Need a bit of HELP. SMOKER. Need to Quit!!!!!!!!!
amandavictoria80
Posts: 734 Member
When I started this journey five months ago, I was a non-smoker of about a month. I ended up quitting for about four months all together. Then I had a bit of stress and thought I could just smoke a bit and stop again. Of course, that didn't happen. I am now smoking again. BUT, I do badly want to stop again.
The biggest reason I want to quit is because of what I experience when working out. When I wasn't smoking I never felt it. Now I can't push myself nearly as much as when I wasn't smoking. Cardio makes my chest hurt and causes me to be winded in about five minutes. I was working out on my elliptical for at least 45 minutes straight and now I think that would kill me. There is no way I can go for 45 minutes being a smoker. All my workouts seem to feel so much harder now.
I know that I quit smoking once even though I never imagined I could. It was complete hell but I did it for four months! I know this time will be much harder and I need help to get through.
Basically, I need some motivation and realistic words to help me. I will be trying to stop starting tomorrow.
Thank you to everyone!!!!!!
The biggest reason I want to quit is because of what I experience when working out. When I wasn't smoking I never felt it. Now I can't push myself nearly as much as when I wasn't smoking. Cardio makes my chest hurt and causes me to be winded in about five minutes. I was working out on my elliptical for at least 45 minutes straight and now I think that would kill me. There is no way I can go for 45 minutes being a smoker. All my workouts seem to feel so much harder now.
I know that I quit smoking once even though I never imagined I could. It was complete hell but I did it for four months! I know this time will be much harder and I need help to get through.
Basically, I need some motivation and realistic words to help me. I will be trying to stop starting tomorrow.
Thank you to everyone!!!!!!
0
Replies
-
Chantix0
-
it sucks alot to try and quit, right now im doing the patches and they seem to helping with the cravings and my attutide, i found out all we can do is try different things, patches, gum, hypnothis, ect....till something works.
BTW YOU JUST BE SMACKED WITH SOME WISDOM FROM YOUR GOD AWESOME....THOR0 -
I honestly don't have any first (or even second) hand experience, but have you thought about those electronic cigarettes? They even make some that blow "smoke." I think it's just water vapor.
Good luck! If it were me, I'd just think about my teeth getting yellow. That freaks me out.0 -
CHANTIX!!! Crazy dreams, but amazing product. I haven't touched a cigarette since! No cravings, nothing.0
-
It only takes 3 days to get the Nicotine out of your body. From there, it's all about the "Habit" of smoking. Find other things to occupy your time and hands. I smoke since the age of 9 until December this year...quit cold turkey. Breaking the Routine Habit is the hardest part. If you WANT it, CHOOSE it, ACT it. You will conquer.
Do know...healing your lunngs takes time. But it will happen.0 -
I honestly don't have any first (or even second) hand experience, but have you thought about those electronic cigarettes? They even make some that blow "smoke." I think it's just water vapor.
Good luck! If it were me, I'd just think about my teeth getting yellow. That freaks me out.
They are called "e-cigs" but everyone I know who has used them still smokes. They keep you addicted to nicotine as well as the addictive behaviour. Personally, when I quit I just went cold turkey. Just thought about how stupid it was that I was slowly killing myself for the sake of inhaling poisions that made me smell bad. If you are in the UK then you can get free help from your GP, but I dont know if there are similar schemes anywhere else.0 -
My boyfriend is a long time smoker and is try to badly to quit. You need to get out of the ROUTINE of smoking. For example, I know many people enjoy a smoke with their coffee. If you drink coffee switch to tea and it might help you out. Also if you smoke in your house, start taking it out side, especially if you live somewhere where it is beginning to get cooler out, this will make you NOT want to go out for a smoke because you don't feel like freezing your tush off. Its so tough to quit smoking, but if you've done it before you can surely do it again! Good luck (:0
-
It only takes 3 days to get the Nicotine out of your body. From there, it's all about the "Habit" of smoking. Find other things to occupy your time and hands. I smoke since the age of 9 until December this year...quit cold turkey. Breaking the Routine Habit is the hardest part. If you WANT it, CHOOSE it, ACT it. You will conquer.
