The Giving Up Smoking Thread - Part 3

hollieinbloom

plan to Quit cold turkey in january. When my last pack of fags are all smoked up as i know if i were to set a date and bin the rest of the fags, i'd be in the bin looking for them by lunchtime!.
I started smoking at 15 and now am 21. so 6 years of 10 a day thats a lot of pennies and black lungs ! I have a 2 and a half year old daughter and a lovely home so i want to quit for her and my partner as we are always looking to save money and I think smoking is eating up way too much of our budget.
My partner doesn't smoke so it's not really fair for me to be spending £20 a week sometimes more!!. looking forward to quitting! i have bought a tin from Homebargains which needs to opened with a can opener so i will be putting all cigarette money into it to see how much i'm saving! i think the thought of a tin full of £1 and £2 coins is more exciting that a little white stick!! x

Fundamental_2

Hey all

I've been lurking on MSE for a good while and joined today to post here.

I was smoking for 30 years until 5 weeks ago. That seems really stupid to me now when I type it- 30 years of filling my lungs with the stuff and wasting all that money. I've lost count of the number of times I have given up- ranging from a few minutes (!) to 2 years!!!!

Anyway, I'm using the Allen Carr book- well, the audio version. I have downloaded it to my phone and listen to it every waking moment. I've tried all the usual methods but none have seemed to work for me- but this book really appeals to my logical side- a kind of brainwashing to rid me of the brainwashing if you will.

I'm not saying it's been really easy but it hasn't been as difficult as other attempts. The audio has helped immensely and I feel that I have broken the back of it but realise I still have a long way to go. I already feel healthier and I have noticed the extra money in my pocket- these help for self-support.

If I can help anyone with a bit of reassurance/advice/support then please do get in touch. Even if it's just to talk over a small issue.

Best wishes

FDM

Sue-UU

hollieinbloom wrote:

My partner doesn't smoke so it's not really fair for me to be spending £20 a week sometimes more!

Never mind it not being fair with spending the cash, hollie...it's not fair on your lungs either and that is the most important thing!!! You're fortunate (very wise too) that you have only been smoking for 6 years, so give it up asap and you'll be doing extremely well - also, as your little girl is so young she will barely be able to remember Mum smoking!

Get yourself all psyched up for your quit date, and try to get hold of an Alan Carr book or audio tape/cd to help you with. We've had so much success with his books etc so there's no reason why it won't help you. It'll also help that little bit more as you're going cold turkey.

One of our current 'quitters in progress' is "Kahunababy", she's using the AC method and is getting on marvellously! Go back over her posts and you'll see what I mean. As soon as you're ready come back onto the thread for support from Day 1 onwards and we will help you all we can! Well done for doing this asap! I'll send you a PM in a moment too.

A very Merry Christmas and Happy, healthy New Year to you too, this could be the best for a long time! BTW, read through Fundamental's post below yours..a LOT of help there for YOU!

Sue x

Very well done indeed, Fundamental!!! :T A very warm welcome to MSE and to the thread. There's been so very much success with AC's books/CHs and now the apps. People do find immense help with him so stick with it and lets hope you free yourself for good!!!

Just imagine - no more thinking to yourself "Oh my lungs must look disgusting!" It's time to look to the future - not to look back, you can't alter the past but you can really make such a difference to the future and make it a far healthier one and regain those pink lungs over time!!

I'm sending you a PM with more helpful tips, but for now, keep right on listening to the app and gaining the brainwashing to keep old Nic right out of your life. IF ever you're tempted in the future - whip out the app and never, ever give in, it's just NOT worth it..and life IS good without fags in it, it gets better in fact!!! :grinheart

Keep us updated on your progress and come on here as often as you wish, in time you may well be able to help others here too!

Sue x

Hi there Tippytoes!! :hello:It's sooo good to see you proudly back and telling us about your 2 years..it's absolutely fantastic!!!

