anyone wanting to quit smoking?
jackiemonx
Posts: 343 Member
could do with some help!
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Replies
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If Im honest, I just dont think I have the willpower to do it at the same time as being on my weightloss journey- I smoke between 5 and 10 a day, so not a huge amount, but since I started dieting in January I have attempted using an e-cig a few times. It was ok for a day or two but I have gone back to the cigs. My justification is losing weight is hard, and quitting smoking is hard, and I just dont think I have the ability to do both. I'll quit when I hit goal. How long have you estimated till you reach target? Might be better to wait, however THIS IS JUST MY OPINION, lol. Some people (much stronger than me) CAN do both at once. Good luck!
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You can get an e-cig and start using it while at the gym.0
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I've been working on quitting for a couple of months now. Add me if you would like 0
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I made it 7 months without smoking ... i don't even miss it 0
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quit 2 weeks ago cold turkey haven't had a single thought about it. Hardest part is gettnig around my routine times to smoke i.e. anytime I'm in the car or when I'm stressed out.0
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I almost 5 years smoke-free. I do miss it...but I don't miss the coughing, sore lungs, stink and the hold it had on me. I was kind of underweight back then so I wasn't trying to kick the habit AND lose weight so physical activity was out of the question. But I don't think I could have done the things back then that I can do now. It's hard but SO worth it!
Good luck!:flowerforyou:0 -
quit 2 weeks ago cold turkey haven't had a single thought about it. Hardest part is gettnig around my routine times to smoke i.e. anytime I'm in the car or when I'm stressed out.
When I first quit...I would get home after work and realize I had cracked my window like I did when I smoked.
I think that was one of my hardest things about quitting...if I'm not smoking, WHAT am I going to do!?! Now I don't know how I ever had time to smoke lol0 -
I also quit cold turkey 8 weeks ago, felt I was eating quite a lot to substitute but cravings have all gone, now I gotta get my food cravings under control0
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I'm a 40 days into quitting dipping/smoking (mainly dipping). I've tried several times before but finally had the resolve to quit for good. I'm doing the patches and they work pretty good. I haven't had any major cravings since I've started on them. I have noticed my weightloss has stalled the past month or so...I think I hit the sunflower seeds to hard but I'm working getting that ball rolling again. Unless you want to go cold turkey I'd recommend the patches over the nicotine gum, lozenges, or ecigs because you can't really abuse the patch like you potentially could the others. Just slap one on in the morning and you don't have to worry about it the rest of the day.
Good Luck!!0 -
I am a repeat; put them down for a 1 yr, and the second time for 3 years. I am back smoking again. It’s hard when everyone around you smokes. I found I put on 60lbs when I quit the second time for 3 years, so it is a true fear. I think if you wait till the end, then you will very disappointed when you start gaining weight again after you reached you goal.
For those who have quit, try chewing a straw, toothpick, or even a sucker. This helps A LOT with food cravings and the hand / mouth oral habit.
So if you really want to quit, I would start with a very hard party night, and sleep for 2 days by then the nicotine is out of your system and it’s a mental game, the E-cigs still deliver nicotine to your body. Cold turkey or patches are really the best way.0 -
I just started champix yesterday,so I chose a quit date of July 16th:drinker:0
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I smoked for 25 years (I started as an early teen), and I was a heavy smoker (2 packs a day). One day I noticed I was coughing more and more, clearing my throat, and it hurt to even attempt to run. I had tried many things, and they didn't work. Then I decided to take Chantix. Normally they tell you to set a quit date, but my doctor told me to just take it and quit when I want. I thought it would never happen. Four weeks in I noticed that cigarettes tasted bad. I'd still light them up, take a couple puffs, and put them out. One day (4 December 2012) I decided to see how long I can go without lighting a cigarette, and I haven't since. For six months I didn't smoke or vape, and I found it very difficult around smokers and in social situations. So I picked up e-cigarettes, and you can get cartridges with some nicotine, or no nicotine at all. I find it helps immensely. Don't think of it as "I can never have this again." Think of it as "I will start it again when I'm 80," which I do. Good luck! 0
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I also used Chantix. I didn't even have to finish the first package. This past weekend was my 1 year anniversary. It helps that I was ready to quit and I have very few people that I am around that smoke (only 2 actually). The not coughing all the time has got to be one of my favorite things about not smoking anymore. Good bye smoker's hack.0
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Smoked for 5 years, 7 years smoke-free. I still get the occasional craving, but nothing I can't handle. I will never go back. I feel so much better not having that monkey on my back.0
