Planning!

[ChrissieG]

I have just spent 2.5 hours writing down my plan to stop smoking - the funniest thing was, whilst I was doing it I didn't actually smoke at all! I have never done anything like this before, I didn't expect to spend so long doing it but the ideas kept flowing so I carried on. Last night I was clueless about how to plan, but thanks to everyone on here I've had so many ideas and thoughts about how to manage during my normal smoking times it was a lot easier than I thought it was going to be so a million thank yous very much everybody! I'm feeling very motivated - in fact I'm buzzing!!!!!!

[Hidden]

I'm excited for you Chrissie have you got a date in mind? I'm also new, planning for 24th to be my big day to be free xx

[ChrissieG in reply to Hidden]

Hi Louby 71! I tried to drop you a line this morning to say hi and I'm new too but I was in such a rush to get ready for work I couldn't do it justice!! Wow I'm so pleased I accidentally found this site last night and it's so lovely to meet you! Okay so I've been thinking about stopping for quite a while and I'm feeling very motivated at the moment so I would like to stop this weekend I think, which is only a day or two before you so we can go through this together! My e-cig still hasn't arrived yet so I'm a bit nervous of stopping without it, but I might try a practise day even without it and try out my planned new routines just to see if I can cope. I cannot deny that it is scary but I so want to do this it really is exciting. How are you feeling about it all? xx

[Hidden in reply to ChrissieG]

Me too, I only found it yesterday also doing my usual looking at stopping smoking sites! I've picked Monday because I've got a few days off work this week and I know from past experience being at home won't be helpful in the early days. I don't know about you but I'm just sick of smoking, it's embarrassing nipping out for a break and knowing you smell when you come back in. We have definitely made the right choice hopefully we will be able to help each other along

Lovely to meet and here's to a new start xx

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Ps I also came across an app this morning that looks quite interesting, it's in the App Store - Smoke Free david crane might be worth a look if you have a smartphone xx

[monky Administrator 35 Months Winner in reply to Hidden]

Aup Louby, a big warm welcome to this lovely quit site gal and well done for picking a quit date

Yeah, I know what you mean about it being harder to quit when your at home, cos that's my hardest time but when at work and driving, there not too bad now

I did find it hard when I am on my computer, cos always liked a smoke then !! but I now keep a tub of nuts and raisins by it, soooooo just snack on them

Speak soon, Pete x

[Hidden in reply to monky]

Hi Pete, I had a little practice today and cut down quite a few and nothing bad happened lol I just have to get my head round the fact that it is my choice, I just need to remember NOT to choose to buy any after monday!

[monky Administrator 35 Months Winner in reply to Hidden]

Louby, good for you gal it sounds as though your getting your head around it already

As for you not buying any fags on Monday, just don't take any money with you flippin, easy peasy gal

Like Chrissie has done, just sit yourself down, ask yourself WHY you want to quit Write the reasons down on a piece of paper, so you can keep reading it back to yourself when needed

Monday 24th March is YOUR quit date, keep saying it to yourself and feel goooooooood about it cos this is the day, you ARE going to BEAT the cigs

I do hope that Chrissie sets her quit date for around then, so you can compare erm, notes is that the word

We will all be with you Louby, not just on here, but in mind tooooo I might even lurk on your right shoulder, so I can peck your ear if you go to buy some fags eh

Speak soon, Pete x

[Kaprin]

That's great you keep at it you will succeed you have to we are all watching and encouraging you really pleased you are doing this you won't regret it your health will improve so much well done x

[ChrissieG in reply to Kaprin]

Hi Kaprin

I cannot tell you how grateful I am for the support of this site. I just know that this community will understand more than any other how difficult it can be, much moreso that people who have never smoked who just think we are being wimpy or melodramatic when we are struggling! I've never stopped smoking with a support system like this before, it gives me great hope that will be the final time that I stop smoking - Congratulations on reaching 4 months by the way - fantastic! xx

[monky Administrator 35 Months Winner]

Hi Chrissie, its only little old me again gal It's great to see your planning your quit and getting motivated There is one thing that I do and that's write down on a piece of paper why you want to quit, then you can keep it with you and when you get the urge to have a puff, get it out and read it to yourself These are my reasons why I want to quit.

Why I want to quit smoking !!

1)Breathe easier.

2)Coughing and spluttering.

3)Walk up stairs without getting out of breath.

4)Whiter teeth

5)Healthier gums

6)Breath not smelling of fags

7)Clothes not smelling of fags

8)Better complexion. ( Smooth skin, More colour, Less wrinkles )

9)Better circulation in my hands and feet

10)Better health all round

11)Have money to spend on what I WANT TO ( Not having to put money aside for fags )

12)Getting my taste back

13)Not having a Furry tongue

14)Getting my sense of smell back

15)No standing outside in the cold and wet

16)Not having to think if I have enough fags to last me the day

17)No yellow fingers

18)Not having to carry a pack of fags and a lighter around with me

I thought of these myself and I have only got 1 brain cell you know you ask anybody on here they will tell you

Ps, I called myself Monky, cos ave got a cat called Monkey and I tell ya, she's a rite nosey Monkey toooooo

[ChrissieG in reply to monky]

Brilliant list and you are correct in one thing, I haven't really gone into the reasons why I want to stop smoking other than health

So can I copy your list but add hair smelling like smoke????

Obviously monkey's have hair too! tee hee

[jillygirl Administrator LONG TERM WINNER in reply to ChrissieG]

Hi Chrissie Just wondered do monkeys go bald.

[monky Administrator 35 Months Winner in reply to jillygirl]

[Friezfriend 13 MONTHS WINNER]

Huge luck guys. You are right this site is great and has helped enormously. Enjoy tasting your success.

[Pinkiezoom 26 Months Winner]

Hi Chrissy,

Well done for getting the planning sorted, that is exactly what i did, and it made a massive difference, i wasnt caught out by the nicotine demons which was a good start. I wouldnt do a day until you have your e cig, i started using mine while i was still working my way through a pile of duty free, and i ended up down tpo 3 real ones a day! then i tried one day with just i my ecig, to but before my quit date, just to see and i managed fine and never actually went back x

[yellowsnowdrop]

Hind legs of the donkey again (always last) Bloomin heck but you both sound really motivated which is super brilliant.For what it's worth Chrissie,unless you're feeling really strong wait until your Ecig arrives then at least it's there if you need it.Louby,you sound like you have a plan which is fab just pick your day and go for it.Whatever happens stick close to us on here & you'll be smoke free before you know it.GOOD LUCK flowers,you both deserve it.Hugs H x

[ChrissieG]

Sorry I'm late - I think I wore myself out last night with all that planning and excitement!

E-cig still not here but I did receive an e-mail tonight telling me it should be here any day now - My guess is a lot of people decided to take the plunge because of no smoking day hence the massive delay - but I live it hope it will get here soon

Thank you all so much for your fantastic messages - I still haven't made a final decision re when to stop although I'm thinking of taking Louby's idea of stopping on a work day. The trouble is before I'd even started my planning last night I had already booked Friday off as a flexi day which I only remembered afterwards. But then again, would I be better getting through the first 2 or 3 days home alone or in the midst of an office full of people? These are the things that I'm thinking about but it's only Tuesday so there is still time. But I will wait for the e-cig to arrive before I do my practise day so that I've got that back up if I need it!

Today I felt the fear of it all for the first time, but I keep telling myself that there is nothing to fear, this is a good decision and I will be so much happier as a result. I have to admit that coming on here really really helps as well xx

[monky Administrator 35 Months Winner in reply to ChrissieG]

Hi Chrissie, don't you flippin rush it gal, just wait until your e-cig comes, then maybe, when you feel like a real fag, have some puffs of the e-cig, try to get used to it before your quit

A mate of mine at work has got an e-cig, he says its just a matter of getting used to it, cos it gives him the same punch as a real fag, BUT he dosnt have to light it This is his biggest problem with it, he even carries a lighter around with him in his pocket !

I suspect that's the habit bit of it eh

Chrissie, YOU, and only YOU, knows when your ready to quit soooo, you just take your time and when your ready, you come and flippin shout about it gal, we will all be here to help you and cheer you on xxx