Quit Smoking Support Group

[TheTheologin]

Can I use this thread as a support thread for those who are trying to quit smoking???? My quit date is set for Tuesday:) I even mad a gif for my desktop (it has other things on it but oh well). I'm REALLY going to need some support and I just thought it would be nice if a few of us who are quiting could get together in one thread and support each other.

[seawitch]

hey! i just quit smoking saturday. it hasn't been that bad i got the patch and i haven't had any withdrawls or any pain. i still reach for them but i put away all the ashtrays and don't have any in the house.
i am excited about saving money and being a better example. and everytime i get a cold it turns into bronicitis or pnemonia, and i get real sik. well i am tired of that and i want to be able to be active till i die.
still a part of me is morning the loss of the sacred herb.
so glad you started this thread

[TheTheologin]

YAY Keep going Seawitch. We can do it ;)

A little tip I got from another "quitter":


Keep slices of fruit with you at all times in one of those zip lock baggies. Whenever you feel the urge to light up have a healthy snack instead.

[Kiya]

Hello, quitters!!

I haven't had a cigarette since 11:03 pm Friday night. I need to save money, therefore I'm going to try without patches, gum etc. So far so good - and I've only eaten half a pack of mints.

I was buying 20 ciggies a day for me, and between 40-60 per day for my ex. So from now on, I will save around £15 per day. That's £105 per week, £420 per month, and over £5,000 in a year!!!

Now I've worked that out, I feel faint....

I'm writing this up in big letters and sticking it over my desk.

[seawitch]

hi quitters

i got some fruit and veggies to snack on ,and i feel better.
except i still reach for one. but not yet today.
and i have saved 15 dollars so far. thats $200 a month i can't afford that habit.
i am glad to have you all to qttempt quitting with

[Dellit Tandannon]

i just quit smoking about a month ago. i'm still pretty much ready to bite someone's head off that pisses me off. hehehehe

[TheTheologin]

Ok Tomorrow is getting closer for me and I'm actually really excited about quittig this time. I think it's bc of this thread believe it or not. I've never had support when I tried b4 so I'm crossing my fingers and hoping:)

It sounds like the three of you are doing great. Keep it up. I honestly cant wait to be where you all are:)

[TheTheologin]

OMG I have like 2 hours left until I quit and I'm really starting to get anxious. All kinds of doubts are going through my head. What if I can't do it? I'll be so dissappointed in myself. I know logically that addiction to cigarettes is mostly a mental thing so I'm just trying to build myself up by saying I can do this that it isn't so hard to do. But my weaker side keeps thinking about how I have no will power. Ok well there's no time like the present right????? I can do this. I've been through worse and overcome it so i can do this.

[Lavender]

I don't smoke but I'll be here cheering you guys on! Yay Theologin! Yay Dellit! Yay Seawitch! Yay Kiya! :cool:

[Myst]

Originally posted by TheTheologin
But my weaker side keeps thinking about how I have no will power. Ok well there's no time like the present right????? I can do this. I've been through worse and overcome it so i can do this.

Of course you can do this! And remember, quitting smoking is like dieting. Even if you slip up and indulge once you're not a failure if you get back on track!

[Laiste]

OK I will be a bit behind all of you but my date is set for Feb 7th, my sons birthday! What better present can I give him then that! I am starting medication on Jan 25th my doc and I discussed this and felt it was a good option for me. I can't use the patch due to my health history. I take these meds for two weeks then quit and continue meds for another 2-3 weeks. I am so scared and worried about this. I know it sounds ridiculous to be scared but I am. Just writing this is making it real and my hands are actually shaking!! I had quit once before for 3 1/2 years and went back:rolleyes: Now my addiction is worse than ever.

To get myself ready for this I have been trying to eat healthier and get more exercise! I am also meditating a lot more. I also stopped drinking beer! For me beer and ciggs go hand in hand! So I can't quit one without quitting the other!

Theologin, thank you for posting this thread...we all really need the support of others during this trying time!! WE CAN DO IT!!

[TheTheologin]

13 hours with out a cig and I'm shocked bc I don't even have a craving. As of midnight I threw out all the ash trays, any cigs and lighters. And I guess what they say is true. Out of sight out of mind:)

[Laiste]

:nonono: :boing: :D Woo Hoo...you are on your way!!

[TheTheologin]

34 hours and still going WOO HOO! I had a few real bad cravings last night but nothing I gave into. Tx for the support everyone. And you're right Myst. Every other time I tried to quit and slip up, think that having one cig meant I had failed and I'd go back to it. NOT THIS TIME!!!!! MUhahahahahahahaha:p

[seawitch]

great! it's been 4 days for me. yesterday was kind of rough.
i really appericiate the diet concept myst, helps put it in better perspective.

[WolfWoman]

Holy cow - I thought I was the only one!! I had started to quit with my best friend - but we're both making major moves in our lives and we caved... My quit date (AGAIN) is Feb 11, that's right before I move and things hopefully will be packed and ready to go. We tried so hard and we did okay until we found out the prices of moving, etc. then the stress got the better of us.

Little advice... when you first quit cold turkey, you'll be fine for a few days. Between 7 and 11 days is when your body starts to purge the nicotine and the major withdrawal starts. Take care - I almost popped someone when I tried the cold turkey thing 2 years ago! Get lowfat munchies (especially crunchy ones), celery, carrots, apples, etc. to give you the hand/mouth thing and exercise!!! This time I'm on the Zyban combined with the patches. I don't like taking pills, but no other method has worked for me so far.

GOOD LUCK EVERYBODY!!!!!

[Laiste]

WolfWoman I am starting Zyban tomorrow! Can I ask you if your insurance paid for that medication because mine refused!! I was appalled by this! I said to the rep on the phone...so if I end up with cancer or emphasema due to smoking you will pay for that...but you will not pay for meds to help me quit!! It's so ridiculous! I was lucky enough to happen upon the same dosage that I need from a friend!! The cost of these pills is 2-3 dollars EACH!! At 2 a day for 5 weeks that's $132- $198!! Well if I had to I would spend the money...I would be spending it on ciggs anyway!!

Anywho, I am looking forward to quitting!!! I am going to save all the money I would spend on ciggs and use it for summer spending money being that I won't be working all summer!:p

[ANUR36]

I tried the other day but...... ya' know....... maybe Ill take a crack at it again with a lil support this time???
BTW, how do you make those kewl lil' stars Theo??

[ANUR36]

Hows it going Theo????
*go team! go team!*

[TheTheologin]

I am doing well. I've had 3 cigarettes. Not bad for some one who smoked a pack to a pack and a half a day:)

It's geting easier to just say NO. LOL

I'm looking foward to being smoke free (not even 1 a day) by the end of the month :)

[ANUR36]

How do you do those star thingys?? Very kewl!

[Sisqi]

I have been wanting to quit for a long time. Everytime I convince myself I'm ready, I get spooked out and think silly things like "what would I do while I'm driving" or "I've tried before and never been able to make it stick, what makes me think it will work this time?" The longest I ever quit was two months and then I was dreaming all the time about smoking. It was wierd because usually I don't remember my dreams, but these were VERY vivid and I just couldn't stop thinking about it. I'm trying to work up the courage to put a stop date on the calendar. I think this tread is great, thanks for posting and I hope I can be strong enough to finally quit.

[ANUR36]

I have to smoke when I drive too! I know those dreams all to well myself.. more like nightmares... so its a given... we need eachother man....

[Illuminatus]

There is a neat app somewhere on the net, the Quit Smoking Clock... it runs on your desktop, and shows you by hour how long you have quit, and how much money you have saved also! I highly reccomend it.

[ANUR36]

Kewl! Thanx!

[WolfWoman]

Originally posted by Laiste
WolfWoman I am starting Zyban tomorrow! Can I ask you if your insurance paid for that medication because mine refused!! I was appalled by this! I said to the rep on the phone...so if I end up with cancer or emphasema due to smoking you will pay for that...but you will not pay for meds to help me quit!! It's so ridiculous! I was lucky enough to happen upon the same dosage that I need from a friend!! The cost of these pills is 2-3 dollars EACH!! At 2 a day for 5 weeks that's $132- $198!! Well if I had to I would spend the money...I would be spending it on ciggs anyway!!




Ya know what? Unfortunately, most insurance companies won't actually cover the Zyban, but I'll let you in a little secret - if you go back to your doctor and tell them that you'd like the generic of Zyban, it's Wellbutrin. I've done the research, and my best friend is a nurse - IT'S THE SAME STUFF!!!!! And Wellbutrin IS covered under medical insurance. Hope this helps.

[TheTheologin]

Ok so how is everyone doing with their quittin? I'm doing very well. In the last 2 days I've only had 3 cigs. Starting monday I'm not even allowed to have 1 a day.

[seawitch]

it's been a week for me. mostly pretty easy:bug: only really want one when i am driving, and hiking. and i have to keep reminding myself i quit and why. i still cough my lungs out at night.
and i still miss it at times :ugh:

[seawitch]

wow 3 weeks yesterday! how's everyone else doing?
i still miss it almost everyday. and somedays are easier then others. i really miss it while in the woods kind of a reward thing i think. like i hiked this far i deserve a smoke. that just doesn't even make sense. but i have saved about $150
and i don't ever want to go back to being a slave. to nicotine.
and i still have a pretty bad cough at night, hope i quit in time. to completely regain lung function

[Laiste]

Hey where is everybody??!! How is everyone doing? Did you all stick with it? If not will you try again?

I feel like I really need some serious support to get through this!!

I did not quit on my sceduled day. My quit date is now Sunday! I have been doing lots of things to prepare myself for this ordeal. I have been meditating frequently, exercising and preparing projects for when I feel like I'm loosing it! LOL I have three boxes of photos to organize into photo boxes and I also have a visual journal to work on! These things should keep me pretty busy!

[Alphyna]

:D :sunny: :bigredgri :boing:
Hi! How is everyone doing?I would like to offer my support. I quit one year ago this month of march, and I know you all can do it! I know it can be really diffucult, or surprisingly easy. But no matter what I am here for all of you1
Brightest Blessings of Support and Love,
Alphyna

[Jeleia]

Well I think I'm going to Quit.

Smoke just went up in price... over $8.00!!! Most places at $9.00.
I can't afford that! So I'm going to quit. I've already cut down quite a bit.

[seawitch]

it has been quite possibly the most painful thing for me.
when i quit drinking, i didn't have any withdrawls in the begining just post acute withdrawl symptoms. began at about 3 months. since quiting on 19 january 2002 i have had 3 relapses. i also keep quiting. after smoking for 3 to 5 days i will prevail!
just got to keep at it :D

[cybadiva]

I just quit today - I've got one of those NiquitinCQ lozenges dissolving in my mouth now, dunno whether they sell this brand outside the UK. I'm so hopeless tho' - I just wanna ciggy sooo much already!! I just don't know what to do with my hands!
I wish they would prescribe Zyban more freely here, but you have to jump thru' hoops to get it and it's not worth the bother. I just tried to charge a Tigers Eye with will power so I could hold it when I get desperate for a smoke - but all I could visualise was me putting a ciggy in my mouth - aaaah!

Further tips to offer:

Vitamin B/Brewers Yeast can apparently help you thru' the anxiety and irritability phase of quitting.

When the urge for a ciggy comes upon you - say a short rhyme/chant/song etc - s'posedly when you've finished the need will have died off a bit.

Mind you I've never put these to the test - I really want to quit this time, so maybe in a few weeks I'll be able to vouch for them.

Hope you all are doing/feeling better than me:D

[Jeleia]

Its hard, I gave in and bought another pack today....

But THIS ONE is my last one!


....... hopefully.......

[Dellit Tandannon]

good luck! it was and actually still is really hard for me to quit, but its been about five months now. i still want one every once in a while and i smoke in my dreams a lot now hehehe.

[Jeleia]

well I'm almost out. So tomorrow will be the last day. It so hard though, 98% of my friends smoke.

[Alphyna]

Wow, the smokes here went up a couple of days ago to $8 - $9.50 a pack. Even the rollies went up, 50%! I am so glad I quit! It has been 1 year this month, and this was the first successful week of not wanting one at all!!!! Yeah! :boing: :boing:
:lol: :lol: :lol: :rotfl:
No more feelings of :ack: :shaker: :scream:
Smoking seriously makes me :sick:!
It was totally worth it!
Lots Of Luck, Confidence and Love to You, Sarah

[Alphyna]

Ooops! Didn't realize you were from Alberta too, Akasha!
Hang in there! Even my parents are trying to quit b/c it is too expensive now. It used to be $160 every two weeks, but now its $500 a month. They never thought they would try to quit so I guess this is a reallly good thing!
Lots of Luck, Sarah

[cybadiva]

it was and actually still is really hard for me to quit, but its been about five months now.

5 months Dellit? And it's *still* hard??:( Oh bugger! I'm patting myself on the back for making it to day 2, I dunno how long this willpower business is going to last! Congrats on making it to 5 months tho' I've never managed that when I've tried to quit in the past - this time, maybe?:blushake:


well I'm almost out. So tomorrow will be the last day. It so hard though, 98% of my friends smoke.

Akasha - set a date and hang in there! I just gave up a couple of days ago - we can experience the freak personality changes together!! For example I haven't really sat down and relaxed since I stopped - I'm too scared that if I relax I'll have rolled one up and be smoking it before I know it! On the positive side tho' - my kitchen's never been so sparkly!!:cool:

Alphyna - thanks for the support!:sunny:

[Dellit Tandannon]

Originally posted by Alphyna
Wow, the smokes here went up a couple of days ago to $8 - $9.50 a pack.

damn! i thought they were expensive in new jersey! they're like $4.50 or so in the more expensive places.

[Jeleia]

Wow! That is pretty cheap.

Well everyone.... I had my last smoke yesterday......

[Dellit Tandannon]

keep it going! i know its hard, but you'll definately be thanking yourself later. its cheaper and its healthier.

[cybadiva]

I'm still smoke free but wondering what the nicotine replacement lozenges are doing to me!! My throat feels as if I just smoked 40 last night, I'm getting mouth ulcers, and my lungs are expelling all the shit thats lain undisturbed for years - I know this is a good thing, but I'm coughing and hacking in the most disgusting way!! A work colleague actually said 'maybe its time you gave up' yesterday!! The irony, I was choking too much to tell him that I already HAD! :rolleyes:

On the good side I still feel quite motivated, and my tongues going a nice pink colour again!!:nyah:

I just thought I'd post these other immediate benefits of quitting - as per my NiQuitinCQ leaflet - to motivate other fellow quitters it helps me sometimes when I feel the cravings:

Quit for:
8 hours Blood pressure and pulse rate return to normal - circulation improves in hands and feet - oxygen levels in the blood return to normal - chances of a heart attack start to fall.
24 hours Carbon monoxide is eliminated from the body - th elungs begin to clear out mucus and debris.
48 hours Nicotine is no longer detectable in the body - ability to taste and smell improves.
72 hours breathing is easier as bronchial tubes relax - energy levels increase.

So hang in there! I'm just hoping I can survive today, it's my first big challenge - I'm in the house alone, my partner smokes so there's tobacco and papers in the house and I'm trying to write a 4000 word essay (I always smoke loads when assembling an essay, it seems to kick start my brain!). I'm determined but there's just something about the need for a smoke that turns me into a brainless mass of no-will-power, so fingers crossed!! ;)

[shnen]

I have decided to quit, after a very scarey dream last night. :(

So here I go... Day #1!!!

[crickett]

well hubby and I are quitting tommorow :eek: we are already out of cigs tonight, and have emptied all the ashtrays. I think I'm gonna go bonkers LOL I've smoked since I was twelve years old, thats 24 years now, just the THOUGHT of not having one makes me wanna scream :wah2: He and I have already gone from smoking marb reds to marb ultra lights though, so we are hoping that will help a little.
Please wish us the best luck, and don't expect to find me in here crying tommorow :wah:
LOL

[crickett]

see that..got all worked up and made a typo :ack:...was suposed to say.."don't be surprised to see me in here crying tommorow :wah: "
what was I thinking? :ahhhh:

[cybadiva]

I've been reading a really good quitting book
_Allan Carr's Easy Way to Stop Smoking_


He advises that you stop thinking of quitting as making some kind of sacrifice (ie - giving up), what are you giving up? Nothing really!

Instead of looking at smokers and feeling deprived 'coz you've made the 'sacrifice' - ie, you no longer smoke - think again, it is the smoker who is making all the sacrifices, they're sacrificing their...

HEALTH
ENERGY
WEALTH
PEACE OF MIND
CONFIDENCE
COURAGE
SELF RESPECT
HAPPINESS
FREEDOM

....by not smoking you are actually gaining these things, what does the smoker get for making these huge sacrifices - NOTHING! - and are paying thru' the nose for it all the while.

Sorry if this sounds like self-righteous ex-smoker spiel but I only smoked my last cigarette 2 weeks ago, at first I used nicotine replacemnet therapy (I've failed using this 2ce before). Then my sister who just quit lent me this book, I've stopped using the lozenges altogether and altho' its not been quite so easy as Mr Carr suggests in his book, it's not been awful either....the book expolains that the physical addiction to nicotine is not reason quitting is tough - its the psychological stuff behind smoking thats the real killer, once you understand all that then in theory it should be fairly painless.

I could go on for hours quoting stuff from this book, but I won't;)

:D - see if they've got the book in your local library or something, once you get past the fact that the guy seems like a bit of a pompous arse who repeats himself a lot, the book is a genuine revelation - I promise you:)

And please, don't cry - remember you are gaining a lot of good things (see above list), I know it mightn't seem like that right now but really you should be celebrating! You've escaped!! Remember nicotine is 99% gone after roughly 3 weeks and the physical pangs are not really that bad (you don't smoke in your sleep, and the withdrawl isn't so bad you wake up in the night just to smoke) - it's in your head - thats something you have control over!

Good luck anyway, tell me how you're getting on!

[Dellit Tandannon]

i've been trying to look at it from that point of view. it really helps that way. but sometimes i see someone smoking and they look like they're really enjoying it and it drives me crazy! :bug:

[Alphyna]

The essential needs of life...Smoking has NEVER been one of them. It's not food, its not shelter, its not water...you don't need it at all.
My mother quit smoking after 33 years! She has been smoke free for 12 dys now, no problems...Her mother is on an oxygen tank, as was her grandfather. She keeps reminfding herself how she does not want to end up like that.
Yeah For My Mom!!!:boing: :boing: :boing: :boing: :boing:
Well wishes to All, Sarah

[shnen]

I just bought lots of bubblegum...:) it's funner then smoking, and it's worked for about a week now.. something like that!!!:)

[cybadiva]

Dellit

When you see other smokers who look like they're enjoying it remember that they only look like they're enjoying it!

Whats actually happening is that they look at you - a non-smoker - and they're envious of you, you've had the sense to quit, you've escaped the nicotine 'trap', you're FREE and they're not.

When you're a smoker - the time you spend smoking you're wishing that you could quit, the rest of the time you're wishing you could smoke. Its a vicious circle but you've broken it and should feel really quite smug and pleased at yourself!

Also 3 cheers for Alphyna's mum - willpower to her!!:nonono::boing::nonono:

Shnen - hope the gum works for you - I just got a really achey jaw when I did tried that, I was also worried that I might end up with a really huge square jaw:D . I've been trying not to substitute ciggies for food or anything but I have noticed that my consumption of choccy and crisps has risen by about 80%;)

Pretty soon I may have to start a 'stop eating sweeties' support group!!:p

[shnen]

lots of water too... that helps fill up the craving, have a nice big glass of water instead... :)

[cybadiva]

Awwww - but my bladder capacity is soooo pathetic!! :eek:
I'll be at the toilet so much at work that my boss'll think I'm outside skiving - having a ciggie - oh noooo!! :eek:

[Dellit Tandannon]

thanx for the support cybadiva :)

[shnen]

Originally posted by cybadiva
Awwww - but my bladder capacity is soooo pathetic!! :eek:
I'll be at the toilet so much at work that my boss'll think I'm outside skiving - having a ciggie - oh noooo!! :eek:

:lol: that's what the guys at work already think!!!

It's hard work, another thing to do, is to close your eyes, and picture something that has such amazing beauty it is completely calming... a hug iceburg, a waterfall... whatever, your choice...
take deep breaths, all the way down into your lower abdomen... make sure you are sitting straight, cross legged on your chair (if you can where you are..), roll your shoulders down your back and just breathe calming breaths... be sure to exhale all the air out of your lungs.. make it a consistant motion... in, and out, and in...
when you are done you can stretch your arms and hands above your head, give a good stretch... and that should help!

that's what I do at work... you just need to get your mind focused on something else... :)

[Dellit Tandannon]

wouldn't envisioning a waterfall make you have to pee more?

[cybadiva]

Thats exactly what I was just thinking!! Are you trying to get me to wet my pants in public Shnen? :ugh:

No probs Dellitt - I'm maybe gonna need the same back sometime, willpower is a fleeting thing for me :rolleyes:

[shnen]

hey, I cannot be held responsible for your vision :lol:

seriously, just vision whatever calms you.. niagara falls, a dripping fawcett... a toilet flushing... oh, did I mention it's raining here!!!:D

day #... oh I forget! :)

[crickett]

okies..I did really good yesterday..only had TWO cigarettes, which aint bad after almost twenty five years of smoking. I shouldnt have that hard of time today as I'm sick :rolleyes: feel all yucky, and who wnts to smoke when you feel gross to begin with...anyone else get physically sick when they quit? I got sick like this everytime I changed, like from reds, to mediums, mediums to lights, and lights to ultra lights...thank goodness tyhis will be the LAST time :)

[shnen]

OOohhh. I do I do! my thorat kills me and my body goes into reject mode!

[cybadiva]

<races in direction of toilet, loosening pants as she goes>

Shnen you really are cruel!!;)

[shnen]

:confused: what'd I do???:confused:

[Dellit Tandannon]

arg. i had another dream in which i smoked a cigarette.

[Jeleia]

Well... So far quitting isn't working out to well. Although My boyfriend and I have cut down quite a bit.

I chew a lot of gum to try and fight the cravings. I find it helps.

[Dellit Tandannon]

i did a lot of that when i first quit. anything to ease the oral fixation helps a lot.

[shnen]

I am officially quit...

I tried to have one a day or so ago, and I almost died I felt soo sick!:sick: My body totally rejected it, so now, everytime I want one, I just have to think how aweful I felt! :D Mind over matter from here on in!

~ I know, this may not be the way others do it. But it worked for me!:)

PS..... tap dripping, waterfalls, streams in the forest, flushing toilet!!! :lol:;)

[killerDream]

ok uuuuh I've smoked for like 5 years well its nothing compared to what ya all have been smokein for but its have bad side effects of my body like when I try to get to sleep I feel like I am chocking on something but I'm not. Anyway I've tryed to quit smoking but it do's not help when everyone you know smokes like family/friends I cant go no were with out seeing a lit cigeret. Plus smokeing gets ride of stress cuz its like a downer for me but if anyone has some thoughts that could help please let me know. Thanx in advance :)

[Jeleia]

Yay Shnen!!! :) Good for you hun.


Killerdream ~ I know excatly what you mean. All my friends smoke as well. However we're all going to try and quit together. :)

[shnen]

Originally posted by killerDream
ok uuuuh I've smoked for like 5 years well its nothing compared to what ya all have been smokein for but its have bad side effects of my body like when I try to get to sleep I feel like I am chocking on something but I'm not. Anyway I've tryed to quit smoking but it do's not help when everyone you know smokes like family/friends I cant go no were with out seeing a lit cigeret. Plus smokeing gets ride of stress cuz its like a downer for me but if anyone has some thoughts that could help please let me know. Thanx in advance :)

It's hard to quit when you have people around you who smoke... which is why I have been locked away in my basement apartment for about 2 weeks now. My best friend smokes, haven't seen her... (only a small amount of times)... I meditate... Seriouly, mind over matter... after 48 hours the body stops craving it, and it takes 3 weeks to break the actual habit of smoking.. the body part of it. So if you meditate, your mind is taking your body somewhere else, think of clean fresh air, clean water, all things pure...

Good Luck! :D

~~ Thanks Akasha! :D

[cybadiva]

originally posted by killerdream
Anyway I've tryed to quit smoking but it do's not help when everyone you know smokes like family/friends I cant go no were with out seeing a lit cigeret. Plus smokeing gets ride of stress cuz its like a downer for me but if anyone has some thoughts that could help please let me know. Thanx in advance

Yeah its difficult when others around you smoke but you've gotta get it out of your head that smoking is enjoyable and that the people around you who are smoking are enjoying it too. Smoking is not enjoyable. Think of a heroin addict - can you imagine the joy of sliding a hypodermic needle into your vein to ease cravings? I can't, it actually turns my stomach even to type that, but smoking a cigarette is more or less the same thing - its relative. The only time a cigarette feels really enjoyable is when you have been deprived of one - like 1st thing in the morning - after an enforced period of non-smoking etc - so why smoke all the others? Think of how stressful the choking feeling at night is when you feel the need for a cigarette.

Another fact - when you're a non-smoker, smokers are jealous of you....
quoted from one of my earlier posts
When you see other smokers who look like they're enjoying it remember that they only look like they're enjoying it!

Whats actually happening is that they look at you - a non-smoker - and they're envious of you, you've had the sense to quit, you've escaped the nicotine 'trap', you're FREE and they're not.

When you're a smoker - the time you spend smoking you're wishing that you could quit, the rest of the time you're wishing you could smoke. Its a vicious circle but you've broken it and should feel really quite smug and pleased at yourself!

Try this killerdream - its been working for me so far - 3 weeks so far, I'm not using nicotine replacement therapy, or Zyban, or even chewing gum and I've not had any really serious pangs or temptation as yet.


originally posted by killerdream
smokeing gets ride of stress

It mught seem like it is giving you a boost or calming you down (ask yourself how it can do both at the same time!) but this is an illusion - all you are actually doing is relieving the downer/stress caused by the fact that you are not smoking - therefore when you have a ciggie these symptoms seem to ease, it seems like the cigarette is easing stress etc, but it is the cigarette that is causing the stress to seem worse, stress + nicotine addiction is not good. Are non-smokers completely unable to deal with stress coz they don't smoke? Look at a smoker who cannot smoke immediately after a meal, and a non-smoker after a meal - the smokers stress is caused because he/she needs to smoke, the non-smoker can enjoy a meal without a cigarette and therefore is far calmer. In general non-smokers are calmer than smokers - they are not slaves to nicotine. Remember smoking is causing stress not relieving it. Breathing exercises are far more useful in relieving stress.

Sorry for the length of this post but a lot of this is paraphrasing from _Allen Carr's Easy Way to Stop Smoking_ book it really is a revelation, it does make things soooo much easier and I just want to share it with all of you who are finding things hard going. I realise I sound evangelistic but stopping smoking is really worthy, I've not been stopped for that long but I am feeling the benefits to my health already - yipeeee! So I hope this helps killerdream.

Also Shnen.....
what'd I do???
You know what you did!!:D
Maybe you should make a visualisation tape for the chronically incontinent - or an advert for TenaLady pantie liners!!:rotfl:

[shnen]

:rotfl:
I have *waterfall* no idea *tap dripping* what you are *flushing toilet* talking about! ;)

Quitting smoking is hard, and you have to be prepared for the hardships... and you also have to change the way you think, Instead of you losing out on something, think about you gaining your life. It's hard to quit something when you can't see what it has done to you yet. No heart attack, cancer or anything, but it's better to not experience those things...

Good luck! :)

[Jeleia]

yay me! The day I left for Europe I quit, cold turkey. So.... if I can only get my boyfriend to quit.... :eyebrow:

[shnen]

let him do it on his own... please dont become one of THOSE ex smokers! ;)

[Jeleia]

I know what you mean, I always hated people that pressured me to quit. I don't pressure him. But he does want to quit, because its to expensive.

Our smokes when up again over $9.00 per pack. And that is at the cheapest place.

[MystikalMomma]

Wanna quit smoking but I'm scared!!! LOL It's been my safety net for so many years now. Everytime I get a bit stressed out I know my little cancer stick is there to help me through it. Just knowing that I NEED the cigarettes now is depressing me. I was thinking about starting a journal til I saw this thread. Might join you all here in a day or two and start the journal too.