I Ain't Jonesin' Anymore

[Danimal16]

Well, as of 1600 today, I will have stopped smoking 1 YEAR.

I remember it well as it was the day I left with my friend Bob to spend the weekend at RennSport Reunion IV.

It was a great weekend and has been a great Year.

Thanks to all those "stopped" smokers on this board.

Tony at TLG and Eddie at Kundensport are happy that I am one of their former smoke moochers!

[Amail]

Congratulations! Sounds like you've got it whupped. Took me about eight tries before I got it to stick. It's been about 12 years now.

[74-911]

Congratulations on your anniversary as an EX-Smoker

I quit in 1985 after 20 years and still got the occasional craving for years.

Just remember, you are not a non-smoker, you are an ex-smoker and there is a big difference.

[GH85Carrera]

Good Job. Keep it up

[Seahawk]

Dan,

Nothing better for your long term prospects than setting aside the sticks.

I am an ex-smoker as well and keep (I've mentioned this before) a box of toothpicks in every car I drive. I even take a box on trips for the rental car. My smoking habit was only in cars. Whenever I feel the need, I pop a toothpick and the craving goes away.

It is stupid but it works

Again, best thing you could have done. Excellent.

[onewhippedpuppy]

12 years here. I'm fortunate that I only smoked for a year, then met a woman highly allergic to smoke that smacked me back into line. I ended up marrying her, withholding of "quality time" can be a great motivator!

I can't say I feel cravings for it anymore. I can have a cigar with friends and it doesn't give me any desire to light up a cigarette.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Dan,

Nothing better for your long term prospects than setting aside the sticks.

I am an ex-smoker as well and keep (I've mentioned this before) a box of toothpicks in every car I drive. I even take a box on trips for the rental car. My smoking habit was only in cars. Whenever I feel the need, I pop a toothpick and the craving goes away.

It is stupid but it works

Again, best thing you could have done. Excellent.

For me it's pistachios, they keep me occupied and alert in the car. The shortage a year or two ago was killer for my road trips.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

For me it's pistachios, they keep me occupied and alert in the car. The shortage a year or two ago was killer for my road trips.

Funny, Matt...whatever works to kick sticks is key.

Dan, please take solace that two knuckleheads (ok, one) manage the problem.

Pistachios on a toothpick...interesting.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Funny, Matt...whatever works to kick sticks is key.

Dan, please take solace that two knuckleheads (ok, one) manage the problem.

Pistachios on a toothpick...interesting.

I consider myself a moron, knucklehead is far too flattering.

[dennis in se pa]

Don't even sniff cigar smoke. Once an addict always an addict.

I am addicted to a bunch of things. Some of them bad. June 17 2013 at 11 AM will be my 10th smoke free anniversary.

Congrats. Once the cravings are gone you pretty much have it beat unless you "slip". Don't do that.

[Danimal16]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Funny, Matt...whatever works to kick sticks is key.

Dan, please take solace that two knuckleheads (ok, one) manage the problem.

Pistachios on a toothpick...interesting.

Knuckleheads??? Isn't that a pre-requisite for posting on Pelican??

My Dad smoked LSMFT brand (anyone know which those were? And NO, nothing to do with loose sweaters). I recall he used lemon drops.

Whatever keeps one off them. I can say that stopping is far more noticable as I got older. Ya just feel like ya got more juice!

[Danimal16]

Originally Posted by dennis in se pa

Don't even sniff cigar smoke. Once an addict always an addict.

I am addicted to a bunch of things. Some of them bad. June 17 2013 at 11 AM will be my 10th smoke free anniversary.

Congrats. Once the cravings are gone you pretty much have it beat unless you "slip". Don't do that.

No friggin' kidding on the cigars. Everytime I stopped before, it was a tasty cigar that broke me down. Cigars are dangerous and I will miss them. BUT, just the general good feeling I have far outweighs any pleasure that can be had from a great cigar.

[speeder]

Congrats Dan! I've got about 3 years off cigs, (this time), I've quit before and always started again after a few years. I'm going to try not to do that this time. A woman I've been seeing just had a birthday this week and quit, she has 4 days and we're texting a lot.

Quitting smoking can be an adventure, you have to look at it like that, IMO. It's like being on drugs to quit cold turkey if you've been smoking for years.

[Danimal16]

Originally Posted by speeder

Congrats Dan! I've got about 3 years off cigs, (this time), I've quit before and always started again after a few years. I'm going to try not to do that this time. A woman I've been seeing just had a birthday this week and quit, she has 4 days and we're texting a lot.

Quitting smoking can be an adventure, you have to look at it like that, IMO. It's like being on drugs to quit cold turkey if you've been smoking for years.

Denis,

ALL OF THE ABOVE. The latest episode started on Thanksgiving 2004 and ended last October. I was off for more than 7 years before that. Even ran two Boston Marathons with a number! This last time seemed to be very hard, much harder to stop than previous episodes. I got down to about five to seven sticks per day, but it was frustrating as I couldn't seem to push over the line to stop. My doctor, God Bless HIM, was patient and encouraging. He had suggested Chantix. I finally submitted and HECK IT WORKED. I have had other friends who used it, but they got the night mare side effects. I was lucky. My dreams were incredibly pleasant and vivid. I was lucky and it worked.

Side story, my Doctor, who is a surfer, p-Car type was key. But what was sad is he told me on my 3 month anniversary (this is a big goal for Chantix users) that he got married. I was shocked as I did not realize that he was not married to his wife. He quietly told me that she had passed away about the time I returned from Iraq, in late 2008. Lung Cancer. He never mentioned it, never hounded me, and encouraged me SOOO much. He never smoked, evidently she was a heavy smoker. But they were so close, I mean one of those exceptional couples. I hope that makes sense, but His experience really registered with me, just how good a doctor and person he is ( I kinda knew it but that episode showed me so much about him).

[peppy]

Keep it up. I quite 4 years ago.

[shadowjack1]

32 years for me. I do not think I could afford smokes today. I see them for $6.00 a pack in machines. I was 3 packs a day, $18.00 per day would be $6570.00 a year. WOW, thats a lot of money up in smoke.