Day 4. Hello :)

[nsd_user663_57354]

Hey, I'm Kerry.

I'm 23, I started smoking when I was 13. It would be ten years in August. I don't want to have been a smoker for ten years. I smoked (hopefully) my last cigarette on Friday 26th April 2013, actually 96 hours ago.

I'm doing okay, but find I struggle most just after eating. I don't know how I'm getting through it, I just am. Hopefully I can keep going.

Anyway, hello everyone

[nsd_user663_57321]

Well done Kerry!!! Are you quitting cold turkey or taking any NRT? You will find absolutely loads of sound advice and support on this forum, everyone is very friendly and having been there themselves they know what they are talking about!!!

Take Care and good luck

Jess x

[nsd_user663_57354]

Thank you for the welcome!

I'm not using anything, so cold turkey. I didn't think I'd last this long at all, but seem to be doing okay

[nsd_user663_56237]

Hey, I'm Kerry.

I'm 23, I started smoking when I was 13. It would be ten years in August. I don't want to have been a smoker for ten years. I smoked (hopefully) my last cigarette on Friday 26th April 2013, actually 96 hours ago.

I'm doing okay, but find I struggle most just after eating. I don't know how I'm getting through it, I just am. Hopefully I can keep going.

Anyway, hello everyone

Hi Kerry,

Welcome to the forum and well done for making the decision to kick that filthy habit once and for all!

Sometimes it can seem as though you're not sure how you're getting through each day, but that's okay. Just take it a step at a time, even if it means dealing with each hour or minute as it comes. It WILL get easier, I promise.

My first 6-7 weeks were a little rough (If you use the search function at the top of the screen you can go back to some of my old posts - A bit cringey to look at but could be of some use to you! :rolleyes , but I'm feeling great now.

Are you using any form of NRT at the moment, or have you quit cold turkey?

If you're feeling a little lost and the cravings are bad, just remember to keep yourself busy and don't linger on the thought of smoking too much. I found that thinking about it was good in some ways, rather than hiding from it. But it's not good to let cravings take over.

Just stay positive and keep doing what you're doing!! x

[nsd_user663_56237]

Thank you for the welcome!

I'm not using anything, so cold turkey. I didn't think I'd last this long at all, but seem to be doing okay

Cold Turkey is always the best way and I admire you for tackling your quit without any aid!! It'll mean that the physical and mental withdrawals will be gone very soon and you won't have to wean yourself off patches etc

[nsd_user663_57354]

Thank you so much!

Oh you quit on my birthday! Congrats on quitting, wow you've come really far! I really hope I can too. I have an inhalator I was using on my last 'attempt' (lasted a day) but I really didn't want to draw this out any longer than I had to by using stuff to prolong my need for it. I'm starting to notice the cravings having more time in between them since yesterday, though yesterday I was ready to break. Its odd, when I do have a craving I like to read as much as I can about quitting, what happens to the body, what to expect, etc, but then other times I'll be reading and suddenly it will be too much and I have to stop and distract myself. Such a strange feeling, and I'm having trouble falling asleep, but I guess I was expecting that.

I'm craving one now but that's probably because I had dinner not too long ago..Ugh. (I can't have one even if I wanted to, I don't have any here.)

[nsd_user663_56237]

Thank you so much!

Oh you quit on my birthday! Congrats on quitting, wow you've come really far! I really hope I can too. I have an inhalator I was using on my last 'attempt' (lasted a day) but I really didn't want to draw this out any longer than I had to by using stuff to prolong my need for it. I'm starting to notice the cravings having more time in between them since yesterday, though yesterday I was ready to break. Its odd, when I do have a craving I like to read as much as I can about quitting, what happens to the body, what to expect, etc, but then other times I'll be reading and suddenly it will be too much and I have to stop and distract myself. Such a strange feeling, and I'm having trouble falling asleep, but I guess I was expecting that.

I'm craving one now but that's probably because I had dinner not too long ago..Ugh. (I can't have one even if I wanted to, I don't have any here.)

