Its been 18 days & I'mStill Smoke Free ;)

Congrats to everyone who also stopped Smoking.
Also, CONGRATS to those of you considering to stop smoking. I encourage you to make that your FIRST goal – even before losing weight. Well for me that seemed like the right thing to do. Let me explain…See, for me I am a very emotional person. So I knew going in that I had two addictions—food and smoking. Smoking was something that kept me calm and anxious free and food helped me to feel. I felt comfort in it.
I knew going into this thing that if I gave up food I would smoke more.. and guess what—I did.. Then I felt like well if I give up smoking Ill go back to food—well guess what—I did at first.. but the reality of it all was they both were addictions that can kill me. So I had to think of every reason why I needed to stop smoking. Of course it was easy to come up with the obvious of lung cancer and all those ugly things.. but it was my kids as well. They wanted me to stop. I started to see the commercials on TV about how people were literally dead while alive from this nasty habit. My daughter cries every time she sees that commercial with the lady with the trach and wig. I told her if she ever sees me smoke again to remind me of that lady in the commercial. But overall---I didn’t think it was fair for me to put that on my family. I never wanted her to have to say that to me…
When I first stopped I went through the time of my life in the beginning..you can even see in my video that my total poise and demeanor is sad and withdrawn in the beginning.. Unforeseen events happened after I decided to stop.. a lot of it had to do with going through a divorce after dealing with mental and physical abuse for a long time… lets just say normally I would have smoked like crazy after what I went through but I stayed strong because I had people there to encourage me..on about my 6th day I wanted to give in and say forget it.. but my daughter said to me” Mommy thank you for not smoking through all that we are going through. If you can be strong then that means I can too.” That right there was the biggest eye opener for me. I instantly said to myself I will not ever smoke again because people are watching me and I am blessings some one else’s life by being an example of overcoming something that seems impossible. At that moment I knew that I had the strength inside to stop. I called out the someone greater than me—You may call it God, Creator, Source, etc.. Whoever or whatever it is that you believe in greater than yourself than lean on that energy to help guide you through. You will be inspired and the path will be made clear on what to do…
Things that helped me to stop were1) telling the people I love that I want to stop- they were also there to encourage me. Not only did I tell my family – I told my MFP family as well. Then everyone on here chimed in and gave me encouragement. They shared their stories about how they used to be a smoker but they no longer smoked.. gave me several tips to stop and constantly checked in on me daily to make sure I was not smoking. It gave me a sense of accountability. 2) Believed in myself and didn’t worry about gaining weight because I had to come to terms that healthy was the only choice.. 3) I’m also into juicing veggies and fruits—to be honest THIS is what really helped to cleanse my system out quicker--- I juiced every single kind of fruit and veggie I could think of—and I also drank WATER!!!!Lots of it!! I mean lots!!! 4) I did not put myself in places I knew I would smoke—like I loved to smoke and drink so I am not allowed to go have a drink,, well actually I had 2 glasses of plum wine this weekend and didn’t even smoke.. just thought about that.. but my friend who smokes would NOT let me smoke at all even if I asked for one puff.. so accountability again.. 5) I educated myself on what nicotine was.. and why its MANDATORY to go cold turkey.. its nothing u can come off of slowly 6) I have a video blog that helps me keep track of my progress—I look back on the videos and see how far ive come and then I refuse to go back. 7) I am saving money!!! 8) Im not wasting perfume anymore trying to cover up the smell 9) I like to travel and I don’t want to be having a fit in an airport because I cant find a place to smoke 10) EXERCISE has helped!!!!!! Every time I feel weak I just move..

All you ex smokers out there--- please chime in and tell what made u stop and what you did to stop. I think its our responsibility to give back to those who also want to stop because WE know how hard it REALLY is..

Thanks everyone for listening – I wish everyone much continued success!!
P.S – if you want to stop—add me.. Ill stand by your side 100% You have what it takes !!

I quit 23 days ago and feel great! I don't want to smoke at all and that is huge. In the past, I would be thinking about if I could cheat and just have one, etc. This time, my head is screwed on correctly and I don't have those urges at all. The best part? I am down 2 pounds in the past 23 days. I know 2 pounds isn't a lot, but if someone told me I would be able to quit and not gain weight (forget actually LOSING weight), I would have signed right up.

Congratulations on your success! I am fired up for you, I am fired up for me, and I am fired up for everyone on here that has quit!

This is our new life. We are non-smokers. We believe in ourselves. We are free!

Awesome!! I actully loss 2 lbs after i quit too lol..

Congrats, amazing! I need to start soon. Went cold turkey 9 years ago, SO EASY.....and stupid enough let 1 cig put me back to the dark side. I will bookmark and read this regularly to remind me how do-able it is.

You can do it!!! Lets encourage each other..