To cut a long story short, I have tried hundreds of times to quit - then I meet a nice guy who hates smoking, and for the first time I have a reason other than myself to quit.
I have started a stepped down approach (patches + inhalator + mini's, plus 50% per week reduction in smoking). So, 3 weeks ago I was on 40 - 60 a day, and now I'm "allowed" 5 a day, although that doesn't mean I have to have all five, sometimes just one.... anyway, I'm not technically anywhere on the quit days as I haven't fully quit, but my CO levels were 63, and have now fallen to 9, so I think I'm doing well, and it hasn't been hard at all. I'm breaking the psychological and conditioned associations/links using NRT, but don't have the guilt if I do have a cigarette, so I'm finding I don't need one just because I'm allowed one, if that makes sense?
Anyway, I'm new to this forum and wasn't sure where I should post as I'm not on day one, or any day really?? I need the support to get over the last hurdle really before I can really say I'm on proper day one.
Maybe there should be a 'day zero', or 'about to quit' sub-forum type thing?
Thanks for listening, Nat x
Written by
nsd_user663_23911
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Don't think it matters where you post. There are a few people who are gearing up to quit on here. Personally speaking I only ever click on 'new posts' anyway.
Hope it all goes well for you. Stop when you're ready. But the main thing is, read read read and prepare yourself, it makes all the difference to a successful quit.
stick around here too, the support is great and really helps.
Noooooo - I would just try and get people to talk me out of doing it
Being around people who have done it is really motivational
We would still be here, just think maybe adding a bit before day 1 would be useful. You could still come out and play with us, but only if you bring some nice biscuits
Didn't want to post out of turn! Have smoked for nearly 24 years and am determined to learn from all my failed attempts, hence this approach, which so far has been really ok. I haven't felt tortured/ill like all the previous times, but then agan, I'm not totally free yet.
We did an interesting experiment at the smoking clinic today - my CO reading was 63 three weeks ago, and it DID scare the c**p out of me!!!! Today it was 9, so pretty good going for me! Anyway, our experiment meant I had to go outside and have a cigarette (which I actually struggled to smoke as I really didn't want it) but then we re-read my CO levels, which shot up from 9 to 40!!!!! Now THAT was scary!!!! And a great incentive, now I know what one cigarette will do to me personally!
If anyone out there is contemplating quitting, keep in touch, it's so worth it! Even just cutting down almost 90% I can already smell and taste things better and people keep commenting that I'm looking good (skin, eyes etc). Hopefully soon I'll have conquered that final 10% and will be free for good!
Any help from those already there, where I want to be, will also be a great help! Thanks for your time.
Wow, thanks everyone who replied whilst I was typing! That was a shock, I thought I'd posted on someone else's thread by accident.
I WILL do it this time, this WILL be my last time of quitting, and for the first time I seem to have found a way that actually works for me, having tried EVERYTHING before (Zyban Champix, single NRT, CT etc etc).
I still think a day zero would be good - and it wouldn't be a place to talk you out of it, lol! Just a place to bring day one nearer (we all know day zero can go on for years!) - any mods out there who can think about it?
I thought the same, I am inherently weak(!!!), so when the smoking clinic suggested triple NRT while I cut down I was highly dubious, but it TRULY hasn't been hard at all.... very peculiar indeed! Almost too good to be true, but I'm not being a psycho bitch climbing the walls and wanting to murder anyone that gets in my way at all - instead I seem to feel quite happy and have more energy - all very new to me! I kinda like it!!!!!!!!! Good luck for the 9th
Firstly - Nat - well done, less cigs always better than more cigs, you will see on here people say read read read and it's so true - i'm getting ready to quit on monday and reading lots has really helped, i'm now actually looking forward to quitting and 90% of the battle is mindset IMHO. The following links are my favs
Pmsl Karri, you will never meet a weaker person than me - although it seems I am actually stronger than I thought... and I bet the same is true of you!! You have to be strong to stay on here I'm guessing, as it'd be easy to just never log in again??? Hell, if I can do it, you can!
I am literally crying with laughter. I was all ready to tell Nat about how weak I am and then stopped because I thought you might hear me
Not only will we hear you, we will send you to that naughty step and restrict your doughnut allowence.
You are a strong independent women that can do ANYTHING she sets her mind to. That was my mantra one my first week quit, everytime I got a craving I thought that (and even said it out loud to myself sometime, not crazy, honest :rolleyes
You can and will do it Monday. Look at it this way I am starting my diet monday, now giving up nice things to eat is gonna be real hard for me. I'll stick to my diet if you stick to not smoking, you wouldn't want me to get fat now would you (well alright fatter, but you get what I mean :D)
Great links thanks Lulabelle - especially the last one - scary statistics... I WANT to be one of those twenty that stay quit, not just for a year, but for good this time! Also liked the Kubler-Ross link, I'm familiar with loss/grief/bereavement theories but had never equated it to smoking - doh!
Not only will we hear you, we will send you to that naughty step and restrict your doughnut allowence.
You are a strong independent women that can do ANYTHING she sets her mind to. That was my mantra one my first week quit, everytime I got a craving I thought that (and even said it out loud to myself sometime, not crazy, honest)
You can and will do it Monday. Look at it this way I am starting my diet monday, now giving up nice things to eat is gonna be real hard for me. I'll stick to my diet if you stick to not smoking, you wouldn't want me to get fat now would you (well alright fatter, but you get what I mean)
Sian xxxx
Sian
Have you been watching old friends episodes by any chance
Maybe we could work out a system where you send me any food you're not supposed to eat next week to stop me smoking - all kitkats gratefully received!
I'm also sorry to say, i DO want you to get fat, working on a hypothesis of, the bigger everyone else is, the smaller i look!
Karri/Nat - you seem to be in an odd "who's weakest" competition:p....you are both strong to even think of giving up - lots of my (soon to be ex) smoking buddies dont even want/cant be bothered (i quote) to stop. Keep logging on, keep reading, you'll get there
Thanks Phoebe. The next step is being 'allowed' to have 2 per day, then as everyone else, setting a final quit date. By then most of the links/associations should have weakened/broken and I can up the NRT if needed. I have already reduced the association between my biggest triggers - alcohol, after meals and work stress, so feeling very positive about it this time
apologies in advance but I'm about the hi-jack your post (I have wished luck in another thread so i'm not all bad!)
Right Karri: (wagging finger and headmistress look on face). Lets have none of this I'm weak nonsense. (purses lips and looks like Joan Grenfell) I'm right with Levs (Sian) on this one. Weak PAH! NO YOU AREN'T. Look at what you have achieved in the last 4 years. :rolleyes:
OK here's the pact You're giving up fags, Levs is giving up everything nice in the world and I am going to give up my NRT and chocolate and cake. This is the 3 musketeers going for it.
Levs you up for this too? Lets form a small group so we can rant, rave and support each other. So shall we all GO FOR IT!
OK here's the pact You're giving up fags, Levs is giving up everything nice in the world and I am going to give up my NRT and chocolate and cake. This is the 3 musketeers going for it.
Levs you up for this too? Lets form a small group so we can rant, rave and support each other. So shall we all GO FOR IT!
Oooo ooo - can i get in on this too? i'd like to give up cigs and choc (except kitkats and crunchies, cos there's only choc on the outside so it doesnt count)
Oooo ooo - can i get in on this too? i'd like to give up cigs and choc (except kitkats and crunchies, cos there's only choc on the outside so it doesnt count)
Lula you're in, but I think we might have to make you give up kitkats and crunchies as part of the deal. I only say this as I have been known to suck the chocolate off choc covered brazil nuts and then give the soggy nut to my other half (I don't like nuts!). negotiation is possible on this one - wadda ya reckon Nat, Karri and Levs?
I'm totally in, if you'll have me as the 4th musketeer? Or 5th as LB is in too! And remember 'giving up' implies loss, where there's actually everything to gain!!!!
I'm in for the group - oooh how exciting. I wonder what to wear, is it smart, casual, smart casual? Can we wear trainers, it's just that I bought some yesterday
Nat we got today, tomorrow and Tuesday and then we are going in
Think this is how to quote...?? Anyway - I'm still in my pj's... hope that's acceptable attire for a sunday morning?
I'm in for the group - oooh how exciting. I wonder what to wear, is it smart, casual, smart casual? Can we wear trainers, it's just that I bought some yesterday
Nooooooooo, we're NOT baaaaaad, it's what sunday mornings were invented for - I love pj-days... and it means if I don't get dressed I can't go out and buy cigs! Yey!
Yum Karri, now I'm hungry - never used to eat breakfast (I used to smoke about 10 for breakfast before going to work - eeewwwww gross I know!) but really fancy a proper breakfast now (she says salivating more than Pavlov's dogs!). Catch you all later, and thanks for being there! Nx
PS Dale - I'm stunned but inspired, well done you... 6.30!? I tried running once, didn't get very far, to the end of my road to be precise (about 100 yards before I thought I was going to die) but I used to love it in my youth, and would love to be able to do it again! Do I sound like I'm about 97? Oh crap, I'm only 37.... even more incentive!!!!!!!!!!
I used to be a fairly serious runner in my youth, but then thanks to smoking got to the point where 100 metres would have been beyond me.
Only started a week ago, but oh the joy of being able to run, not far yet, but running! I'm 20 years older than you (:() so no doubt a couple of weeks into your quit you would tan my hide! But I love the fact I can breathe again!
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
TAKING IT ONE DAY AT A TIME! ;)
I'm a Pleb! - Day one for me!
