Congratulations, Ralphie, on making the smartest decision you've ever made for yourself. You just may be saving your own life right now!
Remember that the most successful quitters are the people who PLAN ahead on how they will handle their cravings. This keeps you from being blindsided and caught off balance without knowing how to handle a craving when it hits you.
Have ideas on a list of things you can do instead of smoking when an urge strikes. Get up and go take the trash out. Play Solitaire with real cards. Go out to the patio and do jumping jacks. Change your shoelaces. Drink a glass of ice water. Rearrange your desktop. Play Angry Birds. Come here to EX and read blogs. Get the idea? These are easily-accomplished, short tasks. The idea is to simply distract your brain and your hands until the urge passes. Keep your list close by and use it when a craving hits you.
Above all else, make SURE that you do not have access to cigarettes. There should be NO WAY you can get your hands on a cigarette easily. If you are "saving" any or have a secret cig "stashed" somewhere, you must get rid of it. Eliminate the option, Ralphie.
Congratulations on Day 1, Ralphie! You can do this! Stay close to these blogs and don't even THINK about picking up a cigarette without FIRST coming to EX and blogging for help and support. Hang in there. It does get easier after the first few days.
