My Quitting Smoking Diary - yours too!

Merrywidow

downnotout wrote: »

Just a quick hello! tomorrow is quit day for me, I am a creature of nature and to be honest I have been thinking about giving it up for a long time. Tomorrow is my quit day, I am going cold turkey because I am an all or nothing type of guy, I know that cutting down will be a battle, because I will convince myself that I am cutting down but in reality just kid myself. I am all geared up for the challenge, I have two days off work and I plan on only leaving the house to take the kids to school and collecting them. I may just spend all day in bed under my covers and feeling sorry for myself but I will get through it!

Hi there, just to offer support. I was a heavy smoker for 40 years and when my non-smoking family started producing children and inviting me on holiday with them, I realised that the fags would have to be left at home. First holiday was up a mountain in Austria miles from a cigarette shop, so I slapped on the patches and bought a box of inhalators, and the day I left my house was the last day I ever smoked. The Nicorette Inhalators were a life saver. Cravings are dulled and cold turkey is not too bad. Truth is I never had another cigarette and its 4 years now. I keep a stash of inhalators for "emergency" when only a fag will do. I got thru my mother's death OK and managed to walk past the newsagents when it was calling to me. Good Luck. MW:cool:

Sue-UU

downnotout wrote: »

Is it normal to have a heightened awareness dog those who have just had a smoke? I have been to the shop to get some milk and I could smell it a mile off.

Hi again, DNO and if all is still going well....then so are you!!!! :j To answer your question (not sure where the dog comes into it, probably a typo), there aren't many of us who don't become every highly sensitive to the stench of other smokers! At first some almost walk behind for a while to get a hit, but it soon becomes revolting and we can't believe that WE too used to smell like that???!!!!! :eek:

It almost seems unbelievable, but yesterday - that was YOU!!

Not to worry though as it's also telling you that you're becoming an ex-smoker so very, very soon.

Have you looked at the first post, at the part which tells you what happens to your body at every little step after you've quit?? If not, do have a read as it makes quite startling reading.

OK then, let's hear how you're doing.

Sue x

Hello Merrywidow and thank you so much for your input as it's always wonderful to hear from other former smokers and gives such great incentive to those who are going through their journeys.

You did remarkably well to quit as easily as you did, no doubt you're so very proud of your success and I'll bet your family are too.

Up a mountain in Austria sounds absolutely fantastic! You were breathing in all that pure fresh air too - what a buzz to anyone who had so recently quit. Austria is a dream for DH & I one day...who knows.

Many thanks again and all the very best in your fresh, clean life!

Sue xx

spg1

Hi

Been an occasional poster on previous giving up smoking threads on here; just passed my year mark after giving up cold turkey. While the £1400 saved is good, the 3650 cigarettes not smoked ( = 36500 drags:eek:) is even better.

It has been a bit of a rollercoaster at times but for those in the earlier stages, it does get gradually easier. I do still get pangs but am now definitely in the groove of being a non-smoker rather than a smoker - and that is a real turnaround from where I was.

I've listed the following before, but as someone who has tried quitting many times before without success, the key things I found which have helped me this time are :

1) Just accepting that it is going to be hard at times. There is no magic wand that makes giving up a long term habit and addiction easy but it is doable and the benefits are obviously worth it.
2) Not getting hung up on being determined that you will never have another cigarette - in the early stages that would have been too depressing a prospect for me. Just take it hour by hour, day by day and keep in mind that the longer you stay off them the easier it gets. In the first few weeks, just telling myself I could have a cigarette tomorrow or at the weekend etc if I really wanted one (and meaning it) instantly helped me feel calmer.
3) Exercise - I've been riding my bike/walking much more which just makes you feel better.
4) For me, dealing with my emotions has been difficult at times. I have noticed that on odd occasions I do get angrier about things than I did when I was smoking. I think this is because in stressful situations in the past I've used cigarettes as a coping mechanism; just something I need to adjust to.
5) Everyone is different and there is no right way to give up. I have tried most things but for me, gradually cutting down on cigarettes and moving to ultra-low nicotine ones in the weeks before I quit made it easier. I have used NRT in the past but for me it just maintains the nicotine addiction and prolongs the withdrawal (and in my experience you end up being even more addicted to nicotine).
6) I did spend a lot of time in the early weeks and months reading posts on various giving up smoking forums (and even ones for smoking-related diseases) which I think sub-consciously helped reinforce my need to quit
7) The smoking ban has made it easier; unless you live with a smoker you can pretty much avoid being stood or sat next to one and the obvious temptations that brings.
8) I've now survived all of the trigger events where I could barely imagine myself not smoking (holidays, weekends away with smoking friends, Christmas etc). That in itself is a big help.

Good luck everyone!

Sue-UU

spg1 wrote: »

Been an occasional poster on previous giving up smoking threads on here; just passed my year mark after giving up cold turkey. While the £1400 saved is good, the 3650 cigarettes not smoked ( = 36500 drags:eek:) is even better.

I've listed the following before, but as someone who has tried quitting many times before without success, the key things I found which have helped me this time are :

1) Just accepting that it is going to be hard at times. There is no magic wand that makes giving up a long term habit and addiction easy but it is doable and the benefits are obviously worth it.

2) Not getting hung up on being determined that you will never have another cigarette - in the early stages that would have been too depressing a prospect for me. Just take it hour by hour, day by day and keep in mind that the longer you stay off them the easier it gets. In the first few weeks, just telling myself I could have a cigarette tomorrow or at the weekend etc if I really wanted one (and meaning it) instantly helped me feel calmer.

3) Exercise - I've been riding my bike/walking much more which just makes you feel better.

6) I did spend a lot of time in the early weeks and months reading posts on various giving up smoking forums (and even ones for smoking-related diseases) which I think sub-consciously helped reinforce my need to quit

8) I've now survived all of the trigger events where I could barely imagine myself not smoking (holidays, weekends away with smoking friends, Christmas etc). That in itself is a big help.

Good luck everyone!

Hi there spg1, it's marvellous to see you back having finally QUIT!!! No 8 says it all in a nutshell..if you can go through an entire year with all the everyday events, ups and downs and family occasions and not resort to lighting up, you've quit. :T:T:T:T

V e r y ......m a n y ......c o n g r a t u l a I i o n s!!

No 6 was a great way to move ahead, by facing all you had to risk IF you didn't go ahead and do your very best. ......

What a terrific post, so terribly motivating for all those quitting and giving it their very best shot to be where you are!

Such an inspirational post, spg1, and on behalf of all those on their journeys right now, very, very many thanks for coming back and telling us all about your year. For giving such great advice above too!

Incidentally, the further away you get the 'moments' you describe you'll find they get less and less and only last split seconds; still remnants of the psychological side which will peter out until you truly don't think of it at all. :grinheart

Sue xxx

jammy_dodger

good morning fellow freedom fighters
i was catching up on sleepin and in zombie land after night shifts yesterday

WOW what super encouraging posts to read:j:j

Congratulations spg1 a whole year must feel fantastic very well done

Downotout great reding your posts too hows it going ? as sue says reading the itro bits to this thread so you know what your body is going through it is so enlightening..My thoughts are with you STAY STRONG downotout you have so many reasons to stay off those blighters YOU CAN DO IT and soon we'll be joining ranks of the quitters hall of fame:)

take a hour day at a time and do download the silkquit meter it amazing how fast the £'s add up

i had collected all my tabbies in a jar a clear up ( as i used to smoke outside) i added water and PHEWWWW what a whiff a good deterent and its amazing how fags can smell so awful so quickly ..WOW we used to smell like that and never knew it

have a fresh fag free day whatever stage of quit your at

JD xx

downnotout

Morning all, I have a confession to make, I slipped yesterday I had a blazing row with the OH, the house 2 doors away from her mum is up to let, and its way more than we can afford, but that doesn't seem to matter to my OH or her mum. So I did end up slipping, but this morning I feel very foolish and I am jumping back on the wagon. I will crack this.

jammy_dodger

dont beat yourself up downotout glad to hear you are back on track:)
it isnt easy but it is so worth it , how dare white smelly expensive sticks rule our lives eh free yourself from its slavery it truly makes you a slave

be prepared for old nic knocking on youtr door , thinking a fag will calm and make things better, taking a fag free deep breath will calm much better

Downotout keep going and with every craving that passes rejoice and feel HA HA I didnt cave in to that one

it wants you to fail ..kick !!! and show him you mean buiseness

best of luck
jd xx

jwarren66

I was doing very well - had quit on 23rd feb - then last week felt down and had a ciggie ... then another - before i knew it I was smoking again.

It never helps - now have extra thing to feel !!!! about - so am stopping again today!

Am using the Alan Carr way ... if i struggle to stop again will have to re-read the book.

... well done for the support thread - somehow helps to write this down

jammy_dodger

hi jwarren66

i have hired rug doctor today so having a wee break so poped back onto here..my excuse;)

i think most of us have been there ( just one wont hurt ......I've stopped before so whats the problem.....and as you say it leads to another then another then before you know it .....hooked ..happened to me after 9 months :eek: )

you KNOW YOU CAN DO IT be aware of those pit falls for next time around the 3 month mark seems to be a commmon trait to , youve almost stopped thinking about smoking , been plodding on with usual routines without them then it creeps back in

as you say IT NEVER HELPS..makes you feel back at square one then wants you to feel whats the point...may as well carry on..

it does help to jot thoughts etc down puts that white stick in perspective on how much it can if allowed would be in control..

glad to see your turn around sharpish "back to the fold " best of luck

JD xx

Sue-UU

Hi there, downotout, not to worry, as JD so rightly says, it's no good beating yourself up about it, it's done with now and you're back on track today. Sadly habits built up over a long time are hard to simply dismiss when you're under real stress, even more so if it's a real row and on your 1st day at stopping! In your 'former life' you always sought consolation from those white sticks, but from now on find other ways of coping; push off out for a walk and let yourself gradually calm down or punch a pillow for a bit, anything to help vent your feelings on.

I think, in a sense, we can all identify with your OH in wanting something we can't have. It's ok living in a much better house and area, IF you can afford it, but for now it can't happen. Promise her you'll always do your best, but can't promise that you'll succeed. I hope you've made up and cleared the air now, if not then do try as she's quite possibly a bit hormonal with the baby.

One thing you never have to feel on this thread, or the Forum, is foolish! Remember, we've all been where you are right now, we know the things that can rear their ugly heads when you really don't want it - but that's life. So, do come up with a plan to vent in future, it'll help you a great deal. Read through spg1's brilliant post above, you can learn a heck of a lot from that.

Don't forget to praise yourself with every fag not had, it's a huge achievement.

Sue xx

jwarren66 wrote: »

... well done for the support thread - somehow helps to write this down

Oh what a rotten shame, jwarren. Still, you can still praise yourself immensely as you've done marvellously to have been free for all that time!!!! VERY well done indeed! :TYou've so much to hold you head up for and it shows that you CAN beat it and DID for a good while!

This is why it's best to not truly class yourself as having quit until a year has gone by, so you've gone through all the events of a normal year and proved you can handle them - and if you can go for around 3 months - you will I'm quite sure of that!

In future when you feel down, it doesn't matter what the reason is - grab your coat (if necessary) and go on out for a good long, brisk walk...or if you have a bike, go for a ride into the country if possible. Go to a place you like and try to think about all wonderful things you've done, flood your mind with good memories, or of dreams you have for the future. :j If it's *iddling down with rain then come on here and write your feelings down and get them out of your system. Then have a look around the forum, you'll soon find things to make you feel better.

Having a fag is only a short-term fix, but sadly one that leads to another and another and so on. Try hard to bear that in mind and head for the hills instead.

I'm thrilled to bits that writing it all down has helped put you back into the swing of things and into the mood for quitting the evil demon 'old Nic' again!

Onwards jwarren - you've done it for a long time and can and will quit!!!

Sue xx