My Quitting Smoking Diary - yours too!

warez22

Morning All!

Still hanging on in there. That is how I would describe it at the moment, I don't know why.

I have sort of lost the momentum of the 'honeymoon' period of giving up where you go mad with exercise and keep going. Sort of moped around all weekend really. Didnt smoke, but wanted to.

Nobody is asking me how I am getting on anymore so whether it is the acceptance of getting my head round the fact that this is it now, I don't know.

The euphoria has got up and gone! But never have any point have I thought of jacking it all in. Part of the ups and downs of the journey I chose to take.

It just seems like a might long journey at the moment, one that I want to take.

I suppose I would describe it as being in emotional purgatory!

But I heard on the radio that today is blue monday, so maybe how I am feeling has nothing to do with my giving up the fags, maybe I would have been a miserable sod anyway!!

Good luck everybody today, hang on in there, the gift of clean fresh air racing around our lungs is definitely worth it.

And on a positive note, which I always do try to find, my skin is looking FANTASTIC. I always had inbed blackheads on my nose that I could never get rid of (not as unsightly as it sounds, they were very small!) but they have gone, voila! My skin is so smooth and I don't wake up in the mornings with bags under my eyes.

So getting there right?:)

Sue-UU

Kiwisaver wrote: »

[/LEFT]The path to freedom certainly is a journey, not a destination and as someone once said here in my early days, you just have to keep putting your foot forward and taking those steps.

Thanks very much indeed for all your wise thoughts in your post, Kiwi, I'd never thought of likening it all to a child's age, but you're so right. That being the case, then you're the 'terrible 2's' toddler and I'm...the 'rebel teenager'! :grinheart

Whatever we are years wise, we're a darned sight healthier than back in 'those days'. Many thanks for all the wise words in your post. All the best to you, to New Zealand also!

Please keep inspiring folk with your updates, help too any time you wish.

Sue xx

warez22 wrote: »

I have sort of lost the momentum of the 'honeymoon' period of giving up where you go mad with exercise and keep going. Sort of moped around all weekend really. Didnt smoke, but wanted to.

Nobody is asking me how I am getting on anymore so whether it is the acceptance of getting my head round the fact that this is it now, I don't know.

The euphoria has got up and gone! But never at any point have I thought of jacking it all in. Part of the ups and downs of the journey I chose to take.

It just seems like a mighty long journey at the moment, one that I want to take.

Good luck everybody today, hang on in there, the gift of clean fresh air racing around our lungs is definitely worth it.

So getting there right?:)

Morning warez! Getting there indeed, but as you've realised, you've gone through the 'honeymoon' period' and are now at the stale (almost) 3 week weird period where many folk find what they best describe as 'boredom'. Monday isn't the best day to judge yourself by though as there's always the 'Monday blues' to be taken into account.

Write down all the good things you've noticed on having stopped on one side of a piece of paper...then write down all the bad things, bet I know which is the list and which is nul points! The good list should still make you feel really chuffed with yourself.

As you say, people have stopped asking too!! That happened a lot for me and has done for others who've been here too; the problem is that most of the people we know don't smoke so they couldn't possibly understand. They have no idea about the journey we're on, or have been on (I use the past tense as it applies to yo as much as me now!), not an inkling....so how can they know that it takes time and isn't a case of "ah..so and so's stopped smoking now" and that's that! Saying that, for some it can be that simple, but if we're not that way inclined then not easy at all.

I have to admit that my hubby was amazing, our Son & Daughter too, with a promise from our lad of "You give it up for a month, Mum, and I'll pay for us all to go out for a meal!" I had that and lots of compliments to help me look ahead...and that's what all of us need as it really does help no end.

Remind your OH, your youngsters too, that you still need their support as "although this might appear to be easy I'm still struggling and need you all to help me a while longer." Have you ever treated yourself to something for all you've accomplished so far? If not, please take some of the money saved to buy something you really would like, darn it, warez - you really do deserve it!!

For now, look forward to tomorrow...then, whatever you're doing..keep looking at your nose..and ahead! Thoughts of you walking down the street looking at the end of your nose makes me smile - a lot!

Hugs, Sue xxx You're still doing bloomin well, be proud! :T:T

A lovely and very true piece below from Kiwi to end with today, folks. Keep positive and know that this terrific journey is so worth it...more than that - so are YOU!!!

<<<"The path to freedom certainly is a journey, not a destination and as someone once said here in my early days, you just have to keep putting your foot forward and taking those steps">>>

anablle

Warez nobodys asking ( i know wat u mean by that ) but we've certainly noticed how amazing you are and how brilliantly youve done :j (( big big hugs )) xx

warez22

anablle

Ah, thank you.

But you are dragging me along with you, trust me, you are also doing fab! Well done. It is people like you on here that are keeping me going.

Why did we ever put that cancer stick in our mouths eh? When we were young and stupid!!!

Hope you are doing ok and getting through each day with courage, I am sure you are. xx

tyadog

Warez22 - Hang on in there - you are doing so well! Isnt it the Allen Carr book which says there he thinks there is a real danger point around Day 21, as thats when we think we have cracked it, and therefore can deal with a little puff - just to check!!

Dont give in, and I wonder if your feeling at the moment is a prelude to the Day 21 temptation?! You are doing so well - as is everyone.

I told hardly anyone I was stopping, and many folk simply havent realised that I have, as they rarely actually saw me with a cigarette

Ive found things a little harder over the last day or two. Still getting there though, and I still have the 4 cigs in a packet in a drawer which is easy to get to - and there is a lighter in the packet too... So it would be very easy.

Im glad that even at my worst moments due to the very negative champix effect on me, that I still didnt revert to that packet with 4..... That actually gives me real hope that I really have stopped, and wont be tempted in "stressful" moments

T
x

warez22

Morning All!

Tyadog - thanks for your post, that all makes sense, it's nice to know that it is all part of the process.

Going to try and find a different approach today in that I am going to change my mindset (or try to) that this is it now, I am not giving up anything because I already have. This is now my normal life. I know no different (well that is what I am going to try to think)

If I hit a stressfull situation, so what? So does everyone else and they don't have a fag do they and what negative effect happens to them if they don't - NOTHING!

I have definitely broken the habit, my body doesnt need it anymore (not that it ever did).

If I feel like moping (it has been known) I will get outside, go for a walk, MOVE ON. Live my life.

Good luck everyone today, we CAN do it and are doing it. We are brave, bold and have the guts of 10 men to win the fight that we are fighting - SO WELL DONE!:)

Dave33

Hi everyone

It's been many days (feels like weeks) of ups and downs with the patches but without success I'm afraid

I keep thinking that if I can get through one day I'll crack it, but I haven't even got that far yet.

I desperately want to quit but I don't know how long the constant feeling of loss and deprivation will go on for. If I knew then it would make it easier I suppose.

I haven't posted on here since last week mainly due to my embarrasment that I didn't act upon my promise and actually quit

To all you who have gone weeks and months without a fag, congratulations

warez22

Dave33

The fact that you have come back and posted on here means that you know in your heart that you CAN do it.

Please try and get a copy of Allen Carr's book, read it on a loop, get an elastic band for your wrist, ping it every time you want a fag.

If you want it enough, you will do it. Write down all the reasons for quitting and stick them in your wallet, on the fridge, by your PC, so it serves as a constant reminder why you want to quit.

It is tough, but not as tough as the alternative. Do not give up on giving up.

Maybe try going without a fag for a certain period of time, keep stretching it out so the gaps get longer and longer. Keep busy.

Good luck, you know you can do it. xx

Dave33

warez22 wrote: »

Dave33

The fact that you have come back and posted on here means that you know in your heart that you CAN do it.

Please try and get a copy of Allen Carr's book, read it on a loop, get an elastic band for your wrist, ping it every time you want a fag.

If you want it enough, you will do it. Write down all the reasons for quitting and stick them in your wallet, on the fridge, by your PC, so it serves as a constant reminder why you want to quit.

It is tough, but not as tough as the alternative. Do not give up on giving up.

Maybe try going without a fag for a certain period of time, keep stretching it out so the gaps get longer and longer. Keep busy.

Good luck, you know you can do it. xx

Hi Warez

Thanks for your kind words

My latest attempt lasted about 7 and a half hours and just collapsed in a haze of smoke about 15 minutes ago. To be honest it collapsed about an hour before, it was just a matter of time before I lit up again

I think I want to try cold turkey but if I can't quit using NRT what chance to do I have under my own steam?

As I said I desperately want to quit and during my most recent successful attempt (if that makes sense?!) I felt so much better and saved shed loads of cash, so I know the benefits are plentiful.

I was also diagnosed with asthma in August 2011, but seeing as that's treatable it hasn't made me quit, despite several chest infections and asthma attacks since then. My doctor has said that asthma in adults is usually tiggered by smoking and it is a slippery slope of respiratory illnesses from then on - unless I quit.

I last quit recently (see my earlier posts on here) for around 2 months but after the patches finished I struggled mightily and started smoking again. Quitting for 2 days would be a bonus at the moment

Edit: ....and I'm still smoking with a patch on, why???!

warez22

Dave33

What is it that you struggle with? Stupid question, I know, but is it something to do with your hands, when you are bored? Certain times of the day? When you are doing certain things?

Maybe you need to have a think as to what your triggers are, what you need to do for the first step and go from there.

An example would be when you get up, do you have a cup of coffee and a fag? If so, you need to change your routine at that time so the coffee doesnt set up mind association and think 'FAG!!'. Works for me, hopefully would work for you.

The thing is, once you have got past the first 3 days the nicotine is all but gone from your system, it is then just your mind playing with you. That's why I chose CT and Allen Carr cos NRT are just replacing one addition for another.

I think giving up smoking is life changing and I certainly haven't cracked it yet and, if I am honest, still feel deprived of something (stupid I know). But it is positive life changing, try and occupy your time.

Please try again, it doesn't matter how many times you have tried before, or how many times you will try, it will be worth it in the end. Little by little you will free yourself and get your head round the change of lifestyle.

Good luck - you can do it.