Thanksgiving Struggle

[SheenaL]

First things first: Happy Thanksgiving! I hope everyone had a great day!!

That being said, I am not sure if it's because it's my first major holiday without nicotine or the fact that it's been a crazy busy day, but I have not been able to shake the craving for a cigarette all day. It is scary b/c it is just too easy to grab a cigarette from my mom and start smoking again. I've gained weight and muscle from quitting and going to the gym, but I haven't been going to the gym in over a month b/c I have been busy with school work so all my mind has been telling me is, "Smoke again so you can lose weight." It's like I'm bargaining with myself about why I should smoke.

It's crazy because today has been one of the most difficult days in my quit journey so far. I can't wait to fall asleep so I can wake up and start fresh again. I have literally been talking to myself, telling myself that if I smoked again it wouldn't take my problems away. I would also go back to heavy breathing again, and stinking.

I'm gonna steer clear of smokers for sure this Christmas this time around since I had a hard time today just to be on the safe side. It's freaky because just about 2 days ago I had a dream where I smoked so much and people were encouraging me to and I kept saying how I had relapsed and I'd have to start all over again, but didn't care. Man, I woke up and was so happy because it was only a dream. I don't want to mess up my progress over piss poor feelings.

Anyway, that's my struggle on my first holiday. Sure can't wait to compare to next years Thanksgiving to see how much better and stable minded I feel. One day at a time.

God Bless ya'll!!

[laura6 1 Year Smoke Free]

Well done for being strong and telling your brain its a myth. Having a fag will not make the situation better. Your brain is telling you, you nèed one cause thats what you would of done previously. You now have to retrain your brain in lots of situations until the association has gone. This is the hardest part of quitting I think.

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free in reply to laura6]

Very true Laura alright as posted a few weeks on this, definitely was the hardest things for me....

healthunlocked.com/nosmokin...

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free]

Hey SheenaL - glad you got over thanksgiving smoke free, well done! The craving you had was likely a mixture of your first thanksgiving smoke free and the complacency milestone craving as you passed your 6 months smoke free during the week.

A couple of weeks ago I posted about this (link below in case you missed it) and to have our guards up for these. I too had very strong cravings after 6 months, think it is pretty normal to experience this. Yes, you will be much stronger next Thanksgiving

healthunlocked.com/nosmokin...

[SheenaL Valued Contributor]

Thanks so much for the support and reading material.

[Exsmo]

Girl am RIGHT there with you. What a shock! Instead of chain smoking am chain eating fudgesickles a day later! Only for today. Couldnt shake the feeling so kept busy & bought fudgesickles. Am weight conscious too, but lost 2 lbs since quit and from what i hear weight gained is usually lost once the topsy turvy feelings from quit subsides. I also had that smoking dream a few weeks ago & boy what a relief to find it was just a dream. Am truly beginning to think the word nicodemon is appropriate. The way it had taunted me last 2 days. Is actually better now & am proud of is both for making it through. Keep on keeping on strong! Good job!!!

[SheenaL Valued Contributor in reply to Exsmo]

Thanks for sharing! Man I sure hope I lose this weight, although I am kind of enjoying the weight gain to be honest. I've always been skinny as crap and now I actually have meat on my bones. The only downside for me is that since I feel so bloated all the time, I feel like my lil weight gain and fat buddha belly is suffocating me a bit haha!

Anyways, YES I am so very proud of both of us for making it through this tough, but great time in our lives.

[Tryingtquit]

Hi Sheena,

Thanks for this post, I thought it was just me getting terrible cravings around the 6 month mark. You are not alone!

Stay strong.

All the best,

George

[SheenaL Valued Contributor in reply to Tryingtquit]

Thank you for telling me you are getting cravings at 6 months because I thought I was alone or not thinking more positively about it. I promise I am so happy I quit, but nobody told me the 6th month would be my hardest yet. I've heard of the terrible 3's and around the year mark.

I am having such a hard time this past week and eating extra food that I may burst! haha! I've learned that when I have a craving my neck stiffens up and my head starts throbbing, along with slight sweating and then cold chills. I can't wait to see the day where I see these old posts and thank my heavenly father that I'm not feeling that way anymore. So not comfortable lol

Anywho, I hope you feel better soon with your cravings too. We gotta stay strong!

God Bless

[Tryingtquit in reply to SheenaL]

Some days I don't think about smoking until after lunchtime, others I think about it first thing on waking. My wife has stopped for well over 8 years and she says she doesn't even think about it now. Keeping the weight off is a real challenge for me too. Especially if I have a few glasses of wine/beer!

This too shall pass!

All the best,

George