Last Cig at 9pm

[nsd_user663_9133]

Had my last cig at 9pm (its only 10.30pm). I have never gone more than a couple of hours without smokes (except for sleep time). After 20 years of smoking 20 a day and never having stopped - tried several times. Here's hoping and praying this is it and I awake in the morning feeling as strong as I do now.

[nsd_user663_4786]

Hi Gimley and welcome to the forum.

Well done on making the choice not to smoke, I would recommend that you read the links in peoples sigs, it will help.

How are you doing this, cold turkey, NRT, Champix or other? It doesn't really matter it will just help people help you.

I also smoked for about 20 years and at least 20 a day, tried several times to stop, and if I can then anybody can.

You will find loads of support around here, and everyone has the same aim, to be a happy non smoker, so join, post often to rant or to rave.

Good luck, and let us know how you are getting on.

[nsd_user663_8847]

HI Gimley

I smoked 20 a day for 20 years too and didn't think in a million years I'd go for more than a few hours. I'm onto day 10 tomorrow. If I can do this anyone can!

Hope your first day goes well and remember you won't be the only one. Stay strong! Read all the links you can on here, a load of good advice for getting through.

Catherine xx

[nsd_user663_9133]

thank you

Thank you Kat and Bev for the encouragement.

I'm using a number of methods, all cold turkey I suppose. I guess I knew I was going to to this for a while now, but never said it out loud, so I've been smoking really really extra heavy and my house stinks. I think that was subconsciously part of my ploy. My sister said she smelt cit the house for the first time ever.

so I came in from work and I cleaned and cleaned and felt discussed at myself for having a smelly house. That seems to have boosted me.

I'm also telling myself, that if I really want to, I can have a cigarette at midnight tomorrow night, but I know if I get to midnight I won't want to, as I've never gone more that a couple of hours. 1 Day would give the biggest buzz.

I'm not ruling out the need to stop in the morning and buy some gum or something also, but am going to try to keep mega busy and remember that I don't want myself or my home to smell anymore, not to mention health and costs.

[nsd_user663_5920]

Hello, Welcome

Hopefully you've read an amount on here to help prepare you for what's in store and, as you've already mentioned, your keeping an open mind on whether to fall back on tools to help such as gum.

Be aware of changing moods and emotions and be ready to duck and dive to keep ahead of the game.

Again, all the best and keep checking in with progress reports and reading of other posts. Keep positive and know you can do this.

Go for it, all the best for tomorrow

[nsd_user663_9133]

REading

HI Pol

Thank you for your words. Been reading a lot recently and have read such a lot over the years and tried practically every method going to stop including sevearl NR(s) (in fact all of them except champix - which I have but am terrifed of side affects) and hypnotism, several books including Allen Carr's. This is the first time I've tried cold turkey.

I've been feeling great about doing this, but felt a slight wobble as I was thinking about going to bed, I felt a slight dread and an "OMG - what will I do when I wake".

My morning routine is straight down stairs, flick the kettle, light a cig while it boils, make a cuppa and then have a second cuppa, all that before I even get washed or dressed.

Anyone any tips for my first waking thoughts.

[nsd_user663_5920]

Anyone any tips for my first waking thoughts.

Wake up and shout out happily.....

"Yay, I don't smoke" and believe it (or try anyway)

I never smoked first thing on waking, not till I'd been up and about for at least an hour but you could try eating some fruit instead (help with maintaining blood sugar levels) or standing outside and taking in some fresh air (novel) or go back upstairs and wash and dress.

For me, I found it useful to change/add in new things to my routine and for the first few days/weeks I avoided certain situations that would weaken my resolve.

Think it through and 'feel' what would work for you and be prepared to keep changing if complacency kicks in.

[nsd_user663_7254]

Good evening Gimley and welcome to the forum and congratulations on your decission to quit.

I am sure you will get alot from this forum as so many of us have over the days, months and even years. Regardless of how you quit, you need to remain focussed. For me at the start I took each hour at a time, then it became days and now it's weeks.

I have to say use this forum as much as you can and I promise you it will definately help you with your quit, there are alot of great people on here that offer support and share there experiences which have helped me.

something that helped me at the start was going to bed early as the evenings where the worst time of the day for me.

best of luck

[nsd_user663_7674]

HI Pol

Thank you for your words. Been reading a lot recently and have read such a lot over the years and tried practically every method going to stop including sevearl NR(s) (in fact all of them except champix - which I have but am terrifed of side affects) and hypnotism, several books including Allen Carr's. This is the first time I've tried cold turkey.

I've been feeling great about doing this, but felt a slight wobble as I was thinking about going to bed, I felt a slight dread and an "OMG - what will I do when I wake".

My morning routine is straight down stairs, flick the kettle, light a cig while it boils, make a cuppa and then have a second cuppa, all that before I even get washed or dressed.

Anyone any tips for my first waking thoughts.

Hey Gimley,

I tried every method going and went Cold Turkey this time. 2 months later I'm still not smoking. When I was a smoker I would have gone mentalistic at the thought of nearly running out of fags, never mind stopping.

Remember you're a nicotine addict (ex recovering now), you only smoke to get the nicotine, so my advice would be to avoid any Nicotine Replacements (gum, patches etc) as all they do is keep you hooked on the drug you're trying to quit. Cold Turkey is a short sharp shock but, being realistic, in 4 weeks you're over the worst.

What I did to help (in no particular order) is;

Read Why Quit and understand WHY we smoke and how it does nothing

Read horror stories on the internet/google & Youtube smoking related diseases (not pleasant but a wake up call that kept me on track)

Watched Allen Carr "How to Stop Smoking in 60 minutes" fantastic dvd that makes complete sense

Eat loads of Chuppa Chops lollies. Especially in the car where I would smoke in traffic.

Eat whatever I wanted for the first 6 weeks.

Start running/join a gym asap. Set targets

Be prepared that you will go through some unbeleivably sh*t times where you feel like you're going nuts but you must remember your quit is the same as everyone else's, just dig your heels in and remember it's only a matter of weeks before you are FREE.

[nsd_user663_9133]

going up the walls (but only slightly)

Sitting at my desk in work at 9.45 am and not a cig since 9 pm last night. Normally I'd have at least 5 by this time in the morning.

I'm munching on pine nuts, sunflower and pumpkin seeds. they're helping a little, but I feel my nerves starting to get on end a wee voice has said several times "the shop is just there, a pack of 10 won't hurt". I hope I don't give in to it, but feel quite so strong as I did last night.

In fact I'm not slightly, I'm absolutely dying for a smoke. I'm taking this down from hour by hour, to minute by minute.

[nsd_user663_4026]

baby steps baby steps! Take it one min at a time like you say, if that helps. It helped me to realise that I was choosing not to smoke. Then that took away the addicts 'having to stop' rebellion feeling. You have done brilliantly. Give yourself a massive pat on the back for getting here! x

[nsd_user663_9130]

Had my last cig at 9pm (its only 10.30pm). I have never gone more than a couple of hours without smokes (except for sleep time). After 20 years of smoking 20 a day and never having stopped - tried several times. Here's hoping and praying this is it and I awake in the morning feeling as strong as I do now.

Well done. You have already taken the first step. Just keep thinking positive. If you find yourself thinking about smoking, try and keep your mind and hands busy. Even go for a walk, and get some fresh air. Keep up the good work.