Loungies who have quit smoking

[lost-in-nj]

I need your help
How did you do it!!!
I tried the patches but around 5pm I really wanted a cigarette..
I did LOVE the dreams i had with it
I bought Nicorette to try and thought I would start next week on vacation.
Ideas, tips, encouragement!!???


Thanks


lost

[Ariana Celeste]

1. I'm coming up on my 6 month milestone :)

The most important thing is that you are ready mentally, and accept it! For most people, cutting down doesn't help- you either do it cold turkey or get gum, patches, etc.

I did it cold turkey- I just decided enough was enough! On my last cigarette, it just made me feel sick. I got angry for a second, and got up- grabbed a coffee can and emptied all of my ashtrays into it, and stuck the last of my pack in there, and filled the rest with water. Put the lid on, shook it around good. The very next thing I did was sit down and write a list of every reason I was quitting that I could think of. Whenever the thought crossed my mind- I read the list, and snacked on a few baby carrots!

Make sure to drink lots of water, and try not to give in to eating a bunch of extra food- I gained 30 lbs that way, no shit! :)

Good luck!!! :hug: :toast: :woohoo:

[speedoo]

6. I agree. You have to be mentally ready.

In my case, I quit shortly after my son (first child) was born. It occurred to me that if I smoked, my kids probably would as well, and I knew it would be terrible for their health. So I wanted to be a better role model.

The second thing was, I calculated the economics. This was a long time ago, but the cost for me to smoke, for a year, was something like a couple week's pay. And I decided I could not afford that.

If you smoke a pack a day now, at what, $5 a pack? That's $1825 a year. I can do a lot with $1825.

So I was motivated, beyond just the health effect on me personally, plus all the other crap that smoking does to you... the smell, etc.

[Ariana Celeste]

7. Yes!

I didn't have a kid but.... My SO is a non smoker, and we got a dog.... and I just started feeling so guilty all the time that I was most likely affecting their health!! And I truly was! When I quit, after a week or so, my SO said it felt like he was quitting, too. :hi:

[speedoo]

12. Of course! Secondary smoke...

back when I quit, we knew nothing about that.

:hi:

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

2. I threw the pack and the matches away

and never picked them up again.

Say "NO" one cig at a time. Simply do not allow yourself to give in and say "YES". Remember, it's not the cigs you're fighting, it's yourself.

[femmocrat]

3. I quit cold-turkey when I found out I was pregnant... years ago!

You could try getting pregnant?

[Lady President]

4. I'm at 22 months!

For me, the patch helped. It wasn't easy, but it did help a lot. I still smoked 2-3 cigarettes a day for the first couple weeks. I know it's not recommended, but it worked for me. Also, I changed my normal routine-- I set my alarm clock later, so I was rushing around in the morning, spent most of my time in my bedroom where I never smoked, read the Sunday paper at the coffee shop, rather than at home with cigs.

And, I never promised myself that I would never smoke again. Even though it has been almost 2 years, I still consider myself a smoker that just hasn't had a cigarette in long time. To think that I will never smoke for the rest of my life sounds so daunting. If I smoke a cigarette someday, it will be fine because I'll just get back on the wagon.

I wish you much luck! It really can be done. There is not just one way to quit-- whatever works for you is the way to go. Good luck!! :)

[Tikki]

10. We are at 21 month's here....

....my son quit using the patch and I quit 'cold turkey'. My son is exposed to smokers from time to time...he has
not started up again.
I feel no urge to smoke again. I am now a nonsmoker. I am older and these final smoke-free years
are my last chance and I would never want my little grandson to say the words..."My grandma smokes"....


Tikki

[PassingFair]

5. I went BROKE.

Quitting is EASY when you have two kids and a two-pack
a day habit times two adults = the equivalent of health
insurance payment.

I've been off the smokes for 4 years. I used the nicorette gum,
and my husband used the patches. We had tried unsuccessfully 3 or
4 times before, when our business began to sag.....

Being unable to afford the cigs was what actually did the trick....

[coffeenap]

8. Clean for 17 years.

It is a decision, that's all. A decision to stop now. Accept that you will have cravings, but reject them because you decided never to smoke again. It is doable, but I had to really mean it, not just wish for it. After about 2 weeks, it was totally manageable, and after two months I was over it. I wish you the best--it is one of the great decisions of my life.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

9. My uncle picked a day and just quit.

His wife was hypnotized. And both worked.
Duckie

[Generic Brad]

11. Cold turkey

You either smoke or you don't smoke. Sounds simple, but it will be one of the hardest things you ever do. You have to commit yourself to it 100%. If you give in to just one or two to take off the edge, you are right back where you started.

So, are you in or out?

:smoke: or B-)

[swag]

13. I used a booklet set called "Freedom from Smoking in 28 days" from the

American Lung Association. I did all my homework in those books. I did that program about five times in total: I would go a year or two then fall off the wagon for a month. Then I knew I had to do the booklet program again. Finally quit for good about 10 years ago. Can't and won't have another puff.

The "Freedom from Smoking" materials have changed since I did the program, by the way, but the American Lung Assocation (check your state and local branch) still has similar, better stuff.

That's not the only way, but that's what I did, and it helped me a lot.

Best to you.

[RumpusCat]

14. You have to break up with cigarettes

I quit about a year ago. I decided that I didn't want to hit 30 and still be a smoker (I'm 25 now, but that was my thinking at the time. It's no longer cute when you're older).

I tried to quit by cutting down on my cigs per day (10 a day this week, 8 a day the next week, on down) but it didn't work for me because I would find ways to justify having just a few more: "Oh, I'm stressed. Oh, it's party" etc. What worked was setting a quit date in the future--just a month or so ahead. Smoke all you want until then but post prominent reminders of your quit date around. I found that it helped me get in the mindset of quitting: "After October 1st I will no longer be a smoker."

Dealing with the physical addiction isn't that bad--warn everyone around you that you just quit smoking because you WILL be cranky. I was a raging hellbeast for about three days. Forget the patches and the gum because those'll keep the drug circulating in your system. That'll fade after 3 or 4 days and after that it's just a battle against ingrained habits. Think of it as quitting 20 little habits a day. Better yet, think of it like you're dumping a lover who was really good in bed but who was no good to you. Sure, you had your good times, and you'll always have a romantic fondness, but you know that to grow as a person you have to get rid of this lover who's holding you back and not treating you right. You know how, when you break up with someone, you absolutely should resist calling them because it'll bring all the old feelings flooding back? Same with smoking--try to avoid the places you liked smoking in the best and if possible don't hang out with other smokers for a little while. Cigarettes will beg for you back but be strong because you dumped them for a reason and if you get back with them you'll just have to break up with them all over again.

It's doable! :hi: You can do it if I can, I'm hardly the model of willpower over here. :)

[Flying Dream Blues]

15. Try exercising when you get a craving. Drinking water and

chewing gum helped. Also, change your routine like the other poster said, to avoid the situations where you feel like you "have" to smoke. If you think the patch is wearing off at 5 maybe you need a stronger one for a while?

The exercise (even just walking) helps the cravings, but also helps remind you of how much better you feel and the kinds of activity you'll be able to do more of when you don't smoke.

Also, use some of the money you are saving to treat yourself. Think of some things to do ahead of time that you'll do instead of having a cigarette. Also, I found that I really couldn't handle drinking for awhile without really craving a cigarette. That finally goes away, but it can be a real pitfall.

These are just some random thoughts. Visualize yourself as a healthy non-smoker. You can do it!!

[Beausoir]

16. I quit 12 years ago. The patch finally did it.

I went to the doctor...and she was great. She really made it personal for me.

