Happy “Spotlight Day”!
Today, I’m excited to share with you some of this week’s most inspiring success stories and tips from the CBQ community. Since it’s Valentine’s Day on Friday, today’s spotlights have the theme of self-love.
Inspiring Milestone
This week, CBQ Program member Shelley Dubros from Ontario, Canada celebrated 4 years smoke-free! Shelley quit smoking on 11 February 2021, she was 69 years old at the time. In her own words shared on the CBQ Method Success Page “…been smoking for 55 yrs …I’ve tried hypnosis, laser, Champix pills, all nicotine substitutes, acupuncture, willpower, you name it.. I worked this CBQ program and the fascinating thing is that I haven’t had the urge to smoke.” And her advice is to “work the program.. do the coursework.. diligently..CBQ is a gift”
4 years later, at 73, she’s loving her life. So much so, she had even forgotten about her quit date.
This is Shelley with her CBQ Success Certificate:
Tip Of The Week – From A Former Smoker of 47 Years
This week’s tip comes from CBQ Program member Jodi Woods who celebrated 5 years smoke-free this week! Jodi quit smoking on February 11, 2020. She’s now the moderator of the CBQ Program Members-Only Community, and over the last 5 years, she has helped thousands of members with her wisdom and insights. Her advice is always spot-on. Our community would just not be the same without her.
Below is a great piece of advice from Jodi about cravings that you can use right away 🙂
Jodi’s Tip on Cravings
“Cigarette cravings are just doing their job because we “trained” them to remind us to smoke when certain triggers are present. If you keep that in mind as you are retraining your brain with healthier responses to a craving, they will soon stop reminding you to reach for a cigarette. This is what the program helps you to do…..retrain your craving mind by using replacement activities instead of smoking.
Many former triggers became a thing of the past once I quit. I don’t get triggered at all anymore when I drive my car🚗 , have my coffee ☕️ , talk on the phone📱 , after a meal🥘 , etc. Thank You CBQ👍♥️
☑️One trick I would sometimes use, and this may help you too if you are 🔹currently trying to cut down, 🔹have recently quit, or even 🔹are getting close to quitting is this:
🤔 Think of that craving as an “imaginary child”. This child is whining and bugging you for a cookie🍪 or a lollipop 🍭. You will not give in because in the past that’s how the child behaved in order to get its way. The child knows if the whining goes on you will eventually give in. But you are trying something new!
Then, the crying gets a little louder and the child adds a little foot stomping. But, you are not going to let this child make you give in. You calmly breathe through this scene and remind them that crying will not do them any good. Finally, it’s a full out temper tantrum.
Who’s the boss? You are! Are you going to give in? No, because you are the adult in control and know what’s best. Besides, if you distract the child with something else the tantrum will be over soon.
What might seem like forever is really only about 10 minutes. The craving will go away whether you smoke or not, so stay in control and replace the smoking with something else…..deep breathing, meditation, distraction.
Mind power is greater than willpower.”
This is Jodi with her CBQ Success Certificate:
And this is what Jodi shared about her 5-year milestone:
“Nasia I really must thank you for all of your inspiration and guidance that has made it possible for me to now help others. I’m still grateful every single day that smoking can no longer control me and my entire day.
It’s really true about quitting being as easy as changing our relationship with smoking.
I think about smoking every day, almost all day long and yet I have absolutely no desire to smoke and can’t imagine any scenario that would ever lead me back to smoking.
Going from feeling ‘hopeless’ in all my former unsuccessful quit attempts to ‘hopeful’ when I came across your program, to being able to be ‘helpful’ now to others is truly an incredible feeling.
It’s my pleasure to share my learnings and past experiences with this community and it’s possible because of your amazing program, your past experiences and dedication, from one smoker to non smoker at a time. You’re changing so many lives”
New Ask An Ex Interview
Could one year change your life forever?
At 69 years old, Charles never imagined it was possible—but that’s exactly what he did.
In just one year, he quit smoking after 50+ years, lost 20 pounds, and transformed every marker of his health. Now, he’s the healthiest he’s been in decades—and he feels amazing!
His story is truly inspiring.
Watch him share his journey in this brand-new Ask An Ex interview:
If you’ve ever thought, “I’m too old to change” or “The damage is already done,” Charles’ journey proves that transformation is always possible. His story offers invaluable hope and insights.
Today, I want to leave you with this thought:
What if quitting smoking was not a sacrifice but an act of self-love that opens the door to your happiest life?
To your freedom,
Nasia Davos
