Struggling...
Hello all the way from Derby, England! I stumbled across this site whilst looking for advice/support. I am trying to quit mainly for health reasons, I like to push myself hard in the gym but I'm starting to realise I can only push myself so hard as smoking holds me back. I quit about 48 hours ago so it's still fresh and the temptation is killing me! I sat outside a supermarket for 10 minutes on the way to work this morning having an internal battle about whether to just buy some tobacco and 'cut down' instead. For now, the determined quitter has won. But holy s*** am I struggling! I have never felt more miserable. It's the first thing I think about when I wake up and it runs through my mind constantly throughout the day. I can't sleep, I keep waking up at 4am. I constantly feel like I'm on a knife edge. Torn between bawling my eyes out or flipping my s***. It's leaving me constantly depressed. I have never had particularly strong willpower and have always given in to what I want. Help!
You can do this Holly. You wanted it so badly it seems you did it spontaneously, without planning as i did. I believe the cravings are the same regardless how much you smoked. The worst 2 days are over, and things should start to ease up some. Everyone is different. Drink lots of water, distract yourself from the urges, do something to keep your mind busy and your hands as well if possible.
A ginger and turmeric (ingredients in curry powder) cleanse, will help with the cravings while helping to clean your body of toxins and help to clear the lungs.. Try this simple tonic i have posted or add these 2 powerful spices to chicken soup or broth.
I believe that the proper mindset will ease the cravings and banish them sooner. No harm in reading my posts, and others who have had luck with it. Stay strong ,we are here rooting for you, knowing you can do it. Believe that and you will succeed.
Thank you! It makes me feel more optimistic that it's more or less the same for everyone. I'm very up and down, one minute I'm telling myself I can, the next I'm thinking about running to the shop to buy some. I miss it, did anyone else feel like they'd lost a safety net almost? Current mindset is to power on through! But ask me again in an hour and it'll be a different answer. Thank you for your encouragement though, I'm sure I will be reading them back when it gets tough.
You can rationalise this. Are you quitting or just abstaining? If you’re quitting you should feel positive and happy about your decision despite the psychological withdrawals. If you’re forcing abstinence you’re going to suffer.
Healthychook is so right. If you do not WANT to quit, it is just a WILLPOWER STRUGGLE... and you will be miserable. (and will eventually fail) In no way does this mean you don't quit smoking, but maybe make it easier on yourself and learn some facts first. If need be, cut back, (1/3 of the cigarettes you smoke without even realizing it. Use delay and distract to cut down again. Meanwhile you are learning for the real test, when you quit. Smoke where you will not enjoy it. In the bathroom, standing up and making it your priority. I bet you have other things to do.... so right. You are and have been a slave to it. You are an addict! Harsh but true. That is what nicotine does to our brain, and now it is time to retrain your brain. The cigarette does absolutely nothing for us but waste our bodies and our money. Taste it, swish it... gross.... learn to hate it, despise it , WANT IT OUT OF YOUR LIFE!
You are not alone. This is a great site for support and advice.
Mindset is key to an easy quit. Read my posts. Follow other success stories like Red 67 and Robn, Leeanne and others who are all in agreement and happy non-smokers like me. Actual nicotine withdrawl is just a mental "feed me" and lasts for 3 to 5 days. The hard part is the mental cravings which you will have conquered if you research, read, and follow the 4 D's, . Quitting smoking really is as easy or as difficult as you make it. Even if you are being forced to quit today, does not mean that you cannot see the light and suddenly WANT to quit. Really. If you truly Want to Want to quit, read and learn. You can do it!
Healthychook is so right. If you do not WANT to quit, it is just a WILLPOWER STRUGGLE... and you will be miserable. (and will eventually fail) In no way does this mean you don't quit smoking, but maybe make it easier on yourself and learn some facts first. If need be, cut back, (1/3 of the cigarettes you smoke without even realizing it. Use delay and distract to cut down again. Meanwhile you are learning for the real test, when you quit. Smoke where you will not enjoy it. In the bathroom, standing up and making it your priority. I bet you have other things to do.... so right. You are and have been a slave to it. You are an addict! Harsh but true. That is what nicotine does to our brain, and now it is time to retrain your brain. The cigarette does absolutely nothing for us but waste our bodies and our money. Taste it, swish it... gross.... learn to hate it, despise it , WANT IT OUT OF YOUR LIFE!
You are not alone. This is a great site for support and advice.
Mindset is key to an easy quit. Read my posts. Follow other success stories like Red 67 and Robn, Leeanne and others who are all in agreement and happy non-smokers like me. Actual nicotine withdrawl is just a mental "feed me" and lasts for 3 to 5 days. The hard part is the mental cravings which you will have conquered if you research, read, and follow the 4 D's, . Quitting smoking really is as easy or as difficult as you make it. Even if you are being forced to quit today, does not mean that you cannot see the light and suddenly WANT to quit. Really. If you truly Want to Want to quit, read and learn. You can do it!