The Giving Up Smoking Thread - Part 3

dundeedoll_2

Lucy1010 wrote: »

Can anyone tell me please where to get a stopped smoking counter as per others signatures? Thank you x

http://www.silkquit.org/stop-smoking/quit-meter.aspx

CompBunny

Lucy1010 wrote: »

Yes I stopped as soon as I woke up, I had my last cig around midnight. My chest does feel really tight but I know it's because I smoked at least 15 cigs last night and I hate myself for it. I have been smoking nearly 20 per day recently because I have been feeling depressed over a break up but I really want to stop. It is costing me so much and to be honest I am too scared to die of lung cancer. Thanks for your support, how long did you smoke and how many a day? Any good tips?

PS You wont believe this but I work out 4 times a week at the gym so I have no idea where I have been getting my strength from!

Hiya,

Yeah that counter is awesome! We (my partner has quit too) have saved £68.46 so far and its such a motivator to watch the counter go up, I check most hours:o

I know what you mean about the stress smoking. Its like its the cigarettes that get you through tough times...but I'm coming to learn that its not really the cigarettes that get you through bad patches, its friends, family and your own hard graft!

I got a letter from my estranged father the other day. Usually it would have triggered chain smoking for the rest of the day, but as a non smoker I acknowledged that it was painful, went for a walk, and then got on with the rest of my day!

I can forward you some useful tips PMs that some forum users sent me if you haven't had them already if you would like. They have some really good links and tips and I strongly recommend you print them off.

The things that have worked best for me are:
Exercise (sounds like you have this one covered!!)
Carrot and cucmber sticks
Moving into a different room when you get a craving
Accepting that its gonna be tough
Posting here
Cleaning teeth and washing hands to appreciate how fresh they are
Allowing myself to feel angry/sad/relieved/happy/frustrated!

That last one sounds obvious but it does help!

I had my first cig when I was about 12 and started smoking properly at around 15 I guess. When I went to university I could easily smoke 20-30 a day, more if I was going out/working and more over the summer. I'd get up a couple of times in the middle of the night to go outside and smoke. More recently it was more like 10-15 a day though simply because I couldn't afford it. I guess thats almost 9 years as a "full time" smoker. Not as long as you, but those mean sticks do like to take a hold quickly!

Don't feel disgusted with yourself for having all those last night - feel thankful that its given you the kick up the backside you needed to realise how nasty they are!

If you "really want to stop" as you posted then you can! Hey, you already have!!!:T:T:T Now all those hours at the gym can really make a big difference to your health. You deserve a nice healthy lung and heart:blushing: and to not live in fear of lung cancer!

Congratulations

dundeedoll_2

I just read Compbunny's latest post..........WOW!!!

It made me think of the day she first posted on this thread

The first 2 quotes were from 11.01.20011 before CB (& partner) had decided to stop smoking.

Now, let's just bear in mind that CB has not smoked for 9 days....................What a fabulous, fantastic post advising someone who is in the same postion she was in only those few days ago!

I am so so so so so proud of you, Compbunny! :T

CompBunny wrote: »

My partner and I would love to quit but I've failed so many times before Any depression sufferers on here successfully quit?

CompBunny wrote: »

Thankyou - I've also recently accepted that depression/bi-polar is always gonna be here and started realising that I need to start putting coping mechanisms into place too to try and normalise life a bit!:T

With regards to the smoking I always think "if I hardly cope with day to day life as it is, what will I be like without cigarettes?!" and it just doesn't seem possible - but I guess you have proved that it is! :beer:

CompBunny wrote: »

Hiya,

Yeah that counter is awesome! We (my partner has quit too) have saved £68.46 so far and its such a motivator to watch the counter go up, I check most hours:o

I know what you mean about the stress smoking. Its like its the cigarettes that get you through tough times...but I'm coming to learn that its not really the cigarettes that get you through bad patches, its friends, family and your own hard graft!

I got a letter from my estranged father the other day. Usually it would have triggered chain smoking for the rest of the day, but as a non smoker I acknowledged that it was painful, went for a walk, and then got on with the rest of my day!

I can forward you some useful tips PMs that some forum users sent me if you haven't had them already if you would like. They have some really good links and tips and I strongly recommend you print them off.

The things that have worked best for me are:
Exercise (sounds like you have this one covered!!)
Carrot and cucmber sticks
Moving into a different room when you get a craving
Accepting that its gonna be tough
Posting here
Cleaning teeth and washing hands to appreciate how fresh they are
Allowing myself to feel angry/sad/relieved/happy/frustrated!

That last one sounds obvious but it does help!

I had my first cig when I was about 12 and started smoking properly at around 15 I guess. When I went to university I could easily smoke 20-30 a day, more if I was going out/working and more over the summer. I'd get up a couple of times in the middle of the night to go outside and smoke. More recently it was more like 10-15 a day though simply because I couldn't afford it. I guess thats almost 9 years as a "full time" smoker. Not as long as you, but those mean sticks do like to take a hold quickly!

Don't feel disgusted with yourself for having all those last night - feel thankful that its given you the kick up the backside you needed to realise how nasty they are!

If you "really want to stop" as you posted then you can! Hey, you already have!!!:T:T:T Now all those hours at the gym can really make a big difference to your health. You deserve a nice healthy lung and heart:blushing: and to not live in fear of lung cancer!

Congratulations

dundeedoll_2

CompBunny wrote: »

I'd get up a couple of times in the middle of the night to go outside and smoke.

Been there.............done that.........:o used to have 1 before bed.........go to bed........get up to have 'a last 1'..........back to bed..........up at 3ish..........cup of tea/fag............back to bed..............up at 6.........cup of tea/fag etc etc

CompBunny

dundeedoll wrote: »

I just read Compbunny's latest post..........WOW!!!

It made me think of the day she first posted on this thread

The first 2 quotes were from 11.01.20011 before CB (& partner) had decided to stop smoking.

Now, let's just bear in mind that CB has not smoked for 9 days....................What a fabulous, fantastic post advising someone who is in the same postion she was in only those few days ago!

I am so so so so so proud of you, Compbunny! :T

Awww Thankyou DD! Thats so kind of you to recognise my crazy ramblings and be so complimentary *blushes and hides in a quiet corner*

Couldn't have done it without the support of you guys, and just trying to support others in return:p

dundeedoll_2

CompBunny wrote: »

Awww Thankyou DD! Thats so kind of you to recognise my crazy ramblings and be so complimentary *blushes and hides in a quiet corner*

Couldn't have done it without the support of you guys, and just trying to support others in return:p

It just so totally illustrates the point of how quickly our thinking CAN be turned around!

A month ago you were feeling so down about it, not really believing that there was any way you COULD stop smoking and then that latest post..........so full of positivity and inspiration!

I am quite sure that now you have proved to yourself just what you can achieve it has helped you cope with things in a much more positive way - the letter for 1.

Anyway............

Catherine25

Hello everyone, sorry I havnt been on in a while. Hope you are all keeping well. Im pleased to say Im still going great! (I bet you thought id fell by the wayside )

It feels quite strange but I really cant ever imagine myself smoking again. The other times iv quit I always found myself wishing that I could smoke but I dont have anything like that this time. When I see someone smoking Im just so glad that I dont have to do it anymore! My friend has also quit smoking, I think I inspired her lol!

Hope everyone is well!! Il try to check in more often. Iv read back a few pages but see no sign of ross, hope he is ok!

Catherine xxxxxx

Lucy1010

This is definitely the place to keep coming for support. You are all so nice!

It is much easier to kick the cravings when I read from ex smokers... ex smokers that smoked like me.

I found it hard in the past to take advice from work colleagues who have never smoked... how could they understand what it is like?! But you guys are brill, I will keep reading this thread x

Lucy1010

I have downloaded the MLC app for iphone (My Last Cigarette) it is brilliant and will keep me motivated

dundeedoll_2

Catherine25 wrote: »

Hello everyone, sorry I havnt been on in a while. Hope you are all keeping well. Im pleased to say Im still going great! (I bet you thought id fell by the wayside )

It feels quite strange but I really cant ever imagine myself smoking again. The other times iv quit I always found myself wishing that I could smoke but I dont have anything like that this time. When I see someone smoking Im just so glad that I dont have to do it anymore! My friend has also quit smoking, I think I inspired her lol!

Hope everyone is well!! Il try to check in more often. Iv read back a few pages but see no sign of ross, hope he is ok!

Catherine xxxxxx

Catherine

I have often thought about you. It is so nice to hear from you and
even nicer to hear that you have not fallen by the wayside
Knew you would do it :T

That is exactly how I feel............previously there was always that teeny weeny feeling of 'regret'.........a constant battle of giving up, as in depriving myself. This time it is not constantly on my mind and when I see/ smell anyone smoke I feel ........for them and for me.

I too think about Ross...........have PM'd him but had no reply.

Lucy1010 wrote: »

This is definitely the place to keep coming for support. You are all so nice!

It is much easier to kick the cravings when I read from ex smokers... ex smokers that smoked like me.

I found it hard in the past to take advice from work colleagues who have never smoked... how could they understand what it is like?! But you guys are brill, I will keep reading this thread
I have downloaded the MSL app for iphone (My Last Cigarette) it is brilliant and will keep me motivated x

I KNOW that that is the difference with my quit this time.


The app sounds really good, I'm sure it will help too.

You'll have so much amunition to put up a good fight against Nick O'Teen, he won't stand a chance :rotfl: