Need advice from ex smokers
Replies
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Make it through the first 3 days and you have it licked. I do mean, those 3 days have to be 100% smoke free. If you take a drag, the 3 days start over.
Do whatever it takes to get through those days. I took vacation time and started some beading projects. I used a type of e-cigarette, but no drugs or patches or gum. I had hard candies and lots of munchies. I worked out a lot, too.
Your own mind will be your biggest enemy in this endeavor. You will come up with tons of reasons NOT to quit, reasons to do it later, reasons why you can't stand the withdrawals, etc. Talk back to yourself and keep telling yourself that you CAN do it, you DO have the strength, and you WILL survive these first few days.
Good luck!
Ps...I quit after 34 years of 2-4 packs a day. And lost 15 pounds the next few months. So anyone can do it, if I can.0 -
"tired of being stinky and being short of breath and I want to see my kids get married"
I quit when I was pregnant many moons ago, and that motivation was enough for me to get through it. You need to find one strong motivator that is stronger than the urge to smoke -- one thing that makes smoking no longer a possibility in your life. Often, our own health (or smelling better) isn't motivation enough. How about the fact that your kids need a healthy mom who's going to live a long, healthy life with them? (P.S. Smoking ages you like crazy. Once you get all of those toxins out of your system, you're going to look better than you have in years!)
Congrats on making it through the first three days. You can do this.0 -
simply this. forget everything else , this will be the best £10 you'll ever spendHave you read Allan Carr's book "The Easyway to Quit Smoking"? If not, you should.0 -
Used Dr prescribed chantix..... no problems.... stopped smoking in one week..... (coming from 1 pack a day)
Same Here, i could have been the Chantix poster child.... Smoke free without a craving for 6 years0 -
Have you read Allan Carr's book "The Easyway to Quit Smoking"? If not, you should. That book, and the website www.quitnet.com were the best resources that I used to quit smoking over two years ago. I was a very heavy smoker for 50 years and quit cold turkey using just those two things.
I also loved to smoke, but like you I hated the way it made you smell and how hard it was to breathe. Until you have been quit for about six months you won't really know just how bad it does smell, you only think you know.
I waited too long to quit and am now living with COPD...please be smarter than me and quit now...your lungs will thank you for it! :flowerforyou:
I second this book. It was the best thing I did for myself to quit smoking. It's been two years now and no looking back! It's true about the smell too. I just walk by some people in a store and I can smell it on them, gross. You can do it!
I read the book also. I quit on January 3, and I haven't touched a cigarette since. My boyfriend (with whom I live) still smokes, and it doesn't even bother me. Definitely read the book; it will put you in the right mindset to quit. You have nothing to lose except the cost of the book and the time it takes to read it.
No patches, no substitutes. The *****iness is all from a mental place, not a physical one. Absolutely just read this book.
Good luck!!!0 -
The first week was tougher than the second, and the third easier than that ones before. Just hang in there. Run, drink water, take deep breaths, use gum or life savers, but do it!
My ex-wife and I quit smoking on the same day nearly 20 years ago. She started again, and at 55, she has stage 4 lung and brain cancer. Today is a good day to tell yourself it's worth it. It is unlikely she is going to make it, and both the kids will probably not have her at their weddings.
Good luck.
BTW - I went to a Christian healing conference and have never had one since! I smoke 2-3 packs of Marlboro reds a day.0 -
I'm coming up on my 3 year smoke free-versery and couldn't be happier. I did quit cold though and relied on suckers, gum and hard candy to curb the oral needs, but I also picked up knitting and cross-stitching to keep my hands busy while watching TV and such. I find that I still crave a cigarette during super stressful times, but try to turn towards something positive (well, kind of), like hitting the gym and pounding on a bag or even heavy weight lifting to get me through. I will say I do cry a bit more when stressed, but I can deal with that switch. I smoked a pack a day for 12 years. I will be happy to be your friend if you need someone to talk you down.0
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I stopped smoking on tuesday and have been using an ecigarette to satisfy the cravings. I was a b*tch for the first couple of days but not as bad as I what i've been when going cold turkey. Hang in there, right there with you! x
Its been almost a month for me....I did this at first. I always thought e-cigs were corny before. But hey it worked for me!
Good luck!0 -
I quit smoking on November 4, 2009, I smoked for about 5-6 years. I quit basically cold turkey ( i used the gum for about a day before I realized how icky it was ) after my boss's dad passed away from lung cancer, having NEVER even smoking a cigarette.
I suggest having a strong support system and also removing any lighter you have from your grasp. I broke down and bought a pack one day soon after I quit but had no lighter and didn't realize i had no lighter until I drove away from the store, so I threw the cigarettes out the window instead.
Good luck! if you need support, add me!0 -
You can do this!! Took me about 6 months til I was okay, still had slight cravings here and there but remain strong. I smoked for 10-11 years. Do what works for you but within that 6 months, I maybe had 4 cigarettes. a puff or two here and there when it was unbearable but then it started making me sick to put that back into my body, which is a good thing! Good luck to you!0
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I used Allan Carr's book also! Best thing I ever bought! It does put you in the right frame of mind.....It makes a lot of sense to me the way he thinks! April 30th will be 2 years and I have not cheated at all. Once in a blue moon I will think-- man I could really enjoy a cig in this nice place ie: nice shaded swing, by the beach, on a balcony-- all the places I used to look for to light up! But then I think WOW! I don't do that any more!
Good Luck!! (and stop thinking negative about the quiting....you are doing something great for your self!!!0 -
I quit a year and 3 months ago. For the first 3 months I missed smoking so much because I too loved to smoke. When I passed that one year mark I felt AWESOME! I would get in the elevator with smokers and think to myself "wow, did I smell that bad"..gross. The extreme feeling of pride was so gratifying.. after the first 3 months it got much easier, after the first 6 months much much easier.. and now? Piece of cake!
I have a 4 year old daughter and I told her smoking was bad and just felt I had to set an example.. how could I tell her not to smoke and then do it myself? I was not only risking my own health but also making her more likely to grow up and smoke herself.. it was a no brainer for me. Also.. I used a quit smoking support group online (it's since been removed) but that was a huge help too. Good luck!!!!0 -
I have this book Allan Carr's book "The Easyway to Quit Smoking on my kindle. If you have a kindle I will loan the book to you. GREAT BOOK. I quit 5 1/2 months ago and feel wonderful but I really feel tath you have to be ready and want it too.0
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Didn't read all the replies so I'm sure it's been covered BUT, give it a month. After that, the cravings start to really go away, you'll have hacked up most of the nasty black stuff and your lung capacity will start to return. I smoked for many years and quit cold turkey back in '07, one of the best things I've ever done. Now, I smell smoke and it makes me nauseous, can't believe I used to do that to myself daily. The satisfaction of smoking a cigarette is NOT worth it, you'll be a lot happier after you quit. Stick with it!0
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The first few days (to first week) is the worst. I quit 22 years ago today:) Hardest and most rewarding thing I ever did for myself. It is tough, but it gets easier and easier. After 3 or 4 weeks it will just be a fleeting thought here and there. After a year or two you won't remember why you ever did it in the first place. Keep in there. If you've made it through two days, you can make it through three, four, five, etc.
It will get easier - I promise:)0 -
It is a very hard Addiction to quit! You will be crabby & irritable because your brain is saying "give it to me" "I want it" your brain also says "I'll give you a effin headache" (metaphorically of course) SO BE KIND TO YOU!!! I hope you & your family will be gentle with you & you be gentle too. I came down with a lethal bacterial pneumonia back in 2006 that nearly took my life & I have not touched a cigarette since. YOU CAN DO IT!!! & you will wear pretty perfume & not smell like an ash tray that ruins the pretty perfume! & your teeth will look nice too!!! Good Luck!!0
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The first few days (to first week) is the worst. I quit 22 years ago today:) Hardest and most rewarding thing I ever did for myself. It is tough, but it gets easier and easier. After 3 or 4 weeks it will just be a fleeting thought here and there. After a year or two you won't remember why you ever did it in the first place. Keep in there. If you've made it through two days, you can make it through three, four, five, etc.
It will get easier - I promise:)
when I see cigarettes in the gas station & walgreens or anywhere I say to my husband "Man I am so glad I quit smoking!!" still to this day & you can do it too!!0 -
I used Chantix. I think it is seriously wonderful. I've been smoke free for 3 months and can't imagine somking again. I really liked it because you smoke the first week you take it. Good luck!0
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I love smoking! I don't want to quit.
I hate to say it, you need to change this first.0 -
Will start to feel normal after a week to 10 days. Then it is just day by day. Smoke-free since 2009 and sometimes I still want one. Stay strong!0
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I've stopped for 13 days while using an e-cig. While someone mentioned don't use 1. Why not? It contains nicotine like all the other nicotine replacement program's . It's helping take the edge off, as well as keeping me sane but the wife might beg to differ....lol
Does anyone think reading the Alan Carr book would help me out even tho I'm using my e-cig.
As long as you want to give up 100%, then now is the time. Just take it day by day and treat yourself after certain milestones. I use an app on my iPhone called idontsmoke and you can add extra milestones to the ones that are already there, be it by time,cigs not smoked or by money. Good luck and I hope it all works out well.
YES, read the Alan Carr book even though you're using an e-cig. The book addresses it. Anyone who wants to quit should read the book first before making any other move! 0 -
Congratulations on deciding to quit!!!!! I quit about 14 months ago. I was not planning on quitting, but I got an upper respiratory infection that had me down for a few days. When I got better, I realized that I had not smoked the entire time I was sick, so I just quit. Yes, it was that simple for me! I just quit. But, I will tell you that I believe that the Lord took the desire to smoke from me. I didn't ask Him at that time, but it was on His time. So, my suggestion to you is that you pray about quitting, and all that comes along with quitting. Pray when you want a smoke, and give thanks when you don't. And keep on praying about it!! And love yourself enough to continue to be a FORMER smoker!!
Another thing that helps me to not start smoking again is thinking about the pain and suffering my father went through. He smoked for many years. He quit smoking about 5 years ago, but it was too late. By then he had developed COPD and early emphysema. He passed away 3 months ago from cancer. I truly miss him, and do not want my own children to have to miss me like that!!0 -
16 years a smoker...5 + years smoke free... Not a single puff since my quit date. I love smoking. Wish I could have a smoke right now. The extreme cravings will persist for a while 2-3 weeks and then moderate cravings I would say almost a month for me. After that though its all mental. Mental triggers and cravings. Things like drinking, driving, playing cards, playing video games, triggers a craving not nearly as much but still I get this mental pull. Nothing I cant overcome just a trigger. After getting heavily into triathlon I wish now I had never smoked even one time.0
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I love smoking! I don't want to quit.
I hate to say it, you need to change this first.
I didn't I loved smoking all the way to the last drag....But I wanted to quit more then I wanted to smoke0 -
June 29th will be 8 years smoke-free for me. I tried Several time, and failed. The best advice i can give you is..
First of all don't give up! If you happen to cave and smoke, don't get discouraged and give up..just chalk it up to a brain fart and move on.
what i did..
I used to smoke 2 and a half packs a day..by the time i quit i was closer to 3 packs. I had tried the patches before and they didn't work for me. I am crazy stubborn and competitive, and i believe in prayer. I decided to challenge myself, so i did it cold turkey.
I set a date on the calendar as my quit day. I bought a pack of drinking straws. measured them out to the same length as a cigarette, and put them into an empty pack. I stocked up on gum, and healthy snacks. once the day came everytime i felt the urge to smoke i would grab one of the straws out of the pack..I would hold it like i would a smoke..and take "drags" off of it...it helped with the oral fixation, and the habit of having soemthing between my fingers..and it was also helping to heal my lungs quicker since i was taking in healthy air everytime i took a drag off the straw. when the urge became too strong i would chew on the straw..If it became too hard to handle i would say a prayer. I prayed for him to help ease the urge/craving..and if he helped me i would never tough another cigarette again...and 8 years later here i am.
I'm definitely not pushing religion on anyone, just giving you my tips, and my story on how i did it
Keep it up! It's hard but well worth the fight!!0 -
dont quit i haven't0
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bump this for after work! all this advice is great0
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I recently quit. Have been a smoker for 20 years. I quit a few times once for four years. I am currently using the patch and it works for the irratibilty and i use exercise so I am not sitting around. It is difficultt but you just have to put your mind to it.
If you decide to use a nicotine replacement product use it for at least the recommended 8 weeks, lower the dose as is directed. Even if you feel you got it licked. The first time i used the patch i stopped after 2 weeks and started again after 2 months. It was a minimum of 14 days to break a habit, the extra 6 weeks just reinforces it.0 -
Have you read Allan Carr's book "The Easyway to Quit Smoking"? If not, you should. That book, and the website www.quitnet.com were the best resources that I used to quit smoking over two years ago. I was a very heavy smoker for 50 years and quit cold turkey using just those two things.
I also loved to smoke, but like you I hated the way it made you smell and how hard it was to breathe. Until you have been quit for about six months you won't really know just how bad it does smell, you only think you know.
I waited too long to quit and am now living with COPD...please be smarter than me and quit now...your lungs will thank you for it! :flowerforyou:
THIS ^^^ book is the only thing that helped me to quit and I've been smoke free for 2+ years after smoking a pack a day for 13 years. It should be a mandatory read for smokers. It's truly enlightening.
p.s. I'd tried the patch, nicorette, will power, Zyban, etc. all unsuccessfully before.0 -
I quit almost 2 years ago after smoking for 18 years! Not gonna lie....it was HELL! However, the alternative is much worse. It took a couple months for me to feel normal again and I had about every withdraw symptom there is. At one point I was in bed for almost a week due to headaches and muscle aches....but it was all worth it! There are still times when I will have a little craving but I know better than to touch one now! I did it all cold turkey for the most part...but did have the gum a couple times when it got bad. (couldn't use the patch as it caused a rash)
I smell everything now. I taste everything now. I don't pant and run out of breath as much just trying to do normal things like getting dressed...lol.
Hang in there! I promise it will be worth it! :flowerforyou:0
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