The Giving Up Smoking Thread!! Part 2

Femme456

Setme3 wrote: »

Hi guys!

I'd like to share the approach I used to quit. The bottom line is, there are valid reasons not try to quit forever right in the beginning, but rather quit for predefined periods of time, which would then increase in length so one has the chance to experience the benefits of a smoke-free life.

For example, I first quit in September for only one week, after which I allowed myself to smoke. Then later on in November, I decided I'd quit for one month. This time it was much easier, and I only wanted to smoke when I was drinking, so not that often. Now I'm on my 6 month challenge, which started on January 1st and going strong.

Anyway, this drinking and smoking thing is still giving me a tough time, but I will figure this out too. Other than that, I might say that I don't have the desire to smoke anymore, no cravings. This is what this approach does for you:

a. When I decide to quit for a week/month, it is easier for me not to smoke, because I know I will be allowed to smoke again soon. You are released of the fear that you will have to endure misery forever, until you realize that you won’t be deprived of anything, that you’re actually gaining freedom, control, etc. This can be seen as a trial, to test the ground, to see how you will live and feel if you stop smoking, but knowing that you will have the freedom to smoke again without the burden of destroyed confidence of another failed attempt.

b. Most of the benefits of not smoking are only visible after some time i.e. I will not stop coughing the first day I stop smoking, and I will only start noticing the money saved after some time has passed, etc.

c. It allows YOU to convince YOURSELF of the benefits of a smoke-free life. This is in my opinion a very important issue for smokers. Most of them/us have long forgotten how wonderful it feels to live in a healthy body. Also people do not like to be convinced. Not even by the loved ones. They will accept to change, but only if it is their decision, not if they feel that they have been convinced.

Let me know how it goes if you decide to try this!!

Sorry, I dont really see how this would work. So youre saying that after 6 months youre going to have a cigarette? Whats the point in that? And when do you say enough is enough and dont give yourself a date that you can start smoking again?

ameliarate

Femme456 wrote: »

Hi Everyone,

Newbie to this board!

Up until last Thursday I was smoking at least 10 cigarettes a day. Since Thursday Ive had a particularly bad bout of tonsillitus and havent smoked, thought about smoking etc. Now the antibiotics are kicking in and I have throat numbing stuff Im thinking I might like a little cigarette but that would be ridiculously stupid of me. Ive been wanting to give up for ages and even had an appointment booked at the doctor this week to get me on Champix or similar. Ive gone past the 3 day mark of not having a cigarette so is it just my mind being silly? Or is it possible to still have cravings? Im not going to have one, just wondering if the cravings ever stop or will I always want a cigarette?

Thanks

I am on 19 days and still having cravings but they are not physical cravings for nicotine but psychological cravings for the comfort of the cigarette. I suspect they will go on for some time yet but then I have smoked for many, many years. If you can keep going without any NRT or champix then go for it. and good luck.

Setme3, if that method works for you (and I do kind of understand what you mean) then good for you. I think there is a fear of never being allowed another cigarette, EVER, at first and for a long term smoker like me knowing you can do one day is brilliant so next time being able to do one week would be amazing. I don't know if it is a good idea for everyone though as surely getting past the first week and all that entails is hard enough once without doing it over and over?

mazza111

Here I go, 1 year down the line. Back to smoking 40 a day. Started my course of Champix last Monday, last day as a smoker is tomorrow.

For some reason the Champix has made cigs seems horrible from day 1 and I'm down to about 10-15 a day for this week. Better than 40 a day, but not as good as 0. So roll on Wednesday.

Off to supermarket to stock up on bottled water and apples tomorrow as I've found these rather helpful in the past.

Femme you are over the worse of it hon, keep going!!!

Well here I go again, and hopefully this time next week i'll be able to say i'm a non smoker!

Sue-UU

Femme456 wrote: »

Hi Everyone,

Newbie to this board!

Up until last Thursday I was smoking at least 10 cigarettes a day. Since Thursday Ive had a particularly bad bout of tonsillitus and havent smoked, thought about smoking etc. Now the antibiotics are kicking in and I have throat numbing stuff Im thinking I might like a little cigarette but that would be ridiculously stupid of me. Ive been wanting to give up for ages and even had an appointment booked at the doctor this week to get me on Champix or similar. Ive gone past the 3 day mark of not having a cigarette so is it just my mind being silly? Or is it possible to still have cravings? Im not going to have one, just wondering if the cravings ever stop or will I always want a cigarette?

Thanks

Hi Femme and a warm welcome to the thread. It isn't your body that's craving for them, it's your head, and you may experience that for a little while. As soon as one of those "feelings" comes into your mind recognise it for what it is, your head being messed with after many years of giving in to a habit. Once you get passed that stage, you'll find that even if you still get those feelings, they'll pass without you even realising it. Our heads need time to adjust, whatever you do, remember that and don't let old "nick" win! Focus hard on beautiful memories, plans, sex ....anything that takes your mind right away.

All the very best and don't be beaten as you CAN do this!

FEE100 wrote:

Hi sue uu how nice to see you back, Ive been popping in a bit less these days but had noticed you weren`t around, so glad your back with all your wisdom to help the newbies! :A

Hiya Fee, it's so good to see you still going great guns! You've done brilliantly to keep this up since December, I'll bet you're SO very proud, and I am for you! Hang onto your health and your life Fee, you're doing GREAT!!! :T

Sue

Emma133

Hi all I'm back, had an awful week last week and after one thing and another fell off the wagon so to speak. Smoked Friday, Saturday and some of Sunday. I then decided I wanted to stop again!! - only the 4th time - I realised smoking had not made a difference, the problems were still there and so was the stress. Also I still felt sick - either I was feeling sick from stress or I had some kind of bug.

So basically I fell off the wagon but I'm back trying again, today was good not too bad at all. I am beginning to wish I tried the Champix though as I think if something makes me feel ill I'll be less inclined to do it if that makes sense.

Emma x

jammy_dodger

hi everyone justa quick pop by tonight been a long day glad to see you back sue uu sorry to hear you.ve been unwell

you stick back with it emma133 find a method that suits you to stay smoke free nad remind yourself of alll the reasons why you want to be smoke free whenever tempted to start . prepare yourself for those cravings and temptations that will surely come your way and plan ways to cope . dont let the evil sly stick win ..YOU are so much worth more than being a slave to the nicotine , you can do it , vent on here if it helps there will always be someone about to give their support i wish you luck

glad to here you've decided to quit mazza111 , read some of the posts from new quitters and more seasoned abstainers it does get easier stick with it and good luck

stay strong everyone you can and will beat this x x

Sue-UU

Thanks a lot jammy, I'm feeling much better now. Excellent news at having quit for 9 weeks and a day!!! :T

A great shame mazza, but now it's back to the start again and we'll hope it's for the last time and that you'll stay free from the curse of it. Well done for starting over!

Not to worry Emma, you've realised you're fa better off free and your words about the problems still being there are oh, so right! Keep it in mind whenever you think about it again. You'll get there, just stick at it!

Sue

ameliarate

Emma133 wrote: »

Hi all I'm back, had an awful week last week and after one thing and another fell off the wagon so to speak. Smoked Friday, Saturday and some of Sunday. I then decided I wanted to stop again!! - only the 4th time - I realised smoking had not made a difference, the problems were still there and so was the stress. Also I still felt sick - either I was feeling sick from stress or I had some kind of bug.

So basically I fell off the wagon but I'm back trying again, today was good not too bad at all. I am beginning to wish I tried the Champix though as I think if something makes me feel ill I'll be less inclined to do it if that makes sense.

Emma x

Hi Emma, glad you are "back on the wagon". I am having an awful time as I had a row with OH and of course normally that would send me for the fags so now every nerve ending in my body is screaming for a smoke. I got hardly any sleep and am very tearful today. Trying very hard not to give in but it is hard.

Femme456

Hi Everyone

Feeling pretty good today! Tonsillitus almost gone and still no fags! Woo!

It all seems a bit too easy at the moment, Im waiting for it to hit me, am on day 5!

Hope everyone is ok!
xxx

feedumall

hi all :)and sue had a nose around here last week and could not find you:eek:glad your back:Tas your the quitting :Aalmost two years for me and really dont think about it now unless a smoker gets close they smell bad i must have to:o.very sour sweets ice pops and the desire to show my lot i could do it got me through.keep going all it is so worth it and sue dont you go away again thats a order:D