cerlank's Journal, 20 August 2020

Hectic! For me it’s 2 months since I quit. Do you still get cravings? 

you guys are better than me. I want to quit, but figured, first loose the extra body then tackle my addiction....... 

Gained a lot in the first weeks after quitting 🙈  

well done. I hated stopping smoking. I was so cranky. so much so that I got a disciplinary at work for swearing at the CFO 😂 I vowed never to go through that torture again. it's my 9th year this year not smoking!!! one of the best decisions that I ever made! 

top tip. put a bottle in the fridge with water and lemon. when eve you feel that hand to mouth urge, walk to the fridge, slowly open the bottle, take a sip, close the lid and put the bottle back in the fridge. the ritual and process will redirect your brain, the lemon and water help flush toxins and they're better than going for the closest snack to satisfy that urge 💪👏 you got this!!! 

Where were you two months ago with this advice 🤣 my fiancé and I both quit at the same time so swearing was the least of it 😩😂 

Well done! Keep it up and do it for you! 

❤️❤️❤️ 

From all the great things I read on FS, this is always the BEST!!! I can't tell you how happy I feel for you as an ex smoker myself. Why? Because your life is about to change for the best! Don't worry about the weight , hard as it is... it's still easier to lose weight ( eventually) than it is to quit smoking. I let myself gain weight to quit smoking, I decided to change ONE bad habit at a time and tackled smoking first. You can do it! The crazy, Victorious, euphoria from quitting spills over into all aspects of your life. Ride that sweet victory and know that you are invincible. One day at a time!🙏🏾 

@Shereen.. Man you are BOSS with that advice! 💯% works people! I even forgot those nifty tricks. Swop out a bad Habit with a good one. We are habit people for the most part, though we should stop confining ourselves.  

@BesterM I don't know how to say this without discouraging you and I'd love to hear Shereen on this. The cravings, as such, can last for years. It's more than physical, it's very mental. It's why I relapsed several times after even a two year quit. You need to keep boosting yourself and reinforcing a positive habit instead. Sometimes you will have a realistic dream of you smoking again. At other times, the smell of cigarettes triggers nostalgia. It's complex and different for everyone. Bottom line, Expect to crave long after you think you shouldn't and be mentally Prepared! Don't drink alcohol and avoid social triggers until you feel safe! All AA advice applicable to quitting any bad habit.🙏🏾 

Lol Beezknees 🐝 umm. Ja. I smoked B&H/Kent but ever time I walk passed a Rothmans Red smoke cloud my mouth salivates 😂 but not having a phlemmy cough every morning and smelling daisy fresh every day is something I don't get tired of 🌼 also. I can exercise now without feeling my lungs cave in which is a total motivator!  

All great advice!! 

Friends.....I too decided to change one thing at a time. For me it's starting by my weight. Need to loose a lot and felt it better to do that and at same.time get I to routine of excersising. Not quite sure how I will handle the smoking thing but for now it's the weight thing. So so proud of you two. I know how hard it is.. well done!!!!!