I want to start my first serious attempt at quitting.

[rhino47]

I have quit before but going back to the habit was always in the back of my mind.I quit while I was pregnant.I think I had every intention of going back to it after my daughter`s birth.
I feel like crap.I walked 3 miles yesterday and it about killed me.I actually quit for a day last week then a family crisis came along and I went back to my crutch.
I need to work up a good anger at the cigs that have controlled my life for 25 years.Any coping suggestions anyone?I have the gum.I need help with how to cope with the strongest urges.

[murielm99]

1. I quit with the patch.

I am off the patch now. I did not feel any urges that were stronger than usual when I was finished. But while I was on the patch, there were times that I wanted to smoke. No smoking cessation method does the work for you. You have to tough it out.

I have been quit 88 days. I still get the urge to smoke once in awhile, but I tell myself NO.

Find something else to do for five minutes. Take your dog for a walk. Drink ice cold water. But wait. If you wait, the crave will go away. You just have to tough it out. You have to find a way to ride the crave.

The urge to smoke comes less often for me now. I know I am done with that habit. I feel better. I smell better. I might live longer, if shrub does not start world war three.

[swimboy]

2. Congratulations!

I'm glad to hear how you're doing. I'm doing really well since the holidays and have not smoked in several situations where I could have very easily. So I'm taking it seriously this time.