Cindy,

There is nothing to forgive you for, you said it, you needed some time to sort things out, and I am sure that is what all of us sort of gathered. It is not easy to quit smoking, then again it is a paradox, just don't have a puff. I was sick myself just getting over it, lost some weight but the wrong way being sick, and like you unable to work out, it will be 9 day doing nothing tomorrow, well cleaning and cleaning my daughter her husband and the grand kids arrive tomorrow, so looking forward to seeing them all. I am going to get up early in the morning and do the Saturday early class, get back into it before I forget what I have learned. Anyway I am glad you found a way out of your bit of a loop, lots of us have gone through that one, quitting, starting quitting starting, just one won't hurt, well you are an addict join the club, you are not one of those who can have a smoke now and then like a treat, all or nothing girl you are as I am too, all or nothing. Once you get over that hump you really won't want one, you may think now and then about a smoke, but that is not a crave just a thought, let it go and don't be troubled by them.

Stan

Dear Cindy---What wonderful news to hear that you are smoke free for 19 days now and that you have lost a little over 11 pounds as well!!! I am very proud of you my friend. We all missed you here, and yet I can understand your absense while you were going through the first days, and now almost 3 weeks of becoming smoke free. I havent come out with a date yet, for a few reasons, one being that I do not want to stop and start up again as I have several times since I went back to smoking last Sept. I want to be sure of my committment and more prepared than I feel at this time. The longer I go on smoking, the harder it becomes to get to that place, unfortunately. Nevertheless, I am so proud of everyone here who has choosen to quit, and remain quit, one day at a time.

Have a wonderful and safe 4th Everyone!---Love Bonnie

Dear Stan,

You are right, I was in a loop of quitting and starting, and quitting and starting. Thank God I have spun outside of that horrible loop!!! And you are also so right on another count..."you are not one of those who can have a smoke now and then like a treat, all or nothing girl..." Now, if I can only remember that! Day 20 today! I sure do know what you mean about getting sick and not being able to work out. It is very hard to get back to it...but I will...my day back will be this coming Monday, God willing. I hope you enjoy your family, and that you also enjoy going back to your classes. I'm sure it will all come right back to you!

Dear Bonnie,

You are forever a great supporter! Thank you, friend. I know that your quit day will come too. One day you are going to wake up and just be to tired of smoking and all that comes with it, and you will just say, "enough!!!" like I did. And then, you will be a non-smoker too! All it truly takes is to just not ever take another puff. Man...it sure is taking me a long time to learn this...but it is true...I can't ever just have a cigarette as a treat, as Stan said. My thoughts and prayers are with you, bonnie!

Love ya!

Cindy

Hi Cindy so good to hear that you are 20 days into free breathing. You are so right just never take another puff and the time adds up. Stay strong and positive and focused on your committment.

Bonnie you are so kind supporting everyone always with your kindness. I hope that you can take that support and everyone elses here and feel strong enough to take the plunge and not take another puff. We are here for you Bonnie and we are all just one puff away from the packet so Bonnie know that you can call on our support when you make your decision. hugs Vicki

Vicki/Beauty...you are so right...we are all the same...we are all only one single puff away from the pack. It doesn't matter how long we have gone without smoking...or that we are still smoking...we are all in the same situation...it is just a matter of TAKING or NOT taking that one drag off of a cigarette!

Beauty, you too are always such a great and constant support. Thank you!

Love to you...

Cindy

Cindy,

You don't probably know who I am,but I just had to say congrats. Way to go!! Definitely right about we can't ever smoke again.

Wish you lots of success.

Eva

Thanks, Eva . I am so happy to be free again!

Cindy

Dear Cindy I am so very proud of you!! You are awesome and pulling off weight loss and quitting smoking--you are braver than you know. I am very happy with you and for you. See me--I am doing my happy dance?! Keep it up!

Hi to everyone, I have been missing you all but somehow I am just feeling swamped right now. Just wanted to say hi to you all. Like Cindy, I do think of you all even when I am not here. Vicki I so enjoyed our walk the other day:) wouldn't it be fun if we could all really do that? I am still doing curves and trying to do my best at eating healthy, not always successful but I'm trying. Getting in better shape anyway.

Hugs,

Chris.

Dear Chris,

I am so happy to see your post! And I am doing the happy dance with you!!! I hope everyone will always come back to the board, at least every now and then, if not all of the time.

I am glad that you are proud of me, and glad that I am proud of me too!!! I am doing great, and am on day 28! I do get the urge to have a cigarette every now and then, but I just let it pass. It is so weird...I think I am smelling stale smoke from the apartment above or below me. Sometimes it is there, and I know it isn't from me!!! It smells really YUCK!!!

I am proud of you too, Chris. You are well over a year quit now, AND I am so glad to hear that you are still going to curves! I have been dealing with a spasm in my back for the past week, but I hope to get back to working out this coming Monday.

Take care of yourself, Chris!

Love you!

Cindy

Hi Cindy so proud of you that you are back on the free breathing train and letting those thoughts, craves come and pass without reacting to them. I know at times it sure is not easy to do that so give yourself a big hug from me Cindy and know that I am thinking of you and sending positive vibes to you.

Chris I always think of all my cyber friends when I go on my walks. Everyone helped me so much and I always give thanks when I am in God's paradise out there walking.

Bonnie on another thread I said that we/I was here to support you in your quit. You haven't posted for sometime and I am checking that my post hasn't offended you. It was not my intention and I hope all is well with you.

I am working a far bit these days by choice but still try to keep balance in my life. Hugs to all Beauty/Vicki

Dear Vicki-----You could never offend me my Dear friend. I have been in a sad mood for much of this past week and didnt really feel like posting. My son Matt checked himself back into the Hospital last Sunday afternoon. Dave and I had thought he was doing allright , or so it seemed. I saw him today and he is quite depressed and it hurts my heart to see him this way and feel helpless to do anything. He was getting tired of being on so many meds and feeling like they werent helping so they have him on 3, instead of the 7 he was on. He has started on a new antidepressant and I pray that he feels some relief from the depression. I have turned him over to God, yet it has been difficult to keep positive and hopeful. Please pray for Matt as he needs prayer and while you are at it throw in one for me too!

I wish you sweet and pleasant dreams and sleep with the Angels Vicki.--Love and God Bless--Bonnie

Cindy I am very very happy for you--a whole month now I imagine. Doesn't if feel and smell good?! You know I wouldn't be anywhere without all the wonderful people who helped me through. It's good that we are all still here to see one another through whatever comes our way. I am still hanging in with working out, hoping to see some results soon!

I haven't been sleeping well for a long time now and I am going to go for a sleep study soon as I have been told I snore VERY loudly. A dainty flower like me??? I can't imagine.:_| Maybe I have sleep apnea and that is why I never feel rested. What else is going to happen this year? I'd be happy to get a good nights sleep though. My test won't be til Aug. So we'll see.

Hey, I still get the urge too Cindy but mostly just a little one. I can handle it. Whew, I remember when it was real hard though. You keep doing what you're doing and breathing the fresh summer air and you'll get your next day in and then weeks and then you too will be back at a year before you know it. Time flies.

Hugs,

Chris.

Bonnie I hope your son does well with the new meds. Always saying a prayer for you and your family--it helps I am sure. See how much progress he must've been making to know that he needed to go back to the hospital. That is a blessing.

Dear Chris,

33 days and counting for me! I have little struggles here and there, but nothing I haven't been able to get past. I just don't let the darned things get to me anymore...thank God!!! I am so glad that so far I have not gained weight this time. It is just the right time for me to finally be a non-smoker!!! No more cigarettes for this girl!!!

Chris, I have Sleep Apnea, and have had to use a machine for several years now. I am quite used to it, and it really does help, so, if you should find that you do have Sleep Apnea, just know that I am here to help you through it. When I had my sleep study done about 6 or 7 years ago...my gosh, has that much time gone by!!!...I stop breathing 170 times in a four hour period. Sometimes I would not breath for over a minute and a half!!! As you might be able to tell from those numbers, I am grateful to be breathing normally at night now with my C-Pap. Before I knew what was wrong, I started to have narcolepsy...falling asleep out of the blue during the day, several times a day. No wonder...I was never getting any normal sleep at night!!! Now days, my only problem is sore joints and insomnia for periods of time (nothing to do with the Sleep Apnea)!!! Please let me know how your test goes in August, and I will be here if you need support.

Love, Cindy

Dear Bonnie,

I am keeping you and your sons in my prayers. I am so sorry that things are so difficult. You just please keep on being your strong and positive self. Take lots of deep breathes, and remember to take really good care of yourself every day.

Love, Cindy