My Quitting Smoking Diary - yours too!

Sue-UU

A very warm welcome to the thread, Chris, falldown7timesgetup8 and Amanda0612!

determined as given you great advice, Chris, smoke a couple then chuck the rest or give them to a smoker. You CAN do this and no doubt you will, especially as your health is telling you it's time to say no more!

During the vulnerable times, try and keep away from shops and pubs, they are the places where folk can sometimes get sucked in to 'having just one' or 'just one puff', but it never works as we all know, and before we know it we're back with Nic again!

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Try starting each day with the Quitters Pledge remember below.

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.

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Onward from here, Chris and all best wishes!


Sue xx

OK then, getup8, all well and good you should be fagless today, I really do hope so and that you'll stay like that. Would the Quitters Pledge above help you at all??

You also CAN beat the evil weed so stick with us and KNOW that we'll see you through any bad times as well as all the good!

Best wishes with such a great new venture!

Sue xx

VERY WELL DONE, Amanda!!! :T:T You're doing sooooo very well indeed and I'm hoping you're feeling as proud of yourself as is possible - you certainly deserve to be! I'm so pleased I popped the link on the other thread and you came to us with your great news!

I think, determined's right, if you don't feel quite confidant enough then it's best to stay away until you're a little more sure of yourself. Then when you go in the first few times, make it brief, a quick bevvy with the excuse "I have to go soon".

When you think you're able to go back and stay longer, stay in the warm with your drink, outside with smokers could be a bit risky, so unless you're sure stay in! Be prepared to have someone ask if you want one; be ready with the quick retort of "No thanks, I don't smoke anymore!" :grinheart

Sue xx

Thanks so much, JD, you were obviously brilliant here last night when I didn't have the time to come on. You're a star! BTW, congratulations on 11 months and a day smoke-free!!!!!!! :T:T:T I really can't wait for that magical.....you know what! Won't say another word for a month!!! :rotfl: Brilliant work!!

Sue xx

Excellent news, determined, Fergie too, you're both really doing terrifically!!! Stay firm and focused and keep busy, that's the key! :T:T
Sue xx

Marvellous work, Bess! oooooh that perfume really does smell gorgeous! :rotfl: Which one did you go for? Keep right on saving money so you can either save it (literally) or spend it on lovely things. All the very best to your DH also please. I'm quite sure you'll never succumb to trying 'just one puff/cig' again!

Sue xx

Many thanks to you, Money maker, for your very wise words.

Sue xx

Anyone else just started or thinking of it? Try it for just one hour, then a day and see how you go - why not??!

Sue xx

Fergie42

Hi all

Been to see my CN at lunchtime and my carbon monoxide reading is down from 17 to 3 :T

Apparently that is about the same reading as a 'normal' person

Still got the same 21mg 24 hours patches but did discuss when to reduce these. She reckons it's early days and she will wean me off these gradually.

So off I go into my 2nd week and can't wait for it to be over and counting in weeks rather than days.

Good luck for over the weekend everybody and stay strong

p.s. How are you feeling Sue....any better? xxx

cheesytwist

amanda0612 wrote: »

Hi everyone,

I'm new to this thread. I didn't know it existed until i saw a link on another thread. It's been really good to read all your stories and how well you are all doing. I've been smoke free for 7 weeks, yesterday.:j.

I was wondering if any of yous have any advice.....I have tried to keep away from all social situations which I associate with smoking. e.g going to the bar with friends as they are smokers and tend to spend alot of time outside in the smoking area. I think it is psychological. Does anyone else feel this way? Also my partner is one of those "social smokers" aswell, it's so frustrating that he can just go off them through the week and smoke at weekends lol.

