Are the feelings and thoughts normal?
Smokefree Workplace - no smoking while at work, only when I am at home.. Price rise of tobacco as well and my lungs looking like a black mass on each side of my chest xray.. Lastly, I was really struggling to breath normally when I did a long walk. Time to stop.
Regards
jmg
I was successful only having 5 smokes per day while working but not so on my days off. Feeling so miserable over the whole situation I made an appointment to see my Doctor for Champix. It took me a couple of weeks to actually stop smoking and then I began to eat and still am eating way too much food to cater for the times when I would have a ciggy.
I have put some weight on and now notice my 'poddy' stomach, well aware that I will have to stop the excess eating.. What can I nibble on (variety) so I do not put the weight on?
I still feel like a ciggy but go and do something else to distract my mind. I find that the thought of wanting a smoke enters my mind a lot during the day, especially first thing in the morning. Is this normal to have this thought many times during the day?
I tell myself to enjoy 'surfing the waves' as this is how my body or mind or both are feeling a lot... Is there anything that can stop this feeling and thinking of wanting a ciggy?
This is how I am still going at I think I read 34 days into my stop smoking program. I would like to share this for any information as there maybe someone else going through similar or same thoughts and feelings too.
Hi jmg, all these thoughts and feelings are very normal. It all depends on the individual person, how often you smoked, when, where, with what ie coffee etc....you will work out what works best for you to stop the cravings but keeping busy is a good one. Lots of sleep. Distracting yourself with something else. I always walked each morning, exercise is good, lots of water and changing routine and habits. Nuts are good to nibble on, I also had chuppa chups and eucalyptus lollies constantly. I didn't put on weight because I counteracted that with walking and other exercises. However, if that's not possible don't worry about the weight for now as long as your not smoking you can deal with the weight issue later. One thing at a time! Your doing great. Stay with us and read as much as you possibly can here. Good luck!
Hi jmg
I went through exactly the same thing , cigs always on my mind, eating anything and everything lol ...I just figured , as Bronte said, one thing at a time . The smoking had to go , I was coughing , breathless, broke .
Now 57 days later I purchased a treadmill and use it ;-) I'm not so obsessed with putting something in my mouth, have actually lost 1kg . Just keep going ...do whatever you have to do to get through than you can fix weight probs etc after you gain control.
Fruit , nuts ..I use chewing gum and hard lollies ...works a treat.
Good luck you can do it
Hi Jmg this whole journey is about finding New habits.so it good to have a think about how you want your day to look without darts and start to incorporate new habits in your day,especially at those times when you normally had a dart, like first thing in the morning or after a meal. It really worked for me then your new habit becomes automatic and you don't even think of a dart . Keep strong
Hi jmg, I stopped 34 days ago also and I'm still struggling, feels like 34 weeks! But I will never go back there again! I've put on weight, which I hope I will get off but doesn't worry me anyway as I am dealing with the hardest thing in my life at the moment! I too always am thinking about a smoke I thought it would be easier now I feel like the craving is coming back but I haven't had any nicotine in over a month! I am so overly fatigued, I don't know if that is s symptom of giving up?
It's great reading the other posts and seeing what to expect. They are very inspiring for me and Nannette always has some good advice. Taking up a new habit to replace the old ones!
I'm glad you shared how you are feeling because I was feeling the same!
Good luck on your journey
Kazzy I remember at 9 weeks one day I was desperate for a smoke, mostly I was ok at that stage but every now & then I could kill for one - I couldn't understand why because I hadn't had any nicotine for all that time, it should have been out of my system which tells us it's not just physical. I was really tired too, I slept A LOT! I even went to bed same time as the kids. Stay strong people.
Hi, thankyou everyone for your comments. It is great to know that what I am going through is also what you guys are experiencing too. Reviewing my habits now to have a cuppa as normal but drink it at my computer or sit in the kitchen- somewhere inside the house as the house was out of bounds for smoking.
I get concerned about any weight gaining because of my knees and back so I will indeed check out some nuts sultanas etc when I get paid next week.
I am so glad that Kazzy and Bronte mentioned tired as I am so lethargic but thought it may be a virus. Good side to this is that it has slowed me down heaps as I get exhausted after doing little bit of work.
Wow it is good to have support and knowing that I am not alone on my journey :-) which will help me along the way. Thankyou
Your doing good jmg, you'll never be alone.... there's way too many of us silly smokers out there trying to give up!!!!
The nature of additions are a physical reaction and a mental obcession. It is entirely normal to have pervasive thoughts about smoking. Visualising or observing can help. Brain training basically. We all find ways to let go of the invasive thoughts. Mindfulness techniques are good as is relaxation.
Hommus and celery sticks are healthy. I eat yoghurt regularly. Fruit salad is easy to make. A bowl of steamed vegetables with grated cheese on top is wholesome. An accquaintence told me to cut carrot sticks to the same size as a smoke and have lots. That way I can puff on the carrot stick before chewing it.