Having a tough time today. Feel miserable.
Went to Tesco Express. Bought a 10 pack. Opened it. And threw them in the bin.
Came home. Scared to go out again. I'm sure i'd smoke them next time.
It would be funny if it wasn't so depressing.
Think i'm going to need some therapy by the end of the week.
Keep strong buddy! You and me together! My need for therapy is long due... LOL
Having a tough time today. Feel miserable.
Went to Tesco Express. Bought a 10 pack. Opened it. And threw them in the bin.
Came home. Scared to go out again. I'm sure i'd smoke them next time.
It would be funny if it wasn't so depressing.
Think i'm going to need some therapy by the end of the week.
Ah Shamus, HUGE Well done on not smoking, that is a great achievement, Karri is right, you would have felt so bad if you smoked for about what you think is 2 minutes of pleasure, the first week is extremely tough but you are nearly there, I honestly cannot remember Day 1 to Day 8 I found it that tough, but I got through it and you will too, keep telling yourself these feelings and withdrawals won't kill you and will pass very soon, and keep going over why you quit, be proud of yourself to staying strong today and remember it as you continue your quit, 
Shamus... Has it calm down a bit for you? I used this special technique - go to sleep - everytime things started to get nasty. Im still using it lol
A few years ago I started a diet with a well known consultant, she was good, I lost buckets of fat and kept it off.
Anyways, she used to have an answer for everything.
The sleep it off comes from her and it's well applicable to stop smoking.
She used to say that the majority of the people over eat as a result of boredom. You can choose to stop the boredom and go do something OR you can just sleep.
Sleep helps you relax, pass the time, recover your body, improve your anxiety, you don't eat/ smoke when you're sleeping and you'll manage the cravings better afterwards because you'll be relaxed.
Hope you're feeling better, it is rotten but it's worth it & it won't last forever
Thanks everyone for your kind support
Yes, it's been a tough day. I love mmaya's technique of 'going to sleep'. That will be my strategy for tomorrow onwards! I might also need that phone number for your weight-loss consultant... i think i've gained about a stone in the last few days (and i'm already waaayyy too fat).
So, i need a number for a dietician, and a number for a therapist.... lol...
Catch you all tomorrow... and many thanks.... you have been great....
Worse than becoming fat is becoming fat and relapsing afterwards, then you'll be fat and still smoking lol
We can start a thread for weight loss in January, not now please, I need food... I lost my best friend. It's going to take me a while... I need loads of food, food makes me happy ahahah
I definitely need that therapeut / shrink urgently lol
We have all been there Shamus. At least you had the guts to throw them away, unlike me. The day is over. Tomorrow may be difficult as well but it WILL get easier, gradually. I'm on two months now (with one blip) and I still get a strong urge when I could really murder a tab every now and then. You're not alone!
Shamus...I know it is crazy but hang in there...in the first few days so many different things happens to us and we get totally confused {Like a detuned radio) but hour by hour we start to regain control and yes ... maybe eating helps ....I indulged in sweets, sugary candy,...... Don't worry every thing will get back in line ....We are here for you...Strongs !!
Well done for throwing them away Shamus. I kept one lonely cigarette in my kitchen drawer for the first week, as a sort of life raft I suppose. Then I gave it to my husband. Every now and then I hit panic stations when I realize that cigarette is no longer there! But that's just a habit too. Remember how we always worried if we didn't have a packet on us at all times?
I love the idea of sleeping it all away, but unfortunately Im not too good at sleeping. My strategy is to fill up my day and work myself to a standstill. I try not to have even one spare minute to think about things.....like smoking..... It seems to work for me.
Every day you get through now is a day closer to freedom, a day closer to beating the habit, and should be looked on as an achievement. I celebrate each and every day that I haven't smoked. And I do still miss it yes. The desire to light up hasn't yet left me but the desire to succeed and to feel good about myself is getting stronger than the urge to smoke.
Stay with this forum and these lovely people. They've been such a support to me. And they will be to you too.
Soon you'll reach the stage where you can start to help other people just beginning their quit. And that's another strategy; Helping others will help you too.
You nailed it, helping others is actually the best way to help yourself. It's called positive re-enforcement, when you say it over and over and over...eventually it goes in and stays in.
Such kind words from everyone - thank you
Kept myself very busy with work today. I used my eCig a few times, which is not good. But still better than a proper cigarette. I'm hoping I can throw the eCig away at the weekend. I've probably only had about 20 puffs on it. Doesn't do anything for me but i don't think it's a nicotine free one (10motives Menthol).
Popped down to the gym for 40 minutes at 4pm. Just walked on the treadmill. I was shattered!! I'm so out of shape.
I think my 'new habit' will be to hit the gym everyday, even if for 30 mins of strolling on the treadmill.
Take care everybody. Hope all your Quits are going well
If you keep up the gym (and the quit of course) for a few weeks you will notice a BIG difference. I stopped wheezing after running about three weeks into my quit and it really lifted me...to actually physically feel a change in myself.
Keep it up mate!
That's the spirit, whatever it takes...but no smoking.
I'm personally not in favour of the ecigs but I've seen it working for a lot of people.
I'm a bit like, if I can't have the real thing...I don't want anything at all.
Actually, just thought of something funny...does anyone remember the boxes of chocolate cigarettes? I used to get them on Christmas lol
Oh my God! Anyone remember them?! Lol
Hahha! I remember them mmaya, now that I think about it, they were made of rotten cheap chocolate and used to feel sick after eating them, how ironic! I think they were about 10p before the euro in sweet shops and were a nightmare to get the wrapper off!
Lol my dad who doesn't even smoke used to put them under the Christmas tree for us!!! It's so wrong in so many ways that it's actually hilarious lol
well don for throwing away. at that point i would have been a goner! Its all blind faith in the beginning. You feel rotten and you feel like crying or punching something and feel its never going to end but you have to keep the element of wondering if In fact, one day it will just stop. I think if you tell yourself your going to feel rotten say....until Christmas, it will make it easier to accept. we are all different and takes us all different lenghs of time.
I think I may start the sleeping thing though as that's all I want to do at the moment anyways lol xx
I remember describing it as: I want to grab onto some one's neck and twist it very sloooowly until I hear it crack lol sloooowly.... Ahahah I actually thought I was having some serious anger issues...I even went to the doctor about it!
Shamus... Any updates buddy?! How are you doing?
Hi everybody... not good news i'm afraid 
I got into this crazy habit of buying a 10 pack at Tescos, and throwing them away when I got outside. It was an expensive strategy but i couldn't help it. It was my way of coping.
Anyway, a couple of days ago, i succumbed to the demon. Opened the packet. One wouldn't hurt. One became two. Two became three. And this is while i was standing in the car park.
Threw the pack away and went into hiding. Gutted with myself. How could I be so stupid? For anyone reading this, don't try to outwit the demon. Don't bother playing psychological games with yourself. You will not win.
So, i'm back on Day 2 and struggling again to get over the initial 3 day hurdle. My new policy is to to avoid my usual Tescos. In fact i don't go anywhere near my usual '10 Malboro Menthol' haunts.
I'm so stuipd. Feel like a real loser. I apologise to all those who were helping me on my journey.
Hopefully I will do better this time. Live and learn.
Loser is not One that tried and failed but One that never tried.
Every single word you wrote is very familiar to me, hence I call myself serial quitter...
When a child is learning to walk...falls over and over...and that's ok, you fall...get up again and keep going.
You don't want to be a smoker, it's now time to learn how to do it...
Stay strong buddy! Only you can make the decision to stop, it will not happen until YOU decide so.
Thanks for your support mmaya...
I'm just taking one day at a time. This time i won't take anything for granted.
Catch you all tomorrow with an update.
That's what I'm doing, pretty much.
One day at the time, that's all we can do.
Don't beat yourself up Shamus It's only a mistake if you don't learn from it. I still don't walk into the 2-3 places I primarily bought cigarettes from.
Don't feel stupid or call yourself a loser. I'm pretty sure most of us on this forum have been through this. I definitely have many many times.
And lots more people who don't bother to come back too. They are the losers! You are still a winner because you're back here trying again. Don't ever give up! I admire you for actually admitting to your slip up when you could just disappear.
And don't apologise either. You have no idea how much it helps me to be able to encourage and help others. Get through your first week and you'll be able to help newbies too. Such good therapy.
Well said Becky, Shamus you went straight back on track, don't beat yourself up about it, the past is the past, can't change it,good luck!
Hi Shamus.... Don't be afraid to attack this journey and suffer now.......Muhammad Ali did not became a champion by luck ...He said:
"I hated every minute of training, but I said, “Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.”
Hi everyone....
Doing ok today. Didn't think (didn't have time to think) about smoking till 7pm. Guess what? At 7pm I was driving passed that wretched Tescos. I needed a few bits and bobs, but I kept driving. I'm not stepping foot in that shop for a long while yet
You know? One of my techniques was actually stop carrying money or cards on me.
I only allowed myself to have money on me well past week 8 lol - for that same reason!
I brought my own lunch to work and snacks as well.
Karri.... you are right. About 10.30pm tonight, i thought ok let's do this. I went to that Tesco. Got some milk, some cornflakes... paid... and walked out. I did it!! lol....
I think i'm quite fortunate that they put the cigs behind the shutters now.
Anyway, tomorrow is another day. Onwards and upwards....
Good luck everyone. Thanks to all those keeping an eye on me. It means a lot to me. Thanks.
