Help! Day 4 of not smoking and I'm struggling. Any motivational tips from any ex-smokers?

[Khrissy]

I really want to quit this nasty habit but I'm home alone tonight and pacing the house like a caged tiger...I don't know what to do with myself!

[gaterunner Graduate]

I gave up a few years ago. My motivation was my health, I wanted to live! You are already doing so much to keep healthy why clog up your lungs which can now work so well when you run. I knit or sew to keep my hands busy and broke those habit ciggies by changing routines. You really can do it and soon you'll walk past smokers and think " Did I used to smell like that?"

[Hidden]

I used Nicorette chewing gum, just like KittyKat. I also wrote a list of my reasons for not smoking on a big sheet of paper (wrinkles, smells, money, no more worries about health etc.) and stuck it on the wall. Every time I was tempted, I read the notes and it really helped to reinforce my decision. It was really hard - probably the worst experience I've ever been through - but well worth it. Good luck! You'll be glad you did it.

[GoogleMe Graduate]

Download the NHS Strength and Flexibility podcasts and do one of those? Or look up a gentle yoga session on YouTube and do that?

[Khrissy Graduate]

Thanks guys, had an early night and have woken up a bit happier! Today is another day, run night tonight so that should release some much needed endorphins

[LightDark Graduate in reply to Khrissy]

Well done for getting through last night Khrissy! Just goes to show you can do it

I quit about 18 months ago - and my two only motivators were money and fitness! Pretty simple for me - maybe for you too!

I was tired of spending almost all my "spare" money on something that was going to kill me - and tired everytime I tried to get up more than a couple of flights of stairs - not good for a 31 yo!

I used patches which really worked for me - but i reckon the endorphins from running will be much better motivation.

[carerof Graduate]

good luck in your venture. It is difficult, i know from personnel experience. I finally managed to quit after about 5 attempts. I used patches, gum, lozenges, and finally Champex from my gp, nothing helped and i always went back to the little devils!!!! THEN one day i lit up and i thought why are you doing this--- i hated everything about being a smoker and in all honesty wasn't even enjoying them any longer, i was so anxious because i couldn't stop----- I just put the fag out and have stopped, coming up to a year on the 5th July 2014. I still use the gum if i go anywhere someone is smoking cos the smell can sometimes be very enticing, most of the time it is horrendous and i hate it, but i never want to be tempted to 'just have one' better to be safe than sorry. I did gain weight but that came off when i started the running program couch to 5k and put myself on a healthy eating plan. In fact i weigh less than when i smoked!!! Good luck i hope you can quit, the feeling of relief when you do is amazing, the money you save is fantastic and you never have to worry about where can i have a fag when you go somewhere. My biggest thrill was going inside my local coffee shop and not having to sit outside so i could smoke, it was the most wonderful feeling, insignificant to some but a huge step for me. I had smoked from the age of 15 and was 60 when i stopped so you can see that someone who was addicted for many years managed to stop, i really hope you are successful.

[Windswept1 Graduate]

It is hard but sooo worth it health, money, smell, and these days not having to stand outside in all weathers.

[Kags44 Graduate]

You can do it ! My motto was day by day you can do it I gave up 3 years ago and haven't looked back get through the day.

Hot baths are good I did read somewhere that it can help with ridding the body of toxins I didn't read it till a year later and I had noticed I was bathing more x we'll done already you've got through the hard bit in 3 days the nicotine has gone the rest is psychological.

[BevFD]

Oh bless you, I gave up 8.5 years ago and it is not easy but you CAN do it and it IS worth it. I went cold turkey and I've never looked back. Still get the occasional urge but they pass in milliseconds,

When I was giving up I just took it day by day. i.e. I'm just not going to smoke today, this hour, this minute. Then after a few days I just told myself that if I caved, I'd only have to start all over again and I'd be throwing away all those minutes/hours/days of fight. The first week is tough but it does get easier.

[BevFD]

Also, don't pace, find something to DO, a distraction is the best way

[carole01 Graduate]

My sister gave up by using electronic cigarettes with no nicotine in them- just flavours ( amazing variety!). It was all about still doing her hand to mouth thing. I could tell you the site she buys them from if interested, just don't want to encourage you go backwards when you are doing so well! Good luck

[Narmour Graduate]

I was prescribed Champix and it worked wonders. Speak to your doctor about it.

[Pigivi]

Well done Khrissie, keep going!

I stopped over 6 years ago, cold turkey and day by day as Kags44 and Bev said - is what worked for me.

Other things I found helpful:

Drink a big glass of water every time you feel like having one cigarette, take a few deep breaths and the physical craving usually lessens its grip.

You could also stand up straight, and slowly stretch your arms upwards, while breathing deeply, instead of pacing...

On your next run, take time to notice your breath while you run, it only takes a week or 2 to see the benefits of life as a non smoker!

The way we use words is important too: instead of "quitting" try to think of it as stopping (as stopping to harm yourself, to pollute the air, to give money to big corporations that strive on making people sick) - think of your self as a non-smoker

Think how free you'll be: not just healthier, but free from addiction.

Had printed this out in a few copies and had it in places where I could see it regularly:

cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statis...

I also had joined an online group - it was helpful to read and vent if I needed to. And keep posting here for support!

[towzer61 Graduate]

What more motivation do you need it could kill you or worse leave you chained to a tank of air so you can breathe no easy plane flights, no running no even moving about properley! I smoked from being a child and I'm now 62. I stopped 3 years ago after my mum in law died not through cancer but her heart was so gunged up with rubbish from smoking it just couldn't help her breathe anymore. I stopped straight away and didn't use anything but the awareness of what smoking can do. I had a health scare last year itwas my worst fear suspected COPD which could have meant not seeing my daughter and grandchildren in Australia anymore, which would have been unbearable so that's when I started running and eating more healthily and lbs lighter and still with a slight cough which will never go (thanks to cigarettes and the damage they have done to my lungs) I feel great and you will too.just think about what you have to lose. My partner still smokes and I cannot sit in the same room as him when he smokes because the next day my chest is so tight so the trouble is still there but not a fraction as bad as it would be if I still smoked so stop now before you get any older. You are doing tremendously well so keep it up but bear in mind what I have said remember how good it will feel when you have conquered this and you will. Good luck xxx

[Khrissy Graduate]

Wow! Just in from work, and logged on to find this! Thank you all for taking the trouble to reply with your encouragement and tips, I'm so touched. I haven't properly blogged on here since I graduated and I remember now why this site was so vital to me getting through the program. The virtual support is priceless. I'm in a much better place today and even more so now Looking forward to my run later with my toxin free lungs. I am determined to do this. Once again, thank you! xxx

[misswobble Graduate]

I just quit. No patches, no nothing. I thought it was so much easier that way. It was

It's amazing what you can do if you put your mind to it

[Khrissy Graduate]

Furthest run tonight (6k) with a sprint for the last half km

I will and I CAN do this!

[poppypug Graduate]

Hey Khrissy, youre doing great ! One step, one day at a time, I stopped 18 months ago , 20+ day for over 30 years- if I can do it anyone can , as I was a seriously addicted smoker, I loved smoking to be honest, but I just got to the stage where I couldn't afford it and I knew it was beginning to damage my health. You can do this !

[Bradders229]

Try brushing your teeth for about 4 minutes. You'll feel so fresh you won't want to smoke and I found that once I brushed my teeth, strangely the craving disappeared...Good Luck x

[thermalnermal]

I started c25k a few weeks after quitting smoking. You've just got to ride the craving waves. They are rough but they do go away. I noticed how much more energy I had to walk up hills and not be out of breath.