The Giving Up Smoking Thread - Part 3

DUKE

Just had my 3rd year anniversary. Well done all, you can do this!

Lotus-eater

I've just got to 5 months without cigarettes and it feels amazing

I've got more lung power, I've stopped wheezing, I can breathe in deeper, I can really feel the difference.
I don't smell anymore, ugh, when my BIL comes round, he absolutely stinks, I can't believe I made my OH put up with that for so long..... I can't believe she did put up with it for so long either tbh I don't think I would have been so understanding the other way round.

I was always very embarrassed that I smoked, I knew it was stupid, I am one big dum dum, thankfully I actually managed to stop, after trying for years and years.

Oh and my taste buds came back into life, which was a surprise :rotfl: so this is how a mouth should taste....

Sue-UU

Money_maker wrote: »

Have just read bits here and there on this thread. Have appointment with the nurse on tuesday about stopping. Inspired by a customer who has stopped after over 20 years. She said it was so easy and has one of the little white plastic inhalery thingamabobs! Will be far from easy for me but having discovered our monthly spend on smokes, it's like a mortgage round our necks.

Haven't spoken to DH about this yet, thought I would get myself set up then speak to him afterwards. Hopefully I can ban him smoking anywhere near me (!) and he might think about stopping. Although we smoke similar quantities, I think he is slightly more dependant on them but listening to his breathing, I reckon they will probably kill him eventually if I can't persuade him to quit.

Will also dig out my Alan Carr book I bought a few years ago but never took the plastic wrapping off.

Hi Money maker and a very warm welcome! Very well done on taking that first great step in getting an appointment with your Cessation Nurse. Take in her advice, but also ask her about the little white plastic inhalery thingamabobs and listen to what she advises. Many people her have had success with inhalators and if you read all the way through your Alan Carr book you may find that alone extremely helpful, encouraging too! We've had so much success with his book on this and the last 2 threads, so give it a try!

Your DH's health doesn't sound too good and if he could quit then he'd be feeling so much better; amazingly men have a far better chance of quitting than us women (PMT and hormones) so it would be well worth him trying with an NRT aid. PLEASE don't let him smoke near you as it's not at all fair to you - and it you're the one who's prepared to trim your expenditure, he can at least be helping you in that way! BTW, if you quit or start to quit he may even think of doing the same, but leave him to come to his decision don't badger him.

You've said it won't be anywhere near easy to quit - but - some folk find it soooo much easier than they'd ever thought possible, so go into it with an open mind...expecting the best and prepared for nothing less as this CAN be done!!! I used to think differentlyuntil I tried, but it's been the best thing I've ever done!! Try to cut down between now and when you see the Nurse and please, whatever you decide, do let us know how things go and what you've decided.

Here is the silkquit meter link, well worth downloading once you begin quitting http://www.silkquit.org/stop-smoking/quit-meter.aspx

All best wishes, Sue x

Hiya Flis and brilliant news in to that first week FREE from fags!!!!! :T You've succeeded in a whole week, Flis, keep it going and now, day by day, look towards your next goal of the 2nd!!!! You CAN do this and you know it...it's gradually getting your finances sorted too! Be sooo proud of yourself Flis as what you're doing is HUGE!!!!

Sue x :grinheart

crazymum that is fantastc news! Day 2 is immense and to be very proud of you...as your Dad will be! Little by little you'll soon begin to remember you have stopped and it won't be second nature to think of fags as it is now. Stay strong - and don't forget to find something to immerse yourself and your thoughts into! You've begun your journey and I'm very proud for you and of you.

Sue x

THREE WEEKS, jacflash??! :eek: You've done remarkably well all the way through and I am soooo chuffed for you! :T:T:T Giveyourself a HUGE pat on the back and how about treating yourself to a little something to give you a real boost - or are you leaving it to that first m----h? I'm not saying it...typing it either!

