I have no motivation to stop smokimg.
Replies
-
I think my new strategy is to write down every partial cigarette that I smoke and then do a tally at the end of the day. Hopefully a pattern will emerge and the accountability factor will help me get down to zero. It worked for my exercise and food, so perhaps it will work for smoking. Thanks so much for all the great responses! I am overwhelmed with gratitude! :flowerforyou:0
-
Because gyms do not have smoking sections.0
-
I am not or have never been a smoker. So "shut the heck up" you say. However, I did ignore the fact that I had diabetes for over 10 years...so I have suffered the same 'stupid' mentality of Russian Roulette.
First thing I did was read your profile. I am suggesting you go back and read what you typed. I believe everything you need to stop smoking is in YOUR OWN WORDS.
First
Your Children and Grandchildren
Second---Your AmAzINg weight loss journey--what a smart, disciplined, motivating story--THAT lady who wrote that story, followed those simple steps CAN DO ANYTHING.
THAT lady can certainly beat a stinky, expensive, LIFE altering, and actually DEADLY habit.
THAT lady doesn't want her children changing her diapers with her grandchildren standing by in tears while she dies a slow horrible death hooked up to some alien-looking, scary-sounding breathing apparatus.
THAT lady CAN DO !!!0 -
You won't ever have the motivation. You just have to decide to do it.
Life will be SO much better. I promise.
I smoked a pack a day for 20 years, and quit 19 months ago.
There is not one single aspect of it I miss.
It's a new life.
I did it with Allen Carr's book "The Easy Way"
Millions have successfully quit with his method.
And the best thing is that you can chain smoke while you're reading.
By the time you get to the end, you won't ever want to smoke again.0 -
You yourself have to find the ultimate reason. I wanted a reduction. I spoke with a Dr, in Jan she said I needed to be smoke free for at least 4 weeks prior to surgery. She gave me a date, Apr 26th. So I started with changing my habits. Ex. I used to wake up first thing had a cig and a coke. I smoked right after I ate, I would get in car and light up. So at first I decided to not smoke in my car. After that got sort of easy ( about 2 weeks) When I'd wake up I prolonged when I would have my cig. I'd wait til after I was dressed and ready to go before I lit up. When I ate I made myself wait a half hour before I would smoke. After awhile all of your "habits" of smoking when you did something or right after slowly diminished. Then I limited myself cigs a day. I smoked a pack a day.
I started with 15, then 13,11,10,8,5,4,3,2,1 and then a few puffs here and there. Once the 4 week out date came I had "habits" broken. So then I say I went "cold turkey" I was of course a bit irritatable but probably no where what I would've been if I smoked a pack then stopped. My b/f said I wasn't too bad. I did try using the patch at first when I first starting cutting back at 5 cigs a day. Kinda helped....one day I realized my patch had fell off and was stinking to the inside of my shirt I figured since I didn't notice I didn't need it.
So over all in all it took me 4 months to quit.
You have to find your reason.
I know now that I'm able to run and workout, I don't get that need for a deep breath once in awhile. I also know my cholesterol level dropped from 220 ish to 180. It's been a year and I've leveled out to 190 (losing weight will help, that's why I'm here)
slow and steady wins the race
If your on a weight loss get healthy website That would mean your trying to get healthy. So if your not going to put food in your mouth that's bad for you or processed why would you inhale something that will?
Hope this helps some0 -
Hello, I am almost 25 years old and I quit smoking last year. If you asked me a few years ago to quit i would have no desire. Here were my reasons and then i will tell you how and what motivated me.
first my fiance and I were just engaged and he doesn't smoke, never asked me to quit, this was MY choice. I thought about it for a long time but then I decided to do it. I was like I CAN DO THIS. I thought everytime I lit one up why was I doing this for, I mean there was no reason anymore, I was out of stressors in my life. Then I looked up pics of smokers lungs and healthy lungs and read stories of cancers. I needed to scare myself. I had a HUGE support system, people to call if i needed one so I called the quit now helpline you see on TV and they helped me set a quit date. First get rid of all your ashtrays lighters and stuff in your home and car. I never smoked at home so I cleaned my car out. Got rid of any cigs coupons or anything and I did the patches. The thing about the patches is they give you the nicotine you crave and you slowly drop down to a lower dose until your gone. It was so much EASIER than i thought if you have habits such as smoking a cig on the way to work listen to music and keep your hands busy. If you have a smoking area that you go to at break, go for a walk or go somewhere else. as the days go by it will be easy, hard and really easy.
Since I quit, I have saved $150 month, which with the money we saved from getting a cheaper place, I am driving a brand new car. I have money to pay for it now. I breath easier and when i am around smokers I have no need. Every now and then I would crave one but remember cravings last a few minutes so if you find a activity with your hands then do it. My trick was when i was at work i would walk outside like i used to when i smoked just minus the smoking and made those keychains out of string. I cut the smoking not the activites with it.
Good luck hope this helps. YOU CAN DO IT.0 -
Why do you want to keep smoking?
I quit three years ago this month. What worked, for me, was Allen Carr's "EasyWay to Quit Smoking." I am absolutely serious. I've never met someone who has finished this book and continued smoking. It's not magic - it just tears down the lies that nicotine tells you. Addiction is not enjoyable, and no one EVER needs to keep smoking. Nicotine is not a vitamin. Everyone lives better without it, no exceptions.
If you love smoking, nothing's going to be able to convince you to give it up. But do you really love it? Do you love needing a cigarette even when you have bronchitis, or a headache, or stomach flu? Even when you have no money? Do you love the way you smell? Acid reflux? Sinus problems? High blood pressure? Do you love the way you feel if you're stuck in a situation (at work, with family) where you can't go have a smoke break and the anxiety builds and builds? Do you love cigarette butts and ashtrays? Think about it.0 -
I quit 8 years ago ... after being a 2 pack a day for (oh god I don't want to tell you how long) a long, long time! I was actually training to do a triathlon and knew there was no way I could do it and smoke. I could not do it cold turkey, I used the Commit Lozenges. My husband continued to smoke, but not in the house ... I cheated for a while ... I would grab one of his out of his car and go walk the dogs and smoke it in the woods. Then I said "what the hell! either I smoke or I don't!" and that was the end of it. My husband has now quit and we are both happy about our success. I'm 8 years free and he is 3 years free.0
-
I haven't read the replies so sorry about overlaps. Google something like lung smoker cancer. Should give nice, black dots on once crisp pink tissue; tar colours them black. Maybe Body Worlds have some samples too (plastination exhibition)?0
-
Do the money math.
$5.35/day * 365 days/year = $1952.75
You can take a trip to Europe for that.
You could rent a house on Edisto Beach for a week.
You could buy one of those stainless steel gorgeous refrigerators with that.
There are so many things you could do with that money. Stop spending it and start saving it so you can reward yourself for quitting.0 -
Oops, as for weight loss:
I didn't gain weight and I think that is because I started walking and working out when I felt that the urge was going to overpower me.
Just don't carry enough money to buy a pack....!
Also, something which is way cool: Finding a pack in a coat pocket, just looking at that pack and saying to myself: I worked too hard to start again.0 -
It's tough. I've been through it a few times. The stars aligned usually for me. For example, one time I got this horrific upper respiratory infection, which made it impossible to smoke, and after I got through the cold I'd gotten through the worst of the cravings. The problem with giving up smoking--it really provides something for you...a break, relaxation, escape from something. You can't take those things away without replacing what it provides.
Some advice that I'd offer--try using a patch to take the edge off of the physical withdrawal.
The day you decide to quit, plan to also launch into something physically challenging (e.g. join a hiking group, grab a buddy to try to jog with, or sign up to learn a new sport like tennis or rowing or something totally outside of your comfort zone). The new thing will distract you and draw your attention. And you'll struggle physically which may motivate you to keep the smoking behind you (so you can breath and not puke while you exercise).
Also, don't hang around with other smokers....for several weeks. Try to not drink alcohol....for several weeks. These two things will be your downfall.
If smoking relaxes you, maybe sign up for a meditation group or read a book about it or download an app. on guided breathing/relaxation. Instead of smoking, take a "breathing" break. The thing I noticed about smoking for me, it was the only time I sat down to just breathe. It sounds silly, but just breathing calms the soul.
I wish you all the best my dear, and do let me know how you do!
You're definitely capable of overcoming this--it's just got a grip on your right now. It's controlling you, but you CAN control it.0 -
You have to find your own motivation unfortunately. The more people told me to quit, offered reasons to quit etc, the more I smoked. Then a year ago something clicked and I quit cold turkey. I feel so much better I look so much better, and to be honest I didn't gain any weight as I started on MFP around the same time.
I did read The easy way to stop smoking and I think it made a difference. If I hadn't been ready to stop it wouldn't have made me stop but it did reinforce my will power once I decide to quit. I suggest reading it (I got it from the local library) because it certainly won't hurt.
Good luck0 -
Have you tried Ecigs?0
-
I've heard that the first week is about fighting the withdrawals, but thereafter it is only about the mind. Nicotine gum or patches are helpful as mentioned above, but it is the same as with weight loss/lifestyle change; it has to be a need from within.0
-
Hi OP
I know how you feel. I used to smoke between 20 and 30 cigarettes a day and found quitting very difficult. I tried to quit a couple of times because it was 'fashionable'. The problem there was, I actually enjoyed smoking and it was easy to go back to it. I have managed to stay off the cigs for 18 months now because I actually want to stay off them. My father had a smoking and weight related heart attack and that shocked me to the core. That was all the motivation I needed. I wanted to stop smoking from there on in. Does that make any sense? Not only do you need to stop smoking you have to want to stop smoking at the same time. I know I must sound like a total hippy but there ya go :-)
I wish you all the best. You will get there.
Lynsey0 -
Read Allen Carr's book: "Easy way to stop smoking."
It helped me to stop after 2years.
Just believe in yourself!
xx lio0 -
^^^ This works! My husband and I were both confirmed lifetime smokers, as well as a few of our friends. After reading Allen Carr's The Easy Way to Stop Smoking I can proudly say I am smoke free 3 months strong, I smoked for 17 years. My husband for 23. My neighbor 32. It works. READ IT.0
-
Get the book by Alan Carr and read it while you smoke. Haven't had a cigarette for 14 years, don't miss it at all.0
-
Teeth implants are about $5600 a piece out here and smoking pretty much destroys gum tissue that keep teeth in your head. (thanks to the radiation exposure caused by the burning of the chemicals that are used in cigarettes to keep the tobacco burning steadily).
so kiss your teeth good bye (along with your life). Gosh, getting motivated about quitting smoking has got to be the easiest thing in the world to do. Just stroll through a gross anatomy lab and look at the cancer victims bodies donated to science and look at the lung tissue. visit a cancer ward. easy enough to decide to die from anything else.0 -
Please post pictures and reasons. I just can't seem to find what I need.0
-
I agree about the teeth. I just had to have $6500 worth of periodontal surgery due to bone and gum loss due to smoking. It was the most painful thing that I have ever been through. My periodontist would not even do the surgery if I didn't quit. I quit on 4/7 of this year and had the surgery a month ago. Had a follow-up yesterday and everything looked great. I smoked almost 2 packs a day for over 30 years. During the first week of quitting, I gained 5 pounds. So I started my diet on 4/18. I've lost just over 52 pounds since then and don't even miss the cigarettes. I feel great too!!0
-
I'm sure this has been said, but do it for the pain your entirely preventable, early, painful, drawn-out illness and death will cause your family. You're not the only one your smoking affects.0
-
I'm sure this has been said, but do it for the pain your entirely preventable, early, painful, drawn-out illness and death will cause your family. You're not the only one your smoking affects.0
-
Bump for good info.0
-
We estimate that at least 50% of smokers will be killed directly by the cigs. You might be in the lucky 50% but you don't know that.
There are the big three: lung cancer, ischaemic heart disease and COPD (chronic bronchitis and emphysema) - all of which kill - in long, drawn-out, protracted and deeply unpleasant ways which I cannot possibly exaggerate no matter how hard I try (unless maybe you're lucky, have a massive heart attack and cardiac arrest straight after).
Then the 'smaller' things -
Increased risk of just about every other cancer
Stroke
Peripheral vascular disease do you fancy an amputation in say, your 60s?) Not good
Worse prognosis with many autoimmune conditions (off the top of my head, Graves and ankylosing spondylitis)
Smoker's cough
Predisposition to chest infections
Poor wound healing
Increased risk of post-operative complications
Infertility and stillbirth in women
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome in children of smokers
Osteoporosis and large bone fractures in post-menopausal women (potentially fatal)
Not to include the less cosmetically appealing aspects:
Winkling
Dental side effects
The stench
IT DOESN'T LOOK COOL ANYMORE.
Fine, I'll get off my soapbox.
On the other hand nicotine is one of the most addictive substances known to man. Cold turkey is tough, and most ex-smokers say that they are permanently in remission - I met someone who relapsed after 10+ years tobacco free.
People say that nicotine replacement is excellent, but it has to be coupled with the will to break the habit. The jury's still out on e-cigs, but I think if you really want to stop they probably aren't the way to go.0 -
I quit smoking over a year ago. I never realized how disgusting of a habit it really is. I just got a job at a casino. When I get off work in the morning, I reek. I pull my hair out of my ponytail. There is a giant woosh of smoke smell that comes out. I can't go to sleep like that because I will funk my bed up. Just walking through the casino for orientation made my chest and throat hurt. I have to carry eyedrops with me and use them on breaks because I feel like I have been maced.
I can smell a smoker from a mile away. And I can just look at someone and tell that they smoke. You can see it in their face. Smoking ages you quickly and horribly.
Do you have kids? Grandkids? Think of what you are doing to them.
It is such a vile habit.0 -
i was devastated when i found out my son had been smoking. how hypocritical of me! i have not had a cigarette in over 4 months and i'm putting the money aside for a holiday.
no matter what anyone else says, you can quit - but only when you are ready and decide that tobacco can no longer control your life.0 -
I quit cold turkey 7 years ago, and now when I get a chest cold, it doesn't automatically turn into bronchitis and leave me with a lingering cough for weeks. That, and the fact that quitting greatly reduces the chance of getting lung cancer or COPD.0
-
This doing anything for you?
0
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.5K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.2K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.9K Food and Nutrition
- 47.4K Recipes
- 232.5K Fitness and Exercise
- 429 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153K Motivation and Support
- 8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.7K MyFitnessPal Information
- 24 News and Announcements
- 1.1K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions