My Quitting Smoking Diary - yours too!

Sue-UU

Money_maker wrote: »

Lots of smokers think they need a cigarette to deal with stress but this actually puts more stress on them by creating a new demand for the nic monster to be fed.

Hi Sue :wave:looked in on your SPC thread, wow what a lot of work you have keeping up with all of them.

Very true with the first quote above, Money maker.

I haven't heard of Tia Maria for ages, my Mum adored it, though mostly had it in coffee.

Re the SPC thread....phwah what a lot they are for sure! We do have some fun there, a lot of tips re budgetting etc too. Saving becomes very addictive when you've THAT many people potting - and now, for the 2nd year in a row, Martin's linking us from his newsletter!!! :eek: After he did that last year we had another 400 people join us!!!

Sue x

Right, I'm finished for the night.

Take care all, and to all those who gave up today...VERY well done!!! :T To all those such as daffodil, Les, and Pen, battle on, you're doing marvellously!!! :T:T

Sue x

Candlewick

Hi Sue and everyone

Rising from the Ashes recommended your thread as I mentioned previously that today is my first day of not smoking.

I have been smoking for 33 years and generally around 20 a day (more at the weekend if I was honest).

I have tried giving up twice since 1 August 2011, the first time I felt quite focussed and determined but ended up going back on it end of January. I then tried again in April but my heart wasn't in it and lasted a week!

I will have a read through of some of this thread for ideas, encouragement and support.

Well done to all those who have succeeded to kick the habit (I am jealous!!) and good luck to those who have decided to give it a go.

CW

tyadog

Evening all

Just pooping in to report a continued loack of ciggies over Christmas and New Year

Its not been easy at times, I had a family member staying over Christmas which was, as often is, a challenge. I could have cheerfully had a cigarette at many points during that week.

The champix certainly helped the intitial stop, but really weren't agreeing with me to the extent I hadn't realised quite how much, and then how long it takes for them to work out of one's system. I'm still suffering a little I think but having used ciggys to deal with stress for many years, its hard to know what it should feel like without them if that makes sense.

The habit is certainly dying, though after a stressful day on Sunday I found myself looking for my cigs and lighter beside meon the couch, and then realised what I was doing! Most of the time though, the habit is certainly dying, and Im not automtically looking for a ciggy every time I get in or out of the car.

Good luck to all those stopping just now if I can do it I think anyone can. So far I wouldnt say Ive put any weight on due to stopping either, which is great.

T

Sue-UU

Candlewick wrote: »

I have tried giving up twice since 1 August 2011, the first time I felt quite focussed and determined but ended up going back on it end of January. I then tried again in April but my heart wasn't in it and lasted a week!

Hello Candlewick and a very warm welcome to you! (Well done Rising! in trying hard to help another would be ex smoker )

It's a huge advantage to all those stopping that they really feel that they want to do so; it doesn't mean they definitely won't succeed if they don't just that it may be more of a problem at times as the resolve to stay strong and focused, that's so necessary, isn't isn't so readily called upon when it's needed.

How do you feel about stopping this time and how are you quitting (which method)? Also, do you know the reason why you stopped last year?

Even if your heart isn't quite in it this time...still give it your very best shot! You never know, being the first month of the year could psychologically work better in you favour! At least this time you'll have all the support and advice of all of us here to help you battle on....others at the same stage as you too is a huge bonus! Remember CW, you're never alone! There are always many others going through the feelings and emotions you are!

Well done on reading through the posts of others, it'll help inspire you. Any hiccups just come on here and ask or write about it, even that act alone is immensely helpful.

You too could soon be a former smoker! Very best wishes and look out for a PM from me. :grinheart

Sue x

tyadog wrote: »

Just popping in to report a continued loack of ciggies over Christmas and New Year

Its not been easy at times, I had a family member staying over Christmas which was, as often is, a challenge. I could have cheerfully had a cigarette at many points during that week.

The champix certainly helped the intitial stop, but really weren't agreeing with me to the extent I hadn't realised quite how much, and then how long it takes for them to work out of one's system. I'm still suffering a little I think but having used ciggys to deal with stress for many years, its hard to know what it should feel like without them if that makes sense.

The habit is certainly dying, though after a stressful day on Sunday I found myself looking for my cigs and lighter beside meon the couch, and then realised what I was doing! Most of the time though, the habit is certainly dying, and Im not automtically looking for a ciggy every time I get in or out of the car.

Good luck to all those stopping just now if I can do it I think anyone can. So far I wouldnt say Ive put any weight on due to stopping either, which is great.

T

Hi tyadog! It's so good to see you back with your news!!! You've coped wonderfully over Christmas (even in the company of off-putting...I'd never say obnoxious....rellies!! )....be extremely proud of yourself!!!! :T:T That's a lot of white sticks you haven't had!!! :j

Even though Champix weren't suited to you and you had to stop them, sadly or not...they're still working inside you for your good which is how they're designed!! Even if the affects are a slight problem still, they're still helping, so you can still be very happy about that!

Having moments where you still reach for them..when you think about it..are so natural after all the years you've smoked for, it affected me for quite a time and many others say exactly the same. After years of reaching out for them it's little wonder we're still slightly programmed, much like ruddy robots (!!) to do the same. Then it's a case of "Ah, of course, I don't smoke any more!!" You'll be ok though as time will lessen the amount of those happenings, the time they last for too.

You, T, are well on your way to your next major goal!!!! :j You're doing incredibly well so be proud and give yourself a huge pat on the back! You may have been helped a lot with Champix and the AC book, but YOU had to make all those moves so it's you who stopped!! :grinheart

All good wishes and HAPPY New Year....you gave up LAST YEAR!!! :j

Sue x

Candlewick

Hello Sue-UU

Thanks for the PM with all the helpful tips, advice and support. I have subcribed to this thread.

I am on Day 2 but will admit I am struggling a bit tonight, not least because I was expecting a collection today and the courier has not turned up.... I shall take deep breaths and have a cuppa.

Day 2 nearly done and dusted.

CW

Sue-UU

You're welcome, CW, well done on subscribing to the thread.

Great news about Day 2 almost finished!!! :T As a new quitter that is terrific news and a BIG achievement!!! I take it you're going cold turkey - right? If so, then remember that after tomorrow's finished your body well be free from the nicotine, especially so if you're flushing it through with water, exercising and being 'fruity'!

I'm really pleased you didn't let a stressful situation get to you, apart from which......you still have it to look forward to!!!! Well, I do always try to be positive and that really, really helps at times such as this. So, always look on the bright side no matter what the situation!

You're spot on with the breathing, not too hard or too fast, gentle deep breathing always calms us.

Fantastic news, CW, really pleased for you! All the best for Day 3 keeping strong....positive too - of course!

You may have seen this on the thread, but just in case:

Start each day with the Quitters Pledge.

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.

Sue x

Money_maker

Hi and well done to Candlewick now day 2 is over. This is the hardest part. Perhaps this time, you could think of it as stopping or quitting smoking rather than 'giving up' so you don't feel you are depriving yourself of anything. This time you really can do it.

Good going to tyadog as well. I used to smoke indoors too. Even now 10 months later, I can open a little used drawer (or Christmas decoration box!) and get a noseful of stale tobacco smell - yuk!

AlTeREgO

Things aren't going to plan for me

Our Plan was to give up on newyears morning, But OH had brought some bakky and came up with the idea of quitting once that packet had gone. Well it ran out yesterday afternoon, but it took me by suprise, i thought we had enough to last us until at least bed time.

OH was back at work on nights and the kids are at their aunties, i wasnt too bad last night and consoled myself with a full family pack of kitkats and a bunch of grapes. I was patched up and have gum and an inhalator to boot! Other than the kitkat incident i felt OK.

I woke at 3am this morning after the most awful nightmare, and realised it was the patch, so took it off and back to sleep, i did have another bad dream, but woke at 6am when OH came home from work. I got up and popped a fresh patch on and OH went off to bed.

I've been craving like crazy since waking, even with my patch gum and inhalator ~ Ive caved in and bought 10 fags, i chain smoked the 1st 2 and have had 2 more since :wall:

Im feeling awful, I DO want to quit, but im not sure what to do next.
The NRT doesnt seem to be helping, i wondering if i'd do better going cold turkey?

Champix made me a little crazy and unbearable to live with, in fact thinking back the only time i've ever gave up for more than a few weeks was when i went cold turkey, i gave up for about 4 years, although i did have the incentive of being pregnant that time when i quit cold turkey. I started again after my relationship with the kids dad ended.

Sorry to be hitting you all with my negative post but im struggling with which way to go from here??

The OH is doing OK and still not smoking, he woke up about 10 mins ago, ive told him ive cracked, he just said well dont bring them fags near me.

I so annoyed because it was me who was banging on about packing up smoking more than him, yet im the one whose caved in so easily!! :mad:

determined_new_ms

Hi Alterego sorry to hear that youa re struggling. I totally understand where youa re at as I have been there so many times with my quits. Ok so you've had a few cigs that's ok. How about telling yourself you'll have one more and then throwing the rest away? when I gave up I gave up at 12.30pm and smoked all morning until that point when I just threw my tobacco away.

I have always found it too difficult to just not have one in the morning.

Now the other issue that is coming through is the fear of quiting and those first 2 days. You know that book - feel the fear and do it anyway? That's what you need to do. You will be ok, you will have cravings and feel like you are climbing the wall but that's ok too. Those feelings will pass quickly and cravings only last a few minutes at a time. So even if you are going crazy it will pass. Tell yourself you won't smoke in this 15 minutes but if after that it gets too much you can. In the words of Fergie take the quit 1 cig at a time.

Can you plan to do some things to keep yourself ultra busy this morning? Keep posting on here I'll hold you hand through this. You can do it x

Sue-UU

AlTeREgO wrote: »

Im feeling awful, I DO want to quit, but im not sure what to do next.

The NRT doesnt seem to be helping, i wondering if i'd do better going cold turkey?

Very well done, AlTeREgO, you did the right thing in reaching out, that alone shows a real willingness to stop!! That is not negative, it's being honest and letting us know your exact feelings which is vital!

Firstly, please don't be mad at yourself for what's happened, you didn't cave in! The fact is that it was you who was all geared up for New Year's morning and in a sense your OH scuppered things by him not quite being ready at the same time. That's ok though, we're all individuals.

You just need to get happy with what you do next (and when) which sounds to me as though you may just benefit from going CT, especially as you've had success that way. I'd do exactly that. Put all the NRTs aside (and btw patches worn at night don't seem to suit anyone!) in case you should need one - never all - and get ready to stop at your chosen time, then go for it!!

Men often find it so much easier to become fag-free then we women....well they would do...they're not so hormonal as us girls! So, be kind to him and whilst you still smoke, please, please do as he asks and keep away from him. Smoke only outside and right away from his wind direction, so to speak.

You've poured your heart out here which is exactly what we love folk to do, it helps take the stress off you and we now how to come back to you. Please pass on my best wishes to your OH, he's doing brilliantly!!! Be proud of him and happy for him...now be kind to yourself and do what you've wanted to do......stop smoking asaip!

When you stop, bear in mind the reasons why you both wanted to quit - remember?! Incentive enough to help you focus on at 'awkward' times? I reckon so Don't forget the Quitters Pledge.

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.

Please, if possible, take yourself away from the house, go for a good long walk and think it all through and plan for your next time and stick to it....or just stop for one day...then possibly the next etc. In your heart of hearts I think you're aware that you CAN do it, you're timing was just out of gear.

Read through this and see what you think, AlTeREgO, we're all with you whatever you do! :grinheart Have a read through the PM if you still have it? If not I can send you another.

Wishing you ALL the very best.

Hugs, Sue x