I am smoke-free for 3 weeks today.

[Phillycat]

And I am loving it! For anyone who doesn't know, I used a book, Allen Carr's The Easy Way To Stop Smoking, and it's been nothing short of miraculous for me. In the past when I quit (using gum, patch, Zyban, and willpower), I have struggled and been miserable and gained weight, and eventually given up and smoked again. This time has been completely painless. I don't need substitutions, either nicotine or not (gum, toothpicks, food, etc). That's because I'm not deprived - I haven't given anything up! Except my addiction.

Anyone who is hesitating to quit because of fear of weight gain, please know that I didn't quit for years for exactly that reason. And I haven't gained a pound this time around. I feel amazing. I look pretty good, too. :D And I promise that if you hug me, I'll be fresh-smelling. :hug:

[Brewman_Jax]

1. Congrats!

Glad that you feel better, too!

[Phillycat]

2. Allow me to hug you!

I smell like a meadow! :hug:

[Brewman_Jax]

4. Mmm, flowery!

:hug:

[billyskank]

3. I'm proud of you.

:hug:

[Phillycat]

7. Thank you!

Are you enjoying your summertime-fresh hug? :hug:

[billyskank]

18. All the more since it is from you.

:loveya:

[Bonobo]

5. Hey that is great!

[Phillycat]

9. Thank you!

Can I interest you in a deliciously fresh hug? :hug:

[Bonobo]

10. Mmmm, fruity!

[limit18]

6. Good for you!

I gained weight when I quit three years ago.I replaced the cigs with food,which was a bad mistake on my part!

[Phillycat]

11. The book I read warned against using anything as a substitute.

Including nicotine substitutes and food. The author reminds us that we don't need to substitute anything for the cigarettes because nonsmokers live without them just fine! My husband and I already eat organic and with a lot of structure regarding portion size, so I just stuck to the way I always eat and it worked great. I am really glad about that because weight gain would have encouraged me to smoke again. As it is, I know I never will.

Thanks! :hug:

[bigwillq]

8. Congrats!

Good for you! I might have to try out that book.

:bounce: :toast: :hi:

[Phillycat]

14. Thank you!

I can't recommend it enough. I am a serious addict, being a recovering alcoholic/drug addict. I never thought a little book that basically recommends the power of positive thinking would work for me. All the way through, I was skeptical. But I got to the end and quit and it was utterly painless. I still can't believe it, honestly. Never thought *I* would have an easy time quitting! (I think as addicts we all think we are terminally unique, and NO ONE is as addicted to the cigs as we are!)

[NJmaverick]

12. Good for you! Keep it up

Physical Benefits After Quitting
Time after last
cigarette
Physical Response
20 minutes Blood pressure and pulse rates return to normal.
8 hours Levels of carbon monoxide and oxygen in the blood return
normal.
24 hours Chance of heart attack begins to decreases.
48 hours Nerve endings start to regrow; ability to taste and smell increases.
72 hours Bronchial tubes relax; lung capacity increases.
2 weeks to 3 months Improved circulation; lung function increases up to 30%.
1 to 9 months Decreased incidence of coughing, sinus infection, fatigue,
shortness of breath; regrowth of cilia in the airways, increasing
the ability to clear mucus and clean the lungs and reducing
chance of infection; overall energy level increases.
Long−Term Effects
of Quitting
After a year, risk of dying from heart attack and stroke is reduced
by up to half.

[Phillycat]

15. Wow!

Chance of heart attack and stroke reduced by 50% in just a YEAR? God, I am so so glad I did this - one of the best decisions I ever made in my life. Thanks for posting this!

[Droopy]

13. Good deal. Eight days here.

And I feel a hell of a lot better already.

[Phillycat]

17. I hear ya.

I know you're struggling - I read your thread. Of course I'm going to recommend the book I used, but I also just wanted to offer my support and congratulations. :hug: Let's have a nice, fresh-smelling hug!

[flvegan]

16. Congratulations! I hope

your success inspires others looking to quit as well.

[Phillycat]

20. I hope so too - I can't believe I was trapped for so long.

In a prison of my own making!

[pdx_prog]

19. Way to go Jane....

I went through his online course a few years back when I was still struggling with my addiction.....I like the way he lays it out....:)

[Phillycat]

22. He has a really positive approach.

Never thought it would work on this cynical bitch, but damned if it wasn't like magic! :D

[Richardo]

21. Yay YOU!

:pals:

[Phillycat]

23. I know you want to hug me now.

I'm daisy fresh! :hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

24. My dear janesez!

BIGGO congrats!

That is awesome, sweetie!

Hugs for you: :hug: :hug:

[Phillycat]

25. Thank you!

FRESH-SMELLING hugs, no less! :hug: :hug:

[Crabby Appleton]

26. Congrats!

good on you janesez!

[Phillycat]

28. Thank you!

One spring-fresh hug, coming up! :hug:

[ThomCat]

27. Yay! Congratulations!

May the next 3 weeks be just as easy, and the weeks after that be even easier. :)

May your health improve, and your budget get a bit more flexible with saved money, and your enjoyment of food increase (without any of the weight gain you're already avoiding so successfully). :hug:

[Phillycat]

29. Thank you!

All the saved money goes into the pot for our move to France in September, and I've made my contribution more substantial by quitting smoking! :D

The food enjoyment and being able to smell things is already happening - I'm just taking it easy with the portion sizes, that's all.

Here's your daisy-fresh hug! :hug:

[underpants]

30. Must be a big book if you are still smoking it 3 weeks later

:smoke:

[Phillycat]

31. You are a moron.

But I still love ya. :loveya: :D

[underpants]

32. Yaaaaaay!

Congrats. you are way past the hard part. Now, just DON'T GIVE UP THOSE DAYS

[Phillycat]

33. Fuck no!

I can say without a shadow of a doubt that I will never smoke again. Yeah, I'm saying NEVER. :bounce:

[EstimatedProphet]

34. Good for you!

No more Jane's Addiction!

[Phillycat]

35. Hee, well done!

:hug:

[applegrove]

36. Congrats Janesez. You keep up that winning attitude.

[Phillycat]

43. Thank you!

:hug:

[Haole Girl]

37. Congratulations!

And thanks for posting about the book. I might buy a copy or two for some friends of mine...ones I'd like to keep around longer!! :hug: :hi:

[Phillycat]

44. Thanks!

I do hope the book works as well for them as it did for me. Read the reviews on Amazon too, they are amazing. :hug: :hi:

[Drum]

38. Excellent news!

This strangely coincides with a decision I made a few days ago, and have told nobody of in my real-life millieu: don't wanna smoke after, I've gone through this batch of tobacco (I roll my own, & buy the goods at a good tobacconist here, no additives, blended onsite.)

But I feel like I'm kinda bored with smoking, and would like my "wind" back, athletic lung function. I've dropped some weight this spring as a kind of buffer against big poundage (my stumbleblock on previous quit-tries as well.) From the looks of my cannister, I've just a few days' worth of tobacky left and I am tapering/weaning off too, so that I'm not so shocked systemically when the time comes. Also drinking copious amounts of water. We'll see.

So I was very glad just now to set down my suitcases, log on, and see your great post :D I will definitely look into the book too, thanks for that recommendation. Hoping and trusting that you (and yours) are enjoying the no-longer-smoking You.

:)

[Phillycat]

45. Knowing you...

I think the book would work really well. You're definitely a "get on with it and stop moping around" kind of guy, and that's what this book recommends. Do it, you will not be disappointed. I can't believe how much happier I am as a nonsmoker. JOIN US YOU MUST BE ASSIMILATED. :D

Seriously, you have all my support. :hug:

[SallyMander]

39. Congrats, janesez!!!

That's awesome, and keep it up!!! My grandma has emphysema, and i wouldn't wish that on ANYONE.

:toast: and :hug: to you! :D

[Phillycat]

46. My grandmother's emphysema led to lung cancer.

And that's what she died of, at 62. My mother is going down the same road. I REFUSE TO DIE THAT WAY. :hug:

[Madrone]

40. Congratulations!!!

May 5th will give me 4 months!! But I'm counting chickens --- one day at a time! :D Getting there though!

[Phillycat]

47. And congrats to you too!

Yes, one day at a time. But doesn't it feel freaking great? :D :hug:

[LostinVA]

41. What's the basis of the book?

I quit a long time ago, and I'd love to get Haruka to quit.

[Phillycat]

42. WELL!

The book is basically...the power of positive thinking. Which, you know, I'm like, fuck that, and fuck you. Heh. Not really my style, normally. I was skeptical all the way through. I did NOT think it would work for me (especially as a recovering alcoholic/drug addict, I thought I was the REAL BAD kind of smoking addict) and I felt that way all the way until the end of the book. The book is also not exactly what you'd call an intellectual tome, either. The guy freely admits he's not a writer - just a guy who used to smoke FIVE packs a day. Anyway, there's a chapter at the end called "Your Final Cigarette". Before that he spends a lot of time telling you over and over (and over) that you don't actually enjoy smoking, that the only reason you actually smoke is to alleviate your nicotine withdrawal. And I'm like, "Dude, you are SO WRONG. I LOVE smoking. I love smoking on my deck on a summer evening, I love smoking waiting for my train in the morning, I love sitting at an outdoor cafe with coffee and my Moleskine, smoking away." But the more he said it, the more I became aware of myself while I was smoking. I became more mindful, I guess, more conscious and aware of how it actually felt to draw the smoke into my lungs, the taste of it, the way it looked (have you ever watched someone smoke? It's ridiculous looking), the ritual of it, the smell of my breath and clothes and hair and fingers. Anyway, in the "Your Final Cigarette" chapter, he has you smoke your last cigarette, and you are supposed to be really really aware of what you're doing. I went outside on my deck by myself, and just stood and smoked. And I realized that I hated it. That it hurt my lungs and throat, that it tasted disgusting, that I didn't want to do it anymore. I came back inside, said to my husband, "That's it, I'm done," broke the last two in my pack, and that was it. The other thing he really concentrates on is NOT feeling sorry for yourself afterwards! Just get on with it, you did a good thing, it's over now, stop waiting for something to happen, live your life.

I don't know, it was cool. :)

On edit: read the reviews on Amazon too.