To give you hope - I tried to stop smoking five times before I was finally successful. The first four times I stopped but found that after a few weeks I was tempted and then went right back to where I'd been before. Then my husband developed ill health and I had a couple of bouts of pleurisy which really is incredibly painful. I decided to give up fod good.
First I halved the number I smoked per day but didn't beat myself up if I went over, just corrected it again the next day. After 3 months my body was used to less nicotine and I smoked in less places simply because of the numbers.
Then I restricted where I could smoke but allowed myself the same number of siggies, so that in time I was just smoking in the evening watching TV and maybe a couple in the garden during the summer daytimes. I stayed at that level for 3 months.
Then I cut the number by half again and allowed myself to smoke while watching TV for another couple of months.
Then I substituted smoking for sweets and had just a couple of ciggies as a treat each evening.
Finally I cut out the siggies and used sweets which did make me put on weight, so then I substituted the sweets for fruit which is what I snack on now during the evening. I do sometimes eat the odd packet of maltesers in an evening, but mostly am much healthier and never crave cigarettes.
I gave up smoking 8 years ago and lliks so many ex-smokers I can't stant the smell or taste (I've tried occasionally out of interest) although I do occasionally fancy the idea of smoking, and holding a ciggie, etc.
I just found that within a year I had not only beaten the habit but I am healthier and feel myself to be a non-smoker rather than an ex-smoker which is what I actually am.
Thanks for your comments secondhandrose, I am sure this will be of interest to lots of our members. Like you say it can be done. Well done after8 years thats brill.
Hey Sue, thank you ever so much for sharing your story with us. I am sure you will have inspired many others who may be feeling just how you were, 8 years ago.
I always say that nobody says that it is easy, but generally most people say it is worth it :0)
Hi, yes I hope it does inspire other people. It's so hard to just give up but by reducing the number and then the place it worked for me, I'm a spychologist you see so knew how to reduce temptation! Good luck to all those still trying, Sue
Aup Sue its nice to see you on here gal, and that is just fantastic the way you quit, just lovely reading the way you overcome it, and beat it i think most of it is psychological, a habit that you have to get rid of, because you know something, i always know when my hair needs cutting, because i twiggle with it, i know it sounds stupid, but its a habit !! isnt it, it dosnt bother me when my hair is short !!
Am sorry for going on Sue, cus i know i'm a bit of a bore sometimes, you take care gal, and ''enjoy''
Pete
Hi Pete
Thanks for good wishes. Yes I think it's mostly psychological but also a bit of a physical addiction which is why i halved the number, to reduce the physical dependance. Anyway, thanks again, Sue
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