Excellent news about dropping a cartridge, I quite agree with your thoughts on that. So, we've another who loves the sticker motivation from the NHS Quit Kit pack..whatever way you find is good then it's GREAT!!! Very well done, jacflash especially at times of PMT etc - that is fantastic!

Keep it up and stay strong!

Sue x

Hi there Davey!!!!! You are doing marvellously!!!!! :T:T:T I've just checked it out (mentally, so allow a bit eh? ) and that's 19 and a half (a half???) weeks FREE from all the evils of smoking which is tremendous news!!!!! :j All that money saved (with a good amount spent already too) and now you can look forward to a lovely time in Portugal with your GF and know it's all down to quitting fags!!!!!

I quite agree with the CM readings and how they can fluctuate depending if people walk by traffic-laden roads to the Nurse etc. We used to have 1 girl here who worked in a warehouse unloading stock form lorries - hers was always so high!

The group hugs are so perverse! It's a wonder they haven't found new ones or maybe they too get a laugh out of them - or worse!!! Have one of these Davey, far safer! :kisses3: Great to see you!

Sue x

Hi again FDM and WHAT some terrific stats you have!!!! :eek::eek: 12 WEEKS free and you're doing so amazingly well!!!! :T:T:T Congratulations FDM and well done on getting a different way to view the visits to your Brother, have a really good time!

I know exactly what you mean about the feeling you get when seeing folk smoking, and for me (as well as pity for them not having seen the light, so to speak) it is accomplishment that I feel and it's terrific - we've taken on a new way of life!!!! No high fives here yet then.

All best wishes.

Sue x

Very well done, Lotus-eater!!! :T:T5 months is a long time and you should be very proud of what you've achieved.

DUKE wrote: »

Just had my 3rd year anniversary. Well done all, you can do this!

Hi there DUKE and V e r y ... m a n y... c o n g r a t u l a ti o n s thank you so very, very much indeed for coming back to tell us of your wonderful news and really GREAT success in quitting for real!!!! :T:T:T:T:T:T Keep us updated, please. Thanks and best wishes,

Sue x

paidinchickens

Hello

Day four :j

Started to think this is easy but then I get a huge pang that puts me in my place :rotfl::rotfl:

Browning on fingers has improved 50% and walked to the shops last night with better ease on the ole lungs even though it was freezing

PIC x

Lotus-eater

paidinchickens wrote: »

Browning on fingers has improved 50%

I'd forgotten about that :eek: Horrible, I used to be so embarrassed of my brown fingers

Amy83

Just posting to say I've reached day 7 :jWanted to keep myself accountable as I'm slipped up around this time on a few occassions and thought that I was now a non-smoker so could have 'just the one cig' to celebrate (logic of a smoker eh?!)

I've set up a ISA to pay the money straight into that I would have spent on smoking, hopefully that'll keep me motivated watching the pennies grow

It's good to see that everyone is doing so well, KEEP IT UP!

spicyprawn

Sue-UU wrote: »

Hi again spiceyprawn,

Have a read through the PM I've sent and take note of the 'missing friend' part, that affected me a lot after stopping smoking though I didn't realise exactly what it was til a good while after.

Try hard to pick up an old hobby after the kiddies have gone to bed or think of a new one to start up. You need something challenging to do so it takes up your concentration. The trouble is that we've been so linked into fags being part of all we do; the day time ones we didn't take much notice of as it's part of the daily routine. Night time was always known to be the time to relax....need I say more! So, find something good (plenty of scope there!!! ) to put your mind to (body too maybe).

If it's possible and safe then a quick walk round the block would help, but only if it is safe! Exercise DVDs are good to work out with and will release the endorphins into the brain and make you feel food, but the main thing is a hobby; have a google and see what sparks your interest.

Re the 1st highlighted part, especially the part in red; are you sure your DH isn't guilty because he's smoking in the house???! Please, if he is ask him if he'd kindly have it at the back door or right outside, that way you'll all keep far healthier and he won't feel so guilty!

Re the part about Saturday - look forward to it by all means, just take it easy with the alcohol please as it's messed up many a new quitter!

With all you do, keep looking upon quitting as you not losing ou on anything, but gaining in every way possible. Be kind to yourself spicy and be smoke-free and so so proud o every step forward! :j

Sue x

Thanks again for your PM Sue. I am into crafts/sewing and have been for a while so keeping that up and its nice just to get on with it rather than stopping for a fag.
I have a wii so I have been doing some of the dance games at night too, trying to involve my legs aswell :rotfl:
I went round our friends today and felt fine, no cravings. Also I don't drink at all and never will as I hate the taste hehe

I am seeing the positives of everything even when I start getting stresses I just think its not worth stressing about and smoking will only add to the stress

Thanks again

Spicy

Fundamental_2

Lotus-eater wrote: »

I'd forgotten about that :eek: Horrible, I used to be so embarrassed of my brown fingers

Me too- I used to get that quite badly after a heavy drinking/smoking session when I rolled my own. I was highly embarrassed when someone would spot it- yuk - but another positive to praise ourselves for!!!

NickJW

Hi All

I've been reading the thread daily, but haven't posted. Just thought I would come on to say it's day 24 of not smoking now :T

Sounds strange but I've kind of 'brainwashed' myself into thinking I have never smoked. It's not something I really think about until someone blows smoke into my face as I walk down the road. And even then it's not a 'Mmm - I want a cigarette', it's more a 'How rude was that person blowing smoke in my face like that - do they not have any consideration for others!' :rotfl::p

So 24 days non-smoking, breathing easier, HAPPIER and richer by £146.64!

Thanks for all the support and keep it up everybody! :j

Sue-UU

paidinchickens wrote: »

Day four :j

Browning on fingers has improved 50% and walked to the shops last night with better ease on the ole lungs even though it was freezing

Marvellous news, PIC and thanks for reminding me about those awful brown fingers! Oh, how embarrassing that was, believe it or not I used to be that bothered that I used to use either a pumice stone to get it off..or a brillo pad!!!!! Thank Heavens those days are long gone!

Its' good you've noticed the difference with the lungs - especially in cold spells, that's when mine were so much worse. Go on PIC, keep going strong onto Day 5!!!

Sue x

Lovely to see you still doing so very well, Amy. Congratulations on getting through the first FULL WEEK fag-free!!! Keep yourself focused and don't allow complacency to get the better of you, though I don't believe you will as you're ready for it rearing it's ugly head - this time. Stay strong and determined and always remember, we're with you and thinking of you!!

Sue x

spicyprawn wrote:

I am into crafts/sewing and have been for a while so keeping that up and its nice just to get on with it rather than stopping for a fag.
I have a wii so I have been doing some of the dance games at night too, trying to involve my legs aswell :rotfl:

I am seeing the positives of everything even when I start getting stresses I just think its not worth stressing about and smoking will only add to the stress

You're welcome, Spicy. I love it when folks get prepared so well with things to occupy their minds and get their bodies into gear and all you've written about above is exactly the type of thing I have in mind and works both in such a great way! I've got the wii and dance routines too, aren't they GREAT!!!!!! :j ....and if only everyone could be like you with such a splendid stress outlook!!!! :T In fact it's smoking that causes most stress we've felt, as soon as we light up it starts it going, and as soon as we finish it...it begins for the next. You're doing brilliantly, Spicy, excellent!!

Sue x

Hi Nick! That time went by quickly, very well done indeed on having 24 good days behind you...you've gained so much!!!! :T:T If 'brainwashing' yourself into thinking you've never smoked is working then keep doing so. We all need, if possible, to try our best to find something like that to help us through, that's the secret of doing so well so quickly. Re people blowing smoke in people's faces is disgusting - and I bet they'd be first to complain about too! Marvellous work Nick.

Sue x

Keep up that terrific work EVERYONE, it's amazing what folk working together are capable of achieving, it drives you on just knowing others are going through all the feelings you are. You CAN do this so long as you keep the willpower and determination up and occupy your mind and body!

Sue x