not quite smoke free

[nsd_user663_7337]

over the past 3 days i've had 15 cigs i'm usually on 20 a day so i'm proud of myself. tonights been hard cos i'm in by myself so i've got nothing and no one to take my mind of smoking. i want to quit completely but every time i smoke i can't imagine that being my last cig ever. people say stop doing thing that you associate with smoking so thats getting up in the morning sitting in my living room, going to work, going outside. i've smoked for 7 years since i was 14 i can't remember doing anything that i don't asociate with smoking.

[nsd_user663_7159]

sorry your finding it hard, i think you need to think of all the reasons you want to quit smoking, we can all do it!!!

[nsd_user663_7337]

in the past when i've tried to give up when i caved in and had a cig i felt like it was worth it cos i needed it. this time when i have a cig i wonder why did i do that it hasn't made me feel good infact the opposite, i feel like i'm letting myself down which in a way is good because i kno i don't want to smoke any more and i'm gonna give up this time. it may take a while but i will get there

[nsd_user663_7159]

knowledge is power, read some of the links in some of the more long term members for some great tips and advice.

it does get easier, just take it an hour at a time and work your way up. I found myself sleeping through a lot of it. What method are you using to quit?

[nsd_user663_7337]

i've been using the lozenges after a bad experience with the gum where i ended up smoking to get the awful taste out of my mouth. the lozenges aren't to bad i'm alternating them with polo mints though cos i find sucking on something takes my mind of smoking (that wasn't supposed to sound dirty). keeping busy helps but theres not much to busy myself with on a sunday night, i tried watching big brother but that just made me miserable that i'm 21 and have nothing better to do with my life, i took down the christmas tree n did the dishes that kept me busy for a few hours ( there were lots of dishes).

thanks for the support

[nsd_user663_7159]

In the early stages anything to keep you busy is a good step. it certainly doesnt make you sad in any way. Think of it as a means to an end. Stopping smoking isnt easy but the longer you go the better you feel and the benefits are huge.

Hope ive been some help!

[nsd_user663_7337]

most of my friends have given up smoking over the past couple of years but all of them seemed to quit with no trouble and no help, saying that most of them were casual down the pub smokers 3-4 on a friday night, not 20 a day every day. its great to kno that i'm not being a drama queen and that other people are going through the same thing. i joined this forum mainly cos i was bored n wanted somthing productive to do but now i feel like it has helped to talk n read about other peoples experiences. thanx.

[nsd_user663_7159]

I always used to hate the "so called" social smokers. However you are either a smoker or a non smoker no in between! You have taken your first positive steps so build on that to become smoke free.

LP

[nsd_user663_3755]

You CAN do this!!

Just an idea but- get the Allen Carr book, very cheap in paperback, you smoke while you read it (it's not a long read, and is really very good!), no pressure, but it has done the initial trick for a lot of people. The education is what you need, because cutting down is just making you think about smoking- it's a HUGE focus! Hey, 5 less fags a day!! But, unless you stop completely it aint gonna happen! Try the book, costs about the same as a pack of 20...

All the best to you, hope you get there XX

Oh, p.s. i smoked since I was a kid (embarrassing thread in 'reasons why quit' section!!) and am now 40- you CAN do this, you really can!

[nsd_user663_5048]

I always used to hate the "so called" social smokers. However you are either a smoker or a non smoker no in between!

LP

i hate people who say that to, at the time id say...yes i am a smoker

but now i just say...i used to, im just trying to quit

Geoff

[nsd_user663_3728]

Hi Angela

Well done deciding you want to stop smoking

I think you need to learn about why you smoked and the addiction we all have this will help you to stop

Already you've cut them down a lot now all you need is to stop them altogether

Below is my standard welcome and advice post which I try and give all new members

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 sympathising 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

This link is good for the psychological part of quittingwhyquit.com/whyquit/A_Sympt...

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

Love

Marg

[nsd_user663_5325]

Quitting is hard, VERY HARD, if it was easy I think most of us would have done it a long time ago. There are tons of links on why smoking is bad for you on the site that helps a ton. Cruise UTube and take a look at the images of a smokers lungs or vids of celebs and normal people that have died from it. You also need to realize that smoking like most drugs are as addictive as hard drugs like cocaine and heroin to quit, Theres always a reason to continue smoking ALWAYS!!!!!!

After eating. when I'm in front of the computer, when I wake up, when I drink, Had a bad day, before I go to sleep. etc it will never be the right time. Find your reason, Make your decision to quit, read the sites here listed, visit this site often and post, ask questions and try to help others as well. I don't post as much as I used to but this site has helped me soooooo much. Its my key to quitting theres a number of very helping very caring people here that want to help and want you to be successful. They know who they are and will be there when ya need someone to listen. Just do it!!!! I wish ya the best. GOOD LUCK

*WAVESS AT ALL THE NON SMOKERS*!!!!!!!!!!

[nsd_user663_3728]

Hi Thomas

Happy New Year * Waves back*

Love

Marg xx

[nsd_user663_5066]

Hi there!

It doesnt matter how many cigs you smoke a day, how long you've smoked for, or how long it takes for you to quit completely. What matters is that you do quit having decided thats what you want.

Bit of advice - dont think about it too long. And dont be scared of messing your quit up. Slipping up, trying again and having a slight back step comes hand in hand with quitting. I reckon everyone here has had a slip up, had to try again. You just gotta try. Give it a go. Whats the worse thing that could happen? I found if i thought about it too much, and cut down for a bit then i would just smoke more and more again, whether i wanted to or not. Now thats just me and my experience, it may be different for you. But its something to keep in mind.

Pick a day... give it a go... If you slip up, try again and try something else. Theres no right or wrong way of doin this, its different for everyone.

Stay busy, do anything! It doesnt matter what you do... knit, draw, take up lego, go running, boxing, learn a different language, count rice! do anything! it doesnt matter! Take each day as it comes, dont think ahead too much. Once you got day one in the bag, day 2 will be easier, then day 3...

Good luck to you, and keep us posted on how you are getting along. This forum has a lot to offer, look around, check out the posts and other peoples experiences... it will help.

[nsd_user663_5325]

Hey Marg, Happy New Year to you as well. Hope all is good with you and yours.

If any of my old buddies here have been wondering about me quit heres a update since I don't log on a bunch anymore. I have only 2 crave times now. When I game( I play Xbox 360 A LOT LOL) and I always crave when I play and when I drink on occasion. So normal every day stuff has not givin me a crave to me in quite a while now. Very nice to function 80% of the day without thinking about smoking and sometime I go DAYS ,YES DAYS without think about them. Another update, I'm passed the anger issues I've had with the quit in fact I've been told by a few people that I seem much nicer and happier!!! Was news to me LOL. Anyway there ya go. Peace and type at ya later.