Stop smoking 2009

[lindaokc]

Awesome job, Paula. BIG celebration time for you. Two weeks means the very worst is behind you and each day you will notice improvements. I'm so happy for you, girl.

[AprilW]

Originally Posted by PAULAR42166

Ahhh 2 week mark!!! WOOHOO!!!!
The fight is not over but the battle is getting easier!!
( thank goodness)
And all the kids are still living!

Although I know that some people that I have had contact with the past 2 weeks may not think I am the nicest person in the world, I dont know maybe it was the way my head would snap in a 360 spin, my eyes would glow green and awful things would come spewing out of my mouth!! OOPS ! Sorry ha ha

To the lady sitting in her car in the grocery store parking lot , smoking her lil cig. You dont know how bad I wanted to flick it out of your hand and tell you if I couldnt have one neither could you!!! I really did think of doing this, good thing I caught myself before I did!!! ha ha

April!! You can do it. I know now that you can. The first days are going to be hard, Not even going to lie. You will have every emtion flying through you but you know what , in the end it is all worth it!! Good Luck and we are all here for you !!!

Great job Paula!! Oh I know the first few days are tough, I've quit before only to start smoking again. Someone should have smacked me then too. I'm doing okay. I still have urges but I have been finding other things to do like workout when they hit. I most definitely don't want to snack alot. I am ten pounds from goal. Like I said before, the mornings are the worst, once I get past 10 I am okay. Thanks guys for the support!

[lindaokc]

Glad to hear you are doing so well, April. It's truly worth all the hassle we go through and one day you wake up on the other side of the cravings and it's wonderful.

[AprilW]

I've had sort of a bad day, but I'll get through. I might need a nap though. I was at the grocery store today and I was behind a woman who smoked. OMG, she stunk! I used to smell like that. It's a wonder I have any friends.

[lindaokc]

Sorry you've had a bad day, April, but aren't you glad you stopped? That could have been you in line and somebody else thinking that about you. How sad for that lady. You're right, of course, we never knew how we smelled to others. Thank goodness you aren't stinking
Go take a nap, you deserve it.

[BarbDe]

Naps are a good thing April! Enjoy!

[carbkinky]

First day smoke free with Chantix. I have no side effects. This stuff is amazing!!

[BarbDe]

It is amazing isn't it carbkinky?? Good for you!

[carbkinky]

YES! Now I need to figure how to avoid blowing up like a balloon. I thing simple basic LC and INTENSE exercise will be the solution. Any advice is sooo appreciated! Thanks!!

[lindaokc]

Just take it one day at a time. Exercise does help w/ the not smoking also. I've been told that studies show that the more exercise the less likely you are to go back to smoking. You're doing great

[AprilW]

I am exercising to keep myself busy and so I don't gain weight. I am also sticking to my diet very closely. Hubby gained 30 pounds when he quit 5 years ago and he's still lugging them around. It's funny, I haven't smoked in 4 days and when I do exercise I feel like I can go for longer periods of time now without a break. I don't get winded as easily. I didn't think that would kick in this fast. I did a cardio dvd yesterday that was 62 minutes long and I did the whole thing without a break.

[SugarPop]

Hey, Hey, Hey............Gee, you newbies are doing awesome. Such great enthusiasm! And for the ones who come to lend support - you are so, so appreciated.

I wanted to share that I'm still smoke free. Almost 3 months down. I have my first date on Saturday - and am glad I'm not a smoker anymore. I've been talking to a few men on a site and ALL of them said they would NEVER date a smoker. As much as they liked a woman they just couldn't do it. That was the deal breaker.

Anyway, the man wanted a current photo (the one I had on the site was from 2003) I was soooooo paranoid because I had just gained 30 pounds back, but you know what?....He was really good about it and told me I was beautiful and it would come off. So, any of you that are trying to date - just know it's more important to quit the cigs and THEN lose the weight.

PS, I'm down a 8 pounds.

B

[lindaokc]

Originally Posted by SugarPop

Hey, Hey, Hey............Gee, you newbies are doing awesome. Such great enthusiasm! And for the ones who come to lend support - you are so, so appreciated.

I wanted to share that I'm still smoke free. Almost 3 months down. I have my first date on Saturday - and am glad I'm not a smoker anymore. I've been talking to a few men on a site and ALL of them said they would NEVER date a smoker. As much as they liked a woman they just couldn't do it. That was the deal breaker.

Anyway, the man wanted a current photo (the one I had on the site was from 2003) I was soooooo paranoid because I had just gained 30 pounds back, but you know what?....He was really good about it and told me I was beautiful and it would come off. So, any of you that are trying to date - just know it's more important to quit the cigs and THEN lose the weight.

PS, I'm down a 8 pounds.

B

You are rockin' it, girl. Yep, the cigarettes are THE most important focus.

[micki]

tomorrow will be 14 months for me. I spoke with a friend who quit for 2 years and started again. That's really scarey. I do still get the occasional craving, and seeing Nick's pack laying there is sometimes a temptation. I choose to continue the fight and I remember how HARD this was when I first started, and how easy it has become.

[PAULAR42166]

14 Months! That is awesome!!!

Wow started again after two years. I guess we really can never let our guard down!

Keep up the good work
Paula

[lindaokc]

Fantastic achievement, Micki

Don't EVER turn your back on the nicodemon!!

[micki]

Now I need to give up Starbucks and listerine breath strips. A little healthier replacement but still, caffeine and aspertame, not the best.

[SugarPop]

My landlord just told me that a neighbor here that he knows just found out he has lung cancer....they told him he has 4 months. Scary.

B

[lindaokc]

That is scary. We have many blessings to be thankful for. Be thankful that you quit.

[sprinklesmom]

Hello everyone. Thought it time for me to join in on this thread.

I apologize in advance for my avatar...LOL I hope it doesn't bother anyone. I'm going to change it later tonight.

Today is day 8 for me without a cigarette. I was a 1 1/2 pack a day smoker. I really don't like smoking all that much anymore. The smell on my clothing, my breath, my hair, my coughing and getting winded. Just awful. Plus now in MA it's up to $8.00-$10.00 per pack. I just can't afford the habit any longer - which is good.

I just decided no more. I was able to stop in the past by using the patch, going through cesstation programs, etc. but what always brought me back was some incredible stressful incident in my life. I know I can do this so I just have to learn how to overcome the big stressful hurdles.

This time I am cold turkey and looking at pictures of smokers lungs on the internet too keep me from giving in to cravings. When I get a craving, I remind myself of those pictures and tell myself that's what my lungs look like right now.

I was very successful with my eating and excercise program, but I have put that on hold for now. I have been reading what Linda has posted and that has been my mantra for now. I can always lose the weight and if I start smoking again, then I'll be overweight and smoking so what was the purpose of that?

My cravings are slowly going away now but one thing I will find hard is that I really enjoy sitting on my deck on warm nights, smoking that cigarette with a few glasses of wine. I really really enjoyed that. But I will just have to start walking in the evenings for now. This too shall pass.

I will look into getting the Allen Carr book as well. Thank you for the information on that.

SugarPop, I wanted to let you know I've read your posts since the beginning and what you have gone through with your quitting is very similar to what I am going through now. You are helping me along here although you may not realize it.

I wanted to congratulate everyone on stopping their smoking. May we all be successful in this struggle!

--Sheila smoke free since 4/7/09

[Mogget]

Hello non smokers - may I join you? I just got hit with the flu and figured that as I cannot stand smoking when I am sick, and have been getting more and more turned off by the taste and smll lately anyhow I would call it quits time at last...

I'll be using Paul McKenna's Quit smoking cd program to help me along...

[carbkinky]

Yep....Chantix is the miracle for me....yeah!

[sprinklesmom]

Good Morning. Hi Mogget! Congratulations on starting your journey. I hope you are feeling better.

Just adding that this morning, I got up and the icky tarry taste in my mouth has lessened a bit. I noticed as I was brushing my teeth that my mouth actually seemed a bit cleaner feeling this morning.

I know it will take a while for the lungs to clean out completely but it is nice to notice these things and it keeps me going.

My chest feels a tiny bit less tight this morning too.

[sprinklesmom]

Replying again. I am having a huge craving for a cigarette right now. I'm not going to give in. I want to go for a walk, but I know I'll be tempted to stop over at the local convenience store and pick up a pack. I'm feeling a little vulnerable. So think I'll just stay here and let it pass. It's a beautiful day too. So this bums me out a bit. But one day at a time. I just keep thinking about those icky smokers lungs.

It's just funny how the cravings come out of nowhere. I mean, this morning I was feeling great and lungs and mouth feeling cleaner, etc. But all of the sudden I just get hit with this craving!

[Mogget]

Good job on posting rather than giving in to the craving Sprinklesmom - out of curiosity have you ever tried EFT or "tapping" for busting cravings? It may be too hippy frou frou for you (for example I cannot speak about EFT without using the phrase hippy frou frou) but it helps a lot of people and in spite of it being shrouded in semi spiritual hippy-speak the "science" behind it is not entirely rubbish - gee I should be a salesman ith a pitch like that.

Put all the hocus pocus aside and you essentially are tapping on nerve points to create the kinaesthetic (internal physical sensations eg emotions, cravings) equivalent of white noise - this breaks the craving/thinkng about the craving/resisting the craving/craving etc cycle and gives you a clean slate. Can be helpful.

[Mogget]

I still have a headcold, though it is getting better. I have not smoked in 4 days and if I think about actually inhaling and how that would feel, and the taste and small I really don't want one! I do keep sort of wanting just to "do smoking" - the actions and stuff that go with it, it was a big part of my daily routine and I miss that aspect, but not enough to smell like and ashtray and feel like a diseased binliner.

[sprinklesmom]

Originally Posted by Mogget

have you ever tried EFT or "tapping" for busting cravings? It may be too hippy frou frou for you (for example I cannot speak about EFT without using the phrase hippy frou frou) Put all the hocus pocus aside and you essentially are tapping on nerve points to create the kinaesthetic (internal physical sensations eg emotions, cravings) equivalent of white noise - this breaks the craving/thinkng about the craving/resisting the craving/craving etc cycle and gives you a clean slate. Can be helpful.

Thanks Mogget. I'm all about the hippy frou frou stuff. Can you describe it in more detail? Like use an example of how it would work say if I were working at my desk and a craving came up?

You can PM me if you'd like.

Glad you're feeling better. Right now I have no urge to smoke either. But these cravings hit me at the strangest times.

[carbkinky]

Yep. I hate those "attacks". I find that I will be cruising along- happy and smoke free and ---wham...I find straws to be helpful props.

[Mogget]

Originally Posted by sprinklesmom

Thanks Mogget. I'm all about the hippy frou frou stuff. Can you describe it in more detail? Like use an example of how it would work say if I were working at my desk and a craving came up?

You can PM me if you'd like.

Glad you're feeling better. Right now I have no urge to smoke either. But these cravings hit me at the strangest times.

I'll post it on here in case anyone else wants to try it.

Once you have it down pat (pun!!!!) you can do it pretty quick in about 2-5 min, either at your desk (if your office is not too exposed or you don't mind your co-workers watching you bang your face) or during a brief loo break.

YouTube - How Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) Works

The actual intro vid was playing up when I posted but is worth checking out when its up again. and the other free vids are here with loads of info. They usually work not sure why it is playing up today. Free Videos - Tapping.com

http://www.mckenna.com/default.aspx?pid=44

And from Paul Mckenna site here's the instructions and a link to his vid (his is for food cravings but works just the same on smoke cravings)

Here's the sequence for you to print out:

1. I want you get the biggest desire for a food that you can right now. If you don't have a big enough craving, put this technique to one side and come back to it when you're really feeling it.
2. Focus on this craving for a moment, and when you've thought of that I'd like you to rate your desire for a food on a scale of 1-10, with 1 being the lowest and 10 the highest. This is important, because in a moment we want to know how much you've reduced it.
3. On a scale of 1- 10, how strong is your craving? Remember, if you're not really craving a bite (i.e. your craving is not at least a 7), come back to this technique later.
4. Now take two fingers of either hand and tap about ten times under your collarbone while you continue to think about eating.
5. Now tap under your eye ten times.
6. Now tap under your collarbone again.


7. Place your other hand in front of you and tap on the back of it between your ring finger and your little finger. Continue to think about your desire for food as you do this and each of the steps which follow:

• Close your eyes and open them.
• Keep your head still, keep tapping and look down to the right then down to the left.
• Keep tapping and rotate your eyes round 360 degrees clockwise, and now 360 degrees anti-clockwise.

Remember to keep thinking about the food you were craving as you do this!

• Now hum the first few lines of ‘Happy Birthday' out loud.
• Count out loud from 1 to 5.
• Once again hum the first few lines of ‘Happy Birthday' out loud.

8. Stop and check - on a scale from 1 to 10, what number is your craving at now?
If it hasn't completely gone yet, just repeat this sequence again until it does.

[SugarPop]

Aww, sprinklesmom, that was very sweet of you to say that my posts give you encouragement.

I want to report that I am still smoke free.......It really is only NOW ( almost 4 months down) that the cravings really aren't all that bad. They've lessened over time, but I still felt I had to talk myself out of the crave. And NOW I barely get a craving for them. I was talking to a guy that smoked 4 packs a day (said he had several even going at once in different locations of his shop) ANYWAY, at the 4 month point of quitting he got hot flashes and a few other symptoms that he attributed to the body FINALLY expelling all of the toxins out. So, hang in there everyone - You may have to get through 4 months of will power and determination, but then it will be something you won't even have to deal with. It will just be something you know you USED to do.

Use negative reinforcement; remember how you are afraid someone will smell your breath when you speak to them?, remember the cost!!! (in NYC a pack at Penn station goes for 11.00- when I started cigs were 45 cents and we were mad when they went up to 50 cents....lol), remember how cigarettes OWN you......don't let them own you. Don't let them have the power. Food you need - cigarettes you don't.

I think it's a good thing to scare yourself with internet pictures. For awhile here in NY they were showing commercials with a Dr. extruding a thick tube of fat from an aorta - because smoking makes it stick to the walls - not flow freely. That was such a powerful thing to see. Might have been a NYQuits ad, not sure.

Yesterday I went to my best gf's house. Hadn't seen her in a while, and to be honest in the beginning I avoided seeing her because I didn't want to cave. When you walk into her house her coffee table is right there in front of her couch. What is the centerpiece of the coffee table?.....A large tray with a rolling machine and pouch of tobacco, a cup with already rolled cigarettes and several brightly colored lighters. This has been there for YEARS now, because of the ever increasing expense of cigarettes. They are on their 3rd machine. In the past we would gab for long periods of time and smoke our brains out. It was just part of our routine - We've known each other since we were 13, so having, sneaking cigarettes have been part of our relationship forever. My friend will NEVER quit - she has no desire to even try quitting. I found her husband for her on the internet and he DIDN'T smoke (had quit) when they met - now he smokes like a chimney too. He tried to talk her into quitting w/him, but she was having no part of that. So, I don't even try to talk her into quitting - I just know she won't.

Anyway, went there - even had a glass of wine and I wasn't even tempted - that's saying a lot! I think sheer longevity helps too (you don't wanna undo all the good in one moment of impulsive weakness, and you remember how tough it's been to not only not smoke, but to talk yourself into taking that first step to not smoking) But you did take that first step and that's what separates you from the rest - your desire to stop.

YOU GUYS are different - You have the desire to quit and that makes ALL the difference. You KNOW how crappy you feel when you wake up?.......I always felt like my lungs were singed or something. You may not have had that symptom, but you've had others. Just go out and wipe down the inside of your car window and look at all that black and think about how you want your lungs pink again. You know you want this, you KNOW you can do this - It's just gonna take a little time and battling the cravings and then you'll be so over it, seriously.

Smoking is uncool, yo.......lol. It really is. You know it is. Those people standing outside in the rain, freezing there asses off, to puff away are not looked at in a good light - they are looked at as weak and powerless - and you ARE NOT THAT..........You can do this. If I can smoke since I'm 12 and quit at 54 then you can too. I actually had my first cigarette at 9...lol

Stay strong!

B