Time to stop

[helpmequit]

Hi. I've decided to quit the habit after over 3 decades of smoking. I wouldn't describe myself as a heavy smoker; I smoke about 6 or 7 a day Monday to Friday (not at weekends, only at work), but I find it so difficult to get out of this habit. I am happy at work, I really enjoy what I do but still light up a crafty fag outside several times during the day.

I have decided to post my progress on this site because it represents a commitment that I have made and will be a record of my progress. I hope I can help and encourage others and, in turn, you can help and encourage me. I have to quit. It's unhealthy, smelly and expensive. Most importantly though, I owe it to my family to stop this secretive and dangerous habit before it's too late. I had a conversation with a friend at a party recently and we discussed smoking. Whilst he was enjoying his roll-up, he said, 'Lung cancer. We all think it won't happen to us'. That really hit home and has nagged me ever since. None of us think it will happen to us, but it could. I don't want it to happen to me so I must stop. Thanks for reading. Here I go...

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free]

Huge welcome to our community helpmequit - congratulations on making the best decision of your life to stop smoking, you will never regret it

So, is today Day 1 for you? If so, continue to use this community to its full potential and stay close especially when struggling, continue to read up and above all, don't be afraid to ask any questions you may have, we all started off in Day 1, I am heading towards 3 years cold turkey and here to tell the tale

We look forward to reading your progress and you sharing your experiences too.....

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

How are you getting on helpmequit - will I put today as Day 1 (for your milestone badges) ??

[helpmequit 2 Years Smoke Free in reply to RoisinO1]

Hi RoisinO1. Thanks for your support. Well, day 1 is done and dusted and I feel ok. Actually, I feel better than ok, I feel quite optimistic after reading some of the inspirational posts on here. It feels like a real community, with loads of support which I think I will need in the coming weeks and months.

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

Ah well done helpmequit - congratulations, your badge is on its way

[helpmequit 2 Years Smoke Free in reply to RoisinO1]

Thanks. I'll wear it with pride😊

[Rachy741 Valued Contributor]

Well done helpmequit! Welcome to the rest of your life.. 😁

The idea of only smoking during the week intrigues me.. Do you not crave at the weekend? I could never manage that..

Maybe it's not so much about being unhappy at work but more like a bad habit you slipped into.. I found that getting into the car was an automatic trigger, even if I had just finished one. It was pure habit and autopilot.

Anyway hope your day is going well. 😀

[helpmequit 2 Years Smoke Free in reply to Rachy741]

Thanks Rachy. I definitely think it is mostly habit and opportunity. I don't smoke in the evenings or weekends because that would mean smoking in front of friends and family. My work and home life are separate so my habit is confined to the place where I'm not observed by people I'd be ashamed of smoking in front of. I'm certain my wife isn't fooled by my pretence but she kindly pretends not to notice that I smell of cigarettes when I get home. I really want to break this cycle and feel determined to succeed. Hope you're having a good day. Stay strong👍

[Hidden]

Hi helpmequit and a warm welcome

First of all congratulations !!This is your new life filled with lots of oxigen ,better health , freedom lots of energy and much much more .

Read all the pinned post on each page with lots of advice .

Very important :

not one puff ever !

If you smoke a little you will have to start all over again and that’s going to delay the detoxing process .

You will see how things will get so much easy after that .

You will also feel very proud of yourself ! And your family will recognize how much you care for you and for them !

Take it day by day ..👍

[helpmequit 2 Years Smoke Free in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Karina - I'll keep referring to these pages; already noted some useful tips about disrupting the routines that I associate with smoking. I'm going to keep a money jar, or at least a spreadsheet to tally up what I've saved. Maybe I'll treat myself to something at week 10. On my estimate of 40 a week, that's around £220...or £1,144 for the year. Could do a lot with a grand!

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

There is a few apps out there that keep track of your progress - money saved, how many cigs not smoked etc..., one I used was on facebook called 'quitometer', facebook.com/quitometer/, another one which is much more detailed that I still use is 'Quitza' - quitza.com/

This is my current stats, quite remarkable but shamefully the money I spent - could have bought a house with it (well not really, as would have spent it on something else!!)

Your Addiction:

* You Have Resisted Over 23,793 Cigarettes Since You Became A Non Smoker

* 15,075,358 People Have Died From A Smoking Related Illness Since You stopped

Smoking

* You Have Saved Over €19,034.54 By Quitting Smoking

* You Spent Over €151,001.67 On Cigarettes While You Were A Smoker

* You Will Now Live 181 Days longer on average

[helpmequit 2 Years Smoke Free in reply to RoisinO1]

Amazing stats. Unbelievable amounts of money literally up in smoke...and for what?

Stuff like this will make me more determined to quit. Thanks again for the information and tips 👍

[Jwk1962 1 Year Smoke Free]

Welcome helpmequit, great decision. It's cool nowadays to be the nonsmokers. 🚭🔠 Jeff

[helpmequit 2 Years Smoke Free in reply to Jwk1962]

Cheers Jeff. Always keen to be cool. Just need to stick with it and get through the cravings for nicotine and the familiarity (and false comfort) of habit over the next few weeks.

[Hercu Valued Contributor]

Welcome helpmequit...glad you realised that small portions also kills...if you take 1 gram arsenic over 100 days or 100 gram in one day the result is the same...

There is a believe that a habit is broken in 21 days (21 days for an old mental image to dissolve) but later studies showed that it can take up to 66 days...3 weeks to 3 months..the itchy 3's

I don't know if a person can be slightly hooked or seriously hooked but for me hooked is hooked and I believe it will take the same effort for you to quit than it took me, smoking 38 years 60 a day....

Your positive onslaught and good reason is a recipe for success...I guarantee there is no better feeling than to be free from this entrapment and certainly in your case to get away from that secretive life...as you said "I owe it to my family"

You can do it...!

[helpmequit 2 Years Smoke Free in reply to Hercu]

Hi Hercu. Thanks for your words and support. I'm now on day 2 and under no illusions that it will be tough, but I am optimistic and already feeling very supported by this group.

Ditching a 38 year 60 a day habit is no mean feat! You should be really proud of yourself and I bet you feel 10 times more healthy than you did when you smoked. Good on you

[Hercu Valued Contributor in reply to helpmequit]

I lived a new life the past, almost three years smoke free...active, healthy, 60 years young!

[KathieO 100 Days Smoke Free]

Beautiful story. I wish you all the luck. Stay with us 🤗

[Lanark Valued Contributor]

Draw a line. Step over it. Don't be a smoker any more. Make that one step your entire stopping smoking "journey". Nothing lengthy and protracted. No negotiation. No going back for just one. Just stop doing it. Move on. Get on with the rest of your life. You will be healthier and wealthier. You have to be very pragmatic and unemotional about it. But you must decide FULLY that it is over.

Follow these two rules and you will be successful.

1. Never put any tobacco product in your mouth EVER again (that includes "vaping").

2. Never spend any money on tobacco products EVER again.

I followed those two rules twelve years ago. Stopped dead while I still loved my fags. I have never gone back. I simply made the decision that I wasn't going to be a smoker any more. Here's the why and how.

healthunlocked.com/nosmokin....

Good luck helpmequit. You simply need to decide. Do it. Smoking was never your friend.

[helpmequit 2 Years Smoke Free in reply to Lanark]

Thanks for the wise words Lanark and well done for quitting your habit 12 years since. I am 6 days in and going strong. Sharing my commitment with others has proved very powerful and highly motivating and I know I can succeed.

[Lanark Valued Contributor in reply to helpmequit]

helpmequit You say "I know I can succeed" . Brilliant! No-one else can know it - but you. Stay true to yourself. Once you have made that decision and crossed that line, knowing you are not stepping back over it, NOTHING can stop you.

When in doubt just remember those two rules. Keep it simple. Enjoy the rest of your longer life! We'll all meet up at Roisin's Penthouse for some chilled bubbly and a range of Pakora-style snacks when you have a suitable anniversary to celebrate!