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yesterday was three weeks for me. i am using a nicotine patch, as im trying to do everything i can to not start back up.:smokin: from the research ive done, three to four weeks is the most common time period for people to start back up, as most havent been able to view themselves as a non smoker:ohwell: . i am so glad i do research on EVERYTHING! you can do it. if youre ready, or actually even if you arent. i didnt get ready. i just decided one day, that "hey, i dont want cancer, and this ****s expensive!":noway: and then i put on a patch, and here i am, three weeks later.:happy: im not going to lie, the first week was hell on earth for me,:mad: even with the patch. i am just now beginning to have less cravings, and i usually have them around my bf, because he still smokes.:smokin: ive been visualizing myself as a nonsmoker the whole time though, and it seems theres something to that. if you would like to add me, id be more than happy to support you or anyone else in their recovery process, it would more than likely help me as well. :drinker: 0
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GOOD LUCK!!! My partner and I quit cold turkey 2 years ago shortly after joining MFP. We first tried the variety of aids but to be honest they can be kind of a crutch and cost more than the habit itself. Try to keep occupied, be physically active (you'll notice you will breathe better the longer you've been smoke free so it can be a major push to keep at it) and my main help was being anti social for a while, most of our friends smoked at the time and being around them was a sure fire way to pick up a smoke again. Happy to say most of them have quit now too, must mean its possible
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I really want to quit smoking now I've quit twice before both times when I've been pregnant and it didn't even bother me but both times after having my girls and stop breast feeding felt an overwhelming urge to smoke again
. I know when I quit it will be cold turkey, I know this sounds strange I've heard of the side affect from nicotine patches etc and the vapour are dangerous around children, so I'm told. Once I've got into the rhythm with this weight loss I'm going to quit for good! I'm going to stock up on mints!!
Good luck to you! 0 -
I've quit off and on so many times...5 years here, 2 years there....The problem with me, is anytime I'm under huge amounts of stress, it's the first thing I pick up. I'm always going to be somewhat stressed, so I really need to find a substitute. I've just started back on MFP, and hate the thought of combining weight loss and no smoking straight out of the gate. We can always come up with excuses, can't we? I'm a cold turkey type of quitter. The funny thing is, when I've really had enough, I can put the cigarette down and quit with no cravings. The problem is, I REALLY have to be ready. I've done this numerous times....even smoking for 2 months, then not smoking for 2 years. I had a 2 yrs. off, 2 months on pattern going for quite awhile. I've been thinking of quitting again, so when I'm finally in the zone, I'll come back to this board. I'll need a ton of support, but feel like I can't be of much assistance if I'm still puffing. Good luck, and I really hope you all succeed!!!0
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This is my second time quitting smoking. I stopped for nine years the first time. This time it's been a month. Once you get over the newness of it, it's pretty easy. I had a rough spring, filled with loss, and I found myself smoking way more than i ever had, and i felt like crap. Now, while i still fell grief, i don't have the added stress that smoking add to the body.
You can do it!0 -
aw well done to everyone thats stopped! ????
i started when i was 13, stopped when i was 20 for 4 years, been smoking constant pretty much last 2 years. im getting ready to stop but not quite there yet, i find its easier to stop if finish at pack at night do then theres none in morning.
i used patches before and they seem to work ok for me but make me feel bit nausious first fee days, way i see it few days of that better than life of smoke diseases tho!
think ive got enuf to last me today so tomorrow might b the big day!0 -
I had tried several times to quit with patches etc from the doctors. It worked for a little but there wasn't a day that past that I didn't still crave that want to hold a cigarette and just generally want one. I had given up for 5 months first time. 7 months the next and just over 7 months again for following.
I didn't feel like anything would work and I thought I'd have to go down the route of hypnosis. Which when I looked was very expensive but also very successful.
I went and spoke to my doctor again and he referred me back to the smoking team. I chatted with someone for a while and he recommended I try Champix. He gave lots of success stories to which I just said, "yeah,yeah I will see".
I don't know how much you know about the drug but basically it's meant to block out the receptors in the brain that trigger that want/need for a cigarette.
If I'm honest I went into thinking it was a load of BS and said to myself, "I will take the damn tablet, won't read up on any thing and just see how it goes".
In a nutshell you take one tablet a day and increase it to two. There can be symptoms as with any medicines. You carry on smoking whilst taking the tablets and gradually you smoke less until you just don't fancy it anymore.
You're probably reading taking BS like I did.
Anyway cut a long story short, within days I was smoking about half of my 20+ a day habit. Day 10 I finished my last cigarette and never looked back. I just didn't want the *kitten* and tasted horrible and I even tried forcing the *kitten* in me. You continue to take the tablets daily and reduce back down. In all I think it was a 3 month tablet course.
My symptoms were the feeling of sickness daily and I had a few nightmares.
It's been over 2 years and I have never wanted one since. I can't explain it. I honestly thought it was BS.