Awww, thanks hun I couldn't have got to where I am now without this forum! :rolleyes:

Yes, the trouble sleeping is completely normal but doesn't usually last too long. I think I struggled nodding off for about 3 weeks, which left me a bit zombified, but I didn't wake up in the middle of the night or anything. I am generally a good sleeper anyway, so am surprised I was affected at all!

How many did you used to smoke in a day? Those mealtime ones are definately one of the hardest to get rid of. And I would advise being careful around alcohol for a little while. In my experience being around other smokers and drinking is important, because otherwise we'll be worried about it in the future and it may cause a relapse, but just try to make sure you don't drink enough to lose control of your cravings!

Tips: Drink lots of water (slowly is apparently the key), reading, cleaning, watching a favourite film, exercising lots, keep sweets/healthy snacks near by. There are hundreds more, which I'm sure you'll be able to find on here!

Reading about smoking can be a massive help, or it can make you want to smoke. It's best just to listen to yourself at the time and don't worry about the ups and downs. Some days one method will work and the next it will make you want to smoke! x

[nsd_user663_54332]

Hi Kerry and welcome

Think it's fab that there are so many 20-something quitters on here, it's great we're doing something about it sooner rather than later

You;'e definitely doing the right thing going cold turkey, wish I had, but you'll soon be through the physical side of it!!

For your craves, just keep your hands busy and more importantly your mind as well.

Sarah said to look at her old posts, well if you click on my name and look at mine too you'll see exactly how much better it is now compared to early on

And any time you need help or reassurance we're here!!

Gemma x

[nsd_user663_57354]

Thanks so much, its so nice to know I'm not alone!

I've been making quite a lot of changes in the last few months so this was another thing on my list, but it just kept being moved cause I was sure I'd do it at some point just never got round to it, I realise now I was putting it off for a reason, and I couldn't carry on putting it off so it was now or never. I've been in Australia for just over a month now, I came here on a working holiday visa from London. New country, new start!

I told my best friend back home that I quit, first thing she said was "Omg, are you pregnant?!" the cheek! lol!

[nsd_user663_57354]

Thank you!

I was really struggling yesterday, but I've only had probably two really strong cravings today. Which I'm taking as a good sign!

I smoked between 10 and 15 a day. I cut right down to about 1-2 a day when I got to Australia, thought Oh this is good, I'm getting there, all of a sudden I was smoking a pack of 26 in two days. I don't really drink much anyway, but I've been avoiding pretty much everything since I quit. I've avoided going anywhere near shops with any money on me, the only places I've been to since Friday night are to the park. So I'm quite nervous about tomorrow, I'm going into the city to a theatre where I'm going to be volunteering.

I got a bike today, my cousin said I could use it while I'm here, so that's all pumped up and ready to ride. I want to start jogging/running too, I'm really interested to see how much stronger I'll be now I've quit. I joined a gym back home in England in October and caught the exercise bug, I wonder if its okay to replace an addiction to cigarettes with an addiction to exercise! lol

[nsd_user663_57354]

But hey, having a place to talk and making new friends are always a healthy thing, right?

[nsd_user663_54332]

Thanks so much, its so nice to know I'm not alone!

I've been making quite a lot of changes in the last few months so this was another thing on my list, but it just kept being moved cause I was sure I'd do it at some point just never got round to it, I realise now I was putting it off for a reason, and I couldn't carry on putting it off so it was now or never. I've been in Australia for just over a month now, I came here on a working holiday visa from London. New country, new start!

Ooh wow how exciting!!

Hope you have a lovely time

I told my best friend back home that I quit, first thing she said was "Omg, are you pregnant?!" the cheek! lol!

Oh LOL!!

When I announced I was quitting the reaction was a pretty much universal "again?" - even my own dad gave it a week - nice

(And I'm 20 whole weeks today, who's laughing now? )

[nsd_user663_56972]

Welcome LK glad you have joined up and congrats on your quit so far. There is always somebody on here if you need any support. I have found this site incredibly helpful since I quit over 3 weeks ago. Good luck and stay strong. Jay