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

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.

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!!!

[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

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