Day One (number 100 attempt at least)

[nsd_user663_3776]

Hi people, I've had a look through some of the posts on here and they are they supportive. And I like the tips you give too.

Sadly I've tried to quit smoking before but I can't last more than 14 hours. I really want to quit smoking. I haven't smoked now for 2hrs and 5mins. I have a bit of nicotine gum that is actually helping this time. And I'm actually finding that coffee helps it distracts me a bit.

I don't tend to get cravings every hour I just have the sense I want a cigarette really badly. It's barely even a physical feeling.

I want to know how to stay smoke free.

James

[nsd_user663_5289]

hi James,

I think its allabout planning,and knowing how to defeat your enemy,first port of call,will be a smoking cessation place,be it at a surgery or a chemist,i have found with experience that you will just get your nrt stuff there,you get your advice,support and wisdom from this forum,reading, reading some more,and asking loads of questions,screaming, ranting on here,(if it helps!)

you need to have a positive mind and outlook,and you need to want to give up for you,not someone else.there is a shedload of stuff out there to help you,easyway by allan carr,downloads for your mp3,deep breathing exercises,meditation,getting your diet right to help with your cravings,a lot of the stuff is free as well.

drink loads of water,take a multivitamin,high doses of vitamin c, there is lots of complimentary stuff which can help as well,exercise is really good as well,im not talking about training for the london marathon, a 20min walk round the block is a great starting point, start reading a new hobby.

one thing that worked for me was to think-'i am so glad i stopped smoking', and not thinking that i had given up something that i really missed,hope that makes sense!!!!!!!

How about giving up with someone else?? a great way to stay motivated

make sure you download a quit counter, you will really enjoy watching the figures grow.

let us know how your getting on,we're all in it together,and here to help

baz

[nsd_user663_5971]

Hi James

I know where you are. Before this time my hobby was quitting smoking. This time I was ready. I went to my GPs quit smoking sessions and got the Champix. Most importantly, I found this site and read and read and read.

You have to quit for you. Not your wife, kids, mum or anyone else. You stop smoking because YOU want to. Oh, the other thing, I can smoke whenever I want to, just not smoking at the moment - that moment is getting on for 3 months now. If I can do it, so can you.

[nsd_user663_5048]

hi james

i hope you can quit 1 day for good

were all here to help

good luck mate

Geoff

[nsd_user663_3776]

Thanks

I'm surprised at so many replies already. I've just passed the three hour mark. Just to give you a lil info I'm 23 and a university student. As much as I'd like to quit for my wife and kids I don't have either lol. But I do have a mum and she succeeded at quitting.

I'm not finding it tough yet. I'm still drinking coffee as I don't think I can give up that yet. It actually helps. I smoked 30 cigs a day and I only started four years ago.

I'm hoping this quit attempt will be my last. And oh the Allen Carr book I have it, it helped change my mind about cigarettes. But it hasn't given me the magic button that I was after. I feel lack I lack willpower and the Allen Carr book says you don't need willpower but I find you do.

Here's to my fourth hour of being free.

[nsd_user663_1733]

All I can say is take things Hour by hour then when you feel a little stronger day by day. Baby steps and soon you will start to feel the benifits. Dont try and deal with next week or month just the time your in. xxxx

[nsd_user663_6810]

Well done you. Well done for doing it for YOU.

Having kids and spouses is not always an incentive I have 2 children, mid teens now and even having them would not get me to part with my ciggies. I guess i wasnt ready to do it for anyone, much to my shame.

You could look at it the other way and think that you are actually in the perfect position not having kids. Now you have stopped when it comes to your turn to have children. you wont have to feel the guilt that us smoking parents felt. I do know though, that you Mum will be over the moon that you are stopping. I hope and pray mine dont smoke.

If hour by hour seems too hard, do it minute by minute. Wow, just think 240 minutes - well done you xxx

[nsd_user663_7432]

Well this may not agree with what is taught or what others have done but it is what I did.

1. I had to decided I really was stopping, not thinking about it, not wishing I could could stop.

2. I had to stop dramatizing. If I was dropped off on a deserted island, I would not die from lack of cigs. I had to put this into reality, I was addicted and withdrawals no matter how bad I thought they would be would not kill me. I also had to accept that it might take a while for them to go away, but sooner or later they would. So I was prepared to have withdrawals and to wait them out as long as it took.

3. I swore to make no excuses. This was it, no changing my mind, nothing I can think up will change the fact that smoking is killing me and I will stop smoking

4. Spend all my time working on building and keeping a good attitude, Refuse to spend any time thinking about smoking. I think this is so important.

So I am not 22 days, cold turkey. No real cravings and feel pretty darn good. I smoked 2 packs a day from 16 years old and I am now 56 years old. I was totally addicted, it ruled my life, everything I did and I was a hopeless whinger with no will power. Until I decided I did not want to die of lung cancer.

I can and I did stop, but I had to do it first..eh? It really is that simple (for me).

Please feel free to not listen to a word I have said! LOL

What ever works for you, just do it! You can stop smoking, believe in yourself!

[nsd_user663_6810]

Hey Downunder, I think you given some very good insight there.

Cravings not nice - but wont kill you, actual withdrawal, not nice but wont kill you. Carry on smoking - damn good chance it till kill you

Good thoughts to hang onto

[nsd_user663_3728]

Hi James

Well done you deciding to stop smoking I also tried times and time agaon and always failed until this time

This time was different I had this forum for help and support and I have been free for over a year now

I smoked for over 50 years so if I can stop anyone can

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 xx

[nsd_user663_6165]

Hi James. I'm afraid there is no magic button, just baby steps. One cig not smoked at a time. Read the "My Demon" entry on woofmang (see link on Marg's post) about throwing snacks to your demon. I was like you, 100's of quits, and this article really helped me through those first awful hours and days.

Well done for getting this far, and keep going one at a time.

[nsd_user663_5972]

Hi James

Well done on you decision to quit. Like others have said baby steps and like someone has in their signature "Rome wasn't built in a day".

I think we have all tried more than once to quit and I think the key to an "easier" quit and succesful quit is support (this forum) and education about the habit and addiction. Other forum member have very good links in their signatures.

May I suggest a book which I feel is good and is helping me "Nicotine: The Drug that never was." It's by Chris Holmes and is available on Amazon. It is helping me tackle the mind thing. Just a suggestion.

Good luck with your quit

Keep posting

[jackieinv]

Well done stopping smoking. Just one extra thing to add - there are quite a few posts on here regarding not using too much caffiene, to read them put the word into the search engine and the posts will come up.

Best wishes.

Jackie

[nsd_user663_7254]

Hi and welcome James.

For the first week I did the hour by hour thing which worked for me, but now I'm on day 8 and I'm working with day by day but whatever suits you and you feel comfortable with.

Well done on deciding to quit and keep us all posted with your progress.

Good luck

Shazie.x