This thread is about SMOKING!

[Earth_First]

...and QUITTERS!

I know that there are alot of us out there in DU-land (myself included) that are in various stages of becoming ex-smokers.

I just wanted to create a friendly thread of support to everyone who is making this transition!

For me, it's been 10 days since my last puff and I am nicotine-free!

To those who are making the commitment, what really worked for me was I spent the first week of my quit reading support and health awayness forums to help me quit. Everything that I read reassured me that the withdrawl was only temporary and that the health benefits to quitting would far outweigh the effects of smoking for the last 15 years. Most (immediately) noticeable to myself was the amount of energy that I felt. It's unbelievable! Everything that you have read about the first 72 hours is true. However, it gets so much better by the end of the first week. Read about it, and then talk about it. With someone you love, online, even a co-worker (it may even encourage them to quit right along with you.)

The second most noticeable effect since I put the cigarettes down was the drastic increase in the available balance in my checking/debit account. In the past two weeks, I have denied the tobacco companies of over $208 in cash that went to support lobbying politicians whose ideals were/are not of a Democrat, much less a Democrat with a 10 year-old.

Keep at it folks! It gets so much easier, you just have to believe me! Take this from a 2 pack a day smoker for the past 15 years. If I can do it, so can all of you!

:grouphug:

[Fridays Child]

1. Excellent! Keep at it!

:hi:

[Warpy]

2. Your words did more than mine ever could

by letting them know the best way out is through, even though going through it is utterly miserable for a few days.

You need to put your cigarette money separate somewhere and in a year you can look at it and realize how big an accomplishment it really was. You can use it to get something you always wanted but could never afford.

You'll deserve it.

[KittyWampus]

3. Congratulations. Hopefully in the future it will just seem weird holding a cigarette

and the smell will make you nauseous.

[AndyA]

4. Congratulations! I'm so happy for you.

And to think, with every day that goes by, the folks who donate your hard earned money to the GOP and lobbyists are denied income! You're really doing two things at once: by quitting, you will be healthier and live longer, and your money isn't going to the tobacco companies to do with as they may.

I know it's hard, but keep at it! :thumbsup:

[Blues Heron]

5. Nice!

:fistbump:

[TahitiNut]

6. Why not post this in the Smoking Cessation Group??

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=326


:eyes:

[Earth_First]

10. Sorry that this bothers you so much...

:eyes:

However, I will entertain your semi-rhetorical question by saying this...

The Smoking Cessation Group receive little to no traffic (if many know that it even exists)

If this thread get through to ONE person who finds the motivation behind these words to quit, then it was well worth the effort to inconvenience you by posting this here.

Mods, feel free to do what you will with this thread.

[barbtries]

19. i'll second that

didn't know such a group existed.

[sandyj999]

7. I have a suggestion.

When I stopped smoking I put the money I would have spent every week in a jar so I could see it. That was my visible reward and you would be amazed how fast that builds up. I was able to use it for whatever I wanted because it would have been smoked away. And it's nice to know that as soon as you quit your lungs begin to heal. :fistbump:

[Earth_First]

9. I opened up a second savings account online...

I do just that everyday.

Thanks for the suggestion!

[sandyj999]

11. It's so nice to have a extra money rather than burning it up.

It's been many years since I quit and I can honestly say that I have never even had the urge. I actually found out I can carry on a phone conversation without one of darn things. And seeing someone sticking that "stick" in their mouth and dragging on it actually looks funny to me. I started in the era that told you smoking was the "in" thing to do and boy were they wrong!

[monmouth]

8. I find being outdoors as much as possible really helps with the urges also. Of course,

I am in Florida and there's that one and only plus, but outdoors for some reason...I never think to light up. Now, how to move a bed/cot outside, might be helpful. Good on you, you are a great role model and I shall try harder.

[sandyj999]

14. It's difficult to smoke in the shower too.

Going for a short walk is a great way to direct your thoughts in another direction. Remember the urge will go away whether you smoke or not. Just hang on, you will see.

[sutz12]

12. I quit 30 years ago.

It can be done.

:thumbsup:

[Burma Jones]

13. I quit 13 years ago

There are indeed more entertaining things to do with that "disposable" income......

[TroglodyteScholar]

15. Way to go!

I quit on New Year's Eve, although I have puffed on a pipe 3 or 4 times since then (not inhaling, of course). I find that's pretty easy not to get addicted to, since it requires carrying both a pouch and a stinky pipe--no way.

Anyway, keep up the good work! It's a great feeling, isn't it?

[Winterblues]

16. An urge will not last longer than three minutes.

Make it through that three minutes and you will go another period being smoke free. Then another urge will occur but it won't last more than three minutes. Pretty soon the urges get farther and farther between. After thirty years of non smoking I still get the occasional impulse. It doesn't even last a few seconds though. Quiting smoking is something you will deal with your whole life but it gets easier and easier as the days go by. IMO the very worst period is after six months. That is when you know you have it licked and often fall prey to an urge just to prove to yourself you don't need it any more. Don't fall for it. Your mind will play lots of tricks on you but just stick to your guns and you will/can beat it. Millions have and you can too.

[rudy23]

17. Keep at it! Life is about to get much better!

You're right to focus on the benefits you're getting, instead of the hamster wheel, GOP funding drug you've given up.

[barbtries]

18. i'm working my way toward

quitting. there i said it. i was going to say "trying to quit." i am a tough case but i think it's going to happen in 2009.

[Wheezy]

20. This book was what worked for me:

http://www.amazon.com/Easy-Way-Stop-Smoking-Non-Smokers/dp/1402718616/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1235606278&sr=1-1

I think I first heard about this book here. Many, many thanks to whoever posted about it a little over a year ago. I quit last January and never went back.

Be strong, friends!

[yellerpup]

21. Hooray for you!

You will never regret it! I smoked a pack a day (or less as time went by) for forty years and quit on my birthday three years ago next month. I don't miss it at all now and when I do think of smoking it is only in the context of being grateful that I managed to kick the habit once and for all. Be healthy and happy and enjoy your shopping spree on your anniversary! Your ten-year-old deserves for you to be around to babysit for his/her kids in another decade or so, and you certainly won't want to miss that! Congratulations! :applause: :woohoo:

[Beam Me Up]

22. Stopped November 20, 2008

Note, this isn't the first time but it is the most recent. Yes, I've lapsed a few times -- but only a few. All in all it is working.

Here is one thing that helps: Know that the desire to have a cigarette will go away whether you have one or not. Simply don't follow through on the impulse and go on with whatever you were doing. Soon you'll forget you ever wanted the cigarette as you get caught up in whatever is holding your attention. It is only at some point later that you realize, "AhHa! I didn't smoke and I forgot all about it -- the craving went away." That is the way it works. The cravings never go away but they become less intense and less frequent IF you do not feed them.

One has to be ready to face the emotional consequences -- which are not always bad. One may discover a LOT more energy. And eventually it just feels SO good to be able to BREATHE again.

Best of luck to all and don't get down on yourself is you aren't successful. Just keep trying.

[cynatnite]

23. With every day you put behind you that's smoke-free, the freer you become...

Smoke-free since November 17, 2007.

[tandot]

24. Congratulations! I quit 14 years ago

:hi:

[Political Heretic]

25. TEN. FRACKING. WEEKS. SMOKE-FREE!!!!!11!!! OMGALLABOARDTHEWOOTWAGON !!!!11!!11ONE!!!!11

:party: