I have no motivation to stop smokimg.

Thank you so much for the replies. I have read each post and now have a lot to consider. The MFP community has come through in a big way! I am 52 and am very healthy according to my doctor. I think it is more difficult to quit smoking than lose weight because I can't see any results. With weight loss, I can get positive reinforcement from the scale, my clothes and the mirror. With smoking, it's all in my head. I am not smoking as much as I did two weeks ago, but I can't seem to stop completely. I have been at this two weeks and I am needing the extra push to stop cheating. Please keep the replies coming! I need each one.

Beautiful.
It is not all in your head. You affect the people around you, particularly those who love you/need you/are counting on you. You affect others, don't miss that reality.

I like Bernadette's answer the best. I don't care if you're a doctor, nurse, cancer patient, or one of those scary anti-smoking examples on TV commercials, nobody is going to make me quit unless I want to. If you're having trouble quitting, even if you really want to, and I believe you. I know the feeling, but if you're having trouble, there is a part of you that just isn't ready yet. Smoking gives you that emotional "something" you still need. An escape during tense situation, a zen when you're seeking peace, a sense of relaxation after a meal, something else to focus on in frustrating traffic. Whatever it is, the act of smoking, not the cigarette itself, still provides that for you. I don't know a single person who wouldn't swap out their cigarettes for something entirely benign if they could, but it just doesn't exist. A few of my friends have switched to the e-Cigarette, but after that news report 2 years ago of one exploding in man's mouth, most felt it safer to go back to regular cigarettes. The one who stuck with his e-Cig did actually quit. He's been smoke free for 2 years, puffing away on his water vapor gadget. He smoked a pack a day for 25 yrs, Marlboro Reds.

It mostly depends on how much you smoke. I've been smoking on and off since i was 15-16. I used to be able to stop completely whenever I wanted. I can't do that as easily now but I can easily curb how much I do smoke. I now only smoke when I'm at a party and maybe one cig when I'm super stressed but otherwise I usually smoke a little bit of hookah with my boyfriend and I'm fine. If you don't feel you need to quit then don't. Yes its healthier to quit but if that isn't reason enough for you to want to quit then your simply not going to. Some people just won't that's okay, some people do and congrats to them. You have to decide which one you are on your own.

In two years, I've saved roughly 5,000.00 by not smoking and I've gained at least an hour each day. Both my money and my time are better spent than smoking.

This made me think...In the nearly 9 years since I quit, I should have saved well over $16,000. (I figured $5/pack which I know is low) Where did all that go??

OP, here's a thought...everyday you don't smoke put aside $5.00. It will add up!

My husbands step father and mother quit smoking 20 years ago. Both are in their 70's now. MIL has copd and step father in law has lung cancer and struggles to get through every day. Surgery was not an option. He did all the radiation and chemo he could handle and is now giving up. He's sick all the time. Falls down due to being so weak from the chemo and lack of oxygen. He is so weak he falls down trying to pee. Boy what joy ha?? Poor guy is in the hospital at least twice a month with problems. MIL had stents put in due to narrowing and hardening of her arteries all due to her past smoking. Neither one is allowed to drive anymore due to health issues. They have nurses in and out of their house constantly to check on them, oxygen treatments, physical therapy appointments, constantly going for tests and treatments etc. THey've both been having serious medical issues since in their early 60's. Way too many medical problems to list here. It would take me all day! ALL of their medical problems are due to their past pack a day habit.

You want a life like this? I don't think so.

As a smoker for 43+ years I'm currently reading Allen Carr's "Easy Way to Stop Smoking" and have a date set of 9/2/13 for my final cigarette. I strongly recommend his book and encourage you to check it out.

As smokers, we know the health "risks" associated with smoking. The vid below shares the health "benefits" when we stop smoking from the onset, and it's pretty darn good too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfVq9b0uHZ0&feature=youtu.be

Good luck!:drinker:

Also, I think smoking is like losing weight...you have to find a strategy which works for you and you have to be willing to change your strategy when another strategy isn't working.

I "quit", but before I quit totally I:

. Restricted where I could smoke.

. I stopped buying multi-packs.

. I kept the cigs in one place only and if I wanted one I had to go get it (upper desk drawer and the office, guest bathroom at home.)

. I logged the "triggers": coffee, disagreements with family, etc.

Smoking is a habit...it becomes an automatic part of your day. If you can find ways to make it less automatic and look for a substitute

I did Nicorette with smoking...bad I know...until I was finally doing more Nicorette than cigs and then no cigs at all. I put Nicorette on my Amazon subscribe and save monthly so it was always available.

I had a motivator (our son), but what got me there was a plan which made it easier and what made it easier was taking small steps to making NOT smoking easier.

Smoked for 33 years, sorry there is no magical reason. YOU have to find your own!

There are videos out there of those who have tubes in their lungs from getting lung cancer from smoking. Do you have loved ones? They are reason enough.

You will never quit until you really want to. Trust me on this one. I was a smoker for almost 10 years. Started young. Was selfish and smoked throught my pregnancy. My son came out 5 lbs with breathing problems. Today he is perfectly fine and no longer requires a breathing machine. I will regret that forever but I am so glad God made him a perfectly healthy 4 year old boy!!

I decided to stop smoking once he was born b/c I was terrified at what I have done. I have not picked up a cigarette in over 4 years and i don't even want one. The smell of them makes me cringe. There's no desire to have one. i wish I was able to quit sooner but like you, I had no motivation and no reason to quit.

Since I have stopped I'm not longer sick all of the time. I rarely get colds, I no longer cough and wheeze. i have more energy and my skin looks better! Don't get me wrong I turned to food and gained weight, but i'd take the weight that I can lose than my life that I can't get back if I die from lung cancer.

I have a friend who was diagnosed with long cancer. She quit smoking out of fear. then she started back up b/c she never wanted to quit in the first place. if you don't have it in you to quit it will be hard to stay smoke free. find a good reason down withing and stick to it. if you are going to quit do it. It will be hard at first but trust me, it's well worth it. good luck

I need to stop completely or this isn't going to work.

Very true. I smoked for about 30 years. My reason for quitting? The wheezing in the night kept waking me up and I couldn't get a good night's sleep... Probably the stupidest reason in the world, but it was "the one" for me. I had plenty of reasons, but none that were compelling enough to send me to the right head space.

One thing that really helped me was to accept that it wasn't going to be easy. No matter what crutch I used, whether it be patches, gum, a drug, herbal cigarettes or just going cold turkey, it was going to be HARD. Maybe the hardest thing I'd ever done. I had to accept that firstly, so that when it got hard, I wouldn't give in.

Think about (write down) what you get from smoking. The advantages and the disadvantages. Then write the advantages and disadvantages of quitting... Then study that list. I'm a singer. And now, I can sing again. I can breathe deeply! It's really fantastic on this side.

If you want to, you'll find your strength. MILLIONS of people have done it. And you're just as good, worthy and strong as they are. So you CAN do it. It's just a matter of making the decision to use your inner strength, put on your big girl panties and make it happen.

Most people who successfully quit have tried MANY times. I did. So, no matter what, keep trying. One glorious day, you will do it. I quit August 19, 2001, approaching 12 years smoke free.

Good luck!

You will never quit until YOU are ready. Here is my question. Do you want to quit when you want to or when you have to? When you have to it's usually too late. Keep that in mind. I quit almost 14 years ago and it was the best thing I've ever done for myself. MYSELF!!! Key word here. I'm so thankful not to be a slave to those things any longer. My husband is putting on a patch today. He had stopped with me but started again a year later. He's having progressively more issues due to smoking. I'm 52 and graduated from a RN nursing program in May.... pinned August 1. When we came home I said "I'm so glad you are still here to share it with me." That statement... the way I put it hit him like a bullet between the eyes. I'm ready to support him 100% no matter how cranky he gets with me.

I gained weight.... lost it. Gained weight through school. And have lost 12 pounds after going on Weight Watchers June 26th. That's small potatoes compared to the damage smoking does.

My advise to you? Take all that you read here....the videos are enough to scare anyone... I've seen it up close and personal in patients in acute care and long term care settings. It's an addiction. A very, very strong addiction. It will be without a doubt, the hardest... most rewarding thing you EVER do for YOURSELF! Good luck. I hope you find it within yourself to quit.

I just wish my only sister who is 12 years younger would quit smoking. She has been smoking for years and it is starting to take a toll on her health. I will just continue to pray for her.:ohwell: :brokenheart: