The Giving Up Smoking Thread - Part 3

kelpie35

Can someone please advise me on which of the Alan C books I would be better reading.

I am a female and have smoked for about 40 years and have to admit have always enjoyed it.

I am having to give up due to financial reasons.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Fluffy-

Hi, can I join in please? I'm nearing the end of day 2 of going cold turkey, and I cannot stop thinking about the ciggies!!

I made the decision on Saturday to finish my last pack and quit on Easter Sunday. I really haven't enjoyed it in a long time, and have been a closet smoker since I started up again when my DD was a few weeks old. I successfully quit cold turkey when I found out I was pregnant,so I know I can do it. When my DD was born, the lack of sleep got to me, and I started smoking again, but only in the garden and only when she was in bed - so most people I know don't know that I started up again! I kind of think that this time should be easier because I only smoke at certain times and never away from my garden. So I'm used to not smoking in the car, on the street etc, so I'm hoping this will help me.

anyway,fingers crossed I will be successful. I just need to stay strong and remind myself that I'm doing this for the benefit of me and my family.

Sue-UU

Hi prepathome, despite what you think, I'm very happy for you to be free from fags, I shall be even more pleased to hear when you manage to quit e-cigs too!

Sue

kelpie35 wrote: »

Can someone please advise me on which of the Alan C books I would be better reading.

I am a female and have smoked for about 40 years and have to admit have always enjoyed it.

I am having to give up due to financial reasons.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Hi kelpie and Fluffy and a very warm welcome to the thread to you both!

kelpie, the Alan Carr book most people have used here is "Easy Way". We've had extremely high success rates with people who have used it and still have folk here using that way now and very happily quitting! You may well find that after actually stopping you start to realise that you weren't so happy smoking as you'd originally thought - time will tell.

I really do hope you're able to quit, for the sake of your finances, but mostly for the sake of your health! 40 years is a long time to have smoked for so if you could quit, you'd soon find many benefits from doing so!

All the best in doing so.

Sue x

Fluffy,of course you can join us! We've had several closet smokers here before and all have successfully quit for good. There's no reason why you too can't do this! You've done marvellously already by stopping for 2 days!!! :T The first step of your journey is already taken, so be very, very proud of yourself!! :grinheart As you only smoke so minimal it perhaps shouldn't be too difficult to change your smoking habits so that you do things in slightly different ways to take the habitual cravings away.

You say you can't stop thinking of ciggies, whenever that happens turn your mind to other things in your life; bring beautiful memories straight to mind or focus on dreams you have for the future. Just think.....after today all the nicotine will be out of your system!!!!!!! :j

I LOVE your last sentence: I just need to stay strong and remind myself that I'm doing this for the benefit of me and my family.

You can do wonders with the mind, Fluffy, make yours work for you!

Sue x

Don't forget right now that you can start each day with the Quitters Pledge remember?

Quitters Pledge

"Today I promise not to smoke any cigarettes, tomorrow - if I wish - I may do."

Renew the pledge every morning on waking.
This helps in not making quitting feel as though you're planning something lifelong, it helps trick the mind in taking it all one day at a time. The lifelong part you determine for yourself when you're ready.

Here's the Silk Quit download to see how much you save, it can be a GREAT incentive.

http://www.silkquit.org/stop-smoking/quit-meter.aspx

kelpie35

Thank you for the warm welcome. :beer:

I have order the book and also downloaded Spiceworks.

I am determined to stop and will not buy any more fags even if I have not received the book by the time I have run out.

I will probable be on here if I need help as I really do not know how I will get on.

Please keep your fingers crossed that I succeed.

Sue-UU

Well done kelpie! You sound far more determined than ever now, I truly wish you well and don't forget to come here whenever you need/wish to. Whether it's to have a moan or for advice, this is the place to come and give vent - and to shout from the rooftops about how far you've come!

You'll be stopping at much the same time as Fluffy and it's surprising how you will be both be able to help each other through. I'll send you a PM with some tips and help, take a good read through and see if you can help yourself even further. Don't forget the Quitters Pledge in my post above!

