The Giving Up Smoking Thread - Part 3

Sue-UU

Well done to you BOTH girls!!! :T:T That's great news, the sort that you should be so thrilled to give out!

Well done with the list, Part Mouse! Keep on viewing it at any weak moments - and don't forget The Quitters Pledge (above or over page)

Keep it up and.......how about popping the savings into a pot?!!!!! hollieinbloom's already with us at the "Sealed Pot Challenge 5" thread, Part Mouse, if you wish to join us then click here it helps us all regularly save. However, if not, try and pop what you save in a tin/jar and treat yourself at a given time. All things like this add to your will-power and to your LIVES!!!!

Go girls together and don't forget the exercise along with fruit and hobbies!!! You CAN both do it...and be ahead of the New Year folk.

Sue xx

Part_Mouse

Thanks Sue, was already thinking about the savings from not buying 20 today. Been to the gym this morning. I cycle when the weather is nicer but since starting smoking again iv'e really noticed my chest getting very tight.

xx

Fundamental_2

Hi all

For those that have given up recently- do keep trying- every minute/hour/day/week it gets easier; and as time passes the cigs are no longer the obsession that they are now. It happens slowly and almost imperceptibly but you will start to get on with your life without thinking about cigs at all- I know that seems impossible right now but it really is true.

One other thing I thought I would share and that relates to money: As you will see, many people quitting will add up the the amount they are spending on cigs each day/week and come up with a figure they are spending each year. This is often a shocking figure and is reason alone to quit. I would also suggest using figure to calculate the amount you would spend if you continued to smoke for your whole life- this is a truly shocking figure! Most people do not see smoking as a 'whole life' habit- they think they will stop at some point but unless they take that step they really will lose the huge amount of money they have calculated.

One last thing which only occurred to me in the last couple of weeks was that although I had worked out how much I was saving each week I hadn't put that money aside in a jar. I did, however, find that I had much more money in my pocket than usual- and money left in the bank at the end of the week. I could walk into a shop with a tenner in my pocket and not have to work out how much I had to spend after I had purchased my cigs. I could buy my daughter and myself little treats and we have begun to visit the cinema lots more to. These small things make a big difference when viewed together- you have them all to come and are so much worth the effort.

Good luck and keep up the good work.

FDM

Part_Mouse

Fundamental wrote: »

Hi all

For those that have given up recently- do keep trying- every minute/hour/day/week it gets easier; and as time passes the cigs are no longer the obsession that they are now. It happens slowly and almost imperceptibly but you will start to get on with your life without thinking about cigs at all- I know that seems impossible right now but it really is true.

One other thing I thought I would share and that relates to money: As you will see, many people quitting will add up the the amount they are spending on cigs each day/week and come up with a figure they are spending each year. This is often a shocking figure and is reason alone to quit. I would also suggest using figure to calculate the amount you would spend if you continued to smoke for your whole life- this is a truly shocking figure! Most people do not see smoking as a 'whole life' habit- they think they will stop at some point but unless they take that step they really will lose the huge amount of money they have calculated.

One last thing which only occurred to me in the last couple of weeks was that although I had worked out how much I was saving each week I hadn't put that money aside in a jar. I did, however, find that I had much more money in my pocket than usual- and money left in the bank at the end of the week. I could walk into a shop with a tenner in my pocket and not have to work out how much I had to spend after I had purchased my cigs. I could buy my daughter and myself little treats and we have begun to visit the cinema lots more to. These small things make a big difference when viewed together- you have them all to come and are so much worth the effort.

Good luck and keep up the good work.

FDM

Well done i can't wait for the urrge to smoke to go.Caved in and popped a nic chewing gum in, not to bad i suppose.

Sue-UU

That's not bad at all, Part Mouse, then in time you can wean yourself off them by using ordinary gum.

Well thought out, FDM, there's also this meter below and that's brilliant.

For those having just or recently quit, here is the link for the Silk Quit meter to see how many cigs you haven't smoked and how much life you've saved, also how much cash you've saved! If you want to download it click here

Keep at it everyone and pretty soon you'll find your whole life is no longer ruled by fags and it's YOU who'd in control and NOT old Nic!!!

*******************************************************************************************************

Copy the piece below off and take heed of it at times when you know you should.

'Every Little Helps'

Smokey Thinking I just need one cigarette to take the edge off these cravings


Clear Thinking Cravings become weaker and less frequent with every day that I don’t smoke. Even just one puff will feed the cravings and make them Stronger.

Smokey Thinking It’s been a long day. I deserve a cigarette.


Clear Thinking I deserve a reward after a long day, but there are better rewards than a cigarette. A favourite meal, a funny movie, or a hot shower will help me relax without ruining my quit attempt.


Smokey Thinking The urge to smoke is just too strong. I can’t stand it.

Clear Thinking Even the strongest cravings last less than 3 minutes. The urge will go away whether I smoke or not, and smoking now will just make it even harder for me to quit later. I can find something else to do—anything—until the craving goes away.


Smokey Thinking I blew it. I smoked a cigarette. I might as well go ahead and finish the pack.


Clear Thinking I am still learning how to be a non-smoker. It’s normal to make some mistakes. But I don’t have to smoke that next cigarette. I can learn from this mistake and keep going.


Smokey Thinking I can’t deal with never being able to have another cigarette for the rest of my life.


Clear Thinking I only have to deal with today. Quitting happens one day at a time, sometimes one hour at a time! The future will take care of itself.

Sue x

Part_Mouse

Grest thinking Sue, just popped to the shop to get my oh some coke but didn't buy any cigs

hollieinbloom

Went to Tesco and walked past the tobacco....it was so difficult as they were staring at me! I felt like I had the angel and devil on my shoulder telling me to buy some! but the angel won and i walked past and went and got lots of apples had the shakes earlier.... felt rather horrible! It's nice to know other people struggled like I am now! I feel much better talking about it with you all than with family as they don't smoke and don't really get how hard it is to quit! x

lantanna

I wish you all the best with your journey. Your a stronger person than. I gave up smoking for roughly 2 months and put on 2 stone ..............which I'm not happy about at all. I'm still not smoking in work and only when at home but am still carrying round the two stone that I put on.

I found that when your really craving a cigarrette the money incentive can seem pretty irrelevant to you after a while and the health benefits are what I was focusing on. It is truly awful and only someone who has stopped or has tried to stop will no what you are going through. Best of luck with it.

Sue-UU

hollieinbloom wrote: »

It's nice to know other people struggled like I am now! I feel much better talking about it with you all than with family as they don't smoke and don't really get how hard it is to quit! x

Well done hollieinbloom, you too Part Mouse, you've both put yourselves in harm's way, in a sense, today and WON through, what great first to achieve! Now, if you've made it til the end of the day..that Day 1 under your belts already!!!!! :j:j I'm so very chuffed for you girls - be oh so proud of yourselves, you've every right to be!

I quite agree with your quoted part above, Hollie, no one can fully understand if they haven't smoked, some try so hard which is great, but it's not quite the same. These threads are marvellous.

All the best for a GREAT 2nd day girls - you've made Day 1, now carry on one day at a time - and don't forget The Quitters Pledge when you get up tomorrow! Together you CAN do it!!!

Sue xx

Hi lantanna, I agree completely with your thoughts about the savings as finances can get better and it's always possible that folk may then go back to smoking - but - having first made health the priority savings is a great 2nd and gives that extra incentive and a little more t focus on. Apart from that, a lot of people on MSE need to give it up pronto due to money and what I've tried to do is advise that it's best to save their cash as they go or it will soon fritter away on other things.

If you don't mind me saying so, 2 stone is a heck of an amount to whack on in 2 months!! :eek: Why not stop the home time smokes and step up the fruit and exercise by doing so much per day then gradually increasing it bit by bit. If you're not careful you'll almost swap one habit for another and have more probable health issues. Keep going strong lantanna and you could be saying cheerio to smoking for keeps!! :grinheartAll best wishes!

Sue x

Fundamental_2

hollieinbloom wrote: »

Went to Tesco and walked past the tobacco....it was so difficult as they were staring at me! I felt like I had the angel and devil on my shoulder telling me to buy some! but the angel won and i walked past and went and got lots of apples

That you managed to do that shows the power of your resolve- well done you.

FDM