horseless carriage
Well-known Member
Yes but you are on track to finally post an avatar without the ubiquitous cancer stick. Well done Marg.
trying to quit smoking..
- Thread starter uriaty
- Start date
So very nice hearing from you, Horseless!
This is the most successful attempt I have ever made in quitting.
Two days from now will be two months for me, and I'm having a hard time believing it.
Each and every day that passes I think to myself... I think I'm actually going to pull this off this time around and quit for real, but I also remind myself just how fast a slide can happen, so I'm trying not to get too overly sure of myself, at least not yet.
I've been applying my old adage... one day at a time.
Wishing you and your wife a relaxing weekend!
Shalimar
SF VIP
- Location
- Vancouver Island Canada
I tried chantix, it killed the cravings, but I felt suicidal. One of the side effects for some. I quit cold turkey almost thirteen years ago. It was difficult, hardest thing I ever gave up. I used to bribe myself with treats. For every week smoke free that went by, I would give myself a present. I also charted my progress on a board which I placed on the
wall. You can do it, I fell down so many times until I kicked the habit. Within three months you will feel the difference in your breathing, you simply have more air. Good luck, and keep us posted on your progress
I smoked like a chimney, 2 packs a day, for 25 years and then, after about fifty tries, I managed to quit completely in 1993. I absolutely had to use the patches because without them the nightmares were just too intense and horrible.
One thing that helped me was my brother telling me that the more times I do something without a cigarette the less that activity will trigger the desire -- because some things were really hard the first time I did them after quitting, even after not smoking for a long time.
I loved to smoke. It wasn't just addiction, from my very first cigarette my brain said, "Ahhhh." I understand only too well, those who say they have never been quite the same since they quit, but now all these years later, I remind myself that I could well be quite ill or even dead by now if I hadn't stopped when I did.
Keep trying Zone! You, too, Ken!
I think you've about got it whipped, Aunt Marg. I'm anxiously awaiting the new avatar and maybe even getting to see that bouffant hairdo you've been working on for so long!
One thing that helped me was my brother telling me that the more times I do something without a cigarette the less that activity will trigger the desire -- because some things were really hard the first time I did them after quitting, even after not smoking for a long time.
I loved to smoke. It wasn't just addiction, from my very first cigarette my brain said, "Ahhhh." I understand only too well, those who say they have never been quite the same since they quit, but now all these years later, I remind myself that I could well be quite ill or even dead by now if I hadn't stopped when I did.
Keep trying Zone! You, too, Ken!
I think you've about got it whipped, Aunt Marg. I'm anxiously awaiting the new avatar and maybe even getting to see that bouffant hairdo you've been working on for so long!
LOL! Love your words, Della, and I'm hoping you're right, but a big part of me is scared, scared that I'm not past this yet.
The climb has been momentous so far, with this being the longest stretch I have enjoyed being smoke-free, but I know all too well how short the fall is.
Tomorrow will be two months for me, and I feel this next month is going to really test me.
I realize that shaking a habit that's been a part of my life since I was a teenager isn't going to be easy, and in many ways I feel as though I'm expecting too much out of myself too soon, as in thinking I shouldn't be thinking about cigarettes at all (even though I am), that I shouldn't be feeling as though I want to light up (even though it's been taunting me)... that sort of thing.
I remember an aunt of mine quitting back in the day (30-ish years ago), and right up until she passed away, she said not a day went by where she didn't crave a cigarette. It ate at her every single day. I'm not strong enough to endure that sort of relentless fight.
That's my fear, not being able to get past the craving side of the habit. I fear that worse than breaking down (in the coming days) and lighting up.
I have been showered with so much encouragement and support by everyone here, and I thank everybody for their warm words.
Shalimar
SF VIP
- Location
- Vancouver Island Canada
I hear you about worrying about the cravings lasting forever. Mine lasted for a long time, emotional, rather than physical. I have heard nicotine is about the most addictive thing around. But, eventually, piece by piece, the craving stopped. Also' not everyone has the problem I did. Some, after a year, seem totally addiction free. You may alsoLOL! Love your words, Della, and I'm hoping you're right, but a big part of me is scared, scared that I'm not past this yet.
The climb has been momentous so far, with this being the longest stretch I have enjoyed being smoke-free, but I know all too well how short the fall is.
Tomorrow will be two months for me, and I feel this next month is going to really test me.
I realize that shaking a habit that's been a part of my life since I was a teenager isn't going to be easy, and in many ways I feel as though I'm expecting too much out of myself too soon, as in thinking I shouldn't be thinking about cigarettes at all (even though I am), that I shouldn't be feeling as though I want to light up (even though it's been taunting me)... that sort of thing.
I remember an aunt of mine quitting back in the day (30-ish years ago), and right up until she passed away, she said not a day went by where she didn't crave a cigarette. It ate at her every single day. I'm not strong enough to endure that sort of relentless fight.
That's my fear, not being able to get past the craving side of the habit. I fear that worse than breaking down (in the coming days) and lighting up.
I have been showered with so much encouragement and support by everyone here, and I thank everybody for their warm words.
I've been quietly hoping and praying that I'm going to be one of the ones that gags at the smell of smoke from a cigarette if I can beat this thing.
As a young child and even into my early teens, before I started smoking, I recall how nauseating and disgusting the smell of my moms cigarette was to me.
Shalimar
SF VIP
- Location
- Vancouver Island Canada
That is how smoke affects me now. Also, my eyes burn, and the smoke makes me cough.
As a young child, even into my early teen years, cigarette smoke irritated my throat something awful.
Thinking back on it now, I don't know if the irritation factor lessened as I aged, or whether my stupidity to start smoking overruled my bodies displeasure of such.
Shalimar
SF VIP
- Location
- Vancouver Island Canada
I can only speak for myself. The irritation arrived after I quit smoking.
I can only hope the sensation comes back for me.
boliverchadsworth
Member
run pretty hard to suck on a ciggie when running- push ups same thing--Hi everyone
I'm new on this forum; this is my first post.
I'm trying to quit smoking too.
I have tried several times over the past 30 years of my smoking habit.
I've tried..
#Cold turkey
#tried zyban (20+ years ago)
#Started to take walks (15 years ago) but end up buying a pack after my first walk. (My walking habit stays until now, so is my smoking)
#Took up a Taichi class (10 years ago) the same pattern happened as my walking routine.
#Now I'm learning to play the recorder (2 months ago) cos I thought the blowing might help but I haven't given up smoking.
I do averagely 16 a day. I have nightmares just thinking and planning on quitting; like running from shop to shop to buy cigarettes only to be told they have run of of stock, and like smoking in the rain... My withdrawal symptoms are strong; disorientation is the worst, among the rest.
I started my first stick when I was crying and I was stuck. Cigarettes became my best friend. Over the years, I relabelled its relationship with me, now they are my enemy. Still it didn't work.
I read through all the posts of this thread and I am thankful for your sharing. I shall go to bed now and re-read all the posts again tomorrow morning.
Thanks for listening <3
Ladybj
Live, Laugh and Love
- Location
- Somewhere in the USA
Meditation.. One day, one hour, one minute at a time. Accept its a HARD battle but you can do it. Find the "why" you want to quit.
Zone
Member
thank you!!I divide my things to do, into “projects” be it work, fitness exercises or leisure.
I crave when I complete a project.
But yours is indeed a good idea.
Thanks again
Zone
Member
Joel Spitzer
Correct spelling.
He’s a non smoker
I watched all (I think) his videos on YouTube 2 years ago when I was trying to quit then.
I did, but not for long.
Thanks DonnyO
I divide my things to do, into “projects” be it work, fitness exercises or leisure.
I crave when I complete a project.
But yours is indeed a good idea.
Thanks again
Joel Spitzer
Correct spelling.
He’s a non smoker
I watched all (I think) his videos on YouTube 2 years ago when I was trying to quit then.
I did, but not for long.
Thanks DonnyO
Zone
Member
Yes, meditation... mindfulness.. using my conscious self to
overpower my conditioned self.
Accept the sensations, embrace them.. this too shall pass..
and soon they are back
Thanks, Ladybj
maybenot
Member
- Location
- South Australia
I took up smoking when I was fifteen, everyone around me smoked ( Marlboro Man was my hero! ) all my relatives, friends etc and tbh I've never really wanted to quit ... then in 2012, my late hubby, who was already ill, got worse and I chose to stop working to look after him at home so of course I couldn't afford to smoke.
I tried every gov approved method out there ... Champix made me paranoid ... Zantax was worse, I even tried killing myself ( with alcohol/pills), then there was $500 for hypnotherapy ( lit up soon as I got outside, also acupuncture, he stuck a stud in my ear and told me to twist it ( the stud) whenever I felt like lighting up, phhhtt!
Anyway, this was all while I was buying the gum/lozenges/and other Big pharma crap and nothing worked.
While I was looking online for solutios I stumbled on the E-cigarette forum and then went out and bought myself a mod / tank /juice and bought a heap of nicotine from USA ... I knew this would work as I needed the ' hand to mouth ' habit and I've never looked back, I make my own juice and apart from coils which I buy cheap from China, it costs around $20 a month.
This was a lifesaver for me, my wheeze disappeared after a few weeks and I'm generally in good health, can't see myself giving this up, it keeps me sane and doesn't harm anyone else.
I was smoking approx 50 a day before I stopped.
My friend who also vapes, stopped using nicotine last year but still enjoys her habit
I tried every gov approved method out there ... Champix made me paranoid ... Zantax was worse, I even tried killing myself ( with alcohol/pills), then there was $500 for hypnotherapy ( lit up soon as I got outside, also acupuncture, he stuck a stud in my ear and told me to twist it ( the stud) whenever I felt like lighting up, phhhtt!
Anyway, this was all while I was buying the gum/lozenges/and other Big pharma crap and nothing worked.
While I was looking online for solutios I stumbled on the E-cigarette forum and then went out and bought myself a mod / tank /juice and bought a heap of nicotine from USA ... I knew this would work as I needed the ' hand to mouth ' habit and I've never looked back, I make my own juice and apart from coils which I buy cheap from China, it costs around $20 a month.
This was a lifesaver for me, my wheeze disappeared after a few weeks and I'm generally in good health, can't see myself giving this up, it keeps me sane and doesn't harm anyone else.
I was smoking approx 50 a day before I stopped.
My friend who also vapes, stopped using nicotine last year but still enjoys her habit
Oh gosh yes! I always used cigs as carrots to get me through the day --"I can't have another one until after I clean the bathroom." I had to find different ways to reward myself. At this point in time, I let myself play a game of online Hearts after finishing a project. (Confession -- I could play Hearts 24 hours a day, my addictive personality never went away.)I crave when I complete a project.
Zone
Member
Stay with it Marg! The cravings will still be there for you at 2 months but I bet they aren't quite as overbearing as they were the first couple of weeks. They will become less intense and less frequent as time goes by. You are right not to be too over confident at this point but you have also built a great quit foundation now and that's really important. Just like building a house, if your foundation is not solid, the house will fall down.LOL! Love your words, Della, and I'm hoping you're right, but a big part of me is scared, scared that I'm not past this yet.
The climb has been momentous so far, with this being the longest stretch I have enjoyed being smoke-free, but I know all too well how short the fall is.
Tomorrow will be two months for me, and I feel this next month is going to really test me.
I realize that shaking a habit that's been a part of my life since I was a teenager isn't going to be easy, and in many ways I feel as though I'm expecting too much out of myself too soon, as in thinking I shouldn't be thinking about cigarettes at all (even though I am), that I shouldn't be feeling as though I want to light up (even though it's been taunting me)... that sort of thing.
I remember an aunt of mine quitting back in the day (30-ish years ago), and right up until she passed away, she said not a day went by where she didn't crave a cigarette. It ate at her every single day. I'm not strong enough to endure that sort of relentless fight.
That's my fear, not being able to get past the craving side of the habit. I fear that worse than breaking down (in the coming days) and lighting up.
I have been showered with so much encouragement and support by everyone here, and I thank everybody for their warm words.
I got a little complacent around the 3 month mark, just because it had become a real slog by then and all the excitement of the initial quit was no longer there. That's the time I had to give my head a shake and remember why I wanted to quit in the first place and I started to focus on the benefits I was seeing rather than thinking back fondly on my smoking days. Positive focus and attitude goes a long way when trying to quit
Thank you so kindly for your warm and supportive words, Mrpants!Stay with it Marg! The cravings will still be there for you at 2 months but I bet they aren't quite as overbearing as they were the first couple of weeks. They will become less intense and less frequent as time goes by. You are right not to be too over confident at this point but you have also built a great quit foundation now and that's really important. Just like building a house, if your foundation is not solid, the house will fall down.
I got a little complacent around the 3 month mark, just because it had become a real slog by then and all the excitement of the initial quit was no longer there. That's the time I had to give my head a shake and remember why I wanted to quit in the first place and I started to focus on the benefits I was seeing rather than thinking back fondly on my smoking days. Positive focus and attitude goes a long way when trying to quit
I notice a sort of revival going on with my cravings right now. In the beginning when I first quit, cravings were super strong, then those cravings somewhat subsided (somewhat), but now that I'm riding the 2 month wave, the intense cravings I battled in the beginning are revisiting me with a lasting intensity that I'm really finding myself having to fight with all my might to move past.
I went outside today and gardened for several hours, and the whole time couldn't get smoking off my mind. I've come around this evening and am not feeling that overwhelming desire to smoke, but I hope this isn't what this next month holds for me.
Trying so hard to stay positive and focused.