Quitting Smoking and Dieting Support

Solly123

Delighted to have found this thread!!

This is day 1!! Finished Allen Carr's book last night and haven't smoked since. Handling the cravings ok. Keep talking to myself insisting that the craving is just the nicotine monster trying to get me to smoke to stop him dying!! Lol!! If the people beside me here in work could actually hear the conversations in my head, they'd be convinced I've gone mad..

Look forward to keeping updated and hopefully reading about all our successes!!

BflSaberfan

Awesome thread. I have tried to quit before and never made it 24 hours. You guys are motivating me.

goofyrick24

22 hours since my last smoke... no one is dead YET... my boss is scared... i'm flushing my system with water and lots of Orange juice to keep my blood sugars ok..... I'm scared to eat cause I know if I get full I will want one... I'm on the lozenges which between them and my lack of caffing are giving me a wonderful headache!!!! ..but then again I'm 34 years old, on blood pressure medicine, on high cholesterol medicine, with severe Acid reflux issues, and appearantly a fatty liver........10 years ago I was just out of the Marines in the best shape of my life..... I'm not too over weight I'm 6'1" and 201lbs... I'm just a dad with an office job and no exercise or healthy eating habits and until yesterday a smoker....

jrusso28

I substituted baby carrots, apples, pears, and oranges for my smoke breaks.
I also used regular gum (not nicotine gum) when I needed to chew on something while at my desk or driving.

It gets easier with every passing day. Just keep going.

Keep telling yourself that you are in charge of your body, not those damn cancer sticks.
Your stronger than any drug, you can do this. Your life depends on it !

After 60 days you practically dont even remember that you used to smoke.
The cravings are gone.

Wish you the best!!

thumper44

Great job to those who have quit and are in the process of quitting.

I'm just shy of 3 months quitting - Years ago I had quit for 3 months, so this will surpass that length of time.
I was a pack a day smoker for almost 25 years.
Chantix worked. I used Straws, and gum. (Iol I'd go to town chewing the straw like crazy for first week)

It gets easier as the nicotine leaves the system. You start noticing everyrthing else smells nice, and when you DO pass other smokers, OMG, that aweful smell... (you will get there), and then you think OMG, I used to sit and breath that in (2nd hand smoke reference).

I used to smoke in my car on my way to work, 3 cigs in 30 mins .. Because of traffic, and being stressed.
It's all HABITS - Start making NEW habits.

Anytime you get the urge. Brush your teeth, drink water, go for a walk. change your environment. The feeling will pass.
quick story.
Almost 3 months later, I came out of a restaurant last week, and first reaction was to reach in my pocket and grab a smoke. I laughed to msyelf, then wondered why.

The last time I had visited that restaurant, that's what I used to do, leave the restaurant and light a cigarette immediately afterwards. Total habit - Change to new good habits..

I've avoided 2200 death sticks in 3 months of non smoking.

donnaeve8

Here I go again. Day 1- last smoke was at 9:00 am (wouldn't be able to handle waking up and not having one just yet LOL). Now I've got my patch on and anxious to get the first 24 hours behind me!
I want to say thank you to Sandra, who started this thread and motivated me and others to break the habit. I would love to see some more hop in and vow to quit and be healthy!! And please keep the success stories coming!! It will keep me going!!

~Donna

thumper44

Donna, good luck.
A friend of my wife just tried quitting, her first time ever. She went 2 weeks, Some of the things I had told her to help.
Prepare yourself for those cravings/temptations. They will happen. If you have gum to chew on, or I used the straw, and stupid as this might sound.
Actually a McDonalds straw cut it in 3 pieces.. So each straw was close to a smoke.I treated that straw as my cigarette for first few days.I inhaled and blew out through that straw.

When you are serious about quitting smoking. Say goodbye to a friend.

A friend who is always there bugging you to join him.
A friend that pulls you away from a middle of a movie.
A friend that wants you to go outside at freezing temperatures.
A friend that cost you a lot of money, and never gave anything back.
A friend that is slowly killing you.
A friend that smells, and people don't like the smell of both of you.

I got this from Chapter 2 of this ebook. It helped me 100%
http://whyquit.com/NTAP_large_print_212_pages.pdf

Website http://whyquit.com

craft338

I JUST FINISHED HELL WEEK!!!! :drinker:

it was pretty rough, but i did it!! i didn't do it cold turkey, i have the gum and the e-cigs, and they're awesome. props to everyone who IS doing it cold turkey! you guys have awesome willpower!! i only use the gum twice a day, but yesterday they made me feel funny, so i'm gonna try half a piece today. i just got the "light" e-cig cartridges, the ultra lights will be next, followed by zero. i don't need them as much either. i just got the mocha flavor, but wasn't really in the mood to try it! SO AWESOME! i'll save it for the ride to work.

the cravings are almost gone, but driving is still a little weird, and if someone at work or home annoys me, that's pretty hard, too lol. most of the "bad" stuff about quitting is over too, like the congestion is getting better and my teeth don't hurt anymore. taste and smells are GREAT which is bad cuz FOOD TASTES SOOO GOOD!!! LOL

@donna - your welcome :flowerforyou: and good luck today!!!

thanks to everyone else who shared their stories! keep coming back to check in and let us know about your progress. it's so awesome to have other people on MFP who are quitting too!

donnaeve8

Thanks for the advice, Peter! I now have strawberry twizzlers to replace the cigarettes 16 calories each..
So far so good...not even a tiny urge to smoke.

JanW01

I can't believe I just found this thread now. I am finishing day 2 without a cigarette. I am taking Champix and it really seems to help. I was a little antsy today and almost on the verge of witchy(cause it censors what I was really feeling ) but my hubby was able to get me past that feeling. Not bad considering I have been a smoker for 40 years.

Here's to a smoke free life for all of us!:drinker:

babygurl48

I quit smoking after 28 years of smoking. Just got up one morning and decided that was my day to quit. Only thing that helped me was the cigarette inhaler. I used that for a few months and now that I'm approaching my 2 year mark, can't believe that I ever actually smoked. U can do it if u set your mind to it.

craft338

jan - good job on finishing up your second day!! i was pretty "witchy" too lol it's cool that your husband was able to get you through your cravings, it totally helps to have someone to talk to. after the first 3 days, it does start to get better.

i've been off the gum for 2 days. i didn't really do it on purpose...i just don't need it anymore. which is cool, except for that the whole pack of 160 cost $30 and i only used like 15. i keep a few in my purse just in case i have a really bad day a work or something, but i just don't need it on a regular basis. i'm just using the e-cig and i love it. i use it mostly when i'm driving and last night when i went out (my friends though i was a weirdo, but whatever lol), and i'm getting the lower strength next week :bigsmile: overall, i'm having a good quit and i'm really happy. yes, those first few days were HORRIBLE!!!! but i'm good now and soo glad it's over with.

hmm...food.... that's a different story. not being able to smoke has definitely increased my appetite, probably because i get a little nervous and anxious when i get a craving. i'm trying really hard not to eat junk food, although yesterday i had cake (it wasn't the evil kind, it was fat free/sugar free pudding with graham crackers and light cool whip) but still...i had 2 pieces :embarassed:

i went to whole foods today and bought a bunch of really healthy foods and drinks and stuff, and that makes me feel a little better about not smoking. i'm eating all this natural and super healthy food, so why would i want to smoke a cigarette and get all that nasty stuff in my body??? EWW!! i just hope this way of thinking sticks and a few months down the road i don't get lazy and give up....

i don't think i will though, hopefully i'll stay strong!!!!

8 days, 11 hours, 33 minutes and 33 seconds

Solly123

Okay!! I'm back to day one again!! Caved last night and had a few cigs.. So starting again today with a vengence. I'm doing this even if it means I have 10 day ones!!

Changed my morning routine this morning and I think that helped. Plan to change my routine this evening too and even head to bed early and read a good book. I'm finding I'm caving in about 10/10.30pm so if I'm in bed, I can't smoke!!

Well done Craft338 - 8 days!! Lord I wish I was that far along... I'll get there. This thread helping too. Knowing that others are suffering too helps!! (Is that weird or what!) But knowing that others are finding it as hard and yet doing it, is making me push myself to do it too....

craft338

i'm frustrated. :grumble: for the past 10 days i've had the flu, PMS, stopped smoking, and now i'm in the middle of TOM. i know all of those have pretty much everything to do with NOT losing weight, but i'm up about 6lbs in those 10 days. i stayed within my calories, and if i went over a couple of days, it wasn't by much. plus i've been eating super healthy too, and exercising more. i really hope in a few days when TOM is over, i'll lose that extra weight, but i'm still worried.

i heard somewhere that smoking one pack of cigarettes is equal to burning 300 calories a day because of how it increases your heart rate or something. if that's true, then i'm losing about 150 calories a day...which for me is a lot considering i'm only allowed about 1400 a day to begin with. i'm pretty much venting, and i'm like 95% sure the weight will come off in a few days, but i these past 10 days have felt like FOREVER!!!!!!! and it would just be nice to see the scale at least stay the same!! i was in the 230's and it's not fun to be back in the 240's :sad:

QUESTION!!! why do i keep hearing people say NOT to have caffeine while quitting?? i didn't have coffee the first day and it was horrible! it was like trying to quit TWO things at once and was making everything worse. why would anyone do that? i started having my 2-3 cups a day again, and i'm fine. what does caffeine do to mess with quitting??

SOLLY123 - as long as you're sticking to it, that's what important. you're quitting, it's a process and no, it's not weird about how other people's suffering helps lol, i TOTALLY understand! that's why i started this! i need people to be like "this sucks, i hate it, i want to smoke 4 cigarettes while eating a cheeseburger and fries." it's comforting to know that people are fighting the same urges and good to talk about how we get over those cravings. it's nice knowing that other people are going through the same thing and i'm not the only psycho who runs away from cigarette smoke with my nose plugged cuz i'm afraid smelling it will give me a craving lol

donnaeve8

Beginning day 3 for me. Mornings are still rough. I almost gave in this morning but I found a good song on the radio, sang along loud and by the time the song was over, so was the urge.
Went up .4 lbs give or take even though I have been really good with my food regardless. Even my gum and suckers don't add up to much caloriesso I don't know what is up with that. I'm gonna try to get to the gym more than 3 nights a week and see if that helps. I didn't plan on my sacrificing my weight loss to become a non-smoker, which sounds awful, but I can't explain it.

How are the rest of you doing with you're quitting and losing?

~Donna

craft338

Beginning day 3 for me. Mornings are still rough. I almost gave in this morning but I found a good song on the radio, sang along loud and by the time the song was over, so was the urge.
Went up .4 lbs give or take even though I have been really good with my food regardless. Even my gum and suckers don't add up to much caloriesso I don't know what is up with that. I'm gonna try to get to the gym more than 3 nights a week and see if that helps. I didn't plan on my sacrificing my weight loss to become a non-smoker, which sounds awful, but I can't explain it.

How are the rest of you doing with you're quitting and losing?

~Donna

that's great!! GOOD LUCK ON DAY 3!!!! yeah, car rides are bad for me still. i think that if quitting smoking messes with your weight loss for a week or two, so what if u have a bad 2 weeks while dieting, it's gonna make your WHOLE LIFE better sure, being heavy is unhealthy, but smoking makes everything a million times worse. if quitting makes you gain a couple pounds, big deal. you can lose those pounds next week. you can't fix the damage smoking causes as easily.

you're doing awesome! and don't worry about that .4, I GAINED SIX POUNDS!! lol, it'll come off as soon as the stress (and TOM) goes away. have an awesome day 3!!

Sandra
9 days, 11 hours, 4 minutes and 39 seconds

myndee

Congratulations to EVERYONE!!
I'm ready to be a non-smoker, I quit last fall for about a month then slowly started back, 1st it was just a drag off my husbands cig now and then, then a whole one and before I knew it I had my own pack and was smoking like I had never quit..
It's not going to happen that way this time

thumper44

craft338 - Great attitude - That's exactly what we need to think. So what if we gain a few lbs, Quit smoking, get the chemicals out of the system and then with the tools we have here, no problem in losing those lbs again.

Congratulations to EVERYONE!!
I'm ready to be a non-smoker, I quit last fall for about a month then slowly started back, 1st it was just a drag off my husbands cig now and then, then a whole one and before I knew it I had my own pack and was smoking like I had never quit..
It's not going to happen that way this time

This is how I started back smoking after quitting for 3 months previously.
"Oh, I can have just a drag, I have control, no problem" then
"Oh, I'll just have a few drags. I have control, it's ok, no problem" then
"Oh, I'll just have a cigarette. I have control. it's ok, no problem" then
Your buying a pack of smokes. :laugh::laugh::laugh:

I treat it like an alcoholic has to treat alcohol. They can't have a drink, or a taste, or they can start again.
There's no sense in having that "quick small drag", once the nicotine gets into your system, that's it.

Good luck to all.

cobylea

I successfully quit smoking 4 days ago! If you are looking for some help I would highly recommend reading Allen Carr's Easy Way to Quit Smoking. It's an unbelievable book and really gives you a whole new thought process on smoking. I haven't had any cravings or felt like I'm about to pull my hair out, the only problem I have is keeping my hands and mouth occupied so I find my way to the fridge....not cool! Either way I'm happier to be healthier from not smoking!


Created by MyFitnessPal.com - Nutrition Facts For Foods

Terri73

Hi i have my quit date for tomorrow i need a really good support system.

krb731

Saturday, May 14, 2011, 8:15pm (central standard time) will be my 100th day of not smoking after 16 years. If for any reason you think you won't make it, know that you can do it. Here are a few things that helped me:

1. Water and Breathing - The water helps flush the nicotine out faster and the deep breathing kept me from spazzing out. It also reduced my desire to eat and drink caffeine.
2. Five Cheerleaders - I only told five people and I didn't tell them until day two.
3. Day Three Activity Day - I was on the move from sun up to sun down. I craved the entire day, but I kept moving instead of taking a smoke break.
4. Writing - I kept a personal journal about everything I felt. I expressed it and let it go. Funny thing happened around day 50...my computer crashed and wiped everything out. I didn't even feel bad. I just decided it meant I didn't need to write about it anymore.
5.Clean Everything - I washed any and everything that would fit in the washer and detailed my car even though I stopped smoking and driving years ago.
6. Find a Motto - Whenever I get a craving, I repeat my motto, "Everyone stops smoking sooner or later." True and scary all rolled up into a few simple words. I also liked NOPE: Not One Puff Ever.
7. Name Your Monster - I named my nicotine craving the Nicotine Jackel. It is rather funny now. The Jackel is dead now!

Now that smoking is no longer controlling my life, I feel healther, happier and calmer. Good luck to everyone trying to make this major change. And if you need a cheerleader, I'm available!

kgool

Sorry I have not updated thread. I am doing okay on day 8. I really was testy last night and was mad at the kid, the dog, the TV, etc and just wanted a smoke. I did not cave though which amazed me. So far so good. I think this second week and a step down to 7mg patches will be the key. (I started with 14mg patches instead of 21mg)

craft338

i had a HORRIBLE day at work. it was so bad. i got in a fight with someone, and an almost fight with someone else, now my mom needs me to go to the store for her (that's HALF HOUR AWAY!!!!!) when i was supposed to make my salmon that i've been looking forward to ALL DAY for dinner and go for my 2 mile walk, but by the time i get home it'll be too late and too dark for any of that, and i'm just too annoyed and aggravated to even try. i feel like a cigarette would solve everything, but i KNOW it won't.

having a cigarette is out of the question. i don't want one. i just wish i didn't quit. does that make sense?

today was the first "bad day" i've have since i quit. i know i said i was off the gum, but i think maybe i should have one of those emergency pieces. should i just deal with it? or do i have the gum and feel normal again? i'm quitting smoking. this is SUPPOSED to be hard. GROW UP, WOMAN!!

i've decided. no gum. i'm just going to the stupid store for my mom, getting home and making my salmon, and riding my stationary bike while watching vampire diaries on DVR and then going to bed.

ok, i feel better now.

JanW01

i had a HORRIBLE day at work. it was so bad. i got in a fight with someone, and an almost fight with someone else, now my mom needs me to go to the store for her (that's HALF HOUR AWAY!!!!!) when i was supposed to make my salmon that i've been looking forward to ALL DAY for dinner and go for my 2 mile walk, but by the time i get home it'll be too late and too dark for any of that, and i'm just too annoyed and aggravated to even try. i feel like a cigarette would solve everything, but i KNOW it won't.

having a cigarette is out of the question. i don't want one. i just wish i didn't quit. does that make sense?

today was the first "bad day" i've have since i quit. i know i said i was off the gum, but i think maybe i should have one of those emergency pieces. should i just deal with it? or do i have the gum and feel normal again? i'm quitting smoking. this is SUPPOSED to be hard. GROW UP, WOMAN!!

i've decided. no gum. i'm just going to the stupid store for my mom, getting home and making my salmon, and riding my stationary bike while watching vampire diaries on DVR and then going to bed.

ok, i feel better now.

Hang in there! You are doing a great job.

Day 4 smoke free for me

triscuitsmom08

I quit smoking twice now. The reasons I started again was lack of will power, but mainly the inability to run. I stopped running and got stressed when I used to get stressed Id go for a run (its how I lost 30 pounds) But now that its summer I say start working out/ running. It does the same thing, it boosts your I'm happy vibes in your brain and leaves you feeling better then before If youre new to running Id suggest C25K its an amazing program to get you into running slowly

Terri73

I've not had a cigarette since 10 last night. I'm climbing the walls already!!!

carolinegeorgia

To Craft338 - I know that you already know my story but perhaps this is a good time as any to repeat it for others who need a little inspiration to stop smoking so here it goes again...

*****************************************************************************************************************

Topic: Quitting smoking and dieting Mon 04/11/11 05:40 PM

I used to hate it when ex smokers would lecture or warn me about smoking. Hell, nothings going to happen to me.

Ok - let me put it to you this way - diet and look great and smoke the cigs - or diet and look great and no cigs. I am currently lugging around a 15 lb oxygen tank with a plastic tube stuck up my nostrils, most likely for the rest of my life, and that my dear doesn't look good. Better just stop now and show those cigs that you are stronger than them. They will and believe me, perhaps not now, but they will eventually ruin yr life later.

I too like everyone else tried to quit smoking w/o success, tried pills, patches, hypnosis and nothing worked. I really needed my mouth stapled closed. Finally I tried Chantix and it worked (totally wierd dreams) but then my Dad got sick suddenly & I spent everyday & moment possible from July 5th until August 25th by his side until he died. Believe me, I was smoking the entire time my Dad was ill and smoking more than ever. After he passed away I would smoke the usual at work but at night I would go out on my deck and chain smoke and would talk to my Dad in the heavens. I wasn't feeling well as I was already diagonosed with Emphysema but that didn't matter. Each cigarette, to me, was my time alone with myself to be alone and think. Not that I was thinking about the actual act of smoking, just smoking and thinking. Well this went on and on thru the winter and I would sometimes feel dizzy when walking back into the house, but it didn't matter. Spring came and so did the pollen. On April 14th (my wedding anniversary) I went out after lunch at work and had gone outside for my usual cigarettes but started coughing and choking like a was kid smoking for the very first time. I went back to my desk and literally choked until 5pm and I know this was annoying some people but others were truly concerned. I thought it was just the pollen. Went home driving and choking (not an easy task to do) and suddenly seemed to stop choking for a while which made me think that it was definitely the pollen around my job and there different kinds of trees by my house and I was ok now. So I went out on the deck and lit one up and started to choke. Didn't feel well & called my husband to say I couldn't celebrate our anniversary like we had planned. I went to bed with about 6 pillows to support me bcuz I couldn't lay down from choking. I spent the night like that - texted myself out of work the next morning and my husband insisted that I go to the hospital. Being pig headed I argued and then 3 hrs later said I would go but needed to take a shower first - vanity b4 health. Well, I didn't know that my oxygen level was basically depleted and when I stepped into the nice hot shower I suffocated - or respirtory failure as the paperwork read. The most horrible feeling ever - I grabbed the shower curtain and walls. Lucky for me my husband and daughter were right there bcuz they knew how bad I was (my son stayed in another room) - I literally watched as they faded from my sight. Next thing I know I am in the ER with tubes down my throat, IV's in both arms like I am was pincushion. I spent 14 days in that hospital and 2 months later another 5 days. I have Emphysema and COPD. My lungs are at 49% total capacity. I cannot get better but if I continue all my meds, breathing treatments, inhalers, oxygen 24/7 I may maintain my current status or may not. But let me tell you...Spring - pollen kills me - Summer heat and humidity - not a good mixture for me - Fall - pollen once again - Winter - cold air takes the wind right out of my lungs that actually hurts.

So, please do yourself a huge favor now and get a prescription for a pill, patch or whatever. Just stop and don't be so stupid as I was - I wish I could have suffocated years ago and perhaps I wouldn't be in this situation today. It is not a good place to be. I still miss my Dad every single day - still go to pick up the phone to call him and realize that he's gone. The cigarettes weren't going to bring my Dad back to me. The cigarettes aren't going to take away any sadness I feel. The cigarettes aren't going to make any problems go away. Smokers will smoke bcuz we are happy, sad, nervous, excited - pls just stop bcuz they will hurt you.

that just made me cry.... I am really struggling giving up smoking, I will do it now, thank you and truly hope you are ok xx

craft338

I've not had a cigarette since 10 last night. I'm climbing the walls already!!!

you can do it!! you're mind and body are playing tricks on you! you don't need a cigarette! think of how good you're gonna feel after you get over this craving, and then how bad you would feel if you gave in. it's not worth it.

donnaeve8

Yes, Sandra is absolutely right! Don't listen to the nicotine monster!! You're stronger than he is!!

donnaeve8

BTW, I am at Day 4 now..While the urge isn't there, I am so *itchy today!! And feel like I could cry! I know this gets better, though, so I just have to hang in there!!