The Giving Up Smoking Thread!! Part 2

hellnearth

There's all types of quitters on here. I've been doing it with the inhalator and been going to see a counsellor once a week which has really helped. Have you got someone you can talk to? Sounds like you could do with a bit of support. A sympathetic non-smoking or ex-smoker friend?
Did you stop using the patches? I'd say, rather than go back to Day1 - especially if you've only had one or two fags - go back to using the patches, at least until the school holiday is finished and you've got a bit more 'me' time and space. Then you can work up to weaning yourself off them again.
OK, so you're taking in a bit of nicotine again, but not all the other garbage that's in the fags and getting back into the swing of the habit again.
With the inhalator, before this attempt my counsellor said I wasn't using it enough. I was having strong cravings and I shouldn't have been and she said to use it as long as I had to.

hellnearth

choille wrote: »

hellnearth - On Monday the day I stopped smoking - I lost my favourite lamb that night - one I'd hand reared. If I would of had ciggies to hand I would of smoked the packet & of course here there was no where at that time of night I could have got any.
I think you're really strong - keep your inhalator in case you have any problems & only maybe use it then? Hark at me - 3 days fag free & doling out advice - Who do I think I am?

All the best.

Really sorry to hear about the lamb I have to be honest and say that the fact that the C0-0p shuts at 8pm ( 5pm on Sundays ) has probably been very instrumental in me getting to the one month mark.
You're a fellow quitter - all advice gratefully received I am hanging on to the inhalator so that if I am tempted for whatever reason, hopefully I'll reach for that rather than a packet of fags.

inca_2

Thankyou for the lovely and encouraging replies and Sue, thankyou so much for the lovely PM, I've saved it and will read it whenever I feel like I need a push to keep on with it.

I have started trying to get into the non-smoking mindset ready for quit day, asking myself if I really want one or just having it for the sake of it, also saying to myself, lets see how long I can go without one.

I am going to sit down each night and spend some time reading through as many posts as I can and taking notes on ideas/tips etc as I'm going to keep a diary of money saved/days since quitting to keep looking at for motivation. I can see already how encouraging and helpful this thread is so I think I may well be here alot when I've done it. I'm being sponsored over a 4 week period getting money each week and one of my friends has said she'll quit with me for support bless her. I'm actually giving up a few days before the sponsorship starts as I'm just going to do it the day after I get back home rather than wait for the proper date. The other thing I'm chuffed about is that giving up actually is really relevant to the charity and the charity aspect gives me even more motivation. Thanks again and I'll be back at the beginning of March on quit day pulling my hair out and asking for advice!!

larmy16

This is a message for Emma. I think it might be a good idea to set your quit date for Monday when the kids go back to school. In the meantime, smoke and really study what it is doing for you. Try looking in a mirror as you are doing it and see how attractive it makes you look!

Tell yourself that nothing and nobody can stop you smoking. It is legal and you can smoke as much as you want. I am assuming you have to go outside to have a puff.

When you realise that you have a choice to go on smoking, then you realise you also have a choice to stop. Emma I am sure you will get to this stage. We didn't all just quit and that was it. I am a many time quitter, though naturally I do not advocate it.
It just prolongs the agony before you find your freedom.

All the best to you and I am sure as eggs you can do it Emma.:)

Emma133

Thank you larmy. I think I will take your advice, and I am going to get in touch with the local service tomorrow and make an appointment.

Emma

hellnearth

I think you hit the nail on the head, Larmy, when you talk about finding the freedom. It's that sense of freedom that I am really feeling this time round that is making all the difference. Before I did want to stop, but there was still a feeling that I was punishing or depriving myself of something by not smoking.
Having sorted out some major financial problems after discovering this forum, I'm a lot more relaxed than I was during my last two quit attempts and that does help a lot.
Emma, best of luck with your new plan. I think you will crack it to and you'll find that the counselling service will really help you to get your freedom

captainspam

Hi all not been around for a while. All good and im on day 30 today. I can honeslty say i dont even think about smoking.

Remember your not giving anything up, your setting yourself free

Sue-UU

A warm welcome to the thread Emma! It's never easy to give up the cigs, even less if you've 4 littlies around in the holidays! I found it bad enough with 2!! I agree with larmy, keep fags down to a real minimum til the kiddies go back and question each one you have! You can do that before you have one too, that way it'll encourage you to smoke less than you intend. Meanwhile, take thie children out as much as possible, let them run and play so you exhaust them a bit, that way they're not bickering so much at home, when home get them being creative with a puzzle, drawing, painting, even helping cooking perhaps. As you eldest seems to get hurt by you smoking, ask her for her support, tell her that you're depending on it and that - all being well - she could be instrumental in helping you stop for good! That might just really kick in with her, and she'll geel great leter on knowing she helped 'her Mum' to quit! Meanwhile, we can be your support group, if you'll let us!!!

You're doing so very well hellnearth! Those "craving moments" you speak of now are exactly that, thoughts of times of an old habit that fleet in to the mind, then no sooner have they crept in...than they're gone again!

I was so sorry to hear about your little lamb, choille, very bad luck - but you stayed true to your desire to quit and that is marvellous!!! :j By the way, no matter whether you've quit for 3 days or 3 months, you can always help others, and lets face it... while you're doing that you've got your mind off yourself!!! Keep staying really strong choille, you've so much to be proud of already! :T

You're welcome inca, all the very best for early March, my Birthday very close to then, a good time to quit for sure!!;)

Excellent news captainspam, you're doing brilliantly!!! :T

Wonderful news from everyone, and yes Emma, it'll happen again for you too! Keep up the terrific work all, it's so worth all the effort you're putting in!

Sue

Neenie_o

Hi all,

I've hit the three week mark and I'm so pleased! I think someone said that it is the most difficult at 3 days, 3 weeks and 3 months so I'm hoping I don't have any wobbles - but I don't think I will.

I have noticed that the habit I'm finding hardest to break is the one after meals, but I'd been unconsciously doing the washing up or something straight away at home. I noticed it most when I was out on Monday night for a big Chinese banquet (for Chinese New Year) - because you can't really get up and leave the table, and it's all cleared for you I didn't really know what to do with my hands.... I've got this tangle toy, and I was just playing with that in a bit of a frenzied way!

Hope everyone's doing really well!

Xxx

Emma133

Thank you very much Sue, some good advice I will definately use there. Going to try and involve the eldest as much as possible it will make him feel very important.

I have just phoned our local service, and I have an appointment for Thursday next week at our drop in centre. I spoke to a lovely lady she suggested I didn't stop Monday, to wait for my appointment and see whats what and see what the smoking specialist advises. I am a bit disappointed as I didn't want to wait, I wanted to jump straight in on Monday - hopefully this is where I am going wrong and having support from here and the local centre will help me.

Well done Neenie.

Thanks for the lovely welcome everyone

Emma