Sue

[nsd_user663_55211]

Tomorrow 28th jan will be my 8th week and I have found last week a struggle missing the release a cigarette gives and am eating far to often any tips to help I'm so close to smoking again , I have had no aid in stopping I had the flu 8 weeks ago and haven't smoked since cause I felt so ill but am struggling now ?

[nsd_user663_54958]

Well done, 8 weeks and ct as well!!! Your body is free from nicotine, are you sure you want to put that filth in you after managing without it for so long already? That fag you crave will create further craving, it will not release it. DONT do it, at least not today. Tomorrow is another day!

Roosa.

[nsd_user663_44570]

Keep strong

Aww...Sue, you've done so well keeping off for 8 weeks, chick!

Please, try not to smoke. You may feel awful now, but it will pass. Surely you've had days when you felt elated at the fact you aren't smoking. Try and focus on that feeling. Also, try and think of all the nice things that come with being smoke-free. Nice smelling fingers, hair and clothes. Clean breath.

Remind yourself why you stopped in the first place. It clearly made you feel worse, but I'm sure there are other reasons? Focus on them too. And focus on the freedom that you've gained. You don't have to worry about when and where you're going to smoke. You are not going to be seen as a leper and a social outcast.

As for eating all the time, I'm the same and many other folk on this forum are too. But give yourself a break. Deal with the smoking now, then worry about the weight later. Within reason, obviously. Try to nibble on low cal stuff like carrot sticks. Last week, I started chopping carrots and celery in the mornings so I can keep next to my desk. It really helped.

Good luck and keep strong!

x

Nik

[nsd_user663_20558]

Hi Sue, welcome to the site!

As others have said, the nicotene is out of your system now, you're free of that aspect of your addiction. But then you get to a stage where the shine has worn off the initial quit, the 'wow I'm not smoking!' feeling goes away and you are left in a state of mind where you feel a sense of real loss. Memories of smoking as a pleasurable thing can haunt you at this point. And you find yourself thinking WHY am I still feeling like this, surely I should be fine by now? I can't go on obsessing like this forever, I will lose my marbles...

I have been there. LOADS of us have been there, and I can tell you this:

1) This feeling doesn't last.

2) Really, it doesn't.

3) The feeling of loss is because you are still going through a process of mental readjustment to living without cigarettes. You spent years and years training yourself to smoke in any number of situations, good and bad. So your brain is still prompting you regularly to smoke. You have to retrain it. the prompts will happen less and less, but it does take time.

4) But really, it does get better!!

5) Really, it does.

6) At this stage in the quit you have to keep taking it one day at a time, just like you did at the beginning. Keep choosing not to smoke, just for today. Keep finding strategies to distract yourself when you get the urge to smoke: it doesn't have to be food (although I sympathise!). If you must eat try sugar free lollipops or frozen grapes. But try other distractions too - like a squeezy stress ball, or deep breaths, or hot baths, or walks, or dancing round your living room... whatever you need to do until the feeling passes. And remember, every crave passes.

7) And they get fewer and further between

8) Really they do

9) Fewer... and further between... and weaker... and easier to manage...

10) Until they are gone, and you are free.

The alternative is going back to smoking. Don't do it, Sue, you would regret it so much. Chin up girl, you are doing so well. You can do this!

Helen

[nsd_user663_54940]

Well done Sue! Welcome to the forum!

You've done great to get to 8 weeks on your own, you must be soooo proud of yourself and I bet you've noticed the difference in how you feel and in your purse too!

The craving will pass but just think about how you'll feel if you give in - after 8 weeks I imagine you're gonna cough your guts up, feel dizzy and sick, and it's gonna taste like cr*p too.... then you've got the disappointment you'll feel after doing so incredibly well!!!

You really don't need a fag Sue, your brain is just trying to make you think you do. You're strong enough to go 8 weeks without one so you're strong enough to get through this evening without one too

You can do it!

[nsd_user663_51711]

Sue, you have done the really hard part. Keep reading what Hels has written for you. Put better than I ever could put it, it's so true. Sending keep strong vibes to you. x

[nsd_user663_54332]

Hi Sue

Am a week behid you and know exactly how you feel. Have been really craving the last day or so and it's annoying isn't it?

Helen's post is fab though, would like to say thanks too 'cos it's going to help me get through today without a fag as well

[nsd_user663_54554]

Sue, you and Gemma-Lou and I are so close together in this, Helen's post is just perfect, I can't do any better!

Let's do this, in it together! I'm not going to smoke today...how 'bout you?

[nsd_user663_54332]

Sue, you and Gemma-Lou and I are so close together in this, Helen's post is just perfect, I can't do any better!

Let's do this, in it together! I'm not going to smoke today...how 'bout you?

I definitely won't be smoking today either

We can beat this together!!

Again, this forum has been a lifesaver - thank you all :cool: