8 Weeks 2 days!!...but still stuggling :(

[nsd_user663_13904]

Hi,

I have been smoke free for 8 weeks 2 days, not a days goes by where i do not think about smoking gggrrrr, I am finding it very hard to break the old routine.

I started on Champix for 3 1/2 weeks but i got bad side effects so i stopped taking them and have been on my own since then.

I have also put about a stone on in weight and thats just through eating more to try and break the routine...cant win lol.

I do not want to undo all my good work and i keep telling myself it will get easier....but when!! When will i get up on a morning and not think about smoking!

I was a 25 a day smoker, 1st thing i did when i woke up and last thing before i slept, I know Rome wasnt built in a day but when will i start to feel like life is normal without smoking....hope someone can see where i am lol...or am i just mad!!

Cheers

Mark

Age 37

25 a day smoker for 22 years

[nsd_user663_14598]

Hi Mark, I once gave up for 3 years and was still getting the odd craving for a cig even after all that time, so don't expect it to suddenly disappear.

The problem was that even after 3 years of not smoking, I still thought I was missing out on something that was pleasurable, helped with stress and stopped boredom, so I could never escape and eventually ended up back on the fags.

It wasn't until I read Allen Carr's book "Easy Way to Stop Smoking" that I realised that smoking isn't pleasurable (it actually tastes vile), doesn't help with stress (it actually CAUSES stress) and doesn't relieve boredom. As Allen Carr says in his book, how can a drug relieve stress (too much to do) AND boredom (not enough to do) at the same time?

[nsd_user663_14114]

Hi Mark,

i cannot agree more with RDNZL. I would suggest you read Allen Carr's Easyway to stop smoking, as its really useful and such a brilliant read. Once you realise that you are not missing out on anything but being set free instead, it makes it so much easier!

Good luck!

[nsd_user663_16887]

Well done so far! The weight goes on, it will get off again, would not worry too much about it.

What helps me sometimes if I think it would be cool/pleasurable etc to smoke this minute: I try to think about how it would make me feel afterwards. Accomplished? no

Happy? no

Healthy? no

Better in ANY way? no

Would I be disappointed? yes

Angry with myself? yes

Sad? yes

Out of Breath, dizzy? yes

Then, would that be worth it? hmmmm, I doubt that. Lemme go do something else instead

I've been enjoying coffee with a HEAVY dose of vietnamese cinnamon in it, nice distraction!

[nsd_user663_15949]

Hi Mark

i thought i would try and give you some inspiration to not let go !!!

According to the World Health Organization, “In the 20th century, the tobacco epidemic killed 100 million people worldwide. During the 21st century, it could kill one billion.”[1] Year after year, at least 70% of surveyed smokers say they want to stop,[2] and 40% make an attempt of at least one day.[3]

There is no lack of desire or effort. Sadly, what most do not know is “how.” Key to breaking free and staying free is an understanding of the "Law of Addiction."

Whether users know it by name or simply understand the basic premise, failure to self-discover or to be taught this law is a horrible reason to die.

The “Law of Addiction” is not man-made law. It is as fundamental as the law of gravity and refusal to abide by it is likely to result in serious injury or death.

The Law is rather simple. It states, “Administration of a drug to an addict will cause re-establishment of chemical dependence upon the addictive substance."

Mastering it requires acceptance of three fundamental principles: (1) that dependency upon using nicotine is true chemical addiction, captivating the same brain dopamine reward pathways as alcoholism, cocaine or heroin addiction; (2) that once established we cannot cure or kill an addiction but only arrest it; and (3) that once arrested, regardless of how long we have remained nicotine free, that just one hit of nicotine will create a high degree of probability of a full relapse.

I can certainly relate to what your saying ..8 weeks myself not smoking and still thinking about the dreaded "thingy's" cant say the word

Up nearly a stone in weight but all said and done we still aint smoking !!!! and thats what we gotta remember

I have had some real bad moments myself but as you know it does pass and we have managed to pull through... we can lose the weight later.. just gotta keep going!! as everyone has said it does get better, we just gotta hang on in there till it does :eek:

Good luck mate

James