Do know...healing your lunngs takes time. But it will happen.
Oh, and as for other products, like Chantix, your trading one dependancy for another. Eventually step off Chantix....but you can step off smoking earlier without putting crap into your body.0 -
I stopped smoking two years ago by reading the Allen Carr book, would definitely recommend it.
You are not giving up or losing anything apart from a filthy habit, it is amazing to be smokefree so just remember one is never enough!0 -
you can do it.. I quit June 14 and never looked back, I am a person who can quit and pick it up too but normally when I am working out I never think of cigs. you just need to say you are worth it and you have proven all ready you can..Think of you and your health and the money you will save- all win, win.0
-
I quit smoking 2 months ago, i didn't need Chantix (*although some people say it helps*), no patches... Nope, my secret, is timing. For me, when i woke up in the morning, i would wake up, a light a cigarette, i smoked for about 7 years prior. So what i did, was made a decision, that i was gonna stop, so what i did, I timed my pack out perfectly so when i had my cigarette before bed, it was the last in the pack i had.
The next morning when i woke up, I kept myself busy, trying not to think of smoking, which was rather difficult cause i life with 2 other smokers. But once i made it through day 1, i was fine, after that it was all mental. Dont get me wrong, there have been a couple occasions when i wanted a smoke.. but i know its for the best that i dont smoke. And i keep it that way, so whether you pick, Chantix, pathches, gums, hypnotherapy... or as i did, shear will power alone, its a long bumpy road and all you gotta do in hang on tight and hit the gas, cause you will get through it.0 -
http://www.amazon.com/Easy-Way-Stop-Smoking-Non-smokers/dp/1402771630/
Worked for me in '95, and my partner, and many many friends. You keep smoking as you read the book, and stop at the end.0 -
When I quit smoking years ago, I tried EVERYTHING. I tried dumping an ashtray in a jar of water and smelling it whenever I wanted a cig. I tried gum, lollipops, etc. I tried a rubber band on my wrist, which i snapped when I wanted a cig. Nothing worked. Nothing. I was 'quitting smoking" for over 2 years.
Finally, I saw a movie (this is going to sound so strange) and it was called "Dead Again." In it, Robin Williams tells a quitting smoker "You either ARE a smoker or ARE NOT a smoker. Pick one. Be that." So, from that moment on, every single time I wanted a cigarrette, I simply would take 10+ deep, cleansing breathes and say, "I am not a smoker" over and over each time. I also avoided things like bars and other situations where I KNEW I would want a cigarrette and may not have the willpower to avoid. I've never had another cigarrette since.
Just in case you are wondering, I'm not a new age type person. I dont' believe in weird things. I'm a middle class, middle american and conservative. Try it. It can't hurt, can it?
Good luck!0 -
Hi there,
Quitting smoking is part of the reason I landed on MFP trying to lose weight. I put on like 15 pounds when I quit 2.5 years ago. I used the patches and found this awesome meter that keeps track of cigarettes not smoked, money saved, how many days of life saved... it was pretty helpfull to see those numbers go up. I still have it on my computer and check it from time to time. Here's the link: www.silkquit.org/stop-smoking/quit-meter.aspx well ok I don't know how to make it a link, but just incase you want to check it out.... Good luck in both journeys you are on!!! You rock!!!!0 -
I can only tell you to have a plan. I smoked for over 26 years, 1 pack per day. I have been smoke-free for 6 years now. It is the hardest thing I ever did-but the best thing. It is a choice I must make daily. I choose NOT to smoke. I have met so many people who quit in many different ways. There is no right or wrong way. Some people I know used chantix but had side effects. I did the laser. Others quit cold turkey. Find whats right for you. I do know that the need to want to quit must be greater than the need to smoke. That being said, I wish you luck. Please feel free to send me a message, please post and let us know how you are doing!!! If you need a kick in the "butt" I am sure there are plenty of us who can help!!! So....When is your quit date???0
-
Hi, being an ex-smoker of more years than I care to remember and being on a 35-40 a day habit, I know how frightening it is to give up but the worst part is the thought of giving up. I used the electronic cigarettes and unlike what others have said I haven't had a cigarette in over a year now and never felt so good, being able to breathe is definitely a bonus in life!!
I used totally wicked an online firm but there are many firms who sell them and the one I bought was a Titan 510, it was brilliant and really took the edge off the cravings. As far as I'm concerned use whatever it takes to get you off them, be it patches, hypno, spray, tablest or e-cigs anything has to be better than the real thing.
Good luck with your quest for non-smoking, you can do it, go for it!0 -
Sept. 30 2011 was my 1 year anniversary being smoke free. I used the patch, but not exactly as prescribed. I started on step 2, and used it for 2 weeks. One day, I just said enough is enough. Took the patch off and haven't looked back. I was ready to quit.
You have to "really" be ready to quit. Many people say they're ready when they're not. There's not one single benefit to lighting that next cigarette. There's countless benefits to not lighting it!0 -
If it is motivation you need just stop and think about what your life would be life if you had to live with lung cancer, or emphysema. If you think it's tough wading through a workout as a smoker, just imagine what it would be like to be awake and have advanced emphysema . Every breath you take, all day long is an effort and painful. And I think the only real treatment for lung cancer is death and it is a mercy when it comes to those who have it.
I smoked for 20+ years and I did aversion therapy just over a year ago and haven't had so much as a puff from a cigarette since and have no urge to smoke anymore. Get yourself a small jar with a nice airtight seal on the cap and go buy a pack of smokes. Light up as normal, put the butts in the jar, add some water and seal the lid. Every time you want to have a smoke, you have to open the jar, take 5 deep whiffs from the jar of festering death then feel free to light up. Repeat as often as necessary, I couldn't finish a single pack.
I couldn't even handle nicotine gum and you can't chew the patch so I said screw it. The sensation of nicotine in my mount made my body recoil so I just suffered through 3-4 days of withdrawal after my last smoke went into the jar. Looking back I think the secret for me quitting was that I ended it completely instead of weening myself off it with a nicotine crutch. I simply told myself - never again.
Your mileage may vary.
p.s. sorry to be so negative about it but it seems to me that you are putting a lot of effort into living healthier through working out, why would you sabotage your efforts? you don't finish a workout and sit down and eat half a chocolate cake and a pound of bacon do you?
Good luck!0 -
Hey ma, you can do it. I stopped smoking last month preparing for Insanity right, a couple of weeks prior starting. And it ain't or wasn't easy. Trust me I smoked ok, and you know I knew I wanted to kick that habit bad, some day soon. A new body and mind was the ultimate goal and mission. I thought I was gonna rip someone's head off goin cold turkey but I really think it was the help of the whole Insanity experience that helped out. You know and I haven't missed it, I smell it n it stinks. When I think about a smoke, I do push up or something for my abs becuz that works for me, u know. Just find that drive that motivated you b4. But like Cd said, think about ur teeth being yellow or not being fully able to live out ur later years, u kno... Good luck.0
-
What about enstating a "no smoking" rule in the house? I can't smoke inside the house (student housing) so I find myself sometimes going days without a cig because it's raining outside or involves putting on shoes (hahaha)
I do tend to get really bad cravings sometimes and to be honest I also indulge them. I think I smoke about 10 cigarettes a fortnight without stress. WITH stress (or alcohol) it's a lot higher ):0 -
I took Champix the first time. I have now been on it again for over three weeks and the Doctor says it just won't have the same affect as last time. I honestly don't think it did much but make me have so much crazy, heart beating out of my chest, energy that I was too busy to notice. LOL0
-
Yeah, I used that last time. But because I have been on it for so long, it just won't have the same affect this time. This time will have to be all me.0
-
It only takes 3 days to get the Nicotine out of your body. From there, it's all about the "Habit" of smoking. Find other things to occupy your time and hands. I smoke since the age of 9 until December this year...quit cold turkey. Breaking the Routine Habit is the hardest part. If you WANT it, CHOOSE it, ACT it. You will conquer.
Do know...healing your lunngs takes time. But it will happen.
My doctor told me it takes about a month for nicotine to be out of my body. And I totally felt that the first time stopping. When I would see people smoking I had no craving to do so, but my body reacted very differently.0 -
I can only tell you to have a plan. I smoked for over 26 years, 1 pack per day. I have been smoke-free for 6 years now. It is the hardest thing I ever did-but the best thing. It is a choice I must make daily. I choose NOT to smoke. I have met so many people who quit in many different ways. There is no right or wrong way. Some people I know used chantix but had side effects. I did the laser. Others quit cold turkey. Find whats right for you. I do know that the need to want to quit must be greater than the need to smoke. That being said, I wish you luck. Please feel free to send me a message, please post and let us know how you are doing!!! If you need a kick in the "butt" I am sure there are plenty of us who can help!!! So....When is your quit date???
Tomorrow. Yikes.0 -
Hi,
I have been smoke free now for 1 year and 9 weeks.... probably one of the most difficult tasks I have ever undertaken but the most rewarding at the same time.
I spoke to my doctor when we were going to start our non-smoking journey, and he recommended the gum over the patch. With the gum you take a piece when you want it/ craving.. but the patch puts nicotine in your system continuously.
I also used an app on my IPHONE (Since I quit)... great motivator. It kept track of the money saved, amount of smokes i have not had and counts the minutes, weeks, years and seconds since I had a smoke....
I am currently:
1 year
9 weeks
2 days
18 hours
27 minutes and
2 seconds
FREE of CIGARETTES.
I smoked a cheaper brand approx $8 pack and had about 20 a day.
By not smoking
8615.21 cigarettes.....
I have saved
$3446.16
That along with the support of my family and friends were for the extra encouragement were my will power.......
You have to put your mind to it, think "I AM A NON-SMOKER" switch your mentality and convince yourself to view yourself as a non-smoker....0 -
A few years ago I quit smoking and was sucessful for a long time because I was ready. It makes me laugh thinking about when I quit because it was during the summer and I was on my lunch break and I just smoked my last one. I was on my way back to work and I just drove past the gas station because it was hot outside and I was too lazy to go in and buy a pack... and that was that for about a year or so. I ended up starting again, pretty small at first but then as time went on I was smoking more (I was never a super heavy smoker, the heaviest was about half a pack a day, at this point I was smoking about two packs a week). I ended up quitting again about 2 months ago, and it's true that the hardest part is the habit. Getting into my car to drive to work or to drive home was the worst. But as time went it's gotten easier. I did have one smoke about 3 weeks ago, but that was it (I was super stressed at work and I was about to lose it, so I bummed one off my friend, that way I only smoked one. If I bought a pack I would end up smoking all of them and probably buy another after that...)
So... for me, it was all about will power. And that's no easy thing. But it's doable. Good luck, I'd like to hear an update later on :flowerforyou: you can do it :happy:0 -
No matter how you do it, you just really have to want to. After reading all these posts thats pretty much the only underlying theme to every post. You can do it! I'm five days smoke free right now. I already feel better. I've been using the gum the patch ( not at the same time) and some hypnotherapy. I've quit a few times. The hypnotherapy is really doing it for me right now. However you do it, you obviously want to, just have to take the first step.
I also spent some time online reading stories about what it's like to have emphysema from emphysema and copd survivors. One lady had pnemonia a few times in a row. She was going to quit, but she still have four cartons left. She smoked three. Became extremely out of breath, got pnemonia again. After that final illness her doctor diagnosed emphysema. Something to think about.....
Good luck!0 -
I quit cold Turkey on my birthday last year because after a physical my doctor said I had the body and health of a 40 year old I was 25 fixin to be 26,,, I knew I had to quit after watching my dad die of Heart diseases from smoking! I quit and then decided to start exercising I was 2 months in when I found out I was pregnant so I quit working out due to high risk and waited tell I had the baby to start back! I do still have the want to smoke some times but I make my self clean or do something to keep me busy so I dont think about it and if I cant just get up and go I hold a pen in my hand like you would a smoke! Really helps me! I am here if you need someone to talk to to keep from picking one up!! Just Message me!!!0
This discussion has been closed.
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.2K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.2K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.9K Food and Nutrition
- 47.4K Recipes
- 232.5K Fitness and Exercise
- 421 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153K Motivation and Support
- 8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.7K MyFitnessPal Information
- 23 News and Announcements
- 1.1K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions