If i hadn't quit, by now I would have spent £900 on dirty, stinky, harmful sickorettes. 16 weeks of Marlboro lights at 20-odd a day and £8 a packet.
Nine hundred pounds :eek: :eek:
That's the official amount, it's easily a lot more than that 'cos of nights out, boredom, stress and so on - and like the man says it's a drug that needs greater amounts to keep you feeling "normal" - something that was bothering me pre-quitting 'cos I was buying extra packs more often.
What shocks me and actually disgusts me is that I'd have coughed up (pun intended) for that no problem, would have gone without treats, clothes, even petrol just to keep myself in fags. :rolleyes:
Would have put up with an irritating tickly throat, smoker breath, smelly hands and hair and a nasty feeling mouth too, just because.
Actually, I was drowning in denial about all of those, the cough was "one of those things" even though with hindsight I had a persistent tickle, and I didn't smell in the least :s
That's what smoking turns you into.
Am very happy to never see, smell, taste or touch another fag for the rest of my life - and am definitely getting the brainwashing sorted.
Until very recently, especially after drinking, I did feel like there was something missing - not nicotine 'cos sadly I'm not nicotine free *yet* but the smoking....
... Which made me think. Why did i crave a fag when on gum or patches, but don't now I've got an e-cig?
It isn't craving nicotine, it's craving smoking - which thanks to Allen Carr I'm finding more and more pathetic and revolting.
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If i hadn't quit, by now I would have spent £900 on dirty, stinky, harmful sickorettes. 16 weeks of Marlboro lights at 20-odd a day and £8 a packet.
Nine hundred pounds
That's the official amount, it's easily a lot more than that 'cos of nights out, boredom, stress and so on - and like the man says it's a drug that needs greater amounts to keep you feeling "normal" - something that was bothering me pre-quitting 'cos I was buying extra packs more often.
What shocks me and actually disgusts me is that I'd have coughed up (pun intended) for that no problem, would have gone without treats, clothes, even petrol just to keep myself in fags. :rolleyes:
Would have put up with an irritating tickly throat, smoker breath, smelly hands and hair and a nasty feeling mouth too, just because.
Actually, I was drowning in denial about all of those, the cough was "one of those things" even though with hindsight I had a persistent tickle, and I didn't smell in the least :s
That's what smoking turns you into.
Am very happy to never see, smell, taste or touch another fag for the rest of my life - and am definitely getting the brainwashing sorted.
Until very recently, especially after drinking, I did feel like there was something missing - not nicotine 'cos sadly I'm not nicotine free *yet* but the smoking....
... Which made me think. Why did i crave a fag when on gum or patches, but don't now I've got an e-cig?
It isn't craving nicotine, it's craving smoking - which thanks to Allen Carr I'm finding more and more pathetic and revolting.
Way to go hun!
One of the great things about Allen Carr is that he asks excellent questions, like: "If you couldn't purchae your own brand of cigarettes, would you go without? Or would you simply buy a different brand?"
This is a question he asks smokers when they tell him that they enjoy the taste of their cigarettes. Well, if it's so much about taste, why is it that you'll smoke pretty much anything? :rolleyes:
Oh and to Maxwell (:p) and Sarah who's doing similar - I have one new end for my e-cig, and a small amount of liquid left and am replacing neither
Ooooh, excellent!
I still have loads of filters left for mine but, because I don't use it much, I think my willpower is enough te keep me away from it. That, and the fact that I don't like the taste!
Also, we have a pact to get in touch with each other if we feel the need to use those nasty things!!
I still have loads of filters left for mine but, because I don't use it much, I think my willpower is enough te keep me away from it. That, and the fact that I don't like the taste!
Also, we have a pact to get in touch with each other if we feel the need to use those nasty things!!
x
That's true!! Lol, willpower isn't my strong point, Nic has been doing a riot in my head since I posted that *grrr*
Way to go hun!
One of the great things about Allen Carr is that he asks excellent questions, like: "If you couldn't purchae your own brand of cigarettes, would you go without? Or would you simply buy a different brand?"
This is a question he asks smokers when they tell him that they enjoy the taste of their cigarettes. Well, if it's so much about taste, why is it that you'll smoke pretty much anything? :rolleyes:
Stay positive sweetie pie, it suits you!! xxx
Thanks Sarah!!
It's true isn't it? We would have smoked any old rubbish - I often did - just for the fix.
best of all is that you are what-29 yrs old? I have more than 20 years extra on you,that is 20 years more that I have wasted cash,smelt like shite,harmed my lungs,damaged my self esteem.You have 20 years less to NOT do that but to see off this curse at a young age and that is a terrific thing
You are so firmly on the right road now Gem,do not let anything sway you,you have done this with great grace and style and like many grown into a formidable talent for help and support to others,you can be very very proud of yourself this sunny Tuedays cos we are proud of you :cool:
Yay :cool: and thanks Max, that's really nice!!
Yeah, I'm 29 and hopefully quitting now will be easier than after longer time smoking!!
Am definitely not going to fall back into being a smelly smoker :eek:
Apart from anything else, how could i confess that to you guys?
You really are such a star Gemma, you are doing soooo well and helping to carry the rest of us along too - YOU'RE AMAZING! It's unbelievably scary to see how much money we would've been happy to lay out in order to damage our health, waste precious time, make ourselves stink, lower our self esteem - it really does go to prove that we smoked because we were addicted, not because we enjoyed it - no-one in their right mind would spend that kind of money for simple and extremely shortlived enjoyment!:eek: You keep hacking a path through this jungle and we'll keep following your trail - YOU GO GIRL!!!
YAY thanks Kat
You're doing brilliantly too you know!!
What I've learnt is that we think we enjoyed it because of the good times when we smoked - on a night out for example - but it wasn't the *cigarette* we enjoyed it was the night, our minds just link the two.
I was (like Allen Carr said) a committed smoker - but even then I'd have admitted they tasted pretty foul and the best reason I had for justifying my smoking was "I want to" which if it was true would have meant I could pick it up and stop when I felt like it, not smoking like every hour.
But that's over, and I'll make sure to save the best spaces in the Penthouse for the Musketeers!!
One of my friends quit smoking on No Smoking Day last year and am sure everyone knows that feeling, guilt 'cos you haven't and a bit of jealousy as well.
Anyway, I always wondered how she coped on nights out not smoking when like most of us she smoked heavily before, always thought she must miss it and expected her to ask me for a fag every time which she didn't. I found it really hard to believe she went out, drank and had fun without smoking and more than that without having a lapse.
It's only recently I realise, *I* was missing out, not her.
Suppose what I'm getting at is how sad it is to think you're dependent on stupid cigarettes to have fun and worse to think other people don't because they aren't!!
One of my friends quit smoking on No Smoking Day last year and am sure everyone knows that feeling, guilt 'cos you haven't and a bit of jealousy as well.
Anyway, I always wondered how she coped on nights out not smoking when like most of us she smoked heavily before, always thought she must miss it and expected her to ask me for a fag every time which she didn't. I found it really hard to believe she went out, drank and had fun without smoking and more than that without having a lapse.
It's only recently I realise, *I* was missing out, not her.
I think that's when you really start to think to yourself "how much am I enjoying this?". Once you've reached that point where you question what you're doing, it seems to trigger the attempt to quit. I honestly thought I was quite happy with smoking, probably up until about a year ago. That was when I started questioning the cost, my reasons for smoking etc.
After my friend stopped a week or so before me and then I followed, I envied her (and still do really). She seems not to struggle at all. Though, she allowed herself a ciggie on Friday night when having a drink.
I have no idea what this will lead to (if Allen Carr is correct you would expect her to end up smoking again), but she genuinly seems to struggle no other time except for nights out. She was an after work smoker mainly, so I can see how her day isn't really affected by it, but hopefully the occasional Friday night one won't become her downfall.
I think that's when you really start to think to yourself "how much am I enjoying this?". Once you've reached that point where you question what you're doing, it seems to trigger the attempt to quit. I honestly thought I was quite happy with smoking, probably up until about a year ago. That was when I started questioning the cost, my reasons for smoking etc.
That's true!!
It took me a lot longer to get there but it did make me analyse it a lot.
After my friend stopped a week or so before me and then I followed, I envied her (and still do really). She seems not to struggle at all. Though, she allowed herself a ciggie on Friday night when having a drink.
I have no idea what this will lead to (if Allen Carr is correct you would expect her to end up smoking again), but she genuinly seems to struggle no other time except for nights out. She was an after work smoker mainly, so I can see how her day isn't really affected by it, but hopefully the occasional Friday night one won't become her downfall.
I hope it doesn't too, but the "just one" thing is very hard to stick at.
That is how my last quit ended, same for a lot of us - but maybe her seeing you having fun without will help?
You don't need to envy her 'cos you're powering along without any fags at all!!
It took me a lot longer to get there but it did make me analyse it a lot.
I hope it doesn't too, but the "just one" thing is very hard to stick at.
That is how my last quit ended, same for a lot of us - but maybe her seeing you having fun without will help?
You don't need to envy her 'cos you're powering along without any fags at all!!
