Any smokers out there?

Hey there.

I'm five weeks in as of tomorrow, which is by far the longest I've ever quit for. By the 4th week it became soooooo much easier. Just stick it out and you won't believe how awesome you feel! I still get a craving every so often, mostly when I'm watching a movie with tons of smokers in it or pass someone on the street lighting up, but... it's totally controllable now.

I might have gained about a pound when I quit, but then I got on here and lost 2 immediately. :happy: So no big deal! Just tell yourself that you absolutely will not replace cigarettes with food, log everything you eat, and I'm sure you can do this.

Exercise helps, too!

Hey there, I'm going on my 7th week, and have actually dropped 10 lbs, but I understand your worry, because that's why I delayed quitting for so long. What I found worked best for me, is I try very hard not to replace smoking with food, and whenever I crave a smoke (which is very few and far between now) I went for a walk, before you know it that craving would pass. I am finding new benefits everyday why I love my decision not to light up again!! Good luck, I know you can do it!! If you need help, I'm here!

I am a smoker and want to quit, but I don't have enough drive right now.
I have to much on my plate to try and add the stress of quiting.
I have quit before, but one piece of advice I can give you, dont set a date, just quit. I learned that it is easier to quit cold turkey. Everything is in your head, if you WANT to QUIT then you will, if you think that you are going to have the cravings you will and you WILL fall back, you have to want o quit, and I repeat, it is all in your head.:smokin:

3 years ago I lost 30 pounds knowing would gain weight when I quit. I have been 18 months smoke free, but I put back on the 30 pounds. Having a heck of a time trying to get it back off. It is not as easy this time. I have started going to the gym every day, and today I am starting (High Intensity Interval Training) HIIT to burn the fat off. I will get bakc under 200 lbs again. And this time be smoke free.

Forgot to put this with my post. i made copies of this and put them all over in my house, ESPECIALLY on the door that I used to go smoke outside. Good luck!!! You can do it!!!!:flowerforyou:

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER YOU QUIT SMOKING?
20 MINUTES
• Blood pressure drops to normal
• Pulse rate drops to normal
• Body temperature of hands and feet increases to normal
8 HOURS
• Carbon monoxide level in blood drops to normal
• Oxygen level in blood increases to normal
Within 20 minutes of smoking your last cigarette, your body begins a series of changes that continues for years. Many benefits are lost by smoking just one cigarette a day, according to the American Cancer Society.
24 HOURS
• Chance of heart attack decreases
48 HOURS
• Nerve endings start regrowing
• Ability to smell and taste is enhanced
2 WEEKS TO 3 MONTHS
• Circulation improves
• Walking becomes easier
• Lung function increases up to 30 percent
1 TO 9 MONTHS
• Coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue, and shortness of breath decrease
• Cilia regrow in lungs, increasing their ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs, and reduce infection
• Body’s overall energy increases
1 YEAR
Excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker
5 YEARS
• Lung-cancer death rate for average former smoker (one pack a day) decrease by almost half
• Stroke risk is reduced to that of a non-smoker 5 to 15 years after quitting
• Risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, and esophagus is half that of a smoker’s
10 YEARS
• Lung-cancer death rate is similar to that of a non-smoker
• Precancerous cells are replaced
• Risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney, cervix, and pancreas decreases
15 YEARS
Risk of coronary heart disease is that of a non-smoker

I am a current smoker that would like to quit . If you would like we can do it together and lean on each other. I have smoked for 30 years and it is time. So what do you say?

Sharon

Obviously a hot topic here!
I think any of us previous smokers sympathize, weight gain is always a concern!

I am an ex-smoker now, 5 years this November. My husband and I quit at the same time, which for many is a nightmare and asking for trouble, but we both used Zyban and it was amazing!

Since the Zyban removed the physical cravings, the lack of hand to mouth motion was almost the worst part, honestly... I took up sunflower seeds; the shelling action kept my hands busy, but yes, they're fattening. I second whoever said it earlier in the posts, however; a few extra pounds, as regrettable as they may seem are far healthier than continuing smoking so be encouraged in that regard!

I wish you success! It's an independent journey, so be empowered within yourself to do it! :-)

I'm going to quit too! You guys get a head start though..I have 3 packs left. I quit for most of the time I was pregnant with my daughter, but a few weeks after I had her, like an idiot, I went out and got drunk and decided I needed to smoke again I know from experience that quitting cold turkey is definately the way to go and make sure u stay away from things that trigger smoking for you. For me drinking ruined it. Another thing that is hard is having friends who smoke and don't respect u enough to wait until ur not around to light up. I had a friend who would still smoke in the car everytime I went someone with her. I thought that was kind of bogus, but it was her car so whatever. Anyways, best of luck to everyone. My husband is going to Atlantic city for a week, leaving this thursday. Since I have no wheels, this will be a great time for me to quit. If I want a pack bad enough to walk to the store then maybe by the time I get there I won't want it anymore. Well, this is great! I am excited to have some support this time around. Good luck to you guys! I know it can be done

I will be smoke free for 8 months on Sunday, and I feel soooo much better. I had smoked for 24 years. I put on thirteen pounds when I quit. I was prepared for that to happen, thats why I quit in the fall. I thought I could go through a chubby winter and then just drop the extra pounds in the spring. Well apparently my body has other plans and for some reason has decided to hold on to this weight, despite everything I am doing. So that part of it is very frustrating, but at least when I work out hard I can breath....and thats a pretty nice feeling...I know that I have made the right choices. So good luck to you.
Dawn

Good for u sharon! I know u'll do great For me the first 3-4 days were the worst....so if u can get through that (which i'm sure u can) it tends to get a little easier. You should feel so proud of yourself for doing this!

Hey sharon, I'm dying to know how you're doing! Keep us posted. Anyone else out there quitting too?

I know how hard it is. For the first few days when I quit b4 I would cry alot. I didn't get really irritated, just VERY emotional, which is of course a time when I smoke. I'm looking forward to quitting again myself, probably 2 or 3 days from now. I've been cutting back and I have 2 packs left. I hate to just throw them away even though I know I should. Anyways, you keep up the good work!

I am hanging in there. This is the hardest thing I have had to do, but I am ok. Thanks for asking

Sharon
Have a great day

You can do it, if you can go 1 hour you can go another 24:flowerforyou:
I'm rooting for you!:bigsmile: