smoker, ready to quit!

cquick · February 2009

hey guys, i'm starting a jumpstart exercise program today with turbo jam, and i'm ready to start exercising regularly and eating right, but i'm also ready to quit something: smoking!

i've been a smoker for about eight years, and i hate to admit i love and hate the act of smoking. my family is full of chain smokers and as a youngster i loathed that my parents were avid smokers. i can't believe that i ever started. i hate that i ever started and quitting has been trial and error for me.

i used the patch for a while last year, then realized it wasn't doing any good because nicotine was still raging through my system. then i started smoking natural herbal cigarettes that do not contain nicotine, but the habit is still just as bad, and the tar is even worse!

i've quit here and there, going a month without a puff, then i'd start again. i've never smoked more than half a pack a day, but one cigarette is one too many!

I'M SO READY TO QUIT! i have one more pack, and i don't plan on whiddling down my intake, i'm just NOT going to buy another pack after i'm done with this one! so i'm guessing i'll be done with this pack on saturday of this week, then i want to be smoke free!

i don't really have any triggers: such as stressful moments, smoking after eating, or smoking and drinking. i just smoke whenever i'm bored or want to smoke! i've got my ipod full of great songs that i love, my house is full of cucumbers and celery if i need a snack, and i'm ready to do pushups or crunches if i get the urge to light up. it's going to take a lot of determination...i can do it, i know i can!

life is way too short! there are so many things i want to accomplish and see, and i can't do it if i'm suffering later on from breathing problems or any other type of issue that can be smoking related! i love my boyfriend and want to travel with him. i have a niece that will need my help growing up, and a new nephew on the way! i'm also getting ready to start up my own business after i finish massage school in june...

if there's anyone out there that wants to quit with me, then let's do it! it's about time we give up something so we can gain so much more! we'll have more time to accomplish the things we need to, and we'll breath better during workouts, and be around to watch our families blossom!

LET'S DO THIS TOGETHER!

cquick · February 2009

hey guys, i'm starting a jumpstart exercise program today with turbo jam, and i'm ready to start exercising regularly and eating right, but i'm also ready to quit something: smoking!

i've been a smoker for about eight years, and i hate to admit i love and hate the act of smoking. my family is full of chain smokers and as a youngster i loathed that my parents were avid smokers. i can't believe that i ever started. i hate that i ever started and quitting has been trial and error for me.

i used the patch for a while last year, then realized it wasn't doing any good because nicotine was still raging through my system. then i started smoking natural herbal cigarettes that do not contain nicotine, but the habit is still just as bad, and the tar is even worse!

i've quit here and there, going a month without a puff, then i'd start again. i've never smoked more than half a pack a day, but one cigarette is one too many!

I'M SO READY TO QUIT! i have one more pack, and i don't plan on whiddling down my intake, i'm just NOT going to buy another pack after i'm done with this one! so i'm guessing i'll be done with this pack on saturday of this week, then i want to be smoke free!

i don't really have any triggers: such as stressful moments, smoking after eating, or smoking and drinking. i just smoke whenever i'm bored or want to smoke! i've got my ipod full of great songs that i love, my house is full of cucumbers and celery if i need a snack, and i'm ready to do pushups or crunches if i get the urge to light up. it's going to take a lot of determination...i can do it, i know i can!

life is way too short! there are so many things i want to accomplish and see, and i can't do it if i'm suffering later on from breathing problems or any other type of issue that can be smoking related! i love my boyfriend and want to travel with him. i have a niece that will need my help growing up, and a new nephew on the way! i'm also getting ready to start up my own business after i finish massage school in june...

if there's anyone out there that wants to quit with me, then let's do it! it's about time we give up something so we can gain so much more! we'll have more time to accomplish the things we need to, and we'll breath better during workouts, and be around to watch our families blossom!

LET'S DO THIS TOGETHER!

tashjs21 · February 2009

I have been struggling with this for the last month. I do really good throughout the week and then cave on the weekend (usually while out drinking). :embarassed:

We CAN do this!!!

I quit for 3 months over the summer so it really is just a matter of buckling down and fighting those cravings. It really is rewarding when a craving passes and you realize you overcame it. :drinker:

bodibykelli · February 2009

:flowerforyou: Good luck guys~YOU CAN DO IT!!! I wish you were here last year~I quit Feb 20th of 2008~

chipper15173 · February 2009

best of luck to you guys. my DH & i quit two years ago this month. in fact DH can give the date and time. we used chantix it's from your doctor. most insurance doesn't pay for it. but, it works wonders. no cravings, no side effects for us.
again best of luck. you will feel so much better. i haven't been sick in two years. and the workouts are more intense than ever.

chipper

MattySparky · February 2009

I've been smoke free for over 4 years now and here's my advice:

treat every day like it's day one (for the most part the first month or so will feel this way anyways), you need to tell yourself every morning that "today I will NOT smoke"

dont have even one drag... you'll have all kinds of people tell you that weaning yourself off is the way to go...IT IS NOT AND THAT IS SUCH A LOAD OF BULLS*&T....people like this dont know the meaning of the word quit, are generally weak with no willpower. Weaning is just a nice word for procrastination... something a quitter does not need. Cold turkey is the way to go. Shock to your system?? HELL YEAH! That's exactly what it is and exactly what you need to start quitting. Most professionals will argue that its harder on you to quit cold turkey... well I dont know any wimpy *kitten* people that were able to quit... only people with "balls" and drive can do it.

DONT MAKE EXCUSES...quit right now! You can do it.

If this seems harsh... well, it is....but harsh is what quitters need... not sobby "it's gonna be ok" type support. No you need butt kicking hard *kitten* support! You can do it, but it's totally gonna suck and be hard. Quitting is for the strong minded and you sound like you're ready which is the final key to being... A SUCCESSFUL QUITTER (my favorite oxymoron).

MattySparky · February 2009

I'M SO READY TO QUIT! i have one more pack, and i don't plan on whiddling down my intake, i'm just NOT going to buy another pack after i'm done with this one! so i'm guessing i'll be done with this pack on saturday of this week, then i want to be smoke free!

throw the damn things out... this is an example of procrastination... Im sorry if you dont agree. Im very passionate about this subject lol.

cquick · February 2009

I have been struggling with this for the last month. I do really good throughout the week and then cave on the weekend (usually while out drinking). :embarassed:

We CAN do this!!!

I quit for 3 months over the summer so it really is just a matter of buckling down and fighting those cravings. It really is rewarding when a craving passes and you realize you overcame it. :drinker:

i'm glad you're ready for this to be over too...it's hard when you have lots of friends that smoke, but instead of standing outside with them, i'm going to take a quick walk around campus!

cravings = ugh...but better breathing = a beautiful, blood pumping hour of exercise!

i'm here for you, thanks for being here for me!:bigsmile:

cquick · February 2009

:flowerforyou: Good luck guys~YOU CAN DO IT!!! I wish you were here last year~I quit Feb 20th of 2008~

good for you! i'll probably be rattling off lots of frustration, maybe some that you've felt before, so it's great to know someone understands! thanks a billion!

you're one year is coming up! how gratifying! cheers to you and your healthier lungs!:glasses:

cquick · February 2009

best of luck to you guys. my DH & i quit two years ago this month. in fact DH can give the date and time. we used chantix it's from your doctor. most insurance doesn't pay for it. but, it works wonders. no cravings, no side effects for us.
again best of luck. you will feel so much better. i haven't been sick in two years. and the workouts are more intense than ever.

chipper

awesome, another survivor! i'm so proud of you, and thank you for sharing! i've heard lots of great things about chantix, and then some not so good, but i'm so glad it worked for you! there are so many alternatives out there, and i'm glad i've found what's good for me...it's gonna be cold turkey!

way to go, stay away from "the pack"!:flowerforyou:

cquick · February 2009

I've been smoke free for over 4 years now and here's my advice:

treat every day like it's day one (for the most part the first month or so will feel this way anyways), you need to tell yourself every morning that "today I will NOT smoke"

dont have even one drag... you'll have all kinds of people tell you that weaning yourself off is the way to go...IT IS NOT AND THAT IS SUCH A LOAD OF BULLS*&T....people like this dont know the meaning of the word quit, are generally weak with no willpower. Weaning is just a nice word for procrastination... something a quitter does not need. Cold turkey is the way to go. Shock to your system?? HELL YEAH! That's exactly what it is and exactly what you need to start quitting. Most professionals will argue that its harder on you to quit cold turkey... well I dont know any wimpy *kitten* people that were able to quit... only people with "balls" and drive can do it.

DONT MAKE EXCUSES...quit right now! You can do it.

If this seems harsh... well, it is....but harsh is what quitters need... not sobby "it's gonna be ok" type support. No you need butt kicking hard *kitten* support! You can do it, but it's totally gonna suck and be hard. Quitting is for the strong minded and you sound like you're ready which is the final key to being... A SUCCESSFUL QUITTER (my favorite oxymoron).

hey, i respect tough love like no other! thanks for sharing the passionate feelings you have about the subject with us...
it's wonderful you've been smoke free for four years! WOW! you're such a great inspiration...what was your biggest motivation for quitting?
i do agree with you about just pitching my pack...and i've decided i'm gonna do it tonight when i'm taking my best friend out for his birthday. me quitting will be the best gift i could give him...
you have a great point...my biggest issue is i become antsy when i don't have any cigarettes around, is that weird? that's when i have my biggest cravings!
thanks for your support, i so greatly appreciate it!
and don't think you're being harsh, you wouldn't push if you didn't care!
THANK YOU!:flowerforyou:

heal4444 · February 2009

Cquick!! :flowerforyou: I'm not a smoker and never smoked and I just want to say bravo to you!!! For having the courage to do something great for your life. This would be good for your career in massage therapy b/c it's part of healthy living. Also, I read your profile just now and saw you love The Bleep movie. I love that movie too!! Remember the scene where Marlee Matlin broke the mirror and got rid of all the anxiety pills, think of this moment as your Marlee Matlin breaking the mirror moment.

The moment when she finally loved herself.

This is yours.

You are being such a great aunt to your niece and future nephew!!! You're setting a great role model for them to follow!!

We are all here to support you in your journey of healthy living!!

I've seen some smokers who quit and use a ticker to count the number of smoke free days they've had. Though MFP ticker only counts lbs lost. Have you thought of adding a tickerfactory ticker and count the number of days smoke free. It would be so satisfying to see that number go up by 1 everyday. And every 1 day you are smoke free is to be applauded. I've never been a smoker and I have no idea how addicting it can be. Though I hear of how addicting it can be from others, I just want you to know I admire your decision and courage and am behind you all the way. Who knows, you may inspire others on MFP to quit as well. Good luck. :happy:

p.s., I just read you're quitting tonight from encouragement of another poster. Good advice. Maybe, you're stronger than you think. :happy: Maybe, measure your success in our your exercise stamina improves.

MattySparky · February 2009

I've been smoke free for over 4 years now and here's my advice:

treat every day like it's day one (for the most part the first month or so will feel this way anyways), you need to tell yourself every morning that "today I will NOT smoke"

dont have even one drag... you'll have all kinds of people tell you that weaning yourself off is the way to go...IT IS NOT AND THAT IS SUCH A LOAD OF BULLS*&T....people like this dont know the meaning of the word quit, are generally weak with no willpower. Weaning is just a nice word for procrastination... something a quitter does not need. Cold turkey is the way to go. Shock to your system?? HELL YEAH! That's exactly what it is and exactly what you need to start quitting. Most professionals will argue that its harder on you to quit cold turkey... well I dont know any wimpy *kitten* people that were able to quit... only people with "balls" and drive can do it.

DONT MAKE EXCUSES...quit right now! You can do it.

If this seems harsh... well, it is....but harsh is what quitters need... not sobby "it's gonna be ok" type support. No you need butt kicking hard *kitten* support! You can do it, but it's totally gonna suck and be hard. Quitting is for the strong minded and you sound like you're ready which is the final key to being... A SUCCESSFUL QUITTER (my favorite oxymoron).

hey, i respect tough love like no other! thanks for sharing the passionate feelings you have about the subject with us...
it's wonderful you've been smoke free for four years! WOW! you're such a great inspiration...what was your biggest motivation for quitting?
i do agree with you about just pitching my pack...and i've decided i'm gonna do it tonight when i'm taking my best friend out for his birthday. me quitting will be the best gift i could give him...
you have a great point...my biggest issue is i become antsy when i don't have any cigarettes around, is that weird? that's when i have my biggest cravings!
thanks for your support, i so greatly appreciate it!
and don't think you're being harsh, you wouldn't push if you didn't care!
THANK YOU!:flowerforyou:

YOU'RE WELCOME!! to answer your question, my biggest inspiration for quitting smoking was not hearing my lungs make that god awful sound when breathing and not being able to feel my lungs like breathing was a chore. It also helps that my wife doesn't smoke but when we got together I was a smoker and she just accepted it, so she's not really the main inspiration. Now I have a daughter though and I can say she is an inspiration to stay a non smoker. I used to get the anxiety when I didn't smoke as well, and that's one thing that I think kept me a smoker for so long. Honestly, I have a very addictive personality so for me to get hooked on smoking again I sadly believe I am only one cigarette away from being a full time smoker again. But its that fact paired with the fact that I know I beat smoking that keeps me from lighting up again. Im not going to lie, there are the odd times... maybe twice per year that I get a craving. Its very short lived and it's very strange but it happens. I think it's what you do with cravings that make you who you are. It's very similar to changing your diet. You just have to stick with it and this is where most people fail. We dont give ourselves the credit we deserve and for the most part are conquered before we even begin down a tough road like quitting smoking. Try your best not to replace cigarettes with another addiction, it's so easy to do. You may find that you are hungry more often or that you feel like eating more food because it will eventually taste better as your taste buds have been messed with from the smoking. I gained weight when I quit smoking but this was long before I was trying to get in shape or was a member of this site. If I had to do it again, I think it would actually be a bit easier with the support of this site. In the end, when you do quit smoking you will only feel better and realize that it's all part of what this site is all about, being a healthier person. You really should just throw out those smokes!! You have no idea what a psychological impact that will have on your quitting! It will boost your confidence sky high! and I dont mean put them in the garbage... I mean break em and flush em... then recycle the pack of course!

good luck, here's to you!

lulubar · February 2009

You can so totally do this!!!!! At the end of March I will be 2 years smoke free!!:bigsmile: My advice? Everytime you get a craving, stand straight against a wall and deep breathe 5 to 20 breaths. A friend gave me this advice and it was a life saver - it took the place of my relaxing with a cigarette and turned it into a nice break for my posture and fresh air for my lungs and brain!! Also, for a lot of us smoking is an oral fixation (like eating) so start using a straw in your all your drinks - a healthy way to puff:bigsmile:

Last, I agree with everything MattySparky said - be tough! Quitting is a committment and should never be broken - never, ever, ever - not a puff. I had to change a lot of habits - instead of smoke breaks with my friends, I had to change some relationships at work so I wasn't constantly exposed to the temptation. I also quit having a drink with friends - I'd still go, but I stuck to water with lime - to avoid the temptation. Now that I'm over it, (minus the occassional weird craving like Matty mentioned) I can hang out with friends who smoke, no problem - except I think they all stink like smoke:sick: and I can drink without wanting a cigarette.

Here's to you - all the luck, strength and encouragement I have I'm sending your way!!!!!!:flowerforyou:

:flowerforyou:

cquick · February 2009

hey ya'll been smoke free since thursday night!

i can already smell lots of funky things, like if i walk by a house i can smell what they're cooking or if they're doing laundry....weeeeiiiirrrrddd.....

i can breathe better, albeit just a little....

can't wait to be smoke free for a month!:flowerforyou: :drinker: :smooched:

MattySparky · February 2009

GOOD.FOR.YOU.

you've made an excellent life choice by quitting.

smoker, ready to quit!

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