Help

[scamp]

I have been running for about 5 years thanks to couch to 5k. I have done a 10k run and 5k charity runs. As I get older I am finding my pace has slowed due to smoking. Does anybody know of a sure way to stop. I have tried many methods but I know its mostly in my head. I really want to stop . I could do with some big help on this. !!!!!!!!

[MarkyD Graduate]

Sorry to be brutal, but I can think of 3 ways to guarantee that you'll stop smoking:

1) Die

2) Get taken into hospital (where smoking is prohibited) suffering from heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, other cancers

3) Attend your GP's 'Smoking Cessation Clinic', get as much help and support as you can, join the HealthUnlocked community (like this one) and avoid situations where you are tempted to smoke.

[pollyp1 Graduate in reply to MarkyD]

What he said.

My first response was : just stop. And, yes, I know it's hard (got the t- shirt) scamp . It took me several attempts but in the end a chest infection AND flu AND missing a trip to London AND hating the politics of it, made it stick. Sooo find a compelling reason to quit and do it. But it will involve some behaviour change. Like working out your triggers and doing something different.

[Dunder2004 Graduate]

I stopped just over two years ago (just before taking up running) and in my experience, it is all in the head. All the NRT or other quit methods ultimately depend on simple willpower and you have to find it within yourself to say no.

I hope you can kick the habit.

[poppypug Graduate]

Oh Scamp, I totally understand . It IS tough to stop , probably one of the hardest things you will ever have to do, but so so worth it !

I LOVED smoking, it was my passion , my hobby , I was never happier than when I was sat with a fag and a cuppa tea .

There is no magic formula , its just a matter of making the decision to stop and sticking to it , but there is help out there to support you. There is a Quit Support group on Health Unlocked if you want to join that .

I smoked 25 fags a day for over 30 years . I have been stopped 5 years this September . I often have that little devil on my shoulder whispering in my ear , but I think how far I have come and it would be complete madness to give in .

Good Luck and please let us know how youre going on ! xxx

[Realfoodieclub Graduate]

I was a big smoker and gave up a few years ago. I went to hypnosis and it helped me. Since then I have found a really good hypnotist that has apps that help with my sleeping. He also does one for quitting smoking. His name is Andrew Johnson and he does apps for android and apple also has a cd store. It is a lot cheaper than paying for a one to one session and might just work for you. Good luck.

[Millsie-J Graduate]

See your GP or depending where you live some pharmacies offer an NHS Stop Smoking Service, so free of charge. You will still need will power to overcome this addiction but if you really want to kick the habit you will do so. You should do it for the total health benefits not just the potential improvement in pace.

[Hidden]

I am a reformed smoker too. One day I wanted to stop and just did. You've got to WANT to.

[runswithdogs Graduate]

I tried to quit with many things - cold turkey, nicotine patches, medication. The thing that finally worked for me was reading Alan Carr's book The Easy Way. You can probably get it at a library, I think it cost me $20CDN. It's a thin book, and you continue smoking while reading it. It helped many of my chums quit, but didn't do a thing for others.

[Gump73 Graduate in reply to runswithdogs]

Worked for me too. 4 years ago and have never looked back. Best £7 i ever spent on kindle!

[runswithdogs Graduate in reply to Gump73]

Oh I'm so glad. I recommend it to all my friends and family that are trying to quit. It's really amazing it worked, it's been 12 years or so for me.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

All what MarkyD says.. it is brutal..but the truth

Plus..get all the help you can to do it.... if you want to.. you will...Did you ever think you would run 5K... ?

Lots of great advice from the replies here... The hypnosis sounds interesting...

PS

My daughter got her Dad to stop years and years ago; she just took scissors and she cut the cigarettes into small pieces...it worked ...!

[misswobble Graduate]

I was a chimney, puffing a shameful amount per day. One day I just quit.

Never had a puff since the end of 1981 when I was in HOSPITAL!

No wonder you can't speed up!

Just stop doing it! Now! You won't miss it! Sometimes you just have to do things. This is one of those times. Get tough on yourself

[secksy34 Graduate]

I smoked .. Gave up about 8 years ago with the help of hypnosis , this is not a magic cure though but it helps with the willpower which you will need , find the reason why you want to stop , heallt money example to other etc and focus , bed of luck 🍀 Ps vapes are still bad as you are using the same familiar actions