I'm done, I quit.
Replies
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Great choice! I smoked for over 15 years. I quit smoking 5/4/12 and I quit cold turkey. I had tried to quit for years or at least I was saying I was quitting, not really trying. I woke up one day and thought I'm sick of smoking and I just don't want to do this anymore and so I didn't do it. I'm living proof that if you really, truly want to do something you can do it if you put your mind to it.
I have not smoked since that day. I am constantly around people who smoke and I thought it would encourage me to lapse but it didn't. You can do it and I applaud you for making this choice. Trust me you'll feel so much better. Good luck
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Woo hoo!! I don't know you but I know you can do this! My husband and I quit together two and a half years ago. I had been smoking for 18 years (I started when I was 15. How sad!) but after we decided to quit, we set a date (like you have) and neither of us have smoked since. It was extremely hard at first but we used nicotine gum for a little while to get through the cravings. We also put money aside each week (like you're planning) and we actually went on a short trip to Paris with the money we saved from not smoking. Unfortunately, this was before I started on mfp so I snacked a lot after quitting and started really gaining weight. One thing led to another and I ended up here and now I'm the healthiest I've ever been in my adult life!!
Please feel free to add me if you need extra support...plus, I would love to know how you get on. Good luck!! Once again, I know you can do this!0 -
Good luck....you can do it !!!:flowerforyou:0
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Good for you. Deciding to do it (and meaning it) is probably the hardest part.
I smoked since I was 16, quit cold turkey for 2 years in my mid 20's, then made the mistake of having "just one." My "just one" cigarette turned back into a pack and half a day habit within a year.
Nearly a decade later...
I quit in January of this year, again cold turkey. I made the decision to not have "just one" ever. Not a puff, not light anyone's cigarette for them, nada. Never again. I loved cigarettes and smoking too much that I will become its slave if I don't cut them out of my life completely.
One problem, however is that my husband still smokes. Luckily he is understanding and doesn't smoke around me, but I do get to see him excuse himself to go smoke, and I do find it hard sometimes being left while he goes off to smoke. But that passes once he comes back and reeks. Cigarettes smoke on others is not nearly as offensive when you're addicted to cigarettes. When you're not, my God, it's so offensive. Any temptation to smoke goes away when I smell him come back. And I tell him he stinks (because he does, truly, smell awful), and he just says, "I know. Sorry."
He says he smokes less since I've quit smoking, and is working on gradually getting down to no cigarettes. But I know I can't pressure him to quit, he has to decide to quit, just as I decided to quit.
Good luck to you, stay strong as you get over the 3 day hump. It's a lot easier after that, and easier yet as more time passes.0 -
Awesome - I quit smoking over 8 years ago after 26 years of smoking on and off. I decided it was not cost effective when I had my third son in 2006. I decided on the day he was born that my family deserved a better dad, one that was healthier, and one that didn't stink like an ashtray. I also placed a 5 gallon plastic water bottle in my room to put money into it if I ever got a craving. Then I placed my habit at the foot of the Cross. I asked God to take the addiction away. That bottle stayed empty for years. I began putting money in it last year when the kids started asking to go to the beach. They never had to see their daddy smoke. They see their older brothers smoke, but not their dad.
"I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." Phil 4:130 -
Excellent decision.
I quit in April, 2003, after smoking for more than a decade. I had the help of a drug called "Zyban." I also assuaged my withdrawal irritation by playing violent video games. Both helped a lot.
You can do it.0 -
LOL. Good for you! Best thing I ever did.0
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Awesome job making the decision! Most of the time that's the hardest part. I quick 10/31/13 so coming up on a year soon here. and I'll just tell you real quick what worked for me this time (Because it was probably the 10th time i'd tried to quit).
First of all, the reasons for my renewed desire to quit smoking were as follows:
1.) Too damn expensive/too much work (I was rolling my own because they had gotten so expensive)
2.) I actually sick of the smell. I used to enjoy it so much, but at this point it had become nauseating.
3.) And this was the most important one... my boyfriend and I had decided we were interested in trying to have a baby in the near future. I wanted to quit smoking and get rid of those chemicals long before that happened and have the healthiest pregnancy possible.
Well, we tried for a couple months and then stopped trying because through quitting smoking I gained an additional 40 lbs onto my already large frame and I decided I wanted to lose some weight before getting pregnancy (both for health and vanity reasons). Then we got engaged... so now it'll be another year and a half or so before baby.
How I did it:
I decided over a month ahead of time what day I was quitting. I read as much as I could and just tried to get used to the idea that I would no longer be a smoker. I stocked up on nicotine gum because from previous experience the patches had bad effects on me. I decided I'd only chew the gum when I got a craving I didn't think I could handle. I also bought a new hookah, because that was not at all the same as cigarettes to me. Oh. And I decided that I was NOT going to limit my food intake until I was comfortable (hence the 40 lbs. Still don't regret that decision.)
When Oct 31 came, I had my boyfriend throw away everything that was left over. All the filters, tobacco, etc. He got rid of the rolling machines, the ash trays, everything. I woke up that next morning a non-smoker. I chewed maybe 3 pieces of gum and smoked the hookah when I was drinking (still do). And I just.... quit. It was awesome. I had cravings. I was a HUGE B for like 2 weeks, but everyone around me was forewarned so they expected it and supported me regardless.
I have since smoked a few cigarettes here and there. I'm not proud of that. It's usually when I'm out of the house drinking... But so far, I've not had the urge to buy a pack or pick it up regularly again. It feels great. Especially when you look back and go "Wow, I did that. I quit smoking. I'm the ****."
Anyway, sorry so long. I wish you the best of luck on your journey!
TL;DR
Plan ahead. Get rid of everything smoking related. Warn everyone around you. Focus only on quitting smoking, nothing else. Good Luck! :flowerforyou:0 -
I quit cold turkey in August of 1998 just after I graduated from college. Like you I had a plan. I had a box of Nicorette as a backup plan but after I read the directions it scared me because it was more nicotine than I was getting from actually smoking.
So the first day I quit my now ex-husband and I left for vacation. I hate flying, it's one of my biggest stressors. First thing in the morning we go to the airport and fly to Orlando, FL. Then we drive for 2 hours to our final destination on the beach, find out our room is not ready so we hit a beach bar and start drinking.
I lasted through my three biggest triggers in the first 12 hours that I quit so after that I knew I could make it through anything.
I did have cravings for years afterwards though and will still have dreams that I start again. At the same time I'm one of those annoying "ex-smokers" that cannot stand the smell of smoke.
The biggest thing is replacing the smoking behavior with another behavior. For me, it was doing something with my hands. For others, it's chewing gum, etc. Once I figured that out it was smooth sailing and I've never looked back.
Good luck!0 -
That's awesome. I don't smoke, but I tend to drink sometimes. So I'm cutting that out for a while as well. You rock!0
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Congratulations! I quit 4/15/14 for the 2nd time. It was the last time. Just do yourself a favor and stay away from other smokers if it triggers you. I've had to really re-evaluate who I spend my time with because of it and frankly, it was the best decision I could've ever made. Not only have I made some really nice new friends, but they also do a lot of the same things I do (exercising, healthy eating, etc.) and it really does help to be surrounded by like-minded people for weight loss and not smoking!0
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I've been on and off the smoking wagon for a while now. I use Nicorette gum, which, unfortunately, is as expensive as smoking. I'm trying to wean off of that to regular gum. But I do notice now that if I smoke I feel like crap physically. I feel much better without it.0
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Good decision :happy: you have spurred me on now, i'm going to have another go tomorrow. I have smoked for about 40 years, I gave up for 16 months then started again, and i've started to stop many times since.
I have COPD, atrial fibrillation and i've had a stroke, so, I really should quit. I will try my hardest 0 -
Brilliant! Love your resolve. The money jar is great idea. I've done something similar with weight, where I have to glasses full of glass beads. As I lose weight I transfer a bead per pound into the other jar. It's inspiring to watch the one glass empy as it fills the other.0
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Congrats! I'm a former 32 year smoker.
I found other things to take my money away. :bigsmile:0 -
I quit 25 years ago after 20 years of addiction. I used to smoke roll - ups with no filter.
The thing that tipped the balance for me was the gradual de-socialising of my habit. I found myself smoking in the garden when everyone else was inside having a good time.
A good friend helped me through the tough times (I went cold turkey) by phoning me out of the blue and congratulating me on another smoke free day. He also gave me a mantra I found useful "just for today, I CHOOSE not to smoke"
Never looked back after the first 2 weeks. They were hard, I kid you not, but as do-able as a diet.
The difference it made in my life was worth all of it. I could taste things again! I hadn't realised my taste had changed, I thought the food had!
It also helped me in a relationship as he told me later if I'd been a smoker he would only have remained a friend. Now he's my life partner.
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Also quit cold turkey - wasn't ready to, but was surprised to find myself pregnant.
I mostly wanted to murder everyone and had a cough (bringing up horrible bits of ick) for a while, but I'm so glad I did it. The savings are almost as good as not having cheese grater lungs.0 -
Good for you! Your wallet, and more importantly, your body will thank you. It took heart disease, and all sorts of other nastiness, for my dad to quit his 30+ year habit cold turkey back in the 90s. You are wise to get a jump on it now. Sending you oodles of good luck wishes!!0
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Excellent decision.
I quit in April, 2003, after smoking for more than a decade. I had the help of a drug called "Zyban." I also assuaged my withdrawal irritation by playing violent video games. Both helped a lot.
You can do it.
Thank you so much! I'm considering a pill in case I do struggle with quitting cold turkey, but I think I have enough friends and motivation to stay accountable. I will definitely look in to that pill in case I need it!0 -
Good decision :happy: you have spurred me on now, i'm going to have another go tomorrow. I have smoked for about 40 years, I gave up for 16 months then started again, and i've started to stop many times since.
