The Giving Up Smoking Thread!! Part 2

phillipsdj

Hi MumofCookers, I know it's hard to think of anything other than smoking when you are 'mid-craving' but please try to remember that it DOES get easier!

Just a suggestion, but have you considered adding this thread to your favourites list and logging onto it whenever you feel like having one?

However you go about it, good luck with your quit!

stroppy

Hi I agree about the Allen Carr book, I got so excited towards the end I couldnt wait to stop smoking,sadly it just did not register in my brain 5 hours later!I have heard it works for a lot of people just not me.
I am still referring to the book though as it is good for positive mental attitude
Took me ages to realise it is National No Smoking day today....Will be my first one smoke free in 18 years :eek:
Stroppy xx

MimiJane

Boils down to willpower every time doesn't it :rolleyes: Sorry it didn't work for you Ameliarate and stroppy. It's taking me one hell of a long time to read this book, seem to be slowing down for some reason

whathavewedone

Hi everyone

Well I was seriously tempted this evening for the first time - I guess the determination that I started off with is starting to wear off - I'm coughing less, breathing more easily, looking better - same old same old now the little voice in my head is telling me I can just have the one :mad:

Anyway the craving's past now. I've had a rubbish day, my almost 3 year old has played me up no end and I've had a row with oh because I left facebook open and he added my sil (who I don't get on with AT ALL) as one of my friends and didn't tell me.

Completely outrageous to be nosing on my Facebook (not that I have anything to hide) and then to do that as though I can't decide who my own friends should be.

Anyway that made me furious although I actually dealt with it a mature and adult way, saying that he shouldn't have done it but never mind it's done now (she accepted me before I even logged on to it this morning although I know she hates my guts too - what else could she do without looking rude). All very annoying and embarrassing and now I have to be careful what I write on Facebook as she is the most nosey and judgmental cow that ever walked the earth. Inwardly fuming to the extent that I feel I might spontaneously combust.

She doesn't know that I started smoking again after the children (she may suspect but doesn't know) so all I need is for her to see a message on a wall from one of my friends asking how it's going.

GRRRRRRRRR

Am also premenstrual.

ScRiMpNsAvE_2

Hi all

As you're probably aware I'm new to this thread so hello everyone! Currently using Champix, halfway through my first week, and am lucky to have an NHS smoking cessation clinic hosted at work by local nurses who are very supportive. I have given myself a quit date for this Sunday.

At this point I am still smoking, but interestingly enough I'm already starting to feel different about each cigarette I have - the taste, smell and the effect its having on my body. I'm due to increase my dose tonight so am interested to see what further impact this will have.

While I'm trying to remain positive about the fact I'm actually doing something about it, I still have a sinking hopeless fear of failure, like I'm not prepared enough. I don't think it helps that everyone else in the group has already quit and I think thats adding a bit of subconscious pressure to get in to shape!

I gave up 5 years ago for 9 months (don't ask me why I started again as I couldn't tell you) and don't remember this emotional turmoil first time round... Does anyone have any suggestions to help me keep a strong mind? Getting through the first day will be the biggest hurdle for me!

Any help will be eternally appreciated!

Scrimps

maccababe

We can only gain from giving up there is NOTHING to lose. Previously, when I have given up its been about money saving this time its about my health and the dangers that smoking carries with it. I think that's why I feel more determined to not smoke. Obviously, the financial savings are tremendous but that still doesn't outweigh what we gain health wise. Something else that I revel in by not smoking is not being a slave to the cigarette. Always making sure you have the money to buy a packet of fags, making sure you have one to smoke with your coffee in the morning, making sure you have one to smoke before bed. Not having to worry about that anymore feels so liberating, finally free of cigarettes. We can only gain from giving up.
maccababe

mizzbiz

Well i've made it through the first day, so many thanks for all the words of encouragement, support and welcome.

Sue, thanks for the PM. I feel this will prove very valuable in weaker moments.

It has been quite up and down. I was at work all day and barely missed it, although today I have scoffed no less than three bananas and four packets of seabrooks crisps. I'm eating like i've been possessed and it's only the first day, but im going to jog it off tomorow and go for a jog, do some yoga and walk whenever I can.

Afetr work was a different matter. I developed an irrational rage at OH, of course provoked by him but the scenario of heads and footballs was more than pleasing, I hate to say.

The only effects seem to have been physiological, mainly rage! Apart from now, sitting alone on the evening with a can of real ale and desperately trying not to think about having a tab. Some points have been weird, where in my minds eye I have reached for a tab (say after dinner) and realised I don't smoke anymore, and actually had to readjust and think of something else. I suppose thats what a ten year habit does to you.

So thank you all. Sorry to hear you stumbled stroppy, I for one don't think that one you had will harm you providing you get back on the horse. I'm also loving reading everyones updates.

Good luck staying fag-free all!

Mx

Sue-UU

You're welcome whathavewedone, to be honest, it's a real pleasure to help folk, I needed somewhere like this all that time ago, I'm just delighted for you all that you can 'talk' now and win through with each other's help!

What you and maccabe are doing with the day 10 (or whatever it is) on the title bar is a really great idea and not only helps yourselves but each other too. Good for you maccabe, you too WHWD!! Your post wasn't depressing at all, you're putting your genuine thoughts down, and I'll bet others can empathise with them and have felt them also. The middle of the night always brings the darkest hours for thoughts too. Never mind, THIS time you're going to quit for life, you sound far too positive not to, so keep that in mind, along with your youngsters/oh faces, all the time and you'll get to where you want/need to be! If you're prone to insomnia then to at least see you through for now, why not try "Kalms", someone else did so a few weeks back and praised them highly.

Just read your latest post! Oh dear! I have to admit to agreeing with your thoughts about it though, I'd hate it if anyone did that to me!!! Still again you get through a very difficult time and are proving to yourself over and over that you CAN do it!!! Survive the PMT and you'll feel so much more capable of coping.

Hi Jon. Good luck with incentive from the Allen Carr book, all the best too with Friday if you still go ahead then. Come on here and type out your feelings, good or bad, anytime as it helps you get it out of your system. Keep strong at all times and never give in to feelings of weakness - if just isn't worth it.!!!

Hi Niksan and congratulations on being free for two months plus!!! It's good to hear of your experience with the inhalator. Some of our quitters are using them and speak fairly well of them also. Keep up that wonderful work, you'll never regret it for sure!!!

Very well done Stroppy, you sounded much better yesterday and I'm thrilled you're treating it as a blip and carrying on. You know if you stay firm and strong and discipline yourself that you CAN win this battle as well as the war and we ALL want to help you. You did great with the phone call, it's one of those times for us all, but you survived it and WON!!!! Now think hard for those blessed evenings so you can say tara to the weak times there. You any good at knitting? Whatever you do stroppy, bear Lily's muppet in mind, cause it ain't you now is it!!!!!

Hi MimiJane and a warm welcome! You have very good reasons to quit and to stay quit for life - YOURS!!! Bear that in mind and think healthy all the time you're quitting. You CAN do it if you're really determined and keep yourself strong. I'm sending you a PM, read through it all and please act on the tips and help, especially the water!!! As you say; thank God your breast cancer scare was just that and try to bear in mind all the fear you felt throughout it all and let that fear guide you through quitting so you're able to reach your goal and stay a non smoker!!!

Re Allen Carr's book, I wouldn't worry about your desire to smoke not diminishing as you read it, you're possibly getting a bit stressed up at even more thoughts of "I've got to do this soon" or "I'll be doing this soon" and panicking. Try to keep relaxed, breathe deeply when you feel a bit anxious and let the anxiety flow out of you with each breath you exhale. Do that at anytime, it really helps, remember too that once you've quit you become far less stressed as it's cigs that make you that way!!! Once you give up MimiJane, keep in mind your own desire and need to do it this time, also your partner begging you to stop, though always remember that in truth, it really is YOU that you need to give it up for! If you've given up before then you'll know just how rotten it is to need to start it all over again if you go back to it - but - this time you're not going to go back as you know how you need to get to the destination of that beautiful journey! Keep talking to us daily Mimi and let's get you to where you'll be most happy! Be strong and all the very best!

Well done mumofcookers!!! Let's see if THIS time is the one that sees you to your goal, Naomi's doing marvellously THIS time, maybe finally, it's you who can be strong and be free from that awful weed, I really do hope so! Why not come on every day (you don't need to say much) and let's see where you're going wrong, aside from the obvious. Change round any routines at times that cause the most problems. All the very best MOC!!!

Hi ScRiMpNsAvE and a warm welcome! Can we call you SAS to save a letter or 20?!!!:o Firstly, please try to do away with the fear of failure thoughts, especially because of the others in the group being ahead of you, try using them to pull you on up to where they're at - coaches or parcers perhaps! There are plenty of folk here who are where you are, some further behind who you can help too! Most of us have been through more than one attempt, but have got there, now it's your turn! It's so easy to forget the misery we suffered first time round, though the older we get the more of a struggle it is. Read through the comments to others above and I'll send you a PM to try to help you. For now, all the very best in finding the you that used to be!

An excellent post maccababe! It says it all perfectly and shows you've got it all weighed up in exactly the right way!!! :T I love your last sentence, I hope everyone bears it in mind whenever it's needed.

Great news about your first day mizzbiz!!! You're sounding very positive and determined to succeed, good for you! Where the 'food attacks' are concerned, you've forgotten that PM already! :mad: Remember the water!!! It will fill you up and stop you needing to grab munchies, peel an apple and eat a couple of slices every now and again, they provide a natural sweetness and don't put on any calories. All the best for another great day tomorrow, don't forget water and apples and enjoy that exercise!!!

All the very best of good health to everyone, this is a wonderful chance to kick it for good, please, please take it and achieve all that being a non smoker brings - it feels so very, very good!

Sue

whathavewedone

Much more positive today.

Glad I didn't crack yesterday - I didn't really think that I would, I was just knocked sideways by the strength of the craving as it's the first one that I've had so far on this quit attempt. I did think about it though and realised that a lot of it was simply PMT. I usually feel the need to smoke a lot more in the few days leading up to my period as I just feel more stressed and tense than usual. Having a fag doesn't really help, it just feels as though it does. Just another illusory "benefit", that's all.

I'm actually quite proud that I got through yesterday without having a huge row with oh, without having a bad night's sleep (blissful night - out like a light by 9pm woken by 3 year old at 6.15am coming into bed for a cuddle) and most of all without having a fag.

I will try Kalms. It seems to be every other night that I have a dreadful night's sleep. I know from past experience that giving up smoking can make you tired really early in the evening and then wake up at stupid o clock (1 or 2 am for me) and toss and turn until the morning. As I had a good night's sleep last night I think I will try to go to bed a bit later tonight. Trouble is, my youngest still wakes up once in the night for a drink (at 17 months!) and while he only takes a couple of minutes to settle, once I'm up that's it. Last night Oh got up to him which is probably why I slept all the way through. Maybe the Kalms will help my mind stop whirring in the night, allowing me to get back to sleep after being woken up. I hope so anyway. I'm really fed up with being tired all the time. He used to wake up every 2 hours between 4 months and 11 months!

I think that had a lot to do with me going back to smoking tbh. I was so shattered in the mornings that I felt I need something to look forward to, to get me out of bed (coffee and fag).

MimiJane

Thanks for the great words of encouragement Sue I plan to try and finish the book and smoke the last of my ciggies over the weekend, so will probably be driving you all mad from next week :rolleyes:

Being on my own in the house during the week while OH is at work will be especially difficult I think, so a real challenge ahead. I want to quit at the weekend while OH is about and I can't sneak off to the shops :rolleyes:

Great to hear that so many of you are doing so well and haven't "cracked"! Keep it up ... the first few days are the hardest, then it just gets easier.