The Giving Up Smoking Thread - Part 3

warez22

This is just such a great thread. Sue, thank you so much for my PM - I am taking the mantra on board - it is helping.

Slept a bit better last night - only woke up every 2 hours instead of every hour.

It's weird but my mood seems to be more stable - I am not getting the ups and downs I did before. I seem to be more measured with the kids which to my shame I wasnt really before. I can definitely relate to the posts relating to putting the kids off the 5 mins due to ciggie break.

I am feeling quite emotional though which isnt like me, but I suppose if you put it in the context of grieving for a lost friend it sort of figures and I am giving in to it.

My next run is tomorrow which I am sort of dreading because I am sure that my legs haven't recovered from the last one on Sunday.

One of the biggest things I have noticed is how quiet my heart is now - no banging or palpatations - just quietly pumping away like a recently serviced car. Everytime I feel 'sod this, once a smoker, always a smoker' I think of how quiet my heart is after such a short space of time and it sort of helps.

Anyway all I can say is I am still determined - not seeing so much of my other half however as he spends most of his time in his shed puffing away but I dont want to join him.

So well done me and everyone else going through their own little journeys.

And thanks for all the lovely support that this thread offers.:T

Voyager0001

Sue-UU wrote: »

I was so sorry to read about you DH, Voyager, though sadly, he's the only who's able to help himself - IF and when he chooses! Still,I think I'd have to keep hoping that something...anything....might just change his mind.

Re your words quoted above: Although that's how you might feel right now (and it is still relatively early days), I honestly disagree that all us ex-smokers remain just 1 puff/fag away from being slaves to it again. They turn me off completely and have done for years. I know full well that I would never smoke again and boy am I thrilled about that!!! :j

IF you allow it to take you over again then I'd be so very sad, especially after all you're going through with your DH, but personally......I think you're too wise for that after all this time.

Please prove the months you've had free aren't all to be in vain and please don't weaken your resolve due to your DH, you're too good for that!!!

Be strong! If weight is an issue, take on more exercise and burn the calories off, anything rather than risk your health too!!! Please take a look a few pages back to the posts of "drsmum" and see the health problems she's just endured due to fags. Look forward to being a year free in January, Voyager and continue on your great journey as your name would suggest.

All best wishes,

Sue xx

Thanks for your wise words Sue. You really are a very kind and understanding person!
I know deep down that I will NOT go back to smoking - I've come too far on my journey for that!
I am watching my weight and have joined a local slimming club to get rid of the few pounds that have crept on.
I will keep tuned in to this forum for inspiration!
Thank you once again.
XX

Azkaban_2

Hi Everyone

Just a quick,short one at the moment..
Haven't been able to post for a few days..Been a bit busy.
Hope everyone is well and keeping busy during their journeys. I've had a few cravings but managed to distract myself by going for a walk.
Still taking one step at a time but still stepping

I'm going to keep this short as it's late and nearly bedtime.
Love to all
AZ xx

caracara

i havent posted for last few days been reallly stressed and have wanted cigerette more in last few days than in beginning but have managed to keep walking past the the ciggie shop and even went as far as going in today even though stressed and although all the way to the till was thinking about buying fags walked out wtih just a packet of werthers dont know how i managed to be honest was in shock all the way home.

still on the good side have passed the two week mark and still doing it cold turkey

warez22

Good day today, deserve it after hideous night last night - was so close to just giving up on giving up. Then started looking online at pretty gruesome pictures of what smoking does to you and that gave me the kick start I needed.

Did my second run tonight, went straight out after work so didnt have time to think about it. My breathing was so much better than last time but my legs feel like lead.

Hope I get a good nights sleep tonight as I really need a good nights sleep.

Good luck for everyone today - we can do it x

Sue-UU

warez22 wrote: »

It's weird but my mood seems to be more stable - I am not getting the ups and downs I did before. I seem to be more measured with the kids which to my shame I wasnt really before.

Hi warez and thanks for the PM. I love such a positive posting as this!! What you've noticed above AND with the lack of palpatations you've already experienced is the results of the lack of nicotine which, much against what we were told some years ago, as soon as it hits our brains it immediately fires us up..making us jumpy and on edge; so we got to the end..stubbed it out - then in around 25 mins the need and stress for another 'fix' continued the stress ball rolling. Now you can calmly relax, safe in the knowledge that your entire body....and household are living a far better and much more peaceful life.

warez22 wrote: »

I am feeling quite emotional though which isnt like me, but I suppose if you put it in the context of grieving for a lost friend it sort of figures and I am giving in to it.

You're getting the idea, warez! Also, we need to realise that we've been existing for years in a drugged-up state - little wonder that when we're 'set free' we feel much more alive and teary as a result. Give way to any tears as they're good for you and provide a natural release that we should pay heed to. You'll soon adjust.

warez22 wrote: »

Everytime I feel 'sod this, once a smoker, always a smoker' I think of how quiet my heart is after such a short space of time and it sort of helps.

You just keep right on listening to the inner you, warez, the one talking from deep inside you begging you to "keep me clean and tuned well...PLEASE!" Also, it is NOT a case of one a smoker always a smoker as I and countless others like me on these threads here have proved already. Let yourself get further away and you'll see.

BTW how far do you run? If your legs feel that bad then don't run so far or so hard for a while. The reason why your legs are suffering is a lack of oxygen over the years; it's amazing how our legs suffer due to the rest of the body grabbing all available oxygen first..leaving our poor old legs gasping as they're lower down the body! Think about it, makes sense yes?! It's also the reason why some people end up having to have 1 or both legs amputated!!!!!

I used to be a great runner, hurdler etc at school, but by the time I'd finished with fags I had legs that were barely working for me at all and felt as you describe, like lead. Allow your body the chance to get the oxygen flowing freely again and walk briskly for now rather than run; then build things up by walking briskly for 30 secs then jogging for 30 secs and repeating that way all the way round the block. Then extend it to a minute of each, but do make sure to give your legs a break by going back to the walking. Slowly build yourself up rather than rushing it or the legs will exhaust you and running won't be a pleasure. You will build them up though!

BTW, great for you in letting DH do what he wants in the shed (though I'd far sooner he gave up too)...and thank Heavens he's such a great guy in doing exactly that rather than subjecting you to the toxins!!! Don't ever be tempted to say anything to him about quitting and given time...who knows...he may in turn decide to follow your great lead - fingers crossed. Very well done indeed warez...you're well on your way and I'm delighted!!!

Sue xx



Glad to see you back, Voyager, with a very positive post too! I try to be kind and understanding though whether it always pays off or not may be a different matter of course! I'm so thrilled that you really do realise just how far you've come as 7 months is a LONG time!!! :T:T Push on and never look back as it just isn't worth subjecting yourself to risks anymore. Marvellous news about the slimming club too, if you can quit fags then you can lose the pounds and tone your body up. Just think...you'll soon be a new lady!!!! Please keep in touch and let us know of your success as it's always good to hear and acts as inspiration to others still in progress.

Sue xx


Good to see you again, Az! Well done on the stepping! I think that motivational phrase is well and truly driving you forward which is brilliant!!! I love your sentence "I've had a few cravings but managed to distract myself by going for a walk." That's what it's all about - distracting ourselves and freeing ourselves from the moments and the vicinity. Great work Az!!!

caracara wrote:

still on the good side have passed the two week mark and still doing it cold turkey

Very true indeed, caracara and that alone is truly wonderful!!!:T:T Try not to be concerned about your current feelings as it can be fairly common as we progress; it's often a case of the novelty and initial excitement wearing off a bit. Try to conquer that by taking an imaginery 'look inside your body' and see it cleansing itself more and more with each new day; begin by 'viewing' your lungs....already re-growing the hairs they desperately need!

Please caracara, keep in mind that on days when you've been stressed and felt as though you've wanted fag they are the very times to come and chat to us about it as getting feelings down is half the battle of making it far easier with continuing the journey. Always view the positive things of quitting and keep them at the forefront of your mind. Never give in caracara as ou'll only hate yourself and then - want to start quitting all over again! Bon voyage cara! It's soooooo worth the fight!! You've so much to feel proud of!! How about treating yourself to something nice - perfume maybe, now you've freed yourself of eude de nicotine. :j


Keep thinking of your health folks...there's nothing so precious!

" To get through the hardest journey we need take only ONE step at a time, but we MUST keep on stepping."

Sue x

Voyager0001

I have come to the conclusion that my D/H is a lost cause when it comes to smoking at the moment.
He said to me yesterday that he "feels so much better" now he has started again :mad:
I can't understand that statement, but each to their own!!
This has made me even more determined to carry on with my own journey and continue to be smoke free even though he has started again.
I hope you all have a good day.
Take care X

alibob_1986

morning all!
still here, 13 days today very pleased, don't even think about cigs that much, which seems amazing as 2 weeks ago they were my main "focus" almost! Pleased to say that my knitting was saved lol and i have now finished the back and am about a third of the way up the front.....loving it, keeps my hands busy and it's crazy how proud i am of my work lol.
Also, another first down.....had a first date with soemone last night. usually chain smoke my way through the getting ready and govng to meet them stage but just had a few puffs on the inhaler. he smokes too so i went out with him twice while he smoked but wasn't even slightly tempted Really determined this time, usually i am thinking of excuses to smoke when i quit but not now. My biggest test will be next weekend though, first night out since quitting. Of the 5 of us, only 2 smoke though so i will be requesting others to tie me to the chair or something if i attempt to smoke, i know that drinking is a big trigger for me, but i really don't want to smoke so im sure it will be fine!

warez22

Afternoon all,

Day 5 today, cant believe it! Still feeling positive. Went out for a run last night - my chest felt fantastic, didnt get anywhere near so out of breath as I did the first time I did it. Legs, another matter! But still made it.

Sue - I am doing the couch to 5k program which means at week one I am walking for 5 minutes, running for 60 secs, walking for 90 secs and so on for about 20 mins. I just think that I was really really unfit so was going to struggle no matter how slow I started.

Voyager0001 - I am in the same predicament as you wish regard to OH. I have just left him to it. The only thing that worries me is that we will drift apart because we arent doing things together anymore. I used to come home and sit outside with him having a fag and discuss our days. That isnt happening anymore as I am not going outside. And he stinks! But I am sure once I am not so paranoid I will get used to him being a smoker and me being a non smoker.

alib!!!986 - well done you - 13 days - knitting sounds like a fab thing to do. I was thinking of starting crocheting for the same reason.

I honestly reckon that if it wasnt for this thread and in particular Sue's support I would have been back on the fags by now.

I can't thank everyone enough for hopefully allowing me to see my children grow up and you never know now I might even get to meet my grandchildren:T

Have a good day everybody. x

Sue-UU

Voyager0001 wrote: »

DH said to me yesterday that he "feels so much better" now he has started again :mad:

This has made me even more determined to carry on with my own journey and continue to be smoke free even though he has started again.

Oh dear Voyager, I really do sympathise with you at the way your DH is behaving. To make such a statement with him already having mild COPD makes it all sound a little hard to believe. I'm beginning to wonder if he's saying such things because he can't/won't continue quitting - BUT - is very envious, even jealous, of your great success.

My only advice would be not to say a word to him and continue in your great way, though I do fear that sometime in the near future he will be forced to quit, like it or not, as his lungs won't be able to take it and he won't be able to breathe properly. I hope that isn't too alarming, though no doubt you will already know a fair bit about COPD anyway. I'm still hoping that...one of these days...something will happen to make him want to try all over again - and before his health gets worse!

Thinking of you and sending prayers up for you both, and it's YOU who should be wished (and should have) a good day.

Hugs a plenty, Sue xxx


Great to see you back, Ali..and proclaiming 13 days smoke-free is monumental!!!! :T:T Fantastic news!!! :j I'm so pleased your dear Mum was able to put the stitches back on ok, and by golly have you ever got on with it well - loving it too - splendid news!!!!! Well done with your date, especially given he smokes!

Try not to worry about next weekend as you'll be another week or so away from fags and more able to resist. Take it easy with the alcohol and don't go outside with the puffers! All being well, you'll become a wonderful example to them both!


Another good day for you too, warez, great news!!!! :T:T Sad news about you and your DH too then, how about you both chatting about how to chat and have a cuppa without him with a fag and you not being too close to him. I wish you both luck for the sake of the little ones, no doubt you'll work it out. Apologies about the couch to 5K, I'd forgotten all about that; I see what you mean now, especially having come from the couch!!! If you're wishing to take up crochet and don't know how to do it, take a look on YouTube and tap in 'beginners crochet' or 'crochet for beginners'.


Keep up with a fag-free life and no doubt you'll get to see your kiddies grow up as well as some day having great fun with your grandchildren. DH & I have loved having time time with our DD & DS, also with our DD's kiddies - in fact our eldest DGD left school in July and today got fantastic grades in her GCSE results!!!! :T:j:T She takes after her Gran you know!!!!


All best wishes everyone, you're all doing yourselves proud even if you have problems along the way, things have a way of working themselves out...time is what you need right now, along with the right amount of patience, both great ingredients!


Love and hugs to all, Sue xx