I set my quit date 7 days ago and here I am. Day one. It's a bit scary.

Hi Ted, I've also been smoking more than 50 years. My quit date is 7 days away, so I'm watching you with interest. Let me know how it goes. Don't desert me. Don't let me down. You are now my role model. You are a nonsmoker

When I was ready...when I was sick and tired of the fear...of my lungs whistling Dixie...the stink...and the morning hack...quitting was easy. I SO didn't want to do it anymore. Only thinking about it...was really hard.

Hello Paidi,

I am now on Day 2. I am thrilled to have a partner on this journey, and promise to be totally honest with you throughout - until all this is in the distant past. Due to other health issues, I am also on a very strict diet, so I am dealing with sugar withdrawal at the same time. But that is not relevant here. Day 1 for me was "strange" - I thought I wouldn't know what to do, but I just kept occupied and the day passed quite easily because I DIDN'T think constantly about not smoking. Today is day 2 and I have thought about it a bit, but here's what has surprised me most of all...It isn't so hard as I thought! For me this day is nearly over and I am not climbing the walls as I thought I would be. I am a non smoker, I am a non smoker...over and over in my mind I say this when the mood strikes and I am doing well. I am taking CHAMPIX tablets which is directly for giving up smoking and I don't know if it is these that are making it so easy for me, but I started them a week before my quit date, so I think that helped too - that I was taking these tablets knowing that I was approaching that first day. Another thing I did was ask people not to mention it, the giving up process I mean. It may be different for you but for me it is a personal thing. Lastly, I am not afraid of failing. If I do, I will simply get back with the quit program as if I temporarily fell off my horse, but still have to ride a long way home. Honestly, it is easier than I thought. Good luck my friend. I am with you.

Hi Kramo, know what you mean about the whistling dixie and the rest of it. This is only my second day, and I am doing ok. I already have emphysema so it was imperative that I give up smoking, but I fought it for a long time. Often I was the only smoker in a place and it didn't bother me at all. I will be interested in how you are getting on. I admire you for just "doing it"...I am using CHAMPIX tablets and it took me a long time to make the commitment.

Hi Ted, I also repeat I am a non-smoker. I take deep breaths and remind myself how wonderful it is to breathe deeply without a chest rattle or need to cough. On the odd occasion, I have a rough spot I just keep telling myself that I beat the last rough spot and I will beat this one too because I am a non-smoker now. Good Luck Ted and everyone reading!

Hey there Sad_Mushroom (can I just call you Mushroom? Thanks for your note. You know, the little messages I am getting are giving me genuine strength and joy. Thank you all for taking the time to write. I am interested in everyone's stories, successes and failures and feelings. It all helps. As this is only my second day, as yet I haven't had what I would call a rough patch - well, not really rough. I sort of miss smoking like missing an old friend, only I know that friend was killing me. All I am focusing on is getting through one day at a time. I am a non smoker.

Hi Ted67. Some friendships are toxic. Our relationship with nicodemon has been one of those. Best to move on and cut ties. Besides, there are far more caring souls in this community than out belated so called friend...

Good Morning Lia (pretty name by the way). Can't quite believe it has only been 4 days since I quit. It's hard at the moment. It's more the unconscious habits that are hard to break - you know, a smoke after a meal or with a cup of tea - and that first one in the morning. I am having to create new things to do at those times. Plus the constant "I am a non-smoker" mantra that runs through my head.

Hey Paidi, You have been quiet. How are you going?