Day 7 tommorow

[nsd_user663_7762]

Hello everyone,

What a useful little forum this is! A 7 (ish) day lurker here!

Well on Tuesday 19th January 2010 at 8:45am it will be the 7th day since one of the best decisions I have made in a very long time! (I'm hoping so).

I smoked my last cigarette. Realised I had no money until pay day for any more (I get paid a salary at the end of every month, apart from December when its two weeks early!!). And at 8:45am in the morning (still blurry eyed) said to myself - 'ah stuff this. Just give up now and forever'.

Don't get me wrong, the first 2/3 days were a bit hellish to say the least. As I hadn't prepared for this momentous event, I think the shock of it, coupled together with the nicotine withdrawal symptoms played havoc on my mind and body. Stubbornness, sheer down right stubbornness (and with no money!!) got me through.

Drinking cold water very slowly seemed to help early on. Taking in 3 deep breaths 'every so often' did the trick too.

Days 4, 5 were better. Reading about all the improvements to my body already (nicotine flushed out of my body, carbon monoxide levels rapidly reducing) pushed me on. Also as I've read a few people mention on this forum, the cleaning of the teeth in the morning has been much more pleasant! (also, no need to scrub the dirty little fingers which were stained). Talking of which, I dont seem to bite my finger nails anymore - so much for cigs reducing stress!

I had quite a few beers on Friday too (in the house). And although evidently floating around my mind, the alcohol made me somewhat more brash about this little kicking of the habit journey. Which surprised me as the last 2 times, it was alcohol that brought me back to the dark road that is nicotine addiction. I have a party to go to on Saturday, I just hope my reactions will be the same as this time rather than last.

On to today. Something has been nagging me. I know what it is. But I'm trying not to give it a second thought. Feel a bit 'spaced out'. I'm sure I'm slurring my words but I cant quite tell. But, I've found this excellent forum - and read some already inspirational posts - and I'm not backing down on this - I hope not, I really dont.

Last quit time it was a case of alcohol, and a 'one wont hurt', 'I can give up straight away tomorrow' attitude, that ruined it before it had started - that was back in early June 2009.

I'm adamant though that this time I've smoked my last cigarette. One week ago tomorrow at 8:45am.

Everyone on day 1, 2, 3, 4 or 10, 20, 40. Hang in there. We can do this. And we will.

Now who's got the chocolate?!?

[nsd_user663_7318]

Congrats on your quit! Sounds like you're doing s stunning job so far.

IMO the most important thing it to get over the fact you're a quitter as soon as you possibly can. Counting the days since you stopped automatically brings you back to the fact you used to smoke. Not sure if that makes any sense what so ever!

It's very difficult for some peeps as the withdrawal from nicotine and the mental addiction symptoms are much more acute.

Just keep doing what you've already done and you'll be fine!

[nsd_user663_7769]

7th day

Hi just joined first post here, at about 10.30am tuesday last week I smoked my last cig so nearly 7 days as well went cold turkey without reading anything from web before hand. Like you I have been drinking lots of cold water I think it helps.

Tomorrow i am going to the anti smoking clinic at the doctors only because it was booked before I gave up by the CT route maybe some good advice anyway.

After reading up on many web sites I am disgusted at the nicotine repacement therapy NRT industry. The message I get is ok stop the cancer sticks but stay a nicotine addict so we can still make money out of you as a legal addict with a drug as if not more addictive than most class A opiates.

Anyhow starting to rant maybe the giving up thing.

looking for week two under the belt now.

Live long and prosper

[nsd_user663_3728]

Hi Helloworld

Well done you 7 days is great and pleased to hear it's going well for you feeling a bit spaced out is normal it will pass very soon

There's always plenty of chocolates around this place no wonder we all put on weight

Hi 20aday

Well done you also 7 days smoke free that's great don't worry if you want a rant have one we've almost all done that at times OK

For you both

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_7762]

Thanks for the kind supportive words everyone. Appreciated.

Day 7 has come and gone. BIt of a 'struggle' early on - kept thinking 'I've done so well...time for a....'. A couple of deep breaths, a work around outside the building where I work and that little episode was over. Until about an hour later! But did the same thing again. And nothing until the walk home where I thought to myself 'geez no more cigarettes on the way home for me'. Bit of a mini-panic, but put to the back of mind as I thought of the money I will save in not having to feed the dirty little nicotine monster.

Although my 'physical cravings' are gone its the 'physiological ones' that are the ones popping up every now and then. BUT I'm a stubborn so and so, and I'm not going to give in this time.

Off to watch a footy match tomorrow - just hope my team does me a favor in winning.

Well done to everyone else on this exciting journey.

I'm off to pop into other threads to spread my new found confidence and encouragment.

cheers everyone

hw2010

[nsd_user663_7235]

helloworld2010 and 20aday, welcome to this wonderful place.

I like you did not plan to stop I just did. As you can see from my signature I am going CT did try champix but stopped taking it as I felt I was stopping without it.

20aday I know you don't like NRT but you'll find on here many who have and are managing to stop by using something and if it means they are going to stop, brilliant.

That does not take away that you guys are doing great and I hope you will stick with us. You've only got to look at this thread to see what I mean about this being a great place.

forum.nosmokingday.org.uk/s...

This absolutely overwhelmed me.

Jack

[nsd_user663_7762]

Thanks for the kind words Jack,

It seems as though you are one very very strong guy! Congrats on your quit so far. Even though I see you have recently had a slightly off day, I'm sure your back on track now with all this support from these fine people on this forum. WELL DONE indeed. Cant wait till I'm in your shoes as a well established non-smoker.

As you say - each to their own, cold turkey, patches, gums, champix or whatever - we're all trying to get to the same place. And its a place that much much better from where we all came from.

Day 8 tomoz for me (week 2!!!) - it's the furthest I've come by a day or so, so I must be doing something right. But I'm conscious that I still have to be strong and have my wits about me if I'm going to beat it this time. Its the very subtle thoughts of 'a reward' (a reward of having a.......which is not a reward at all) that seem to pop into my head that I have to be careful of. But I'm sure with people like you Jack around I'll get there by hook or crook!

thanks again.

hw2010