So I haven't posted here in a while, I've been really busy trying to get ready to go back to school as a 30-year-old freshman (among other things.) Anyway, I decided about two months ago that I was going to give up smoking for good...I've tried a dozen times to quit, but I finally just realised that I was done with it. I've smoked for about fifteen years, and luckily never had any health problems (aside from the usual diminished stamina, not being able to walk up a flight of stairs without stopping, that sort of thing.) Today was my quit day.

Anyway, I'd just like to talk to some people here that have successfully quit and get some ideas on how to stay occupied or deal with it without losing my mind. Today's only my first day, so I know the next couple days are going to be the worst. Luckily, my state has a program where I get free nicotine patches as well as get to talk to a counselor for free, and all sorts of other stuff. The patch is definitely helping, although there's still that craving and oral fixation...and if I eat any more candy or anything, I'm going to throw up!

I keep reminding myself why I'm doing this (mostly for myself, for my daughter and for a very special girl in my life...today's her birthday and so I figured it was a good day to quit, especially since she's always bugging me about it!) I know it's for the best, and I know I'll save nearly $2000 a year! But still, that stuff has a way of making you just want to stab the nearest person for no apparent reason! I know if I can make it through the next three days or so, I'll be okay as far as the really bad cravings go (trust me, I've tried to quit many times, and the first three or four days are the absolute worst for me!)

Anyway, if there are any ex-smokers (or even people who just want to cheer me on), I could use the company!