Day 6 Danger Signs

[nsd_user663_51263]

Well I've made it to day 6 and I'm still going strong.

In the past 6 days since I quit I have seen my horrible smoker's cough disappearing before my eyes, my energy levels improving daily and I have to say that I am feeling better than I have done for ages. I have always been lucky to have enjoyed reasonably good health but over the last few months smoking has been beginning to take it's toll on me.

My wheezing, shortage of breath and dreadful cough were starting to scare me and I knew that all of this was probably as a result of my smoking habit. The improvement in my health since quitting is all the proof I need to convince me that I must never smoke another cigarette.

I sailed through the first 4 days of my quit convinced that I would never ever think of poisoning my body with cigarette toxins ever again and I felt more confident than ever that this was indeed my time to quit.

Well, I still feel like that but I just hope that the improvement in my health won't lull me into a false feeling of security. I still NEVER want to smoke again, I'm not having any cravings as such BUT there have been a couple of times when I've thought that a cigarette would be nice, even that just one wouldn't hurt. I just can't believe it, especially after how I scared myself into quitting, and with very good cause!!

These were just very tempting fleeting thoughts that I was able to resist but they have really put me on my guard and shaken my confidence quite a bit.

The last thing I want to do is to continue to be a slave to nicotine any more. Yes, I did used to 'enjoy' smoking or perhaps I only thought that I did. I'm not sure now that it wasn't just that I'd become so addicted to smoking that I did it without really thinking. I feel as if it had become something I did at certain times, and in certain situations, as if on autopilot.

I'm not going to let myself down again, I know I'm not weak.

Right now I'm feeling fine, no signs of weakness at all but I'm going to be on my guard from now on. I would have thought that my bad chest was warning enough to make me forget about smoking altogether but I must be more addicted (or stupid) than I thought.

I know that 99% of the time I am fine and enjoying the fact that I'm not smoking any more. Now I just have to make sure that I don't give in to any little moments of temptation that are still lurking in the shadows.

This is my time though, no more smoking for me.

Linda x

[nsd_user663_56237]

Hi Linda,

It's horrible when you feel as though you're losing confidence, but stay strong. The feelings and small cravings you're having is just the addiction trying to trick you. It's telling you that "just one won't hurt" because you are effectively starving it.

I agree that health problems should be enough to scare you into never touching another cigarette, but I know that I'm not the only one who has seen others continuing to suffer and everntually killing themselves because they just "can't stop".

You are doing so amazingly well Linda Yes, please, keep your guard up. But don't let it get you down. Everything you feel is normal and fighting these feelings will only make you stronger in the long run.

Stay positive. You are great! xxx

[nsd_user663_56237]

Also, I think that these surprise pangs should be a warning to us that we are fightin a drug addiction. It may be the easiest drug to kick, but it's also so easy to become hooked. It only takes one cigarette.

Don't be too hard on yourself, we are strong and we WILL beat the nico-demon

[nsd_user663_54332]

Also, I think that these surprise pangs should be a warning to us that we are fightin a drug addiction. It may be the easiest drug to kick, but it's also so easy to become hooked. It only takes one cigarette.

Don't be too hard on yourself, we are strong and we WILL beat the nico-demon

What she said!!

It's not just the drug addiction either (and doesn't it feel bad to be a drug addict? Don't know about you but I always think of them as being under a bridge shooting up or something, not *me*) it' all the mental triggers and thoughts to fight. *But* you can and will get through it!!

Your health is loads better already, which is fab and you obviously want this so as long as you're on your guard you should do fine

When you get a pang for a smoke (and you will, but they're only fleeting) ask yourself *why* you want a cigarette - I did that and couldn't ever come up with a good reason!! Also tell yourself you'll have one "later" which (as long as you don't do it) is a great distraction!!

[nsd_user663_51263]

Thanks Kat, Sarah and Gemma - it's good to know there's someone listening at the other end, and it is good to be able to share our feelings - the good and the bad.

I have had a few 'half-hearted' attempts at quitting before but this is probably the first time I've been really serious about quitting.

This time has been relatively easy in comparison with previous quits. I know it's early days but I've hardly thought about smoking at all over the last 6 days. That said there were those couple of times when for some reason, and completely out of the blue, my thoughts turned to 'lighting up' again - that really is the last thing I want to do!

Nicotine is a powerful drug and we allow it to become even more powerful by associating smoking with times of relaxation and pleasure. We allow ourselves to become dependent on it during times of stress and even convince ourselves that it will make us feel better and more able to cope.

I know that I don't need nicotine to have a good time or to help me live my life - I know it does none of these things and that it is only a damaging substance that I should never have taken in the first place.

This is what is so hard about quitting. We all know these things and all the reasons why we don't want to smoke anymore. I suppose the 'cravings' that pop up from time to time and try to convince us that we need to smoke to fulfil our lives are the price we have to pay for our addiction. They are not impossible to beat but they are a bl**dy nuisance while they're around.

So long as we understand them and keep focused on our reasons for quitting we will be okay. The longer we stay quit the weaker they become until eventually they realise that they are wasting their time and give up.

So long as we don't give up on 'giving up' (the smokes that is) all will be well.

Linda x

[nsd_user663_51263]

Thanks Max, just seen your reply.

Linda x

[nsd_user663_54332]

There's always someone here to listen, that's what's so fab about this place

I have had a few 'half-hearted' attempts at quitting before but this is probably the first time I've been really serious about quitting.

This is the really important bit, and I think it sums most of us on here up!!

Am exactly the same and I think it's because we're dead serious this time it will be *the* quit.

Ooh and nicotine isn't just a powerful drug, it's a pesticide :eek:

Keep going, you're doing fab so far xx

[nsd_user663_51263]

I think a lot of our failed attempts are not because we 'can't' quit but because we get fed up with trying.

I'm sure that the reason I haven't given up before now is because (apart from being a fool) I've just allowed myself to get bored with the effort quitting sometimes requires. Although I've wished for years that I wasn't a smoker I've always taken the easy way out, made excuses and gone out and bought another packet of 'coffin nails' promising myself that once they're gone I'll start my quit again - famous last words!

That is not going to happen this time though. I'm in this til the bitter end even if I go mad in the process. I have to prove to myself that I've got what it takes to do the sensible thing and quit now while I'm ahead.

Going shopping now and I'll probably stop at the cigarette kiosk to pick up a couple of lottery tickets (another waste of money I know but I live in hope). The shop assistant will probably be waiting for me to ask for my usual pack of 20 so she's in for a surprise when I tell her I've given up smoking.

Lately, when I've been waiting in the queue I've noticed that less and less people are buying cigarettes and I'm sure that most of them who are wish they didn't smoke. The cost alone is enough to put anyone off, what a waste of money - I'm sure I'll find something else to waste mine on but whatever it is it's got to be better than smoking.

Thanks for listening to me and I hope I'm not boring everyone to tears. I sometimes wonder if I'm saying all these things just to convince myself but if it does work and I stay quit then I'll be happy.

Linda x

[nsd_user663_56458]

Thanks for listening to me and I hope I'm not boring everyone to tears. I sometimes wonder if I'm saying all these things just to convince myself but if it does work and I stay quit then I'll be happy.

Linda x

Dont worry about that Linda, the past week i have just been posting my daily thoughts really.

It has done me a world of good just reading that everything i have posted, other people have been just the same and gone through it and continued to not smoke.