Morning everyone...

Well, another day and a fresh start, (I keep getting them, so I'm very lucky). I hope I don't blow the chance of being a non smoker today wide open, by lighting a roll up. Where does all this wilfulness come from...? Humph, I need to learn patience too it seems! Hope it's a good weekend for each of us. I would put a smiley in, but can't seem to find 'em on these little screens.

[simba196 18 Months Winner]

Morning, I hope you have success today. Although I have not completely stopped yet hoping to start on Monday been weaning myself down from 20+ a day to now about 3 - 5. Hoping to go to 2 today and tomorrow. Been smoking 44+ years very pleased with what I have managed so far. I am sure you can do it, don't be tempted to light a roll up, Nic is very persuasive but can be beaten. Have a lovely weekend Sue x.

[Hidden in reply to simba196]

Thank you Sue, yes, I know just the same feelings. I'm 65 and have smoked for over 50 years - so I'm not fooling myself about this. I suffered another terrible addiction for 22 years, but have been clean of that, and very happy for 7 years now, so I do know a fair bit about addictions and just how hard it can be to stop. The positive thing is, I know it can be done, one day at a time. And it's Oh so worth it to have the wonderful freedom. So, we must just keep on trying, eventually it will happen. Maybe not just when we want it, but it will happen for sure. Best wishes, xx

[sue52 3 YEAR WINNER]

Good Morning Gillyflower,

You can do this, don't let nic win, pack his bags and kick him out, think of all the money you'll save, and how much better you'll feel

I don't have much patience either, but i'm learning, just take it a day at a time and come on the daily chat to have a moan if you need to, and a laugh as well, i found that really helped me when the going was tough

good luck, hope you have a fab day x

[jillygirl Administrator LONG TERM WINNER in reply to sue52]

well done gillyflower, yet another day and your doing well. I know when I quit I had 4 ciggys in a packet in the kitchen drawer. I used to open the drawer and look at the packet and put my tongue out at it and think I dont need you. I eventually threw them away with great pleasure. You can do it.

have a super day.

[Hidden in reply to jillygirl]

Thank you for your message - what kind folk here. Still giving it all another go today, one day I'll do it for sure. With many good wishes to you, x

[Hidden in reply to sue52]

Thanks Sue, what smashing people here - just great. I'm going to keep on - keeping on trying. I get so sad when I do light up, The pleasure (if any), stopped working for me a long time ago. But this baby's a tough one for me for some reason. I get a real buzz though, reading through the blogs, hearing folk doing well, Another day another chance heh. x

[monky Administrator 35 Months Winner]

Hi ya Gillyflower, your doing so so well gal keep focused and with it, just found this blogg of Emjays please have a read

The health benefits of stopping smoking

Posted by EmJay ROY CASTLE

15 Nov 2012

Stopping smoking is the single most important thing that you can do to improve your health. That is a fact.

Unfortunately, not every benefit is visible and you can be left thinking to yourself that you don't feel any different.

However, there are a lot of changes going on behind the scenes that you may not be aware of, but you can rest assure that your body is busying itself away and repairing as much of the damage that smoking has done to your body as possible.

Your body will begin to repair itself as soon as you stop smoking and you'll go on feeling the health benefits for the rest of your life.

20 minutes after stopping, your blood pressure and pulse rate will return to normal. Circulation improves in hands and feet, making them warmer.

8 hours after stopping, nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in the blood will be cut by half and oxygen levels will return to normal. Chances of a heart attack start to fall.

24 hours after stopping, the level of carbon monoxide in your body will be that of a non-smoker and your lungs will start to clear. You could always ask at your local pharmacy or GP surgery and see if they can check your carbon monoxide levels for you.

48 hours after stopping, your body is becoming free of nicotine and your sense of taste and smell is improving.

72 hours after stopping, you should be breathing more easily. Airway passages in the lungs begin to relax. Energy levels increase.

2 – 12 weeks after stopping, your circulation is improving, making walking easier.

3 – 9 months after stopping, your lung function has increased by up to 10%. That means less coughing and wheezing and fewer breathing problems.

5 years after stopping, your risk of having a heart attack is halved.

10 years after stopping, your risk of contracting lung cancer is halved and your risk of having a heart attack is the same as if you’d never smoked.

[Hidden in reply to monky]

Thank you Mr Monkey, what a fun name! I'm grateful for all you people's help, x

[Fags1]

You probably won't believe this as I constantly post nonsense and gibberish but.......Today, I have been wearing roller blades in the house (it's wet and windy outside) and doing housework such as washing up, vacuum cleaning and generally doing sh*t chores. The wearing of roller blades gives the whole thing a bit of a wow factor and makes humdrum housework a bit of a challenge. Add a bit of Michael Jackson or Fat boy Slim and smoking is the last thing on your mind plus you get the house sorted. On this occasion, I am telling the truth, I am wearing them now.............

[Hidden in reply to Fags1]

Oh that's made me laugh so much... Roller Blades, superbly brilliant! Life can be a joy with wacky people in it. One sad ciggie this morng, but no more so far. Thanks for the chuckles. x

[simba196 18 Months Winner]

Don't tear yourself up over one slip up we have all been there. Just make sure that the one sad ciggie has no friends

[jillygirl Administrator LONG TERM WINNER]

Practice makes perfect keep trying gillyflower

[busker 2 YEAR WINNER]

hiya maybe a little help for you.get an ecig for the times you feel like a roll up...the only thing that did it for me.i tried all the others over 45yrs..now almost 6 months ciggie free.still using ecig...good luck i know how you are feeling..you can do it....stay well....

[Hidden]

Thanks Busker, 6 months is terrific, I'll have a puff on the Ecig if / when it gets hard going, I might even manage 6 months eventually too! Hope..hope,

[Hidden]

2 big reasons amongst many John. No 1 = COPD. No 2 = I just want to be free of this tiring sad addiction. Thanks for your message, they all help. No smokes 2day - so far...