Thanks for reading x

hi Amanda and welcome. 7 weeks...Well Done you. And welcome to all the other newbies.
Amanda I am just wondering about the social situation too, going out tonight for first time since stopped and dreading the thought of being desp for a ciggie. I have no idea how this is going to be and feeling a bit tense. Drinking alcohol wont bother me but am just thinking of the smell of the smokers and how it will try to lure me back in EEEKKKK. :eek:(maybe I should stay home)

Fergie....cant believe its a week already, its sure passed quick (maybe you wont think so tho) but you have done it....your first week. Dont it feel GGRRRRRREEEAAATT
Chris...dont be scared...just do it. nothing at all to lose in trying, just one fag at a time.
Someone said to me months ago that smoking was very stressful, I thot they were mad until they explained.....if you think of all the times you spend being desp for a ciggie and cant have one, think of how stressed you are at that times. like at work, counting the minutes until lunch fag break. :mad:grasping and inhaling smoke as fast as can b4 get on the bus or train. :mad:searching for smoking areas, :mad:having to specifically go shopping just for fags.:mad: not smoking when going to doc or dentist etc:mad:. All those times in your day/week are so stressful. Well you know what Chris and everyone else...we dont have those stressful times anymore,:j is it any wonder our blood pressure drops when we stop smoking????

Anyway, keep up the good work everyone and have a fabby fag free weekend

XXX

determined_new_ms

Hello reporting in for duty to say I too went to the CN today for my next lot of patches and had my CM reading too - not really sure what it means but what the heck I went from 16 last week to 2 today

re going out. I have actually been out twice this week, both with smokers and it has been ok, however I am on patches so it might be easier? I just asked my friends to be conscious I am giving up and they both smoked less than they would have done if we were both smoking so it was fine. I guess I'm saying its not impossible, but if you think you are going to drink hard and your friends will smoke loads it may be too hard. But if you remember you don't actually want to smoke its not so bad.

I hate cheese and people could eat cheese in front of me continually and it still wouldn't make me want to eat it iyswim? x

hannahroberts1985

:wave: Hi everyone,

Just had a read throught the first few and last few pages of this thread. You've all done so well and are so suportive I was hoping there was room for 1 more?

Me and BF have a quit date set for Oct 1st. I have been cutting down this month. I am down to 3 a day now 1 before work 1 on my break and 1 after work. I work 6 days on and 2 off so this month after every 6 I am planning on cutting out 1 so next friday I'm going to cut out my after work cigarette. Then see which one I feel will be easiest to cut out next and then by the 1st of Oct I will only be cutting out 1 a day instead of the usual 6 I was on. If this makes sence. Sorry to babbly just find if I put things down it becomes real.

When anyone else was cutting down did you feel a bit spaced out and not quite like yourself? I can't seem to think properly. :mad:

Thanks Hannah xx

determined_new_ms

hannahroberts1985 wrote: »

:wave: Hi everyone,

Just had a read throught the first few and last few pages of this thread. You've all done so well and are so suportive I was hoping there was room for 1 more?

Me and BF have a quit date set for Oct 1st. I have been cutting down this month. I am down to 3 a day now 1 before work 1 on my break and 1 after work. I work 6 days on and 2 off so this month after every 6 I am planning on cutting out 1 so next friday I'm going to cut out my after work cigarette. Then see which one I feel will be easiest to cut out next and then by the 1st of Oct I will only be cutting out 1 a day instead of the usual 6 I was on. If this makes sence. Sorry to babbly just find if I put things down it becomes real.

When anyone else was cutting down did you feel a bit spaced out and not quite like yourself? I can't seem to think properly. :mad:

Thanks Hannah xx

Hi Hannah :wave: always room for another one definitely the more the merrier on this thread :beer:

I have found the effects of nicotine coming out of my body make me really spaced out, not able to concentrate I have never reduced - Sue-uu did when she gave up so she'll give you some advice when she's on later/tomorrow - I'm definitely an all or nothing kinda gal and have found when I go cold turkey this spaced out feeling only last a day or 2.

Excellent news on making the best decision of the year :money:

gettingready

ermmm supposed to stop in the morning.... getting cold feet (and hear palpitations - total panic mode)

got few roll ups for tonight.. sigh...

anyone else aiming to stop tomorrow?

determined_new_ms

awww totally understand that feeling gettingready (((((hugs))))) but it honestly is that first one or two that is the hardest. Do what cheesy says just take it one cig at a time. You'll feel so amazing in a couple of days I promise.

