Quitting Smoking

micki641 · 03-30-2009, 11:33 AM

I'm hoping that by posting this in the busiest forum, I'll get a lot of advice.

I really want to quit smoking but I'm not sure how.....??

I do not smoke a lot, maybe at the most a 1/2 pack a day. I've tried the patch and even the lowest dose is too much for me, I get shaky and really foggy. I'm one of those people who experiences most of the side effects of meds, i.e. wellbutrin, chantix, etc.. I just cannot take them...

If anyone has any advice about quitting without meds or nicotine supplements, I'd love to know. Did you eat more, chew on straws, form another habit, get grouchy, take up a hobby, use a support group, learn your triggers .....anything......... I really want to kick this habit......HELP!!....

Michelle

Synesthetic · 03-30-2009, 11:42 AM

I quit at 11:30 PM last halloween.

And MAN was it tough! But it was only tough for the first couple of weeks. You will feel like crap. You will be shaky and your stomach will hurt and you'll be a grumpy beast. But you know what? It will pass. You have to tough it out. Cry, complain, throw things, do whatever you have to do to get through it.

I quit cold turkey and it was hell. It was one of the hardest things I've ever done. But it was also the best thing I've ever done. After 12 years I can smell and taste!

I did gain about 11 pounds, but you know, I can lose the weight I gained. I wouldn't be able to diet away emphysema or cancer. What's more important is that I'm healthier. Don't worry too much about if you're eating more during the process. Give yourself some slack right now, eat nourishing healthy things, and your body will thank you SO much for this step.

Oh and yes, I was a grouchy *****. I bit my nails. When I was having intense cravings I worked out!! It helped a lot and was good for me. I didn't join any support groups but I did ask my closest friends to support me and to remind me about the myriad reasons I wanted and needed to quit. You CAN do this. Because you smoke only 10 or so a day you're not a good candidate for the patch, but that stuff is just a money sink anyway. YOU ARE STRONGER THAN THE NICOTINE.

godsbeloved79 · 03-30-2009, 11:42 AM

Michelle I really don't know what direction to send you in; but I can pray for your deliverance

.

godsbeloved79 · 03-30-2009, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Synesthetic

I quit at 11:30 PM last halloween.

And MAN was it tough! But it was only tough for the first couple of weeks. You will feel like crap. You will be shaky and your stomach will hurt and you'll be a grumpy beast. But you know what? It will pass. You have to tough it out. Cry, complain, throw things, do whatever you have to do to get through it.

I quit cold turkey and it was hell. It was one of the hardest things I've ever done. But it was also the best thing I've ever done. After 12 years I can smell and taste!

I did gain about 11 pounds, but you know, I can lose the weight I gained. I wouldn't be able to diet away emphysema or cancer. What's more important is that I'm healthier. Don't worry too much about if you're eating more during the process. Give yourself some slack right now, eat nourishing healthy things, and your body will thank you SO much for this step.

Oh and yes, I was a grouchy *****. I bit my nails. When I was having intense cravings I worked out!! It helped a lot and was good for me. I didn't join any support groups but I did ask my closest friends to support me and to remind me about the myriad reasons I wanted and needed to quit. You CAN do this.

What an inspiration you are, good job

!

heatherdazy · 03-30-2009, 11:45 AM

When I quit smoking, I tapered it off. First, I switched from 100's to normal sized cigs (I also smoked about 1/2 pack a day) and then just smoked one less cigarette a day per week and quit totally within about 3 months.

I think there were one or two weeks where I couldn't go down, but otherwise it was pretty good progress.

Peacesoul · 03-30-2009, 11:50 AM

I started smoking at 13 and was at a pack a day until I was 25. Then I smoked about 10 cigs a day, then in my 30's went to about 5 a day.
On April 20th, it will be one year since I quit (cold turkey).

I thought quitting would be really tough, And it was for the few times I tried to quit.
Then, last year, I was taking some homeopathy for my lupus and on the 9th day of the treatment, I just woke up one day and said “I quit” and I did and never looked back. I’ve had few cravings.
What I found out later is this particular homeopathic tincture is also used to help people quit smoking. Kind of like how Wellbutrin is indicated for depression but then they discovered it helped people quit smoking.

Good luck, quitting DA SMOKE was the best decision I never made.

NurseMonkee · 03-30-2009, 11:53 AM

I went cold turkey.
The withdrawals are terrible and urges to pick up and smoke are there every single minute, but I just fought through it. I chewed gum a lot and sucked on sf hard candy as well as veggie sticks and ice chips. I also avoided situations that tempted me and made sure that everyone knew that no one could smoke around me, EVER! I didn't want to see it or smell it. I was actually very public about quitting smoking which also kept me accountable. I think what helped the most was having one-on-one support. My BF talked me down everytime that I wanted to light up. He also allowed me to vent and lash out. LOL. I did slip up a few times and smoked again, but I didn't allow that to discourage me or use it as an excuse to smoke again. Instead I put it behind me, and continued forward. After a few weeks it gets a lot easier. I don't think that the urge to smoke ever goes away, but you can at least feel less desperate to smoke (like an addict) and learn to control it.

I smoked for 12 years straight and was majorly hooked already.
I could NEVER be low on cigarettes and would go into a panic attack if I ran out. Going out at 3 am for a pack wasn't uncommon for me at all.
Honestly, if I can quit, anyone can. I haven't smoked for a year and it's the best feeling in the world. I finally feel free from it.

You can definately quit. You just need to make a plan and be prepared. Then work it one day at a time.

Lylotte · 03-30-2009, 12:08 PM

I too went cold turkey.. over 3 years ago. The second I saw a positive result on my pregnancy test I knew the ride was over and I had bigger things to wrroy about. It sucked at first, especially with hubby still smoking but each day is a little better and there was no way I wanted to go back a step and go through all that suffering again. I was pregnant so obviously I was gaining anyway so I couldn't say how much was from quitting.

My husband quit a few weeks later.. he used herbal cigarettes to help him. he just would smoke a few of those instead of real cigarettes to help get the nicotine out of his system before battling the habit side of smoking.. as the nicotine got out of his system the more he realized how truly nasty the herbals were and after cutting down over maybe 10 days he was quit.

Herbal cigarettes were bought at a health food store (Kardish Foods in Canada). They are made from flowers like roses and such.

cuzican · 03-30-2009, 12:08 PM

I just quit on March 12th and I tell you it was VERY hard the first three days...but after that everyday got easier and easier. I did the lowest patch for the first week and then I home free. the key is just to stay busy and just reconzie that if you do get *****y or whatever withdrawl thing just remember that this too shall pass and it does.

I replaced cigarettes with exercise.

I am so happy I am done with smoking!!!!

gina1 · 03-30-2009, 01:25 PM

i quit cold turkey 6 years ago. it is hard. you won't sleep and i gained a ton of weight because i ate a ton of sugary foods. i kept a journal and wrote down every craving. if i was diagnosed today with cancer i would go buy cigarettes. the craving gets better,but it is always there. i smoked for 20 years a pack a day or more.

tybeeanna · 03-30-2009, 01:57 PM

Just prayers

&

I used the Chantix 02-08 was the month I quit

Tyrone Bill · 03-30-2009, 02:20 PM

Hi Michelle, I quit in 1974 after many attempts. I stopped cold-turkey. Not gonna lie it quite difficult. I kept a variety of cutup fresh veggies in a gallon jug of ice water. When I got the urge off to the fridge i I went. It worked for me. Maybe it'll work for you.

Good luck.

heatherdazy · 03-30-2009, 02:47 PM

Wow, I can't believe I'm the only one who didn't do "cold turkey"!

Tyrone Bill · 03-30-2009, 03:21 PM

Heather I tried tapering off, just couldn't do it. It had to be cold-turkey or not at all.

Peacesoul · 03-30-2009, 03:51 PM

oh yeah, forgot about the withdrawal.
I thought I was going to feel awesome, but the first 3 months, I had such horrible withdrawal and felt like dog doo.

What helps with withdrawal is exercise, low caffeine and low or no sugar.
I didn't gain weight when I quit, but I think it's what one decides to replace the smoke with. Mine was sex.................just kidding....haha!
I replaced the smoke with talking walks.

NurseMonkee · 03-30-2009, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heatherdazy

Wow, I can't believe I'm the only one who didn't do "cold turkey"!

I tried other methods (gum, patches, meds, etc) before going cold turkey, but it didn't work. I would go through the nasty withdrawals, quit for a month, then start up again. I even tried that Lung Association program that has you do lessons and set up a quit date...didn't work! I just smoked like crazy until my quit date. LOL. This last time I went cold turkey though and finally I am smoke free!

1 year and counting!

Sometimes you just have to pull off the bandaid hard, lol, know what I mean?

itzme91 · 03-30-2009, 10:24 PM

I quit smoking after I had 3 stents.I quit cold turkey and was miserable plus scared too(because of the stents)also ended up having 2 heart surgeries. Ironically I started back the week my father died with throat cancer. I now smoke a pack a day and don't seem to care if it kills me or not.Cigarettes went up 8.00 on the carton a few weeks ago and are going up 10.00 more on Wed.I plan to finish what I have and try again to quit.
Good Luck!!!
Drinking lots of water really seemed to help.

03-30-2009, 11:33 AM	#1
micki641 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: North East Posts: 595 Gallery: micki641 Stats: 162/162/125 5'5 WOE: Clean Low Carb Start Date: 7/14/08 Again!!!	Quitting Smoking I'm hoping that by posting this in the busiest forum, I'll get a lot of advice. I really want to quit smoking but I'm not sure how.....?? I do not smoke a lot, maybe at the most a 1/2 pack a day. I've tried the patch and even the lowest dose is too much for me, I get shaky and really foggy. I'm one of those people who experiences most of the side effects of meds, i.e. wellbutrin, chantix, etc.. I just cannot take them... If anyone has any advice about quitting without meds or nicotine supplements, I'd love to know. Did you eat more, chew on straws, form another habit, get grouchy, take up a hobby, use a support group, learn your triggers .....anything......... I really want to kick this habit......HELP!!.... Michelle __________________ [COLOR="Blue"]*~~~"It's great to be able to see the end of your journey, but it's your journey in the end that counts."~~~*[/COLOR]

03-30-2009, 11:42 AM	#2
Synesthetic MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1,018 Gallery: Synesthetic WOE: Organic Atkins	I quit at 11:30 PM last halloween. And MAN was it tough! But it was only tough for the first couple of weeks. You will feel like crap. You will be shaky and your stomach will hurt and you'll be a grumpy beast. But you know what? It will pass. You have to tough it out. Cry, complain, throw things, do whatever you have to do to get through it. I quit cold turkey and it was hell. It was one of the hardest things I've ever done. But it was also the best thing I've ever done. After 12 years I can smell and taste! I did gain about 11 pounds, but you know, I can lose the weight I gained. I wouldn't be able to diet away emphysema or cancer. What's more important is that I'm healthier. Don't worry too much about if you're eating more during the process. Give yourself some slack right now, eat nourishing healthy things, and your body will thank you SO much for this step. Oh and yes, I was a grouchy ****. I bit my nails. When I was having intense cravings I worked out!! It helped a lot and was good for me. I didn't join any support groups but I did ask my closest friends to support me and to remind me about the myriad reasons I wanted and needed to quit. You CAN do this. Because you smoke only 10 or so a day you're not a good candidate for the patch, but that stuff is just a money sink anyway. YOU ARE STRONGER THAN THE NICOTINE. Last edited by Synesthetic; 03-30-2009 at 11:44 AM..*

03-30-2009, 12:08 PM	#8
Lylotte MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 1,607 Gallery: Lylotte Stats: 329/221/160 WOE: Atkins Start Date: March 6, 2009	I too went cold turkey.. over 3 years ago. The second I saw a positive result on my pregnancy test I knew the ride was over and I had bigger things to wrroy about. It sucked at first, especially with hubby still smoking but each day is a little better and there was no way I wanted to go back a step and go through all that suffering again. I was pregnant so obviously I was gaining anyway so I couldn't say how much was from quitting. My husband quit a few weeks later.. he used herbal cigarettes to help him. he just would smoke a few of those instead of real cigarettes to help get the nicotine out of his system before battling the habit side of smoking.. as the nicotine got out of his system the more he realized how truly nasty the herbals were and after cutting down over maybe 10 days he was quit. Herbal cigarettes were bought at a health food store (Kardish Foods in Canada). They are made from flowers like roses and such. __________________ Charlotte Countdown: 61 60 59 58 57 56 55 54 53 52 51 50 49 48 47 46 45 44 43 42 41 40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32 31 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 GOAL! Distance clocked this month: 70/60kms

03-30-2009, 01:57 PM	#11
tybeeanna Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: So of Rockford Il Posts: 752 Gallery: tybeeanna Stats: 280/268/1 lb less WOE: low carb	Just prayers& I used the Chantix 02-08 was the month I quit

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

03-30-2009, 11:42 AM	#3
godsbeloved79 Atkineer For Life Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Pompano Bch, FL Posts: 17,252 Gallery: godsbeloved79 Stats: 214.5/201/160 WOE: Atkins - Induction Start Date: 11/21/09	Michelle I really don't know what direction to send you in; but I can pray for your deliverance .

03-30-2009, 11:45 AM	#5
heatherdazy Senior LCF Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 731 Gallery: heatherdazy Stats: highest ever: 214 (2004) this time:164/159/105 WOE: Moderate carb JUDDDD Start Date: Switch from Atkins to JUDDDD April 5	When I quit smoking, I tapered it off. First, I switched from 100's to normal sized cigs (I also smoked about 1/2 pack a day) and then just smoked one less cigarette a day per week and quit totally within about 3 months. I think there were one or two weeks where I couldn't go down, but otherwise it was pretty good progress.

03-30-2009, 11:50 AM	#6
Peacesoul MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Montreal. Canada Posts: 1,134 Gallery: Peacesoul Stats: Coming up on 43yrs old...ekk! WOE: smart	I started smoking at 13 and was at a pack a day until I was 25. Then I smoked about 10 cigs a day, then in my 30's went to about 5 a day. On April 20th, it will be one year since I quit (cold turkey). I thought quitting would be really tough, And it was for the few times I tried to quit. Then, last year, I was taking some homeopathy for my lupus and on the 9th day of the treatment, I just woke up one day and said “I quit” and I did and never looked back. I’ve had few cravings. What I found out later is this particular homeopathic tincture is also used to help people quit smoking. Kind of like how Wellbutrin is indicated for depression but then they discovered it helped people quit smoking. Good luck, quitting DA SMOKE was the best decision I never made.

03-30-2009, 11:53 AM	#7
NurseMonkee MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 2,441 Gallery: NurseMonkee WOE: Low-Carb Start Date: Summer 08	I went cold turkey. The withdrawals are terrible and urges to pick up and smoke are there every single minute, but I just fought through it. I chewed gum a lot and sucked on sf hard candy as well as veggie sticks and ice chips. I also avoided situations that tempted me and made sure that everyone knew that no one could smoke around me, EVER! I didn't want to see it or smell it. I was actually very public about quitting smoking which also kept me accountable. I think what helped the most was having one-on-one support. My BF talked me down everytime that I wanted to light up. He also allowed me to vent and lash out. LOL. I did slip up a few times and smoked again, but I didn't allow that to discourage me or use it as an excuse to smoke again. Instead I put it behind me, and continued forward. After a few weeks it gets a lot easier. I don't think that the urge to smoke ever goes away, but you can at least feel less desperate to smoke (like an addict) and learn to control it. I smoked for 12 years straight and was majorly hooked already. I could NEVER be low on cigarettes and would go into a panic attack if I ran out. Going out at 3 am for a pack wasn't uncommon for me at all. Honestly, if I can quit, anyone can. I haven't smoked for a year and it's the best feeling in the world. I finally feel free from it. You can definately quit. You just need to make a plan and be prepared. Then work it one day at a time.

03-30-2009, 12:08 PM	#9
cuzican Senior LCF Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Montana Posts: 90 Gallery: cuzican Stats: 140/137/130 5'8 WOE: atkins Start Date: august 2008	I just quit on March 12th and I tell you it was VERY hard the first three days...but after that everyday got easier and easier. I did the lowest patch for the first week and then I home free. the key is just to stay busy and just reconzie that if you do get *****y or whatever withdrawl thing just remember that this too shall pass and it does. I replaced cigarettes with exercise. I am so happy I am done with smoking!!!!

03-30-2009, 01:25 PM	#10
gina1 Senior LCF Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 371 Gallery: gina1 Stats: start at 190 goal weight 140 for now Start Date: new start everyday	i quit cold turkey 6 years ago. it is hard. you won't sleep and i gained a ton of weight because i ate a ton of sugary foods. i kept a journal and wrote down every craving. if i was diagnosed today with cancer i would go buy cigarettes. the craving gets better,but it is always there. i smoked for 20 years a pack a day or more.

03-30-2009, 02:20 PM	#12
Tyrone Bill Mr. Nice Guy Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Tyrone. Pa. Posts: 8,969 Gallery: Tyrone Bill Stats: 350/299/200 WOE: Protein Power Plan Start Date: May '02(370/185/170) Restart: 06/1/09(350/299/200)	Hi Michelle, I quit in 1974 after many attempts. I stopped cold-turkey. Not gonna lie it quite difficult. I kept a variety of cutup fresh veggies in a gallon jug of ice water. When I got the urge off to the fridge i I went. It worked for me. Maybe it'll work for you. Good luck.

03-30-2009, 02:47 PM	#13
heatherdazy Senior LCF Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 731 Gallery: heatherdazy Stats: highest ever: 214 (2004) this time:164/159/105 WOE: Moderate carb JUDDDD Start Date: Switch from Atkins to JUDDDD April 5	Wow, I can't believe I'm the only one who didn't do "cold turkey"!

03-30-2009, 03:21 PM	#14
Tyrone Bill Mr. Nice Guy Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Tyrone. Pa. Posts: 8,969 Gallery: Tyrone Bill Stats: 350/299/200 WOE: Protein Power Plan Start Date: May '02(370/185/170) Restart: 06/1/09(350/299/200)	Heather I tried tapering off, just couldn't do it. It had to be cold-turkey or not at all.

03-30-2009, 03:51 PM	#15
Peacesoul MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Montreal. Canada Posts: 1,134 Gallery: Peacesoul Stats: Coming up on 43yrs old...ekk! WOE: smart	oh yeah, forgot about the withdrawal. I thought I was going to feel awesome, but the first 3 months, I had such horrible withdrawal and felt like dog doo. What helps with withdrawal is exercise, low caffeine and low or no sugar. I didn't gain weight when I quit, but I think it's what one decides to replace the smoke with. Mine was sex.................just kidding....haha! I replaced the smoke with talking walks.

03-30-2009, 10:24 PM	#17
itzme91 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: SE Kentucky Posts: 1,326 Gallery: itzme91 Stats: 198/138/125 WOE: just watching my carbs	I quit smoking after I had 3 stents.I quit cold turkey and was miserable plus scared too(because of the stents)also ended up having 2 heart surgeries. Ironically I started back the week my father died with throat cancer. I now smoke a pack a day and don't seem to care if it kills me or not.Cigarettes went up 8.00 on the carton a few weeks ago and are going up 10.00 more on Wed.I plan to finish what I have and try again to quit. Good Luck!!! Drinking lots of water really seemed to help.