2 weeks since my last stinky stick
Hi fellow smoking quitters. I am 50 and started when I was 12 so that was a very long time ago. I have tried to quit so many times that I now can't remember how many attempts I am up to. The longest period I quit for was for 4 months and it was over 5 and half years ago. I have also spent the last 5 and half years as a secret smoker.
Most of the people I know where I live do not know I smoke so only place I do it is in my backyard. I was going away for the weekend starting 31 October with all the girls I work with and knew I could not smoke (in fitness industry so sneaking away for one was not an option) so I decided this was a great opportunity to give up and I have. I have done it by going cold turkey but did buy lozenges in case (I have used only 2 but did not like them so decided no nicotine hit was worth how they made me feel. Funnily enough I did not use either of those 2 on that weekend). As I only smoke at home, I probably smoke about 12 a day (I used to smoke a packet a day before it was banned from just about everywhere so you could say the buzz killers did me a favour though I did not think so at the time).
I am reasonably fit so lack of breath has never been a problem but I did have a cough at night which I have noticed is easing. I am suffering from headaches and sleep is iratic. I think about smoking a lot and have been visiting this site and reading your stories which have been helping so I thought I should post something too. I have also been eating a lot if cheese and nuts. Unfortunately for me I was never able to smoke without something to drink - be it coffee, water or alcohol so all fluids are a trigger for me. I really am determined this time that I will beat it as l am sick of setting my money on fire, hair and clothes stinking and hiding my antisocial habit.
My greatest fear is emphysema (it should be cancer but it is not) and fearing one day that in the future my smoking habit will come home to roost like it did for Allen Carr but that is a very negative thing for me to be thinking and I need to be positive in myself that to give up now I am giving myself a better chance for the future.
This journey is hard but the benefits will be worth it. Thank you for everyone who does take the time to post because I know you have helped me. When I crave a smoke I just come on the site and read some of the posts and it takes my mind off it. Wish you all a smoke free day and here is to a future of being a non smoker.
great job, think the best way is cold turkey if you can handle it because that way the nicotine leaves the body quicker. Keep head strong, ignore that inner voice and soon enough the game will be over
Hang in there. What is amazing about this site is that you are with fellow quitters who understand your every challenge. You can often count on someone to post just what you need to get you through tough times.
Thanks Nodrah and Lia. It is great to have somewhere to go where people truly understand how hard this journey is.
Hi I've been quit now for 100 days. The cravings are much less but having a hard time trying to get a job at the moment so felt like I needed one yesterday but pulled through it saying 'I'm a non smoker now!' I am similar to you I smoked since I was 11 until I was 48. Problem was I got emphysema, it's not too bad but that was my fear. I also did Allen carrs program (and many others) and thought what the hell he died anyway... but that's not a helpful thought! You only really have to be strong in the beginning as you know because you have stopped before, then the cravings do get much easier! I used a quit4good program and had oral strips, they were fantastic. I'm still using an ecig occasionally without nicotine though. There will always be that inner voice saying 'i would love just one' but I just push the thought away and get on with trying to fix myself up! No more coughing and breathing is bit better....can't reverse emphysema!!! Good luck on your journey, I'm sure you can do it!
Hi I've been quit now for 100 days. The cravings are much less but having a hard time trying to get a job at the moment so felt like I needed one yesterday but pulled through it saying 'I'm a non smoker now!' I am similar to you I smoked since I was 11 until I was 48. Problem was I got emphysema, it's not too bad but that was my fear. I also did Allen carrs program (and many others) and thought he died anyway... but that's not a helpful thought! You only really have to be strong in the beginning as you know because you have stopped before, then the cravings do get much easier! I used a quit4good program and had oral strips, they were fantastic. I'm still using an ecig occasionally without nicotine though. There will always be that inner voice saying 'i would love just one' but I just push the thought away and get on with trying to fix myself up! No more coughing and breathing is bit better....can't reverse emphysema!!! Good luck on your journey, I'm sure you can do it!
Sorry had to resubmit because of an offensive word in my text that wasn't very offensive anyway!!!!
Measuring your food is a good idea. I am breaking the cycle of the drinks being a trigger two ways. One is to have the drink first. So that delays it and if there is a destraction, I avoid it altogether (something like the phone ringing). The other way I disassociate the drinks from the smokes is the temperature. I have taken to iced tea. I find it strange and refreshing, it works most of the time.
Thanks Kazzy. There are hard moments but I am listening to the voice that is saying "you do not need to buy a packet the craving will pass" and it does. I do not want to start this journey again. Thanks for sharing with me.
Thanks Nica. I am up to 19 days and I am not constantly thinking about smoking so it does get easier. Keep going.