Will power

[nsd_user663_40569]

Having a really tough time this evening, any suggestions to make the craving go away?

[nsd_user663_18145]

You cant make them go away

You just have to keep mind and hands busy till they pass i played alot of online games which helped me especially interaction games poker is my fav not for real money though i do wish it was sometimes though especially when i win a tournement

I also read loads of the threads and links on here especially some of the scarey vids :eek:

Just keep in mind they do get weaker and as long as you keep ignoring them the stronger you will be in staying quit

Onwards and upwards

[nsd_user663_6426]

Drink water, watch T.V/DVD, go for a walk, play console game, eat (ideally something healthy), read a book, go to bed....hope that helps. When I craved a lot in the early days , I simply went to bed. You can't smoke when asleep! Hope it helps...you can do it!

Lisa x

[nsd_user663_40569]

Thanks for the advice Carol will bear in mind!! Just had some dry roasted peanuts the craving seems to have calmed down a little!

[nsd_user663_40569]

Hi Lisa

Going to bed seems a really good idea and yes drinking water, flush the evil bugger away!!

So you went cold turkey too, When did it start to become easier?

[nsd_user663_6426]

The physical withdrawal symptoms went in about 4 days.....the desperate "I NEED A FAG" thoughts went after a week. Then the mind games start.....your mind trys to create scenarios that justify you having a fag. Like arguing with your partner, saying "this has happened, a fag will make it better" etc. Like everyone says, read, read, read about this part of your addiction as it is the mind game part that trips a lot of people up, probably far more commonly than the withdrawal symptoms and "I gotta have nicotine craves" of the first week.

Well, that's my experience anyway. If you're prepared for what your sneaky, addict brain will throw at you, then you can acknowledge that it's just your head and you're more likely to get through it.

Good luck...and yes it's a cliche but if I can do it....so can you.

To answer your question...after the first week it became easier for me.

Lisa x

[nsd_user663_40205]

your mind trys to create scenarios that justify you having a fag. Like arguing with your partner, saying "this has happened, a fag will make it better" etc. Like everyone says, read, read, read about this part of your addiction as it is the mind game part that trips a lot of people up, probably far more commonly than the withdrawal symptoms and "I gotta have nicotine craves" of the first week.

This happened a lot to me in the first week. I kept thinking of why I should start again. The best one I thought of was that I best start again as it is due to get stressful at work and then maybe stop again at another date lol. This would probably not happen and would set me away again for another few years.

When I have cravings I stop and think to myself what it is actually going to help me with? Yes, nothing. I thought it helped me and my mind wants me to think that too. I was happy before I smoked and stressed before I smoked. I was still stressed when I smoked so no change there.

Good luck to you!

[nsd_user663_37330]

It does get easier but even now i find evenings a struggle at times and quite often find myself thinking *i will just do this then have a fag, no i dont smoke anymore*. when it first happened it drove me nuts but now it just makes me smile.

a s for the craves i have found jigsaw puzzles and online games a huge help, if not i put funny dvd's on snuggle under blanky and sulk, the sulking does'nt last long as laughing at dvd lol

keep going you can do this

jenni x

[nsd_user663_40592]

Day 12 here too and finding it tough - guessing bed is the best avoidance but since I havent long been home from work kind of feels a bit like Im being short changed in the work life balance!

Shocked at how much harder week 2 has been, really was not geared up for this! The mind battles I am having to overcome were something I no way expected and I seem to be creating fights, dramas, stresses etc all over the place in order to justify a relapse, I mean I have so far avoided but hard when I dont seem to be on my own side all the time - if that makes sense?

Stick with it and keep on posting - it helps me to know others are suffering and managing x

[nsd_user663_40738]

pda...don't give up. I am also on day 12. You can do this! Anything worth fighting for is worth doing. Think of the good moments! Remember to treat yourself with something you don't normally allow yourself to have. Maybe a ice cream cone or buy something with the money you have saved already!

My manta is NOPE...not one puff ever! I live by that and say it 100's of times a day!!! You will get over this hump and do this. Think of your health, your wallet (money saved), enjoyment of life you didn't have as a smoker.

I smoked for 43 years. This past year I was smoking 3 packs of cigarettes a day, if I can do this, you can!!! NOPE!!! ppat

[nsd_user663_6426]

Hey pda it WILL get better trust me. The constant craves will become occaisional wants which will become the odd thought until you've gone one whole day where you haven't thought about smoking. Trust me! I was where you are now and it does get better. Just hang on in there for now, batten down the hatches, go on standby mode and yeah maybe go to bed early if the craves get too much...this feeling is shortlive and doesn't last forever so whats a few early nights compared to being a slave to the weed. Early nights are also good for eyebags. Stick with it, you're doing great.

Lisax

And the others are right, treat yourself to something from your money saved. You deserve it and you would only have spent the money on fags anyway...X

[nsd_user663_40592]

One thing that really delighted me was walking up the stairs to my office this morning - I am on the 7th floor, so thought I would just give it a go.

I am not saying I was up those steps like a prancing gazelle - but I did actually manage it without looking like Id run a marathon - I was out of breath but in a lungs working way that I really noticed was different!

Keep on quitting x

[nsd_user663_40569]

Thanks for all the advice guys I'm finding being on the forum and reading other people's stories is really helping in my fight to kick the habit!!

Continued good luck to all!

[nsd_user663_18145]

thats the best thing about this forum is the advise from people that have been down this path some once but most afew times also in a way its good to know that your not the only one that is going through the same stages as yourself :confused:

weird i know but its def a big help as long as you keep posting and reading each time you get a down period especially with those inner voices trying to ignore them is sometimes harder then others but they do get quieter

onwards and upwards is the only way to go

dont give up giving up