Day 23

[lizziec1]

Hello peeps - today is the worst out. Am experiencing really bad cravings about every hour since I woke up this morning. I haven't given in - by golly this is the worst day since I quit smoking. Phew horrible. Take care all of you xx

[Hidden]

Keep it up the alternatives are just so horrible

[lizziec1]

Thank you I will be glad when its time to go to sleep, tough day. Tomorrow will be better I hope x

[Puffthemagicdragon]

Every time you get a craving look at the road and imagine all that tar that would be going into you lungs and staying there. Also the soot and other nasty stuff.

" Tar coats your lungs like soot in a chimney and causes cancer. A 20-a-day smoker breathes in up to a full cup (210 g) of tar in a year. "

[lizziec1 in reply to Puffthemagicdragon]

Thank you Puff long old day today!!

[Hidden]

Imagination helped me Lizzie. I "saw" an image in front of me that was so clean, a beach and the sea breeze. Behind me was a thick, stinking fog. It helped me keep facing the right way. Good luck and strength. xx

[lizziec1 in reply to Hidden]

Nice one Aunty Mary thank you - brilliant idea. I know I can't go back now doing all the right things xx

[lizziec1]

Thank you so glad you had lovely hols, just one of those days!! x

[Hidden]

Hi lizzie,

well done lets get it to 24 days xxx

[lizziec1 in reply to Hidden]

I will and thank you xx

[Hidden]

You are doing so well Lizzie,,

You said you have cravings every hour!! How do you feel the rest of the 59 mins 30secs

It is such a short time that you actually crave the coffin nail!

The nicotine is well and truely out of your system,,,. You are craving the sensation and habit of the action.

Auntymary's description is a very good one to visualise.

If there is another bad day (which there will be) make a plan to cope with it.

You did it today.

I found that cleaning my teeth every time I craved helped,, I also took up knitting (yes I am that old) I started doing just squares, then tiny bonnets for premature babies, dolls patterns were helpful.

You are changing the habit of a lifetime, so put a positive habit in its place, because that's what it was, a very destructive habit.

I'm pleased you got through today, so should you be, but you are in control! We can only support you.

I hope this does not sound to condescending,, I am only saying what I did and how I coped.

Wishing a good day tomorrow.

B.

[lizziec1 in reply to Hidden]

Hi B - no you are not condescending at all and am grateful for your ideas, and now have a plan in place for tomorrow. I will get there. Lizzie

[Hidden in reply to lizziec1]

Yes you will,,

Have you washed all your clothes free of nicotine yet?

That was the first thing I really noticed, when I ironed they did not smell of stale smoke,,

The other time was while I was still working,, I was also a school governor

and had to bring home reports or policies to read.. Some of these were from teachers who smoked, each page reeked of fags, it is quite a wake up call to see how much is contaminated by smoking.

The saddest was sitting next to a child in school whose parents smoked!, their clothes and book bags reeked!! Thats with out the damage it was doing to a young child's lungs. Many of these also had to take regular asthma sprays in school time.

I kept on trying to give up, I was working at the school for eighteen years and was required to take many courses for qualifications, it was very stressful, working with very young children who had learning difficulties, plus I had started a hons degree, it was the last year of that degree that I went back to smoking, I stopped completely six years ago.

So I do know how difficult it is.

I am also suffering,as a result of smoking.

I can never go back to it now.

B.

[lizziec1 in reply to Hidden]

Agree with you entirely about the smell it seems to be everywhere and everyone appears to be smoking!!! I am steering well clear of people who do. Also know that I have to re-train my brain and take up the cleaning teeth method. Likewise, I have led an extremely stressful life and relied on the fags as an emotional crutch. Oh yes and the washing machine has been busy!! I just have to be amazingly strong and simply say NO.

Lizzie

[Hidden in reply to lizziec1]

That's the most powerful word in the English dictionary.

Sleep well.

Goodnight B.

[lizziec1 in reply to Hidden]

True

Goodnight take care L

[Noob]

Recently got diagnosed with severe copd, have been a smoker for 34 years, never wanted to give up, had to give up because of my condition the biggest help has been the electronic cigarettes, you still get the taste and a hit of nicotine, the worst times are in the morning with the first cup of coffee and the evening with a drink at the pub..!

[pollyjj]

Hi Lizzie hope day 24 is going to be a really good day for you.

polly xx

[derrylynne]

You are doing well. Keep going and remind yourself why you have quit I have been there and can well remember thinking that I would always crave and want a smoke. For a long time now I have not given fags a thought. My only regret is not quitting sooner, and the amount of money I spent on them sticks. One day you will be like I was. Get the the end of a day and realise you have not given smoking a seconds thought. I hate the smell of them now, When I quit I was the only one in my family to quit. My wife still smokes, as did my step daughter and her husband. Now non of them smoke. We are a smoke free zone. They did, I did, and i know you can do it

[lizziec1 in reply to derrylynne]

Thank you for your good advice am delighted all of you are non smokers now. You must all be very pleased.

[libbygood]

Hi Lizzie, read somewhere very recently that day 25 is the worst one, get passed that and you're on your way.

Libby x

[lizziec1 in reply to libbygood]

Cool thats tomorrow!!! All set to face it and thank you. Lizzie xx

[Jemma]

Hi Lizzie

Hope today is better for you.

Take care

[lizziec1 in reply to Jemma]

Yes it is thank you so much xx