My Quitting Smoking Diary - yours too!

tyadog

Thanks Sue!

Yes, I'm working my way gently backwards with the Champix doses - I was OK with it until the higher doses seemed to build up and I think were simply too high for me. You're right, I'm glad they have helped to get me to here at least and I want to stay this way.

Luckily I'm an alcohol lightweight these days, only enjoying a gentle glass or two of wine at best, so won't be indulging any more over the festivities than I normally do, so fingers crossed!

Thank you for the messages, they do make such a difference and I feel a lot less alone in doing this with the contact here

Tx

rising_from_the_ashes

DUKE wrote: »

To me smoking was a hobby, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Some people read or write poetry. I smoked & loved it, I had no intention of ever stopping. However, I quit smoking with the help of those inhalator things on 19 January 2009 after being diagnosed with breast cancer. I'll never smoke again, I never thought I'd hear myself say that either! I did try before & quit for 6 months, but I craved a fag every single day of those 6 months. I went to the Dr as I wanted to kill people :eek:, or throw myself under a bus, my pain was so great. But it's not half as painful as it is today as since the breast cancer I had bladder cancer in August, I've just been diagnosed again It's curable, but I regret the day I ever smoked. Thanks for reading this, it's not easy stopping smoking but if I can do it then so can you!

Wow! So sorry to hear about all you've been through ... you've just made me even more determined that this time I will stay stopped (have also stopped for a few months previously and started again) .... best of luck with your treatment & recovery

Pennylane wrote: »

What I did for several weeks prior to quitting was cleaned an "area" every day and then didn't smoke in that area ever again.

Ahhhh I was always a bit of a hypocritical smoker ..... I hate the smell in enclosed places so never smoked in my car or in the house to start with!

I also find that I have to keep cigs .... they are tucked away somewhere (and would be a pain to get to - but I know where they are!) as I find as long as I know I can have one ... I'm OK but if there's none, that's when I have to have one

Reminds me of the Quitters Pledge
"Today I promise not to smoke any cigarettes, tomorrow - if I wish - I may do."about getting through today and tomorrow "may"

tyadog wrote: »

still ciggy free and nearly two weeks now, I'm really pleased!

:T Well done!:T

tyadog

Rising - Im just the same, there are 4 cigs in a drawer. I know they are there, I haven't got them out, but I think I might panic if they werent there - so every moment, I'm making a positive choice not to get them out the drawer if that makes sense?

Pennylane - I think my sense of smell is picking up - my spare room smells smoky to me, and its where all my clothes are. I think Im going to have to wash them all in loads - but the ironing!!?! I didnt smoke all over my house, so most of it is fine, and Febr*se is helping, plus I washed couch covers etc the weekend I stopped.

Duke - like Rising, i'm sorry to hear about everything, and hope all goes well - and your story makes me more determined.

T

Sue-UU

Hi girls,

I always love reading posts that all you great quitters write, how you encourage each other on. Writing about all you do is so inspiring to others reading (remember it isn't just you here who read the posts! ).

To my mind, it has to be wonderful to think....T will be doing this now..or going through the same as me etc; the same for you, rising, to think exactly the same about T. The mutual thoughts have to inspire us all, no matter what we're doing, it's simply knowing that others know how you feel.....you're NOT alone! :j:j

There have been many folk just like yourselves, T, and, rising, who keep just a couple or so ciggys to help them - and if that's what gets you through - you're doing it well. Just, please, don't ever be tempted to think you can have one without it having any effect on you...you'll be right back to square one and have it all to do again!
In little over a week, girls, you'll be able to say (or think, if you're keeping it to yourselves) I stopped smoking LAST YEAR!!!! If that doesn't inspire you.....! :grinheart

Sue x

To everyone here, past and present..

A Very Merry Christmas

and a

Happy, Healthy New Year, everyone!!

:xmassmile :rudolf: :snow_laug :xmassign: :xmastree::xmassign: :snow_grin :rudolf: :xmassmile

dramaqueen1973

Hi All

Been reading through this thread as it was a link on another thread!

My give up day is this Sunday!! Just want to give up now!

Hopefully I can do as well as all of you

Drama xx

Sue-UU

Hi and a very warm welcome, Drama!

I have to go our now, but promise to be back with you in a short while. You've NOT been forgotten - honest - and are about to so something sooo worthwhile! :T

Sue x

daffodil

Suu
Its good to plan it I think - I just gave up - no planning. I suppose everyone is different, and there is no good time to stop.

Just wanted to let you know that the first few days can be difficult - make sure you are not exposed to too much stress, find many things to concentrate on to take your mind off it.
You may get a gremlin perched on your shoulder telling you eg that one puff will be ok etc etc dont give in to this if you can help it.

I am on my 4th day - I didnt think I would get here.

post on here or pm me just so that you dont feel alone with it. I often pop on here:A

determined_new_ms

Hello & welcome to drama & daffodil :wave: excellent news on your decision kudos to you both :T I have stopped smoking now for almost 4 months - think it will be on 1st Jan. I have stopped many times before, sometimes I have planned it and others I have just stopped when I could get past the fear. Either is good as long as you stop!

daffodil congratulations on 4 days :T

daffodil is right drama the first couple of days you need to keep busy, do things slightly different and have a "get out" plan should you encounter some stress. Some of us have cleaned our house from top to bottom, some have gone for walks, invested in a hobby and just been bloody minded! :rotfl:

Sue will send you an email which is full of tips to help with the cravings. Read through this thread and the previous ones for tips on how others have navigated the first few days, also good for occupation! I have found that there are times when the thought pops into my head but I let it pop right out again. In truth I do miss smoking at times but this is nothing in comparison to what I feel I have gained by stopping. I'm determined this time!

rising_from_the_ashes

Sue-UU wrote: »

In little over a week, girls, you'll be able to say (or think, if you're keeping it to yourselves) I stopped smoking LAST YEAR!!!! If that doesn't inspire you.....! :grinheart

Ohhhhhhhhh, looking forward to that!:D

I still struggle with some of the habit cigs (walking the dog is a big one) but always make sure I have a bit of gum before I go and that seems to help a bit ....

Best of luck to those about to quit - it's worth it!:D

Sue-UU

Hi again, Drama! I hope you've read through the PM and that it'll be of help to you. Are you using any method to quit by? It's always good to know as we can sometimes help more. Please read through my reply to daffodil, it will help you both.

Be sure to read the Quitters Pledge below.

Come to the thread as often as you wish, whether it's to rant and rave, seek help or just to do something like writing down your feelings or reading through other people's posts, it will all help. Also, always remember...you're never alone through this, plenty others will be feeling just s you do, but stick with it, you'll be so thrilled you did!!

Sue x

daffodil wrote: »

Just wanted to let you know that the first few days can be difficult - make sure you are not exposed to too much stress, find many things to concentrate on to take your mind off it.

You may get a gremlin perched on your shoulder telling you eg that one puff will be ok etc etc dont give in to this if you can help it.

post on here or pm me just so that you dont feel alone with it. I often pop on here:A

A very warm welcome, daffodil, and marvellous news that you've already stopped smoking!!! :T All those of us who have smoked can realise all too well just how long stopping for those first 4 days really is, it's a huge achievement already! Even getting through that very first day is something to really be proud of so I hope you feel so happy with yourself.

There's no good time to stop, unless a person has a real gut feeling that "this is it! I just feel I can really do it". I cut down a lot, but then quite suddenly stopped completely and it worked fine for me. Each to their own indeed.

Keep as active as possible and fill your mind with good thoughts, memories or future events, then as soon as a 'moment' hits, switch your mind to lovely times Save the money you'd normally have spent then after a week or a fortnight, treat yourself to something you'll be happy with; or save for longer so the treat is bigger!

You CAN do this, we all can! Just think - by spring you could be a beautifully transformed daffodil. A lovely gesture of yours above about folk newly stopped PMing you, a great idea as, not only can it help others, but it helps you too.

Be sure to read the Quitters Pledge below.

Sue x

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


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.

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

determined_new_ms wrote: »

daffodil is right drama the first couple of days you need to keep busy, do things slightly different and have a "get out" plan should you encounter some stress. Some of us have cleaned our house from top to bottom, some have gone for walks, invested in a hobby and just been bloody minded! :rotfl:

Read through this thread and the previous ones for tips on how others have navigated the first few days, also good for occupation!

Hiya determined!! Brilliant work! So close to the next momentous goal then!!! :T:T:T I'm so very proud of you and how you've handled it all this time, you've done marvellously! Thanks also for your valuable help with others, you have a real knack of 'been there, done that and know just what it feels like'; please keep passing it onto others...and telling them what to say to old Nic too!!!

Sue x

rising_from_the_ashes wrote: »

I still struggle with some of the habit cigs (walking the dog is a big one) but always make sure I have a bit of gum before I go and that seems to help a bit ....

Best of luck to those about to quit - it's worth it!

Hi Rising, it's wonderful to see how very well you've coped, and how determined you are to quit for good. :T How far through are you? I'd be so grateful if you could pop the time quit and method used on the Title bar of posts, please. ie 4 weeks & 2 days patches etc. Not only does it help me and all others helping, it helps in enthusing others, letting them know which way might suit them too. Thanks rising and keep that determination up and know that the further away from fags you get the lesser the amount of habit times you'll have and the lesser they last for. Breathe deeply through them.

Sue x

To all those looking in, if you feel as though you just may be able to stop...then do so! Even trying it a day at a time to see how you get on may surprise you that, for many of us....it's much easier that we think. Give it a go, there's nothing to lose......but sooooo much to gain, I promise you! Life is so very good beyond smoking.

Sue x