Advice please!

[nsd_user663_2112]

Hi all. Just need a bit of advice really if anyone can help. Coming up to 6 quit weeks on Saturday but still having cravings and still not feeling quite the same person I was as a smoker (I'm on patches and/or inhalator). Does anyone know if the Alan Carr book(s) help at all. I seem to remember starting one of his books years ago though didn't finish it (half-hearted attempt to quit!) but I'm sure you had to continue smoking whilst reading it. Would any of his books be any good if you've given up the fags before reading it? I just need a bit of extra help that's all with the psycholgical side of things - am also considering hypnotherapy if I need extra help when I have to come off the patches in a month or so.

Can anyone advise?

Cheers

Liney x

[nsd_user663_1789]

Hello, i'll have quit 6 weeks on Friday so right behind you!!

I've been quite lucky and had few cravings, but i think this is because i had sickened myself of smoking and had wanted to quit for ages.

I've read the Allan Carr books a few times, once i quit for 5 months, other times i didn't haven't in me to quit. But alot of the theories/beliefs in the book have stuck with me.

I think you can still read it after you've stopped, i think it makes reference to this at the beginning of the book.

Try buying a hypnotherapy CD, i've used Paul McKenna's old one and find it lovely and relaxing.

These things work for some and not others, after 6 weeks you can't be physically addicted to nicotene anymore, you're brain just needs to catch up with your body.

Try books, cds and websites, that promote postive attitudes about quitting smoking, maybe this will help.

I hope it does!!!

BIG WELL DONE ON GETTING THIS FAR!!!

[nsd_user663_1704]

Oh yes all of the above as choco says,

The hypno CD's are great I use the techniques by myself now so you don't have to use them all the time, you learn by them.

Also have you considered doing something new for yourself?

Now you have extra time on your hands and money

Like joining the gym, Painting, writing or learning something new??

[nsd_user663_1988]

I haven't tried the Allen Carr method but do believe in the 'mind over matter' theory

The way some people can quit after smoking for years without any help amazes me. I wish I could be that strong minded. I used patches which I finished over a week ago.

I had stuck in my head that smoking while wearing patches could be dangerous, so I never had a problem with temptation. Now I'm off them, I find temptation a little harder but still shrug it off. Last time I went out drinking I wore a patch as I didn't trust myself. I'm putting nicotene into my body when it doesn't crave it anymore (stupid I know!). I think next time I'm out i'll not put one on. It would be my final test. IT IS ALL IN MY MIND!

[nsd_user663_1704]

Anything that works for you is not stupid Barney :mad:

The fore thought of going into a tricky situation and doing something for yourself to give you confidence is very very Wise!!

[nsd_user663_2216]

it will get easier

hi liney123

51 days as a cold turkey non smoker and i think that your mind tries so hard to trick you into going back to smoking.

when i see some one else smoking or i am bored i wish for a ciggie but i keep reminding myself of simple things like my teeth not looking so yellow or my skin looking older than what it really is.

but best of all i enjoy the fact that i am not putting any more stealth tax money to the goverment on their duties on ciggies and i can spend it on what i want.

just be strong in your mind and yes thats all it is because all ex-smokers suffer from the cravings but we all realise that one puff will lead to a ciggie then a ciggie on to a pack then bang we are full time smokers all over again.

personally i have tried to give up so many times that i nearly gave up giving up but i realised it was me not wanting to kick the habit so i was only half trying but this time i decided to just say no to a ciggie and onwards to day 52 i have stuck with it and my will power is weak so again hang in there because once your mind stops beating you over the head with the cravings life without ciggies will be brilliant xxxx

[nsd_user663_1704]

Quitting smoking when you don't smoke is far easier,

than quitting a smoking habit!!

~Buffy x x

[nsd_user663_2112]

Thanks for your replies. I have got Paul McKenna's cd but it didn't seem to really work for me though maybe I could try again. I think I've struggled more in the past week than I did earlier on. I've not felt great health wise either which may not be anything to do with not smoking but I just wish I felt great (which is what everyone said/read when you give up the fags!!). I am sleeping a bit better though than I was. Other downsides - which are not psychological I'm sure - include bloating and wind - nice! I'll nip to a book shop and have a look at the Carr book(s) - just think I need an additional mind boost. BTW, I have started pilates on Wednesdays which I'm enjoying. Also doing a lot more Sudoku and considering buying myself a new jigsaw to do which I haven't done in years - how exciting eh?!?! Really should and try and get out and about more but hubby works late most evenings and I have a 5 year old limpett who has to do everything with me so lots of at home hobbies eg. painting, knitting are out I'm afraid.

Lx

[nsd_user663_1704]

Oh there are so many positive things in that post Liney

Painting is well in with a 5 year old lol

Pilates is excellent though with the wind issues a tad risky hehehehe

Really those are all positive things

and you have come so far and I am sure those cravings are not a patch on your smoking days?!!

Don't know about you but if I was desperate enough I would find a butt in an ashtray!!

Wouldn't dream of being so awful ever again now!!!

Do fill your mind with the positive things x x

Your doing amazingly well x x

[nsd_user663_2176]

I'd recommend the Allen Carr book. I don't think it matters that you've already stopped (well done by the way) as there's still lots of useful advice in there. The repetitive tone can be a bit irritating at times but if you just get a couple of things to stick in your mind and help you then it's well worth it. It does help you to look at smoking (and not smoking) in a different way and I think it helps with feeling more positive when you have stopped.

One of the problems I've had with previous quits has been waiting for something to happen - waiting to feel better, waiting for cravings to stop, waiting to stop thinking about smoking, etc. What I've realised this time (with the help of Allen Carr) is that it's already happened. I've stopped - end of. Now it's just a matter of enjoying the rest of my life without smoking. If you're always waiting for something to happen you can get very discouraged with it and then when the thoughts of 'I might as well smoke' seem to creep back in. Well, for me anyway.

[nsd_user663_2162]

I quit after reading Allen Carrs' book. Better yet, I had decided I was going to quit whether I liked it or not, so I bought the book, and it was my companion while I smoked my last cigarette. It has helped me a lot I didn't mind the patient, repetitive tone as I reckoned it was exactly what I needed: to have someone expert in the matter talk to me like I was a 4 year old His ideas are indeed interesting, and can be quite of help. He doesn't do platitudes, he's funny, and he is freakishly right when he describes the subtle aspects of the smoking addicition. I would definitely recommend reading it

[nsd_user663_2133]

I would agree also, having read Alan Carr's book that it is an excellent way to understand more about your addiction without being preached at. I found there were certain things I came away with and have stayed with me. I wish I had found it as easy as he said it would be but then maybe I needed to read the book a few more times to get the whole benefit of his message.

Good Luck

Poppyfairyxx

[nsd_user663_2096]

Hay pops,

I sold an allen carr book on ebay today, I wonder if whoever bought it will end up posting on here! That would be weird. I have still got another book by him and I do still read it as I think it strengthens your resolve sometimes.

Befly xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx