The Giving Up Smoking Thread!! Part 2

SandC

I still have occasions where I remember what that drag of a fag was like. Then it goes - not in minutes but in seconds. And I remind myself the only good bit was that initial drag after a period of not smoking. And do you know what that is? It's the high from carbon monoxide.

With the Allen Carr method you are told not to try and distract yourself from thinking about smoking, because it's inevitable. But just because you think about it doesn't mean you are going to do it. Remember you are not depriving yourself of anything.

magicgirl68

Hi everyone and well done for keeping up the good work. Pleased to report that I am now onto my 13th week of being an ex-smoker and still using the lozenges but not too worried about that. I'll tackle giving them up when I'm ready. Some days even now are quite hard and seeing someone smoking still gives me the urge but usually just smelling them afterwards puts me off! My DD would be devastated if i started again so i know that i can never go back. Keep going everyone and good luck!

clairewp

Hi, after reading this thread, and being completely inspired i am going to try and give up... I have smoked for 20 years and smoke 20 a day, i have made an appointment with my doctor on Friday and am hoping to try the tablet form..
My reasons for giving up are my health, my childrens health and the fact that my husband has been made redundant. I think my one fear is as i am a big lady, that i will put on lots of weight.
Any way thanks again for giving me the push i needed and i will try to keep you updated from Friday.

larmy16

Well done Katch. You are in the very early days so you cannot expect too much of yourself. Yes you will feel this way or that way, I think we are all different.

I still get a thought now and again but it is no longer a craving. I must be at about 16 weeks - I forget.

I never have been someone who found the smell of a cigarette disgusting so catching the odd whiff while I am out and about is no problem. What I do loathe is the smell of stale smoke on peoples' clothes but not the people themselves!

Keep strong everyone.

Sexy_Legs

Hi everyone

I am a failed stop smoking person, I have given up 3 time previously now, for periods of 3 to 6 months at a time.

I really want to try again and this time kick the habbit for good. I have just come back from holiday, and have probably smoked more than I normally do and have the terrible smokers cough.

Any hints/tips much appreciated. I have a box of duty free and I plan not to buy anymore once they are finished. The problem is that part of me enjoys it but it that just a false sense of security.

I have read the Allen Carr Book which I thought was very good. I think I dread the cravings, and thinking of the ciggies when Monday comes. I know the first 3 days and 3 weeks are the worst time.

I'll join you all on Monday.

D

Sue-UU

Hi Katch and whatever you think, you're doing so very well and have made a great start into your new life! You're bound to have it on your mind a lot first of all, it's natural as the nicotine's still in your system, but all too soon, you'll find it gets less and less and what you believe may be cravings are not, they're just as a result of smoking for so long and the after effects of it all messing with your head. However, you are far stronger than it and will soon learn to kick it all from your life. Well done on having prepared some healthy things rather than piling on the weight with the jelly beans! If talking to yourself is a comfort, don't worry about it, and as for the loud music and dancing with the hoover - go for it. Trouble with you is you're full of beans and bursting with energy!!! :rotfl:You CAN do this, so keep strong....and dancing!:D

Congratulations on being so close to having quit for 6 months SandC!!! :T You've done amazingly well throughout it all, plenty of pats on the back for you for sure!!

kaisersoze your sentence of "instead of worrying about it think "YES I AM A NON SMOKER" enjoy the fact that cigarettes no longer have a hold on you, soon you will realise you havent thought about smoking for ages." is a great one, good for you!:T

Oh magicgirl68, you've done so well in achieving 13 weeks smoke-free, many congratulations!!! :T Keep staying strong and think of your health and your DD, I'll bet she's so very proud of her dear Mum!!!:D

Hi and welcome clairewp! You've rated the most important reasons for quitting, well done. All the best after visiting your Dr. Don't worry too much about the weight as it might not affect you any way, but the best thing you can do all through quitting is to do as much exercise as possible. I often say to folk here that for so many reasons, there's no reason why you can't work at both at the same time, as the more exercise you do the less you'll be affected by cravings. You'll also release the endorphins and make yourself feel so very good. See what I mean about linking the two! I've sent a PM with some tips in too, but always remember water as it fills you up which stops hunger pangs, and because you find it filling you won't get the cravings half as much. Tell your Dr about the weight issue and he'll encourage you with both. All the very best with Friday Claire and be proud of yourself all the way through!

Hi there Sexy Legs, it's great to see you back again! :T Good for you in not giving up quitting, but this time - let's get it right for you so you can move on past 6 months! Don't worry too much about Monday, you've got over the cravings before and you will do again. Keep on reading the Allen Carr Book and continue doing so right the way through. Try to remember that the problem of that part of you that "thinks you enjoy as it is, as you say.... just a false sense of security. Think beyond that SL and remind yourself of the health it'll rob you of IF you keep up the habit. Also, while you're quitting, put aside all the money you save and see if that too will shock you into the stark realisation of just how much you're literally setting light to each time you have one!:eek: Remember Feedumall? She said once that if she viewed each one as a fiver it helped her quit, give it a go and see if it helps. Try and think about what it is that makes you start up again, and if needs be, keep a diary to see if that gives an indication of what goes wrong. I'll send you another PM to see if that can help. Meanwhile, after Friday, start getting your life back and make yourself a promise to keep if up and stay strong through it all!

All the very best everyone, and wherever you are in quitting, be it hours, days, weeks or months, remember how hard you've worked to get there and how wonderful you've done! Don't let Nick win...he doesn't deserve to!!! Be PROUD.

Sue

SandC

Claire, good for you. Please don't worry about the weight/size issue. As your doctor will tell you - the best thing you can about your health is to stop smoking and the weight is not such an issue if you're not smoking. You may find you snack more but I haven't put on any weight since stopping. The lady who ran the Allen Carr clinic I went to said that her weight was often problematic when she was a smoker but since stopping it's gradually stabilised and she's slim and healthy now. I smoked about the same as you - at the point I gave up Marlboro lights were £5.65 at Asda and £5.85 at the Co-op. That's £39.55 per week, £171.38 per calendar month and more than £2000 per year. It was totting up that monthly figure that brought it home to me.

Sexy legs, you may benefit from going to an Allen Carr clinic. The book didn't do it for me either but I spent around what I would spend on fags in a month to go to one and I have never looked back. The advice given is that if you are one of the ones who finds it easy, please, please remember to never have another drag. Never. That is the key, I believe. Once you've gone those initial months as you have before. One of these times it will work for you, I'm sure. I have given up before as well - years ago for 2.5 years and me being a stupid bint decided to try one on holiday and slowly slowly I ended up back where I had started.

imfedup

Hi Guys, thanks so much for your kind words and encouragement, sorry I havent been on for a few days been little busy. But I am back now - update:

Day 1 - Was o.k. till about 4.00 when I realised that I would have to drive home at 5 and when I am driving thats when I enjoy smoking more. BUT got through it. Very snappy with the kids and OH that night. OH amazing, very calm and kept the peace.

Day 2 - Very down and didnt stop crying all day, the grief I was feeling was unbelievable but I realised I was grieving for my best mate that had seen me throughs some god awful times, went out that night which I had forgot about and upset the kids cos I just couldnt keep my stupid thoughts to myself and ended up shouting at them all the time. Me and OH had stinking row as he was fed up with my negativity.

Day 3 - Apologies all round, felt bit better but the weepy me was still there not to mention the tiredness cos I havent had decent nights sleep since giving up on Sunday night - think its the patch so me and OH went patchless last night and had fantastic sleep. OH said he saw me smile for first time last night -but that might have something to do with the fact he bought me a laptop as he wants me to have an incentive and doesnt want me starting again and it will keep me busy at night rather than dashing round like a man woman cleaning an already spotless house. OH really stuggling though yesterday so I was the one last night being calm while he climbed the walls. OH told the kids last night as we thought it unfair as they were getting the brunt of our moodiness without knowing why. They think its great and so so proud of us both.

Today is Day 4 - and yes we are still smoke free, although due to not having a patch on last night it took me a while this morning to get up and get moving as all the time I just wanted a cigarette.

Not stopped eating, since monday and prior to me quitting I was on a diet and had just started seeing the results but now I feel that all this has gone to pot and feel like I have put on massive amount of weight already and feel really unsexy - maybe this is another side effect. Normally cant get enough of OH but this week has seen me be the one that has said no :rotfl:

Well done to all those that are going through this with me, now that I am past day 3 I am hoping it gets better.

My thoughts are with you all, loads of PMA being thrown your way.

Puzzledbubbles

Sue, as always, thank you

Well done larmy and magic

Hi Claire well done on setting a date and keep your chin up, we are all here to help and always happy to answer a pm if you want to ask a question or some tips

Wow, Fedup, i love that you have detailed your thoughts, its really helped me, although i have neary reached the 3 month point i have had a rough week and nearly caved on monday - was moody and vile, tuesday wept like a waterfall, wednesday went out with the girls and laughed, and today, well, if someone stood infront of my and said smoke, smoke, smoke i would find it hard to say no (but still would becuase its a matter of principle now)

One of the big things that seems to be helping me this time over any other that might help SandC is that before, i have always said that i can give up when i want, i have done it before and not smoked for months so when i stop enjoying it then i can quit again. It wasnt until my priorities changed in life and i remembered that i had always said, if i was to try to get pregnant then i would quite becuase i would hate to poison (IMO) a baby from the moment it was conceived - then i went through the thought process

i didnt want to smoke and cause hurt to someone else

do cigarettes cause illnesses and nasties - YES

Would i choose to give anyone (even my darkest enemy) a disease - NO

then why am i choosing to give MYSELF a disease???

Why is it ok to poison myself???

In effect i kinda thought,

I am self harming and professing to enjoy it while spending money, smelling, couging, being antisocial, making myself unattractive and shortening my life

WHY ????????????????????????????

It made me realise i have a self worth problem (ok, so ive always known that and had the compulsary friends that tell me i really am lovely and to have more confidence etc) but decided i needed to value myself more - and step one (loose weight) well under way quitting smoking for real this time is step two.

Now if you have all finished vomiting at my preaching ill shut up and hope that maybe this helps someone?

Puzzled

SandC

You just struck a chord there puzzled. About self worth.

I have felt better in more ways than the health stuff since stopping smoking. I have a more positive outlook generally and things are starting to move in the right direct and although I'm not going to blame smoking entirely for it, smoking was definitely a symptom. Now that is gone the other stuff is slowly falling into place as my self esteem gets better.

I even strangely put on my Facebook status just this morning that I am well and truly getting my act together. The weight is an issue but you know what - until I have that under control I've spent money on clothes which fit and fab accessories so I feel good about myself instead of sitting there thinking I'd feel better if only I had the willpower etc. etc. I have been sitting in a house that is something like a project made for DIY SOS and I'm finally doing something about that too - things have been ordered, calls have been made, deliveries are expected and I'm getting there.

All these things are interconnected and maybe it was just my time to kick the smoking habit to touch but I do feel things have started falling into place following that.