First day today tips please!!!

[frazzledteach]

quit 9hrs 20 mins ago. Tried in the past and always succumbed to the cravings any tips for first few days??? Determined this time thanx in advance

[ChrissieG]

Hi Frazzledteach - it's lovely to meet you and congratulations on stopping smoking! It's a fantastic decision to make so well done you!

I love that you count in hours and minutes, that is so like me! - I did that when I first stopped, until I got past 30 hours and then I started to forget and lose count!

So are you using any nrt or e-cig or are using your willpower to help you do this? It doesn't matter how you stop smoking, the best way is whatever is the most comfortable for you. What ever you are using, please come online and let us know how you are doing. If you are feeling really great or if you are struggling a bit, there will always be someone around to help you or celebrate with you - it's brilliant!

so if you let us know how you are doing this then we can give you some ideas to work around your cravings.

Again massive congratulations oh and welcome to this lovely website! xxx

[frazzledteach 7 MONTH WINNER]

Thanku!! I am currently using an ecig which I think is saving my sanity!!

[ChrissieG in reply to frazzledteach]

They are amazing aren't they. I am using an e-cig too and I do seem to be coping a lot better this time.

You will find loads of advice and tips on here from people have gone a lot further down the road than we have, such as breathing exercises, distractions, and things to keep you focussed ie lists of the reasons why you wanted to stop smoking. All of which are fantastic and very useful.

I try to stay as positive as possible - I am so happy to have come this far and like you I am determined to succeed, so when these cravings and triggers strike, I just keep reminding myself that actually I don't want a cigarette - and I really really don't, and the feeling does pass very quickly. If the feeling gets really bad then I do use the e-cig to calm things down again.

I've changed my routines around a bit so that at the times I used to smoke the most, like after a meal or something, I'll do the washing up straight away, then I'll sit down after that and if necessary I'll use my e-cig then. It's just about getting out of the habits you used to have which also help to reduce the number of triggers.

Everybody is different though and I don't think there is the absolutely right way, it's whatever makes you feel better and helps you succeed that counts.

But the support on here has been amazing for me - you will still experience the effects of stopping smoking but this is like a phase in the whole process and if you can stay positive and keep going the phase will pass and then you will feel so much stronger and so happy you've got through it!

I wish you loads and loads of success, I've learnt on here that it may be difficult at times, but it's definitely not impossible so good luck and keep in touch xxx

[Briarwood Administrator Ducky in reply to ChrissieG]

Yes it's difficult at times but not impossible, good words I will try and remember. I was crying driving home from a hospital appointment last week and really really wanted a smoke but I fought very hard against it and I'm so glad I did. I puffed away so hard on my ecig and that saved me. I'm sure there will be more times like that ahead but I will just take each one as it comes and fight it. Great support here with you all, thanks

[ChrissieG in reply to Briarwood]

Briarwood that's fantastic, well done you! The thing is you know you don't really want a cigarette because you chose to stop smoking which was a brilliant decision, so these cravings and triggers are really just your brain playing tricks on you and those feelings can be overwhelming, but just keep telling your brain NO I DO NOT WANT A CIGARETTE AND THIS IS MY CHOICE - eventually your brain will get the message. I've had much less triggers and cravings since I've been doing that!

And the e-cig is a fantastic back up and because you know you've got it it makes telling your brain to shut up so much easier!

You are doing brilliantly, I just know you are going to do it this time! xxx

[jillygirl Administrator Queen Bee]

Hello Frazzleteach, welcome to quit support and well done on starting your quit. Chrissy has said most of it already. Get yourself plenty of healthy snacks about you and change your routine where you can, this will help when you get cravings. Good luck. xx

[frazzledteach 7 MONTH WINNER]

I'm so glad I found this website!!! Thanku for ur words of support/encouragement xx

[EmJay Partner]

Hey Frazzledteach, welcome aboard to our on-line stop smoking community. Lots of friendly folk are on here who are more than happy to share your journey with you

Stopping smoking is all about choices. When you first decide to stop smoking and then set your quit date, you get really excited about it. It's your choice and one that you have made

Then, slowly but surely once the cravings set in, you start to tell yourself that you 'can't' smoke because you're supposed to be stopping. This then tricks your mind into thinking that you are now depriving yourself of something that you really want - which just isn't true

Going back to choices again, it's better if you remember that you are stopping doing something that you no longer choose to do.

Have a good nosie around and if there's anything that you need help with, just ask away

Remember that you can do this

[Kaprin]

Well done frazzle teach you have just made the best choice you can possibly do for your health and well being,there is always someone on here to help should you have problems please don't hesitate to ask anything, ask away positive encouragement all the way on this site some wonderful people around to help you with your quit, let us know how you are doing and good luck! X x x

[Nick-o-teenfree 3 Months Winner]

Hi Frazzledteach,

My little bit of advice,you need to try and avoid situations (triggers) when you used to smoke,get up after a meal and do something etc.

If you can,start a hobby,just don't give in,I promise it will get easier.

Please come on here and scream and shout and cry,someone will come and help.

Speak soon Nick x

[Briarwood Administrator Ducky]

Hi frazzledteach, well done on giving up, just keep busy and I found ecig to be very good. It just takes the edge of the craving, good luck and stay determined to be rid of the evil weed