A bad habbit-

solflyer81

So I have been on MFP for ten days. I ve been on turbo fire and eating healthy for 6 weeks now. I ve lost 7 lbs and about 4 inches. I feel great. I know I can reach my goals. I am determined to do it. But.........

I CAN NOT QUIT SMOKING.----I have been smoking since I was 16. I have tried quitting many times. I quit for nine months when I was pregnant with both my kids. I recently tried chantix and quit for about 6 months. Chantix made me sick though and mean and angry. I found that once I quit taking the chantix I started smoking again.

My question is, is there anyone out there (besides you hard core cold turkey people) that have quit smoking for good and how did u do it? I cant do chantix again, I just cant deal with how sick and angry it makes me. I cant afford nicorette gum or patches as a single parent and full time college student, however, if it works, i might actually work it out to where i can. I know how bad it is for me. I know I want to quit for my health. I dont even actually enjoy the smoking part that much ( i smoke lights) it gives me headaches and everything. But for some reason I just cant quit. Its my nervous habit. I actually only crave a cig like once or twice a day, its the habit that keeps me coming back.

Any input would be appreciated!

houzkat

I'm a "hard core cold turkey" person but my husband couldn't do it. He's currently using an e-cig to quit. He's been doing it about a month and he's moving to the no nicotine ones now. I wish you good luck and determination on your journey :-)

katihamlin

Maybe you have an oral fixation addiction that makes you crave the cigarette. Try putting something else in your mouth like a sucker or even something cigarette shaped and see if you can trick yourself into not smoking. I've never smoked, so I have no idea what the addiction is like, but I've known many that have overcome it and you can too!

Raw07

BUMP

Im wanting to quit smoking too but just stumped. Hoping to read some good responses. I quit but only last about 2 weeks max latley.

sandy2006

I smoked for 19 yrs and have been cig free for 4 yrs. I could never take a pill to help me. I needed something I could reach for when I was craving a cig. Something I could control. So I choose the nicorett gum. I could reach for it just as I used to reach for the cancer stick. I also would take walks when the cravings got bad, so that meant several walks a day which helped in the weight loss department. Also brush your teeth after you eat. That helps for that after meal cig. YOU can do this. I DID and I smoked for more than half my life. Think about that child of yours, he/she needs a mom! Good luck to ya

mimaduck83

Ok, I'll try to help...but don't yell if it doesn't work ok?

Pick a date you want to be smoke free by, circle it on the calendar and make a big old deal about it (to yourself). Then get an elastic band and stick it round your wrist...hear me out, i'm not crazy!

Each time you want to smoke ping that band around your wrist so it stings, but not hurts. And cut down SLOWLY! It's a drug, your body needs to quit slowly. Just cut back by 1 a week, then 2, then 3 and so on and you'll get there. Reprograme your brain into not needing a cigarette. Each time you want one, PING! And then do something else. Have a glass of water, a mint, do a crossword...anything that is not associate with the smoking!

And good luck!

kr3851

If quitting smoking is anything like quitting biting my nails... good luck to you! It's a habit that I don't even realise I'm doing until it's too late...

I'm thinking of trying hypnosis.

jennmoore3

o.k. I was the same way. I can go all 8 hours at work and not crave it. So, My issue was the hand to mouth habit. I went to smoke tip.com It is a electronic cigarette. You can wean yourself down to no nicotine. I have been cig free for 2 years this month. but now I still use the electronic smoke. but the smoke if just nicotine and water vapor. Just an idea. it is costly in the beginning to get the set up, but after that it is about 20 bucks for a "carton". My girls no longer yell at me in the van and this has no smell at all.

chefchazz

SO MANY FOLKS VIEWED AND OFFERED NOTHING. SMH!

anyway, i wish i had words for you that would help. i quit again a month ago....using chantix again. 1st time it worked in 3mos, didnt smoke for 2yrs. this time feels different. i havent gained a pound(thank geeez) and im really not im the mood for one..much. maybe this suggestion...i was totally ready. i was sick of it and ready to stop. are you? i think that what may makes the difference. not being told you should quit, but b/c deep down you are ready. kinda like dieting/gettting healthy...if youre not ready then its going to be a hard road. good luck to you girlie!

