Stop smoking 2009

[SugarPop]

To anyone following the thread - I wanna just say that not too long ago I was about to throw in the towel and I realize NOW that I got my period the next day. So sometimes it's not even about how hard life is - it can be something as simple as your period coming on - or illness. Try to ride it out. Yeah, I still have all of the same problems, but at certain times things seem worse - just saying. So try to talk yourself out of making a bad choice - the temptation will pass.

Staying the course.........So happy that I'm finally focusing on eating LC and having some success. Before quitting I was doing LC and smoking my brains out and feeling terrible .........Now, I'm able to do LC and I feel so much better not being OWNED by those damn cigarettes. Yeah, I gained a few cuz my mind was so used to the compulsive smoking that it didn't know what to do.........but that beast is tamed and really I hardly ever think of cigarettes....and now can focus on my weight .......really happy about that.

B

[janajanet]

Originally Posted by SugarPop

To anyone following the thread - I wanna just say that not too long ago I was about to throw in the towel and I realize NOW that I got my period the next day. So sometimes it's not even about how hard life is - it can be something as simple as your period coming on - or illness. Try to ride it out. Yeah, I still have all of the same problems, but at certain times things seem worse - just saying. So try to talk yourself out of making a bad choice - the temptation will pass.

Staying the course.........So happy that I'm finally focusing on eating LC and having some success. Before quitting I was doing LC and smoking my brains out and feeling terrible .........Now, I'm able to do LC and I feel so much better not being OWNED by those damn cigarettes. Yeah, I gained a few cuz my mind was so used to the compulsive smoking that it didn't know what to do.........but that beast is tamed and really I hardly ever think of cigarettes....and now can focus on my weight .......really happy about that.

B

thats awesome! thats how i feel too! finaly no cigarettes own me, i never thought of it tha way but now as you say its so totaly true, no need to watch the clock when you can go and have on other smoke on your brake, no need to finish your meal as fast as posible so you can hurry up and smoke, no need to hurry up with confersations because u had to run outside to have a smoke. so anyways it just semce like i am closer to my friends and family without smokes b/c there is no need to always having to "run away" b/c of a smoke! besides... we smell now better too

also no need to pause your dvd so you can run for a smoke(had to eddit this one )

[NurseMonkee]

Good Morning everyone,
14 months ago I decided to stop smoking. At first it was difficult, but I've managed to pull through. It got easier as time went by which helped in being able to say NO and not being tempted to smoke. However, the past two weeks I have these huge urges. They are there constantly and am a bit worried.

Any suggestions on what I can do to try and stop these urges?

[lindaokc]

I don't have any suggestions, NurseMonkee, on how to stop them, other that just when they come into your mind, yell at them to go away (non verbal of course) It's the last gasping breath of the nicodemon to get you back. He's a goner and he knows it. He's also desperate.
I had some of those feelings after I'd been quit about a year and just had to shout it down when they came and realize what it's all about. The addiction calling you home. Just refuse to listen Because what it all comes down to when it tells you one would taste good is the fact that it's a LIAR!!!!

SugarPop, I'm so glad you posted what you did. We all need to remember, it could be something else other than the way we feel.....AND feelings are just that...feelings. They can't make you do anything. Also, they only last a few moments in time whether you act on them or not.

Another thing I'm so grateful for is the fact that I don't have to worry about standing in the rain to smoke. Or the snow...or the blazing heat of summer. Doing all those things made it very difficult to enjoy the cigarette anyway. Not that the smoking was enjoyable. I wasn't enjoying it, I was only trying to relieve the craving the addiction was causing.

Everyone is doing great Keep it up!!

[NurseMonkee]

Thanks, Lindaokc.
I just told myself to get over it! I am not smoking, period! LOL. I think I was just feeling really stressed out and overwhelmed. Old habits die hard, the urge just surfaced, but its gone now. I won't give in, ever. I hate that nasty habit.

[sndral]

Hello Ladies (didn't see any gents in the previous pages) -
Sounds like you all are doing well in your quit jouney.
Whew, am I glad I found you guys. I smoked 20 years, quit 3, gained 20 lbs, tried desparately to lose via low fat/exercise - didn't lose. Started smoking again and 10 lbs went away (that wasn't the goal.) Fast forward 10 yrs of smoking - 4/15/09 I had my last cig.. I'm chewing generic nicorette, I've gained 5 lbs. and I was already 10 lbs over my ideal weight.
So today I've decided to go strict induction. Note I first did the '72 Atkins in '73, to lose 15 college dorm pounds and it worked. I lost my desire for refined sugar then and it's never come back (that wasn't a goal - just an unexpected side effect.) With the exception of the 3 low fat years, whenever I've crept up on weight, I'd cut carbs (bread, pasta, potatoes) and drift down to a more comfortable place.
I sort of see the quitting smoking like ending a bad relationship with a man, when you're in the death throes of the relationship you can't think clearly, have no clue how bad it really is and just want to cling to what you've known and all that time/emotion you invested in it. Once you've started to heal you look back and think - why didn't I move on sooner?
Here's the funny part - what triggered me to quit? A man I had a crush on standing too close to me - I thought, OMG if he's gonna insist on standing that close to me, I don't want him to smell cig.s.

[lindaokc]

Originally Posted by NurseMonkee

Thanks, Lindaokc.
I just told myself to get over it! I am not smoking, period! LOL. I think I was just feeling really stressed out and overwhelmed. Old habits die hard, the urge just surfaced, but its gone now. I won't give in, ever. I hate that nasty habit.

Good for you, NurseMonkee. That is all you have to do is just tell yourself it's not gonna happen. I'm so glad the urge is gone now. It just lasts for a few moments and you have such relief when it's over. I'm proud of you.

Originally Posted by sndral

Hello Ladies (didn't see any gents in the previous pages) -
Sounds like you all are doing well in your quit jouney.
Whew, am I glad I found you guys. I smoked 20 years, quit 3, gained 20 lbs, tried desparately to lose via low fat/exercise - didn't lose. Started smoking again and 10 lbs went away (that wasn't the goal.) Fast forward 10 yrs of smoking - 4/15/09 I had my last cig.. I'm chewing generic nicorette, I've gained 5 lbs. and I was already 10 lbs over my ideal weight.
So today I've decided to go strict induction. Note I first did the '72 Atkins in '73, to lose 15 college dorm pounds and it worked. I lost my desire for refined sugar then and it's never come back (that wasn't a goal - just an unexpected side effect.) With the exception of the 3 low fat years, whenever I've crept up on weight, I'd cut carbs (bread, pasta, potatoes) and drift down to a more comfortable place.
I sort of see the quitting smoking like ending a bad relationship with a man, when you're in the death throes of the relationship you can't think clearly, have no clue how bad it really is and just want to cling to what you've known and all that time/emotion you invested in it. Once you've started to heal you look back and think - why didn't I move on sooner?
Here's the funny part - what triggered me to quit? A man I had a crush on standing too close to me - I thought, OMG if he's gonna insist on standing that close to me, I don't want him to smell cig.s.

Good for you, sndral, for quitting!! You're doing great so far. I think a lot of us have quit and then gone back to the evil things. That's what support is all about, helping each other out during the rough times. So glad you quit again, no matter what the reason. Don't worry too much about the weight, it can always come off later. It's the quit that is so important. Congratulations on your smoke free month.

[ChickenJr]

I quit smoking cold turkey 255 days ago. I rarely have cravings anymore but I tend to dream about smoking. I'll wake up and think "Shoot, now I have to start all over!" then slowly realize I just dreamed I was smoking cigarettes with a giant bunny rabbit and a polka dot dinosaur.
I do feel tons better since quitting. I used to get bronchitis at least twice a year when I smoked, haven't had it once since. Plus I don't huff and puff while exercising which is definitely a bonus when chasing after a 14 month old all day!
Congrats to all you quitters out there! A better quality of life awaits us all!

[lindaokc]

Congrats, ChickenJr

[SugarPop]

Wow, some really great posts here. I love the comparison of it being like ending a bad relationship - really hit that one on the head...........hanging on to it for comfort knowing all along it's not right.

I'm glad this thread is here. Really wanna thatnk lindaokc for starting it and always keeping a watchful caring eye on how we are. It helps to write things out here - it helps to read what others are going through or have been through. Just last night I got a strong urge.......came out of nowhere........I guess that's the way it will be......every once in awhile the nicodemon will pop up when we least expect him........and the only way to beat him is with our will..............and longevity helps to strengthen that will.

Hang in there everyone. Every day it does get easier.

B

[sndral]

Sugarpop, you are doing so well. Today I learned, unexpectedly that I'll get to go camping in 3 wks to a place I love and immediately thought yeah, now I'll be able to hike more, actually smell the redwoods, etc. So glad I've been able to tough out those urges so far, tho' I did cave on the strict induction woe and have a handful of walnuts about midnight when I was tossing and turning. Thx Lindaokc, for the advice to focus on the no smoking, I know I should. Have great days all.

[SugarPop]

Thanks sndral, Yeah, You got it - gotta focus and embrace all the good that comes along with not smoking..........All the things we worried about before, like our breath and the way our hair smelled to others and the way we couldn't smell all we needed to or hike as far as we wanted. Thinking of the positive things really helps. Have fun camping.

Still hanging in there...Every day is easier.

B

[SugarPop]

How's errybody doin'?

B

[lindaokc]

I'm here, checkin' in.

[BarbDe]

Still hanging in. It's been a rough month, but I didn't cave!

I have been quit for 1 Year, 6 Months, 2 Weeks, 4 Days, 23 hours, 23 minutes and 37 seconds (565 days). I have saved $2,996.32 by not smoking 22,638 cigarettes. I have saved 2 Months, 2 Weeks, 3 Days, 14 hours and 30 minutes of my life. My Quit Date: 11/4/2007 9:12 AM

[sndral]

Five weeks and some change, woohoo. Trying to ease away from the gum. The weight is ranging from where I started to 5 lbs more, my clothes are definately tighter, tho'. Doing so/so w/ induction, every couple of days I'll cave and scoop out a bunch of almond butter (I love that stuff!) and I crave fruit, which I allow myself when I'm happy w/ my weight. I really may have to add the dreaded exercize, sigh. Had my teeth cleaned thurs. and casually mentioned to the hygenist I'd quit, she was SO excited - apparently quitting is awesome for your gum health and healing - who knew.

[NurseMonkee]

I am still hanging on.
I climbed over my mountain. Didn't give in to cravings. Back on track! I am about to enter month 15.

Wow! I can't believe it.

I was such a smoker. I never thought I would be able to quit. I would panic if I was running low on cigarettes. That is how addicted I was.

That was then, this is now!

I am in control now! Yay!

[lindaokc]

Originally Posted by NurseMonkee

I am still hanging on.
I climbed over my mountain. Didn't give in to cravings. Back on track! I am about to enter month 15.

Wow! I can't believe it.

I was such a smoker. I never thought I would be able to quit. I would panic if I was running low on cigarettes. That is how addicted I was.

That was then, this is now!

I am in control now! Yay!

[souzac]

Wow sndral, when I read your post, I thought I had posted while in a blackout or something (haha).

My last ciggy was 5/16. I was a diehard smoker and hated anybody that gave me guff about it. When the price just went up 10 bucks a carton? I got mad and mad always gives me momentum. I got chantix and followed as prescribed. Gained 10 lbs. right a way. Now, I'm on induction.

Everyone that knows me....KNOWS that I am a miracle! They truly thought they'd bury me one day with a smoke between my lips!