I have COPD, atrial fibrillation and i've had a stroke, so, I really should quit. I will try my hardest
We can do it! I also have a heart arrhythmia, and I know this is a great decision for me for my health as well. We just have to keep at it and believe!0 -
Brilliant! Love your resolve. The money jar is great idea. I've done something similar with weight, where I have to glasses full of glass beads. As I lose weight I transfer a bead per pound into the other jar. It's inspiring to watch the one glass empy as it fills the other.
The beads sound like an amazing idea..and a lot easier than going to the ATM multiple times per week! Lol.0 -
I just wanted to say thanks to everyone for your kind words, advice, tips, and stories!
I did cave and buy another pack because I had a mini-freak out on Friday about it being so close to my quit time. I'm actually glad I did, and I'll explain below. I managed to cut my smoking in half my last 72 hours, just by willpower, and reminding myself not to take longer routes home to smoke more, keeping myself occupied, and really keeping my mindset on the goal of getting through the first 24 hours on Monday, then 48 by Tuesday, ect.
I went out with friends last night and woke up with a mini hangover. I still made myself smoke, to make myself associate it all day with my hangover, haha. It actually worked. Did not feel good to do it, made my hangover a bit worse, and really drove home how crappy smoking makes me feel. I'm starting now, and I feel really confident that I can get through the first 24 hours tomorrow without it. I'm rewarding myself by giving my car a full gutting (and giving it a car wash too!), washing everything, vaccuuming my floors, and getting myself a nice air freshener. If I make it through Tuesday, I'm buying myself a bouquet of flowers to make my room pretty. And if I make it through Wednesday, I'm treating myself to a sushi dinner. If I make it through the first 72 hours, the subsequent days will only get easier.
Once again, thank you so much everyone! All of your posts made me smile, and I love that there's such a supportive group of people on here always willing to offer help and guidance. You all are amazing. 0 -
I quit smoking in May of 2005 - cold turkey. It wasn't the easiest thing to do, I'll admit that. But it was definitely the most rewarding.
The first 72 hours are the worst. I got through it by drinking lots and lots and lots of ice water (not just cold - ICY), and sucking on peppermint candies (sometimes I'd dissolve the mint IN the water - interesting taste). I did NOT worry about my weight at this time - I figured I had enough to deal with at that moment. Once that 72 hours passed, I reminded myself that if I slipped, I'd have to go through that all over again - no, thanks!
I also used a site called QuitNet (forum similar to this one). A couple of the people that I knew there died from smoking-related illnesses. It was sobering, to say the least.
I've been smoke-free now for nearly ten years - after a 20 year, 1 pack a day habit - and it's the very best thing I ever did for myself.
Congrats on your decision. You will never regret it. Ever.
ETA: It might interest those to know what my motivation was for quitting. Throwing up blood is a GREAT motivator. I woke up one morning, lit up (even before I got out of bed, ugh), went to the bathroom, and started having a coughing fit the likes of which I'd NEVER had before. I leaned over the sink, and coughed up blood... and HUGE chunks of... something. Maybe lung, I don't know.
I quit THAT DAY.0 -
Great decision!! I quit cold turkey in 2011 after smoking almost 10 years.. ew!! Never looked back. Secret tip; chewing gum saved my life in those first few weeks. Good luck! Life is much better without that crap!!0
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I'm here losing 20 lbs so I can get on the lung transplant list. I didn't quit in time.
Does that help?
Oh, and Skittles got me through quitting. Now I'm trying to quit Skittles.0 -
Figured I'd update again; I've made it 72 hours without one! Much easier to quit this time, because I actually wanted to, and wasn't quitting because someone convinced me to. The times I do get an urge, it's very easy to ignore it. Surprisingly, no detoxing symptoms (headaches, nausea, ect) from the lack of nicotine in my system either. I'm feeling pretty good about the first $10 I've saved as well. 0
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Figured I'd update again; I've made it 72 hours without one! Much easier to quit this time, because I actually wanted to, and wasn't quitting because someone convinced me to. The times I do get an urge, it's very easy to ignore it. Surprisingly, no detoxing symptoms (headaches, nausea, ect) from the lack of nicotine in my system either. I'm feeling pretty good about the first $10 I've saved as well.
Well done!! You're kicking *kitten* 0 -
WAY TO GO!!
If you find the cravings start getting harder to ignore, consider the patch. I forgot to mention that I did use the patch and I think it helps (the Skittles were for oral cravings). Every few weeks, you step down to a lower dose.0 -
This is awesome and hang in there. Take comfort that every day will get easier and better :flowerforyou:0
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It takes 3 days for nicotine to get out of the system. After that, it's all a mind game. Whenever activities come up where you used to smoke, just tell yourself it won't make you happy. After awhile, the urges will subside.0
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