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Tell a newbie how how many seconds a day you still want a cigarette

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Joel	Tell a newbie how how many seconds a day you still want a cigarette		Lead	[-]
Jun 23 01 4:15 PM	Tags : None I am starting a parade today, this is a first. Along with your quit meters giving your statistics of how long you have been off cigarettes, how much money you have saved, how much time of life saved you have racked up (in my opinion the most important variable in this meter) also write down how many time or how many seconds or minutes in a typical day you really find yourself wanting a cigarette. The odds are pretty good longer term ex-smokers will only have a few seconds on any given day. Even people off a week if seriously analyzing the number will come up with a few hundred seconds. While this may sound scary, consider the fact that there are 86,400 seconds in a day. People who are just quitting today may answer this question with 86,400 seconds. But if they watch the responses of others they will likely see a clear progression of how over time, the need for nicotine does in fact start to dissipate. So join on in. By the way, if you are not sure of the number of seconds wait a few days, time your own results and attach it to here later. Weeks from now if need be. This string can serve as a clear mesage that life will get easier for all new members if they just hang in over time. Hopefully it will serve all in their quest to never take another puff!
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Nora (Gold)	Tell a newbie how how many seconds a day you still want a cigarette	#1	[url]	[-]
Jun 23 01 3:21 PM	Hello Joel After smoking an average of 1 1/2 packs a day for 26 years I have now been free for Ten months, two weeks, four days, 2 hours, 9 minutes and 58 seconds. 9662 cigarettes not smoked, saving $724.70. Life saved: 4 weeks, 5 days, 13 hours, 10 minutes. Yesterday I had a thought about smoking for about 5 seconds when I came in from outside. It was not strong, just a thought. This is not a daily occurence. I had been taking meds for a sinus problem and I think it stirred up something in my lungs because I had my second smoking dream a couple of nights ago. I hadn't expected that so far into my quit but it did happen. To all you Newbies and lurkers out there, GO FOR IT. It is very worthwhile. Nora
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GrumpyOMrsS (Gold)	Tell a newbie how how many seconds a day you still want a cigarette	#2	[url]	[-]
Jun 23 01 4:28 PM	Well, good morning Joel and hello all Freedomites! What a special surprise!! For me, I have not entertained any thoughts of smoking since my third week. If I think of a cigarette at all, it is at work when I smell my customers or have to sell them cigarettes. And then I say to myself....am I ever glad I quit. I have absolutely NO desire to ever take another puff and it's been that way since the beginning of my quit. For those of you finding it a little difficult at the beginning, know that life without smoking is absolutely wonderful!! Congratulations to each and everyone of you on your first official smokefree weekend of the summer. Enjoy it and live it to its fullest....and remember....never take another puff. After smoking for 41 years...I have been smokefree for one year, five months, two weeks, five days, 20 hours, 14 minutes and 59 seconds. 10736 cigarettes not smoked, saving $1,610.40. Life saved: 5 weeks, 2 days, 6 hours, 40minutes............and I have no desire or thoughts to ever take another puff. Linda Edited 1 time by FreedomNicotine Feb 20 09 9:32 PM.
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John (Gold)	Tell a newbie how how many seconds a day you still want a cigarette	#3	[url]	[-]
Jun 23 01 4:49 PM	Hi Ya Newbies! Welcome to Freedom! After smoking three packs a day for thirty years and now being quit 2 years and 1 month the average number of seconds each day that I spend thinking about me smoking a cigarette is: *Zero !!!!!!!* In fact, I have not had a single "crave" (a short yet extremely power anxiety attack for a smoke) since about day 60 of my quit and during all of the year 2000 I only "thought" ("I wish I had a cigarette right now" type thinking) about smoking twice, for a total of maybe 40 seconds, and once it was done on purpose just to see if I still could : )) I have now been free and healing for 2 Years 1 Month 1 Week 12 Hours 43 Minutes 47 Seconds and there should be an extra 46,171 cigarettes somewhere. Withdrawal is Temporary! Breathe deep, hug hard, live long YQB Zep : ) Edited 1 time by FreedomNicotine Feb 20 09 9:33 PM.
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Teeisfree GOLD	Tell a newbie how how many seconds a day you still want a cigarette	#4	[url]	[-]
Jun 23 01 5:55 PM	Hope I did this right and used the hyperlink. I am quit 3 months (pack a day plus)and some days don't even think about smoking. If I do it is never for more than a minute or two.Most days it is ZERO seconds-I just don't even think about it anymore.It does get easier.
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AddictedtoEverything	Tell a newbie how how many seconds a day you still want a cigarette	#5	[url]	[-]
Jun 23 01 5:58 PM	Hi to all who have recently entered the world of the "Smokefree." Here are my stats Four months, one week, two days, 23 hours, 48 minutes and 51 seconds. 5199 cigarettes not smoked, saving $1,039.60. Life saved: 2 weeks, 4 days, 1 hour, 15 minutes. And, ya know how many seconds a day I devote to craving a cig...maybe about ten.....and that is at the most. Usually, a megasecond is spent forgetting that I quit. Trust all of us.........the pain and misery passes, and it happens quickly. Hang in there....the rewards of being smokefree are worth it. Mary
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Curly (green)	Tell a newbie how how many seconds a day you still want a cigarette	#6	[url]	[-]
Jun 23 01 6:21 PM	I haven't had a craving (weak or strong) since about my 2nd week; I have had thoughts about cigarettes, though not many - when I find myself staring at someone with a cig, or paying more attention to the person on TV smoking rather than the TV show itself, I've been able to tell myself "Look at them, killing themselves. Glad I'm not there anymore!" after only a couple of seconds. Basically, as soon as the thought comes in, I get it out. It's really that simple - and ((Newbies)), YOU can do it too! Edited 1 time by FreedomNicotine Feb 20 09 9:34 PM.
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Theresa	Tell a newbie how how many seconds a day you still want a cigarette	#7	[url]	[-]
Jun 23 01 8:50 PM	First off, Welcome to Freedom - and congratulations on your choice to quit! My quit meter says that I have been nicotine free for Two months, six days, 17 hours, 44 minutes and 24 seconds. 1151 cigarettes not smoked, saving $215.92. Life saved: 3 days, 23 hours, 55 minutes. In an average day in my life right now I probably think about wanting to smoke only a few minutes a day. I think about NOT wanting to smoke twice as much. (mostly while I am here reading and learning other times when I see a smoker in public I think how glad I am that I don't smoke anymore). Not Smoking is GREAT! Freedom Rules! Edited 1 time by FreedomNicotine Feb 20 09 9:34 PM.
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cathym (GREEN)	Tell a newbie how how many seconds a day you still want a cigarette	#8	[url]	[-]
Jun 23 01 10:07 PM	Thanks Joel for a very perplexing theme...I say perplexing cuz now I have to stop and really think....First of all I started to think about all the times I used to think about it but almost never do anymore...first thing in the morning, after meals, even driving is finally becoming manageable., my walk at work finally feels like just a walk and not a reminder of what I am NOT doing on my lunch hour..I think I still think about it, but I can't say it's the same as WANTING ONE....mostly the smell possibly makes me remember that ahhhhh feeling that I know now I cannot have...but again it's not exactly WANTING ONE...see how difficult it is to separate the two...I think the junkie that is still in me would like for them to be the same, but they aren't...so I will say (excluding this past week which has been most stressful at work) not more than several seconds in any one day and some days, maybe not at all...at first the weekends were the hardest, now that has almost reversed itself... so when I really think about it, I have to say that I MUST THINK ABOUT IT, TO EVEN COME UP WITH A FIGURE....it's like I almost forget about it...I mean it's like even if I do, I just accept it and get on with it, as Heike would say....it's so worth it and I know that it will continue to even get better....and YES UNTIL YOU LURKERS EXPERIENCE IT YOURSELVES, YOU WILL NEVER KNOW (BUT HOPEFULLY WILL!!!) HOW FREEDOM DOES RULE...... YQS CATHY One month, three weeks, two days, 13 hours, 14 minutes and 24 seconds. 1071 cigarettes not smoked, saving $160.65. Life saved: 3 days, 17 hours, 15 minutes.
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Steve (green)	Tell a newbie how how many seconds a day you still want a cigarette	#9	[url]	[-]
Jun 23 01 10:07 PM	Hi Joel, Thank you for this discussion. I am a newbie at just 1 month, 2 weeks, 2 days. I still think about smoking quite often. I would say at least a half an hour day. I was worried about this but now that I have written it down I realize that really isn't to bad, considering I used to think about smoking about every half hour or so. the worst time for me is when I'm really busy and minding my own business when bam!! Suddenly I want a cigarette. For no apparent reason. But i do realize that I think much more about not smoking than I do about smoking. I just long for the first day when I realize I never even thought about it. That will be the day I'm really free. Steve
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Keilit (Gold )	Tell a newbie how how many seconds a day you still want a cigarette	#10	[url]	[-]
Jun 23 01 10:56 PM	This is me, the VERY proud ex-smoker and I can honestly say that I think about smoking 0 percent of most days. Once a week I might get a second or two thought, but then it's gone so fast I don't even pause to acknowledge it anymore!! I am so glad I quit. I no longer ride the ups and downs of my addiction, but am free to enjoy the peace and calm I now have in my life. Never take another puff!!!! -Heather One month, three weeks, 5 hours, 46 minutes and 2 seconds. 522 cigarettes not smoked, saving $111.01. Life saved: 1 day, 19 hours, 30 minutes to spend with my daughter and my new boyfriend!! Edited 1 time by FreedomNicotine Feb 20 09 9:35 PM.
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amcanuck ( GOLD )	Tell a newbie how how many seconds a day you still want a cigarette	#11	[url]	[-]
Jun 23 01 11:03 PM	This is a really good idea for a parade. A lot of times I dont get to be in the parade because I dont have computer access at work. So Im especially glad to see that Joel chose a Saturday for it. I have very few actual thoughts of wanting a smoke. Maybe a few times a week I picture myself having one,but those thoughts last only about 5 seconds each,and are easily forgotten. I spend other time reflecting on wishing I had never smoked,and what it has done to me. But those thoughts just compell me to come to Freedom and see if I can lend a hand in a quit as others did for me. I have been quit for 4M 3W and 3Ds. ................And you know what? Quitting smoking really was only hard at the beginning.........amcanuck Edited 1 time by FreedomNicotine Feb 20 09 9:38 PM.
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Joanne Gold	Tell a newbie how how many seconds a day you still want a cigarette	#12	[url]	[-]
Jun 23 01 11:42 PM	Hi Joel, great idea! Here are my statistics.... Two years, four months, three weeks, six days, 14 hours, 32 minutes and 29 seconds. 17572 cigarettes not smoked, saving $3,074.97. Life saved: 8 weeks, 5 days, 20 minutes. I no longer crave cigarettes and can't remember the last time I did. It really is amazing because during those early days I would have found that hard to believe. : ) It is important for all new quitters to understand that the comfort does come. If you face any challenges - consider them temporary. It gets better with every new day. The benefits are incredible. Be sure to work through it one day at a time. Love and hugs to all! Joanne Edited 1 time by FreedomNicotine Feb 20 09 9:42 PM.
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Patticake (Gold)	Tell a newbie how how many seconds a day you still want a cigarette	#13	[url]	[-]
Jun 24 01 12:31 AM	I have to be honest here and say that not a day goes by that I don't have a 'smoking thought'. I smoked for 40+ years and that is the majority of my life to date. A smoker is who I was, it was a part of my life and I know realistically for me it will take time for those memories to fade. But the thoughts are fleeting and I find I am able to push them further and further into my 'not very important to think about department'. However I do take care in my acknowledgement of them as I take care to maintain control over them. Personally I think I'll probably always have the thoughts, as I said it was a part of who I am. It would be nice to think I could forever blot it from my memory, but I don't think I can do that. So let's say I think a few seconds several times a day. 5m, 6d, 6h, 4718ns, a saving of $778.28, LS: 2w, 2d, 9hrs, 10m, and happily counting. Antonia Oh yes our dear newbies, please note I said 'thought'. Thought only, cows will fly before I ever want one.
