*CELEBRATING ONE MONTH SMOKE FREE*

[Peterlock]

Hi Folks,

Today marks one month since I've quit smoking, according my little read out at sharemeter.com it says the following:

"I have now stopped smoking for 1 months, 15 hours, 5 minutes, 7 seconds. That translates into 1862 cigarettes NOT smoked, for a savings of $488.77! I have increased my life expectancy by 6 days, 11 hours, 13 minutes, 33 seconds"

It's hard to believe ~ especially looking back at my posts that more or less defended my position to smoke, to justify it somehow and to further convince myself that quitting for me, at that time was impossible. Oh how stupid I was.

I've made a vow to myself to never become one of those zealot non smokers who carry a podium around with them where ever they go ~ but I do have a few words to anyone out there who is still smoking.

• *There is no right, better or more comfortable time to quit than this moment.
  
  *Smoking isn't cumulative, smoking less or smoking more it doesn't matter. Your half a pack a day can be infinitely more lethal to you than my three pack a day habit was to me.
  
  *I thought for a long time that smoking was my right, my choice. But that implies freedom of choice which can't be applied to an addict. Smokers are addicts -- there is no "choice" involved, not for addicts.
  
  *You really only think you enjoy smoking, taste buds don't register smoke as a flavor, there's nothing to enjoy. The next cigarette you light up relives your craving for more nicotine that's all it is. It's the brief momentary relief of withdrawal pangs. Enjoyment and Pleasure is not the relief of discomfort.
  
  *Withdrawal from nicotine takes three days, it's virtually painless and ridiculously subtle. In our minds we make it huge and oppressive but in reality it only feels a little bit like hunger, it doesn't wake you at night or disturb your sleep, it's really so mild you hardly notice it and after a mere 72 hours - it's gone completely.
  
  *Psychologically - it's much more difficult, that's really where the real battle takes place, the physical part is a cake walk.
  
  *A huge help to me in my decision to quit was the book "The Easy Way To Quit Smoking" by Allen Carr. I never would have discovered it had people here not recommend it to me, I read it three days into my quit and was a huge help and continues to help as a guide and reference.

Millions of copies have been sold all over the world, 95% of the people who read it never smoke a cigarette again. I look at it this way, Allen Carr is too Nicotine what Dr. Atkins is to carbs and Sugar - they both do a spectacular job at exposing a tremendous lie.

Thank you to everyone who has sent me notes of encouragement both public and private, the support has been of more value than you'll ever know. If you're reading this and you're still smoking go to www.amazon.com And type in "The Easy Way To Stop Smoking" you don't have to buy it just read the reviews by people from all over the world.

Reviews by people who had no intention of quitting, turned that last page and never lit up again - or wanted too.

What have you got lose?

Peter ha

[Laurenfra]

:hug :hug :hug :icondance :icondance :icondance :icondance

We're having a party!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Peter is the guest of honor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Way to go Peter, We are all very proud of you!

[2big4mysize]

congrats on making it this far.

Are you saving that extra money in a specal account to spend when you hit a specail amount of days smoke free?

[**Nikki**]

I'm so sorry I haven't seen this post, well actually I haven't been over here. But Peter you know I love you sweetie, and



I know smoking was a big thing for you, as sugar for me and **hmm..hmm.** the spirits. I'm so glad you're smoke free, and you're such an inspiration here, you give details and all of yourself when you post! Kiss the babies for me dahling. :hug

[tabekat]

:joy :joy :joy

I couldn't be happier for you Peter.
As always, you re-invent the wheel.
I'm singing for you....

Just once in a lifetime,
A man knows a moment--
One wonderful moment
When Atkins takes his hand.

And this is your moment--
Your once in a lifetime--
When you can explore
A new and exciting land.

For once in your lifetime
You feel like a giant!
You soar like an eagle,
As though you had wings!

For this is your moment--
Your destiny calls you
I know it won't be just once in your lifetime,
You're gonna do great things!

:guns :guns :guns

[tabekat]

:joy :joy :joy

I couldn't be happier for you Peter.
As always, you re-invent the wheel.
I'm singing for you....

Just once in a lifetime,
A man knows a moment--
One wonderful moment
When Atkins takes his hand.

And this is your moment--
Your once in a lifetime--
When you can explore
A new and exciting land.

For once in your lifetime
You feel like a giant!
You soar like an eagle,
As though you had wings!

For this is your moment--
Your destiny calls you
I know it won't be just once in your lifetime,
You're gonna do great things!

:guns :guns :guns

[tabekat]

:joy :joy :joy

I couldn't be happier for you Peter.
As always, you re-invent the wheel.
I'm singing for you....

Just once in a lifetime,
A man knows a moment--
One wonderful moment
When Atkins takes his hand.

And this is your moment--
Your once in a lifetime--
When you can explore
A new and exciting land.

For once in your lifetime
You feel like a giant!
You soar like an eagle,
As though you had wings!

For this is your moment--
Your destiny calls you
I know it won't be just once in your lifetime,
You're gonna do great things!

:guns :guns :guns

[Laurenfra]

Nice!

[Richt]

Fantastic news Peter, keep it up.

Rich

[DebbietheHugBug]

:clapping :clapping :clapping :clapping :clapping

We are all so very proud of you, Peter!!!

I know you've had days like :censor and :bang and :guns and :whip

but we all give you :ThumbsUp and :sympathy

Hang in there!