Day two and still feeling good

[nsd_user663_4852]

Hello all,

So I've joined the non smoking community!!!

I've read through a lot of posts and found it quite helpful so I thought I would add my two penneth worth.

I stopped smoking on Sunday night.... So no fags from waking up Monday obviously.

I've used the patches, which did space me out a bit yesterday morning, but it's ok now.

So far I have to say I really have had no problem. Having smoked for 18 years, probably averaging about 15-20 per day over the last ten years I've stopped and really haven't missed it as yet.

I think I'm one of those people who genuinely is done with cigarettes. I simply don't like them and smoked because I'm hooked. Once I replaced the nicotine with the patch I just felt free of having to smoke the wretched things. They stink, they cost and they cause considerable inconvenience. Driving to the all night shop when I realise they're all gone, standing in the rain because nowhere lets you smoke, my house needing to be aired for 12 hours a day because I hate it smelling of smoke..... I AM GENUINELY GLAD TO BE SHOT OF THE BLOODY THINGS!!

I know there may be tricky moments ahead and obviously I'll have to give the patches up eventually but right now I feel really positive.

I believe very stongly that I cannot give up smoking for the rest of my life but I do believe I can stay away from a cigarette for today..... And guess what..... It's today every day.

I wish all of you the best of luck and hope I won't need to come back and tell you I'm finding it tough. If I need help I'll be sure to shout as united we stand!!

[nsd_user663_4844]

I concur

I am so with you on this. I am now on day 8 with nicorette gum. I was so over the inconvenience and gross part of smoklng, it is almost a relief when I realize I am a non-smoker now! I am using the gum......2-3 pieces a day. I had made it really difficult for myself to smoke over the past 2 years...I would really only smoke at home and when I went out for a few beers. The rest of my lifestyle screamed...non-smoker. 4 kids....going to gym all the time.....I would change my clothes everytime I left the house...brush my teeth and spray cologne in my hair hoping to hide the fact that I was a closet smoker. I had quit smoking in the car....we only smoked in our garage or back deck. There are people I have met over the past 2 years that had no idea I was a smoker. I even have friends that thought I was only smoking when I was drinking. I was so ashamed I had gone back to smoking after my 4th child was born that I hid it. This actually worked to my advatage for this quit! Best of all I don't have to feel guilty anymore...like I am hiding a part of me...I hated that!!

Good luck....and yes we have some times that will be rough...but I agree I think we are so OVER the lifestyle of it!

Hanna

7th quit: 39 year old 24 year smoker: 20-30 cigs a day: day 8

[nsd_user663_3728]

Hi Ben

Welcome to the forum and well done on the decision to quit possibly one of the most important you will ever make and you will be losing nothing but you will regain control of your life and that has to be good

You will find all the help and support you need on here as we all help each other just like a family we are here for you every step of the way cheering the good days and sympathiseing with the bad but the good far outweigh the bad

Read the posts on here you will find a lot of tips and advice and in the signatures of a lot you will find links to other sites just click on them Here are 2 I find very good to start you off whyquit.com and woofmang.com Read, read and then read some more as the more you read and learn about why you smoked and about your addiction the easier your quit will be

Day 2 and you're feeling good that's great well done wanting to be rid of the need to smoke is half the battle done before you start

There may well be some tough days to come but with your attitude that shouldn't be to much of a problem for you

Post often to let us know how you're doing, to rant, rave have a moan whatever you like pretty much anything goes on here OK

Best Wishes

Marg xxxxxxxx

[nsd_user663_4804]

Hi Ben and well done on the decision to quit. I hear you in getting fed up with smoking .... I just couldn't be BOTHERED with it anymore! Keep a note of these reasons for quitting. Yes there will be tough days ahead (and I just had a small relapse myself, but back to being quit now) but it's NOT imposible to quit.

[nsd_user663_4860]

Hi Ben

Its a good feeling isn't it? I Cant quite believe it when I tot up all of the benefits of not smoking and it will be great to be healthy and wealthy.

My only worry is I need to suck sweets or chew gum (why is that) and I just want to feel relaxed without a crutch.

Good luck with the rest of the week and onwards.

[nsd_user663_4852]

Thanks for allyour messages of support

Hello all,

Thanks for all your responses. I really appreciate the support.

Hanna Marie: I just read your message back to remind myself of the grossness and inconvenience. I have to keep remembering, when's the last time I really enjoyed smoking. I'd say it was last time I sat in a pub garden with a beer and cigarette. Since I don't drink (and largely haven't for nearly 4 years) it's a bit silly. I don't like the horrid things. SMELLY, EXPENSIVE and LIFE THREATENING!! It just goes to show how powerful nicotime addiction is when you consider the disadvantages and risks.... Yet we continue..... Apart from us because we're all trying our best to wave good bye.

I actually had quite a stressy day yesterday. Big row with other half. We're moving in together and I think the stress of the move, the whole living together thing and all that. Just your run of the mill argument really :-).

The notable thing about it was that I didn't use it as an excuse to smoke. As I have been told by a wise person in the past when it comes to relapsing on an addiction there are a thousand excuses but never a reason.

I still feel positive. The patches really seem to work for me. I'm really terrible at enduring hardship. I'm like a child!! I'm just finding I'm not craving and I don't miss it.

It might be my imagination but I swear my teeth look whiter already. Can that really happen after 3 complete days?

Anyway, thanks again for the words of support and wisdom. This forum really does give me an outlet and reconfirmation that I can do it....... And if the likes of me can do it anyone can!!!

[nsd_user663_1658]

sorry to butt in

just read youre post ben & i love the bit of a thousand excuses but never a reason i will remember that one .. i am also on patches & i had last smoke on 29 june before bed but took my quit day from the 30th june suppose we are a similar time .. be good to hear how you get along & vice versa ... ive finished day 3 today found it bit tougher for some reason but im still alive & ive got through it & nothing different as happened so well done to me & you too &chrissie v i seem to be following you round the board lol sorry

[nsd_user663_4852]

Day 9 and still managing

Hey Kitkat,

Thanks for your post.

Just thought I would send you a quick message saying I'm on day 9 and still haven't smoked.

I must admit the second week so far has been a little trickier than the first. I had to be strong yesterday. I'm not sure why it feels a bit harder but today has been fine. It's probably because I was out and about yesterday and would normally have smoked a fair bit. Also I was hungry all day and that always makes me want to smoke.

I still don't feel like I have experienced any real hardship though. I did go cold turkey once and that was a nightmare. I was climbing the walls. I don't know if it's the patchees, my mindset or what but despite the few hard moments I'm amazed how stress free it's been up to now.

I reckon it's the age old thing. If you really really want to stop and have come to the end of the line it's not too bad. I think it's when you haven't quite accepted the idea of being a non smoker and think you SHOULD rather than want to give up.

Anyway, I hope you're doing ok and sticking with it.

All the best

Ben

[nsd_user663_4877]

Welcome back Ben,

Nice to hear that your on day nine and feeling strong.

I am on day 12 and also using patches. Similar to your experinces so far I have felt really positive. Last saturday was a really bad day for me. Not felt like that before or since.

It has also been rather stress free and recently I have been thinking that it can't be this easy, am I doing something wrong etc etc.

I also keep reminding myself that we are all different. I also have to be prepared because I'm sure that at some stage i'm going to be hit once more with massive cravings and that it will just happen. I think the answer as others have said, don't let your guard down, stay focused and stay strong. It's all about being prepared, just in case.

Keep up the good work

Gary

[nsd_user663_4026]

Hi and well done for quitting! I kind of agree in that I was sick and tired of smoking. It really had come down to an addiction in my head and the quit went quite well, especially as my husband was supposed to quit on the same day and backed out. On previous attempts that would have been my excuse to back out. What I found was even though I was mentally there, using this forum and reading the links and posting sorted that out, I occasionally, and still do sometimes hit triggers. The first big one was playing tomb raider, being chased by scary bears always made me want to smoke! Anyway, keep up the good work!

[nsd_user663_4482]

Hello Ben

congratulations so far you are doing great!

i am nearly into week 4 now and i can tell you, i sometimes think about smoking.it's funny because when i do i have to remind myself that i was once a smoker ha.

in 4 weeks i have;

lost 8 lbs

bought a nice bike

had a lot of people admiring how my skin looks

starting college in september.

bought some nice clothes

i have completely changed my life to be honest, it gives you control over your life, which is fantastic!

love

jamie

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx