Quitting!

[Leigh]

Have anyone successfully quit smoking? What did you find helped the most?

We are suppose to be this weekend. It was my idea, but when the time came, I changed my mind LOL. I had some left over, so told Jake I would finish them off, then stop. But they were going to run out in the middle of the day, and I couldn't have that, so bought more :blush:

I really do want to, but just thinking about it, it seems to hard :( We have stopped a few times before, I can't even remember why we started again, idiots.

I have very little will power, and it's just easier not too. Jake is doing fairly well, he makes it look easy, and that makes it worse.

Maybe I just need a few days to warm up LOL

[Naomi]

Can't help from personal experience - maybe call the Quit line? They'll have some ideas. (When I was pregnant part of my job was to look at the Quit line ads that NSW bought from Quit in Vic, to get funding approved to buy/run them. I was sitting in my office, bawling my eyes out watching these ads, they seemed so profound. Then I saw them when they came on TV, and thought, wow - they aren't that great - stupid pregnancy hormones!)

Anyway, good luck! It's a great thing to do for your health (and think of all the spare $$$ :) )

[Jewly]

Leigh,

I quit a few years back now, but I'm afraid I'm not going to be much help, because I found it really easy to give up and I just stopped cold turkey one day and I've never touched another cigerette since. I do know that the first 2-3 weeks are the worse, and if you can get through that, you probably have a good chance at quitting for good. During those first few weeks, you might feel a bit ill, but I think that's just because your body is withdrawing and you are getting rid of a lot of toxic stuff out of your body.

I'd suggest using patches if you can, because I have a friend who has found them really good. Also, try and keep busy, especially around the time that you would normally smoke. Also, maybe you could put the money aside that you have spent on cigerettes in the past, and buy yourself a treat each week.

Sorry, I'm not much more help but best of luck to the both of you.

Julie

[Chrystal]

It must be 5 years since I quit last time, and successfully. I recommend patches, they do really help, they take away the cravings so you can deal with the habit. Then once you've worked out how to do something else with your hands, you cut down with the patches.

Drink lots of water, and I found almonds a great help. When ever I wanted a smoke I'd have a couple of almonds, really chew them up and then concentrating on getting the bits of nuts out of my teeth with my tounge. What ever does it for you, but if you can distract yourself it helps.

Putting the money you would normally spend away for a reward also helps. I could of bought a new pair of shoes everyweek with what we used to spend on smokes, and that was when they were a bit cheaper.

Just remember, you only need to get past the first 3 days, then the first 3 weeks, after that its much easier.

[maxiwoman]

Hi,

Yes, I quit just over 2 years ago (I smoked more than a pack a day for over 20 years).

I just felt I was ready to quit - I was sick of smoking, sick of running out of smokes, sick of feeling sick, sick of not spending enough time with my then 13month old (I used to leave him on the floor inside whilst I puffed away outdoors and felt guilty), I was sick of not having enough money to buy spur of the moment items because I needed the money for my next packet of death lol.

So, I bought patches Nicabate CQ Clear mid strength and used them till I ran out of them - the first 3 nights were horrific because the patches were giving me hallucinations at night - vivid nightmares - so I started leaving the patches on for 2 days instead of the recommended 24hours and found it was heaps better. I needed to carry a pen in my smoking hand whilst driving the car, then had to wash all my clothes, curtains, car, and deodorise anything I could in sight including washing all my sons toys - even softtoys through the washing machine - I cleaned and scrubbed and hey presto - it worked. Even though my hubby tried at same time to give up, he couldnt stick to it as it drove him insane. He still smokes and I have never had another one since.

I also made sure whilst I was giving up that I still had some left over. And before giving up, I changed from tailor-made cigarettes (packet bought) to roll-your-own cigarettes which I think definately gave me an advantage because I could smell the chemicals in other peoples smokes at work at the time. The roll-your-own smokes worked out cheaper and I was rolling them smaller than a normal smoke and even though they smelt like 'an old man' lol, they worked I think.

Everyone nowadays knows the dangers/risks etc of smoking but when it comes down to the person smoking, I truly believe that no amount of nagging/telling/education/billboards/ads/literature really makes a person stop - I think it is either a shock factor eg; being admitted to hospital/doctor for another reason hence the cause, or just the smoker wanting to give up definately for their own reasons.

So having waffled on........I wish you all the best if you are giving up.
:hug:
maxiwoman

[Leigh]

Thanks so much for your replies ladies, very helpful to read from others who have done it before :)

Well I decided today was the day. I think I had talked myself into think it was too hard, and I couldn't do it. So now I have changed the way I was thinking about it, It hasn't been too bad. Though I think I ate too many pretzels today, and the salt is doing freaky things with my lips LOLOL.

So we will see how we go. We had decided if we give up for 2 weeks, we will join the gym. I will need it after all the munching LOL.

[Naomi]

We're all cheering for you!

[Jewly]

Well done Leigh....best of luck!!!

:hug:

[Monty]

Congratulations Leigh. That is really great news!!

I have never really gotten into smoking so I don't know how it feels with the addiction thing. I just found out yesterday that my sister, who is 41 (and just got married) has the early stages of emphazemia (Sp?). I'm rather depressed about it because she gave up for a few years and was doing wonderfully (she used the patches) until she met her husband 4 years ago (he's a rollies smoker). She told me that when she found out the news it has shocked her (like you were saying Maxiwoman) that she has stopped..for now anyhow.... Let's just hope she doesn't start again. Ontop of that she is asthmatic so it doesn't help.... So please Leigh try and hang in there!

[Leigh]

Oh, so sorry to hear about your sister Monty, that is terrible. I do hope she is able to quit again, for good this time.

(stands up) Hello, My name is Leigh, and I have been smoke free for 5 days :Hehe:
Cheated a bit after my last post :blush:

I wanted to ask all those that have quit before about the eating...OMG the eating!! I have never eaten so much food before in my life, I just don't stop! Thank god we will be going to the gym, I'll be like the side of a bus by the end of the month.

Does it stop? Do normal people really eat like this? Surely not :O

[mel35]

Well done Leigh!

I think I might have to give quitting another go, have been thinking about it for a few weeks.

In the last month 4 of my good friends have quit, so hubby and I have been talking about it too.

Now just have to talk to hubby and set a date!

[Misha8]

:) Hi, my partner and I quit together successfully in January 2004,so it's been 18 months now. :)
No bull,it was hard,not gonna lie to you but we set a goal which was,we had an engagement party to pay for,we were set on having a huge one which we did!
We worked out that the $100-$150 per week spent of ciggies could be spent on the party so we set the goal and stuck to it.
Firstly I tried the patches,for me,what a crock of shit they are!! Worked for my partner though. :blush:
So I went to the Dr and got a supscription for Zyban,a drug which is a miracle!!
Worked for me,doesn't work for everyone as I have been told this,but for me I lost all cravings instantly,changed my frame of mind and haven't looked back! ;)
A few times,when drunk have been tempted but remained strong and still haven't touched one. Once you quit you need to remind yourself of the reasons why and that helps me keep on track.
I decided to buy myself a new car to celebrate and so now that I'm paying that off I couldn't possible afford to smoke anyway!!
Good luck and I hope I've been some sort of inspiration to you :)
Michelle Bray
Lingerie and Adult Products party plan consultant
Avon Rep. V412

[Monty]

Yes Leigh you will eat LOL!! My sis was telling me last week while her son was on holidays she would make him eat when she ate so that they ate all day together (fruit only tho!). Just keep eating the good stuff :) By the way my sis hasn't had a ciggie yet (unless she hasn't told me) so you CAN DO IT Leigh!!

[debambam]

how are things going leigh???
i'm kind of cutting back a lot at the moment, stu has noticed....he thinks i'm pregnant!!!! ;)

[Leigh]

LMAO Kelly, are you??

Must be your turn now :)

Well yesterday was 2 weeks :D yay for me, I need a quit smoking ticker, couldn't find one LOL

[Naomi]

Leigh, you want something like this?

http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/d/4;51;2/st/20050601/e/I+Quit+Smoking/dt/14/k/7b59/event.png
(http://www.TickerFactory.com/)

I got it from TickerFactory (obviously!) and just chose the generic event option.

[Naomi]

Oh, or you might have been joking about the ticker thing. My apologies!

[Leigh]

LOL thanks Naomi.. I was, but I will use it :)

[Michelle]

Hey Leigh...glad to hear you're quitting!!

I first quit when i found out i was pregnant and of course all the morning sickness helped me not to feel like one and hubby had quit just a few weeks earlier which was very hard for him as he's a DJ and works in nightclubs 3 nights a week and he gets stressed a bit while at work cuz his boss is an Ahole so i was very proud of him when he made it through!

After i had Izzy we were staying at Colin's mums for a while to save some money to buy a house but as you've all probably read before SHE STRESSES ME OUT!!!! So much that my milk had dried up and it pissed me off pretty badly...i felt like a bad mother especially cuz of they way she'd talk to me and tell me i'm doing everything wrong So i went for a 3hour walk one day and bought a packet of ciggies!! Bad, bad, bad!! I told Colin stright away and he understood and was fine about it and i didn't have another one cuz i wanted to be good for Izzy's sake!! She actually helped me to quit cuz i knew that it would effect her more than anything!!

Yes Leigh it is hard but once you get through the first few weeks you're almost home free!! There will be alot of temptations along the way...even now after 8months i still get cravings and i will admit i've given in a few times at work cuz i work in a bar so there's smoking everywhere...well not as much now because of the new smoking regulations which has helped me a bit!!

By the sounds of your other posts you're doing well and you're at the gym which means you made it past 2weeks!! YAY!!! Good on you Leigh!!

[Leigh]

Was just wondering how long it had been. Remembered the ticker Naomi had made, see came in very handy after all.

God, it seems like much longer than that.

[Barbara]

Well done Leigh :clap: That's a great effort :winner:

I gave up on no tobacco day in May last year & used the patches - was the best thing I ever did. I too had the vivid dreams but mine were good ;) :blush:

I had previously given up for 6 years but started smoking again when I had PND after DS2.

[Supa]

You are doing great! I gave up 10.5yrs ago & now they finally class me as a non smoker. Hubby still smokes & when I gave up I was working in a pub which I think actually helped as I just "passive smoked" But now the smell makes me wanna hurl. Keep going & before you know it you will wonder why the hell you used to be a smoker.

[Alexa]

Do you feel proud of yourself? What a great achievement??

What are you spending the money on? Shoes or handbags?:P

[Naomi]

I gave up on no tobacco day in May last year & used the patches - was the best thing I ever did. I too had the vivid dreams but mine were good
oooh, I want to try the patches! (no, I don't smoke, but I want those dreams!)

Edit - oops, I meant to say, Well Done Leigh, that's fantastic!!

[Pam]

:winner: I'm proud of ya!

[Kerry]

Well done Leigh!!:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

I gave up 4 1/2 years ago, almost cold turkey. I had 1 a week for about 10 weeks then just stopped. The cravings have eased but they never go away.
I WOULD LOOOOOVE A CIGARETTELMAO LMAO LMAO

I love smoking but hated being a smoker. OOH and the head spins when you hadn't had one for a while:yes: :yes: :jump: :jump: If I tried to have a second one over that 10 weeks it would make me sick so I know that even though I'd love one now it would make me sick. I believe I'm cured for life. I enjoy feeling fit and reasonably healthy. And running around the soccer field is so much easier. Even though I subsequently discovered I have asthma I don't heave and wease anywhere near what I used to.

Biggest help and support I had was giving up with someone else (lots of phone chats in the tough times) and also having the goal, like being able to play soccer better.

Also had a lot of trouble sleeping for many months, woke up at all hours, probably needing a fix.

Just between you and meLMAO LMAO LMAO giving up also brought back a lot of desires that went missing for many years.:Hehe: :Hehe: :Hehe:

Cheers Kerry:D