Needing help with another issue - smoking

Guys, I laid down the cigarettes 2 years ago this month after smoking for about 40 years. (I don't even feel 40 years old, how did I smoke that long?) It's all mental, if you think you can you will. If you think you can't, you're right. I've used the patch before and it isn't the magic bullet. There is no magic bullet. My coworker is on her 2nd or 3rd go around with Chantix.

You are going to have withdrawal that is not pleasant. You are going to want a cigarette many times- I still do from time to time. Here's the best lesson I have learned: WANTING A CIGARETTE AND NOT HAVING ONE WILL NOT KILL YOU!

I went to a website called whyquit.com. Sometimes I found it kinda corny and over the top, but the man who runs it is very sincere and there are videos and readings for the first several days of your quit. His mantra is "Keep your resolve to NEVER TAKE ANOTHER PUFF" I repeated "never take another puff" to myself many, many times over the first few weeks.


Quitting smoking is not like losing weight. When on a weight loss plan you can have a cheat day and still lose. When quitting smoking if you cheat you are starting over from square one. For me, a drag on a cigarette today would mean back to a pack a day tomorrow.

You can do it if you want to!

I'm another who has quit. After 27 years a pack a day I gave up cold turkey. That was 13 months ago, I put on a heap of weight which then led me to this journey.

Giving up is hard and you really have to want it. I know I made a few feeble attempts at it previously and failed.

Good luck, YOU CAN DO IT

Guys im bumping this ..I 2 am a smoker and i want to give them up for many many reasons i have done it before for all babies but went back to them after.... I hate hate of what is ahead of me and im scared ill put on weigh..When i was pregnant i had 2 and i was kinda allowed eat Haha .. But doing it now it is going to be habit more for me i think .. So im following this now for some help bee great so far....:smokin: :sad:

Glad your joining the crew Chaz. IF you need Support we are here

I am an ex smoker of only a 2mo. I smoked everyday for 6yrs. Once I started all of this I thought it would be better to do it all and not have it be " A DIET" but a new way of life. I have not given anything up (but smoking and reg pop). I took chantix for 2week and I stopped after the 6th day it was hard but worth it. I can do my work outs and not be winded because I smoke. The best thing of quitting was I dont SMELL any more no matter how clean you are or how much you think you dont smell to a non smoker you REAK :sick: or it. Im here for you if you need anything. Its hard but you can do it.

Awesome job taking the first step and quitting. I quit a little over a year ago and have not looked back. Like everyone has already said you have to REALLY want it. If you don't it's only a matter of time before you start again. I found straws helped a lot and holding my lighter in my hand. I never had a smoke, but the lighter just calmed my nerves for some reason. Lots and lots of water and support from the people around you. Also a web site that helped was quitnet.com. The people there were a huge support for me and watching how much a saved and how much of my life I gained back really made a difference.

That is so weird, I hold my lighter in my hand while I drive. The car is a big trigger for me, & holding the lighter seems to calm me. Today, I have been 11 days (and counting) cigarette free. I use the patch, I still crave, but don't feel lke I am going insane 24hrs, a day. I wish you all the best with this.

Great choice in non smoking! I quit one year ago. I still have cravings every now and then but they are easier to ignore and less frequent. I quit using Chantix. I worked closely with my family doctor who is also an ex smoker. It was hard depending on the situation, but knowing that I feel better, smell better, and have saved over $2000 is a big incentive! Some days it is one hour at a time, then one day, then a week, you can do this if you really want! Keep up the great work and know there is wonderful support out there and here!

Good Job Jenny and its awesome that your getting running shoes I love mine!
Just so you all know I have been a non smoker for almost 3 years August 1st! I just know how hard it is to quit without someone supporting you, talking you down off that I need one. I have helped my sister and my hubby also quit.
Im so glad I quit when I did and HATE the smell of it now YUCK LOL

I think everyone should post their reasons for quitting and maybe help others to make this choice

One of the main reasons I quit is for 8 years now my mom has had emphysema and Ive watched her health decline and know without a lung transplant our time with her is limited. When she first got on oxygen they gave her 5 years to live and we are 3 years longer today. My mom has always been one of the strongest women I have even known, seeing how much this awful disease has taken from her hurt my heart. Watching my little brother and sister having to take care of her, devoting their lives to her I cant say how grateful I am for them, they were 13 and 15 when she was diagnosed. I smoked since I was 12 years old and was 37 when I quit 25 years of killing myself slowly. I now have 2 little boys 8 and 3 and thought about how they would handle me being on oxygen and knowing Im close to dying, I couldnt bare burdening them with that type of thing because its horrible and hard to be living as a 40 year old.

Here are some things that happen to your body when you quit


* In 20 minutes your blood pressure will drop back down to normal.
* In 8 hours the carbon monoxide (a toxic gas) levels in your blood stream will drop by half, and oxygen levels will return to normal.
* In 48 hours your chance of having a heart attack will have decreased. All nicotine will have left your body. Your sense of taste and smell will return to a normal level.
* In 72 hours your bronchial tubes will relax, and your energy levels will increase.
* In 2 weeks your circulation will increase, and it will continue to improve for the next 10 weeks.
* In 3 to 9 months coughing, wheezing, and breathing problems will dissipate as your lung capacity improves by 10%.
* In 1 year your risk of having a heart attack will have dropped by half.
* In 5 years your risk of having a stroke returns to that of a non-smoker.
* In 10 years your risk of lung cancer will have returned to that of a non-smoker.
* In 15 years your risk of heart attack will have returned to that of a non-smoker.

It gets easier each day PC CONGRADS ON 5 DAYS
WAY TO GO

Good Job IAN At work DONT go outside stay at your desk, keep water & gum with you. Tell everyone that you have stopped nothat your trying that you have and need their support.
BE STRONG YOU CAN DO IT

Great Job Terri and Poolcue... I am having a hard day because I forgot to put my patch on. I have to go to court this afternoon and will probably be a little stressed....
You guys are more help than you know... I know I have support from my family and friends, but you all are great because you really understand and are going through it too.

I'd be a basket case without my patch. I actually had to make my husband turn around and go back home Saturday becauase I forgot to put it on after my shower. He hates to turn around, but I told him that I am a non-smoker now and this is what I need to do, unless he wanted one very *****y wife to spend the day with. He turned around, and even smiled about it :-)

LMAO at Terri, that's funny right there. It's more like a ritual for me on the chantix now, wake up I take my morning pill, when I get home from work I take my second one for the day. Today was also pretty stressful for me then I told myself, I am the one that makes me stress so I clear my mind and go on. Tomorrow will be a better day.

Jen, good luck at where you need to go today. I am sure it's something minor and there will be no stress, remember you stress is something that we create for ourselves, just clear your mind and all will be good tomorrow.

PC

You guys are doing great. You can do it. My two year anniversary smoke free is coming up this week and I'm kinda excited about it. Keep up the good work!