What method are you going to use? x

Sue-UU

A very warm welcome to the thread, Hannah! Well done on reading through the thread and getting inspiration. Well done also on cutting down so much. Keep going with cutting down, not so much to miss then when you stop. I'll send you a PM in a moment to help you both.

Very best wishes for you!

Sue xx

Fergie42 wrote: »

Been to see my CN at lunchtime and my carbon monoxide reading is down from 17 to 3 :T

Still got the same 21mg 24 hours patches but did discuss when to reduce these. She reckons it's early days and she will wean me off these gradually.

p.s. How are you feeling Sue....any better? xxx

Marvellous work, Fergie!! 3 is a great CM reduction as you smoked a fair bit if memory serves me right, just you wait until you hit that first ZERO!!!!!! That truly is normal :j I quite agree with your CN in hanging fire with the strength you're on, little by little is the best way.

BTW, why are you rushing to get to next week to start counting weeks?? You've already made your FIRST smoke-free week!!!!! :T:T Fantastic work, Fergie!!!!

BTW (twice) things are looking up for me! All 5 of the 2nd lot of bloods were normal!!! Today also saw the wicked itching start to recede!!! :eek: I'm positive I haven't imagined it, positive to that it's as DH thought - the new lot of condroitin/glucosamine pills or the cod liver oil ones. We're taking both to Drs next week so he can see the ingredients and maybe tell us what I'm allergic to that's in them and not the others we normally bought. I'm quite excited; still on antihistamines as I'm needing them, but not for too much longer I'm hoping!!

Thanks a lot, Fergie.

Sue xx

cheesytwist wrote: »

Drinking alcohol wont bother me but am just thinking of the smell of the smokers and how it will try to lure me back in EEEKKKK. :eek:(maybe I should stay home)


Someone said to me months ago that smoking was very stressful, I thot they were mad until they explained.....if you think of all the times you spend being desp for a ciggie and cant have one, think of how stressed you are at that times. like at work, counting the minutes until lunch fag break. :mad:grasping and inhaling smoke as fast as can b4 get on the bus or train. :mad:searching for smoking areas, :mad:having to specifically go shopping just for fags.:mad: not smoking when going to doc or dentist etc:mad:. All those times in your day/week are so stressful. Well you know what Chris and everyone else...we dont have those stressful times anymore,:j is it any wonder our blood pressure drops when we stop smoking????/QUOTE]

Hiya cheesytwist, well done with your time too!!! :T:T The one way to get over the smell of the smoke lurring you back is NOT TO GO OUTSIDE! Stay in the warm and dry and you won't get hit by temptation. You'll be ok cheesy, but just turn away and go home if the smoke gets anywhere near you or go for a walk breathing in deeply and slowly and relax..

You're quite right too about the stress. However, also think of the peaceful night's sleep we used to have then......reach for the first fag next morning - WHAM - the stress starts from then and keep up all day long!! Keep strong.

Sue xx

determined_new_ms wrote: »

Hello reporting in for duty to say I too went to the CN today for my next lot of patches and had my CM reading too - not really sure what it means but what the heck I went from 16 last week to 2 today

A GREAT 2 CM reading, determined!!! :T:T Look ahead though, like Fergie, to that lovely ZERO, a beautiful figure!!!

I know what you mean above, a bit like testing the water to see if it's ok before getting fully immersed. You're doing wonderfully!

Sue xx

Onward everyone and have a great weekend!!!

Sue x

gettingready

determined_new_ms wrote: »

awww totally understand that feeling gettingready (((((hugs))))) but it honestly is that first one or two that is the hardest. Do what cheesy says just take it one cig at a time. You'll feel so amazing in a couple of days I promise.

What method are you going to use? x

Thanks...Going cold turkey from morning - no other way.

Will see.. sigh......