Any former smokers out there?

Vickig602

I just quit smoking and now I'm walking.
I'm 45 and want to be healthy. Has anybody been through this?

SteffieMark

I'm 55 and quit smoking 5 years ago, after smoking since I was 11 years old! I am much more active now that I can breathe!

lawkat

I quit 2 years ago using Wellbutrin. It helped me deal with cravings and the depression. It did take me about a month and I started running again. I found that exercise and having future races, helps me keep my quit. However, these days, I don't think much about smoking unless I am around smokers. Even then, I don't want a smoke.

Just take it one moment at a time. I found breathing deep and drinking a ton of water helped a lot. I also had to learn how to deal with my emotions instead of smoking, which can be difficult. You will get there.

Have you been to quitnet.com? It is a great site with people from all different types of quitting smoking. Very supportive and informative.

peasantsong

Yes! Me! I quit almost a year ago and never looked back. A friend gave me a copy of Allen Carr’s Easyway book and asked me to read it but not to think of it as pressure to quit. “Just read it,” she said, “There’s no commitment.” So, I started reading it and finished it in one night. When I finished the book, I knew – I really just knew with the fullest certainty – that I would never smoke again. I didn’t use patches or gum or anything. I just stopped. And I swear to you that I am not lying when I say it was really freaking easy. I never felt a craving. Not a single time. I smoked a pack a day for 12 years and when I quit I was just done. Ever since the day I quit, I’ve remained as confident as ever that I will never smoke again. I didn’t gain weight because I didn’t crave and I didn’t have a need to fulfill the non-existent cravings with food. I didn’t suffer. I wasn’t grumpy. It wasn’t torture. It was SO easy. I strongly encourage anyone who wants to quit smoking to read that book.

rsharper97

I quit 7 years ago and it was the best decision I have ever made. It was hard at first but now I don't even crave them. I can be around people that smoke and I am ok. My lung capacity is so much better. Good luck!

oldernotwiser

I smoked my last cigaretteon 4/1/2012 at 8:47pm after a 48 year habit. The patch and Wellbutrin helped me get through the first 3 months. Deep breaths and lots of water do help. Whenever you feel the need stop and take time to remember why you are doing this.

I did use hard candies as an oral substitute until I realized they were becoming almost as much a habituation as smoking. I did start working out 1 week after quitting with light cardio and weight training. It helped to have a new, healthy focus to replace the old bad habit.

dehere98

How long has it been since your last cigarette?
Quitting smoking for me was the hardest thing I've ever done, but one of my biggest victories! Good for you for making the choice to stop. All I can say is don't give up, no matter what. Whether you fail to meet your goal or not, just keep going for it, and it will happen.
I was 1.5 pack a day for many years, since I was a kid actually. You will feel better, you will look better, you won't stink, your clothes, car and home won't stink and you will have reduced your chances of contracting lung cancer by half.
The dentist did multiple deep under the gum cleaning and picked out pockets of black nicotine, so disgusting. You can do it and you won't regret it. I have 12 years smoke free and I don't miss it. Hang in there.

pwnderosa

Yes! Congrats!! I quit last Spring using an electronic cigarette and lots of walking, shopping, hot tea, video games, and crafting to distract me. I probably gained a little weight in the process (not sure, wasn't really tracking it until a few months after) but now I am feeling fitter than I have in years and have improved my walks to walk/run intervals. I NEVER thought I'd be able to quit or to run and it is such an amazing feeling! Keep celebrating your choice every day, especially when it's hard, just pat yourself on the back and go ahead and feel a little smug in your decision to quit. Hooray you!!

_DaniD_

I quit two years ago, and started running a year ago. After I quit, I figured why not make more healthy changes!

mains_adam25

just decided to quit they other day right now its killing me lol but i dont want to go back

juliedozier

I quit 10 years ago. It was hard at first, in fact I quit 3 times before I really quit. Now I can't stand the smell of it at all, I'm soo glad I did it! Good luck!

AthenaErr

Quit 4 years ago, restarted last may, quit again 4 weeks ago, gained some weight quitting but it will go again.

alw141

I smoked my last cigarette December 19th 2009... I found out I was pregnant December 22nd 2009. Quitting was pretty easy after I found out that little surprise. There are days I miss it...for about a second, then it goes away. I will NEVER go back to smoking.

musharooni

Me! Me! Me! I smoked my last cigarette at 5:37 pm on April 17, 2012 and haven't looked back. I made a committment to take better care of me and kicking that habit was a big part of it. Good luck with this endeavor, it will be tough, but the rewards are immeasurable and it does get easier each day that passes. One thing that keep me on track was the thought that even if I just took one puff, I would have to start the process all over again.

squindles

It's so good that yr quitting smoking. That'll be the best ever descision you'll ever make. I'll have been stopped for 9 years this September and have never regretted it. Make sure however that you keep on exercising. I didn't and put on 4 stones (56 lbs) :sad: But my doc even says to me know that being the size I am now is better for me than if I was lighter and smoking!!!!!! :noway: Hope all goes well xx

ChgingMe

I quit on my birthday, Jan of 2000.. The reason? My then 4 year old was smoking pens pretending to be like mommy. That is one legacy I didn't want to pass down. Was it hard? Yes the hardest thing I've ever done? Was it worth it? YES. The first 2 weeks to a month are the hardest. Almost brutal because you see cigarettes EVERYWHERE.. I can't imagine ever going back at this point. The price alone will kill you...

Hang in there and focus on one day at a time (sometimes it was minute to minute for me) and you will succeed.

MissMaryMac33

I quit cold turkey when I was your age - 45 after the doctors told me that my heart was 73 years old.
I was overweight, type II diabtes and smoked like crazy. That was my wakeup call... I didn't want to die before 50.

It's VERY hard to quit.. the hardest part for me was the habit.. and what to do with my hands.
I smoked in the car so I driving without them was horrible..
I sucked a lock of sugar-free werthers and mints for awhile.

Now I don't miss it all, feel a million times better and wish I had done it 20 years ago.

You can do it!

RiotxRiot

I quit almost a year ago. Check yourself while you're quitting because a lot of people crave sugar when they quit and it can get out of hand. I also found I was most successful and actually quit when I didn't tell any of my friends or co-workers. It took off all the pressure, I guess I felt like people weren't watching and waiting for me to fail. Good luck! You can do it!

Also I hope your sake the anti-smoking signs don't suck where you live. These signs were literally EVERYWHERE when I was quitting.

http://www.oddee.com/contrib_14797.aspx

It's kind of funny now, but at the time, these things drove me insane haha

itgeekwoman

I quit Jan 2010. Loving it! Started getting healthy August 2010.. never looking back!

dawn_eichert

Hello. Tomorrow is my quit day as I am turning 40 tomorrow. I quit for the same reason that it was time to get healthy.

Feel free anyone to add me.

robsgurl

I quit smoking 11 years ago..I am glad I quit then cause a year after I quit I got pregnant with my oldest. I still have craving once in a while but I just try it ignore it. I decided one day I was done and gave the pack I had to my sister who smoked at the time and said I was done. I just got sick of it...=)

invisibubble

Quit cold turkey a year and a half ago. I started doing cardio beforehand and it helped me realise that if I wanted to do it properly, breathe well and last, I'd need to give up. Never looked back since.

TheGeordie

Congratulations!

I took up cycling last june and quite smoking in the August after someone asked me if I needed an ambulance after cycling up a hill!

Now I dont even think about it and I cant stand the smell off smokers, even 10 ft away they stink to high heavan!!!


Good luck and keep it up!

baksings

I smoked my last cigaretteon 4/1/2012 at 8:47pm after a 48 year habit. The patch and Wellbutrin helped me get through the first 3 months. Deep breaths and lots of water do help. Whenever you feel the need stop and take time to remember why you are doing this.

I did use hard candies as an oral substitute until I realized they were becoming almost as much a habituation as smoking. I did start working out 1 week after quitting with light cardio and weight training. It helped to have a new, healthy focus to replace the old bad habit.

I've been smoke free for nearly 5 years (April 8th will be my anniversary) I used patches and once you've made up your mind, you can do it! Remember, the craving only lasts a few seconds, do some deep breathing and smile because you are on your way to a much healthier you!
For some reason, cinnamon disks (hard candy) really helped me the most of any substitutes.
I'm a singer so I loved the new breath support I regained! Good luck to you!

bdeezy3396

Quit smoking 2 1/2 years ago. I used the step down patches to curb my nicotine withdrawals, and the electronic cigarette to help with the sensation of wanting to inhale the smoke. The toughest part was the first week, smoked for over 20 years, and quit numerous times, just wanted it more this time.

2credneck208

I quit 2 years ago with nicotine gum. I still chew nicotine gum. Traded one addiction for another more expensive less smelly more healthy addiction

sophiek1964

Yep, I quit successfully when I was 45. It's been over 3 years now and the best thing I ever did for myself. I traded in a bad habit for a good habit of running on the treadmill. Good luck and no matter what - protect your quit!

Mama_Jag

I quit 2/5/09 after 14 years.

I started running, and have been doing that since.

Congrats to you!! IMO, quitting smoking is the single biggest change you can make for your health and well being.

kikicooks

I quit almost 2 years ago, and so glad I did! It was a little rough but I had started smoking a lot less in the year before I quit so I think that made it easier to stop completely. I do still think about it it occasionally and had a cigarette on NYE but it didn't make me want to go back to it. The taste wasn't so great and the smell bothers me more now. I don't think quitting made me eat more since I cut down to only 1 or 2 a day(more on a night out on the weekend). Just try to stay away from the triggers as best as you can at 1st. I had to cut down on coffee and didn't go out for a couple weeks around other smoking friends, just til I got over the hump.

You can do it! Just focus on how much money you are saving and that you are saving your life!

Shelbert79

I quit 9 years ago using Wellbutrin. I drank tons of water when I was quiting. Everytime I wanted a cigarette, I'd take a swig of water. And I chewed gum.

likitisplit

Quit 14 years ago with the patch. It was hellacious at the time, but there have been countless benefits since then. Not stinking is a big one, which you'll realize in another month.