I'm shocked

[nsd_user663_24050]

Well, I quit on Tursday night at 10pm and I wasn't looking forward to the next day. Been smoking for 31 years and have never tried to give up before.

Up the next morning at 7:30 (really wanted to stay in bed so I wouldn't have to think about it) and it's my day off and I've nothing to do. 8:30 and I'm starting to want a smoke (yippeeee I've lasted 1 hour) so I go for the chewing gum (normal stuff, I'm going cold turkey).

I CAN'T BELIEVE IT. 4 days later and I still haven't had a smoke, had loads of chewing gum but it's getting better every day.

I can honestly say it's down to will power. On the first day, every time I felt like having a smoke It seemed like I was having an argument with myself (bit like that scene with Gollum in Lord of the Rings) but it has got easier.

I,m no expert but anyone who's having problems just give yourself a slap and remind yourself why you gave up in the first place.

If I can do it anyone can

[nsd_user663_23871]

You're right. It's all about state of mind. I'm on day 17 and pretty proud of myself. I just have the odd thoughts that it would be nice to have a smoke now and then but that's the old nicotene brainwashing trying to trick you into remembering that you "enjoyed" smoking when you really didn't.

You ENJOYED coming out of withdrawal every couple of hours or so. Thats no way to live.

[nsd_user663_22002]

Hey MALLAS that's great well done! Just starting out myself, after many failed attempts...mainly because when i have those "split personality" arguements with myself, the smoking side wins out.....how did you beat it down?

Tried looking at my reasons/motivators but have just thought - i dont care right now, i'll quit tomorrow/next week, and i ACTUALLY believe it...any tips?

So far my day one is ok - but worried for the rest of this week.

[nsd_user663_24050]

Hi Lulabelle

I,m not the kind that writes down the reasons why I want to quit or looks for tips on the internet, I'm the kind of bloke that just decides I'm going to do something and then does it. For example 17 months ago I was sitting in the house having a beer when I realised I didn't even want the beer. It was a habit, I would drink 8 pints every night on my nights off (I work 4 on 4 off) and this had been going on for 10 years (I wasn't an addict but I was definitly dependant). So I stopped and haven't touch the stuff since.

Same with smoking, I realised it was costing me a small fortune so I decided to quit. I have no special formula but think of this, it takes about 5 minutes to smoke a tab then you can go so many minutes/hours before you NEED your next one, so if you smoke 10 a day that's 50 minutes a day you spend smoking, so when you quit it's only 50 minutes a day that you have to struggle with.

Easy (says him chewing a pencil cause it's the first nightshift back):cool:

[nsd_user663_22968]

Well done Mallas

[nsd_user663_24273]

You're right. It's all about state of mind. I'm on day 17 and pretty proud of myself. I just have the odd thoughts that it would be nice to have a smoke now and then but that's the old nicotene brainwashing trying to trick you into remembering that you "enjoyed" smoking when you really didn't.

You ENJOYED coming out of withdrawal every couple of hours or so. Thats no way to live.

what a good point you made there , well done

[nsd_user663_15147]

(bit like that scene with Gollum in Lord of the Rings)

oh the memories... exactly like me in the beginning! Got even worse with a glass of wine :S

You have amazing resolve and well done for getting this far. Remember that a lot of people become more complacent about relapsing when they stop smoking than when they stop drinking (at least that's what I've read... people who start drinking after they've stopped can literally 'see' the effect it has on them but for smokers a lot of it is on the inside).

Eitherway, well done

[nsd_user663_26753]

Great inspiration for me

Hi Lulabelle

I,m not the kind that writes down the reasons why I want to quit or looks for tips on the internet, I'm the kind of bloke that just decides I'm going to do something and then does it. For example 17 months ago I was sitting in the house having a beer when I realised I didn't even want the beer. It was a habit, I would drink 8 pints every night on my nights off (I work 4 on 4 off) and this had been going on for 10 years (I wasn't an addict but I was definitly dependant). So I stopped and haven't touch the stuff since.

Same with smoking, I realised it was costing me a small fortune so I decided to quit. I have no special formula but think of this, it takes about 5 minutes to smoke a tab then you can go so many minutes/hours before you NEED your next one, so if you smoke 10 a day that's 50 minutes a day you spend smoking, so when you quit it's only 50 minutes a day that you have to struggle with.

Easy (says him chewing a pencil cause it's the first nightshift back):cool:

I have my first week in and I also stopped drinking when I was 35yrs. I am 58yrs now . I just wished I HAD STOPPED SMOKING at the same time I stopped drinking .I never thought I would end up smoking 30/40 cigs.a day - I liked your 50min smoking hint. Hope you are still not smoking ?

[nsd_user663_26699]

Mallas,

Great job on your quit and the realization that it is ALL mind over matter, no matter what anyone says. Excellent!

Alex.

[nsd_user663_25112]

Well done Mallas keep up the good work. Ihave got to 9weeks as from today its willpower and positiveness for me.

[nsd_user663_25112]

Well done Mallas.

[nsd_user663_25698]

Thats fantastic advice Mallas, about the 50 minutes. It's simple when you put it that way. I might even use that myself at difficult times.

I couldn't do it with just willpower alone as i turn into the wicked witch of the west.

My patch fell off down my trouser leg and my poor children couldn't do a thing right until i noticed it wasn't attached anymore.

Well done everyone. Your all doing so well.