Christ this is hard

[Selbyquin]

I had my last smoke around 11 last night before bed and today has been day 1 . It's been a tough old slog. I am nearly 38 and have been on 20 a day for 20 years....needs to be done but will power is not my strong suit!

[Hev123 Valued Contributor]

Hey! I'm quitting too, I'm further along than you and taking Champix to help but just wanted to say .... hang on in there, it's SO worth it.

It's so blimin hard it's ridiculous! How did we ever get ourselves into this?

I come on here nearly every evening now, just reading all the pinned and past posts, it helps me so much, I hope you can make it.

I have decided that I have stepped over that line and I'm never going back, no matter what the nasty Nic throws my way, I'm a non smoker now, whatever it takes!

Sorry for waffling! Good luck, stay strong 🤞💪💪😁

[Selbyquin 9 Months Smoke Free in reply to Hev123]

Really appreciate the reply and no waffling from you so don't apologise.

I have been addicted to it so much it has controlled a great deal of my life in certain respects. I have always weirdly enjoyed it and I know it is going to be a tough old road but along with my app, gum and now I think this platform I may just get to the promised Land!

[Hev123 Valued Contributor in reply to Selbyquin]

It is the toughest thing I have ever been through (maybe I've had an easy life lol!)

It has controlled me so much, to the extent I have turned down family get togethers and holidays (I love my family) and other non smoking events because I wouldn't have been able to suck on that revolting, poisonous white stick - can you tell I hate them now?! 😁

The app's are great, seeing how much you are saving and your health improving, I hope the gum works for you, we can do this!! 💪💪💪 😁

[Hercu Valued Contributor in reply to Hev123]

"It is the toughest thing I have ever been through (maybe I've had an easy life lol!)

Hev..... I agree that it is the toughest thing to do in life but disagree that maybe you had it easy....

I have been in a war as youngster, I have survived Africa with farm attacks I have been living in a serious drought the past 2 years, and needed to retrench a third of my work force (250 breadwinners) Searching for water I burried a Million Dollar excavator for a week ..... But still think to quit smoking was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life... It just is damn Hard but so rewarding when done that it is worth it .....!!!

[Sparkle11 2 Years Smoke Free in reply to Selbyquin]

I found the first 3 days the hardest but after that it got a whole lot better. Boredom was the trigger for me so I kept really busy & hit the gym more too (mind you I rewarded my good self with big glass of wine every night. Lol 😂 ) Also never thought I could drink wine with no ciggy but I did & its great. You are doing soooo well. 👏🏻 I found coming on here really useful. People are really encouraging. I kept busy & drank a lot of water to help with the urges (which get less and less) & also found that Champix really helped. Stay strong. You’ll be fine 👍🏼

[Selbyquin 9 Months Smoke Free in reply to Sparkle11]

Thank you. Good to hear you have survived and I appreciate you taking the time to respond to my post. Past the one week mark now! X

[Sparkle11 2 Years Smoke Free in reply to Selbyquin]

Bloody excellent 👍🏼👍🏼🔝

[CocoaXChange Valued Contributor]

Selby, Hev, Reading the pinned posts is very helpful, as is keeping busy and your mind off smoking. It's tough to believe now, but it does get easier. Take it a day, or hour at a time. When a craving comes, and they will for quite a while, have, or do something to forget it. The craves get weaker and shorter as time goes by

[Selbyquin 9 Months Smoke Free in reply to CocoaXChange]

Thank you

[Hercu Valued Contributor]

Selbyquin... welcome... and yes it is tough but totally possible..

The most important thing is that you must be ready to say good buy to that 20 year friend and companion of yours...That one you thought is helping you to cope in difficult situations...That one that gave you warmth...That one that made you relax...and that one that is slowly robbing you from your youth and health...

You are the clever one to take that decision on 38 and not 58 like me...and it will be the best decision you have ever take in your life....!

Take a solid stand and push through..You can do it...!!!!

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free]

Welcome to our community Selbyquin and congratulations now on hopefully Day 2. I too quit cold turkey - over 2 years ago and here to tell the tale

I never thought I had the willpower either to stop, but on 17 September 2015, after waking up in the early hours coughing and gasping for breath, I decided enough was enough, smoked half a cigarette and that was the last time one touched my lips - it is a bumpy road, very bumpy at times but gradually smooths out, read up as much as you can especially the pinned posts across the way and stay close to us - we are here to help in whatever way we can....

PS I promise, you will get to that 'promised land'

[Selbyquin 9 Months Smoke Free in reply to RoisinO1]

Thank you. Day 2 seemed really easy. Day 3 is quite the struggle!! As I mentioned to someone on here the other day, I enjoyed smoking but the financial burden of it and the health issues just mean I have had to do this. The real tests for me will come when beer is involved. The 24th of this month we have a family do so that will be an interesting experience now

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free in reply to Selbyquin]

Hey Selbyquin - are you going cold turkey or is the gum you are using nicorette gum? If going cold turkey, the nicotine will be out of your system by the end of today...

With regards your family get together on 24th, you will be 10 days smoke free and at an extremely vulnerable stage in your journey as the mental battle will be in full swing, I didn't go out until well over a month and found it very tough, drinking was not the issue as could drink at home and not be bothered about smoking but it was being around smokers and the temptation for 'just one' and then the added reasoning that it would be ok with a few drinks in you.

Unfortunately, we have had so many members slip when alcohol was involved and no longer with us here. My advice would be to think carefully about the event and how you will cope, you are the only one that knows yourself and can control how it goes - maybe decide not to drink or pace yourself to a couple of drinks during the night. It is good you are thinking ahead to this, but be prepared that you are going to have be very strong...

[Selbyquin 9 Months Smoke Free in reply to RoisinO1]

Nicorette gum is something I bought and have had three bits a day. 2 so far today but it is not very nice! The family do is a fairly big event so am just going to try and take it in my stride. Minute by minute if needs be. Today is very tough though compared to yesterday and my legs feel really restless!! It gets better that's what I keep saying to myself!

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free in reply to Selbyquin]

Yeah, thats the blood circulation and clear healthy oxygen now flowing around your body that is likely causing the restless legs, lots of water and a bit of a walk to get the body pumping...

As long as you are preparing and don't get complacent, I think you should be grand for the family do...

Below are a few pinned posts worth a read if not already done so:

healthunlocked.com/nosmokin.....

healthunlocked.com/nosmokin...

healthunlocked.com/nosmokin...

[Selbyquin 9 Months Smoke Free in reply to RoisinO1]

Really appreciate you taking the time to reply. It's very helpful and very much appreciated

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free in reply to Selbyquin]

No problem at all Selbyquin , thats what we are here for

[Selbyquin 9 Months Smoke Free in reply to RoisinO1]

I have also seemed to have a sudden increased libido!! Not sure if this is just my mind trying to find another avenue or not but it's certainly proving to be a testing few days!