Smoking...

I quit on May 22, 2009 after 34 years of smoking 2-4 packs per day. I quit cold turkey, no chemical aids.

Here is what worked for me:

1) Be ready. You have to be ready and determined to do it, no matter what. In my case, I wanted to be around to see my children grown, particularly my 3yr old daughter.

2) Set a date. I set mine a month in advance. Fixed and inflexible. Told EVERYONE that I was going to do it. Announced to the world!!! I joined here in preparation of becoming the new, fit, Stormie.

3) Arrange the date so that your schedule is NOT your normal one during that time frame. I took 2 days off and planned to quit then. I would not have to battle the routines that were automatically tied to smoking - breaks with friends, smoke after lunch, first cigarette on the front porch, etc.

4) Plan a project that involves focus and concentration. I decided to weave a bead choker on a loom, and the concentration on the tiny beads for hours, kept me from feeling at loose ends.

5) Get lots of harmless munchies and tools. I had gum, mints, fake cigarettes, toothpicks, celery sticks and baby carrots, hard candies, and pretzels all lined up for THE DAY.

6) The morning of THE DAY, throw away all leftover cigarettes, lighters, and ashtrays (dump in a bucket of water). Clean out your car and freshen it to smell good again. Remember, you are a non-smoker now :happy:

7) Fight with all of your willpower. My own mind was my worst enemy. I kept coming up with excuses why I could have a cigarette and arguing with myself why I didn't have to do this NOW. Do it tomorrow? Next month? After I lose 25 pounds? NO NO NO. NOW. Today. SHUT UP self!!! I told myself that I was stronger than some stupid friggin weed. No WAY was I gonna be controlled by something that insignificant!

8) Remember that after the first three days, most of the chemical cravings are gone. You'll still have to deal with the habit and the emotional attachments, but you won't feel the overwhelming NEED for a smoke anymore. THen, once you've made it past the first three days, you can keep telling yourself..no way in hades do I want to go through those three days again, so no...there will be NO just one cigarette for me!

9) Give yourself a small financial reward for quitting. Remember how much you are saving now, so let yourself go to a spa or get a pedicure or buy a new negligee set after a month or two of being smoke free. For me it was a gym membership and classes for my daughter (dance and swimming). Oh and a few smoke-free items of clothing!

10) Don't give up. If you can last just 1 more hour...1 more day...1 more week...before long, you'll be over it and feel great again!!

:flowerforyou:

I quit on 12-10-10. I got sick the next day with bronchitis and just decided I wasn't picking them up anymore. The first 3 weeks will be hell, but after tha it gets a lot easier. After a month or so you'll realize your food never tasted so good.

I read "The Easy Way To Quit Smoking" and then quit cold turkey in Oct of 2009.

Never quit quitting when it comes to smoking. If you slip, just get right back to quitting.

I quit on May 22, 2009 after 34 years of smoking 2-4 packs per day. I quit cold turkey, no chemical aids.

Here is what worked for me:

1) Be ready. You have to be ready and determined to do it, no matter what. In my case, I wanted to be around to see my children grown, particularly my 3yr old daughter.

2) Set a date. I set mine a month in advance. Fixed and inflexible. Told EVERYONE that I was going to do it. Announced to the world!!! I joined here in preparation of becoming the new, fit, Stormie.

3) Arrange the date so that your schedule is NOT your normal one during that time frame. I took 2 days off and planned to quit then. I would not have to battle the routines that were automatically tied to smoking - breaks with friends, smoke after lunch, first cigarette on the front porch, etc.

4) Plan a project that involves focus and concentration. I decided to weave a bead choker on a loom, and the concentration on the tiny beads for hours, kept me from feeling at loose ends.

5) Get lots of harmless munchies and tools. I had gum, mints, fake cigarettes, toothpicks, celery sticks and baby carrots, hard candies, and pretzels all lined up for THE DAY.

6) The morning of THE DAY, throw away all leftover cigarettes, lighters, and ashtrays (dump in a bucket of water). Clean out your car and freshen it to smell good again. Remember, you are a non-smoker now :happy:

7) Fight with all of your willpower. My own mind was my worst enemy. I kept coming up with excuses why I could have a cigarette and arguing with myself why I didn't have to do this NOW. Do it tomorrow? Next month? After I lose 25 pounds? NO NO NO. NOW. Today. SHUT UP self!!! I told myself that I was stronger than some stupid friggin weed. No WAY was I gonna be controlled by something that insignificant!

8) Remember that after the first three days, most of the chemical cravings are gone. You'll still have to deal with the habit and the emotional attachments, but you won't feel the overwhelming NEED for a smoke anymore. THen, once you've made it past the first three days, you can keep telling yourself..no way in hades do I want to go through those three days again, so no...there will be NO just one cigarette for me!

9) Give yourself a small financial reward for quitting. Remember how much you are saving now, so let yourself go to a spa or get a pedicure or buy a new negligee set after a month or two of being smoke free. For me it was a gym membership and classes for my daughter (dance and swimming). Oh and a few smoke-free items of clothing!

10) Don't give up. If you can last just 1 more hour...1 more day...1 more week...before long, you'll be over it and feel great again!!

:flowerforyou:

This is great advice. Thank you!

Quitting is winning!! It's mind over matter, I was a heavy smoker that quit in November after telling myself I will not be addicted any longer. I wish you the best of luck, you can definitely do it!!!