The Giving Up Smoking Thread!! Part 2

hellnearth

A day of mixed fortunes yesterday, by the sound of things. Was away seeing my counsellor and we were talking about just how 'clever' nicotine is It is amazing how it messes with your mind and manipulates your thoughts and feelings. It's this power over me and the amount and type of chemicals I've been feeding my body that is keeping me kind of angry and determined to fight it this time.
Oldreekie, really feeling for you - I'm sure we all are. Those first few days are just so awful, aren't they? So hard to explain how you feel, especially to non-smokers. I knit, crochet - do lots of handiwork things in fact, but I didn't have the concentration or inkling to do them for the first week. One thing you can do which is fun. I worked out that I'd be saving £150 in the first month, so went 'window shopping on the Net'. I made wishlists on Amazon etc. Then, when you do complete your first month, you can treat yourself to some of the things on your wish list. Our computer is on it's last legs and I've been saying we can't afford a new one, but in two or three months I'll have saved enough to get one. I feel so ashamed now that - even when money has been so tight - I sacrificed more important things so that I could smoke :-(

Like SUe says, once you're over the horrible totally spaced out phase, it is good to have something to do with your hands. Crochet is a great idea. It's easier to teach yourself than knitting, a ball of wool and a hook don't cost a lot and YouTube is brilliant for how to videos.
Like lots of people have said, if you do have a blip, see it as a blip not an end to your quit attempt. I had several attempts with and without NRT and/or counselling before this one. My counsellor says they were important trials, not failures, for the real thing.

Choille buddy, glad to hear that you're not feeling so sick and good that the cigarettes taste funny - is that what is supposed to happen? When you get through this, you will have to train to be the counsellor in your area :-)

choille

Hi Hellnearth - I don't know about the taste thing - whether it's 'normal' or not.
I've had a funny gut since starting the tablets - sort of raw & I think that's affecting it. I keep burping all the time.
Went round to a smoker friend's house today & I smoked a fair bit - which wasn't too pleasant at all. I think once I stop I'll have to avoid them for a while.
The weather doesn't help - all this sitting about indoors.........

I think some NHS areas target money at different 'groups' & smoking probably isn't their priority. Here, there doesn't seem to be that many smokers compared to some places.
I think maybe drink is a bigger priority - I don't know.

FEE_100

Hi guys just wanted to pop on and offer some support to old reekie, I remember only too well those first few days, and not wanting to put you off just prepare you, those first few wks...They were very tough, but you will get through it you`ve just got to try and think of other things rather than smoking all the time which I know is really hard as I was exactly the same!
Chopped carrot sticks, and sparkling water seemed to help me (and still does) no need of the fake tan anymore with all that orange!!! keep busy and write lists of things to do. I used to have a fag when the adds were on but now I fill the adds with maybe putting a washing on, or filling the dishwasher, making up the pack lunches, cleaning the loo! anything that will occupy 3 mins of ur time when u would normally smoke.
Smoking will take over your head for the next wee while but I promise you it wont be there forever, within a month you will start to relax and think of smoking less and less, and when you get a craving you will just think "o this is a craving ... in two mins it`ll be gone" disappear just like a puff of smoke!!!!
Good luck too to all the new quitters I feel excited for you as I know what you have ahead of you in just a few short weeks and its fantastic to be smoke fee, your gonna love it !!

janiebaby29

just to say its so much easier at this stage , i feel so much better and its lovely not being a slave to those white sticks ,
i have put on a few pounds , but will be tackling those soon .
hope everybody is doing well

hellnearth

choille wrote: »

Hi Hellnearth - I don't know about the taste thing - whether it's 'normal' or not.
I've had a funny gut since starting the tablets - sort of raw & I think that's affecting it. I keep burping all the time.
Went round to a smoker friend's house today & I smoked a fair bit - which wasn't too pleasant at all. I think once I stop I'll have to avoid them for a while.
The weather doesn't help - all this sitting about indoors.........

I think some NHS areas target money at different 'groups' & smoking probably isn't their priority. Here, there doesn't seem to be that many smokers compared to some places.
I think maybe drink is a bigger priority - I don't know.

Hi hun
It may well be - I know it's a problem out here. I told my heavy smokin friends that I might not see them for a week or two til my resolve was a bit stronger and they were fine about it. They've all had failed quit attempts too
At least it's getting a bit lighter in the mornings and evenings I'm not the only one who's put on weight ( my instinct is to hibernate in the winter! ) The poor dog is looking pretty chunky too.
Still gettin over this awful winter lurgy, but I'll be out stompin with him as soon as I'm better.

janiebaby29

hellnearth wrote: »

Hi hun
It may well be - I know it's a problem out here. I told my heavy smokin friends that I might not see them for a week or two til my resolve was a bit stronger and they were fine about it. They've all had failed quit attempts too
At least it's getting a bit lighter in the mornings and evenings I'm not the only one who's put on weight ( my instinct is to hibernate in the winter! ) The poor dog is looking pretty chunky too.
Still gettin over this awful winter lurgy, but I'll be out stompin with him as soon as I'm better.

OOOh do you have a beagle ??

oldreekie

Hello again and thanks to everyone for their wise words and encouragement. Yes, FEE 100, it does take over the head! Willpower is needed, even with NRT, along with reason and purpose. I have the reasons and they are all listed and displayed in prominent places but am finding it very difficult to stay positive. Just wish there was a magic solution ~ thought hypnotherapy was it but did not work for me. My neighbour used to be a heavy smoker until the day he passed out (no reason found)and banged his head. When he came round he had no craving for a cigarette and has been smoke free for a few years now. He wishes he knew which part of his brain was bumped ~ could make a fortune!

Keeping busy with selling, on ebay/amazon, all the clutter in the house (which is very clean ) and I'm heading into the garden. Is it too early to spring clean? Can knit, crochet etc but have a pile of sewing/mending to tackle and would rather stay as active as possible ~ am disabled so cannot do the recommended brisk walks.

hellnearth ~ yes, I too am ashamed of all the things I could not afford. Was always conscious that claims of lack of funds appeared pretty lame in the circumstances.

janiebaby29 ~ I can sympathise re the extra pounds. I have put on 5lbs in just 3 days even though I am not eating anymore than normal. Due to not being able to exercise, this aspect of quitting really worries me.

Onwards and upwards!!!! Time to get outside.

hellnearth

janiebaby29 wrote: »

OOOh do you have a beagle ??

We do indeed. I'm guessing you're a fan too? Here he is, our darling Cody boy. He hasn't really got a ( fake designer bag fetish ). He was wanting to go out with my Mum one day and got himself attached to hers!!

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm273/stitchbewitch/th_IMG_0205.jpg

janiebaby29

hellnearth wrote: »

We do indeed. I'm guessing you're a fan too? Here he is, our darling Cody boy. He hasn't really got a ( fake designer bag fetish ). He was wanting to go out with my Mum one day and got himself attached to hers!!

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm273/stitchbewitch/th_IMG_0205.jpg

Sorry for hijack , but this is her in one of her funny moments

larmy16

With a gorgeous dog like that, who needs fags Janiebaby? She's lurvly.