Reality check.......

[nsd_user663_62463]

Quite shocked and dissapointed how stupidly strong my cravings still are now I've gone back to work after holiday. Old memories, colleagues, routine.......grrrrr

Still, I'm completely committed and will never smoke again!!!

Maybe good to have a reality check after the euphoria of the last 2 weeks. Always only one puff away from being a smoker again......

Keep strong & healthy lovely people

Andy

[nsd_user663_61728]

The further you are in your quit though the less you will associate work with smoking so it will get better and better.

You're so positive though and that's awesome, keep it up x

[nsd_user663_59644]

Doing so well, but mr NICO does try so hard to get us back, but the longer the quit, the weaker the crave. The firsts in everthing we do does seem oh so hard, but it will get easier.

Just hang on doing so very well x

[nsd_user663_60964]

Andy, week three is (as TG says) notorious for being a difficult one. It's the point where the euphoria of quitting wears off and the realisation of the hard graft ahead sinks in. All you can do is grit your teeth and keep plodding on and you'll be up and out the other side before you know it.

You're doing SO well and I know you have the determination to keep going...

[nsd_user663_62366]

Andy mate, keep at it.

Think about smoking, its fine, to think about it, I find, I think about it all the time, but since I know I cannot smoke, I get bored, and start thinking about something else that I can do... like eating, cycling, sleeping, etc

Another way to look @ it, is that our lives used to revolve around the smokes, and hence the very strong association that we still hold with certain people, event, places, songs, items, etc. We see that, and it triggers. The trick is to build new ones, so each time it happens, and we do no smoke, but instead, strategically and thoughtfully tie and associate new ones to the item/s, the next time it happens, it's easier. Our brains can be forgetful that way, it remembers the recent ones, and the old events slowly fades away.

I remembered I always need to have 1 for the road, but that has now gone away. Instead of thinking about that one, I'm thinking about the fastest route home, so I can kick back, relax, watch TV, fiddle with my bike, go online, play some games etc.

It will get easier, it did for me, but I continue to be alert and build new memories for myself. Delaying tactics works for me, like my 'next Monday fag entire pack' thought process, I use the delay tactic when the craving's bad.

In all, you are doing swimmingly well, don't cave in without at least coming in, reading a couple of threads, posting for help. Hope to see you in Week 3, but really to be honest, 1 minute.hour.day @ a time. Keep it going , you are not giving up anything, its not a sacrifice. At least, not to you !

[nsd_user663_62294]

Hi Andy, I agree week three is difficult, as it seems week two was easy it's a bit of a shock.

I did the same as Helene and no longer have tea breaks at work - I now finish 30 mins earlier which is far better! Also for the first few weeks I ate my lunch at my desk to avoid the staff room (which is next to the smoking area).

I stayed in bed longer in the mornings so that I didn't have time to worry about cigarettes, almost late for work a few times too :D.

Anyway keep at it (I just got through a wobble myself - thank you for your post on my thread). It will get easier

[nsd_user663_62463]

As always, thx for the wonderful support and great tips.

Decided to change the old routine as many of you suggested, so now I.....

Wake up every morning and go for a run - training for 5k

Eat breakfast with whichever one of the kids is awake (never really did this before as i was outside smoking)

Bottles of water wherever i go.

Checking out this forum whenever i have a craving

Taking a 30 min walk at lunch time (takes me past the smoking area, but i dont have any trouble with that - it really does stink bad!)

Spend more time socialising with my team in work (the old me would have taken yet another fag break)

Do something active after dinner - in the garden, playing with kids, bike ride

Have a nice glass of wine (or 2) with emmy in the evening as a reward for another smoke free day.

Reading a fine motivational book, minimising TV

So keeping myself busy, and its helping loads!

Turning the frown upside down and getting on with it.......NOPE for me!

Hope you are all good, sending positive vibes out to y'all

Andy

[nsd_user663_60964]

That's the way to go Andy

Not only are you spending more time with the people you care about you're getting more exercise too (which I am sure will result in you quickly rectifying any post-quitting weight gain) so a tripple result all round!

You're doing fantastically well, you really are.

[nsd_user663_62294]

Lovely positive post there Andy, well done on changing your routine, for the better it sounds as you are spending more quality time with your family