Hi Jeff!

Yeah I'm playing the same game! It does seem masochist at times but it's the nature of addiction. I have faith that sooner or later one of the quits will be the last one! 

I don't dare say this is going to be the one, I'm taking one day at a time though. 

I also fell in love with working out on my previous quit. Having relapsed I found myself thinking ridiculous thoughts like "I can't start smoking again! Tomorrow is cardio day!" 

So I guess I'm not yet a confident ex smoker and I'm not a mindless smoker anymore. I'm paving the road between the two. Let's stop this silly game and quit for real this time! 

Let's guard our quits :) 

Thank you :) It is good to know  - It seemed such a strange way to feel but what you said makes sense! Yep - sadly a best (and reliable) friend through thick and thin for more years than I like to mention. 

Thank you very much! I really found it strange until you and @tinybadger made it quite obvious :) I feel more settled now, always good to find a reason for something and I have read all the info thank you again!

Thank you Jeff! Wise words and I am grateful for them. It is such a mind game - and I am disciplined across the board..... apart from this.

One day at a time is true, although right now it seems like one hour at time  - ha ha ha 

Thanks Again - Kittie

One hour at a time for me, too. There are times the clock seems to drag. I noticed today my jaw was hurting, and then this afternoon I realized that I've been clenching my teeth! Talk about white knuckling it through! I have lozenges, but I didn't even think about them. I just clenched the day away, apparently.

Hey Tiny,

Early on, whenever I had a craving, I would take that time to mindfully deep breath and force myself to relax and would notice I always had to force my jaw and shoulders to unclench.  You could even add some relaxing meditating music for additional benefit, even for 3 minutes. 

That's a great idea. I didn't even realize I was doing it! I need to be better at taking breaks and relaxing. I've been doing a guided morning meditation, but I should try using those same techniques throughout the day.

Since the cravings would come about every hour at the beginning, it was an “easy reminder” to “relax” by taking deep breaths mindfully relaxing.  Also, sucking ice water from a straw gives some relaxing also.

HI!

    I hope I can quit playing this game. I've read that most quitters don't succeed on the first try. That most quitters have a better chance of succeeding after multiple tries. I hope this is true and that this is the final one for me!

Good luck!

 It has been one hour at a time for me also early in my quits. But I've found that if I can hang on, fight each craving by using distractions, that they do let up.

Everyday the cravings and urges get a little less intense and a little further apart. They don't go away altogether for months, but you will notice that you can handle them a lot easier.  You can do this!

Good Luck!