My Quitting Smoking Diary - yours too!

rising_from_the_ashes

Sue-UU wrote: »

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.

Oopps Sorry Sue ... I rarely use the title bars - will try to remember!

I thought I was on Day 74 but after checking, it's actually Day 78!

I'm still counting in days maybe about time to switch to weeks but that seems scarey for some reason!:eek:

Sue-UU

That's just excellent, rising!!!!! :j:T:T:j I knew it would be getting on a bit, but........WOW!!!

Thanks so much for letting us all know....and VERY WELL DONE!!!!!!!!!

Sue x

Pennylane

rising_from_the_ashes wrote: »

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

I'm just wondering whether you could download some relaxing words or music and listen to that as you walk. I sometimes do that (not for quitting cos I did that nearly 8 years ago) but to just chill out and enjoy a walk.

When I was quitting I found the worst time for me was not having a cig with my coffee. For a few weeks I stopped having coffee and went on to fruit teas purely to break the habit, then I was OK. It's just finding ways round things really.

badlass

Hi All

I originally gave up 5 years ago for 2 1/2 years...never smoked a cig at all in that time...then Mum had a cancer scare and I started again. Gave up again in Nov 2011 and managed thru until June 2012 when I had a night out and smoked 10 I have a friend who smokes and whom I know is an enabler...she offers me a drag from her's and I do succomb sometimes. I had a night out on Dec 21st and she bought a packet of menthol incase I wanted one...I smoked 13:eek:...I should know better but when drink is in sense is out. I'm now a week clean again and have absolutely no intention of starting full time again. I need to say NO and mean NO. I smoked for 33 years and latterly was smoking 20 a day and above...so I suppose saying 30 over a 13 month period is pretty good...but would rather say 0.

Well done to you new quitters!!!

Les x

Money_maker

Hi all,

Sorry I've not been on for a while, hope everyone had a Lovely smoke-free Christmas. I was at the outlaws where SIL smokes. Didn't really notice the smoke much (light smoker) but all the kids clothes stank when they got home Boxing Day. DH still smokes and I keep telling him he smells horrible but falling on deaf ears at the mo:D

Here's some super statistics, was a really heavy smoker (40 day):
Cigs not smoked 13120
Amount saved £3608 (based on £5.50 pack)
Life saved 6weeks, 3 days

I was very emotionally reliant on nicotine but I did it and am still smoke free. Apart from the cost, smell, danger to health etc., don't forget the time you lose as a smoker. I have no idea how I ever had the time to smoke and now my life revolves around me rather than the next fix of nicotine.

I expect there will be a New Year rush in a couple of days so I'll look in to help support those in the early stages. Welcome to all the new quitters - well done in making this important life enhancing decision. Happy New Year to you all :T

rising_from_the_ashes

Money_maker wrote: »

don't forget the time you lose as a smoker. I have no idea how I ever had the time to smoke and now my life revolves around me rather than the next fix of nicotine.

Ahhhh that's another positive - we have to deduct (fairly) time to go for a cig from our hours at work ... 15 mins / day which adds up to 1 hr 15 mins / week and over the 4 week accounting period that comes to 5 hours which is over a 1/2 day off!

Know what I'd rather have!:T

shellsuit

Haven't been here in a long time, so thought I'd update!!

I packed in the filthy fags, on the 4th July this year at 3pm. I haven't smoked one since, haven't missed them and have loved having extra cash!! :j

I did it by reading Allen Carr's easyway to stop smoking book.

My husband packed in the day before me, and was on Champix. He took them for 6 weeks, then stopped as they were giving him a bad stomach and making him feel odd, so he stopped and he hasn't had one since either! :T

We've saved £1800 between us since then which has gone towards a holiday in March and has meant we didn't have to go into debt for Christmas!

Wishing you all the very best of luck on your journeys!

P.S. I can't wait to go on holiday and sit in a restaurant wherever we like, seeing as we always used to sit near the entrance so that we could nip out for a smoke!

Sue-UU

Pennylane wrote: »

I'm just wondering whether you could download some relaxing words or music and listen to that as you walk.

When I was quitting I found the worst time for me was not having a cig with my coffee. For a few weeks I stopped having coffee and went on to fruit teas purely to break the habit, then I was OK. It's just finding ways round things really.

Very many thanks for such wise advice, Pennylane!! :T I think that's brilliant advice as then it would take the mind right away from the habitual ones! The trouble is, replacing the habit times with gum needs also to be broken further down the line; still a far better thing to do, but better to bust it completely with the music instead. Good thinking Penny and congratulations on nearly 8 years free from fags - and your life back!!! :grinheart

Sue x

badlass wrote: »

I have a friend who smokes and whom I know is an enabler...she offers me a drag from her's and I do succomb sometimes. I should know better but when drink is in sense is out. I'm now a week clean again and have absolutely no intention of starting full time again. I need to say NO and mean NO.

Les x

A very warm welcome, Les! It's so good to see you having another go, and I wish you all the success necessary to do so - and stay that way!!! Always remember that stress (your Mum's cancer scare) of any kind will never be helped by smoking!! You'll get a 20 minute period in which your life is taken over by fags again, but nothing more; it won't stop the stress!

Another problem you have is your 'friend'! Ask yourself if you think she might just be feeling guilty about still smoking herself (knowing all the dangers), but that if she can pull you back as a smoking mate she'll feel much better and have a far better reason for continuing on smoking herself....as, you also will be at risk too! You realise the terrible problems involved when alcohol is involved, so always keep it down to a low level so you keep a clear head...failing that....keep away from alcohol while you're vulnerable.

You're obviously able to quit and stay free - unless something or someone upsets the apple cart, be strong, Les, and merit your hard work with never going back again! Please always tell your friend "NO....I don't wish to smoke ever again"!!! Please remember your Mum's cancer scare....if you don't stop and stay stopped....it's possible it could be YOU with a scare someday! You can do it, you know you can, just stay that way afterwards!!! All the best.

Sue x

Money_maker wrote: »

Here's some super statistics, was a really heavy smoker (40 day):
Cigs not smoked 13120
Amount saved £3608 (based on £5.50 pack)
Life saved 6 weeks, 3 days

Apart from the cost, smell, danger to health etc., don't forget the time you lose as a smoker. I have no idea how I ever had the time to smoke and now my life revolves around me rather than the next fix of nicotine.

I expect there will be a New Year rush in a couple of days so I'll look in to help support those in the early stages. Welcome to all the new quitters - well done in making this important life enhancing decision. Happy New Year to you all :T

Helllooo again, Money maker, it's soooo good to see you again - AND to read your totally amazing stats!!!!! :T:T:T:T It is so true about the amount of time we 'gave' to our smoking habit....and the ultimate 'time' lost if we don't stop as soon as is possible!!!

It'll be sooo very good to see you back to help out, Mm, I'll look forward to the help very much. :grinheart

Sue x

There you are see, Rising and determined, another day gone!!! :j

Sue x

shellsuit wrote: »

I packed in the filthy fags, on the 4th July this year at 3pm. I haven't smoked one since, haven't missed them and have loved having extra cash!! :j

I did it by reading Allen Carr's easyway to stop smoking book.

My husband packed in the day before me, and was on Champix. He took them for 6 weeks, then stopped as they were giving him a bad stomach and making him feel odd, so he stopped and he hasn't had one since either! :T

We've saved £1800 between us since then which has gone towards a holiday in March and has meant we didn't have to go into debt for Christmas!

Hi there, shellsuit, what a wonderful surprise to see you back and hear that you've BOTH QUIT!!!!! :T:T:T:T:T:T Many congratulations to you both! What a difference in cash savig...and your health will be off to such a kick start. I'm truly happy for you and thanks so much for updating us...motivating others too!!!

Have a wonderful holiday!

Sue x

To all those perusing the thread and wondering...read some of the above posts and remember...if we can ALL do it, SO CAN YOU!!! That first day is one you really should try, it might just lead to another and.......

Sue x

Sue-UU

If even you get to thinking "oooh, I really could...." Yes, you know what I mean, but don't succumb! Copy the piece below off and take heed of it at times when you know you should.

'Every Little Helps'

Smokey Thinking I just need one cigarette to take the edge off these cravings


Clear Thinking Cravings become weaker and less frequent with every day that I don’t smoke. Even just one puff will feed the cravings and make them Stronger.

Smokey Thinking It’s been a long day. I deserve a cigarette.


Clear Thinking I deserve a reward after a long day, but there are better rewards than a cigarette. A favourite meal, a funny movie, or a hot shower will help me relax without ruining my quit attempt.


Smokey Thinking The urge to smoke is just too strong. I can’t stand it.

Clear Thinking Even the strongest cravings last less than 3 minutes. The urge will go away whether I smoke or not, and smoking now will just make it even harder for me to quit later. I can find something else to do—anything—until the craving goes away.


Smokey Thinking I blew it. I smoked a cigarette. I might as well go ahead and finish the pack.



Clear Thinking I am still learning how to be a non-smoker. It’s normal to make some mistakes. But I don’t have to smoke that next cigarette. I can learn from this mistake and keep going.


Smokey Thinking I can’t deal with never being able to have another cigarette for the rest of my life.


Clear Thinking I only have to deal with today. Quitting happens one day at a time, sometimes one hour at a time! The future will take care of itself.

determined_new_ms

Better sex

Stopping smoking improves the body’s bloodflow, so improves sensitivity. Men who stop smoking may get better erections. Women may find that their orgasms improve and they become aroused more easily. It’s also been found that non-smokers are three times more apealling to prospective partners than smokers (one of the advantages, perhaps, of smelling fresh).
Find out more tips for having good sex.