The Giving Up Smoking Thread!!

Little_Pickle

righto guys... i'm sitting here smoking myself into oblivion and it's gotta STOP!!!!

I want in if that's okay?

I'm going to go cold turkey. I've gotta do it!!!! I'm SICK of smoking. :mad:

I hope that you guys will be here if I need you!!!

Instead of feeling nervous, I'm feeling happy... I REALLY want to do this!

As an incentive, I have decided to put three pounds per day into a 'Little Pickle Pot' and spend the money on new clothes.
Not very MSE, I know, but I've been saving really hard lately and need something to keep me going..... I think this might help!

I'll pop back in tomorrow after I've had time to read the whole post and catch up to where you all are and let you all know how I'm doing!!!

I'll go to sleep VERY happy tonight knowing that I will wakr up tomorrow a NON-SMOKER!!! :T

big love,
LP
xox

olive84

Yey, little pickle well done! There will always be someone on here to give you a boost if you find it hard. If you're going cold turkey (I did) then I'd recommend the Allen Carr book. The first few days I found it good to drink a glass of water and have a walk around when I would usually have a cig. Come back and let us know how you do today!

helloworld2007

Well done Little Pickle for what is one of the best decisions you could ever make!

I went cold turkey too - and am finding it a little tough at the moment but sheer determination and will power has got me through to this stage.

I gave up on Sunday July 29th 2007 (I went out last Thursday, got very drunk, and had one cigarette on my way home --- I learnt my lesson very quickly - felt really guilty and I've not smoked since).

At first the withdrawal symptoms were like having a hangover, being slightly jet lagged coupled with a flu/cold groggy feeling...and a little bit spaced out. But this soon goes - and the feelings fluctuate between feeling euphoric and then sluggish....

My advice thus far, (these are the things I did):

- do a little exercise when you feel the cravings....(I play footy & run a couple of times a week now! and boy do I feel alot healthier!)
- drink a pint of water slowly when you have a craving
- breathe deeply and hold it in for 10 seconds when you have a craving/urge - it DOES pass...don't give in to this false temporary feeling..
- take a bath in the evening - it really relaxed / calmed me!
- your 'Little Pickle Pot' is a great motivator - I did the same, nearly £60 in my pot!
- keep reminding yourself of all the benefits of doing this...
- keep positive - some days are better than others


But well done for joining - wish you all the best luck!!

Hows everyone else doing?

My cravings are getting less -- but they are still there! But I'm winning the battle I feel......

keep going!!!! :rotfl:

TillyTrippit

Hi Little Pickle and everyone else battling the demone weed.
I am in utter awe of you people who are going cold turkey - pretty amazing decision.
I had patches - GP prescribed a month's supply but I lasted three weeks - the day Harry Potter was delivered I just sat reading and forgot to put one one - so I haven't since.

My GP must think that I've failed in my giving up and has sent me for a Spyrometry (!!!!!!) test on Monday!!! Hah will I feel smug.

TBH I am a bit scatty and there are days when I forget that I used to smoke - but then the stress will smack me and I will be back to craving. Recently, I discovered that one of those 'panting' breaths that I was taught to do in labour seems to help - you have to be careful though as you can get some very strange looks and people actually move away from you!!!

Keep strong and well done for making the decision and keeping to it!!

Tilly
xx

TNG

TillyTrippit wrote: »

I had patches - GP prescribed a month's supply but I lasted three weeks - the day Harry Potter was delivered I just sat reading and forgot to put one one - so I haven't since.

I am in utter awe of you people who are going cold turkey - pretty amazing decision.

so you're going cold turkey now? That makes you pretty awesome too, y'know :T :T :T

TBH I am a bit scatty and there are days when I forget that I used to smoke - but then the stress will smack me and I will be back to craving.

That aint craving TT, that's remembering. Think. The physical effects of smoking are long gone if you haven't had nicotine since Harry Potter came out, so what's left? The psychological. Its all now in your head. Your brain is a marvellous complex thing, but its a little confused and thinks you 'need' to smoke. Once your brain realises that it doesn't, you will have the 'moment of revelation' that Allen Carr goes on about and you will be free. Read anything you can get your hands on about the psychology of smoking, that will do more than anything to set you free

Anyone who has read Allen Carr by the way - you know the first chapter when he returns home and declares to his wife "I want to rid the world of smoking"? That's exactly how I feel

mikeD

Still struggling to convince myself that it would be right to give up, I only smoke aroung 9 a day. Have an appointment at a hospital for my annual eye checkup on Monday. Then in the afternoon and evening I have two potentially stressful meetings, and then, on Tuesday I hope to bite the bullet and give up the weed.

Well done all of you who have done it especially those who have gone cold turkey. I think I will use the patches as I am well stocked up.

TillyTrippit

Hi Mike,
Welcome to the thread, go on, you'll enjoy it - eventually!! It is difficult at first but then it does get easier. I had patches at first but then one morning I forgot to put one on and so gave up on them too!!!
Take care and think of the future - fag free and rich!!!
Take care,
Tilly
xx

FrugalJo

Hi All
Good to see how well you cope with stressful situations, and that nicotine isn't the answer. Just wish I could get on that wagon too.

Still struggling, bad week, didn't manage to stop last Sunday. Can't really justify any of it, just got to get there in my own head.

Tootie_Fruity

FrugalJo wrote: »

Hi All
Good to see how well you cope with stressful situations, and that nicotine isn't the answer. Just wish I could get on that wagon too.

Still struggling, bad week, didn't manage to stop last Sunday. Can't really justify any of it, just got to get there in my own head.

Give this a try.....

Don't choose a day to quit. On a day when you run out of cigs and you are sick to death of them just don't buy anymore. Stop right then.

You might think about them a lot for a few days but it really does fade away. I'm sure you are sick of hearing that - I know I was. But it is true.

TillyTrippit

Tootie - what fabulous advice - that way all you remember is just how bad you felt about them!!
Keep going everyone - we are doing this.
Take care,
Tilly
xx
Ps am finally over thinking that it is a great smell - well at least today, had a friend call around and for the first time didn't like the smell. Hope if lasts as am getting quite a reputation for sniffing people - its not healthy!!