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Joel	Tell a newbie how how many seconds a day you still want a cigarette	#14	[url]	[-]
Jun 24 01 12:57 AM	Hello Patticake and Steve: I wanted to say to both of you that you should not be at all discouraged that you still think about smoking a few times a day. This is probably more the norm than the exception. What is important to note though is that if you total up the number of times a day and the total number of seconds or minutes a day it probably is a pretty low number. In contrast, think of how many times a day you wanted or needed to smoke when you were a smoker. That number is the number of cigarettes you smoked per day (maybe 20 to 40 times a day, depending on what you smoked) plus all the times you wanted to light one but because of smoking restrictions you could not. If you total these two numbers together they probably far outnumber the thoughts you have today. Also, if you think to how many times a day you may have thought about quitting, or at least wished you were not smoking when you were a smoker. That number too probably outnumbers the smoking thoughts you get today. Neither side is perfect, but this side is a whole lot better than the other. And this side does get easier and easier with time, the other side got worse and was killing you along the way. So again, neither side is perfect but this side is a whole lot better. To keep yourself on the road to recovery now just always remember to never take another puff! Joel
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mirigirl (silver)	Tell a newbie how how many seconds a day you still want a cigarette	#15	[url]	[-]
Jun 24 01 2:54 AM	How many seconds a day do I still want a cigarette?? I would have to say NONE! Have thoughts about smoking - what it was like, how I don't smoke now, pop into the Freedom Board, see people smoking etc etc...well yes.... but actually want a cigarette? NONE Crave for a cigarette? Physically? Absolutely NONE Crave for a cigarette..emotionally? Mentally? When under stress? Even then NONE And this is what totally amazes about my Freedom. I always thought that there would be some sort of ongoing struggle in staying Quit...eternally vigilant!?...well no... aware - yes! I am aware and accept I am a nicotine addict. I do remind my self each day that I 'm happy not to smoke, and then I get on with it. This is to me, the Freedom I NEVER thought possible.... and I haven't had an easy journey of it.. not that I've continually craved cigarettes...but the healing changes in my life triggered by my Quit have run deep....and I'm grateful for that. The fog of smoking has lifted from my life and I am free to look at other areas of my life. True Freedom has arrived and it came a lot quicker than I thought. To the newbie, all I can say is: Hang Tuff, Keep the Quit and Freedom will be Yours. yqs Maz NEVER TAKE ANOTHER PUFF!! Five months, three days, 8 hours, 56 minutes and 35 seconds of FREEDOM!! 3859 cigarettes not smoked, saving $1,235.31. Life saved: 1 week, 6 days, 9 hours, 35 minutes. Edited 1 time by FreedomNicotine Feb 20 09 9:43 PM.
