Smoking

124

Replies

  • FatFreeFrolicking
    FatFreeFrolicking Posts: 4,252 Member
    I found that smoking supressed my appetite too. It's not why I started (it was because I was 15 years old, grown up and all that), but yes, I used to have a *kitten* and a cup of tea for breakfast and a *kitten* and a cup of hot chocolate for lunch.

    I'd like to make some flippant comment about about how thin I was back then, but I have a feeling it would be lost in translation or misconstrued.

    I quit cold turkey when I found out when I was pregnant, so I'm not sure how much of the increased food intake or my temper was due to quitting smoking, but I definitely missed having something to do with my hands because I'm a nervous person.

    I am very glad I quit though and the smoking ban really helped too. Back when I had a social life, you could smoke in pubs and restaurants.

    Edit to add: Yes, already lost in translation. A f@g is a cigarette.



    You can still smoke in bars and restaurants in New Orleans. It's crazy! :o
  • TheVirgoddess
    TheVirgoddess Posts: 4,535 Member
    pplastics wrote: »
    OP, cold turkey quit while you're ahead. It will probably be the most difficult thing in the world but it has to be done.

    This. There is little research that proves e-cigs help individuals quit smoking. Save your money.

    I'd like you to read through the responses of the successful quitters posting here who DID use the ecig to transition to being a non smoker. For quite a few of us, it did work. Research/studies etc aren't always in tune with what works in the real world, so maybe allow for actual life experience to color your advice.

    Celebrate any product that helps a smoker to quit.

    Truth. With the success people are having, I'm sure there will be more research published in the near future. They don't work for everyone, but they help A LOT of people quit. I'd say a little over half of the people I know who have tried it (myself included) have been successful. And they've been successful with little to no side effects (like weight gain and depression) that usually come along with quitting.

    And I agree that I would not take advice on quitting smoking from someone who has never smoked.

    i always liked smoking, idk how addicted i really was to the nicotine... but a suppose i had to be. If its the nicotine drug effect that draws you to smoking (whatever that really is lol) then it would probably help.

    but if you really the act of drawing smoke into your lungs (i know to nonsmokers that probably sounds hella disgusting), then it probably wont do a lot for you.


    You've got it backwards. They work better than patches and gums BECAUSE you still get the act/sensation of drawing "smoke" into your lunges.

    That doesn't change the fact that they still contain chemicals that can increase the risk of getting cancer.

    I'm *not* at all trying to be combative or argue with you. But consider this: using a potentially dangerous, short term device to quit a proven dangerous, long term addiction - don't you think the benefits outweigh the risks in this situation?
  • FatFreeFrolicking
    FatFreeFrolicking Posts: 4,252 Member
    pplastics wrote: »
    OP, cold turkey quit while you're ahead. It will probably be the most difficult thing in the world but it has to be done.

    This. There is little research that proves e-cigs help individuals quit smoking. Save your money.

    I'd like you to read through the responses of the successful quitters posting here who DID use the ecig to transition to being a non smoker. For quite a few of us, it did work. Research/studies etc aren't always in tune with what works in the real world, so maybe allow for actual life experience to color your advice.

    Celebrate any product that helps a smoker to quit.

    Truth. With the success people are having, I'm sure there will be more research published in the near future. They don't work for everyone, but they help A LOT of people quit. I'd say a little over half of the people I know who have tried it (myself included) have been successful. And they've been successful with little to no side effects (like weight gain and depression) that usually come along with quitting.

    And I agree that I would not take advice on quitting smoking from someone who has never smoked.

    i always liked smoking, idk how addicted i really was to the nicotine... but a suppose i had to be. If its the nicotine drug effect that draws you to smoking (whatever that really is lol) then it would probably help.

    but if you really the act of drawing smoke into your lungs (i know to nonsmokers that probably sounds hella disgusting), then it probably wont do a lot for you.


    You've got it backwards. They work better than patches and gums BECAUSE you still get the act/sensation of drawing "smoke" into your lunges.

    That doesn't change the fact that they still contain chemicals that can increase the risk of getting cancer.

    I'm *not* at all trying to be combative or argue with you. But consider this: using a potentially dangerous, short term device to quit a proven dangerous, long term addiction - don't you think the benefits outweigh the risks in this situation?

    The damage is already done so at that point it really won't matter. I was just stating that it's not exactly a "hazard free" option and ultimately, quitting cold turkey is the way to go; if the person is able to do so. But obviously not everyone is capable of doing that and some need the assistance of an e-cig.
  • Vapors help me but I think they are just as addictive. They help with the "hand to mouth" habit. If you choose vapors they go down to 0 nicotine, everyone is different, making advice for quitting difficult.
  • nsides0427
    nsides0427 Posts: 56 Member
    I smoked for 3 years and quit about a month ago. I craved the first three days and did the e-cig thing but after those 3 days I was just done. Since, I've had a couple of dreams about smoking which are bizarre but no really strong cravings. Interestingly enough, reading through this post has given me the biggest craving since I stopped. I love that I don't smell like smoke anymore now when I smell smoke on my boyfriend's breath, it's disgusting to me. I hope that continues, I still haven't tested this out in a social situation, but come Christmas we will see how strong my resolve will be.
  • almc170
    almc170 Posts: 1,093 Member
    edited November 2014
    I'm 44 and started smoking in college. When I quit 3 1/2 years ago (patch + wellbutrin), I gained about 10 pounds, which I quickly lost. More importantly, for the first time in my adult life, I reached a weight that I am happy with, and am now maintaining, WITHOUT the aid of cigarettes. The cravings haven't completely gone away, but they are manageable, fairly mild, and pretty infrequent. The benefits of not smoking far outweigh the occasional discomfort, though. My endurance is greatly improved, I can do much more intense workouts than I ever thought possible, and I don't stink. No regrets about quitting :)
  • Pupslice
    Pupslice Posts: 213 Member
    jayche wrote: »
    Smoking newports helped me quit too.

    i tried that technique myself, and it only got me smoking newports, lol
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    corduanji wrote: »
    LeenaJean wrote: »
    I smoke off and on, generally 1/3 of a pack a day when I am smoking.
    I've never had trouble breathing or any trouble with exercise at all.
    When I'm taking smoking breaks I don't gain wait at all if i keep up my regular food and exercise routine.
    The cravings never really go away, which is why I still smoke......

    Okay, I understand how some of you could be upset at the idea of someone smoking so they don't gain weight, I would be too. However, I do not see where she said that... she said the cravings never really go away which is why I still smoke, I believe she is referring to the smoking cravings, OP asked if you ever get over the craving to smoke. She is saying she still smokes because the craving to smoke for her is so strong.

    Funny, This whole argument and I keep thinking, "Who is smoking to keep cravings away?" She still smokes because she craves the nicotine, not food. It's a misassociation based on her lack of experience with smoking. She is automatically redirected to her own inner cravings.

    IAteAllTheVegans discussed how she doesn't gain weight if she eats her "regular food and exercise routine" right before saying the cravings don't go away… She's clearly talking about food cravings.

    I did not read it that way. To me it seems like the cravings to smoke don't go away.
  • sm1zzle
    sm1zzle Posts: 920 Member
    I found that smoking supressed my appetite too. It's not why I started (it was because I was 15 years old, grown up and all that), but yes, I used to have a *kitten* and a cup of tea for breakfast and a *kitten* and a cup of hot chocolate for lunch.

    I'd like to make some flippant comment about about how thin I was back then, but I have a feeling it would be lost in translation or misconstrued.

    I quit cold turkey when I found out when I was pregnant, so I'm not sure how much of the increased food intake or my temper was due to quitting smoking, but I definitely missed having something to do with my hands because I'm a nervous person.

    I am very glad I quit though and the smoking ban really helped too. Back when I had a social life, you could smoke in pubs and restaurants.

    Edit to add: Yes, already lost in translation. A f@g is a cigarette.



    You can still smoke in bars and restaurants in New Orleans. It's crazy! :o
    That was the only thing I didn't like about Vegas.. they allow people to smoke in the Casinos. Disgusting.
  • FitOldMomma
    FitOldMomma Posts: 790 Member
    I'm in the process of quitting right now! It's been 2 weeks. The cravings ( for CIGS! ) are intense, but I'm going to beat it. It's getting better every day. I've lost almost 100 lbs, 36 of them since joining MFP. I was nervous about gaining lbs from quitting, but in the last 2 weeks I've lost another 1.5 lbs! This thread has been very helpful and motivating. Even though I don't post much here, I just had to chime in! Good luck OP, and everyone else working towards their health goals. We can dooo eeeet!

