The struggle to quit smoking

I'm more concerned I'll put on weight when I quit for good. I did stop for some time but it just got way out of hand.

I started smoking at the age of 15 and smoked almost 2 packs a day for approximately 10 years. The way I was able to successfully stop smoking is to prolong the very first cigarette. My first cigarette would be at about 6 o'clock in the morning before breakfast. So then I conditioned myself not to smoke my first cigarette till after breakfast at 7:30. Then I force myself not to smoke my first cigarette till 9 AM. Then not till lunch, then not till one and so forth and so on. Before I knew it I was at my first cigarette till after dinner, then just decided what the hell am I smoking for?

Hey. I just recently quit smoking. Today marks 4 weeks for me! I had been saying for months that I wanted to quit , I just didn't know how. I was going to try the gum but didn't want to keep nicotine in my system. I wanted to get it out. So I set a date which happened to be when I was laid off work for 2 weeks and I weaned my self. I also downloaded an app called "Drop it " that helped so much. It lets you see how far you have come not smoking. How much money you've saved and how your health is improving. Highly recommend. I was a smoker since I was 13 and I'm 33 now. I really just got tired of the hold it had on me. I feel free from that hold. And trust me..I'm a single mom with 4 kids and my stress levels can get pretty high..lol. Also I used dove dark chocolate to help cravings. Just throw a bag In the freezer and eat as needed. Reward yourself when you reach a milestone. I do every 2 weeks I make it! I hope this helps and good luck on quitting. If I can...You can!!

After 11 years of smoking I was finally able to quit. Cold turkey, it was so hard and I'm not gonna lie, I bought 3 packs of cigarettes in 3 months while I quit. Felt guilty and threw half a pack away every time. I substituted my cravings with drinking a full glass of water and snacking on crackers or anything that would keep mind busy for a few minutes like a mind game on my phone or a quick nap or just lay down. People keep saying you really have to want to quit to successfully quit. But while I wanted to quit I also didn't want to quit because it was the only thing helping me through stress. But I remembered that a craving only lasts upto 3 minutes and during that time I distract my mind with something else. It's not easy.... it's so hard, but easier after 3 days, then after 3 months you think about it sometimes but you can now control your mind into thinking you don't need it. After about 5-9 months you don't even think about it anymore except when you pass someone smoking and all you think is, that smells so gross. The best advice I can give you is even time you crave a cigarette, think about how many toxins are going into your body and keep telling yourself it's gross and will slowly kill you. Keep repeating that. It works. Your cravings are controlling your mind into thinking that's the only thing that will relieve the stress, when it's only making it worse. Its up to you to get your mind to control your craving. Substitute the craving or trigger with something else you enjoy a lot. All the best! Just remember you are stronger than the craving and that you can beat it!

I've always been an active person. Always at gym or sports etc. I was never a heavy smoker but I got to point where I'd smoke before gym and want one straight after like it was a reward for working out. I quit because it got to the stage I was DISGUSTED at the fact I was a slave to a cigarette. The look and smell of them turned my stomach. That was 6 years ago. I had no cravings, no desire to start again.
However, I replaced cigarettes with personal training. I replaced the money I spent on *kitten* with 2 personal training sessions a week to show me and challenge me with something new.
I had to occupy my mind on something new and focussed my work stress into working out.
At the end of the day it is finding a different coping mechanism other than smoking.
At work I'd have a heal tea instead of smoking.
It was walking away from your work station for 5 mins, make a tea or even go for a walk round block.
There ARE things u can do to have your 5 mins peace that aren't *kitten* if you CHOOSE to do them. Hell, if you're lucky enough at work to grab a colleague to go for quick walk round block, have a verbal dump about work then get back to it, do it.
Sun, fresh air helps. It really is changing habits of where n when you'd normally smoke. But after all that you really REALLY have to want to quit, not just because you 'know you should'.

I quit cold turkey Sept 28th 2014. You have to make up your mind to quit...really want to quit. It isn't easy, but you can do it!

I quit 3 years ago (after 15yrs) Quitting is the best thing I've ever done!!! Quitting got easier when I realized the cravings never lasted more than a minute or two. I would get through those couple of minutes and the cravings were gone. They would come up again, but only lasted a couple minutes. Over time I had less and less cravings. Soon I didn't event think about smoking.

I have a sense of smell now. I have perfumes and pretty shower gel. It's the best!

I can smell smokers when they come from outside having a cigarette. Did I smell that bad??? Yes! I can't believe I used to smell like that!!

It's totally worth gaining 5lb to quit smoking. Just be careful not to replace smoking with large amounts of food. Buy sugar free candy if you want. I used to smoke after meals. Now I don't have that uncomfortable feeling after eating like I need to light up. I just feel full. I don't have to leave everyone to go outside to smoke alone in the sun, rain, snow....

There are better ways to get through stressful times. Walking, reaching out to friends, doodling, working out, watching movie...

Why not take a hot bubble bath after gym instead of smoking?

Feel free to message me for advice/support. You can do this!!

Awesome! I'm so glad to hear that!! YAY!! Don't fall back! And if you do, start again. All the best to you!! :)

Quitnet was a godsend at helping me. Also Allen Carr has a fantastic book that makes everything click. It really is one of those things that is 98% mental. Good luck!

I used to smoke. I could not quit on my own so then I got a prescription for Zyban. Fair warning, insurance won't pay. But it works. It makes cigarette smoke taste like how cat poop smells after like 2-3 days. You won't be able to stand smoking. It also increases your dopamine level. You get dopamine from activities you find rewarding, like smoking. With the med increasing it for you, you don't have that urge to get the reward by smoking. At this point you can choose to vape nic-free as a long term soluton, or you can just say "ok I'm done."