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LadynRed (Bronze)	Tell a newbie how how many seconds a day you still want a cigarette	#16	[url]	[-]
Jun 24 01 3:28 AM	Hi All, This is a great topic and one that I really feel good after reading. Joel, your reply to Patticake and Steve made me feel good and feel quote/unquote 'normal," and I'll explain why: I would say that maybe 2 to 3 times a week I have a thought about smoking and thinking back to times when I smoked. It only lasts about 5 or 6 seconds and I quickly reinforce to myself the reasons I quit and it passes. I recently started a new job and during break I watch the puffers (they're outdoors, of course) and I can smell them and watch the dirty nasty habit of smoking and it turns me off. I watch them head for the door with the cigs in hand with their lighter as they rush out and light up at the end of the day....all of that stuff really makes me sooo glad I quit and really looking at the smoking habit for what it is: Dirty, smelly, nasty looking and downright stupid, yes stupid. But even with my attitude being that now, there are times when I feel an 'urge' hit and then think of those things (the nasty habit of smoking) and it passes pretty quickly, like I said, maybe 5 or 6 seconds. So, Joel, thank you for letting me know that it's normal, and I have a feeling that as time passes those 2 to 3 episodes a week will diminish. To all the newbies, please don't think I'm suffering in any way, I'm not, I've never felt better in my life, I smoked for 30 years. 5 or 6 seconds 2 or 3 times a week is NO BIG DEAL....most of the week I don't think of smoking at all. If I think of smoking, it's not that I'm thinking of smoking one, please let that be clear. I feel soooo free now, it's so worth it! YQS, Grace Four months, four days, 2 hours, 22 minutes and 54 seconds. 4963 cigarettes not smoked, saving $1,054.48. Life saved: 2 weeks, 3 days, 5 hours, 35 minutes.
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ZAREFAH	Tell a newbie how how many seconds a day you still want a cigarette	#17	[url]	[-]
Jun 24 01 4:07 AM	Hi Joel! After 35 years of smoking, 3/4 of my lifetime, here's my stats: One year, two weeks, five days, 22 hours, 52 minutes and 59 seconds. 7699 cigarettes not smoked, saving $1,231.85. Life saved: 3 weeks, 5 days, 17 hours, 35 minutes. How many seconds a day do I still want a smoke? NONE...EVER...NEVER! In the beginning all I could think of was the fact that I was not smoking. As I worked through the triggers, the process somehow reversed. At 6 months, I had a week that I swore I was craving every single day (it was a vacation and an entire new set of triggers.) When I came home, back to routine, I was stronger than ever. Sometime after 6 months, I realized I had come to accept the fact that I would never take another puff and that did not frighten me. I knew I was living better without my substance than I had with it. Deep down inside I began to feel like someone who didn't smoke. Amazing! I was able to change a lifetime's worth of triggers around in less than a year. I intend to keep on dancing for as long as the good Lord is willing! Big hugs, Joy Edited 1 time by FreedomNicotine Feb 20 09 9:44 PM.
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Kalie	Tell a newbie how how many seconds a day you still want a cigarette	#18	[url]	[-]
Jun 24 01 6:00 AM	Hi everyone!! I'm GREEN now with 1m 1d 19:13 smoke-free, 1,151 cigs not smoked, $287.75 saved, 3d 23:55 life saved...and I think about smoking probably only a few times a day for about ten seconds...and I'm getting stronger everyday!!! Kalie
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Mahree (Bronze)	Tell a newbie how how many seconds a day you still want a cigarette	#19	[url]	[-]
Jun 24 01 11:09 PM	Hi Joel, I read your question early this morning, but wanted to think a bit before I answered it. The Newbies, I hope, will see that the timing seems different for most people. I think that is important because over 40 years I quit many times. Mostly I would get discouraged because I did not smell the flowers, taste the food, get over feeling really sick and bad, within the time limits that were usually posted. On this final quit I am 2 months, 1 week, 6 days, 14 hours, 2984 cigs not smoked at a savings of $341.78 and a life savings of 1 week 3 days, 8 hours, and 40 minutes. Because of this web site I have managed the above stats. Here I have learned about being an addict, here I have learned that 72 hours are necessary to get rid of the nicotine in my body. Here I have learned that the first 3 weeks are not going to be wonderful. I will be dealing with cravings from habits learned over a life time. But, little by little the cravings get less as we meet and overcome each personal trigger. Now, I experience several times a day, bad cravings, but maybe due to CRS, I forget them before they become an issue. Much better to know what to expect and deal with it. Hugs from Mary
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Fat Tony GOLD	Tell a newbie how how many seconds a day you still want a cigarette	#20	[url]	[-]
Jun 25 01 3:20 AM	After five months two weeks and 2 days of abstinence I still crave cigarettes about as much as I did when I first quit.
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