And..I ate. Seriously. I ate and ate and ate. KFC, Pizza, tacos...you name it.

Pretzels helped alot too.

12 years later, I'm still trying to lose the extra weight. But..I am smoke-free.

Good luck! You CAN do it.

[madrchsod]

17. i stopped in 1981

i just quit...another thing is to remember how much money you will save each week and put the money in savings and reward yourself at one year...cigs are what $4 times 7=$28 times 52=$1456 a year----what would you do with $1456 at the end of one year? when you get older and the doctor asks if you smoke you can say "i quit years ago" and he/she will give you a big smile! you also save on insurance prems....good luck hey you can do it!

[pokerfan]

18. It's different for everyone

Took me several tries.

But know this, if you can quit for a week, then the physical addiction is mostly beat. The rest is just habit and social.

For me, it was the morning cough and when it got right down to it, what are these things doing for me anyway? Way back when, they used to give me a buzz, but then it was nothing. I just had to gun a stick.

Keep at it. You will find something that works.

Just a couple of insights.

1) Keep track of the money you save and use it to buy yourself presents. Or bank half of it and buy yourself something with the rest. The important thing is to realize that you aren't just giving something up, you are gaining something in return.

2) Substitution. There are cravings and then there are triggers. Triggers are learned sequences, like I just did this, now it's time for a smoke. Those fuckers can fire at an instant. It's cliche, but find something to put in your mouth instead. Gum, carrots, etc.

That's pretty much it. Best of luck.

[windbreeze]

19. I tried hypnosis years ago...it didn't work...I tried the patch once...

it didn't work, for long...so this time...I told myself...that's it...I am quitting...and I used one patch out of the box to get me through the first 24 hours...that was it...that was 10 months ago...and I also decided I needed to admit I have an addiction...and that it's ok to crave a cigarette...because I still do...but...not having one, is what counts...and I haven't had one yet...
I didn't start smoking until I was 37...and smoked for 28 years...then decided..ok..enough is enough...
I gained weight...but...recently was in the hospital, and the one nurse explained to me...that when you smoke...you take in 80% of the calories from any food you eat...when you quit...you start taking in 100% of the calories from what you eat...so even if you eat NO MORE than you did...you will most likely still gain weight...and she said it could take as long as a year to stabilize...I hope, is all I can say...
Good luck...it's hard...and you gotta do it for you...alone...
wb

[Gidney N Cloyd]

20. Quit 4 years ago...

I picked a day and went cold turkey BUT I had patches and gum handy so in case I got too crazy I could fall back on that instead of starting the cigs again.

I told a few people, including my supportive bosses, so in case I actually killed someone who desperately deserved it but normally wouldn't get it, I'd have an alibi.

One thing that made this time work after several failures, and I think this applies to your case, I had previously always tried to set a quit day on a long weekend, a vacation, etc., thinking it would give me a running start for when I eventually had to face the real world smokeless. I bailed just before going back to work every time.
The time it worked I picked a workday, a Tuesday, and just faced all the demons and challenges head on. Too busy to think too much about it. By the time the weekend rolled around and I had time to think about where I was, I was feeling too good about myself to fall off the wagon.

[wildhorses]

21. I quit smoking 5 years ago when I had pneumonia and pleurisy.

I threw away a half pack and just QUIT. It was easy at the time cos HELL it HURT to breathe much less try to smoke!! However, every now and then late at night if I have been drinking and toking and hanging out and with my smoker friends then I will "bum" one and take a couple of puffs. I wish I didn't do that but, HELL I'm drunk and stoned and not in my right mind. In the morning I have no desire for another one so I guess if this is the best I can do then I will have to learn to live with it. It is not easy now that I am dating a smoker. I wish he would quit. He did NOT even start until he was 30 :wtf: Hell, I had already quit for 3 years when I was that age. But, yeah like a dumbass I started back... I have been an erratic smoke ever since. This past 5 years is the BEST I have ever done with it :shrug:

Good luck :thumbsup:

[Broken_Hero]

22. I wont' have much advice...

I'm a cold turkey man myself...I am over 5 weeks smoke free, and last year/this year, I lasted 9 months....I usually have a rough 5-7 days, and after that I'm pretty decent....

I have never used patches, or hypnosis, or pills, or gum...so no advice for me...I bit the bullet, went through the "madness" and I deal with it. Its hard, I usually have a hard time when I'm drinking, and when people are smoking around me(while i'm drinking!)....:) But, you can do it, if you put your mind/heart into it...I know you can, and I hope/wish nothing but the best for you....:hi:

[billyskank]

23. It's not what you want to hear, I'm sorry, but

there is no trick or method that makes it easy. Giving up just means not having a smoke, and continuing not to have a smoke.

[Roon]

24. I've been quit for 20 months

The only advice I can offer..is yes,it's very painful to quit. The first three days are the hardest. But by the fourth day, it starts to get a little easier. Then the next day it's little more easier. Then before you know it you are quit for two weeks.

[Roon]

25. Oh, and this helped

101 things to do instead of smoking
http://quitsmoking.about.com/od/cravingsandurges/a/101thingstodo.htm

[lost-in-nj]

26. WOW Thanks for all the tips

and CONGRATULATIONS to all who have quit

:toast: :applause:

Thanks for all the tips to. I'm going to try.
This will be my second attempt. My first attempt was in 1992 ;(


lost

[Trailrider1951]

27. Good luck in your quitting, lost

I quit about ten years ago by using the Nicorette gum. It took about 3 trials of quitting before I finally conquered it. I started by chewing the 4 mg pieces, taking one every time a craving hit, even if only 5 minutes had passed. After about 3 months, I switched to the 2 mg pieces, and stayed with them for about 6 months, gradually weaning myself to non-nicotine sugarless gum. I had to realize that just one PUFF of a cig will addict me again, and every time I got a craving, I would just laugh and tell myself "You're not that stupid". Hugs to you, and you'll be so glad to not be a slave to the cigs again.:hug:

[OnionPatch]

28. Subliminal Affirmations

or otherwise called self-hypnosis.

Get thee a CD and listen to it daily. Choose a day about a month in the future that will be your last day to smoke and stock up on nicorette.

This is what I did and I haven't smoked since 1995! :woohoo:

[a kennedy]

29. This website really helped me......

http://www.stopsmokingcenter.net/support/default.aspx I used the patch, changed my routine, tried at least 3 times to quit.....and finally got past the first week which is called hell week and then it actually got easier. I know now though that I can never have another puff. NOPE. Not One Puff Ever. You really have to make up your mind that this is it. I quit 501 days ago, I have saved $2505.00 and have NOT smoked 10,027 cigarettes. Ya gotta go to that website though it'll really help. Good luck, you can do it. :toast: :thumbsup: :hug: :applause:

[scarlet_owl]

30. I haven't smoked tobacco in six years.

I quit cold turkey. It really wasn't that hard for me. Good luck to you!

[Justyce]

31. 2 packs a day for 12 yrs, quit Cold Turkey...

That's the only way to do it IMO - I tried everything else first. Jolly Ranchers & gum to occupy you, and I also chewed on a straw the first few days - lol. And my husband smoked around me the whole time I was trying to quit. The first few days were hard, but I kept telling myself, if I smoke now, I've gone through these last hours/days/weeks for NOTHING. I also kept thinking of how much money a month extra I would have... It was the best thing I've ever done. I can breathe easier now, don't get winded, don't cough up crud in the mornings, etc. And you can go into restaurants, movies, doctors offices, etc., and not be thinking the whole time about when you can get out to get your next smoke. It's so freeing -- you don't even realize what a slave you are to it until you've quit.

Edited to add -- I quit about 5 years ago, woo hoo! :)

[southpaw]

32. Quitnet.com

Cut drinking straws into cigarette-size pieces and keep them handy to offset the absence of something to hold between your fingers and puff on.

I did use the nicotine inhaler for the first couple of weeks, but only to combat the worst of the cravings. I was not interested in maintaining my nicotine addiction, and merely swapping one delivery system for another.

Research the evils of the tobacco industry... how they target 12 year olds... how they reserve the right to smoke for 'the young, the poor, the black and the stupid'

Google for info on David (or Dave) Goerlitz... a former Winston ad model who now spreads the word about the real attitudes of the tobacco companies.

Good luck.

[SteppingRazor]

33. Can't help ya -- I'm still on the coffin nails.

Hope to quit sometime this year though, before my next b-day.

[LSK]

34. my dad sucked on candy

He quit 20 years ago.

[L A Woman]

35. I quit January 2, 2005

Over a year and a half now and I don't miss it one bit! Best thing I ever did!

Here is what I did. I made a list of all the reasons I failed the first 100 times I tried to quit. Then I devised a strategy to deal with each of them. I learned exactly what my body would be going through after quitting.

I'll say the following to you;

1) Each craving lasts three minutes or less. That's all. Drink OJ, do pushups, eat carrots, walk around the block - do something during that three minutes and poof, it's over. Each day, you will have fewer and fewer cravings and it won't be long before you are not thinking of it at all.

2) Do it now. Not Monday, not after the holidays, not after you find a new job. Life is a rollercoaster of events. There will ALWAYS be an excuse to do it later! There are a lot of people hooked up to oxygen tanks who couldn't quit smoking until after ____. Just do it.

3) Do it cold turkey. Gum, patches, etc - they rarely work. (I read one stat claiming they work 9% of the time but I think even that is being generous). When you quit smoking, the nicotine stays in your bloodstream for 72 hours. That's it. After that, it's all in your head. It's a matter of association. You have to disassociate cigarettes with coffee, sex, alcohol, and every other part of your life.

I'll refer you to a great website. www.whyquit.com - it helped me a lot.

And I PROMISE you - it is easier than you think. It really is. It gets easier and easier and easier. Hang in there and whatever you do, don't give up.

[Rambis]

36. Quit after a big event or trip

I quit smoking at 12 midnight in front of MCGann's pub County Clare Ireland May 1. Everytime I am out and want one I think of bumming that last smoke as the last one. I kept the filter as a momento. So far so good but it has not been easy a couple of times. I did not use the gum I used to smoke when I had drinks but slowly cut that out as well. Nic is a bitch to kick. Once you realize you just can't replace it no matter what you do it is a bit freeing mentally anyway.
Good luck!!!!

[underpants]

37. The patch and Orbit gum

over a year now after 20+ years of a pack a day smoking.

Use the cheapest patch you can get-they only serve to deliver nicotine. I used som athlete tape to keep them on too. You can just switch arms each day don't get worried about putting in a completely different part of your body everyday.

Here's the big thing

You just have to commit to doing it. Don't think about WHEN you will get to have another one just get it in your mind that that stupid wasteful childish stinky expensive stupid part of your life is over.

After 10 days you will basically have it beat you just won't want to "give up those days"

Feel free to PM me any time you like to let me know how it is doing or if you need any advice/encouragement. It is harder than quitting heroin (they say) but it isn't that tough people do it everyday.

Also the toll free stop smoking number with mentor sounds like a good idea.

Citrusmint Orbit gum with the new Lemon-Lime is AWESOME!

[_testify_]

38. Talk to your doctor about Zyban.

I took it for one month and I have not had a cigarette since June '05. It is an antidepressant, however - your doctor can tell you everything you'd need to know.

Also, I still live with 2 smokers, including my gf.

[Dora]

39. Wellbutrin SR did it for me.

I quit four weeks after I started taking the meds. It was much easier for me than it was for my husband, who did it without.