I quit smoking Monday...

scapez

First off, congratulations and I sincerely hope that you are successful! Congrats to all of you reformed smokers as well. :drinker:

I quit in January of this year, and did very good for 4 months until a stressful situation got to me, and I've been on and off ever since. I haven't advertised it to anyone, though I did recently admit to my better half that I had been smoking. Know what? He knew! But he was kind enough to not chastise me for it.

That said, I know he doesn't like it and I don't want to be a smoker...at least a big part of me doesn't. However, the addiction side of me does. For me, it's a matter of willpower, willpower that seems to have an expiration date. I've tried everything - but in the end, it's a break in willpower that always ends up being my downfall.

frycase

I quit smoking almost a year ago, and everytime I got hit with a hard craving, I'd just tell myself that if I gave into it, then all the pain I'd gone through up to that point would be for nothing, and that a few years down the road I'd just have to go through it again. I did snack quite a bit immediately after quitting, but if you keep healthy stuff around (veggies, fruits, etc.) even that won't be a big deal. Other than that, yep, just keep yourself distracted. I always thought it would be stress that would cause the worst cravings, but it turned out to be boredom. Whoever said "paint your nails" is a genius, I wish I'd thought of that...

frycase

I've tried everything - but in the end, it's a break in willpower that always ends up being my downfall.

Out of curiosity, have you tried reading the book "Allen Carr's Easy Way to Stop Smoking"? It's kind of dated, but this is what I used to quit. It's kind of poorly titled, because quitting still wasn't easy, but it sure as hell was easier, and it really got me through the tough moments. You should check it out, I bet you could find it on Amazon.

bcampbell54

I chewed gum, played with a drumstick or pencil, tapped my fingers, etc..
You will find out what all the non-smokers have been doing all these years (like working instead of sneaking out for another smoke break) so you want to do something that will distract you, feed the fidgets that will invariably come, and not involve eating anything or becoming another habit that will keep you from doing what it is you are supposed to be doing.

There, I said it. Smokers often smoke to avoid working. I know I did.

Mamao7

Congrats and best wishes.. its will get easier.. when I quit 12 years ago it was the best decision.. eating to fill that gap is a bad habit i fought with, You hands need to find a new habit.. keep your hands busy and it will be ok.. It does get easier.

Discoveri

I quit last friday (the 29th). So far, so good. I am using the lozenges which have really helped in keeping my attitude upbeat. I have also been working out more this week as a way to fill the time. I get a craving and I pop in a lozenge and do some planking. My urge to smoke has gone down but the cravings do hit hard at times.

huntclan

Glad to hear you quit:-) I am on my 3rd year being smoke-free. My wife still smokes and until recently it didn't bother me. Now the smell of smoke bothers the hell out of me.

What to do with your time? Good question. Think about how cigarettes are not dictating how you live your life. Think about how bad you feel for those out there struggling with smoking. Try and remember how you feel when your done exercising and are out of breath... Notice how good it feels having clear air in your lungs.

People all over the place want you to succeed, but life has other plans. Life challenges your resolve to quit, but sooner or later it will support your efforts. It took a long time for the cravings to stop. It took a long time for cigarettes to smell nasty. I wish i could tell you a trick to fill the void that smoking leaves, but I know of none. Just realize that you're in it for the long-haul and face the tough times head-on. You keep smacking heads with the cravings and they will eventually subside.

Okay, I'm done bliovating. I wish you well...

tipadoo

I'm a 30 year smoker - it has been 8 months since I quit (I used champix) and I'm using the electric cigarette to stay off! Everytime I get the urge I just take a puff off the e-cig. it was worked for me! I went for a walk at break time downtown today and all I could smell was cigarettes outside and I kinda wanted one, until I say this lady sitting on a bench coughing her head off with a cigarette in her hand!! That was enough to cure that craving!

WEB3

I did crosswords. I could focus on that when I had a craving, really helped!

Congrats!

carolemack

I've tried everything - but in the end, it's a break in willpower that always ends up being my downfall.

Out of curiosity, have you tried reading the book "Allen Carr's Easy Way to Stop Smoking"? It's kind of dated, but this is what I used to quit. It's kind of poorly titled, because quitting still wasn't easy, but it sure as hell was easier, and it really got me through the tough moments. You should check it out, I bet you could find it on Amazon.

I second this...this book, and a website quitnet.com were what I used to quit smoking 32 months ago. I had been a heavy smoker (2 packs a day) for 50 years and quit cold turkey. Much like I do with MFP now, then I virtually lived on quitnet...reading all the success stories, get encouragement from others, etc.

Quitting smoking was the BEST thing I ever did for myself...and it will be for you too! I only wish I had done it when I was much younger, but better late than never. Congratulations on your success so far, and on the new car...keep it up and any more wonderful things are in your future!

ginaquinn2

First off, congratulations you made a great healthy decision! I quit 7 months ago. I am amazed with all the extra time I have on my hands. I only smoked outside or in my car so I had a lot of time spent getting ready to go outside (weather). I was a 40 year, pack a day smoker. The longest time I had gone before with out smoking...anything at all.........was probably a couple of weeks. So what is different this time? How am I able to stay quit this time?

Well I have used exercise to get me through hard times. Before when I've quit the biggest thing that brought me back to smoking was emotions. This time around I used exercise for all the same reasons I used nicotine. I'd get mad and I'd just say I'm going for a walk and I'd kind of stop off and walk it out. I'm still walking it out. :laugh: :laugh: I have COPD and about the most I used to walk was a block or less. Now I walk more than 4 miles a day......yesterday was kind of a special day and I walked 9 miles. You can do it this time. Whatever you did before didn't work for you......doesn't mean you won't find something that will. Best wishes--You can do this thing! You are stronger than that cigarette, your tougher and you can win. :flowerforyou: Gina

jtslim42

CONGRATS!!! I am on day 24 of not smoking! I feel so much better. I am reading more books to occupy all my time. Keep it up

cmeade20

I quit smoking 18 months ago. I fill in time gaps with reading (I love reading) I also do this if I'm bored and want to stave off the munchies. If Im out and about and in a situation where I would normally wind up smoking (IE leaving a resteraunt and the person Im with stops to use the bathroom so Im outside waiting for them) If I get the urge to smoke I pull out my phone and go on facebook. Distraction is amazing.

Linbo93

I have nothing to add to this thread as I have never smoked before. But I definitely wanted to jump onto the thread just to congratulate you!! You're doing something harder then I will probably ever have to do, and I commend you and all other ex-smokers!! :drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker:

AdrienneKaren

Instead of going outside to smoke, I go outside and inspect my flowers and vegetable plants. I probably look a little obsessive about my plants because I do this a few times per night, but it gets me outside without smoking.

myfitnessval

UPDATE: Still quit, and I have a shiny new car (with carpayment) for motivation to stay quit. It's my dream car by the way, and the payment is about the same a month as I was spending on dog rockets. THAT is motivation to me, I am a numbers person, it's actually the numbers that are keeping me sane. I think about smoking and the $hundreds of dollars I am spending and then I think about the fun shiny things, like cars, I can have instead

I quit when I got my new car because i wanted to keep the fresh smell. It lasted for about 3 years (the smell i mean). I used that as my motivation to never touch the stuff again. That and all the cancer but ya. yay for you quitting and gettin a car too!

CajunNino

I QUIT FOR GOOD 10 years ago: June 22, 2002.

I attempted to quit at least 9 times before that. This is MORE of a MENTAL issue than a physical one.....Because for me, scare tactics didn't work. "Do you want your children to be around your hospital bed looking at your black lungs?," I was told a few times. "Um, no, but I'm lighting one up anyways." At least it was more mental in my case. I know the physical cravings are nuts, but changing your mind is much more difficult.

Here's what I did: First, I got my mind right..... this seems simple enough, right. It's not. Wanting to quit smoking and being ready to stop are two different things. Next, I stopped smoking, not cut back to a few a day, not even one a day. COLD TURKEY! WEANING off cigarettes DOES NOT WORK. Then, like many have said.... STAY BUSY. I chewed gum! I took walks! Got peppermints, etc. I did manage to meditate on what being smoke free would mean, but for the most part the best thing to help me was TIME. After enough time has passed and you've not picked up a cig... it gets easier, trust me.

GOOD LUCK!!!!

PS. Don't ya love getting advice on quitting smoking from someone who has never smoked? LOL - Used to drive me nuts.

MaryRegs

GOOD GOOD GOOD for you! My pal from work is trying to quit-and we both think the other has a bigger task to handle. Stick with it-one day at a time...we are on the path together!!

slliwlt

Congrats to you! YEAH! I quit in October... I ate. And ate. And ATE! And.... now I'm here! I had quit when I was pregnant with both of my kids... and started right up again after delivery! Another time-I quit for 11 months... then I decided to just have 1 at a bonfire. Ugh! Bad decision. This time I'm done for good. I suggest picking up a new habit... be it walking, running, cleaning, blogging, whatever... It won't be an easy road by any means-but then anything worth doing isn't easy! You'll sweat, swear, twitch... but you can do it! Good luck! :happy:

mamaomefo

Proud of you for quitting, first of all. You can spend your extra time exercising. It will help you have something to do to fill the void and it will make you even more healthy. Congratulations again!

slliwlt

SO.... How are you doing?