if that makes sense.

Take my health problems. Smoking probably caused it. But by quitting it won't be exacerbated any further, which is great. If you stop now, you have no idea what potential nasties you could be avoiding!

Good luck all and I'll see you at the penthouse! Damn...I wish it wasn't metaphorical.

[hellerscatch]

Well done Lewis you are so close to the penthouse now

I also crohns disease and my symptoms have been greatly reduced since giving up smoking, so well done you

[nsd_user663_60406]

20 days to go!!! :D:D:D:D:D:D

[nsd_user663_16725]

Well done, Lewis!! Keep up the excellent work!

[nsd_user663_2681]

Brilliant news Lewis,massive congrats you have indeed had a very tough time

And I know from previous posts how close you were to caving, you must be so proud of yourself and deservedly so, I bet your nan is very proud too xxx

[nsd_user663_60406]

Thank you

11 days...:eek:

[nsd_user663_60406]

This a HUGE achievement Lewis :D

Be amazed and delighted with yourself cos getting to the Penthouse is not for the faint hearted and weak-willed

Thank you Max! I remember you posting on my first ever thread, feels like an eternity ago. I think I was about 28 days in and was contemplating buying an e-cig and was thankfully discouraged.

Not long now! Saturday is the big day :D