I had been a heavy smoker for 15 years. Everything I did worked around me smoking. For example my routines of getting up making a cuppa and having a *kitten*. Get showered and have a *kitten*. Get dressed and drive to work where I smoked two. Had a *kitten* before I went in the building. Had a *kitten* a break time 10:15. Started lunch at 12pm and have 3 in my hour lunch. Etc etc
It's bloody brilliant. I cannot praise it enough. I just don't understand it.
If you speak to your GP I am sure they will offer great advice and support.
Good luck0 -
Wow sorry that's sooooooo long! I cut it as much as I could0
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I started smoking when I was 12 years old. I used to think I wouldn't have the willpower to quit. Then it became the, "Well, I'm just not ready right now" excuse/game.
I wrote something way back that might help you or might inspire you just to do it. I know that one day, I realized that I was just making excuses and just like weight loss, if I wanted to succeed and change then I needed to commit to it and "just do it." And I did..and I did it cold turkey too. Coming this August 13th, I'll have been smoke-free for 2 years after about 16-17 years of smoking.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/PikaKnight/view/are-you-ever-really-ready-to-quit-smoking-454253
Best of luck and just know you can quit smoking. It's not easy, but if I can do it, so can you.0 -
I quit on June 4th. With the help of chantix. I took chantix for about 2 1/2 weeks before I could actually quit. It was hard. But I also did a lot of research and have a lot of support.
I guess the most frequent time of relapse is 1 month - 4 months. I know for the past week, like once a day, I think to myself I can just have a few drags to satisfy my craving and be fine. Thats my mind playing tricks on me!
AND, to be perfectly honest, I could NOT have done it with out food. Which I knew would happen. As soon as I started chantix, I quit MFP. I have been eating everything and anything for the past month. I have also been sick for the past month since I quit which doesnt help either. I have gone up 2 pant sizes and am back to what I was at my heaviest. I, just today, decided that I was ready to get back on MFP.
I dont see the point in waiting to quit until AFTER you have lost weight. Thats just nonsense. So, you can gain weight after you lost it all and get discouraged? I would rather be overweight for a few more months than be losing weight but still killing myself. And not only killing myself but everyone else around me! YOU DO have to be ready and completely sick and tired of being addicted to nicotine. I was vaping for the last few months and even that was annoying because of my dependency.
Anyways, Good luck and you can do it!0 -
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I think that was one of my hardest things about quitting...if I'm not smoking, WHAT am I going to do!?!
^ So much this.0 -
I've half quit, I have good days and bad. But with my upcoming race schedule I have no choice but to quit completely. So here we go.
You better fully quit! I'm counting on you to carry me through two Spartan races :laugh: :noway:
Seriously though . . . you gotta quit. :flowerforyou:0 -
smoked for about 17 years on and off, quit with pregnancies, and for short bursts here and there.
I will say this:
IT WILL NOT WORK until you are mentally ready and TRULY want to stop. If you think, "I'll try but i really love smoking" you are setting yourself up for failure.
One day i just woke up and said I am not going to smoke any more.
March 13, 2010. I just stopped. That's it. For a few weeks it annoyed me when people smoked around me because i'd have a craving and i could not go out or drink because one leads to the other, but after a while, it looked gross, it smelled gross, and I am not even SLIGHTLY tempted.
And if you look at my MFP start date, that was the same day i joined here. I lost 20 pounds in the first 4 months i was here, and that was also the first 4 months of quitting. It can be done EASIER while on MFP, because you have something to occupy your mind. Eat veggies raw to have something to put in your mouth. Spend your time planning healthy recipes and grocery lists and logging your day in advance to have a plan to stick to.
People say you gain weight when you stop smoking, but this is only because THOSE people mindlessly snack MORE to have something in their mouth....
Since you are on MFP, you WON'T put extra stuff in your mouth and can track carefully to ensure you DON'T over eat!
Also, take up walking/jogging, or do Couch to 5K. You will be amazed at how much better you breathe after just 2 weeks, and even better after a few months!0 -
About 6 years ago, I quit a 2.5 - 3 pack a day habit, that I'd had since I was 15. I quit cold turkey. It was hard. I'd only had one brief relapse, but beyond that, it wasn't so bad. I'd still smoke the occasional cigar if I was out with friends, but never had any trouble not smoking. Though I will admit that not a day went by that I didn't want one.
A couple months ago, I started a temporary job with a ridiculous amount of stress. Everyone there smoked, and since we took breaks together, it was pretty easy for me to reach for them. It has managed to get back up to almost a pack a day. The thing is...I never smoke at home, or on my days off, which means I can pretty clearly go without them if I really wanted.
At the end of the day, that's what it boils down to...desire and will power. Try different things until you find one that makes you feel stronger. Focus on willing yourself to resist. Find something you want more, and focus on it. You'll get there...just keep swinging away at it.0 -
I miss it, a lot. But when I'm running, I'm so glad I haven't started back up. I'm near death without smoking when I run; it would be full torture if I was still smoking.0
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