Any ex/non smokers out there with advice for a quitter!

in_debt_again_but_dealing_with_it

Hi all
As you can see from my sig I'm almost 2 weeks into my quit :j - quite an achievement really cause its the longest time without nicotine (I'm going cold turkery) since my last quit (lasted 12 months) 17 years ago!! Now I've read Allen Carr (my hero - may he rip) and about to buy Neil whats-his-name to keep me motivated. But I'm ashamed to say my resolve is weakening and whilst I don't think (I'm sure I won't) buy any Mr Nick O'Teen is wooing and tempting me and reminding me what a good friend (:mad: ) he was!!! To anyone reading this who has never smoked you must think I'm a nutter just look at the money saved so far not to mention the health benefits!!!! I know smoking is complete madness but most ex/non smokers would agree for every reason to stop there is always a reason to continue/start again. This time I'm determined to stay off them but I would welcome any advice :A , particularly from ex/non smokers to keep me heading in the right direction.
Many thanks.
IDA
x

notanothergreyhair

First of all........well done for getting so far already, it is a huge achievement.

I have been smoke free for just over 9 months now and to quit I went cold turkey. The only real tip I have, and you probably already know/do this, is when you might ordinarily have had a cigarette then drink a small glass of water. Someone suggested this to me when I quit and it is supposed to help form a new habit to replace the old one, it has helped me I think. The other thing is to keep looking at your silkquit meter...it really inspires me to keep going.

You can and you will keep going, I know you will. You're doing great already.

zebidee1

It's hard isn't it?

Accept the small feelings of maybe wanting a fag for what they are, just a small feeling. It's not a full on craving nor a deeper desire, you've passed those two emotions (well done!) and you can take the others in your stride and they will eventually pass too.

After smoking for 10 years I stopped ages ago now but it took months for the passing notions of having a fag to stop. I wasn't prepared for them, I thought once I'd got past the first bit it would be ok, but I still had the odd 'fancy a fag' moment for a long time afterwards. My first reaction to stress....fancy a fag. After dinner most nights....fancy a fag. Etc etc.

I thought I was just really weak willed until my brother told me he'd been like that for about a year and my other friends who'd stopped said much the same and it was part of the nomal process of giving up.

I eventually got to a point where the thought of smoking again was more disgusting than the 'fancy a fag' , moments and that's when I knew I was completely over it.

You've done well, it took me countless attempts to stop so I know how hard it is. Keep going and you will reach your 'no going back moment' and fags will not even cross your mind after that.

Just keep focusing on the positives ...more money in your pocket/ clean air in your lungs/ fresh smell in your hair & clothes/ less skin wrinkles / less hassle now the smoking ban is in etc etc. Everytime you think of a ciggie, imagine it's made from a rolled up £10 note and instead of lighting it up, you can unroll it and go spend it on something else you want instead.

Keep strong! It's WELL worth it! :beer:

caleo

Hi

Well done on your nearly 2 weeks!!! As previously said, keep a close eye on your meter....that should boost you daily, watching the money mount up, as well as the extra hours added to your life!:T

I gave up 2 and a half years ago after many many attempts. I had hypnotherapy AND patches two months before, but I just wasn't ready. Afew months later, I decided now was the time, so got my patches and started again. I had a top up hypnotherapy session, and I have never looked back. I stayed on the patches properly (all other times I tried, I would stop using them before the right time, and would go straight back to smoking). I had a hypnotherapy CD which I listened to every night, which also helped me to fall asleep!!!

I still had hard times, and there were still days when I could easily have had a ciggie, but I just didn't want to have to go through stopping again.

I felt so proud of myself, and kept looking at my quitometer which made me feel even better about myself.

When I got stressed, or fed up, and I wanted a ciggie, I would ask myself "how do non smokers cope with this without wanting a ciggie?", non smokers get through these times without a ciggie, so why could't I?

Really concentrate on how well you have done so far, and what a total waste it would be if you gave in now.

Keep going....you are doing great!!!!!:j

caleo

in_debt_again_but_dealing_with_it

Thanks your words of wisdom really do help me focus! Its funny but one of my reasons for not starting again is because I don't think I could face going through this (stopping) again and that would mean I'm a lifer!!! Heaven forbid! Anyway will go and update my sig. Thanks again.
IDA
x

kezia

Well done. Stopping smoking is so so hard, I have stopped and started again several times in the last 16 years (:eek: that is scary - I am only 33!!) I gave up at Easter this year (again) and so far have been fine(ish!!!). This time I tried something different. I bought an old secondhand bike and now go out regularly in the evenings for a bit of peace and quiet and some fresh air.

I wish you the best of luck!

in_debt_again_but_dealing_with_it

I started cycling to work in March (only a 10 min bike ride away) and must admit in the 10 days since stopping I've found it easier!

x_raphael_xx

A great tip to boost your will power is to put a few butts in a jam jar with a bit of water. When you get a craving open the jar and take a sniff.

You certainly wont light up after! blagh!

HairyHandofDartmoor

I only smoked for 2 years and gave up 20 years ago, so I am maybe not the best person to give advice! But I remember it was hard. I had to avoid pubs and anywhere that people were smoking as I got bad cravings when I smelt fresh smoke (noone likes stale smoke do they?) and I had to avoid alcohol ,even at home, as booze made me crave a fag really strongly!

However it did get easier over time. Chewing gum helped when I had a craving ,or doing anything active until the craving passed (housework, going for a walk, anything helps). I also saved the money I would have spent on fags and bought myself treats like clothes, etc, as a reward.

I also enjoyed feeling like I'd wasn't a slave to the habit anymore, as it made me feel weak willed and I'm normally quite a strong minded person. I didn't want to feel that I couldn't beat the habit, as I would have felt a bit feeble and pathetic!

Hope any of that helps and good luck!

gollygosh

i gave up 10 years ago and i found the cold turkey way worked for me. i used to tell myself that i could do what i wanted tommorrow, but today i had to be strong, needless to say tomorrow never came.

kezia

x_raphael_xx wrote: »

A great tip to boost your will power is to put a few butts in a jam jar with a bit of water. When you get a craving open the jar and take a sniff.

You certainly wont light up after! blagh!

That reminds me of when we used to smoke in the office. I would pop the fag end in my never-quite-empty plastic coffee cup and 2 minutes later take a swig from the cup. EWWWWWWW!