    Good for you!!!! Best thing you could ever do for your health. :)
  • FitForL1fe
    FitForL1fe Posts: 1,872 Member
    pplastics wrote: »
    OP, cold turkey quit while you're ahead. It will probably be the most difficult thing in the world but it has to be done.

    This. There is little research that proves e-cigs help individuals quit smoking. Save your money.

    I'd like you to read through the responses of the successful quitters posting here who DID use the ecig to transition to being a non smoker. For quite a few of us, it did work. Research/studies etc aren't always in tune with what works in the real world, so maybe allow for actual life experience to color your advice.

    Celebrate any product that helps a smoker to quit.

    Truth. With the success people are having, I'm sure there will be more research published in the near future. They don't work for everyone, but they help A LOT of people quit. I'd say a little over half of the people I know who have tried it (myself included) have been successful. And they've been successful with little to no side effects (like weight gain and depression) that usually come along with quitting.

    And I agree that I would not take advice on quitting smoking from someone who has never smoked.

    i always liked smoking, idk how addicted i really was to the nicotine... but a suppose i had to be. If its the nicotine drug effect that draws you to smoking (whatever that really is lol) then it would probably help.

    but if you really the act of drawing smoke into your lungs (i know to nonsmokers that probably sounds hella disgusting), then it probably wont do a lot for you.


    You've got it backwards. They work better than patches and gums BECAUSE you still get the act/sensation of drawing "smoke" into your lunges.

    That doesn't change the fact that they still contain chemicals that can increase the risk of getting cancer.

    I'm *not* at all trying to be combative or argue with you. But consider this: using a potentially dangerous, short term device to quit a proven dangerous, long term addiction - don't you think the benefits outweigh the risks in this situation?

    The damage is already done so at that point it really won't matter. I was just stating that it's not exactly a "hazard free" option and ultimately, quitting cold turkey is the way to go; if the person is able to do so. But obviously not everyone is capable of doing that and some need the assistance of an e-cig.

    Anecdotally, e-cigs have done a solid job of helping quitters. Just look at my or some of the other ex-smoker's comments in this very thread.

    Also, you seem to have a lot invested in this thread...there is plenty of good advice already in here from people who have been through this. Maybe you don't need to try so hard, eh? It's detracting from the actually helpful conversation. :mrgreen:
  • branflakes1980
    branflakes1980 Posts: 2,516 Member
    pplastics wrote: »
    OP, cold turkey quit while you're ahead. It will probably be the most difficult thing in the world but it has to be done.

    This. There is little research that proves e-cigs help individuals quit smoking. Save your money.

    I'd like you to read through the responses of the successful quitters posting here who DID use the ecig to transition to being a non smoker. For quite a few of us, it did work. Research/studies etc aren't always in tune with what works in the real world, so maybe allow for actual life experience to color your advice.

    Celebrate any product that helps a smoker to quit.

    Truth. With the success people are having, I'm sure there will be more research published in the near future. They don't work for everyone, but they help A LOT of people quit. I'd say a little over half of the people I know who have tried it (myself included) have been successful. And they've been successful with little to no side effects (like weight gain and depression) that usually come along with quitting.

    And I agree that I would not take advice on quitting smoking from someone who has never smoked.

    i always liked smoking, idk how addicted i really was to the nicotine... but a suppose i had to be. If its the nicotine drug effect that draws you to smoking (whatever that really is lol) then it would probably help.

    but if you really the act of drawing smoke into your lungs (i know to nonsmokers that probably sounds hella disgusting), then it probably wont do a lot for you.


    You've got it backwards. They work better than patches and gums BECAUSE you still get the act/sensation of drawing "smoke" into your lunges.

    That doesn't change the fact that they still contain chemicals that can increase the risk of getting cancer.

    I'm *not* at all trying to be combative or argue with you. But consider this: using a potentially dangerous, short term device to quit a proven dangerous, long term addiction - don't you think the benefits outweigh the risks in this situation?

    The damage is already done so at that point it really won't matter. I was just stating that it's not exactly a "hazard free" option and ultimately, quitting cold turkey is the way to go; if the person is able to do so. But obviously not everyone is capable of doing that and some need the assistance of an e-cig.

    Let's recap. You stated NUMEROUS times, smoking is bad, cancer, chemicals, bad bad bad, you must quit. . . BUT once you decide to quit the damage has already been done so at that point it really wont matter?? In what parallel universe does that make any sense?? Please enlighten me.

  • I_Will_End_You
    I_Will_End_You Posts: 4,397 Member
    Re: the post that said there aren't studies saying that e-cigs help people quit, this study popped up on my Facebook feed today.

    http://www.news-medical.net/news/20141119/E-cigarettes-reduce-cravings-for-tobacco-cigarettes.aspx
    pplastics wrote: »
    OP, cold turkey quit while you're ahead. It will probably be the most difficult thing in the world but it has to be done.

    This. There is little research that proves e-cigs help individuals quit smoking. Save your money.

    I'd like you to read through the responses of the successful quitters posting here who DID use the ecig to transition to being a non smoker. For quite a few of us, it did work. Research/studies etc aren't always in tune with what works in the real world, so maybe allow for actual life experience to color your advice.

    Celebrate any product that helps a smoker to quit.

    Truth. With the success people are having, I'm sure there will be more research published in the near future. They don't work for everyone, but they help A LOT of people quit. I'd say a little over half of the people I know who have tried it (myself included) have been successful. And they've been successful with little to no side effects (like weight gain and depression) that usually come along with quitting.

    And I agree that I would not take advice on quitting smoking from someone who has never smoked.

    i always liked smoking, idk how addicted i really was to the nicotine... but a suppose i had to be. If its the nicotine drug effect that draws you to smoking (whatever that really is lol) then it would probably help.

    but if you really the act of drawing smoke into your lungs (i know to nonsmokers that probably sounds hella disgusting), then it probably wont do a lot for you.


    You've got it backwards. They work better than patches and gums BECAUSE you still get the act/sensation of drawing "smoke" into your lunges.

    That doesn't change the fact that they still contain chemicals that can increase the risk of getting cancer.

    I'm *not* at all trying to be combative or argue with you. But consider this: using a potentially dangerous, short term device to quit a proven dangerous, long term addiction - don't you think the benefits outweigh the risks in this situation?

    The damage is already done so at that point it really won't matter. I was just stating that it's not exactly a "hazard free" option and ultimately, quitting cold turkey is the way to go; if the person is able to do so. But obviously not everyone is capable of doing that and some need the assistance of an e-cig.

    Let's recap. You stated NUMEROUS times, smoking is bad, cancer, chemicals, bad bad bad, you must quit. . . BUT once you decide to quit the damage has already been done so at that point it really wont matter?? In what parallel universe does that make any sense?? Please enlighten me.


    I was wondering the same thing!

  • JustinAnimal
    JustinAnimal Posts: 1,335 Member
    Rereading this thread and I love the support, the personal stories, etc. For me, e-cigs didn't work at all; however, it's nice to hear that they have helped some people, so I can quit discounting those when I give advice.

    On another note: FatFreeFrolicking, I really want you to stop talking. Please stop talking. Please.
  • FitForL1fe
    FitForL1fe Posts: 1,872 Member
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  • No_Finish_Line
    No_Finish_Line Posts: 3,661 Member
    edited November 2014
    pplastics wrote: »
    OP, cold turkey quit while you're ahead. It will probably be the most difficult thing in the world but it has to be done.

    This. There is little research that proves e-cigs help individuals quit smoking. Save your money.

    I'd like you to read through the responses of the successful quitters posting here who DID use the ecig to transition to being a non smoker. For quite a few of us, it did work. Research/studies etc aren't always in tune with what works in the real world, so maybe allow for actual life experience to color your advice.

    Celebrate any product that helps a smoker to quit.

    Truth. With the success people are having, I'm sure there will be more research published in the near future. They don't work for everyone, but they help A LOT of people quit. I'd say a little over half of the people I know who have tried it (myself included) have been successful. And they've been successful with little to no side effects (like weight gain and depression) that usually come along with quitting.

    And I agree that I would not take advice on quitting smoking from someone who has never smoked.

    i always liked smoking, idk how addicted i really was to the nicotine... but a suppose i had to be. If its the nicotine drug effect that draws you to smoking (whatever that really is lol) then it would probably help.

    but if you really the act of drawing smoke into your lungs (i know to nonsmokers that probably sounds hella disgusting), then it probably wont do a lot for you.


    You've got it backwards. They work better than patches and gums BECAUSE you still get the act/sensation of drawing "smoke" into your lunges.

    it would be more effective in that respect then a patch but still very different from inhaling smoke


    and i actually also agree that quitting cold turkey is the way to go with quitting any drug (any drug who's immediate withdrawal isn't likely to cause greater health risk).

    Its also the cheapest option, and WILL get you over the hump the fastest (thought not the easiest).

    I would think this really should be your first option or at least something that should be attempted.
  • sofaking6
    sofaking6 Posts: 4,589 Member
    pplastics wrote: »
    OP, cold turkey quit while you're ahead. It will probably be the most difficult thing in the world but it has to be done.

    This. There is little research that proves e-cigs help individuals quit smoking. Save your money.

    I'd like you to read through the responses of the successful quitters posting here who DID use the ecig to transition to being a non smoker. For quite a few of us, it did work. Research/studies etc aren't always in tune with what works in the real world, so maybe allow for actual life experience to color your advice.

    Celebrate any product that helps a smoker to quit.

    Truth. With the success people are having, I'm sure there will be more research published in the near future. They don't work for everyone, but they help A LOT of people quit. I'd say a little over half of the people I know who have tried it (myself included) have been successful. And they've been successful with little to no side effects (like weight gain and depression) that usually come along with quitting.

    And I agree that I would not take advice on quitting smoking from someone who has never smoked.

    i always liked smoking, idk how addicted i really was to the nicotine... but a suppose i had to be. If its the nicotine drug effect that draws you to smoking (whatever that really is lol) then it would probably help.

    but if you really the act of drawing smoke into your lungs (i know to nonsmokers that probably sounds hella disgusting), then it probably wont do a lot for you.


    You've got it backwards. They work better than patches and gums BECAUSE you still get the act/sensation of drawing "smoke" into your lunges.

    it would be more effective in that respect then a patch but still very different from inhaling smoke

    Yeah I went all out for a fancy e-cig but the 'fake' smoking actually triggered more cravings. For me the physical addiction is very small, it's the habit that's everything. Maybe I should try different e-cigs.
  • mz_getskinny
    mz_getskinny Posts: 258 Member
    This thread makes me need a cigarette....
  • xjgirl94
    xjgirl94 Posts: 64 Member
    I just quit been 3 weeks but broke down and got me a vape for the times I really wanted to smoke. I feel better & didnt gain weight
  • branflakes1980
    branflakes1980 Posts: 2,516 Member
    Re: the post that said there aren't studies saying that e-cigs help people quit, this study popped up on my Facebook feed today.

    http://www.news-medical.net/news/20141119/E-cigarettes-reduce-cravings-for-tobacco-cigarettes.aspx
    pplastics wrote: »
    OP, cold turkey quit while you're ahead. It will probably be the most difficult thing in the world but it has to be done.

    This. There is little research that proves e-cigs help individuals quit smoking. Save your money.

    I'd like you to read through the responses of the successful quitters posting here who DID use the ecig to transition to being a non smoker. For quite a few of us, it did work. Research/studies etc aren't always in tune with what works in the real world, so maybe allow for actual life experience to color your advice.

    Celebrate any product that helps a smoker to quit.

    Truth. With the success people are having, I'm sure there will be more research published in the near future. They don't work for everyone, but they help A LOT of people quit. I'd say a little over half of the people I know who have tried it (myself included) have been successful. And they've been successful with little to no side effects (like weight gain and depression) that usually come along with quitting.

    And I agree that I would not take advice on quitting smoking from someone who has never smoked.

    i always liked smoking, idk how addicted i really was to the nicotine... but a suppose i had to be. If its the nicotine drug effect that draws you to smoking (whatever that really is lol) then it would probably help.

    but if you really the act of drawing smoke into your lungs (i know to nonsmokers that probably sounds hella disgusting), then it probably wont do a lot for you.


    You've got it backwards. They work better than patches and gums BECAUSE you still get the act/sensation of drawing "smoke" into your lunges.

    That doesn't change the fact that they still contain chemicals that can increase the risk of getting cancer.

    I'm *not* at all trying to be combative or argue with you. But consider this: using a potentially dangerous, short term device to quit a proven dangerous, long term addiction - don't you think the benefits outweigh the risks in this situation?

    The damage is already done so at that point it really won't matter. I was just stating that it's not exactly a "hazard free" option and ultimately, quitting cold turkey is the way to go; if the person is able to do so. But obviously not everyone is capable of doing that and some need the assistance of an e-cig.

    Let's recap. You stated NUMEROUS times, smoking is bad, cancer, chemicals, bad bad bad, you must quit. . . BUT once you decide to quit the damage has already been done so at that point it really wont matter?? In what parallel universe does that make any sense?? Please enlighten me.


    I was wondering the same thing!

    Don't get me wrong, I am a firm believer that quitting cold turkey is the only way to quit (atleast for me). I found everything else to just be transferring my addiction from one thing to another. That being said, I find it horrific for someone who never smoked and has no idea how hard it is to quit get all preachy on people (who happen to be grown adults) who do indeed know what it feels like to go through nicotine withdrawls and then to top it all off make statements of pure contradiction.

  • I_Will_End_You
    I_Will_End_You Posts: 4,397 Member
    sofaking6 wrote: »
    pplastics wrote: »
    OP, cold turkey quit while you're ahead. It will probably be the most difficult thing in the world but it has to be done.

    This. There is little research that proves e-cigs help individuals quit smoking. Save your money.

    I'd like you to read through the responses of the successful quitters posting here who DID use the ecig to transition to being a non smoker. For quite a few of us, it did work. Research/studies etc aren't always in tune with what works in the real world, so maybe allow for actual life experience to color your advice.

    Celebrate any product that helps a smoker to quit.

    Truth. With the success people are having, I'm sure there will be more research published in the near future. They don't work for everyone, but they help A LOT of people quit. I'd say a little over half of the people I know who have tried it (myself included) have been successful. And they've been successful with little to no side effects (like weight gain and depression) that usually come along with quitting.

    And I agree that I would not take advice on quitting smoking from someone who has never smoked.

    i always liked smoking, idk how addicted i really was to the nicotine... but a suppose i had to be. If its the nicotine drug effect that draws you to smoking (whatever that really is lol) then it would probably help.

    but if you really the act of drawing smoke into your lungs (i know to nonsmokers that probably sounds hella disgusting), then it probably wont do a lot for you.


    You've got it backwards. They work better than patches and gums BECAUSE you still get the act/sensation of drawing "smoke" into your lunges.

    it would be more effective in that respect then a patch but still very different from inhaling smoke

    Yeah I went all out for a fancy e-cig but the 'fake' smoking actually triggered more cravings. For me the physical addiction is very small, it's the habit that's everything. Maybe I should try different e-cigs.

    The vaporizers with the tank and battery where you put the liquid in yourself are, in my opinion, the best. The ones that look like actual cigarettes suck.
  • sofaking6
    sofaking6 Posts: 4,589 Member
    sofaking6 wrote: »
    pplastics wrote: »
    OP, cold turkey quit while you're ahead. It will probably be the most difficult thing in the world but it has to be done.

    This. There is little research that proves e-cigs help individuals quit smoking. Save your money.

    I'd like you to read through the responses of the successful quitters posting here who DID use the ecig to transition to being a non smoker. For quite a few of us, it did work. Research/studies etc aren't always in tune with what works in the real world, so maybe allow for actual life experience to color your advice.

    Celebrate any product that helps a smoker to quit.

    Truth. With the success people are having, I'm sure there will be more research published in the near future. They don't work for everyone, but they help A LOT of people quit. I'd say a little over half of the people I know who have tried it (myself included) have been successful. And they've been successful with little to no side effects (like weight gain and depression) that usually come along with quitting.

    And I agree that I would not take advice on quitting smoking from someone who has never smoked.

    i always liked smoking, idk how addicted i really was to the nicotine... but a suppose i had to be. If its the nicotine drug effect that draws you to smoking (whatever that really is lol) then it would probably help.

    but if you really the act of drawing smoke into your lungs (i know to nonsmokers that probably sounds hella disgusting), then it probably wont do a lot for you.


    You've got it backwards. They work better than patches and gums BECAUSE you still get the act/sensation of drawing "smoke" into your lunges.

    it would be more effective in that respect then a patch but still very different from inhaling smoke

    Yeah I went all out for a fancy e-cig but the 'fake' smoking actually triggered more cravings. For me the physical addiction is very small, it's the habit that's everything. Maybe I should try different e-cigs.

    The vaporizers with the tank and battery where you put the liquid in yourself are, in my opinion, the best. The ones that look like actual cigarettes suck.

    Lol I'm screwed then :)

  • SnuggleSmacks
    SnuggleSmacks Posts: 3,731 Member
    I wonder if anyone eats "clean" and still smokes?
  • sofaking6
    sofaking6 Posts: 4,589 Member
    I wonder if anyone eats "clean" and still smokes?

    Nobody I know! I'm really careful about the beef and chicken I eat, but nothing else. But I do exercise on the regular...so I got that going for me..

  • grlgemini wrote: »
    I quit smoking 3 years ago. I smoked since my teenage years (quit when I was 40). I still think about smoking. Even have smoker dreams every once in awhile. However, it was soo difficult for me to quit that I don't think I will ever go back. But, I am just one cigarette away from smoking a pack a day. I know I can't smoke socially. I sure wish I could! :) I don't think the feeling ever goes away, but it isn't like I obsess over it constantly. I don't think of it every day or even every month. I gained 15 lbs when I quit, but I was okay with it. Now I have 20 lbs to lose. I don't regret it for a minute!

    this was the same for me except it was a bit over 2 years ago now. I started when i was about 17 and quit a month before my 41st birthday. I still think about it now and again but really only when i'm bored.

  • NateMcG76
    NateMcG76 Posts: 44 Member
    Don't get me wrong, I am a firm believer that quitting cold turkey is the only way to quit (atleast for me). I found everything else to just be transferring my addiction from one thing to another. That being said, I find it horrific for someone who never smoked and has no idea how hard it is to quit get all preachy on people (who happen to be grown adults) who do indeed know what it feels like to go through nicotine withdrawls and then to top it all off make statements of pure contradiction.

    I agree 100% with bran. I smoked for about a decade and then used smokeless tobacco for the next decade. When I quit I was taking in about 4 cigarette packs worth of nicotine a day and quit cold turkey. All the research shows if you really want to quit and stay quit cold turkey gives you the best chance. Any NRT (nicotine replacement therapy) like gums, patches, or vap still deliver the addictive chemical to your body.

    Cold turkey.. deal with the suck. After 3 days all the nic is out of your system. You will never forget those first 3 days. Each day will be a little easier than the next(for the most part).

    Good luck! You can do it!!!
  • LawOfFives
    LawOfFives Posts: 5 Member
    It sounds crazy, but Alan Carr's Easy Way to Stop Smoking, which you can get as a book or an audio book, works better than patches/gum (did that 4 times) stop smoking drugs (did that twice) or going "cold turkey" (too many times to count).
  • Madame_Goldbricker
    Madame_Goldbricker Posts: 1,625 Member
    Haven't read through all the posts.. But

    Personally: I'm now 90+ days smoke free, using an e-cig. It's the BEST thing that has worked for me. And I've tried everything from cold turkey, patches, Champix in the past all to no avail. I smoked a pack a day for the past 21yrs. Picked up an e-cig & haven't even had a puff off a real cig since. I have stabilised weight wise (guess the NRT helps balance that out. In fact I've still dropped a few lbs since quitting). Horses for courses & all that stuff. But at the end of the day nicotine vs cigs there's no comparison re: health hazards. Nicotine still contracts the vascular system.. So I guess that does cause some issues. But at least it doesn't come with all the additional crap that cigarettes do.
  • levitateme
    levitateme Posts: 999 Member
    LeenaJean wrote: »
    FatFreeFrolicking, I get the impression you are not and have never been a smoker, so shhh...

    You're right and thank the Lord for that.

    I'm curious though… since when must you be a smoker to comment on a thread about smoking? Is it some sort of new rule?

    I didn't think so. So kindly "shhh" yourself.

    I basically had a nervous break down/chronic anxiety attacks so bad I couldn't go to work for several days when I quit smoking cold turkey in September. You have no frame of reference, and thus are not qualified to give advice to smokers about quitting. I greatly endorse using nicotine replacement therapy. I would have saved myself a lot of drama if I had.

  • Joannah700
    Joannah700 Posts: 2,665 Member
    I had a cigarette, well, 1 1/2 cigarettes for the first time on Sunday after almost 10 years. It was a really bad day.

    Sometimes the cravings hit you. When you're stressed and know that hit will help relax you. But most of the time I could bring my hands to my lips and inhale, like a 'mock smoke' and it would relax me and I could move on from there.

    Weird...maybe. Funny looking, definitely. But it helped.

    And it should be noted that on Sunday, I also drank 3 manhattan's and puked in the shower for the first time. I can easily handle 3 manhattan's. I apparently can't handle them when I decide to smoke. I also kept tasting 'smoke' when I would breathe/cough/burp - anything that got air from deep in my lungs for the first few hours on Monday.

    Gotta say, this experience helped expel most of any lingering feelings I had for romanticizing smoking in my head.
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