The Giving Up Smoking Thread - Part 3

Farzackerly

The SilkQuit counter tells me I've not smoked more than 1000 fags! Actually, it says 1351, but I'm still using/taking 15/day.
One thousand of the white little killers haven't gone down my lungs since the start of the year (that's not counting the ones in Nov/Dec when I halved my smoking). In normal fag terms, that's 50 packs, in my frame of reference, that's 10 packs of baccy.
If a pile of 1000 fags appeared in front of me I'd feel quite ill at the thought of working my way through them, and yet, that's what I was doing every month for years...

crazymum_2

Just wanted to pop by to say that I've got to Day 3 - woke up this morning feeling so happy, positive and pleased with myself.

(32 Days without alcohol) and Day 3 of not smoking. Pangs are much fewer for me today. Yesterday I was terribly pre-menstrual so if I can get through that one without smoking I can get through anything.

Sue - thankyou....you are so right, my Dad will be proud of me..... I know just how much it hurts him to see me smoking.... huge incentive....

Thankyou everyone for support - keep going :T

alibob_1986

I have been skulking as my birthday night out i did have a few cigs, not impressed with myself but I haven't touched one since, making today day 14 yay! I know alcohol is a major kicker for me, it's always been my downfall. Next night out won't get me though!!!!
Day to day smoking doesn't bother me at all. My OH smokes although he doesn't smoke as much around me, when he coems back I just think man that stinks so much....haha. And when he goes outside he lets all the cold in, I stay on the sofa in the warm Strangely though i found not smoking after slipping up on my birthday much tougher than not smoking when I first stopped. I nearly caved a couple of times in the last 2 weeks but thankfully decided not to be so stupid. I'm just enjoying the fact my bank balance looks so healthy

Sue-UU

Hi Farzackerly, strange how we're never inclined to think deeply about things until they stare us in the face as with your imaginary pile of fags that you've not smoked. To think that doesn't include all those you cut back from in Oct/Nov is amazing and you've saved yourself from so much! Wonderful news!!!! :T So, now down to 15 a day..any plans to try to go lower or just wait and see how you feel and if you can?

Sue x

crazymum wrote:

Just wanted to pop by to say that I've got to Day 3 - woke up this morning feeling so happy, positive and pleased with myself.

(32 Days without alcohol) and Day 3 of not smoking. Pangs are much fewer for me today. Yesterday I was terribly pre-menstrual so if I can get through that one without smoking I can get through anything.

Sue - thankyou....you are so right, my Dad will be proud of me..... I know just how much it hurts him to see me smoking.... Huge incentive....

What a fantastic post, crazymum!!! The very first paragraph says so much about the change in you ~ but ~ it's the second one that I was so delighted to read!!!!! :grinheart32 days without relying on alcohol is TREMENDOUS, add to that the 3 without fags and you really must be feeling so very, very proud of how well you've done - I know I am!!! :j:T:T:j
You set out to get a new you - without these two unnecessary crutches in your life and slowly you've started out on your journey. So often, a bit like coffee and a fag, drink and a fag have gone hand in hand for thousands of people ~ yet if they could just break one they'd be on their way to saying goodbye to both!!!!!

Your Dad will soon be seeing a whole new YOU and he'll be that proud of you and all you've achieved crazymum - more importantly though - so will YOU!!!! Not so crazy after all are you?!!!!! A day at a time is seeing you through brilliantly...keep strong, praise yourself and stay focused!!

{{{Hugs}}} Sue x


Afternoon Ali, I wouldn't dream of saying "I just knew it", but from last time I remember well that you and alcohol don't go well together and remembering it was your Birthday the other week..and you not having been back (til now) I thought it was either that you'd had some fags....OR...that you were going to come back soon and say you hadn't had any for all that time! See, I refuse to think the worst of you!

Not to worry, Ali, you're back with us and at least you haven't smoked tooooo much. Keep watching the silkquit meter and having an eye on your bank balance and press on into the smoke-free world. Your OH is welcome to be outside in the cold with the forecasted weather looming large, be sure to tell him to shut the door and come back in when the stench has gone!!!!! :whistle: Onward Ali and great to see you back! :grinheart

Sue x

flis21

Day 8 - Patches and Inhalator

Hey All,

Well, over a week now, I can't believe it. i do think it is starting to get a bit easier, altho having a drink last night did really test me. What is it about alcohol that makes you wanna smoke!! but I was good and I didn't (did use my inhalator a bit more than usual tho!).

My stats looking pretty good now - money saved £33.88, cigarettes not smoked 117!!!

Good luck to all,
Flis

clb776

Hi...I smoke 15-20 a day currently and its costing me a bomb...I cannot afford it and to be honest have no idea how I manage to (credit cards probably!!!). I quit when I was pregnant with my child (who is almost 3) but started again about 3 months after he was born...have also quit a few times since then for anything ranging from a month to 2 days (booo!). My husband has also out me on a 'cigarette diet' and will only give me 10 a day (I actually sneak to the shop and buy more and hide them....it really is a filithy habit, and this embarasses me greatly!!).

My main problem is lack of support. My husband smokes but no where near as much as me and moans about the cost. (I have tried to cut down many times, I manage for a couple of days then get back up to the 'norm') It seems to me I can either smoke or not, there is no in between. My husband continues to smoke around me and will throw cigarettes in my face when I get so moody because I want one (main reason I normally only last a couple of days.) He won't stop doing this, I have asked him...even when he moans about how much I cost him, to help me stop. His reply is 'i love smoking and do not want to stop' I say well I hate it and need your help! I know I won't get it, but I can keep as far away as ppossible from him!

The majority of my friends smoke, and most of my family. I absolutely HATE smoking in public as I feel that everyone is staring at me (I have watched a couple of people die of lung cancer...it is not nice...and I do not know why I do this to myself!).

I have been to the doctors and had an inhaler, patches, gum etc...doesnt work for me. I think my main problem is the 'smoking part' that 5 minutes to yourself, standing in the cold/rain or whatever..but the being alone and having something to do...I mean whats the point of a break at work if you don't smoke? I never eat...smoke and drink coffee!!

I have read alan carrs 'easy way to stop smoking' and found it really motivating...after 3 days I was back on the habit (not an addiction..a habit!!!!). I read the book again since, and will read it again now as I plan to quit on the 6th and will follow the instructions (ie...smoke when it says, have my last one when it says etc!).

I find that I can pass the day if I can get through that first one in the morning....the one with a cup of coffee that seems to wake you up and feel ready for the day! (probably the coffee and the being awake!). After that it doesn't seem to bother me..although I feel 'empty' I can't really describe how it is...just empty. I also get so tired that I go to bed earlier and wake up earlier (usually feeling less groggy than usual!) BUT I ALWAYS GO BACK this is the part I struggle with...the staying quit, rather than the stopping part!!!...which I know is much the same, but thats how I see it!)

Anyway, I have written this here as I come on this site alot, and I want it made public that I am going to quit! (as for my husband, friends etc..I am going to keep it quiet!). I can then be truly disgusted and embarassed if I give in as I shall write on here!!!

alibob_1986

yes I was hiding, thought I will come back when i get to the same stage as I was before I slipped up and I have beaten it now. I know a lot of people have no trouble but for me alcohol is the big problem and I think I went for a big night out too soon after quitting to be able to resist temptation. But, as you say, onwards. 2 whole weeks down now, that's good going. Oh, I finally got over the exhaustion as well which was a bonus, that was bad. I have also put on about half a stone but that's not really a problem, shame it always deposits itself on my bum however, but we can't have everything can we

Sue-UU

Hi clb776 and a very warm welcome to the thread where you can get support from us all, ex smokers and 'quitters in progress' alike, everyone pitches in as they all know how vita lit is to quit fags for good!!

Your husband wants you to cut down, but not to stop as he keep throwing cigs at you and smoking around you?!!!!! :mad: What a rotten s**** he is, if you don't mind me saying so. He should be going outside of the house for both the little one and for you so as to give you the chance you so desperately need.

I know you say you can quit all right, but it's the staying quit that you find a problem. I think all of us here have said, and meant, that in ours pasts; however, you then use every ounce of willpower you can muster, use different tips to help and read the AC book as much as you need to..over and over again if that's what it takes to quit smoking and see your little one grow up!

We CAN help you, clb776, but you need to help you too...not just the first day, but every single day on - until the cravings quell and you find there really is a great life to be had out there! You CAN show your family and especially your Husband that, taken a day at a time and without anyone throwing fags at you or smoking around you, this is possible for you!!!!

Instead of giving in to that 1st one in the morning, go straight and do something totally different, have a shower, clean your teeth, have a glass of water - anything! Alter things in your life around and do try and change from coffee to tea as coffee and fags all too often go hand in hand. So, for now, forget coffee and have tea or a cold drink, anything that moves your mind from fags.

As soon as you start quitting praise yourself on every 1/2 hr free..then every hour..a whole morning then an entire day!!! That in itself will be huge and give you the excitement and zest to wish to go onto start the next...and the next. You just keep praising yourself as you'll will have earned it!!! IF it makes things easier then have your 'you time' by having an imaginary fag! Go through all the motions using the fingers and inhaling as you would a proper one and exhaling just like you always have. DD did this to get her through and it worked a treat, why don't you try it!

Save the money and keep it so you can slowly save up and by yourself something special - you will have deserved it!!

Keep talking to us and letting go of your feelings, whatever they are - get them down on paper so to speak and follow the advice suggested. Too many folk are lost to cancer each day...you do NOT want to become a statistic you want to watch your little treasure become the person you are gradually creating. You CAN do this and we'll help you through it all and we will be praising you every step.

BTW, if ever you feel like screaming, go in in the bedroom and scream into a pillow to vent your frustration and if you need to cry, please do so as it's vital an nature's way of helping us through.

When you want to jolt yourself if you become a little weak, view your very first post above - then carry on with your quest. It's all possible clb776 IF you have the determination and the willpower to get your life back to what it used to be, to be healthy, smell beautifully and have lovely smelling fresh breath, you deserve it all so make sure you too believe that.

I'm wishing YOU all that I wished for myself all that time ago - LIFE and to to LIVE! Go on and get ready to kiss the old you away. All best wishes and many {{{hugs}}}

Sue x

Hi Flis and excellent going on 8 days of freedom!!!!! :T:T Sadly alcohol and fags are a hand in hand thing, just like coffee, and if you know you're vulnerable to either or both, they're far better to stay away from until you can very gently test the waters.

Well one on staying SO strong Flis!

Sue x

It's good to see you there, Ali! Oh that demon drink eh do try and keep away from it until you're sure you know when to leave the party or the drink or both! It's never worth risking your non-smoking record - or risk starting all over again!

I can't help with the bum, Ali, you need a different thread, but remember genetics play their part - the blighters!!!! :mad:

Well done Ali, you're doing good!

Sue x

Kiwisaver_2

clb776 wrote: »

Anyway, I have written this here as I come on this site alot, and I want it made public that I am going to quit! (as for my husband, friends etc..I am going to keep it quiet!). I can then be truly disgusted and embarassed if I give in as I shall write on here!!!

Good on ya CLB!! You need to do it for yourself and not worry about anybody else.

After reading some of the above about imagining numbers of ciggies not smoked, I just had to fire up my old laptop to take a look at my stats on Silkquit meter, it really is a great motivator.

I have not smoked for: 1 year, 1 Week, 6 Days, 1 hour and 20 minutes
I have saved $3924.08 (nearly two thousand quid)
I have not smoked: 5,670 fags. OMG, imagine that pile? (283 Packets :eek:)
Life saved: 2 weeks, 5 days and 16 hours

I vividly remember counting the hours and days so slowly it seemed at first, but time really does pass so quickly and before you know it you're into weeks and months.

Farzackerly

Sue-UU wrote: »

Hi Farzackerly, strange how we're never inclined to think deeply about things until they stare us in the face as with your imaginary pile of fags that you've not smoked. To think that doesn't include all those you cut back from in Oct/Nov is amazing and you've saved yourself from so much! Wonderful news!!!! :T So, now down to 15 a day..any plans to try to go lower or just wait and see how you feel and if you can?

Hi Sue.
I've been giving some thought to going CT and came across an ad for a hypnotherapist in the local rag. My SO suggested another local fella that does it, with great success. I will find out what the fee is, but whatever it is, it should pay back with savings made.
I don't know if I'm hypnotically suggestible - perhaps a trial would be to see if I can run around the yard clucking like a chicken