The Giving Up Smoking Thread - Part 3

Kiwisaver_2

I hear you GGG!! I have been where you are today and how I ended up continuing to smoke for the past ten years after having had an eighteen month 'break' from smoking. The very thought petrifies me that the addiction can still be so strong, even that long after we think we're safe.

Good on you for staying strong. :T

So far so good on the not eating too much or too badly today. I am not a big drinker of water Sue, I know all the benefits, know its good for me but I just don't like it that much. :eek: Would rather have a cup of tea or coffee. Although I did try very hard at first when it was summer months and I would have half water and half fruit juice. It's winter here now and drinking gallons of cold water doesn't appeal much.

Cholesterol wasn't bad the last time I checked but only go to Doctor if I really, really, really have to, because it costs! I have always been known as a skinny-minnie and just checked my BMI (23.1) I am still well within the 'normal' range. I can laugh at myself because I am not overly concerned, just aware that I am aware and shouldn't let it get beyond control. Seeing what a colleague at work had for lunch today (three slices of cake and a huge lunchbox of assorted fruit).

We've also been exposed to the delights of 'Britain's fattest family' interviewed and all over our TV and news media today - so I take back everything I said yesterday as I am feeling almost waif like today. :rotfl:

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/television/news/article.cfm?c_id=339&objectid=10724523 :rotfl:

Lippycow

Well have hit my 3 months of no smoking and £460.00 richer,i feel great and so glad i did it....good luck to everyone who is trying:-)

Sue-UU

Hiya DD! It's great to see you even if it wasn't for long, it's always good to see your posts here too. I hope you enjoyed your workout and BTW many congratulations on how marvellously you done by getting 10 months free of fags!! You're amazing DD, excellent and look at all the money you saved, not to mention your health! :T:T:T

Hi GGG and terrific news on you having given up for all that time! Congratulations to you as that's a long time! :T:T:T Don't worry about today's hiccup as that's all it is, yes you'll get the occasional time like that but that's all it will be so don't set too much store at the way you've been feeling, from all that you've said it might well be just a complete one off as otherwise you've done brilliantly! Now and again we get, what I term as 'moments', but that's all they are; switch your mind straight away to something else and all too often the next minute they're gone without you even realising it. You coped with it in a terrific way and should be so very proud of yourself, well done GGG! Thanks A lot for putting your post on as no doubt it will help others and remind them to always remain on their guard for a good while. I have to admit that I quit over 12 years ago and haven't had any moments like that for many a year, that's what I'm hoping this will be just a one off for you. Never look back GGG!

tickledpink1986 wrote: »

Also, it seems like every time I turn the tv on someone is smoking!

Before I say any more tickled, firstly I've got to comment on what you've quoted. :mad: After all the time there have been so many drives to get people off of smoking - they STILL don't ban smoking on the television and it makes me absolutely livid!!!! :mad: Do the directors and producers of these films, soaps, whatever (come to think of it I don't know of any soaps that show people smoking. Ah.. apart from Coronation Street, as my DH has just reminded me!) is on the television, honestly not think by now that they should have a blanket ban on any smoking on TV, and if they don't then they damn well should do!!! People quitting smoking DO NOT NEED THAT ON TV when they're relaxing - neither do people who've never smoked!

Back to you tickled and how you're feeling today: don't worry too much about the feelings of today as it'll probably be totally different tomorrow, that's the usual way of a bad day. You will have your energy boosted, but not everyone is the same so we can't always set days for everything to return to what used to be normal. All I can advise is, to do as much exercise as you can, it's surprising how doing that can help jog your system into gear. Over the amount of time we've been smoking all the nicotine and other chemicals and toxins have taken their toll in our bodies and we can't expect to be free of them straight away, be patient tickled and it'll come. Don't forget to keep drinking water as that'll help wash the toxins from your body, now focus on all the good things in life to gradually help free everything from your mind. You will soon feel much better tickled, also focus on your pot of cash! :j You're doing just great, why not treat yourself to a little something it does make the difference. All the best for a great tomorrow!

Sorry Kiwi, I completely forgot about your dislike of water though like you said, you can always add something to it to make it taste better. I thought you were putting on weight with all that you've been eating instead that it now sounds as though your anything but you lucky thing! You've just put me off food for the rest of the day (to which DH says "you b****y liar" !!! :eek:) after viewing that link.....oh my giddy aunt gert what a repulsive sight!!!! How on earth can people let themselves get like THAT!!!! :shocked: You've not got a problem at all Kiwi, none of us have compared with that humongous lump of lard!!!!

Excellent news Lippycow......three months has passed by already!!! :eek: Many congratulations to you!!! You've done just great and are obviously feeling that way to....and you've saved a mammoth £460.00! :eek: Thanks so much Lippy and please come back when the next three are up, it boosts morale and lets people know that they too can succeed!

Wherever you are along your journeys folk, a few hours, a few days in, a week, a month or a few months never ever give up and you WILL get through it all and be chuffed to bits with yourselves that you stayed strong and did it.

Sue xxx

Erme

Sue-UU wrote: »

Hello Tricia :hello: and thank you so much. Unfortunatelyvthetrauma after the accident has now brought on frozen shoulder, very painful, but....all part of life. The hand will take 9 months to get back up to being better and pain-free. I have a brilliant Physio though, a lot to be thankful for!

I do so hope you're back to 'normal' now after the holiday which got the thoughts being processed again. Tricia, I truly understand what you mean about the feeling of loss at sch times, I had plenty of those at times of excitement - yet never at times of stress! Almost as though, at a time when we should be experiencing pleasure and relaxation....we can't have a ciggie to compliment it and relax!

Fortunately Tricia, it does not last too long, I promise and I haven't connected smoking with holidays, or anything else, for years! :j Best wishes, Sue x

Bad luck Erme, feeling low has a habit of rocking the boat when we're most susceptible, but you'll get there with time, pererverance and lots of patience. Be kind to yourself, it'll happen. All the best.

Very quiet here, I'm thinking it has to be a great indication that everyone's having a peaceful weekend and relaxingly chuffed with how well they've done so far. Keep it up everyone!

Sue xxx

Tiredness is getting worse and I had a really bad had day on Wednesday (had to take 2 extra prn pills :eek:) so not even trying right now :eek:...but it willhappen...I just have no idea when. I've proved I can do it (reduce that is at least)....I just have to take on one thing at a time

Kiwisaver wrote: »

I bought a big pack of rice cakes and left them in the car for desperate times, but realised that was a BIG mistake after being quite sensible and just eating one or two for a few days. I demolished the remaining half a pack in one half an hour journey, I was feeling quite disgusted with myself, yet couldn't stop myself until they were all gone!! :eek:

I am sure I am suffering from that type of bullimia where you binge eat but forget to throw up :rotfl: All joking aside, I will have to address the situation before it goes too much farther.

I guess after we're fully qualified non-smokers we can always graduate from the non-smoking program onto the latest MSE weight loss thread. :rotfl:

try http://www.sparkpeople.com for a really good healthy eating and exercise program. It really works!!!. I lost 5 stone on that program the other year and it's not expensive ...

Also have you thought about investing in a popcorn machine ? (they are less than £10 on eBay) and popping corn and snacking on that or even dried fruit. If you go to an asian store you can get a big bag of popping corn for about 70p up here ....I like it for when I'm watching TV

tickledpink1986 wrote: »

Well it's day 3 for me. I keep hearing it's the most difficult day but so far I'm ok. I haven't even used my E-Cig yet.

I did use a hyponosis tape before bed last night so maybe that has helped?

Well keep the e-cig just in case....as you're back up...just in case...best be safe than sorry...But seeing as you haven't used it pray you didn't pay too much

Blessings

E

tickledpink1986

Well I failed :-(

I found a packet with one cigarette in yesterday and rather then throw it away I stupidly decided to hide it in the back of a cupboard in our bedroom. God knows why!

My H2B had promised to take me out for a meal but ended up working late and we couldn't go! I was so !!!!ed off and felt like I have no pleasures left in life (what a drama queen I am) so I decided to just go to bed. When I got there I remembered I had stripped the bed and washed the sheets; rather then just make the bed I stupidly reached for my hidden cigarette and smoked it!

The good news is that is was DISGUSTING and made me cough so much, it was obvious my body was rejecting it!

I feel so stupid for having a moment of weakness and I think part of the reason was for attention from my H2B (childish I know!) but feel much stronger today and know I will learn from my mistakes. I now have no cigarettes in the house, I will try to remember how disgusting it was and I should have just talked to my H2B about how !!!!ed off I was or vented my anger on here.

So here I am back to day one!

Sue-UU

Keep at it Erme, you'll do it one of these days!

Oh dear tickled, what a darn shame, though I'm chuffed to bits you found it DISGUSTING and and that it made you cough! :j:j:j

Now, if you're really hell bent on stoppng and NOT behaving like a drama queen, then put it behind you and consier it a one-off, a blip. From here on though always have something ready to throw yourself into (a swimming pool??) (actually that's not a bad idea!) and get passed that weak time. What was it I said to you about a good day following a bad??? :whistle: Like you said though,
come on here and give vent your anger, either that or beat the hell out of a pillow. Anything is better than giving in is all too often it leads to giving up and you don't want that no do you.

You CAN do this, tickled, we ALL can, so grasp the nettle and know you'll be ok.Well done on fessing up and all the best in staying strong and fcused.

Sue xxx

drsmum

Hi,I have stopped smoking since last night and I know I am going to give it my best shot this time.
I am using patches and have found today not as bad as I thought it was going to be(except for a constant headache all day)
I have never even managed to stay off it for a whole day before,smoked for 27 years.
I have been reading all your tips on this thread and will be trying to drink more water.
Thanks to everyone who has posted x

Sue-UU

A very warm welcome to the possible beginning of a far healthier life, drsmum! Very well done on, I hope, your very 1st day without smoking!! A headache is a very normal symptom in the early stages, and in your case could be a reaction to the patches, or the trepidation (excitement) of it all after so long. It can also be due to the lack of smoking itself or nicotine; whichever it is, you'll soon find it will settle down. Make sure you keep hydrated by takingplenty of water...you knew I was going to say that now didn't you!

I'll send you a PM, but as you've been reading through the posts you'll possibly have seen the introductory tips and help. Please let us know how you get on and you lso know we're always here for you so make use of us. The very best of everything for your success in ending smoking for good!

Sue xx

Kiwisaver_2

tickledpink1986 wrote: »

So here I am back to day one!

No, you're not back to day one. You smoked one pesky little fag and didn't even enjoy it, so don't be so hard on yourself. If the fag hadn't been conveniently there tormenting you, I am sure you wouldn't have smoke it. So it's the fags fault, right? :rotfl: It's just a little blip, you got right back on the wagon and have seen the error of your ways.

Life sends us OHs to wind us up and for someone to rant at. Especially when we're quitting smoking, I found any little thing can trigger strange emotions and anger. I had some very dark days and was one very volatile and angry woman for a while. :eek: Just recognise it, it's like PMT - ride with it and try to find some ways to console / soothe yourself that don't involve getting drunk or smoking. Thinking lavender, yoga, music, reading, chocolate.... or whatever it might be.

Keep calm and carry on.

Erme

tickledpink1986 wrote: »

Well I failed :-(

I found a packet with one cigarette in yesterday and rather then throw it away I stupidly decided to hide it in the back of a cupboard in our bedroom. God knows why!

My H2B had promised to take me out for a meal but ended up working late and we couldn't go! I was so !!!!ed off and felt like I have no pleasures left in life (what a drama queen I am) so I decided to just go to bed. When I got there I remembered I had stripped the bed and washed the sheets; rather then just make the bed I stupidly reached for my hidden cigarette and smoked it!

The good news is that is was DISGUSTING and made me cough so much, it was obvious my body was rejecting it!

I feel so stupid for having a moment of weakness and I think part of the reason was for attention from my H2B (childish I know!) but feel much stronger today and know I will learn from my mistakes. I now have no cigarettes in the house, I will try to remember how disgusting it was and I should have just talked to my H2B about how !!!!ed off I was or vented my anger on here.

So here I am back to day one!

That happened to me when I quit cold turkey about 12 years ago. I had no cigs for like 2 days (fear of housemothers) and like had one outside the station and hated it so much I didn't smoke for 18 months :T...So don't beat yourself up...just keep your e-cig handy for when you are tempted

Sue-UU wrote: »

Keep at it Erme, you'll do it one of these days!

Oh dear tickled, what a darn shame, though I'm chuffed to bits you found it DISGUSTING and and that it made you cough! :j:j:j

Now, if you're really hell bent on stoppng and NOT behaving like a drama queen, then put it behind you and consier it a one-off, a blip. From here on though always have something ready to throw yourself into (a swimming pool??) (actually that's not a bad idea!) and get passed that weak time. What was it I said to you about a good day following a bad??? :whistle: Like you said though,
come on here and give vent your anger, either that or beat the hell out of a pillow. Anything is better than giving in is all too often it leads to giving up and you don't want that no do you.

You CAN do this, tickled, we ALL can, so grasp the nettle and know you'll be ok.Well done on fessing up and all the best in staying strong and fcused.

Sue xxx

Thanks so much for your kind words of encouragement sue....I noticed I was more puffy on the bike but not much more...and even with my 2-3 day blip last week I only smoked 2/3 of what I normally smoke. So back on the reductions today though not logging it...just trying to stick to 1-2 an hour max. And I've changed my tobacco back to the slightly more expensive ones because it's finer cut so I can roll thinner cigs :A...it was useless with the mega cheap pipe stuff...

I just can't go more than a couple of days without trying out my e-cig and i really missed it @ the bus stop yesterday and hated lighting up ...so even if I can just go the mornings I'll be happy...

E