Quitting Smoking

[Johanna]

Well, I smoked two cigarettes on Friday...and one yesterday, but none today. I keep telling myself, "I'm not smoking NOW." because I can't think too far ahead or I get overwhelmed. I used to smoke a pack or two a day, so I guess 3 or 4 individual cigarettes a week is a big improvement, but I'm not where I want to be yet, which is 100% quit. For 30 years it's been more than a habit, it's almost a lifestyle.

This lady at church came up to me today and said, "I'm so glad you quit...blah blah blah..." and it turns out she is allergic to smoke, so what I thought was just her being kinda snooty was really that she couldn't stand to be around me because I stunk. I've been stinking for years. (I think my kids tried to tell me that, too!)

So I'm doing okay, but not totally there yet. Thanks everyone for the encouragement.

Johanna

[Tina]

I'm on my way to quit for the third time. The first time I stayed out of smoking for 8 years (yeah, really stupid to start again, sh.. happends) the second time it lasted for over 4 years.

I know what to expect...3 weeks of pure hell. You think, dream, talk, eat, cigarettes, that is just the way it is.

I use strong minty chewing gums, don't want to use patches or other substitutes. After 3 weeks the cravings is really not that bad, I just need to stay away from certain situations where a smoke has been "a must".

A strong support from home (means hubby starts smoking outdoors *s*) and some space where you can be grumpy without any hazzle is great:-)

I'm not going to say good luck just... "Break the habbit" :-)

[Hilly]

Well, I smoked two cigarettes on Friday...and one yesterday, but none today. I keep telling myself, "I'm not smoking NOW." because I can't think too far ahead or I get overwhelmed. I used to smoke a pack or two a day, so I guess 3 or 4 individual cigarettes a week is a big improvement, but I'm not where I want to be yet, which is 100% quit. For 30 years it's been more than a habit, it's almost a lifestyle.

This lady at church came up to me today and said, "I'm so glad you quit...blah blah blah..." and it turns out she is allergic to smoke, so what I thought was just her being kinda snooty was really that she couldn't stand to be around me because I stunk. I've been stinking for years. (I think my kids tried to tell me that, too!)

So I'm doing okay, but not totally there yet. Thanks everyone for the encouragement.

Johanna

I've never met you, and find it a bit strange, but you are in my thoughts quite often because of what you are trying to do. I keep hoping for your success. Keep at it!

Just wait till you're 100% quit. You'll be amazed at how bad it really smells. When people used to tell me I stunk like an ashtray, I just sorta shrugged it off. I thought they just needed something to complain about. Now I understand what they meant. Darn us born again ex smokers

There used to be a guy where I worked that smoked heavily, and also smoked cigars in his closed car. I could smell him when he drove into the parking lot without his windows being open. I knew as soon as he walked into the building before I even saw him. Walking into his cigar smoke stench was like walking into a solid object. I had to leave as soon as he walked in. I could not stand to be in the same room with him.

OTOH, even to this day, when someone lights a cig, the very first second or two after it's lit, it smells really good. Sorta makes me want a drag.... But ONLY for the first second or two, and then it just stinks again.

You'll get there, Johanna. Sometimes it just takes practice. I'm still cheering for you!

Hilly

[wolvenstien]

http://www.becomeanex.com/

It is helping me.....

I am not quit yet.... but.... working on it.... the main thing is changing my smoking habits....

and knowing that when I really, really, need a smoke... its ok... until i am completely quit...

[Clay]

Johanna,

You can do it!!! (said like the guy in the crowd in all of the Adam Sandler movies) Keep up the hard work I know you are strongenought to make it!!! I am there with ya, I am in week four of no chewing tobacco. Each day is easier than the one before.

ClayM.

[Hilly]

Johanna,

You can do it!!! (said like the guy in the crowd in all of the Adam Sandler movies) Keep up the hard work I know you are strongenought to make it!!! I am there with ya, I am in week four of no chewing tobacco. Each day is easier than the one before.

ClayM.

Yay Clay! Way to go! Is it getting easier for you?

[JohnD]

I started at around 12 and smoked until I was 24. I had tried to quit several times after joining the Marines, but, whenever I would drink the urge would win. Having a girlfriend that smoked made it harder too.

I was on a ship for about 8 months. It was an LPH ( Landing Pad, Helocopter. I think) So, when the pilots were doing their thing you couldn't smoke. I remember waiting one night and at about 10pm they announced that the smoking lamp was lit. By the time I got topside (no smoking within the skin of the ship.) Every smoker on the ship was crammed up there to get their fix. I got halfway through my butt when I realized I'd had enough. I gave the rest of my pack away, headed to my berth and tossed the rest of the carton on the table. I threw myself into working out and whenever I felt the urge I would either workout or write letters home to my new girlfriend (now my wife).

I think that, due to the restrictions of being on the ship, where smoking was a PITA, made it alot easier. Most of my closer friends didn't smoke, so that helped. One thing I did do though, was, for awhile, I would keep an unlit cigarrette with me and I would pull it out while playing cards, hanging out or when we would hit port and have a few beers, whenever the urge would hit. by the time I was done with it it was all taped up and tattered. But it helped. After that night, I never smoked a cigarrette again. That was 13-14 years ago.

I know that was a unique circumstance, But I think the key would be, first, REALLY wanting to quit. I hated smoking but just kept doing it? I felt like crap every time and I knew I was going to not smoke anymore eventually.

I think, removing yourself from the environment that makes it easy to smoke. Make a rule no smoking in the house, so you have to go outside to smoke. It might help.

carry a placebo to use when you do the things that normally you would have a cigarrette during. Guys would laugh at me and offer me a light, it would even piss some guys off. I would sit at the card table or at the bar all night with that unlit butt, going through the motions like I was smoking,even inhaling, Silly, but I know it helped.

I would still go topside with all the smokers, with my unlit cig. for the social reasons I suppose, just not as often. I still to this day, during a wedding reception or any type of gathering end up outside with the smokers, shooting the shhhhtuff.

find something else to do. When you're bored, or at least, when I was bored I tended to smoke more. I would keep a running letter to my girlfriend going and mail them out every few days. I brought my guitar and the gym was an easy commute, ( I was on a ship) So I tried to keep busy.

Well, I wish you luck on your endeavor, Everyone. If you really want to quit, You will. Find a way that will work for you and do it. It might take making some changes in your situation to make it stick, but there is a way that will work for you. Good luck

John

[Johanna]

Well, I am a dismal failure, because I started smoking again, though not nearly as much. I am going to try to quit again, because I really do want to quit. I made an appt. with my Dr. and think I will try one of the meds like Chantix. The reasons I started again are nothing but excuses, and I'm not satisfied with any of them as justification for buying more cigarettes. Old habits die hard, but this one has to go. I feel like such a schmuck.

Johanna

[Jordan]

I think it was Twain, Mark not Shannia, that said quitting tobacco is easy I've done it a million times, or maybe it was Rodgers, Will not Roy. Keep the faith you will kick the evil weed. As a side note I have been unable to quit for more than a week or two but still try. LOL.

[whinewine]

(1)I am going to try to quit again, because I really do want to quit. The reasons I started again are nothing but excuses, and I'm not satisfied with any of them as justification for buying more cigarettes. (2)Old habits die hard, but this one has to go. (3)I feel like such a schmuck.

Johanna

(1) Johanna: you just need to be sick & tired of of being sick & tired ... You just need to have that ultimate determination to do it. Drugs help.

Lifestyle change... that's most important. If you go back to the same old , same old, lifestyle, same old patterns of behavior, same old 'whatever', you're gonna fail. pure & simple. you have to do, rather than 'want' to do... wanting & doing are two VASTLY different things...

(2) don't believe the nancy reagan schtick of "just say no". It's not a habit: (habits are for weak willed people & monks- you are neither. ...YOU ARE AN ADDICT!- addicts are helpless in the face of addiction. Addicts will lie, cheat, steal, make excuses- in other words, so whatever it takes to feed that addiction. You will lie (make excuses, etc) to your mother, to your children, swear on your mother's/father's grave= whatever it takes: just so long as you can continue your addiction! Accept that. Roll with that. If you can accept that, you have the power to change (if you can't accept that, you don't have any power to change what you are.- AND you ARE AN ADDICT)

(3) Don't.

See #2 above