QUITTING smoking!! help!!

1_day_at_a_time

I am quitting on Tue and I neeeed support, please!!! Any tip, i am all ears!!

ShapingAgnes

Oh My Goodness. I was just about to post this topic when I saw yours! I am right there with you!!!!!!!

srp2011

Read Allen Carr's book, The EasyWay to Quit Smoking. It's the best investment I ever made - I've been a non-smoker now for 19 days after smoking for over 30 years, and after the first few days, I've felt great. It can really change your mindset about smoking. Other practical tips - drink LOTS of ice water, and have healthy munchy snacks handy (like apples, carrots, stuff that will satisfy the urge to chew without packing in the calories). Try increasing exercise as a way to offset cravings and to reduce stress (I live for my afternoon workout now :happy: ). No matter what, know that you can do this, and it will be worth the effort.

LovesAdventure

I quit a pack a day habit exactly two years ago. There is a great support website called quitnet.com I often went to that site to get support, vent my frustration, and celebrate each moment smoke free.

Exercise really helps. If you drink alcohol, avoid it during the first few weeks of quitting.
Get lots of sleep. You can't smoke when you're sleeping.
Spend lots of time in no smoking areas such as public buildings, etc.
If you slip up, pick yourself up and try again.

feel free to "friend" me if you'd like, I'd be more than happy to offer encouragement, etc.

AmyG1982

Yay! I've been quit since July 17th 2010. (I first tried quitting Jan 7 2007 lol, took a few tries to get it). The best thing i can say is find a distraction. I'd go for a walk, go play on the swings at a near by park or just lay in bed and pout haha. DO NOT CHEAT. not even once. one puff with get you hooked again. Stay positive. I had to keep reminding myself that I WANTED TO QUIT. no one was forcing me, this was my choice. so when I'd have a nic fit i'd just say to myself "man up crackhead" and then go find a distraction. I had to give myself time outs too lol, when I felt a rage brewing I'd just go sit alone somewhere for 20 min to calm down ahaah. It gets easier after a couple of days, and then after a while you can't ever imagine smoking agian. you could try the patch or the gum too if you want. I got sick from the patch so I ended up doing it cold turkey, but I was REALLY determined to do it.

Good luck! you can do it!

Adina81

Champix or Champax.

Do it.

I am 3 years smoke free as of this month.

cunokyle

Like stated....DO NOT CHEAT!!!!!

That is the big thing!

After the third day it gets MUCH better as well! The third day is the worst from what I hear.

eellis2000

Congratulations! Are you using a quit aid? I have been taking chantix for 1wk7d and I gradually cut down on how many per day until i finally went a full day without one. I was supposed to quit last Tuesday and wound up quitting yesterday. I would suggest every time you get a craving you get up and do something. Anything the gets your mind off of cigarettes. Good luck it can be done.

mfreeby

Read Allen Carr's book, The EasyWay to Quit Smoking. It's the best investment I ever made - I've been a non-smoker now for 19 days after smoking for over 30 years, and after the first few days, I've felt great. It can really change your mindset about smoking. Other practical tips - drink LOTS of ice water, and have healthy munchy snacks handy (like apples, carrots, stuff that will satisfy the urge to chew without packing in the calories). Try increasing exercise as a way to offset cravings and to reduce stress (I live for my afternoon workout now :happy: ). No matter what, know that you can do this, and it will be worth the effort.

Definitely read this book. It made me quit and understand why you can never smoke again - even a puff!

lewandt

I quit a yr in February. I used the patch, really took the edge off. I went for walks on my lunch break at work. And worked out a lot at home.

Try to stay away from the things you associate with smoking...for me it was the phone/visit with friends.

I have never felt better!!!!

Sp1nGoddess

I used the book 'stop smoking stay skinny' and nicorette gum. You have to believe 100% that you will do it. Mind over matter. Try to remove yourself from trigger situations. A gradual reduction worked for me. It's hard but if you are really ready you can do it! Good luck!

LovesAdventure

and remember, quitting smoking is more important right now than losing weight.

The first couple of months, OK, the first 6 months!, that I quit I didn't worry too much about weight gain. Heck, I had enough to worry about.....I did start a couch to 5k running program a couple of months after I quit. Mostly as a challenge for my lungs:)
After I got over the worst of the quitting smoking, then I focused on weight issues.

Anyone else on this thread who is trying to quit is welcome to friend me also.

lewandt

Oh, one more thing. My doctor had told me the more things you use the better luck you have of quitting. I know besides the patch they have pills, gum and lounges (probably more things too).

iHEARTcardiacnurses

This is going to sound REALLY stupid but I quit by simply not buying them! I paid my gas at the pump, skipped the cigarette aisle in Walmart, and stopped going out and drinking.

I used to smoke in the car so I started wearing mittens when I was driving, the feel of something binding my hands was enough for me. Now when I smell stale cigarettes I want to puke. I even slipped up a few times and the next day my lung feel like *kitten* and I feel awful.

Good luck!

drdump

Find something more important to you than smoking. I promised my son I would quit and that was more important to me than the smoking. I had quit many times before but this one worked.

Switty_Kitty

This one website helped me out a lot when I quit 5 years ago. www.smokershelpline.ca
Drink lots of water! It helps flush it out of your system....and stay positive! You can do this and your body with thank you for it BEst of luck hun! :flowerforyou:

PrincessLou71186

From the age of 12 to a week after my 25th I smoked. I started my 20-a-day habit when I was 15. Not proud but we all make mistakes.

November 16th, 2011 was the first day I never smoked and haven't touched one since. I was very lucky, didn't miss it nor do I crave for a cigarette. My hubby is quitting and started Jan 2nd. He has gone from 20-a-day to 3-5 a day. We are working together to get rid of those last few and he is using a Nicorette Inhalator and has Nicorette Cherry mints which he says are gross. Lol.

How about making a 'deal' with yourself? Rather than quitting on Tuesday, start by not buying any more cigarettes. Every time you want to have a cigarette think about the 'why' and how you will feel once you have had it? If you use cigarettes as a form of displacement can you use something else instead?

Sorry, but I can't offer any 'solid' advice as I found it incredibly easy to do.

Not everyone works the same so I suggest looking at your smoking habits and see if there is anything you can do to change it up a bit.

I wish you all the luck in world. X

karenwill2

I quit smoking last semester. Cold turkey. I quit, dealt with withdrawals for 3 days. Day # 3 is the worst. Day # 4, you are over it. I smoked for 15 yrs.

khk2010

Just do it. It is the best thing I ever did for myself and the hardest. But so worth it. I used hypnosis which helped a lot. I also carried around a short straw to have something to hold onto while I was getting used to being without a cig.

You can do it. It is great being a non-smoker.

ReverendJim

I smoked for 30 years and quit six months ago. It IS possible. Best of luck to you.

peaceinside

With ya...I'm quitting Friday. Feel free to friend me as well. I am scared but have done it in the past and know it can be done. Luck to all of us!!!
Peace :flowerforyou:

ReverendJim

I used hypnosis which helped a lot

Me too. It does work for some people!

carolemack

I quit a pack a day habit exactly two years ago. There is a great support website called quitnet.com I often went to that site to get support, vent my frustration, and celebrate each moment smoke free.

Exercise really helps. If you drink alcohol, avoid it during the first few weeks of quitting.
Get lots of sleep. You can't smoke when you're sleeping.
Spend lots of time in no smoking areas such as public buildings, etc.
If you slip up, pick yourself up and try again.

feel free to "friend" me if you'd like, I'd be more than happy to offer encouragement, etc.

I quit smoking cold turkey 27 months ago using the quitnet.com website. I was a VERY heavy smoker, 2 packs a day for almost 50 years. It was my success with that website that made me try MFP for weightloss. When I was quitting smoking I almost lived on that website. That, and as another person has suggested, reading the book "Easyway to Quit Smoking, were the keys to my success. It is absolutely thw BEST thing you can do for yourself! If I can ever help, or encourage you, in anyway, just let me know! :flowerforyou:

laurenk182004

Feel free to add me, I quit 3 days ago For the 18th time (roughly) Usually what screws me is booze, but I'm pregnant, so no alcohol for me! Good luck to you, it's quite a feat. I'm sure you can do it!

388gigi

Congratulations!!!

I quit smoking completely over a year ago now.

These are the lifestyle changes I made that helped to me quit, even made it easy! (It was probably my 10th time trying to quit)

1 - start a new fitness goal. I started the couch to 5 k program. This is the NUMBER ONE thing that helped me quit. I could not run a km before starting this program and quitting smoking. I enjoyed the first run so much that I knew if I wanted to get better, and eventually run 14km city to surf (Sydney) I would need to never smoke again. Why would I ruin all that training just to have something that is killing me! (I ran the city to surf 6 months later)

2 - quit cold turkey, do not try to cut down

3 - have a plan for everything. If you are going out, devise a plan before you go out. "What will I do if I feel like a cigarette when I'm out tonight?" The first night I went out drinking (about 2 weeks into quitting) I said to myself "every time i feel like a cigarette I'll get a glass of water" I spent the whole night outside with my smoker friends. It was amazing!

And remember, it gets easier! The first time you go out will be hard, the first time you drink will be hard, the first coffee without a smoke will suck, not having a smoke after a big meal will feel like torture....but trust me, it gets easier, easier than you think is possible!!

Don't get me wrong, I still want a cigarette every time I'm with smokers or drinking, but there is no way I would ever do it again. The saying "Will power is like a muscle, it gets stronger every time you use it" is really lame, but SO TRUE!!

Good luck, you can do it!!!!

yemphan

Read Allen Carr's book, The EasyWay to Quit Smoking. It's the best investment I ever made - I've been a non-smoker now for 19 days after smoking for over 30 years, and after the first few days, I've felt great. It can really change your mindset about smoking. Other practical tips - drink LOTS of ice water, and have healthy munchy snacks handy (like apples, carrots, stuff that will satisfy the urge to chew without packing in the calories). Try increasing exercise as a way to offset cravings and to reduce stress (I live for my afternoon workout now :happy: ). No matter what, know that you can do this, and it will be worth the effort.

Read the book! I freed myself of smoking on Jan. 13th. I'm 2 weeks in and after smoking for almost 20 years I have never felt better in my life. You can do it!!!

Tan43

It has been 1 year since I gave up. I went cold turkey and once those first few days were out of the way (Nicotine withdrawal I suppose) it became easier. Just keep focused and ride the emotions out without reaching for those ciggies. You will become stronger for it, not only in mind but in body as well. Drink plenty of water, eat clean and exercise each day and your body will love you for it!!! Good Luck and all the best..You Can Do It!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

emmazacklover

CONGRATULATIONS!!! The fact that you are posting for help shows you are going to be successful. It helps to be accountable.
I quit a 1.5 pack/day habit 17 months ago. Here are my tips:
1. When you have a craving get to the root of why.. is it because you are stressed? happy? sad? bored? driving? after eating? before eating? Whatever it is say "will anything be better in 7 minutes if I do have a cigarette... No. I can make it just this seven minutes"
For me it really was a minute at a time at first.
2. Quitnet.org. I wasn't really active on it, but they will send you updates on how you are doing and how much of your life you have saved, how much money you have saved, and how many cigarettes you have not smoked. I love getting the email and picturing the 15,000 cigarette butts I have NOT thrown on my porch, the earth, etc.
3. Keep LOTS of ice water around. I would start my day with some water to get through the morning craving.
4. Have a support person to call when it gets rough to talk you off of the ledge.
5. Know that addiction is a nasty beast... you have the nico-demon in your brain that will work it's magic to convince you you NEED a cigarette... you don't. As those nicotine receptors stop getting the gratificatoin they will get quiter. I still have dreams that I'm going to die if I don't smoke or that I smoked and messed up and might as well have one more... sick!
6. Physical exercise: the endorphins will help trick your brain right now. Plus, if you do some boxing or something you can imagine beating up a life size cigarette.
7. Journal.. i know it sounds silly but I would write about what I was feeling during my worst cravings..

your family and friends will be so happy for you and proud of you... use them for motivation. I think about all of the things I can do now that I don't smoke. How I don't smell. How I'm not embarrassed. How I don't cough. Or have to make excuses to drive separately, go outside, etc.

You will do great!!!!

xHelloQuincyx

*bumppppppppppppp*

would also like to quit. just dont know when that will happen, hopefully soon :]

NicoWoodruff

I quit smoking cigarettes over 20 years ago now. What helped me was:

First if you can't quit, cut back. Figure out what your important cigs are and only have them. For me it was the one after a meal so I'd allow myself 2 or 3 after each meal which = 9 or less a day. Way better than the pack a day I had been doing. Once you cut down then you can quit, although some people find it better to just go cold turkey.

Carry around a pack of cards or something to keep your hands busy. Thump them, fondle them, the way you would a cig pack. This helps the psychological aspect of the addiction.

When the craving gets really bad have a sugar free candy instead of a cig. Especially the sorbee type candies I found helpful that way because they leave a slight aftertaste (like a cig) and take about as long to melt in your mouth as a cig takes to smoke. Don't use sugar ones though or you may end up trading a nicotine addiction for a sugar addiction.

After 3 days most of the nicotine is out of your system, that's when the bad cravings start. If you can hold out 3 weeks or so the bad cravings start to subside. The more years you've been smoking, the longer it takes for the cravings to go away.

I remember a time that I couldn't imagine having a hot beverage without wanting a cig. Now I never even think about it.

Make sure you drink plenty of water to help flush the nicotine out of your system, they say antioxidants like vitamin C help also.

jennieolds442

buy some sugar free gum and dum dum suckers