Hang in there
Like all other quitters, i'm also going through a rough ride at the moment. Well, today marks my 21 days of no smoking journey which makes me happy but at the same time to be honest i feel sad to lose my best companion.
I think it is one of the main reason for some of the smokers struggle to quit smoking in the first few attempts, well at least it is true in my case... deep inside I enjoyed smoking and don't want to give up even when i say/try i want to. I have tried absolutely everything exist out there including hypnotism to quit smoking in the past but within couple of days im back to square 1. I feel this time around this thing is for real.
Deep inside i called it a QUIT for good and went COLD TURKEY and i see that in my results already. I was in a look out for someone in supporting my quit smoking journey and stumble upon this site. Must say, Some of the stories motivated me when i read it first here. Starting to make it a habit now in the last couple of days. Every time i have a bad withdrawal symptoms i read some posts just to take my mind off the craving and it had worked very well.
Although im on day 21 the craving for smoking is still there. I suppose it is different from person to person and i guess it is going to take longer for me. I have taken eating junk as my substitute and gained about 3.8kg so far but hey, it is better than the harm you can get from cigarette. As i promised to myself to start exercise from day 21 im going to walk 5kms in the evening today. I will sign in again in the next couple of days and share my progress with you. Please join me in this journey and share your stories with me and others. All the best to each one of you trying to quit out there. Nothing is impossible, lets do it!
Good for you making the commitment and sticking to it this time. You are no different than most who think they love smoking and that they miss their friend. The truth is that smoking does nothing for you but inject nicotine to prevent the nicotine craving, but even more than that is the psychological dependence on the act of smoking or what we think we get from it. It is an ingrained habit....25+ a day perhaps, and we use it as a crutch and as a reward.
We smoke before we do something, after as a reward and even during if permitted. It signals relaxation time and break time and pleasurable moments, but it does not bring that pleasure itself. The only pleasure it brings is to stop the feeling we do not like if we do not light up. Yes, something is missing......
We need to see smoking in a different light. We did not choose to smoke. Who would have thought we would get addicted to something so vile, so gagging that we had to endure getting used to? Why did others tell us to quit but kept on. Because smokers are addicted to nicotine and because it is a habit and they don't believe that they can quit.
Decades ago I did not know what I know today. Cravings DO NOT last forever. Sure a memory might be invoked by the smell but although the memory might be a great one, smoking had nothing to do with it. Heaven forbid we did not have one nearby! We carried them 24/7. Smoking did nothing for us. It caused more stress because of health and financial issue. And guilt.
Look forward to being a happy non-smoker with few if any cravings by being thankful for this opportunity and for wanting the best in life. Be proud of yourself for sticking to your guns. Show the tobacco companies that we can think for ourselves and put our money to valuable use. Treat yourself to things that you may be able to afford now with your savings that might have seemed an extravagance or a waste before. You deserve it, at least you are not longer burning your money and destroying your health .
Be happy, be grateful, be proud but most of all stay positive. You will love being a non -smoker once you are not afraid to be.
Hi Rajesh. Good move sharing your thoughts on this site. It's good to vent. You realise your so called companion was not such a good friend. Just cos something hangs around like a bad smell (literally, in this case), does not mean it is looking out for you. Even your reliance on the junk food is a better alternative but just a temporary companion. Enjoy it while it lasts. Like a reward. After a year or even more you could decide to lose any weight gained. You will realise if you can give up smoking, you can do anything. You will again get to test your will power. No rush to shed the pounds. No need to take on too much. Enjoy the rollercoaster ride. Been there, done that and after a few years I decided it was time to shed 20kgs. Did it. Now all that is left is to find the fountain of youth... Ha ha
Hi all,
Thankyou to Happiness and Lia for sharing your thoughts and for the great motivational words on my quitting journey. Feels good to see people sharing their stories and supporting one and other.
Day 24 - 24 Jan 2022
My craving was little easier for the first time today while I was having my tea this morning. Mind was playing a bit while driving to work though. Came straight to my desk, read some comments and writing mine now. Week end went really well as i was busy spending time with my daughter who turned 12 on Saturday and caught up with some sports in our backyard on sunday kept me busy this whole week end but ofcourse with some craving now and then which was tackled with my usual junkfood.
I have started my exercise on friday (5km walk) but did not continue over the week end. I will try and walk atleast 3 time this week and see how i go. Take care all.
Thankyou