Stop smoking 2009

[lindaokc]

That happens, SugarPop, from time to time. It will get longer and longer between urges, but they will pop up out of nowhere. The fight and effort you have put into it is what will keep you going. It's the nicodemon trying for the last times to get you back. He is dying and doesn't like it. It doesn't mean you are weak, quite the opposite. I'm sure today the craving/urge will be gone and you will feel much better. As time goes by, this will happen less and less often and then you will notice they aren't cravings anymore, but merely memories or slight urges. Those are much easier to handle and are gone in a flash.
Keep up the awesome work, girlfriend. It's paying off.

[BarbDe]

Hang in there Sugar. I've been dealing with a LOT of stress this last couple weeks and I have to tell you that there has been more than one time that I though of lighting up.

But I haven't.
And really. It will get better. It will be longer and longer between those strong cravings.

How long did you quit for before? I never lasted more than a month.

ETA, oops! Didn't see Linda said about the same thing - only better! And she is right!

[lindaokc]

SugarPop, how are you doing? Still cigarette free?
If not, then come on in and lets talk about it. We won't bite
Barb De, hope your stress is less now too. It's funny how stress tries to push us toward the nicotine, isn't it? We always used to think it calmed us down.

[SugarPop]

Yes, still cigarette free.............but not dieting yet and it's got me bummed. I'm mad about it, but the worst thing I can do is start up again AND be 20 lbs. heavier than I was.

~sigh~

B

[WildIrishRose]

Hi All,

I have been thinking about quitting for quite some time now. I choose today to make a start!

It has been 5.5 hours so far....I know that's not much, but I feel like for me it's a huge start!

I have noticed that for the past few month I don't really enjoy smoking most of the time, I think that it has just become a habit! It is so expensive here in the NorthEast and most importantly I have watched my Mom who smoked most of her life now struggling with breathing and heart problems! I just don't want to end up like that!!

I also take agility classes with one of our dogs.....it will certainly be easier to run an agility course if I'm not smoking!!

so lots & lots of reasons to become smoke free!!

Thanks for listening!

Take Care
Beth

[lindaokc]

Originally Posted by SugarPop

Yes, still cigarette free.............but not dieting yet and it's got me bummed. I'm mad about it, but the worst thing I can do is start up again AND be 20 lbs. heavier than I was.

~sigh~

Good girl and keeping the smoking cessation front and center. It IS the most important and the weight can wait, not that I don't understand exactly what you are saying. I do and it can be discouraging, but you are way ahead of the game by being smoke free

B

Originally Posted by WildIrishRose

Hi All,

I have been thinking about quitting for quite some time now. I choose today to make a start!

It has been 5.5 hours so far....I know that's not much, but I feel like for me it's a huge start!

I have noticed that for the past few month I don't really enjoy smoking most of the time, I think that it has just become a habit! It is so expensive here in the NorthEast and most importantly I have watched my Mom who smoked most of her life now struggling with breathing and heart problems! I just don't want to end up like that!!

I also take agility classes with one of our dogs.....it will certainly be easier to run an agility course if I'm not smoking!!

so lots & lots of reasons to become smoke free!!

Thanks for listening!

Take Care
Beth

Beth. So glad to have you join us. It's never a wrong time to quit smoking and you are off to a great start. Whatever happens, do give up quitting. It's the most important decision you'll ever make.
If you haven't gotten it, I would suggest the Allen Carr book "The Easy Way to Stop Smoking". It has helped so many people quit over the years.
I'm so sorry to hear about your mothers problems. My mother had emphysema when she passed and was on oxygen 24/7. Hope your mother is smoke free now.

[lindaokc]

LOL, Sugarpop, my answer to you is inside the quote box I'm just not a computer whiz, as you can see.

[WildIrishRose]

Thanks for the welcome!!!

Well it's been over 24 hours now....Still smoke free! Today is a day full of meetings(Stressful), so if I survive today....I think I'm on my way!!

[BarbDe]

Originally Posted by SugarPop

Yes, still cigarette free.............but not dieting yet and it's got me bummed. I'm mad about it, but the worst thing I can do is start up again AND be 20 lbs. heavier than I was.

~sigh~

B

I'm there with ya Sugar and I tell myself the same thing. Hang in there

Originally Posted by WildIrishRose

Thanks for the welcome!!!

Well it's been over 24 hours now....Still smoke free! Today is a day full of meetings(Stressful), so if I survive today....I think I'm on my way!!

Way to go WildIrishRose on the 24 hours!!!
You'll get through today too!! No sweat! Those smokes don't do anything to relieve that stress. They actually make it worse!! Hang in!!

[SugarPop]

Hi everyone..........

Still hanging in there.......I think its getting easier - I really do.

I got my TOM so now I know why I was eating like crazy and feeling vulnerable to smoking temptations. I feel better now and lost some of that crazy water weight bloat.

To all the newbies..........hang in there. Let's all get this quitting thing behind us. Don't let the cigarettes own you. Who can afford them anyway?

B

[Quadvet]

Hello, new to this site, noticing great mutual support both here and elsewhere on the site. Found it researching sleep apnea, which I recently was diagnosed with. I need to quit smoking and learn to eat right, though I'm not particularly overweight. Oh, I am spinal cord injured C5/6 quadriplegic 19 years, yikes.

Pledging to quit smoking.

Limited access to computer.

Good luck to everyone!

[BarbDe]

Quadvet!!
There is a lot of support here for both of your goals. You can do it!!

[lindaokc]

Hi there Quadvet So glad you could join us. Quitting the cigarettes is one of the smartest decisions you'll ever make. Congratulations for taking the first step. I also have, or used to have, sleep apnea and used a C-pap for many years. I don't need it now We will watch for you when you do have computer time

[calijk]

i was a smoker for 6 years and now its been 73 days for me non smoking! yay! The aggravation of the first few weeks pays off later! i feel so much better and the cravings are gone!!

[lindaokc]

Wooot woooot calijk!! Good going for you girl Just don't turn your back on the nicodemon because he will fly up just when you least expect it. You have done a great job

[TurnNBurn]

For some reason last Sat. night I had the worse cravings ever for a ciggy. DH and I had just gone out to eat and when we got home it was all I could do not to light one up! (DH still smokes, so there's always cigs lying around.)

But I OVERCAME the urge, popped a sf cinnamon candy in my mouth, drank some water. Took a deep breath to remind myself of how much easier I can now breath.

Sometimes at night I take a deep breath and thank the Lord that I can now breath clear.

[robing0110]

Well it's been almost 3 hours for me and I feel like I am gonna die! Of course I'm not but I am gonna hang in there.

[BarbDe]

Hang in there Robin!!!

[aim in Fla*working]

I quit smoking in November of 07 and I wanted to share that I have been with my mom this entire week watching her pant and choke trying to take in some air that we at the moment take for granted....She has COPD and was near death last week at this time....3:00am last Sunday she was going into respiratory arrest. She is a nurse practitioner that knows better...and she kept putting off her quit date sespite having a COPD attach over 5 years ago and KNOWING it was inevitable...she used inhalers and then would light up. I saw my mother almost die. I took plenty of pics when she was unconscious so that when she 'forgets' that she almost died ...I can remind her. Even in the hospital she stated that she wanted one...I smoked for over 20 years...I hate smoking...I used to have one on a drink night here and there...thank god it never took ahold of me again. I was stupid to play that game. Now, I would rather quit booze forever than see her or myself go through that again.
I just wanted to share with you My mother once told me...I am 72 years old. YOu gotta die sooner or later. Now she realizes it is not about when you die...but HOW.

[lindaokc]

Thanks for sharing that, Aim. My mother had emphysema before she died also and was on oxygen 24/7. Plus, she craved cigarettes until the day she died. It's heartbreaking.
Congratulations on your quit

Robin, I hope you have something to help you over the rough patches, like gum, patches, a drug, etc. It can help a lot with the cravings. Some go cold turkey but personally I would rather see somebody get some relief. Hang in there. We are all pulling for you.

[robing0110]

Oh boy I am at it again. This time my hubby is doing it with me. It has been 3 hours and I feel like I am losing my mind.
BUT I KNOW THAT THIS FEELING WILL PASS!
Please keep us in ur prayers everyone.

Hugs,
Robin

[lindaokc]

We are all pulling for you, Robin. You can do this.

[TurnNBurn]

Aim, that is one of the reasons I put on my list for quitting ... that I didn't want my relatives to think how stupid I was to keep smoking!

I'm now 2 months quit. I do belive I'm feeling stronger everyday.

Thanks to low carb diet (which I admit I'm not sticking to as I should) I haven't gained any weight. Well I did gain a few lbs but now am back where I started.

[lindaokc]

You are doing an awesome job, TurnNBurn. Congrats w/ making it 2 full months.

[barbchris]

Every morning, I quit, every evening, I smoke. I am a chiropractor, it is a really secret habit of mine. No one knows I smoke, I've never smoked in public. I get lonely at night, tired... I would love some support. Today, not a cig until about 7:30. I don't think I'm physically addicted. It's just like I'm addicted to the secret.

Anyone out there in the same boat??

Barb

[lindaokc]

Hi Barb, I wouldn't say I'm in the same boat, but are you wanting to quit? We will be here for you if you are wanting support, and there are aids out there that can help you with the cravings at night. They can really take the edge off. Have you tried them?
I do understand about feeling addicted to the secret. I've had other secrets of my own, and hated them.
You start by taking it one day at a time.
Let us know if we can help in any way.

[TurnNBurn]

I'm especially glad I quit smoking, as my state is raising taxes. A carton of cigs here will have an additional tax of over $6 !!

Since DH still smokes I'm glad we don't get double scr*wed on taxes.

[PAULAR42166]

have any of you tried to quit , with wellbutrin ?
Would love to hear your thoughts !!
Paula

[lindaokc]

Hi Paula, I quit w/ welbutrin and I love the stuff. It made the cravings so much less and much easier to deal with when they did come. I wouldn't say it made quitting easy, but easier and the desire to smoke much less. Not everyone can take welbutrin I've heard because some have side effects. I never had any that weren't postive. I still take the welbutrin as a precaution. I quit over 3 yrs ago and have been known to pick up a cigarette several times and because (I think) of welbutrin, I never got back on them for very long. I don't think of them now and could quit taking the drug, but I'm afraid to quit. The smoking scares me so much I'd rather just stay on it. It's just a very mild anti depressant so I don't even notice it.

[SugarPop]

First of all I'm still hanging in there. I quit New Years Day and so it's been a little over 2 months - almost 2 and a half. Everyday it gets easier but like linda, BarbDe and TunrNBurn mention - the cravings will come on every now and then and you just let them pass and they will.

Congratulations to all the new joiners - this is a great thread with some wonderful support. Some of you have really shared the heartbreaking reality of smoking and I thank you for that.

Hey TurnNBurn......*High5's*..We're doing it, girl. You get extra points for quitting when your husband is still smoking - that's gotta be hard.

barbchris - thank you for sharing your secret......I think you're doing good by pushing back your time each day before you have one. You're already showing good willpower - I don't think quitting will be as hard for you as it will with others, simply because you're getting less nicotine each day. Maybe one of the smoking aids will help.

Good luck everyone!

B