You can do it!!!!

I am so rooting for you! I too set a quit date, ran out of smokes a day early and had to make a decision. Did I want to have a "smokefest" until my quit day, did I want to blow off the quit, did I want to just stop? I just stopped because I know if I had continued and allowed my "reasons" (aka stinkin' thinkin') would have insured that I continued smoking.
Okay, I am a long term quitter, got over 8 years into smobriety but we ALL start with day one. You got some great advice....change up your smoking patterns, try posting sticky notes all over the place of why you want to quit (bathroom mirrors, pillows, fave couch cushion, computer desk, you get the idea. Try mild exercise if it's something you can do. Take a brisk walk and watch the sun come up.....or go down....or both!
REWARD YOURSELF! This is so very important! Your brain is looking for that "ahhhhh" feel good stuff so give it to your brain! Try music, taking the scenic route, save what you would have spent on puffing poison and get something you thought you would never afford. Hubby got himself a golf club he always wanted, I got myself "girlie stuff". You might want a great pair of sunglasses, something special for your car.....just suggestions. BUT! Do a reward daily, cup of great blended coffee is a whole lot better than lighting up. You know what works best for you. Come here and read read read, post in the daily pledge and roll call, become accountable for this wonderful but challenging change you have chosen, make some friends, share what you got to share. I have been saying this since the day I quit.....2/13/07.....IF YOU WANT TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE THEN CHANGE YOUR MIND!

72 hours since my last puff!

My understanding is by now all the nicotine has cleared out of my system. The next big physiological change will be the down-regulation of acetylcholine receptors and they should return to pre-smoking levels within 21 days.

@LankeyYankee - The main thing I've noticed the last couple of days is being drained and just maybe a tad edgy by late afternoon. The evening dose of Chantix seems to take the edge off, but not the feeling of being drained. That I can live with for the next few days or week.

Willpower still has the upper hand over addiction, and I'm determined to keep it that way.

The exhaustion you feel is your body trying to recover....just go with it.
I took naps as often as I could. I suffer from anxiety as well, so napping helped with that as well.
You are doing great! Keep it up and do whatever it takes to keep your will power strong!

We're really proud of you, keep up the good spirit, you're doing Great !!

I'm late to this thread.
GOOD FOR YOU
There will never be a more difficult time than the first three days.
Isn't that a relief? ( not saying it's all cake now..but.. you're on your way!

Hugs
jc

As of 3:30 PM today (Tuesday, 3/24) it's been 7 days since my last puff.

The worst of the first 7 days was how drained I was by 6 or 7 PM. I think I slept more over those days than any week I can remember.

Physical cravings and psychological urgings have been very minimal. Of course I put on 5 or 6 pounds with all the snacks (mainly Extra Cheddar Goldfish!) I ate.

The tiredness seems to have passed and I started working out again today. It's something I do on and off, and lately it's been off.

I think I'm getting comfortable with the idea and flow of being free from tobacco, not to mention the feeling.

Hooray JASG!!!!!! You are doing great....keep it going.
I'm one of the lucky ones....I lost weight with my quit....but that is becuz I also was diagnosed with diabetes 1.5 years after I quit and I made a simple diet change. Lot's of changes for me. It took 2 years for me to start feeling better :)
I'm so happy that you are doing a great job and are over coming big obstacles to keep it going.
Reward yourself with every mile stone....you deserve it!

When I went to my doctor two weeks ago for a checkup and Chantix script, one of the last things he said is not to worry about gaining some weight. That could be worked on later.

My urge to snack has subsided. I think in part that was my brain screaming out for a dopamine reward because it wasn't getting it from nicotine. I was getting amazing hunger pains like I never had before and at times I never had them.

I just have to be disciplined about nutrition and working out and I'll easily take it off and then some and tone muscle too. I'll also improve both cardio and respiratory systems.

JASG, I have always advised the Newbies that ' you won't die from being a little over weight, but smoking WILL kill you'. I just love your attitude. Keep it going my friend

Yeah, I'm not worried about my weight. I'm very motivated now to keep my exercise routine going now that I resurrected it.

No big surprises with free weights, but I was pleasantly surprised with aerobics on the stationary bike. I wasn't able to get my heart rate into the aerobic range using the program I usually use. I'm going to have to up the intensity, but I think I'll go a couple of weeks 'as is' to break in. :-)

I really didn't expect the body to respond so positively in so short a time.

Congratulations!

Its so freeing....God bless.