It's been a while since I posted anything on here, so I thought it was time for one of my very long posts that ramble on for ages and end up making a very small point.
Anyway...
So, you've decided to quit smoking. Good. Well done. Best decision you've ever made, I promise.
I thought I would do it in a Q&A stylee, lets see if I can answer a few questions for you. I apologise if my writing style causes offence to anyone, but I don't know how to write without doing it bluntly.
Q.
Honestly. How hard is it to quit?
A.
Erm. It varies according to each quitter, obviously - but heres my answer.
Not that hard. You won't agree with this if you're in the middle of a monster crave right now, but you will if you stick it out and think back in a few weeks time. There are hard things to overcome, like going to a pub and having to resist a crave while gently tipsy. Like knowing that some of the symptoms, like sleeplessness and digestive issues will go away if you give in and smoke. There are hundreds of other times you will think "smoking will just make all this hassle dissapear". However, knowing that all of these craves and symptoms will also go away if you DON'T smoke will keep you going. In short it isn't easy, but if you attempt to educate yourself using fellow quitters advice (and most definately NOT the nonsense spouted by the NHS and manufacturers of quitting aids) you will find it much easier than you think.
Remember - You either quit or smoke until you die. There is no third option.
Q.
Whats the best way to quit?
A.
By not smoking.
No, thats not a joke. That's the only way to quit. You can use whatever aid you like, and I for one applaud anyone quitting using any method. Whatever helps you. Whatever means you can take control of your addiction and stop smoking. Be it NRT, Champix, hypnosis, accupuncture, alien intervention, whatever... it will work as long as you don't smoke and eventually stop using it and still don't smoke.
Q.
How do I get ready to quit?
A.
You might want to do a few things prior to quitting. For me the most helpful thing was to start a diary about a week before. I would note down what I was doing, how I was feeling and when and why I lit a cigarette. It truly shocked me how desperately I relied on them. Also, I took a "baseline fitness report" for myself by taking some excercise and seeing how I felt - so I could compare the results to new ones I took every so often. Just for your reference - prior to my quit date, I ran up a flight of 20 steps and thought I was going to die. Around 9 months later I rode a pushbike 100miles in under 7 hours with no problem at all.
I also made a plan to deal with any situation that caught me completely by surprise. Having been a veteran of many failed attempts I decided that the best way for me to deal with those sudden and crippling urges was distraction. So, I used to walk. Mile upon mile, out in the open air with nothing to bother you is a great way to get away from everything. It helped that I moved house 1 week in, I had new scenery around me that I had never smoked in.... but I bet you never walked much as a smoker anyway!
There are, of course, a million ways to get ready - but those things helped me.
Q.
How do I get help?
A.
You already found us! Post often, post whenever you like, whatever you like. If you simply need distraction or someone to talk to or you need help then that's what people are here for. Read, read, read. I can't stress highly enough the importance of education, I swear that the one single thing that made the difference in this quit was that I spent a lot of time reading this, and other websites to get as much information as possible. Once you realise the truth about your addiction, and the penny drops for you - you will quit forever. You will have no other option. Until then, quit for today
Q.
When will I be free?
A.
You will always be a nicotine addict. I'm sorry, but it's the truth.
But as long as you don't smoke, you are free of it. I have been free for a little over 16 months but if I took a single puff I would have to go through withdrawal again.
Sounds impossibly hard, doesn't it?
It isn't, it gets a lot easier very quickly - I haven't had an urge for ages now. Each day is a little easier than the last, it's very easy once you get past the first few months and it gets even easier the further you go.
Stick with it and you will realise that freedom is the journey, there is no destination.
Q.
Is it worth all the hard work?
A.
Yes. Absolutely.
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Long posts that make a good point are always welcome. They can be absolute lifesavers to folk just starting out with their quits so i'm sure worth every minute you put into putting it together.
Thanks for reading it, and I'm glad if it can be of a little help to the new quitters. Never hurts to pass along a thought or 2, does it?
I still come on the site quite regularly, even if I don't post very often these days. Just when something pops into my head that I think can be useful.
Not so long ago I actually sat and read every thread I ever started on here, not every post (that would take forever, although I'm gonna try one day!) - right from when i found this place during week 1.
I have this place to thank, more than my own determination for keeping me on the straight and narrow more than once. So, to give a few words of encouragement back is no big deal, is it?
Happy quitting, everyone - whatever stage you are at. Never another puff, at least for today
Depends on your perspective, i might write some long posts myself sometimes, .. yes i may also ramble, but my heart is in the right place. Folk who are recently quit need all the help they can get and if just one thing sinks in and helps.. then it was worth all the ramblings of anyone who chose to type it.. don't you agree?
Hey guys heeso here , what a great post you have sent it will be helpful for the guys like me and for those who want to quit after a long time.I also think one should have a very strong will power to act upon.With the strong will power every body can quit from this habit. I will also act upon it .Anyhow its a nice help in shape of a guidelines.
walking is definately the success of my quit so far when i feel bad i walk for miles and miles then feel better, now i am getting addicted to walking but thats all good
Hey all guys heeso here , its a great thing if this work in quitting smoking "just walking" very good save petrol and money for not joining gym. thanks
Thanks for bumping this one up.... seems like ages ago I wrote it, and I'm still here... even if I don't post much.
And yes, I'm still quit. It has now been almost 900 days since I last put a cigarette to my lips - very proud of that.
You don't actually have to do anything at all to quit. Repeated choice to do absolutely nothing in response to a craving for a smoke will sort it. Don't get a cigarette and put it in your mouth, don't light it, don't inhale the poison. Just do nothing.
walking is definately the success of my quit so far when i feel bad i walk for miles and miles then feel better, now i am getting addicted to walking but thats all good
Hi guys Its Julie here, Boo Its very surprising that walking is helpful in quitting smoking.Its a very good method if this works because there is no need to spend money for this purpose and will not face any side effect too. Thanks to share with all the forum.Now every body can use this method to quit.
I have to say I found this post extremely helpful! I am on day 2 of being a quitter......feeling positive but scared that I fall or cave in. One day at a time is all I can do! I would like to think that in a few months I could believe that I wouldnt even think about ciggies but I believe that will not happen!
Thanks to all for your words of advice. This forum is a saviour...its helping me to get my head around beating the evil nicodemon!!!!
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