Any smokers out there?

ElectricMayhem

I just started Chantix about a week ago, i'm still smoking but it seems to make me forget when "it's time" for another cigarette. I have not smoked one when i first wake up or right before bed for 2 days now.. i figure that cut two out per day so maybe it will be less and less as the time goes on. My insurance only covered $10 of the 30 day prescription and let's just say it cost me twice as much as i spend on cigarettes in a month!! But i'm ready to quit, just tired of the smell, the dependency, and not being able to breathe well when i exercise! If you are ready then go for it!

rejs1170

Took me 10 years to kick to habit (I have been a smoker for 22 years), and I kicked it a month ago when the dog chewed up my packet. I was smacking and yelling at the dog, and my kids came out and told me off. That was my moment.
I went through a week of bad cravings, but since then I have been o.k. I just have to avoid being around people who are smoking.
I really hope you are able to quit soon, but it is very hard, so keep trying and do not give up on quitting because you relapse (I probably failed over a 100 times).

Lynschell

I have carried this nasty habit for probably 4 years now. I really want to quit and know that I need to, but I just don't know how to put them down. I am a full time student and mom of three (reasons why I should stop). I am afraid that if I put them down I will drive my husband crazy and/or gain weight. Any advice?

I just recently quit a little over a month ago. It wasn't easy especially since my husband is still a smoker. But I decided I had had enough. I wanted to buy a new car and keep the new car smell. I wanted to not have to shower everytime I had somewhere nice to go so I didn't smell like it. so I decided that after I was done with the last carton of cigarettes that I was done. I bought the patches and only wore them for the 1 st week. Just ask everyone that is around you that smokes to kindly do it some where else. If they love you they will respect that you're trying to quit and not do it around you. My hubby didn't do it around me for the first 3 weeks. and after that I didn't really care. even though now I CAN NOT stand the smell of the smoke. The thought of one disgusts me.

I do have to say though that you have to be dead serious!!! I tried to quit last year and didn't last a couple of weeks. of course I was still trying to smoke black and milds if I drank. I learned from that experience that smoking anything doesn't help. you can't smoke at all!!! that's why I didn't even try the electronic cigs.

Good luck!! and treat yourself to a prize at certain milestones!! That way you have something else to work towards!!! I bought a new car!!! And I was able to spend more because I'm saving so much $$$$ not smoking!!!!!

rykacalla

There is a beautiful android app called " QuitNow! ". It keeps track of your progress (your recovering health, how many cigarettes you haven't smoked, how much money you've saved etc.) Watching my numbers increase everyday was the biggest thing that kept me from relapsing. Everytime I wanted to smoke, I had to remind myself how it would feel to reset my progress.

You also unlock acheivements, and there is a great support chat built into the app. Sometimes trolls are lurking there to sabatoge people, but by and large its a very helpful group of people.

This Saturday will be 12 weeks absolutely free from cigarettes! I was someone who really enjoyed smoking, but now I really enjoy the freedom.

Best of luck to you!

Char_marcus

I am a smoker in the process of quitting, I am I admit a stress smoker, i have quit before for a long time then alot of stress all at one time put paid to that. I am on Champix tablets, you can smoke on them for the first 14 days as your body builds up the resistance to the nicotine and after the first 7 days you will notice that you don't smoke that often any more and after day 14 you stop, there are some little side affects like strange dreams but i don't have them every night, and i was advised to take them after a substantial meal otherwise they will make you feel sick and are more likely to not take them.

I was told that when I had a craving for a cigarette, like after my meal to nibble on something bitter like dark chocolate or a small glass of red wine.

I can't afford to keep smoking, and i want my fitness to improve these are my two main motivations.

Hope this helps

xxx

w2bab

I quit 5 months ago after 16 years of smoking. What helped me was something (obvious) that i read. Basically it was that no one could tell me not to smoke. I smoked because I chose to be a smoker. When I quit and was really craving, I reminded myself that I could smoke if I wanted to, but that I was choosing not to. I think having the choice helped me. I don't react very well to staying away from forbidden things.

EchoShots

Go to Google and search Totally Wicked. They supply really good e-cigg products that have blown all the others away. They also run great specials. Once you give the e-ciggs a chance that they supply you will not want a cigg. It taste's better, gives a throat hit, puts out just as much (or more) vapor, and dont smell at all. I love mine!

LisaLashesxx

my oldest boy is in year 6 and 3 of his friends parents died this year through smoking or alcohol related illness they were all under 40 years old.

just before christmas, my youngest who is 7 explained that his friend's father had died that afternoon through a smoking related illness.......he was 37 years old.

My oldset sat down next to me one evening 30th October 2011 and he cried and begged me to stop smoking as he feared i WOULD DIE ... I reasured him I would never smoke again from thT POINT ON AND i HAVE NOT TOUCHED A SINGLE CIGARETTE.

I used the intellicig electronic cigarette from the internet for few weeks when in the company of smokers.......but for about 4 weeks was quite recluse as i wanted to give myself the best start at quitting.

I have not looked back and other than the intellicig have used little else.

I didnt weigh myself for the first 10 weeks of giving up, and I did gain weight......19lbs!!!!! but that came back off in 3 weeks and I am back to losing again and feel freat.

More to the point, I know my sons will have their mum for a lot longer than if I were still smoking. Kids need their parents, and I wasnt going to risk my health or worse death for the stinky things any longer.

This was enough for me to quit, I hope this gives you some incentive to quit too. Your kids are precious, dont let them fear you not being there for them, as My boy did. It broke my heart.

Good luck

Lisa xx

Lynschell

i'm a smoker and i want to quit...eventually.i really don't feel like now is the moment to stop.first i want to lose my weight and then try to quit smoking.i just think it's better to solve one problem at a time.

This is also my problem, but I also know that I would feel much better if I quit. Right now my sinuses drive me crazy.

You will feel SO much better!!! I always had headaches and woke up hacking....headaches and hacking gone!!! I also never had any energy...Now I have so much energy!!! I'm doing much better with eating right and exercising...I replaced my morning coffee and smoke with the gym!!!!

LisaLashesxx

Go to Google and search Totally Wicked. They supply really good e-cigg products that have blown all the others away. They also run great specials. Once you give the e-ciggs a chance that they supply you will not want a cigg. It taste's better, gives a throat hit, puts out just as much (or more) vapor, and dont smell at all. I love mine!

love mine too
x

Dean31

I quit almost 2 years ago cold turkey. What made it easy for me though was that I was in an environment where I was really the only one that was smoking. It was a lot easier to quit when none of my friends wanted to be around me because I STUNK.

I didn't read through all of the previous posts on here, but did read several and noticed a few saying they still loved the smell of it even after quitting. You guys are hardcore LOL. I cannot stand the smell of a cigarette now. I can smell a smoker walking down-wind of me (and even when the wind is still) from several feet away and it's the worst smell ever to me. It literally makes me noxious now and gives me a headache.

Something else I didn't see was anyone mentioning the health risks. My whole family smokes, so it was only natural that I picked it up too. I was already smoking anyway with all the 2nd hand smoke around. Besides the smoking, another family trait for me is lung and throat cancer. All of my older family members have died between the ages of 40 and 60 from either lung or throat cancer, and it was directly related to smoking. Both of my grandmothers, my maternal grandfather (don't know my dad's dad), my aunt's husband, and my aunt's son (most recent and only in his 40s) all died from cancer and were heavy smokers. My great aunt and her family on the other hand are non smokers and are living into their 80s.

Every time you find yourself craving that cigarette you need to look at your child/children and ask yourself if you really want to put them through the pain of having to bury you because of that cigarette, or worse yet imagine what it would be like to have to bury one of your own children, like my aunt just had to do, because of cigarettes. If that doesn't work I don't know what will-and be prepared, because they WILL put you, and your children, in an early grave.

I don't mean to come off so harsh, but smoking has devastated my family, so it's a sensitive subject for me.

AND not only that, smoking impairs your ability to be active and lose weight! If you can only handle one process at a time then STOP SMOKING FIRST! You will be AMAZED at how much more energy and strength you have once you get that gunk out of your system. I'm telling you from personal experience. Working out and getting in shape is 1,000,000,000,000,001 times EASIER and FASTER when you're not smoking!

Lynschell

2) I eliminated the "triggers" or replaced the actual smoking with a different activity for the ones I could not or didn't want to eliminate that gave me the urge to smoke. Like after meals, alcohol, social events. For that after meal urge, I went for a walk instead. Alcohol, I noticed I would smoke if I were in a bar but not if I was at home. So I quit going to the bars. In certain social events like gatherings of friends, I would excuse myself if the smoke bothered me or I began to get the urge. Then return after it subsided.

This is what's clobbering me. Local bands playing dive bars and riding the motorcycle... without fail, I light up.

I may be able to give up bands at dive bars, but I'll never give up the mc. So I think I can make it work.

the hardest part for me was driving especially long distances but I bought hard candy, lots and lots of hard candy...if I felt like I wanted to smoke I stuck a candy in my mouth!!! My uncle used toothpicks to quit dipping. I also know people who used suckers for the hand to mouth action.

marnijojo

I haven't 'quit'.... I just haven't had a cigarette for nearly 2 years.

And I can't even tell you when I had my last one, tho I think it was July 2010...I just kind of decided one day not to have the next one. At that point, if I had to face the fact that I might not ever have another cigarette in my life, I could not have done it....but time passed and I just kept on keeping on and now here I am almost two years smoke free.

I no longer have any desire to smoke. Cannot stand the smell of it indoors, but still kind of enjoy the faint smell of a cigarette outdoors. Good luck to you!

JamesonsMommy

I used the patch.. No side effects and no cravings

tcmay72

Just know you can do it! And then do it:0) try the electric cig, try chantix, try eating:0( what ever takes. I never had a prob with quiting "cold turkey" the best method for me. I did all the above suggestions. My prob was husban smoked so i always started back up. However almost 1 1/2yr ago my husban just up and quit??? On a thursday of all days i followed that saturday( had to smoke up the rest). So my best advice " remove the temptation" even friends for a while if needed. Soon you will understand how nasty they truely are and not want to even be around them let alone smoke it. Its so funny how offensive they are when your not the one puffin:0)

tcmay72

Remember: You will be a B*$#* , just tell people why and you will be forgiven:0)

chachita7

I am a stress smoker... I have been a smoker since I was 16... quit during both of my pregnancies and stayed strong for a few months after... have quit several times after that (talking about months at a time, longest for 1 yr 5 mos) but when I get stressed I need to smoke - mostly because it gets me away from what ever situation. I have been wanting to quit for good but it is being very hard this time around - going cold turkey has worked for me very well in the past - it takes all in me to do so since my husband is a smoker as well...

Lynschell

I knew I was done when I was able to go to the bar 2 weeks after my last cig and was not even tempted!!!!

KatiD83

It sounds dismissive, but speaking from personal experience, just STOP buying them.

I was about halfway through a pack when I decided to quit. When that pack was gone, that was it. I refused to purchase any more. Period. That was six years ago, and aside from the first week of crankiness, sticking with quitting hasn't been as hard as I feared.

^^^^This is how I quit. I just stopped and refused to buy more. It's hard to quit when others around you smoke, but if you want it bad enough it can be done. I didn't notice a weight gain after I quit, but I did see a huge difference financially!

reaolliemama

Your strongest desire will always win. The question you need to answer is what do you desire most, health or the feeling of smoke filling your lungs repeatedly?

bauer1971

I smoked for 26 years and decided on my 40th it was passed time to quit. I had a friend refer me to a book titled "The Easy Way to Stop Smoking" by Allen Carr. I read the book, which, the author recommends you smoke while reading, worked immediately. No pills, no side effects, etc. I passed the one year anniversay January 17th and havent looked back. Strongly recommend this to you and anyone else wanting to quit. Best $14 ever spent.

Good luck!

Bridget0927

Bump, Im quitting now am interested in the subject :-)
Good Luck to you!

smiles4deb

I am 5 1/2 weeks out. I quit when I came down with a cold, because it was hard enough to just breathe normally. After I started feeling better, it was all about the mindset. The longer I quit, and I thought about starting again, because of stress or whatever, I would use the mindset of, ok, you're down 3 weeks, do you want those 3 weeks to have not meant anything? I did let the stress get to me last week and smoked half a cig. I felt like how someone above put it, I felt guilty and mad that I would give in. So now I'm back to the mindset again. It's so much better being able to work out without feeling like I'm going to pass out and now I don't have to go stand out in the cold to smoke. Besides that, it's so cool when my kid tells me how proud she is of me for quitting. 11 years ago, I quit alcohol, now this and I'm still losing weight!! :bigsmile:

RochelleBlack

JUST DO IT. Gaining ten pounds is far less detrimental than sucking on cancer sticks. Munch baby carrots. Chew gum. Stay away from smokers. Post the "24 hours/2 days/1 week, etc after quitting smoking" health sheet on your fridge, post a picture... of smokers lungs...WHATEVER IT TAKES to motivate you.

Get through the first 3 weeks and you are golden.

I quit almost 6 years ago. I stopped counting how many days I had been without a cig at about day 18...

Everything becomes SO much easier without them.

I have a great disdain for smokers now. They stink, they litter...smoking isn't cool anymore!

KellyBurton1

Im a smoker to, and I hate it! Why? cause my mom just found out she has lung cancer due to smoking! And besides Im sick of feeling like ****. Its not easy to quit, right now I have cut down alot and just getting mentally prepared. But I will do it. Im tired of being retricted when excerising and Im doing it for my mom!

lizannehouse

Wellbutrin helped me to quit, but I did gain a lot of weight. I started smoking again in hopes of losing the weight. Now I'm just as heavy and smoke.

jody664

I quit (again) in May 2011. I had been thinking of quitting, and one day, I was driving down the interstate and lit up. After a few puffs, I said to myself, "This doesn't even taste good! What the heck am I doing?" I tossed the cig out of the car, followed by the almost full pack and the lighter. (I know, I know.....I littered. But I knew if I didn't get rid of them RIGHT THEN, I would continue to smoke.)

I put on about 15 lb since quitting, which is why I am here trying to lose it and more.

Don't give up. Keep trying. It took my dad about 10 tries to finally quit for good. It's taken me about 4-5 times.

BigDaddyBRC

Let's put this in reality....

Your battle with smoking is 99% mental. It is the habitual process you go through...like your drive home that you take every day. Yes, there is small amount that interacts with your body...but it is gone from your system in 3 days. 3 DAYS. Can you experience "withdraw" symptoms...yes.

Learn this and apply to anything and everything you can in life.... Choose what it is you want. Act upon the choices that bring you to Succeeding.

I quit Cold Turkey over year ago...smoked since I was 9 years old. Never an urge or desire after a week. In fact, smelling the smoke on those that I work with disgusts me, now. Does it sound good from time to time...sure does...then I get a whiff of it...No thank you. Change your habits of keeping your hands occupied. it will help dramatically.

wells0707

So..I didn't read through all of the comments, but I know there are alot of states that have a quit line. If you google it they should be able to send you either patches or gum free of charge. AND provide you with a coach to help you through it.

I quit with my brother in law (in different states) and they helped us both. I just used Colorado quitline and they actually gave me the number to give to him in Maryland.

Goodluck!

Capone1971

I quit smoking 3 years ago. I didn't particularly want to quit - but I was about to buy a house and needed the money - I know it should have been for health reasons or the kids - but it wasn't. I liked smoking and could always find an excuse. to justify having one. I wasn't sure I would be able to afford the house, if I continued to smoke and Occupational Health at work were running a campaign to get their staff to quit smoking, so the timing happened to be right and I gave it a go. 15 of us signed up.

We used patches, which can be quite irritating on the skin, but you get used to them. We were lucky that some NHS staff came into give the group sessions where we discussed why people smoke and ways to avoid these. It was interesting that generally we have a cigarette to get us going in the morning, at the beginning of a task, a way to have thinking time if a task is difficult, celebrating the end of something (eg finished a task, end of dinner), with alcohol. I bought myself a games console and when I would normally have a smoke - I would play on that instead for 5 minutes (obviously not while I was at work though - I think I probably had more coffee and chocolate - hence the need to diet now).

One of the first things I noticed was how I deluded myself by thinking that breath mint would hide the fact I'd had a cigarette and none of my colleagues would know. I could smell immediately if someone had had one because it hangs in the breath, particularly if you inhale deeply, and sticks to the clothes.

We had our breath measured weekly, so the nurse would know whether or not we had had a cigarette - for me - this was the most effective measure. Within a few weeks my levels of carbon monoxide had significantly reduced. Around a year later, I did the breath test out of interest and was told that I had less pollution than a non-smoker - probably because I don't have to sit in heavy traffic during my commute and I don't live in the City.

Out of the 15 of us that did the course, I am the only one still not smoking. I occasionally see the others at the smoke shelters as I wander past . I love the smell of a lit ciggy but know that if I were to try one - I'd probably start smoking again, so I try to avoid the smoke shelters. This smell thing is not universal - my sister quit through will power and cannot stand the smell of a cigarette at all.

Now it is legislation that we have to smoke outside of public buildings in the UK, and with the weather usually being wet or cold - there is plenty of incentive to quit.

If you're in the UK, I suggest you go to your GP, as there are many different varieties of medication/alternatives available and these can be prescribed. This will work out cheaper than buying them individually. They may also have funding so that it is free - it depends on the Health Authority/Health Practice. They sometimes hold a support group as well - and chatting through with others who are also having difficulty quitting can be helpful.