V e r y....m a n y....c o n g r a t u l a ti o n s Tippytoes!!!! :T:T:T:T

Please stick to your promise of coming back again next year, we'd love to see you. All the best with the weight, though it doesn't seem as though it's a huge problem at all. WELL DONE, Tippy!!!!

A...V e r y...M e r r y... C h r i s t m a s... a n d ... a... H a p p y, H e a l t h y... N e w... Y e ar, e v e r y o n e !!

Sue xx

[Deleted User]

Well done to all of you. :beer:

I stopped smoking on 13th Jan this year, and really have never looked back, but since I stopped smoking my sleep patterns have changed and never gone back. I seem to wake really easily now, once or twice a night, and it's driving me mad, I used to go to bed at around 11pm and wake at 6am, but no more. I've tried Kalms sleep but still wake a few hours later.

Also, I have put on weight, which I HATE, I really must find that steely resolve that I had back in January to change my eating habits. I've always been one of those irritating people who could eat anyhing and not put weight on, but no more....

Any tips and suggestions would be welcome, because I am so happy to be a non-smoker, just wish I was a slimmer one getting more sleep!

Sorry, just having a bit of a rant, please don't let my moaning put you off. As much as I hate putting on weight, I will never go back to the cigs. x

Fundamental_2

Hi Sue

Thanks for the warm welcome and also for the PM- lots of useful info I hadn't thought of.

One thing that really hit home for me was focusing on the message that if I did relent and have a cigarette- then that one cig was not the problem- it was the one after that and the one after that etc.... It's a myth to think it was just the 1; concentrating on that really helped me to avoid having that first one.

Thanks again

FDM

Lippycow

Fundamental wrote: »

Hey all

I've been lurking on MSE for a good while and joined today to post here.

I was smoking for 30 years until 5 weeks ago. That seems really stupid to me now when I type it- 30 years of filling my lungs with the stuff and wasting all that money. I've lost count of the number of times I have given up- ranging from a few minutes (!) to 2 years!!!!



FDM

I know how you feel i smoked for 40 years:eek: what a waste and now 10 months cig free...GOOD LUCK:T

Sue-UU

Hi there goochie and very many congratulations on 11 months free of those nasty little blighters!!!! :T:T:T

Being totally honest, do you get much exercise? If not then please try to work off the excess you've put on by gradually building up a routine. The further on you get add extra to it, doing that will make you really physically tired and you'll enjoy far better nights as a result. Try adding a couple of brisk walks, then when you get more used to that, take it up a notch so you're walking faster and for longer periods. IF you're not used to too much exercise (be honest mind) then see your Dr and get checked out before doing too much exericse.

IF you don't eat too healthily then try hard to do so: Drink a lot of water every day, aim for at least a glass every hour, but don't have one closer to a meal than 1/2 hr or it'll wash away the enzymes you need to digest the meal. Water helps us to feel full...don't take my word for it..try it..tonight!

Use smaller dinner plates to trick the mind that you're having as much as you used to. Don't eat after 8pm but if you're peckish have a few nuts, or some sunflower hearts, both are great to nibble on but not too many of the nuts. First signs of feeling 'hungry' reach for a glass of water it'll fill you! Another good filler-upper is Ice Poles/Pops, buy them in a box (unfrozen) in a supermarket, take them home to freeze then when you're peckish have some water then follow it up with an ice pop/pole, they last a fair while and are refreshing, they also distract you!

Another thing to try is: Google "tapping" and it's bound to come up with Paul Mckenna and possibly a video on UTube, give it a go! One thing NOT to do is sleep or take naps in the day!!! They will ruin your sleep! I wouldn't mind betting that you'll feel much better if you eat healthily, cut out stodgy food and exercise a lot! I've got one other idea, but I'll send that in a PM - no, it's not dirty!!!! Come on back here IF you don't get any joy.

All brst wishes, Sue xx

You're most welcome, FDM. It is true about trying "just that one puff/one fag...back up that miserable road all over again! Don't forget we're here!

Sue x

Fundamental_2

goochie wrote: »

Well done to all of you. :beer:

I stopped smoking on 13th Jan this year, and really have never looked back, but since I stopped smoking my sleep patterns have changed and never gone back. I seem to wake really easily now, once or twice a night, and it's driving me mad, I used to go to bed at around 11pm and wake at 6am, but no more. I've tried Kalms sleep but still wake a few hours later.

Also, I have put on weight, which I HATE, I really must find that steely resolve that I had back in January to change my eating habits. I've always been one of those irritating people who could eat anyhing and not put weight on, but no more....

Any tips and suggestions would be welcome, because I am so happy to be a non-smoker, just wish I was a slimmer one getting more sleep!

Sorry, just having a bit of a rant, please don't let my moaning put you off. As much as I hate putting on weight, I will never go back to the cigs. x

Hi there- well done on the success so far

Regarding the sleep, my experience on previous attempts is that after giving up, the senses are improved/heightened. Weirdly for me, smell and hearing were more acute and the hearing part may be affecting you in the night. Why not try to use some ear plugs and eyeshades for a few nights to see if that makes a difference; you can buy little travel packs in the pound shops- worth a try.

Good luck

Cheers FDM

[Deleted User]

Hi Sue, thanks for your tips.

Just to answer a few of your points.

I swim 3 mornings a week at 6.30am for 1.25 kilometres a time. Also, I am a dog owner so get lots of walks too.

IF you don't eat too healthily then try hard to do so: Drink a lot of water every day, aim for at least a glass every hour, but don't have one closer to a meal than 1/2 hr. I do eat fairly healthily, but I just need to accept that my metabolism has changed and I can't eat everything I used to - I do eat more sweets and chocolate than I ever used to, but not loads. I think cutting those out, cutting back in the vino and smaller portion sizes are going to be the key to my success. I also drink 2 litres of water a day.

Use smaller dinner plates to trick the mind that you're having as much as you used to. Don't eat after 8pm - I never eat after 8pm.

Another thing to try is: Google "tapping" and it's bound to come up with Paul Mckenna and possibly a video on UTube, give it a go! Never heard of this.

One thing NOT to do is sleep or take naps in the day!!! The chance would be lovely, but doesn't happen.


Thanks again, was just having a moan, all will improve given time and effort I am sure.

Sue-UU

Hi again goochie,



Well done with the exercise you're already doing, all in all it sounds as though you're doing pretty well. However, yes your metabolism will slow down, but if when walking you can start off at a normal rate, then after about 5 mins, go more briskly, then again after another 5 mins more briskly again and so forth - those are the things that help boost our metabolism and obviously you will then lose weight. Things such as climbing the stairs several times a day help in the same way too. Yes, you probably say you do already, but - if you do wish to lose it - then up the pace and amount of times per day, it's all good for the met rate.

Ahh...chocolates and sweets...bloomin things! :mad: I gave them up as they were giving me a few unwanted pounds, so now instead of having actual chocolate I have a small kitkat (mostly wafer with just a little choc), not the 4 finger ones as I know I'd eat them all.!! So keep it down as much as possible, the same with sweets...though I did cut those right out. I was eating a fair few everton mints (blessed things) I managed to stop them completely and am much better as a result.

Good for you with not eating after 8pm.

Do Google 'tapping' and give it a try, a lot of folk do that to help quit smoking too.

Apart from that maybe you should live life as your signature suggests (!!) - but the sleeping would truly benefit hugely if you could cut back on a lot of the sweet stuff.

Why not give all of it a try for a month as well as exercising more briskly and further, the stair climbing too to kick start the metabolism and see what difference there is. If you're happy with it build on it again - but do give the 'tapping' a try when you're tempted with sweet stuff..there's nothing to lose apart from weight! It will all be great for your heart too.

Best wishes goochie and carry on being so proud of having quit the fags, wonderful work!

Sue x