Does this count as quitting....?: Hi guys... - Quit Support

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Does this count as quitting....?

jesseker profile image
jesseker9 MONTH WINNER
24 Replies

Hi guys!

Firstly, MASSIVE congrats to all of you who have managed to kick the smoking habit. :D

Just wondering. For the past 24 days I've not smoked a cigarette (was a 20+ a day roll up smoker). I have, however been using an e-cig - so still 'inhaling' nicotine, albeit without the thousands of other toxins and tar associated with cigarettes. I can't help but feel a bit of a fraud - would you count this as 'stopping smoking'? I feel so much better for it - no cough, no stink, no awful yellow fingers, my breathing feels great and (this will sound daft) I can sing along to songs I love without croaking on the high notes (my kids aren't pleased about that particular symptom...ha ha!)

Random post I know, but I so want to feel as though I've genuinely 'quit' and count myself as an ex smoker, even though I'm still dependent on the big bad nicotine. For the record, I'm planning on cutting down on the nic content over time, so eventually I'll be on a very low / 0 nicotine dose!

Thank you for taking the time to read this :) Kerry xx

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jesseker profile image
jesseker
9 MONTH WINNER
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24 Replies
Briarwood profile image
BriarwoodAdministratorDucky

Hiya jesseker and welcome to quit support😊

Congratulations on 24 days smoke free, awesome👏🏼👏🏼

Yes this most certainly counts as quitting and you can be proud of your achievement

So glad you're feeling the benefits of your quit and you're not inhaling 4000 plus chemicals, tar and carbon monoxide which can cause smoking related disease😩

Just to remind you to drink lots of water as they tend to have a drying effect on the system. Anyway the extra water will help to flush out the toxins as well, so it's all good.

Here's to a healthier and wealthier future👍🏼😊

jesseker profile image
jesseker9 MONTH WINNER in reply toBriarwood

Thank you so much! I keep having to pinch myself, I really never thought I'd do it but I've never been more determined in my life and will NEVER smoke a cigarette again. My children are so happy which has been a massive boost. Are you completely smoke / vape free? Congrats on 22 months! x

Briarwood profile image
BriarwoodAdministratorDucky in reply tojesseker

Yes thankyou and you will be too, no need to hurry just go at your own pace one day at a time😊

Your determination will keep you going in the right direction and your children must be very proud of you too, well done hun💐

Congrats on 3 weeks👏🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 you're a non smoker now even though you use NRT.... Your body is healing now ... I hope you don't experience too much withdrawal☘

jesseker profile image
jesseker9 MONTH WINNER in reply to

Thank you for your encouragement! I still get the occasional strong urge but thank goodness the e-cig soon sorts me out (as long as I have the right flavour loaded up!) I know how disappointed I'd be in myself if I caved now and had a 'real' cigarette. x

in reply tojesseker

Ya I know.... Just keep an eye out for Mr Nic.... He strikes when we're overtired or down.....xx

jesseker profile image
jesseker9 MONTH WINNER in reply to

I have been feeling pretty low at times. Mood seems to swing from wild euphoria at having 'quit' and real grumpiness (my poor kids) . Hoping this will calm down in time?! x

in reply tojesseker

It eventually does calm down but the first month or two our emotions and bodies are all in repair.... I've had a hard time quitting but the people on this site have helped me not light up time and time again.... Keep this site close and I keep my reason for quitting closer.... Women in my family young women have stokes who smoke.... Scared me into quitting......all the best xx

monky profile image
monkyAdministratorCake sniffer outer in reply to

Aup Arizona its lovely to see ya gal :) :)

Hows ya doing :o and what about this B12 supplement, is that helping at all :o

Gosh Arizona, I know your going through it at the moment gal :o :( but a trouble shared is always a trouble halved :) :)

in reply tomonky

Thanks Pete

Gotta luv ya

madametobacco49 profile image
madametobacco49 in reply tojesseker

yes you get to the point you don't want to relapse and lose your "good time"' Plus personally I never want to go on this rollercoaster again,,,MmeT

madametobacco49 profile image
madametobacco49

yes you are a non smoker--plus you do plan on weaning yourself in time from the e cig--but if you don't you are still 100% better off no longer smoking cigarettes.. You mentioning being able to sing now-->when I was smoking cigarettes I couldnt cry or laugh very good--as Id get short of breath so I can certainly understand the singing --There is a clarity to my voice that wasn't there before too-All and all you are doing very well--and hope you continue--We are here for you and eachother MmeT

glolin profile image
glolinLONG TERM WINNER

Hi Jess and welcome to quit support ..Congratulations on your 24 day quit :) :) Just awesome :) :) ..YES you have a genuine quit going there :) :) your not putting those 4000 chemicals found in cigarettes in your body :) :)

Please let us know your quit date so we can add you to the wall winners.

Do have a nosey around the site - especially the pinned posts as there is a wealth of information that may help you along your quit journey.

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jesseker profile image
jesseker9 MONTH WINNER in reply toglolin

Thanks for the warm welcome :) My quit date was Sunday 24th January x

glolin profile image
glolinLONG TERM WINNER in reply tojesseker

thanks :) :) i will add you to the wall of winners :)

If you have any questions..just ask as some one will be able to help..thats one of the many great things of this site..we have members that have quit using every possible option out there :) :)

Richella profile image
Richella7 MONTH WINNER3 MONTH WINNER

Yes you're no longer a smoker. I am 21 weeks smoke free and I use the ecig. Super achievement, keep up the hard work

in reply toRichella

Hi Richella,

Right behind ya👍🏻 next week will be 5 months for me..... Never thought I'd give up smoking.... It's not been easy..... The people on this site are awesome..

Have a great day!

Briarwood profile image
BriarwoodAdministratorDucky in reply toRichella

Hiya Richella and welcome to our lovely quit family😊

21 weeks smoke free, brilliant well done to you👏🏼

iris8 profile image
iris88 MONTH WINNER

Enjoyed reading initial post & everyone else's. It's the Big Reminder when a newcomer posts. Thanks Jess. It's the common ground between us all-what binds us together; NOPE (Not One Puff Ever). This is a genuinely supportive site. Stay close to it as you progress. It's made the world of difference to my quit, coupled with NRT Gum. I'd have ruled them things out before, now I know that was my way of self-sabotaging any quit attempts. This time was so different, open to giving and receiving support-and there's plenty of it! Go well :O)

jesseker profile image
jesseker9 MONTH WINNER in reply toiris8

Thank you Iris! I think you're so right - self sabotage is soooo easy, if you're not 100% ready to pack the habit in for good. It's really strange. I'm not sure what happened to me; I was a determined smoker and my parents had bought me e-cigs in the past but I'd still feel the need for a 'proper' one, even after just having had a puff on the e-cig. I think the fact Swan stopped selling the filters which prevented me having yellow fingers was the final push for me...that, and going to a proper vape shop and buying a decent cartomiser. I am loving my smoke free existence and plan to take up running again. Even as a smoker I almost completed the NHS Couch to 5k programme late last year but never finished....I want to get fit and healthy even more so now I know my lungs are on their way to recovery :) xx

iris8 profile image
iris88 MONTH WINNER

Every winter bare tree reminds me of my lungs this year, the beauty takes my breath.

I'm not sure what happened to me? But post quitting I remembered I'd had this date in mind, 12th Jan and low and behold that was my quit date. I came in from work, logged on and found support. So simple. It all just flowed and internally it felt so right. No resistance, niggley doubts-I was ready!

Many a time I'd thought I might be one who simply can't put it down. Whatever grace touched me that eve I've gone with it because one smoke has never been one. I have much evidence of that.

I used to think if this was flavoured milk, tobacco flavour, I'd never buy it. The insanity of smoking was very real for me. So here we are; quitters ~ On board the smoke free train and it feels good. I was really feeling the damage I was doing, it's so good to have my breath back. Best to you Jess, glad you've found your way out-Although it just happens, as we know it's no easy feat when your active in the addiction. NOPE :O)

in reply toiris8

Hi Iris ,

Love your response😊

iris8 profile image
iris88 MONTH WINNER in reply to

How are you Arizona?..

jesseker profile image
jesseker9 MONTH WINNER in reply toiris8

Beautifully put. I still struggle with the strong cravings...life seems emptier sometimes without the promise of a cigarette to 'reward' myself after eating or having gone a few hours without nicotine. I so hope this feeling passes. I still turn to the e-cig and it staves off the craving but isn't 'the same'. The worst mistake I ever made was to persevere with smoking. Oh, to turn back time!

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