Are you committed or just interested?

(RP)

Sort of need this for myself and hope it helps someone else stay in check too. Commitment is what changes the path we take. I am fully committed this time around.

Adam
D17

From JKFirefly on 3/30/2012 2:07:09 PM

Here’s what 100% COMMITTMENT looks like:
~ If you are committed to your goal then there are no excuses, only results
~ You have discipline – It’s just part of your daily practice
~ It’s a done deal
~ You’ve made the decision – you’re committed to making it happen
~ You don’t have to think about it anymore. The decision has been made – you’re doing it
~ There is no debate in your head
~ Life is easier and you have focus
~ This is not negotiable
~ You observe the boundaries you’ve made to make this happen
~ You turn up every day despite obstacles and not feeling like it no matter what the circumstances

Here’s what just being INTERESTED looks like:
~ You do it inconsistently – only when you remember or ‘feel like it’
~ You can find excuses NOT to do it
~ You wake up each morning fighting the voices in your head over whether to ‘do it’ today or ‘not’ or ‘I’ll start it tomorrow’
~ You make excuses during the day to justify your lack of commitment to this goal. “I haven’t got the time.” “It’s not my fault.” “I should have…” “I’m too tired.” “I deserve a day off.”
~ You make hesitant attempts to start but easily give up
~ You’re still fighting with the decision even though you’ve already made it
~ You (and the committee in your head) debates the topic over and over
~ You feel frustrated because you know what you should do, you just don’t do it!

http://www.elainebaileyinternational.com/wordpress/2010/04/are-you-committed-or-just-interested/

100% Committment looks a lot like being a Harda$$. Embrace it!!

Karen
453 days

What is the most difficult thing about quitting? (RP)

 I've been used to listening to the junky for way too long. The junky feeds off of fear. Whether it's success or failure, it's main focus is to get you to do that one thing you don't want to do...and that's take a puff. Today I remain smoke free and here is a great reminder from gummer of the truth behind how this addiction works on our minds.

Adam ~D17

(RP)

What is the most difficult thing about quitting ?
Repost from Gummer

... you THINKING that you cannot do it
... you THINKING that life will never be the same again
... you THINKING that you will never feel like yourself again
... you THINKING that you will always miss smoking
... you THINKING that you will never fully enjoy life again
... you THINKING that you will not be able to cope
... you THINKING that you won't be able to focus

The hardest part about quitting is not even real, it is what you FEAR, rather than what IS. It is a byproduct of the addiction that threatens you with all out panic at the thought of never smoking again. When you feel this way, recognize it, and remind yourself that it is just the addiction at work, and that there is nothing negative about quitting - not a single solitary thing. Addiction is what is causing all the misery and fear. What's more, as you move along your quit and the fog of addiction starts to lift, you will see that your fears were not only unfounded but that you actually prefer a smoke-free life than being chained to cigarettes merely to feel normal.

Don't make quitting difficult on yourself. Change the way you think about cigarettes and it will change the way you quit. Cigarettes do not make you feel good... they addict you and make you feel miserable.

Building Quit Muscle (RP)

My main focus right now is building my quit muscle. Whether the crave or trigger is big or small, each moment is a victory and the muscle grows, especially in those tough times. So as Gummer says, don't let craves and withdrawals discourage you, they are just the resistance you are training against!

 

Adam

 

(RP)

 

You know how you build muscle

From gummer on 10/20/2010 2:41:18 PM

... by lifting weights? Or by exercising and focusing on your weaknesses?

You know how you learn a foreign language by immersing yourself in it? By scrunching up your brain and forcing it to do things that don't come naturally?

Quitting is no different. Quitting happens when you actively fight your desire to smoke, when you resist the temptation when it is all around you. You are not quitting when you are sitting on the couch watching a movie like a bump on a log. But you are quitting when you are frantic to meet a deadline and you are all stressed out and you don't smoke. You are also quitting when you meet a friend at a bar and you don't smoke even though that is all you want to do. It is during these times that you are building quit muscle. So don't let cravings and withdrawals discourage you. They are simply the resistance you are training against. They are the additional weights, the extra sit-ups that make your eye's bulge, they are the foreign words you stretch to grasp, the sentences you can't quite pronounce. 

When quitting is hard, remember that you ARE making progress, even if it doesn't feel that way. Because when quitting is hard... that is PRECISELY when you are learning, and getting stronger, and moving forward. When you engage the addiction and emerge smoke free, THAT is when you are quitting. That is what will free you.

Be patient.

Be optimistic.

Be persistent.

You will succeed.

Gummer

"It sure was a struggle to get here"....(RP)

Though my quit is young, I can already relate with the fact that when I am smoke free, it is an amazing feeling to be able to do as I want, go where I want, come and go as I please without some addiction controlling me every step of the way. I already feel so much more freedom only 10 days in and these are thoughts I keep as constant reminders of where I came from and the misery I am escaping by committing to being smoke free!

Adam ~D10 

(RP)
 
It sure was a struggle to get here...
From lighthousekeep on 2/10/2011 12:03:20 PM

and I cannot tell you exactly when I *arrived*.

Perhaps it was when I started to notice the crave waves of mine were all but dead.

Or perhaps a year or two back when I noticed some folks scurrying around to find a place to smoke at a busy airport after just getting in.

Or the poor sods who stand out in 25 below zero weather having to have that smoke and I stand inside with hot cup of coffee gazing out the warm window.

All I know is that it dawned on me at some point along the Way that since I Quit Smoking, I come and go as I please, where I please, as I please; freed of all those chains , shackles and fetters from that Filthy Dungeon of Addiction I rotted in for 40 too long years.

These are just some of the Fruits of a Quit, my friends~~

Relish them Daily!!!

greg

1762 days, 19 hours, 22 minutes and 28 seconds smoke free. 70512 cigarettes not smoked. $17,101.10 and 17 months, 28 days, 15 hours of my life saved! My quit date: 4/14/2006 3:30:00 PM

The Other Side of "Romancing the Cigarette"....(RP)

It's time to focus on the true side of what smoking has to offer. NOTHING. When quitting, the addict in our brain likes to feel deprived and find the smallest of things to tell us that we can't quit, now is not the time. It also tries to get us to romance and remember times in our head when smoking a cigarette made everything perfect. But there is a reality behind these fake notions that feel so real and confuse us if we really take a moment and be honest with ourselves....FACE REALITY!

Adam 

 (RP)

The Other Side of Romacing

We talk a lot about Not Romancing the Cigarette and that is Good Advice, but what is Romancing? 

Is it walking by a smoker and thinking I sure wish that was me, or Damn I wish I could have one of those? You may have a bad day and think smoking will ease the pressure you feel, but for the most part you don't finish dinner and think "I sure wish I had a cigarette!" sure you may get the trigger outta habit, but most of us brush it off and try to move on, we distract ourselves like we were taught and if you don't then You are Romancing.

We define Romancing (or I do) as painting a picture of Cigarettes making this situation better or more relaxing or being under pressure or stress and telling ourselves that a Cigarette will make it better, or any thoughts that rationalizes a moment in which you tell yourself Smoking will make it better, But what about the other side?
 
The other side, the side we don't talk much about because it's not Pretty. We can't dress it up or give it cute names like Ole Nic or Romancing, the other side is the Addiction, the Monster that we can not get away from, the Addiction. It is Faceless, Colorless, Tasteless, but it is there, it is Real. We can beat it down for a while, but it always seems to find a way to work it's way back into our minds.

You get a trigger and you brush it off, just like you were taught.
15 minutes later you get the same trigger again, brush it off again and again. This process can go on and on for hours. Are you Romancing, I don't think so, but we don't talk about this because it's Hard, it is Really Hard and their is no one there to help, just you and this Damn Thought that you can not get out of your head, just you and this Addiction.

We fight every day to stay Smoke free, some of us fight every minute, so why is that, why, why, why do some get the easy road and others don't.....Because we are Addicts and Addiction effects all of us Different, just like relapse happens for different reasons. It is not always romancing, sometimes you just get tired, tired of the fighting, fighting hour after hour, fighting Ole Nic and if you smoke the fight is over. You get tired of fighting, you become Mentally Exhausted, you just get tired of fighting the Mental Battle and Give Up.

I have come to believe that outside forces are not responsible for my reactions or choices. Addiction is faceless, mindless, stupid -- not cunning or baffling. It just is. Addiction says "use", and I don't put my dukes up to fight, I don't argue or rationalize. The addictive thought is "use" and my response is "no". End of dialog.

Use your tools, Distract, delay,breath deep, change your thought process, call a friend but don't Smoke. This Demon we call Ole Nic is nothing more than an addiction, it is not cunning, or smart or any of the cute things I've read about, it is an Addiction and it will be with us all the days of our lives...
Romancing it is not a option, but Beware that is not the only approach this addiction uses.

Rick
D256

If you don't feed it, it will die...(RP)

This is what I'm realizing. Not only with quitting smoking, but finding more positivity in life. Whether bad things are happening in life, if we keep doing the things that offer love and positive vibes, that's what we'll feel and put back into the universe.

If we feed the negative thoughts, we'll believe them and focus on them instead of the good in a situation.

It reminds me of when Mother Teresa said, "don't be anti-war, be pro-peace."

Adam ~D9

(RP)

From melder7 on 1/2/2012 9:49:36 AM


You’ll hear that a LOT in here from those with some time under their belt. The reason they emphasize this simple message is because it’s the key to success. No matter how long you smoked…how much you smoked…what your environment is like…who your friends are….why you are doing this…….

THIS is the constant….for all of us.

IF YOU STOP FEEDING IT IT WILL DIE.

Ah …… you say….well I stopped feeding the monster X number of days ago and as far as I’m concerned it’s not only alive……it’s growing.

Hmmmm…….well that’s strange…..how can that possibly be……that seems to go against what so many are preaching……..is it possible that there are exceptions to this rule?

Nope.

Feeding the monster is not always the physical act of lighting up.

As long as you continue to fantasize about all the things you THOUGHT smoking did for you……you continue to keep it alive.

Kill the damn thing once and for all.

Quit feeding it by remembering it for what it REALLY was.

Quit feeding it by telling yourself that you CAN’T …or that you’re weak….or that this isn’t the right time.

Quit feeding it by allowing yourself to think that YOU are the exception to the “no such thing as just one” rule….If you were you wouldn’t be here.

Stand your ground and freedom is yours for the taking.

Starve the beast out.

If you want this bad enough you CAN do anything.



maureen
3430 days of NOT feeding my addiction to smoking

Smoking CAN be beaten

Portrait of Successful Quitters (RP)

Here is a great and positive outline on what to do and feel when successfully quitting. Staying positive and true to your quit is key and this couldn't be more well written!

Adam

(RP)

A Portrait of Successful Quitters by Fred Kelley
 
Success leaves clues. These clues are a road map you can follow to improve your chances of becoming a successful quitter. Smokers who quit successfully have common characteristics, and take common steps along the road to becoming an ex-smoker.

You can follow those steps. You can duplicate them. There is no copyright or patent on the steps necessary to quit smoking. 

The formula for successfully quitting smoking is not a closely guarded trade secret like the formula for Coke or the recipe for Kentucky Fried Chicken. All who wish to copy the success of other quitters may do so, freely.

Here, then, is a portrait of successful quitters.
Successful quitters are motivated. They have reached a point in their lives where they have become disgusted or concerned about the effects smoking has on their lives and/or the lives of people around them.
Successful quitters are honest with themselves. Smokers tell themselves many lies to help justify smoking. Quitters acknowledge the dangers of smoking.

Successful quitters stop making excuses. There never will be a perfect time or situation or alignment of the stars to quit smoking.

Successful quitters accept responsibility for their habit. They acknowledge that they made the decision to start smoking, and that no one else can quit for them. They quit blaming their parents or the tobacco companies or anyone else.

Successful quitters admit they have a weakness and an addiction. They also understand there is no shame in the addiction.

Successful quitters admit they may need help and are willing to seek outside support.

Successful quitters plan their quit. They write down goals, dates, obstacles, etc.

Successful quitters set a quit date.

Successful quitters develop a belief in themselves and their own ability to overcome smoking. Without self-belief, smokers rarely quit. Successful quitters seek ways to improve the belief that they can quit.

Successful quitters usually make several attempts to quit before finally quitting permanently. Persistence and determination are critical to quitting.

Successful quitters become very attuned to what triggers their smoking; then they eliminate as may triggers as possible. For example, many smokers like to light up when they go to a bar. By avoiding the bar scene, quitters eliminate this trigger.

Successful quitters find a quit buddy to support them. Family members or friends can often quit smoking together, and support each other in the process. 
Resources on the Internet are also available to help smokers find support buddies.

Successful quitters remove barriers to quitting. Simple steps such as disposing of all cigarettes, lighters and ashtrays remove the temptation to smoke.

Successful quitters are willing to make tough choices. For example, quitters may have to distance themselves from friends or family who smoke.

Successful quitters are willing to experience the discomfort of quitting. Withdrawal symptoms keep many smokers from quitting. Successful quitters tolerate the symptoms and learn how to deal with them so they can quit. They understand that most things in life worth fighting for require some effort and discomfort.

Successful quitters see themselves as non-smokers. They have a specific goal or vision in mind.

Successful quitters begin exercise programs. Exercise relieves stress, counteracts weight gain that many quitters experience, heightens feelings of well-being, and makes quitting easier.

Successful quitters are willing to try nicotine patches and gum, Zyban and other smoking cessation aids. These products don't help everyone, but they do have a proven track record.

Successful quitters meditate. Meditation helps reduce stress and clear the mind.

Successful quitters often seek a higher power to help them as they struggle against their addiction and cravings. Spiritual support makes most anything easier to accomplish.

Successful quitters alter their diet. Fruits, vegetables and more water can serve as substitutes for cigarettes, while helping the body heal.

Successful quitters help others quit. They feel a sense of duty to share what they have learned, so others can become smoke-free.

Successful quitters reward themselves for staying smoke-free. They make a list of rewards, both large and small, that they give themselves the longer they remain off cigarettes.

Successful quitters remain on guard for months or even years after they quit, knowing that all it takes is one puff to start smoking again.

By following in the footsteps of successful quitters, you can dramatically improve your chances of quitting smoking. Begin working today to adopt these success traits so you, too, can be a portrait of a successful quitter.