The Giving Up Smoking Thread!! Part 2

choille

It makes complete sense.

Yes - words on paper, although I am still managing to blog, probably because that is all factual stuff.

I think you should just bung down any old stuff, just get it out. When I was feeling really awful & couldn't sleep I did manage to scribble down a load of angst.
I do wonder if it's my hormones as well - my age, as they say. I have become very disatisfied with my lot of late - not like me really. We have had major neighbour problems & other stuff going on. T'is a wonder I haven't gone berserk with an axe I suppose.

helen_jelly

Hello

Can I join this thread please, as off tomorrow, I'm having my last ciggie tonight. We really can't afford to smoke anymore [forget about the health issues - its now down to brass tacks!!] DH will quit if I do, so I've made the decision for him that tonight is it - final day of being chained to the fags. My problem with quitting is that I really enjoy having a ciggie sometimes and when I've quit before I've become the monster from hell and the kiddies end up suffering, I shout alot, they think I've already quit so I can't tell them why I'm being so horrid. Money is a big, big incentive, I work part time and DH works full time but is on a low income and with 2 children we just can't smoke anymore. Anyway, thats it for now, hoping you'll have me,. I'm impressed with what has been written and some of the advice I've read, you all seem to be doing really well

Helen

choille

Hi helen jelly - graet you've decided to quit.

Money is a huge incentive. It is such a dear cost 7 really quite out of most ordinary people's pockets. You could put the money aside in a clear jar & plan a treat(s).
We all had certain pleasures from smoking - otherwise we wouldn't have forkedout such money & time doing it. The best thing is to have a plan for each tricky time.Prepare beforehand by really thinking things through. Are you going to see a doc about it are you going to see a cessation person. Take as much help & advice as is being given out by the NHS.

I've been stopped for over two months - which I cannot believe. I don't mix with smokers & I don't hang out. I live isolated - so that is easier.
I do miss it but not as much as I did. It gets easier & easier & already I do notice how much more puff I have & also how much brighter my skin looks. I am hard up & haven't put the money away - which is silly, but will when some comes my way.
I am using sugar free gum sometimes but don't need to really.
all the best

magicgirl68

Hi everybody, it's been a long time since I posted, but wanted to share my 10 months smoke free anniversary with you!!!! I feel great and am so glad that i've made it this far. My advice to everyone thinking about quitting is do it now! If I can stop anyone can. It's really not as hard as you imagine and it gets easier as time goes on. Just tell yourself, I won't smoke today and don't worry about tomorrow. Take each day as it comes and you'll get stronger.
Good luck!

jammy_dodger

Hi and welcome helen jelly what a super name

Fantastic you have made the desion to quit , it'll be the best decision you have made i smoked about 15 a day and already have saved over £450 :eek: UNBELIEVABLE ..

Whatever your incenative i wish you and your husband well , sounds like you have been reading some of the encouraging posts on here , and you will see from us it DOES get easier so PLEASE stick with it

write down all the reasons why you want to quit . what you can achieve with money saved etc ...

It'll be good if you can recognise when you feel you "need" to smoke from the times when you "want " to smoke and plan diversions or strategies for coping
Avoid those situations if you can

drink ( sip ) plenty of cold cold water this stops you wanting that evil stick

suck ice pops

eat fruit peel oranges /tangerines you wouldnt want a smoke with that lovely citrus taste in your mouth

brush your teeth

go for a walk , keep your hands busy . fold washingn peg out washing

have a rant on here some of these may help

all the very best to you

jammy dodger

oldreekie

choille wrote: »

Yes - words on paper, although I am still managing to blog, probably because that is all factual stuff.

A blogger :j- but I guess you are not going to let us know how to find you. I waste too much time in the day reading blogs; it is addictive and takes my mind off other things like ..... smoking ..... running amok with an axe

Too easy to blame hormones, choille. Has this dissatisfaction with your life evolved since becoming a non-smoker? I posted recently about the "black holes"; an emptiness opening up before me; a feeling of unease. In the last few weeks, I have experienced a desperate urge to sell the house, buy a campervan and head into the sunset. [ might even invite OH along if he gives up the cigars :rotfl:]

The chains of smoking have fallen away and I want to have fun, meet people and explore the world before senility and whatever set in.

Sad, isn't it but I now realise that, when smoking, I just lived for the next cigarette. I never want to go back to that state of affairs.

Remind me of that, please.

oldreekie

Welcome, helen jelly

You have come to the right place:j Good luck! You do not say what method you are using.

jammy dodger has given you lots of wonderful advice so keep reading and ask/chat/moan away to your heart's content.

helen_jelly

HI

Thanks for the words of encouragement, our local Docs have stopped the No Smoking clinic that they did so no support there! But I'm going to do it tomorrow. I've realised that for alot of my smoking its out of habit so if I can stop biting my nails then I can stop smoking [well thats the theory sorted] now for the practical. I have patches but like a few of you I am allergic to the gum in the patch but they help for a while so I'll start each day without them and then put them on for a couple of hours when I really need to. I have been smoking about 10 to 15 ciggies a day for nearly 30 years so this is going to be hard but this is probably the first time I have really, really wanted to stop - other times have lasted 4 months so thats my first target to beat.

I'll come back to tomorrow and let you know how I'm getting on, I hope you don't mind me needing all your help and support to start off with but hopefully I'll get there [not too sure if DH is joining me yet but he will lol]

Helen

oldreekie

helen_jelly wrote: »

HI

I'll come back to tomorrow and let you know how I'm getting on, I hope you don't mind me needing all your help and support to start off with but hopefully I'll get there [not too sure if DH is joining me yet but he will lol]

Helen

Be as "needy" as you like

The ActiveStop and Quitmasters programmes have kept me on my toes, especially during the early stages. It will keep you occupied. CBT for quitters! The texts help, too.

Sue-UU

A very warm welcome to you Helen!!! We know what you can do with your savings now maybe?!!! You have the PM to help, also try jammy's great suggestions to help you through, it is possible! Whatever feels a good idea to try to you - do it and give it a go! Come onto the thread whenever you like and write down ALL that's on your mind, it really does help so much. You AND your DH can do this and we'll help you all we can! It's the greatest gift you'll ever give yourselves!

Many congratulations on 10 whole months free magicgirl, you too I_Wanna_Retire_Someday you've both done fantastically, very well done indeed!!! :T:T:T Be so very proud magicgirl, you too IWRS, you've earned the right and done yourselves a power of good!!

Brilliant news Taxi!! That really is good, though the asthma isn't so good, but I've also been left with that, but we both could have been far worse off if we'd stayed smoking! Whatever your lungs are like now, staying free from cigs will in time make them MUCH, MUCH better! You battle on hard with the quitting and the weight and your dream could very soon come true!!! :T

Ooh bad luck choille! That sounds horrible, but best to have them out than staying in and rotting. I reckon you could be right with the menopause, it certainly made me feel awful when I had an early one. I was so glad when it was all finished, my DH too!!! No matter how bad things get at times, you still have so much to feel wonderful about, you too oldreekie! You've both remained steadfast and know the goal you're after. I wonder if you still ingesting nicotine is making you feel as you do OR, mightn't be, but possible, though I never know quite when you're serious and when you're not! Whatever it is, you're BOTH still done marvellously, keep it up! both! :T

Good to see you're still staying with us ameliarate! :T I know you're still not stopped, but I've a feeling it'll come as you'll get fed up keep on trying to kid yourself you don't want to quit. Aside from that, we won't give up on you either! Try as hard as you can to be positive about it all, and keep writing down the reasons why you should finish with it!!! One of these days amelia!! Meanwhile keep it as low as you can. Why not take choille up on her offer, it could be a real bonus. I agree with all she says about a cessation Nurse/person, if yours still is no better today, then how about your Dr, Pharmacist or the cessation person in Tescos!!

I must push off and get to bed! Talking of which ....hi Jo!!! :hello:Good to see you! Keep up the amazing work everyone, every day is a GREAT step forward, and every fag you're free from is FANTASTIC!!! :j

Sue x