[SugarPop]

Good going BarbDe.........Wow, it really is something when you look at the numbers.......Think of how many years and years and years went by, all the money we spent, all the blackness that was accumulating in our lungs......pretty amazing.

Once you get over jonesing for cigarettes it really makes you wonder how we could have been a slave to something for so long.........all the time knowing we were a slave to it.

B

[sndral]

Souzac- how's it going? My BIL used Chantix and is still quit 1&1/2 yrs. later - I never thought a quit would stick w/ him. I see you're 60 miles N. of me - I need to exercise, but who can do it in this heat?
How's everyone else doing?
My experience has been the cravings come fast and furious and frequently (the 3 f's) in the beginning - but now, 5 weeks later, not so much.
From what I've read, having nicotene(sp?) in your system burns 250 cal. a day. So by quitting you add 250 cal.s w/out changing eating habits @ all. Couple that with the frequently given advice to substitute sticking food in your mouth for cig.s - it's like a recipe for disaster weightwise IMO.
I am being vigilant about tracking the weight - when I quit years ago it crept up 20 lbs. and I tried everything (we're talking aerobics 5-7X wk @ the gym plus weights after and strict low fat) and did not lose. So only 5 lbs. @ 45 days is a victory for me. Now, off to figure out why my ketostix are not turning purple.

[micki]

16 months tomorrow if you don't count the 1 night in June and the one afternoon last August, and I don't!

[BarbDe]

Isn't that the truth Sugar? 22,000 cigarettes?? just thinking about it!

Micki! That's AWESOME!!! And I wouldn't count them either! Great job!

I was at a gas station today and on the other side of the pump was a van towing a boat, filling up their gas tanks also. I almost fell over when I realized the woman was standing there SMOKING A CIGARETTE at the pump!!!
I didn't say anything, but I came close. I was pretty freaked out actually. I hurried up and got out of there.
How STUPID is that???

[SugarPop]

Well, we're into June now..........So that means I've been smoke free all of January, February, March, April and May.......wow, months like notches on a belt. So glad I quit - especially glad at this time of year with all the pollen. Don't need to add smoke into that mix - it's already tough on the sinuses.

For anyone following............I know you maybe read this thread and were freaked out by my weight gain. Maybe enough so that you decided it just wasn't worth it. I understand your fear, and I'm sorry if I put a negative to doing such a positive - but I had to work through not smoking and, for me, it was enough to give up the cigs - that was my main focus.........and I really wasn't even trying to watch what I ate - in fact I overate A LOT and made super bad choices (donuts, etc)........So, I don't think you have to gain a lot of weight, like I did. I might have only gained 5 pounds if I had just ate like a normal person - but I didn't......so please keep it all in perspective. I worry that I may have scared people in the way I chose to overcome my addiction to cigarettes........It doesn't have to be that way for you.

Anyway.........I've lost 10 of the pounds that I gained.....I'm finally back in the zone. lindaokc told me that I could lose the weight later - when I was lamenting about gaining. She was right - and I'm now doing that. In the past I would diet and smoke my brains out every time I wanted to eat.......My lungs and chest were killing me and still I smoked. When it was winter I was outside smoking. When it rained I sat in my car at midnight and smoked........I don't have to do that now. I'm dieting and NOT smoking my brains out - and it feels good.

B

[lindaokc]

SugarPop, I don't think you scared anybody away with your weight gain. Most women have that fear before they ever quit and we all used to worry about laying down the cigarettes and weight gain.
While some can quit and not gain, the norm is to gain because 1. We use food as a pacifier until the cravings are under control and 2. without the nicotine our bodies don't use as many calories. So, most will gain weight, but you have to truly want to quit smoking and focus to do it, it's not something that comes naturally.
You were willing to NOT focus on the weight gain but the important issue of not smoking instead. That got you through the rough times and now you can focus on the weight gain. It is easier to tackle one demon at a time.
Whooopeee on not having to go anywhere to smoke in the rain, hot miserable heat of summer, the bitter cold of winter, the misery of making sure you can get to your cigarettes no matter where you are, the stench of cigarettes on your body......we could go on forever. Congratulations, girlfriend.

Congrats to you too, Micki

[NurseMonkee]

I agree. I dont think that you're scaring anyone off. If anything, you're inspiring them. Quitting is difficult, but knowing that others have done it, gives people that extra motivation. You know, someone to relate to.

Great job everyone.

[SugarPop]

Okay, good to know, thx.

How's everyone doing?

I've been getting some urges here and there. Seem to crop up after I accomplish something. And back to nice driving weather with music, which always was something I enjoyed with cigarettes. Also, the other day as I was driving I was trying to fish something out of my purse while keeping my eyes on the road........and SOMETHING in there felt just like a pack of cigarettes (but wasn't) and that gave me a flashback. YET.....................Still able to move beyond the smokes.

It does get easier, but there still are cues around to fend off. I'm happy that I can drink a cup of coffee EVERY morning and not even THINK about cigarettes - That used to be a hand in hand thing for me. Same with a glass of wine........Just enjoying the wine and not screaming for a cigarette to go along with it. (not too often cuz I'm tryin' to be good on the LC thing)

Oh yeah..............and Good Going micki - WooHoo

Hey NurseMonkee........Doing good.

How's everyone else doing?

lindaokc...........How long has it been for you?

B

[Mogget]

Hey folks still going strong and not smokling after around 6 weeks or so - just wanted to share a GREAT anxiety buster I recently came across (after discovering that I also have to give up coffee) - "Calm and Clear" Australian Bush Flower Essence -(like rescue remedey but aussie) - works an absolute treat for stopping the muttering to yourself jitters, slowing down and unwinding without smoking.

My routines at home have changed completely now that I am not smoking, so I never come across triggers for the urge to smoke, and frankly I avoid the smoking areas outside as they now reek to me. Don't even think about smoking anymore - which is nice because the weather hasd turned COLD here and my poor boy gets all frozen when he goes out to smoke.

[tddurham]

Ok, another thread I think I will subscribe to. I have not been smoke free yet. But for health reasons I should be. So....I am working on working myself up to a quit date, asap!! And I am going to start with a few things I had heard about.

Has anyone tried the "drink a glass of water" at each craving? And I know I should start my quit day when I have a few days off of work, so no stress, and I can clean my house including walls, all fabrics to clear out the smoke smell and get myself to a healthy good start.

Any advice?

[lindaokc]

Congratulations, tddurham, on beginning to think about the quit. I would suggest the book "The Easy Way to Stop Smoking" by Allen Carr. It's a book that has helped many people put the cigarettes down. Another suggestion that helped me a lot when first quitting was taking deep long breaths when a craving hit, much like I did when drawing on a cigarette. It seems to instantly calm the craving and relax me at the same time. I still use it today when I feel stressed. Another suggestion would be to keep busy the first couple of weeks, very busy, even if you have to just go for a walk. Exercise helps keep the cravings down too.
I would advise (JMHO) to get something to help w/ the cravings also, welbutrin, chantix, nicorette, etc. instead of trying cold turkey. The easier you can make it on yourself, the better off you are, I believe.

Now, after all this advice, and it kills me to admit it, I need to make a confession. I went out and bought and smoked 2 pks of cigarettes over the course of a week this week before putting them down. It was stress. It is what it is. I wish I could undo it but I can't. I did the same thing last year, or a little over a year ago, not sure of the date.
SugarPop, in answer to your question, I have been "quit" for over 4 yrs now, but I've had 3 or 4 times I've struggled. So far I've managed to put the cigarettes down and walk away, but each time it's a struggle and I have to fight cravings again. SO not worth it.

I am telling everyone this to save you the same mistake I've made. So in answer to your question, SugarPop, today is Day 1.