Quitting with mild but sure shot determination
Hi all - Just wanted to share what I have been experiencing (44th day of my quiiting cigs today by the way)...If you are using nicotine substitutes or smoking inhibitors like champix etc it is fine-shows you want to quit, real bad:) What I'd like to add however, is that I am not using any such product even though I have been a regular smoker since the past 25 years-so it ain't absolutely necessary!!! I just want to improve my life desperately and realise the potential that I know I possess:) This eggs me on. There are a lot of things that keep happening which can demotivate me or pull me down but I have now begun to realise that I can cope better with them because quitting cigs after all this time makes me feel proud, somewhere deep within. No body compelled me to do so-not even bad health (though I obviously realised that it is high time since it was affecting the stamina, skin etc). Besides, beat the money that I am saving now:) Bottom line: You and only you begin to inspire yourself and the rest follows:) CHEERS AND THE BEST OF WISHES to all my 'quitting' PALS!!! It is a different world once you manage (I know I still have a long way to go but I have hit the right road guys)
Hi rockr. You will discover that there is no such thing as one size fits all on this site. Otherwise we would all magically quit and forget the dependence on nicotine. Mine is a 45 year habit. I walked away cold turkey 59 days ago but know that once a smoker,always a smoker. The craving can strike at any time and before one knows it, one cigarette has become one packet and then one carton and then too late. The dependence begins again. These days the best wake up call is the cost. If your employer won't give you a pay rise, why don't you give yourself one. That may be anywhere from $100 to $200 a week. Now, no union could do that! Hey, but a smoker can if the plan is to stop smokimg.
85 days clean and counting! Stayed on champix for ten weeks had no side effects other then feeling a bit low but knew that was just the tablets and not really me. Accidentally started to get off them by forgetting to take the night one. Had the worst "fog" couldn't really think clearly. Had a definite extreme sadness nearly despair. Have never had depression and had some really tough times in my life but nothing had effected me mentally as coming off champix. I can totally understand why people have taken their lives or become depressed it really messes with your head. Yes I have not smokes again as I am too scared to start as I know that I would never be able to go on these tablets again. I would never recommend these tablets to anyone no matter how mentally strong they maybe. It has been three weeks since I have been off them and have only just started to feel normal and able to cope with life.
Lia, I agree with you quite a bit when it comes to the cost being a dampener - though I have seen live examples of some family members (similar years of smoking as yours) quit successfully and continuing to do so even after 12 - 15 years now (they are old now)! The question is how do you avoid being around temptations for the initial year or so I guess. I marked the last date I smoked, on my packet (it still has 4 cigarettes in it) and have kept it under my mattress ever since - as advised by my uncle who quit successfully. Hope to continue:) Ciggie- As I mentioned, substitutes for nicotine or medication shows good intent but is avoidable. Also, controlling the number of cigarettes you smoke each day is of no use. You just quit-that is it. Hope to be able to sound this convincing after 365 days brothers-CHEERS...Keep pushing and motivating each other(it is the best thing for people like us yeah?)
I've been wanting to quit my off and on 23 year habit for sometime. My aunt died of lung cancer at age 42, then my Dad died unexpectedly of a heart attack three years ago...he was a non smoker, yet his death led me to start smoking even more...I finally have reached a full pack. I work in a family practice, most everyone smokes...who would of guessed that...a Doctor 's office. Long story short, I've had a virus the last 4 days, and haven't been able to smoke, too sick. So today, I said, God gave me a gift, and I'm gonna take advantage of it, and quit . That's it, cold turkey for me is the only thing that will work. I just don't want to gain weight , but I don't want to die of lung cancer or be like our patients who are on oxygen. I know it's going to be hard, but my husband is a non smoker and will be very supportive....we moved in with my mom a year after my Dad passed to help her. I have a lot on my plate, but I can come up with excuses all day long...today the excuses ....STOP !
Thanks Jojie-comments like these keep all of us going:) It is all but a mind game during the initial phases after quitting. The benefits outdo the so called pleasure of the 'Drags', trust me! Kim: Cold turkey it is then yeah? You will surely manage it-your husband is there to support you isn't it? My wife thinks it is no big deal and that it is my moral responsibility to stop smoking-so what do I need a pat on the back for? So, only I encourage myself:) and believe me, that makes me all the more determined since I am desperately waiting to complete 365 days at least-before I say out aloud that 'There, I beat the s*** out of the nicotine stick!! :) Keep at it all you wonderful people!
Go rocker , you are so right.......nothing beats kicking one of your own goals especially due to your own resolve and determination. Well done I wish you continued success. Like you I can't wait to join the "ONE YEAR" club
In my case cold turkey is the way to go, but everyone to their own....quitting is quitting.
In my case cold turkey is the way to go, but everyone to their own....quitting is quitting.
Lindavan-rightly said "quitting is quitting". Wish you the best. Nannette, we'll celebrate once we are finshed with the 1st year of being smoke free, surely:) Thanks and wish you continued success too. Isn't it so weird and funny that even though we all know the immensely huge benefits of quitting, we still make such a big deal out of it :) Shows how evil it really is - BOTTOM LINE : Quitting and staying smoke free will make our lives better in so many ways each day -NO QUESTION ABOUT IT-So friends, the efforts that we make to deny ourselves that so called 'pleasure drag' are worth it! Lets keep pushing each other till we even stop thing about a cigarette!!!