2nd May 2012 ......

[andi22]

5 years ago today was my first day of being smoke-free.

Hi gang, long time no see.

I remember the day quite well as I had the jitters all the time and spent a lot of time sitting on my hands.

I always knew that when the time came and I quit smoking, for me, the only way would be cold turkey, so that's what I did. Before I started, I decided to research the internet to see what kind of help was out there to help me. I came across this site, saw the helpful, friendly and supportive postings and thought that it wouldn't hurt to try and join in. I was so inspired by the people that I "met" that I brought forward my quit date of the 21st June to the 2nd of May. I'd set the June date because I'd recently come back from a holiday and had supplies that would last me that long. I couldn't wait that long, I had to do it NOW, this was the time for me. Finally!

I got through each day by coming on here, having a laugh or a rant and lots of discussions about all kinds of things. Quite often, we were rather silly. (That could be a bit of an understatement. ) The days turned into weeks and the weeks turned into years and here I am now, aged 60, 5 years on and fitter than I've ever been in my life before. I did put a bit of weight on as various food stuffs took the place of putting a cigarette in my mouth and I'm still struggling to lose that extra stone, but hey-ho.

To this day I put my success at quitting down to this site, the lovely, friendly, supportive people on here and our tag word NOPE (Not One Puff Ever). I still have to say this to myself very occasionally but I know that I will never smoke again.

Good luck to everyone on their quit journey, never give up giving up because if you really want to, you can.

Andi

[Frostie2560 LONG TERM WINNER]

Huge Congrats on 5 years🎉💪💪🚭🚭.

This helps to keep me going, very inspiring thank you!.

[andi22 in reply to Frostie2560]

Thanks Frostie, you're doing really well to get to nearly 5 months. Keep going strong, it does get easier as time goes on.

[jillygirl Administrator Queen Bee]

Hi there Andie, so lovely to see you on here, 5 years ago what were we up to ?

Ah yes! you taught Monky how to ride a bike,

2.bp.blogspot.com/-PvlXcCAR...

in fact you got us all cycling

guy-sports.com/fun_pictures...

Yes we certainly had a laugh , but I am sure it helped us to quit smoking.

Its lovely to see our long term members come on here and know they are doing well.

I am sure this will inspire many new members.

I bet its pretty warm down there in Bournemouth. When is your next holiday , are you still gadding off to exotic places?

You take care of yourself love from us all. xxx

[andi22 in reply to jillygirl]

Hi Jilly, yes, I remember those antics. Does Pete still hide out in his fridge now and again?

It's not that warm down here in Bournemouth, I got my t-shirts out the other week but the long sleeves had to come back out again more recently. No more big foreign trips planned at the moment although I am going to Cyprus at the end of the summer this year. I'm hoping that we have a summer here first.

You take care too. xxx

[monky Administrator Cake sniffer outer in reply to andi22]

Ermmmm, what da ya mean antics and fridges

I will have you know Andi, I have grown up now seeeee, what with allllllllllll these flippin bosseseseses I have on here I have ta watch all my p's and q's and other things tooooo

[monky Administrator Cake sniffer outer in reply to jillygirl]

what ya like Jillygirl xx

[jillygirl Administrator Queen Bee in reply to monky]

Since when did you grow up, did I miss something.

[monky Administrator Cake sniffer outer in reply to jillygirl]

Yeahhhhh, you were knodding at the time xx

[monky Administrator Cake sniffer outer in reply to jillygirl]

TAXIIIIIIIII

[zoesmum LONG TERM WINNER]

Congratulations on 5 years! You must be well chuffed - well done.

[andi22 in reply to zoesmum]

Hi zoesmum and thanks. I can't believe it's that long now since I quit! You seem to be doing well and as you're finally trying cold turkey I wish you extra luck too. Remember, whenever you feel tempted just tell yourself that NOPE, you don't do that any more and you will succeed. Good luck.

[monky Administrator Cake sniffer outer]

Aup Andi, its sooo lovely to see ya gal and a great big WHOOOOOOPY FLIPPIN DHOOOOOOPY to ya for reaching 5 YEARS QUIT although saying that, I have you down for 5 years tomorrow, but saying that, we all know tomorrow never comes sooooo, I've rushed out, over them there fields and catched one and shinneded it up for ya seeee soooo, I hope ya like it gal

As for our lovely Jillygirl saying that you taught me ta ride a flippin bike ermm, I have decided that my rower is much easier on my bum and ermmm, other things tooooo sooo, am sticking ta that at the mo

I hope all is ok with you Andi and your enjoying your new life and THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH for coming back to us with this very inspirational post to which I know will help other members on here and a still luvs ya ta bits gal xx

You take care now and see ya soon

[andi22]

Aup Pete, lovely to see you too! Thanks for my new awesome badge.

I really thought you'd have been on yer bike by now, especially with that Tour de Yorkshire coming through last week.

I'm trying to get out on my bike a bit and the running's going well, I can run for 10 miles now, although I will never run a marathon, it's just too bloody far for my feet.

Are you still making that special lumpy gravy?

Take care, and behave yourself. xxx

[monky Administrator Cake sniffer outer in reply to andi22]

WOWWWWW, 10 miles now Andi, I'm just loving it gal but saying that, rather you than me eh Hay, do you still do the park run in a morning

As for my lumpy gravy, its just no where near as lumpy as it was gal, maybe its got something to do with my age eh or perhaps cos I've learnt how to boil a kettle now xx

I hope all is well with you Andi and loving seeing you again

[jillygirl Administrator Queen Bee]

Andie, he hasnt changed one bit, Oh! sorry he might have he`s got sillier. I`m off now >>>................................................. phew. Bye. xx

[Hidden]

Wow andi 5yrs just fab huge congrats 🎉🎈 love the part about sitting on your hands tried that once but soon got pulled over 😀 thanks for the inspirational post it's great to see long term quitters 😊x

[Briarwood Administrator Ducky]

Lovely to see you Andi and still relaxing on the beach in your deck chair😂

Terrific post and huge congrats on 5 years smokefree👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼😊x