I quit cold turkey 18 days ago. I had smoked 2 packs a day for 30 + years. This was my first attempt to quit. I can not even remember the first few days. Around day five I was feeling pretty good. Then had a really hard time from day 7-10. Then suddenly everything changed. I have felt really good day 11 - 18.
All I did to quite was refused to smoke. I ate, I just told myself no, I exercised, I took a shower, took deep breaths, did what ever I could think to get to the next min, or hour or day. Pretty soon I was able to just relax when I felt the craving coming on, I knew they would be gone in a few mins. It occurred to me that they were no worse that any normal craving I had every time I wanted a smoke for the past 30 years..eh?
This put is all into perspective for me, it was not that bad and was something I did over an over again every day. That was around day 10. The strong cravings just seemed to disappear. Since then I am only having brief and fleeting thoughts about smoking, no real cravings. I find myself sometimes reaching for a smoke, things like that, but nothing that is troubling me.
I am so happy I have done this. I am feeling much better. Today I went up 2 flights of stairs at a good pace and had no shortness of breath, a month ago I would have not been able to do that. I am no longer wheezing or coughing. I did get a severe sore throat around day 7 and it has only gotten worse, my doc put me on antibiotics yesterday so they should help soon. I have saved so much money already! I bought an exercise bike with some of the money. In the past 2 weeks I am now up to 30 min 5K ride twice a day and feel great for it.
So if you are struggling, just hang in there. You can do it and you will feel better. If I can quite anybody can!! Just don't give in, the craving will pass and one day there will not be any cravings.
To all those longer term non smokers, I am sure I will be asking some questions and seeking some support at those times that are difficult!
Down under
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nsd_user663_7432
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18 days that's great well done and really pleased to hear you now feel good after struggling through days 7 - 10
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
Welcome and big Well Done with your quit, sounds like you are giving yourself some very good advice. Anything we can do to help just ask. Suggest you read some of the sites in our signatures there you will find the answers as to how to stay stopped.
Hi g'day,thats fantastic, i think sometimes it is the fear of giving up that stops us even trying,and .when people do take the plunge its not that bad at all,anyway well done..............
Thanks for the warm welcome and kind words. Sorry I should have responded sooner, I was so busy reading all the other posts I forgot to read my own! LOL
Will have to post something in the 1 month section tomorrow! Till then.
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Look on the bright side!
Hello from sunny Manchester 