Like you said, hopefully, she'll be spurred on by seeing me without
She seemed quite happy doing it her way and didn't have a guilty conscience on Saturday (I would definately suffer if I allowed myself to do that every Friday! lol), so I'll just keep my eye on her :rolleyes:
It was annoying to be surrounded by these people who seem to be the oposite of what we're told, like the fact that you start as a social smoker but end up on however many a day. I know at least two people who seem to go throughout their week without a care in the world, then light up on a Friday night with a beer. I know all types of smokers are bad, but I tried this for so long and it didn't work at all for me.
Luckily, I understand now that any hold the nicotine can have over you is a bad one.
Like you said, hopefully, she'll be spurred on by seeing me without
She seemed quite happy doing it her way and didn't have a guilty conscience on Saturday (I would definately suffer if I allowed myself to do that every Friday! lol), so I'll just keep my eye on her :rolleyes:
Exactly!!
I think that fails when you quit because you don't really want to. Personally, I never want to smoke again - coming from the girl people thought would never quit - because of realising so much about smoking.
Guess it comes down to the idea that you're "giving up" something, rather than freeing yourself. If you see it as a punishment or a sacrifice, you're more likely to want to do it again - whereas knowing the whole load of c**p smoking is makes you want to stay well clear.
It was annoying to be surrounded by these people who seem to be the oposite of what we're told, like the fact that you start as a social smoker but end up on however many a day. I know at least two people who seem to go throughout their week without a care in the world, then light up on a Friday night with a beer. I know all types of smokers are bad, but I tried this for so long and it didn't work at all for me.
Luckily, I understand now that any hold the nicotine can have over you is a bad one.
Thing is, they may well smoke more than they let on. Like Allen Carr says about people looking for "special occasions" to light up.
Know I'd have said I smoked 15 a day, when the real number was 5-10 more than that.
Think you can do it if you've never been addicted, but once you have been those days are gone.
Dismiss the idea of the fabled 'social smoker' firstly in reality they are rare;secondly any smoking is BAD smoking so having a few at the weekend is just as Goddamned awful as having 20 a day.
By envying the 'social smoker' we know that we have some mileage to go cos we are still thinking that smoking,or at least a few crafty ones just now and again,of course,is really quite a nice idea :confused: NO IT ISN'T!!!!ITS A VERY BAD IDEA !!!!!!!
Used to be one Max, so know where it ends up!!
Managed fine for 3 years (out of necessity more than anything) but the thing is you're not addicted to the nicotine but you are teaching yourself to like smoking.
Definitely don't envy social smokers now - I did earlier in my quit but those days are gone.
Dismiss the idea of the fabled 'social smoker' firstly in reality they are rare;secondly any smoking is BAD smoking so having a few at the weekend is just as Goddamned awful as having 20 a day.
By envying the 'social smoker' we know that we have some mileage to go cos we are still thinking that smoking,or at least a few crafty ones just now and again,of course,is really quite a nice idea :confused: NO IT ISN'T!!!!ITS A VERY BAD IDEA !!!!!!!
Of course Max, I don't disagree with you for one second.
Like you say it's times that I feel that way, envying a smoker etc, that I realise I have a long way to go yet. As Mr Carr would say, my logical mind is telling me that it is smelly, unhealthy and disgusting. But my subconscious mind is so brainwashed that I still get that stab every now and then.
I think that's the part of this that I hate the most. I will quite happily admit that I DID NOT ENJOY SMOKING and that SMOKING DOES NOTHING FOR ME.
Please, don't think that I don't fully understand all of this. But I still get the pang. And I hate that so much. If I agree and I understand, why do I still feel the need to convince myself.
It makes me so mad that I fell into this trap becasue I honestly feel that, at no point when I first began smoking, I would not have started if I had known the full consequences of my actions
And that, my friend, is why we have a lot more work to do :rolleyes:
Of course Max, I don't disagree with you for one second.
Like you say it's times that I feel that way, envying a smoker etc, that I realise I have a long way to go yet. As Mr Carr would say, my logical mind is telling me that it is smelly, unhealthy and disgusting. But my subconscious mind is so brainwashed that I still get that stab every now and then.
I think that's the part of this that I hate the most. I will quite happily admit that I DID NOT ENJOY SMOKING and that SMOKING DOES NOTHING FOR ME.
Please, don't think that I don't fully understand all of this. But I still get the pang. And I hate that so much. If I agree and I understand, why do I still feel the need to convince myself.
It makes me so mad that I fell into this trap becasue I honestly feel that, at no point when I first began smoking, I would not have started if I had known the full consequences of my actions
And that, my friend, is why we have a lot more work to do :rolleyes:
Lol. I blabbed a little towards the end there. Must have been my anger :mad:
Basically, I wish I had never started Non-smokers have it so good!
Of course Max, I don't disagree with you for one second.
Like you say it's times that I feel that way, envying a smoker etc, that I realise I have a long way to go yet. As Mr Carr would say, my logical mind is telling me that it is smelly, unhealthy and disgusting. But my subconscious mind is so brainwashed that I still get that stab every now and then.
I think that's the part of this that I hate the most. I will quite happily admit that I DID NOT ENJOY SMOKING and that SMOKING DOES NOTHING FOR ME.
Please, don't think that I don't fully understand all of this. But I still get the pang. And I hate that so much. If I agree and I understand, why do I still feel the need to convince myself.
Sarah hun, you're doing brilliantly so don't beat yourself up about getting the odd pang!!
You're 39 days into your quit and you smoked for years. Wish I'd been as settled in my quit then as you are - sure you get pangs, but you bat them away so it's OK, if a bloody pain. What matters is you know you don't want to smoke and you won't smoke.
My friend's been stopped just over a year now and she doesn't think about it, it's normal for her - asked her if she missed it and how she coped when I stopped and she told me that.
It makes me so mad that I fell into this trap becasue I honestly feel that, at no point when I first began smoking, I would not have started if I had known the full consequences of my actions
And that, my friend, is why we have a lot more work to do :rolleyes:
Same here.
Everyone thinks it won't happen to them but people, teenagers especially, are c**p at looking to the future so you genuinely don't consider the effects. And it's sneaky, I could smoke half a packet of cigs then not touch one for weeks/months so it gets you int a false sense of security.
I think I'm happy, sad and angry at the moment (which I'm sure a lot of others on here have experienced too), but mainly happy
Like you say, I won't smoke again and that's the main point. Those people who nip on here every now and then, who have managed 6 months or a year smokefree, are a massive help in making us newbies realise that it's within reach! :cool:
Allen Carr has an app :eek: how did I not know this?!
*downloading as I type*
Ooh really?
Will have to look that up later!!
Thanks guys.
Nice analogy there Max. Ouch!!!!
I think I'm happy, sad and angry at the moment (which I'm sure a lot of others on here have experienced too), but mainly happy
Like you say, I won't smoke again and that's the main point. Those people who nip on here every now and then, who have managed 6 months or a year smokefree, are a massive help in making us newbies realise that it's within reach! :cool:
xxx
Keep on the happy you're free with bits of anger to get you through the bad times!!
How dare a stupid cancer causing plant try to run our lives?
Have put my e-cig in a drawer, hopefully for good.
Slight cop out in that I bought some gum, but in a way I'm back to kicking fags so I reckon it's excusable *hopes she doesn't get a frying pan to the head*
Didn't like the thing, and was finding it as habit-forming as the real ones, so it's got to go!!
It's there for dire emergencies, but am hoping it will stay there.
Actually i feel free :cool:
edit: Not going to be using the gum loads, just to make sure I don't slip back to cigs, electric or otherwise :eek:
If i hadn't quit, by now I would have spent £900 on dirty, stinky, harmful sickorettes. 16 weeks of Marlboro lights at 20-odd a day and £8 a packet.
Nine hundred pounds :eek: :eek:
That's the official amount, it's easily a lot more than that 'cos of nights out, boredom, stress and so on - and like the man says it's a drug that needs greater amounts to keep you feeling "normal" - something that was bothering me pre-quitting 'cos I was buying extra packs more often.
What shocks me and actually disgusts me is that I'd have coughed up (pun intended) for that no problem, would have gone without treats, clothes, even petrol just to keep myself in fags. :rolleyes:
Would have put up with an irritating tickly throat, smoker breath, smelly hands and hair and a nasty feeling mouth too, just because.
Actually, I was drowning in denial about all of those, the cough was "one of those things" even though with hindsight I had a persistent tickle, and I didn't smell in the least :s
That's what smoking turns you into.
Am very happy to never see, smell, taste or touch another fag for the rest of my life - and am definitely getting the brainwashing sorted.
Until very recently, especially after drinking, I did feel like there was something missing - not nicotine 'cos sadly I'm not nicotine free *yet* but the smoking....
... Which made me think. Why did i crave a fag when on gum or patches, but don't now I've got an e-cig?
It isn't craving nicotine, it's craving smoking - which thanks to Allen Carr I'm finding more and more pathetic and revolting.
You've done so well gemma, it's amazing isn't how much money we save from not smoking... You're an inspiration
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xxx
:rolleyes:
Day 4 Can't believe it
I can't believe I'm here
Can't believe I've done 4 weeks !!!
