The Giving Up Smoking Thread!! Part 2

MumOf2

Thank you so much, Sue. I'm sure your super affirming, positive, encouraging posts have saved many people on here from falling back into their old ways!

I've just had an unexpected refund from British Gas - nearly £200 :-) I was sooooo thrilled, but then I realised that I've just saved nearly £150 from just not smoking for three weeks. And the saving will just carry on, week after week after week... I didn't really stop to save money, but this is just one big buzz after another!

re the shakes and really, really wanting one, I didn't get the shakes but I did cry twice through just missing it so much. It wasn't really a craving, but more like the feeling you get when someone you're used to being with a lot isn't there - bit like grieving. And I was surprised that it wasn't the first few days that were the worst; no the worst came at about 12/14 days once the novelty of rushing around filling my time with distraction activities wore off! But it will pass and it's wonderful when it does.

Keep strong everyone, and again many thanks for your support, Sue.

MumOf2

larmy16

I do recall the shaky anxious feeling, but that is what we had everytime we needed a nicotine fix. It just never lasted long enough to be of significance because we would have a ciggie/roll up to quell it till the next time.

Anyway it's great to hear the successes of so many new quitters. It is tough the first few weeks but for some it can be more difficult after say you have given up a month. Just stay on guard but relax at the same time!

sar050680

Sue-UU wrote: »

Thanks a lot Paul, we need more folk like you to help others quit, people who know just what it's like. Please keep it up whenever you can! Thanks Paul, a true saver in the making too! Did you see the Grand Total? Amazing!
Sue

No worries Sue, I try to help if I can :eek:.

Haven't seen the Grand Total yet, where can I find it please?

Paul.

Edit; just seen it Sue, amazing.

mollie123_2

I_Wanna_Retire_Someday wrote: »

.......I'm still going.....2 months today

Feeling great. One of the things I worried about was concentrating. Now I'm concentrating the same as I was as a smoker, maybe even better! Appetite is now back to normal. I'm now starting to think of my self as a non smoker rather than a smoker who just happens to be not smoking at the momment IYSWIM.

Well done everyone and keep going.:T

I must admit that one of the things I've been worrying about is my concentration, so many thanks for the reassurance that it will return.

And well done on 2 months - you should be so proud of yourself.

Mollie

mollie123_2

In half an hour or so it will be a week since I stopped smoking. 7 days without a cigarette!! I know it isn't a very long period of time, but it feels like a real milestone.

Thanks for your advice Sue. I went for a lovely walk today. It was absolutely freezing (was just starting to snow here), but I got in feeling refreshed, energised and very clear headed. It was just the way to relieve any frustrations - it really does work. Wouldn't really kick the cat - bless him, he's 16 years old and smothered with love from us lot.

Thanks also for your comments on the shaky, anxious feeling larmy16 - I've had an edgy feeling that I can't really describe in words. I'd also not thought of it like that before. And thanks also for your posting mumof2. I'll now admit that I've also cried because I've wanted a cigarette so much. I don't know any recent ex-smokers so I'm really gaining a lot of strength and comfort from the experiences of people on this thread.

Anyway - I'm feeling a lot more positive, relaxed and happy. Yes - I feel so happy without a cigarette! Never thought I'd say that!

Best wishes to everyone.

Mollie

Sue-UU

Hi Paul, just to keep everyone reminded for a while I've put the Grand Total on my sig. An amazing amount and hopefully should be ever better next December!!

Hi MumOf2, I'd love to think you're right, but either way I just love to help, and if just one person is helped by my efforts......brilliant!!! :j Well done on your £200 refund from British Gas!! I know exactly what you mean about not giving up for money alone, but it really does help an urge us all on!

Congratulations on your 2 months IWRS!!!!! :T You've done marvellously!!

mollie123 wrote:

Thanks for your advice Sue. I went for a lovely walk today. It was absolutely freezing (was just starting to snow here), but I got in feeling refreshed, energised and very clear headed. It was just the way to relieve any frustrations - it really does work.

That was so good to see Mollie and I'm delighted you got the benefit from doing so, keep it up and make life easy for yourself!!! :j There's no shame in having cried, it's the best thing to do at such times! One of these days, they'll be tears of joy and with it...sheer delight!!!

Not too much to write tonight as I'm not feeling too great, I've a very sore throat and chest - and NO - not a ciggy for almost 11 years!!!! Please stay strong and go for a good, brisk walk!

Sue

SandC

mollie123 wrote: »

Same on Sunday - we went shopping in a big centre and instead of looking for escape routes outside to light up, I was actually able to enjoy browsing around the shops.

It is bizzare - I always, always smoked when under pressure but by being a smoker, I was actually creating pressures for myself and I never noticed until this weekend.


Mollie x

This is the crux of it. The brainwashing of nicotine. Smoking doesn't relieve pressure, it causes it.

greenpixie_2

It feels like i haven't been on here for ages but its just a few days.

Today is day seven, at midnight tonight i will be smoke free for a whole week.

Whats shocked me is that it hasn't been that hard this time, every other time i've quit i've had horrible cravings, had the tears and also literally begged my friends for cigarettes but this time nothing.

I am going out tonight though, with a smoking friend of mine. last night i got it into my head that i just wanted one toke off a cigarette, just to see if it still tasted the same, or whether it repulsed me. I will not be trying this. I don't know why i was even thinking about this last night

larmy16

Hi Green pixie, you are doing so well - don't fall for that old "just one puff" or "just one cig" whisper. That is old Nick trying to re-establish himself into your psyche and keep you enslaved. Devious crafty old devil. And a No. 1 killer let's not forget!!!!!!!!!

Getting back to smoking friends for a minute. I visited one last night. I am almost certain she did not light up while I was there, but when I came home, my son went to give me a hug and he sniffed me and said "Yum, smoky old hair Mum" and I sniffed my coat and cardigan and they reeked of the stuff. How scary is that. By osmosis, nicotine got into my clothes without even being "live".

Food for thought, really.

Well done Green Pixie. Stay strong.

SandC

I still get that thing of just one puff, but I know that's the slippy slidely slope and won't ever give in to that.
#
If you sit and think, the actual craving is very, very short - then they become fewer.