Breaking the habit is easier than you think
Hi, i'm Jesse's dad.
I began smoking at age 8. I was inhaling at age 10 and i continued to smoke until i was 35.
Since the age of 25 I tried to stop smoking. You name it, I tried it, for 10 years. I often wondered whether it was an addiction or a habit. I can tell you this, it is 90% habit, 7% environment and 3% addiction. It's challenging but it's not difficult.
I always had a smoke when i woke up, during the day, after a meal, with a beer, with coffee and just before bed. I smoked a pack a day.
On my first week, after i woke up, i waited 30 minutes before having a smoke. This was difficult, but it put me into a position that caused me to break the habit of smoking when i got up. I did this for a week. After the 30 minutes I continued to smoke as normal.
Week two, after waking up, I waited an hour before having a smoke. Again it was a challenge but not difficult. The thing is that in this hour I actually ate breakfast. Usually all I would "eat" was a coffee and a smoke.
Week three I waited 90 minutes. Probably the most challenging. But I just kept remembering that it was only 30 minutes longer than last week and after 90 minutes I would continue to smoke throughout the day. It didn't feel like "giving" up or "missing out". Just another challenge.
Week four 2hrs
Week five 2hrs 30 minutes
etc.
etc.
So every week I added 30 minutes.
It broke habits that I held for many years. Smoking after a meal, after a coffee. Can you imagine not smoking after lunch? I couldn't. But I did it because I gradually broke the habit.
It seemed like only minutes before it was 5pm and now I could have a smoke. Soon it was dinner time and I wasn't even smoking. When I had reached the point that I wasn't smoking 'till 8pm, I stopped altogether. I had gained control.
It was a slow way to quit but it worked and I will never smoke again. I run every day, do weights, I am healthy and I feel great.
You may read this and think "whatever". I was in your shoes. I understand the feelings. Do it my friend. DO IT.
Finally, please remember you are not quitting. You are winning.
Dear Jesse's Dad- I find your post really exciting as I have trouble in the morning. It is the only one I really like anymore. But then I have the rest. My Doctors have been discussing this method with me. My Husband and I were talking tonight. I said I would go 30 mins in the morning. That's great.
Penelopejane,
I have full confidence you will do it. Let me know how you are going. Well done to you. And it's great to hear that you have support from your husband.
Penelopejane,
I have full confidence you will do it. Let me know how you are going. Well done to you. And it's great to hear that you have support from your husband.
I like this strategy and although I'm into my 11th day cold turkey, I'm going to suggest this to my wife who wants to quit but has not taken the first step yet. Cheers
Dear Jesses Dad- I did go the half hour. My next time is
11.00 am, then 2.00 pm, 5.00 pm. I have not decided to have them, just to put them out of my day until those times. I need to cut sown to less than five a day. I need to establish non-smoking days in my routine too. Basically I want more control. And yes, my Husband is very dear to me. Thanks. There is so much hope for my circumstances because I am cutting down very slowly so that I can start living differently. This quit forme is all about lifestyle and it is for good.
Bjw, well done and congrats for your 11th day. COLD TURKEY. You are strong. Good man. I know this strategy will help your wife. I'm sure if she applies it she will win. Please let me know how the both of you are going.
Penelopejane,
well done.
I have read your strategy and it looks like a winner. I understand your of not smoking until those times.
Just so I get it, are you doing each of those times for a week?
Either way you are already gaining control of the situation so keep going. Well done.
Penelopejane,
well done.
I have read your strategy and it looks like a winner. I understand your of not smoking until those times.
Just so I get it, are you doing each of those times for a week?
Either way you are already gaining control of the situation so keep going. Well done.
Dear Jesse's dad, I saw my General Practitioner. He is extremely supportive. He gave me a script for stronger patches. I feel more confident on them. I must not bust that half hour for a month. Then I will go to one hour for the next month. Today I went over four hours painlessly. There were no smokes in the house and they didn't even cross my mind