TheJesterKing

I stopped buying packaged cigarettes used an electronic cigarette that lead into weening off of smoking entirely.

jennmoore3

I hope I didn't come off as a sales man but if you have any questions please ask me. I love this company and I know other people who went with others and weren't happy. They do replace the battery for free if anything goes wrong.

lerachase

I'm kind of in the same boat. The prob is, different things work for different people. However, you have an advantage you may not have thought of...you're a college student. Most college and university campuses provide access to councilors and real psychology professionals free of charge. (Well, not free because you pay tuition, but you get what I mean.) A psychologist could seriously help you figure out the best way to quit for YOU and be a professional support help keep you going. This is something that a lot of people pay good money (and sometimes a lot of it) to get. Quitting an addiction like smoking is tough and complicated, its a lifestyle change just like loosing weight, and if you've got free access to people TRAINED to help you succeed, I say use it!

sykin

I have never smoked, but I know my doctor's office is able to help out with giving prescription stuff - and at prescription prices so it's cheaper than some of the over-the-counter stuff when covered by insurance. Have you looked into anything like that?

solflyer81

Thank you all for the ideas- to the poster with the hubby with the ecigs, i was thinking of trying this next. It is the habit and oral fixation i know that. I dont want to add a sucker or candy or anything in its place though, not that I havent tried that too though. I have stepped down in smoking as well, i used to be a pack a day, now i m about a pack every 2-3 days. So i think I will try the ecig and the stepping it down more. I just wish I could stay quit. I mean dang i quit for 9months twice and 6 months once....what is wrong with me. I also dont smoke in the house or vehicle so its not convenient for me to smoke, yet I still do it. /pulls hair out

SueInAz

You might look into the free help for smokers. I know here in Arizona there is a program funded by the taxes on cigarettes called the Arizona Smokers' Help Line (www.ashline.org). They offer free or reduced cost quit aids as well as coaching. You might look to see if something similar is offered in your state.

sister_bear

Am not a smoker, but I'll second the suggestions to try and replace it. Even a regular piece of gum, a sucker, a toothpick, etc. might help you retrain yourself to do something else.

Chastityx

start with what you smoke now, say 1 pack a day, and smoke that 20 for one week. Next week take one cig out each day, and only smoke those 19 a day. next week, go 18, next 17. It's not as scary and does,t send you into anxiety attacks. Just like weight, one lb at a time.:smokin:

solflyer81

SO MANY FOLKS VIEWED AND OFFERED NOTHING. SMH!

anyway, i wish i had words for you that would help. i quit again a month ago....using chantix again. 1st time it worked in 3mos, didnt smoke for 2yrs. this time feels different. i havent gained a pound(thank geeez) and im really not im the mood for one..much. maybe this suggestion...i was totally ready. i was sick of it and ready to stop. are you? i think that what may makes the difference. not being told you should quit, but b/c deep down you are ready. kinda like dieting/gettting healthy...if youre not ready then its going to be a hard road. good luck to you girlie!

I tell myself I am ready. I dont enjoy it, it gives me headaches. but i guess deep down I m not. I am convinced now though to try the esmokers- i wasnt sure if they were worth it but now I think i can atleast try.

solflyer81

start with what you smoke now, say 1 pack a day, and smoke that 20 for one week. Next week take one cig out each day, and only smoke those 19 a day. next week, go 18, next 17. It's not as scary and does,t send you into anxiety attacks. Just like weight, one lb at a time.:smokin:

This i have not tried either- thanks, I ll try this too!

chefchazz

oh and i eat sunflower seeds now like crazy!!! i think im hooked on those now

SusM321

I CAN NOT QUIT SMOKING.----

I cant afford nicorette gum or patches as a single parent and full time college student, however, if it works, i might actually work it out to where i can.

Any input would be appreciated!

Hi,
First, you CAN do this!! The more we tell ourselves we CAN NOT, the more it is exactly how it will be. I have said the same thing at times. Negative brings negative, POSITIVE brings POSITIVE!! We must REALLY want to be & stay quit.

I used Nicoderm CQ Patch system for my 8th quit of my life (Started smoking @ age 15, quit @ 54!) I have been quit since 02/10/2011!! Still have cravings now and then but I get over it. I had used the patch in the past without following directions. Used the gum with no success. Cold turkey numerous times (longest 13months).

The initial cost of the quit aid is actually less than a pack a day habit for a week & you get 2 weeks worth. I used the name brand for the first 2 steps, for the last I used Walgreens (Pharmacy) brand. Walmart seems to have the lowest prices.

It's not an easy thing to do but I feel 100 % better now!! I hope this has helped a bit for you. Good luck on quitting. It will be so worth it,
Hugs. p.s. Feel free to add me

mamaDaisyJ

I have been quit for 5 months now. I called 1800quitnow and got my first box of patches for free and a coach that I could call if needed, but I never called. After the first two weeks, I just took the money I would have spent on smokes and bought the next box of patches. I want to say the program deal is just local to Oklahoma, but there could be something similiar where you are.
Some things that help me quit~ I drank, and still drink all my water through a straw.
I wore a rubber band around my wrist and snapped it each time I thought i wanted to smoke and then took a drink, got up and did something useful. Like washing dishes, folding laundry, vacuuming, something to keep my hands busy a minute. I took a walk every day after lunch for the first 2 weeks cause that was a really bad time for me and just had to change scenery to get past it.
Good luck, you know its worth it, if you can find a way to get yoruself there.