All the very best, that's exactly what you deserve! BTW, do you mean Silk Quit of is Spiceworks something I've not hear of?

Sue x

Fluffy-

Thanks so much Sue

Kelpie - I used one of Alan Carr's book last time. I found it really helpful. I would read it again but I gave it away when I finished with it.

Day 3 here, and everywhere I read, it says the first 72 hours are the hardest, so I just take it one part of a day at a time. My DD will wake from her nap soon, and normally I would have had 3 cigs during her nap. I'm just trying to keep busy, so have nipped to the post office and cleaned my floors. When I was at the shop I saw that they sold Vogue Menthe - not seen those in ages - I used to love them! But I didn't get any.

Since I stopped, I've felt really lethargic and gone to bed early - is this a usual symptom?

mazza111

Yes yes yes.

All I've done since I stopped smoking is clean and sleep. Nicotine is a stimulant. So guess I was getting more of it with my cigs than I am with the patches/oral spray.

Apples, Water and more Water are the best advice I can give anyone.

I am dreading stepping on the scales. I really can't afford to put weight on with my dodgy knees. So have some lovely Golden delicious and lots and lots of water!!! Whether it's sticking my hands in it or drinking it.

Ordered myself a nice pair of jeans with the money I saved. Avoided picking them up from collect + because they sell cigs :rotfl:
Finally bit the bullet and picked them up without buying cigs. :T

Been spending more time in the garden, even though it's freeeeeeeeeezing. My seedlings are all looking good. And one of my chili plants has it's first flowers. Loving the new greenhouse. Gives me something to do with my time and hands.

Keeping busy seems to be the best option all round

Sue-UU

Fluffy- wrote: »

Since I stopped, I've felt really lethargic and gone to bed early - is this a usual symptom?

Good to hear you sounding so very positive, Fluffy! If you feel tired since giving up smoking, please don't worry! Some people are affected by this whereas others feel completely the opposite and energised. It's just another side effect of your body adjusting to the lack of nicotine. Nicotine speeds up the metabolism to an unnaturally high level, which means that without the nicotine, your metabolism slows down to adjust. This causes your energy levels to drop, but it's only temporary and will soon return to normal.

For now, boost your energy levels by avoiding sugary and processed foods. I know I say it a lot - but drink plenty of water! Have snacks consisting of seeds, nuts and dried fruit, don't have too many at a time, but a few 3 or 4 times a day do help. Take a short, brisk walk when you're feeling tired and take a break from what you're doing, it honestly does help to divert the concentration to something totally different. Then relax and always make sure you eat a good healthy breakfast which will keep you going through the morning. Try a similar healthy lunch and so forth. Your body WILL right itself, just give it chance.

I used to like a menthol ciggie now and again, but wouldn't give you tuppence for those or any others now - yunk!

I'm so pleased you're on Day 3!!! You're doing yourself so proud!

Bon voyage!

Sue x

Maz, you really are sounding so different this time, what with a new greenhouse to occupy yourself and growing things too, it's something great to be thinking about as well as tinkering about in! Good for you, I'm really proud of you!

If you keep up with the water and apples and anything you know is healthy...along with brisk walks you can't fail to reach a time to get into those jeans - and - you'll have less weight to cart around; just think of the huge sigh of relief from your knees!!! :eek: :rotfl:

You're going freat guns, Maz!!! :T

Sue x

mazza111

Can't do the brisk walking hon, maybe a slow crawl lol. Especially if DD is with me :rotfl:

Got myself a rowing machine, just to get the knees/hips moving, thought it might also move the shoulder but it takes me so long to get down onto it, and back up off it, it feels like that's enough exercise atm :rotfl:

Erme

You know why the pressure to stop e-cigs? I mean - this is no smoking thread not no nicotine?

I'm kind of on the fence right now about stopping the e-cig....would like to get to a low dose but in no rush to stop. Even if I do it'll have taken me about a year at the earliest estimate and it's so much better than cigs.

You know I had really bad addiction to cigs and it wasn't something that allen carr or generic methods could overcome. Literally I've lost count how many times docs have told me to 'go back on the cigs - you're getting too sick'

This thread is getting scary and unsupportive again

E