Re: So far....

[nsd_user663_32416]

Dear All

I've never joined a forum before but having read some of your posts thought it would be very helpful.

So I am 31 and have been a smoker since approx 16. I have probably smoked 20 a day for the last 10 years.

I did give up for 3 months using Champix but then hit a small bend in the road with a personal situation and very quickly was back to my 20 a day!

Having had a bit of a tough time recently I decided I needed a focus and that focus should be quitting the smokes. I have wanted to quit for some time now - but it's always the same - never the right time scenario.

I know of all the benefits ditching the smokes will give me, (I have two sisters who work in cardiac departments at hospitals & an afternoon with them soon fills you in on any gaps in what the disgusting white sticks are doing to you!).

So last Tuesday I bought some patches and booked an appt with the cessation nurse at the Dr's (the appt is tomorrow). I have successfully managed to cut down to say 5 a day which from 20 is not a bad effort - however it's getting rid of those 5 that is causing me the problem!

My main smoking areas were the car and home (outside not inside!) - I have managed to not smoke in the car & even had it valeted at the weekend as an extra reminder - and it makes me feel great to get into my car & it smells fresh & clean & not an embarrassment when someone needs a lift!

So I can leave the house without cigarettes - I can drive without cigarettes - I can happily work all day without cigarettes BUT i can't stay at home without cigarettes! Ideas & suggestions please....

I have found that going for a swim really helps - I do approx 60 lengths and then have a leisurely shower etc which kills at least an hour and a half - however at some point I have to return home!

I went for a drink with my oldest girlfriends last night - one of whom is a smoker (we all used to smoke but two quit) and I didn't take any cigs with me & I didn't even miss them, or think about them - then I got home & had one!

I know I need to break the habit whilst at home but I just don't know how to. 1. I live on my own - so there is no extra support there.

2. I work long hours and don't get to spend that much time at home - so don't want to constantly have to find a way to not be there as it is my home!

My mum said to me that when she was trying to quit the most important thing was the phrase 'don't quit trying to quit'.

Any suggestions, help, support you can give will be appreciated!!

jspjsp

[nsd_user663_20558]

Hi jsp,

We all have the places/times/situations which are huge triggers for us. In the early days cravings hit me whenever I had the house to myself (I never smoked in front of the kids, so it was a big 'phew, peace and quiet, time for a fag' trigger) and when I'd done a bunch of housework or drudgy chores ('phew, I totally deserve a smoke now' trigger).

Here are some things I did to get past it. I post this with the caveat that not all of them are good or healthy:

1) Made cakes

2) Eat cakes

3) Played stupid mindless games on facebook

4) Eat chocolate

5) Posted here

6) Did cross stitch

7) Eat more chocolate

8) I tried the 'tapping' technique from a youtube video. I'm not sure how helpful it was but it was slightly meditative and got me through a couple of tough ones.

8) Had hot baths

9) Ate more chocolate (sometimes in the bath)

10) Danced energetically to loud music

11) Watched horrible scary anti smoking things on youtube

12) Randomly surfed the web using stumbleupon (great website, hours can disappear!), often while consuming much tea and not inconsiderable quantities of chocolate.

13) Going for walks.

I hope some of the above is helpful. I recommend substituting the chocolate diet for something a little healthier if you can, at least sometimes. I put on well over a stone which I have yet to shift. But hey, I'm nearly eight months in and I haven't smoked a single fag, so something worked!

Best of luck with it all. Stay strong. This is totally doable, one step at a time.

Helen x

[nsd_user663_32416]

RE: Thanks!

Helen

Many thanks for your support - I agree I need to try & find some distraction techniques - luckily I'm not a big chocolate lover so will try and substitute with cracker biscuits (currently quite fond of them!).

I have seen the NHS quit smoking advisor today and have set my 'official' quit date as tomorrow - so no more sly, naughty, cheeky smokes that I have been having in the last week.

I am feeling determined and committed so hope that I can handle the cravings with distraction, mind over matter & cracker biscuits!

jspjsp

[nsd_user663_32229]

eddiev

jsp...don't worry about it too much. you've done this before be proud of yourself. get back on that wagon. we all know you can do it. remember every day is an opprotunity for victory and you will be victorious....xoxoxox

[nsd_user663_20558]

Yes, for the first few weeks or so I literally stuffed my face every waking minute with cakes and crisps and chocolate. I read all the good advice on here about healthy snacks and completely ignored it :rolleyes: but I figured that nothing was more important than staying away from cigarettes, and I was right about that.

Nearly eight months down the line I have levelled out to a stone heavier than I was before, but I was pretty underweight to be honest, so that's not actually such a bad thing. And I'm eating sensibly again, and I hardly ever drink. Although I still have to have at least a little bit of chocolate every day.... and a fair few cakes now I come to think of it