mita2161

I used the patch. I started with the highest step and followed the directions. I started smoking at 15 and stopped 3 years ago.I used to smoke before excersicing and after too. I know how you feel because you start and stop over and over again. It was crazy hard, no sugar coating it but the only time your gonna stop is when you finally decide its enough. I stopped on the 1 year anniversary of my dads death. I also went on quitnet.com. I lived on that site day and night.Its free and like this site everyone understands what your going thru. There there to cheer you in and pick you up when your down. You can vent all you want there. Also there pretty funny too. (Not soliciting it just worked for me) Good luck im sure you can do it. If you can lose the weight and eat healthfully then you can quit smoking.

Thriceshy

Why "besides all you hardcore cold turkey people?" If you're looking for an easy way to quit via drugs or magic, it's not going to happen. Your best bet for a long-term quit is cold turkey. NRTs can work, but I know way too many folks who, four years later, are still chewing the gum or wearing the patches.

I used to be afraid to quit, too. I was terrified, I would panic at the thought, so I never even tried. For years, I never even mentioned quitting because I was so afraid of it. And then I got pneumonia and realized that's what COPD feels like. After 26 years of 2-3 packs a day, I quit. Cold turkey.

Was it hard? Sure, most things worth doing are. But it was nowhere NEAR as bad as the FEAR of it had been.

You can look for easy, but as your own experience should tell you by now, there's no such thing. If you decide to brave the hard, let me know--I am always so glad to help folks who really want it.

Good luck!

Kris

kak1018

I quit almost two years ago using the nicotine gum. It really helped when I got edgy or felt the urge. I had a horrible experience with Chantix and do not recommend it on any level. The gum was an easy way to get the "fix" and change the routines that drive the habit. Best of luck to you, the hardest thing I ever did but worth every minute of it.

Kaecklund

I LOVED to smoke. At my max I was smoking about a pack and a half a day. I can't quit w/the gum (I thought the gum was gross, and I really wanted the hand to mouth/inhaling action). I'm allergic to adhesive as in bandaids and birth control patches, so the patches I never tried. I quit cold turkey. It was hard, I was mean. I quit and started again and quit and started again, until I finally quit for good - About a year and a half ago. I made sure I had cigarettes on me though to avoid the PANIC but still focus on my goal. I took my cigarette break, alone pretending the pen was my cigarette. Gum, suckers... yada yada. The last time I quit I told everyone "I'm quiting smoking", "I haven't smoked in 3 days" and so on. So as to not make myself look like a failure, I had to keep my word... This worked for me. It was hard, now I'm able to sit with my coworkers on their smoke break and not even crave a cigarette. Smoking is a gross habit, and I never realized how gross I smelled until I quit and smelled other smokers. Also, I hacked up **** ALL THE TIME. Quiting is the best thing that you can do for yourself and your children. Cancer and/or emphesyma is no joke. And if you keep smoking you WILL get it. What worked for me may not work for you, you gotta find your motivation and go with it. For all the money you save on no longer buying cigarettes, put that money towards a really nice treat for yourself! Something you want really bad - that might help too! Best of luck to you!

HangoverSquare

I've quit for good. But, don't get me wrong--I loved smoking.

What drove me to quit were two things: it exacerbated my asthma and I wanted to be healthy for my loved ones, especially my girlfriend.

Since quitting nearly 4 years ago (on Jan 1st), my asthma's been mild. I also lost the girlfriend, but that doesn't matter. :laugh:

Think about the people who care for you and the long term risks. You really don't need emphysema or cancer. Nobody does.

AudgePaudge

I know this sounds funny, but I found it easier to quit when I got sick The first I quit, I used the gum. I guess it helped a little, but it was still hard as hell!! The second time I was sick with bronchitis (something I got a lot when I smoked) and didn't want a cigarette. It was much easier the second time!!

Kaecklund

I know this sounds funny, but I found it easier to quit when I got sick The first I quit, I used the gum. I guess it helped a little, but it was still hard as hell!! The second time I was sick with bronchitis (something I got a lot when I smoked) and didn't want a cigarette. It was much easier the second time!!

This helped me quit once before too! I found it impossible to smoke without coughing up a lung!

hollybearrington

hey I quit with chantix ... its been 2 1/2 years for me. u just got it in your head that is what u want and make it happen

Skyoctober

Can't say much cause I am a cold turkey quitter...I quit in November just about when the snow started to fly...I convinced my self I didn't want to stand out in the cold. I started chewing gum and lots of it!! Well I'm still smoke free and with a pack here at $10 I will never let my self go back. You can quit just put your mind to it and set a date...do it for your kids and your health!!!