quitting smoking
Posted by beanthai on Jul 28, 2007 · Member since Jul 2007 · 151 posts
I've quit in the past for three and six month periods but I've crept back into my habit. My laser treatment earlier this year worked until peer pressure got me back into smoking.
I've cut it down to about 4-5 a day but found it still difficult to break the habit of just 'having one' to do something. I often get irritated once I light one and put it out. Had any of you quit upon becoming vegan?
I was hoping my tastes might change enough to warrant it tasting bad...I feel like a failure when I give in and it doesn't help that my mother, many friends, and a guy I work with smoke. I have a prescription that I haven't had sent in for 'chantix' a medicine. Anyone hear of it?
I quit 2 years ago and it really was one of the hardest things I have ever done! I went cold turkey and I can not tell you how cranky I was--and for months on end! The only thing that cheered me up or made me not totally bitchy was snickers bars--I ended up gaining like 20 lbs! However, after I got though like 8 months and stoped going to bars (that part really sucked) things got a little better. There are so many things that were wong with me that I never associated with smoking but now realize was the cause. I ued to have horrible allergies and would get sore throats and sinus infections all the time, now I rarely even sniffle! And it's true, your taste and smell is a lot better! And guess what--smokers smell really bad, your breath, your skin, your cloths, you hair, your home and car--everything and yea--it really is gross! If nothing else quit so you can wash your hair and have it smell like fruit and flowers insteadof nicotien, I guearentee you will like it a lot better! :)
Keep up quitting, it's hard and nothing will ever make it easy. The only trick that I know that helped anyne was buying the oldest, stalest pack of smokes a gas station has--get them to sell you the window display ones, the ones that have been there for a year or more--the grosser the better--my understanding is that they will taste soooooo bad you won't want to smoke them any more!
Good luck and big hugs! If you need any help I'll gladly send you pics of diseased lungs and stuff for motavation! ;)
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z283/summerharddrive/Smoking.gif
Thanks Capture for your offer...diseased lungs always do make for a skipped cigarette break!!! I decided instead of snickers I'll eat a dill pickle when I get a craving.
Haha, that's awesome. I think I will just do it cold turkey. I should have the willpower somewhere inside me :) It's happened before, it can happen again. It just sucks to know you're one choice away from failure. But why buy all this organic food to change my lifestyle if I'm going to pump chemicals in my body with every cigarette, right? This gives me some light at the end of the tunnel that I might get rid of the sore throat and stuffed nose, woo!
And to anyone who hasn't picked up smoking (and I know you're all smarter than me to not do it) Don't smoke 'camel turkish royals'...I was never anything more than a social smoker a few times a month (despised the taste and smell) until...the buy one get one free deal on those. I curse the day that I bought that first pack. It was an instantaneous addiction from the first one. Then from there cigarettes jumped from 3.00 a pack to $8-9 a pack, with an apparent $2 tax coming shortly this year in my city. I'd be an idiot to continue!!
I quit 2 years ago and it really was one of the hardest things I have ever done! I went cold turkey and I can not tell you how cranky I was--and for months on end! The only thing that cheered me up or made me not totally bitchy was snickers bars--I ended up gaining like 20 lbs! However, after I got though like 8 months and stoped going to bars (that part really sucked) things got a little better. There are so many things that were wong with me that I never associated with smoking but now realize was the cause. I ued to have horrible allergies and would get sore throats and sinus infections all the time, now I rarely even sniffle! And it's true, your taste and smell is a lot better! And guess what--smokers smell really bad, your breath, your skin, your cloths, you hair, your home and car--everything and yea--it really is gross! If nothing else quit so you can wash your hair and have it smell like fruit and flowers insteadof nicotien, I guearentee you will like it a lot better! :)
Keep up quitting, it's hard and nothing will ever make it easy. The only trick that I know that helped anyne was buying the oldest, stalest pack of smokes a gas station has--get them to sell you the window display ones, the ones that have been there for a year or more--the grosser the better--my understanding is that they will taste soooooo bad you won't want to smoke them any more!
Good luck and big hugs! If you need any help I'll gladly send you pics of diseased lungs and stuff for motavation! ;)
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z283/summerharddrive/Smoking.gif
Thanks Capture! I needed to see that!!!!!
I'm in the process of quitting too. However, right now I am in the stage where I am telling myself I am going to quit soon. No specific date set. Still trying to convince myself, I guess. Anyway, 2 years ago I quit for 6 months. I used the patch and found it pretty helpful. This time, I will go cold turkey...when I finally decide it's time. It is getting to the point though, that I feel stupid for being a smoker. You know, like I'm embarrassed of it. I am very picky about what I put in my body in regards to food. I exercise 5-6 times a week, but I smoke!?!?! It just doesn't make sense. Anyway. Good luck to you bean.
agh, i'm trying to quit too! it's hard when i am always out at bars where people are smoking! and of course it's near impossible to not have a cigarette when you are drinking!
This is true Limegreen! I don't know what it is but I quit smoking for two and half years (was a smoker for 10 yrs) and again for the last year but every time I have a drink the urge to light up is very powerful. I will not smoke all week (not even crave one) but the minute I have a sip of beer or any other alcoholic drink I desperately want a ciggie. The most successful solution I have found is to avoid alcohol. Which is particularly hard at the end of the week when you just want to chill out, watch the footy and have few quiet ones ::)
If you can stop smoking "full-time" and limit your cigs to a couple a day than you are doing better and should feel proud of what you've accomplished. Reward yourself with the money you've saved and treat yourself with something that makes you feel good eg book, cd, massage, manicure, movie. Try not to reward yourself with food - I have substituted eating with smoking in the past and gained weight (which is discouraging - replacing one bad habit with another).
The thing with smoking is that I always feel gross after I've had one. I regret it and the first thing I want to do is wash my hair, change my clothes, brush my teeth and get the smell off me. Sometimes I find the best way to avoid smoking is distraction. Find something that interests you and get into it in a big way. Exercise, cooking, reading, take a course, get creative - jewellery making, painting, knitting, sewing etc
Less and less people these days are smoking I find - due to all the new "smoking laws" which makes it difficult for the regular smoker to duck out for a quick cig without feeling like an outcast. Mind you I live in Australia where currently there is a ban on smoking inside pubs, clubs, all restaurants/cafes and now even the outside areas of these venues, including beer gardens.
Good luck to you, and well done on cutting down. It's really hard to give the cigs the flick and anyone who's been a smoker will agree. It's one of the hardest habits to break, if you've cut down to 5 a day next week make it 4 a day and go from there. Don't be too hard on yourself, and remember that there are lots of people in the same boat :)
Good luck beanthai! :)
About ten years ago, after a decade of heavy smoking, I quit cold turkey. It was tough. Tough enough that I haven't been tempted to smoke since, because I don't want to go through that again! I didn't avoid alcohol or coffee because I didn't want them to trigger an urge later. I ate a lot of carrot sticks (and just held them -finding something to do with my hands was the hardest part), drank a lot of water, did 10 push-ups when a severe craving hit and was a raging bitch for a few days. >:(
The first 3 or 4 days, while you still have nicotine in your system, are the worst. When you're tempted, focus on why you want to quit -the smell, the expense, the cancer, the stigma...whatever motivates you. Distract yourself. Go places where smoking isn't allowed. If you can, put the money you'd spend on smokes aside for a emancipation present for yourself after 6 months smoke-free (I am not that organized). Think of yourself as a non-smoker. As much as possible, remove ashtrays and lighters from your area. Make it inconvenient to smoke. You can do it! :)
YAY, Quitters!!! Listen up guys, I started smoking when I was around 16 years old. I quit when I got pregnant but started again out of boredom when my son was 2. This past April, I decided I had enough. I will soon be 47 years old & I've been smoking a pack a day for more than 30 years! HOLY SH*T...that can't be good. I finally quit :D & if you want it bad enough, you can too. You just need some tools to help.
It took all of those years to realize that I was an addict....me, an addict ??? In all honesty, I didn't enjoy smoking or smelling like a dirty ashtray but I was scared to quit....as crazy as that sounds.
Check this out...http://shepellfgi.stopsmokingcentre.net/
Do the program, it's really important to understand when & why you smoke....use the forum for inspiration....it's like global group therapy for people wanting to quit :) & it works.
You CAN do it :)
N.O.P.E.- Not One Puff Ever
I am sooooo proud of all you guy trying to quit--even after two years I still have cravings, I know it's one of those "take everyday" kind of things. Maybe we should have a "Quitters" support group we can call it "CA" (cigeretts annomous (sp?)) Just come in here and rant if you need to and of course deliver (((((hugs)))) to fellow supporters or even a virtual pickel for Beanthai!
Keep up associating smoking with other gross stuff that might help and if you break down and go to buy a pack--you need to sit in your car for at least 2 minutes analyzing your decision to spend $8 on a pack of cancer rather then a veggie pizza or a couple of movie rentals!
And of course I willl be right here posting gross stuff about smoking!
Here is a great web site that lists the 599 additives manufactures add to thier "quality" product, check out some of the things you are putting into your body! Oh yeah...it goes on for 3 pages! And if you don't care what goes into your body thing about these going into yor pets and childern, friends and family that have to hang out with you while you're smoking!
http://quitsmoking.about.com/cs/nicotineinhaler/a/cigingredients.htm
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m104/kyriee2007/icons/antismoking.jpg
I recently made my screen saver a picture of a diseased lung (Yabbitgirl's idea, perhaps). It helps with the 'I'm bored and tired of sitting in front of the computer, so I guess I'll go smoke' urges. It freaks my friends out..haha..."what the h*ll is that?!?".
I go back and forth on just setting a date a quitting, using a patch, or slowly tapering down my consumption (only 10 a day, none before noon, etc...). Perhaps I should do all three? I've quit several times before, none longer than 6 weeks. My most recent attempt was April 1 (April fools day...hmmph).
Good luck to you. I'm there with ya.
The Nicodemon is real...
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a231/southernontariogal/CA22CPAY-1.gif
No he's evil & disgusting & he will lie to you...he will tell you anything you want to hear just so you will have that smoke, then he's got you. He takes control little by little until you can't do anything or go anywhere without planning how or when you can have a smoke. He takes little pieces of you each & every time you have a smoke. He robs your energy & when you can't give any more, he takes your life.
No he's evil & disgusting & he will lie to you...he will tell you anything you want to hear just so you will have that smoke, then he's got you. He takes control little by little until you can't do anything or go anywhere without planning how or when you can have a smoke. He takes little pieces of you each & every time you have a smoke. He robs your energy & when you can't give any more, he takes your life.
Excellent speech my friend! I' giving you an *amen* and a *halieiuja*! sorry my spelling sucked on that last word...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v150/Lisa4/692239.jpg
Awesome to get so many responses. I've read all of them and they are inspiring me to try again and quit. And oddly, relieving to know I'm not the only one who's smoked and felt embarrassed or guilty!! Thank you all, I'll let you know once I go one month...(which could be anywhere from one to two months from now hehe)
ugh! i feel you guys...i quit about 3 years ago, and i have to say, ive been missing it terribly,ive even been dreaming about it! i keep telling myself "one or two wont hurt"...we all know where THAT leads. (and what is it w. all my cravings these days??!! :-\)
i guess the public ban on smoking was a good thing, though i cursed it at the time. it was hard to be a smoker when you have to huddle in the 20deg. night air and you cant swallow the next day.
Awesome to get so many responses. I've read all of them and they are inspiring me to try again and quit. And oddly, relieving to know I'm not the only one who's smoked and felt embarrassed or guilty!! Thank you all, I'll let you know once I go one month...(which could be anywhere from one to two months from now hehe)
Don't wait one month! Keep us informed daily! The more responsible you feel to divulging your dirty little habbit the more you'll feel like you shouldn't smoke--guilt can really be helpful in this kind of situation!
ugh! i feel you guys...i quit about 3 years ago, and i have to say, ive been missing it terribly,ive even been dreaming about it! i keep telling myself "one or two wont hurt"...we all know where THAT leads. (and what is it w. all my cravings these days??!! :-\)
i guess the public ban on smoking was a good thing, though i cursed it at the time. it was hard to be a smoker when you have to huddle in the 20deg. night air and you cant swallow the next day.
Wow--I feel like I just read something from my own book--I have the same feelings and experiences!
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a390/KittieCrucify/583208209_l.jpg
WHo wants to be this???
I think you should take a smell or taste etc. that makes you want to puke. Figure out the most disgusting thing in the world. Now get that item and smoke, so your mind associates smoking with that revolting thing.
It works, because the most disgusting thing in the world to me is now smoking. I quit 14 years ago and I never miss it. If someone smokes near me I have no desire to smoke. If I ask them to go somewhere else it's for my health and not to diminish temptation.
Don't play around with a smoke here, a smoke there, because you'll never quit that way. When I was 20 I tried a program that advocated gradual reduction and nobody quit for more than a few weeks. Cold turkey is the only way to break a habit.
I think you should take a smell or taste etc. that makes you want to puke. Figure out the most disgusting thing in the world. Now get that item and smoke, so your mind associates smoking with that revolting thing.
It works, because the most disgusting thing in the world to me is now smoking. I quit 14 years ago and I never miss it. If someone smokes near me I have no desire to smoke. If I ask them to go somewhere else it's for my health and not to diminish temptation.
Don't play around with a smoke here, a smoke there, because you'll never quit that way. When I was 20 I tried a program that advocated gradual reduction and nobody quit for more than a few weeks. Cold turkey is the only way to break a habit.
That is great. I quit for 14 years and started again about 9 months ago. But I had my last cigarette at 11:50, July 29th. I vowed I would quit smoking by July 30th. It is July 30th now where I live.
I agree, cold turkey is the only way to go.
Did you ever wonder where the expression Cold Turkey came from? Do you think someone had their last cigarette and there was a cold turkey sitting beside them, so they said...I am quitting cold turkey. Or maybe someone's spouse was named Cold Turkey, so they said... I just quit smoking Cold Turkey. Things that make you go hmmmmmm.
Did you ever wonder where the expression Cold Turkey came from? Do you think someone had their last cigarette and there was a cold turkey sitting beside them, so they said...I am quitting cold turkey. Or maybe someone's spouse was named Cold Turkey, so they said... I just quit smoking Cold Turkey. Things that make you go hmmmmmm.
I didn't want to know until you asked ;D so I googled it & here's what I found...
"""The use in relation to withdrawal from an addictive substance (originally heroin) dates to around 1922. The derivation is from the idea that cold turkey is a food that requires little preparation in the kitchen. So to quit like cold turkey is to do so suddenly and without preparation. It is also boosted by the image of the pallid flesh of a cold,dead,plucked turkey.In the state of drug withdrawal the addicts blood is directed to the internal organs leaving the skin white and with goose bumps and thus resembling a turkey."""
Ewww, now I don't want to know again
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