Stories & experiences

Remember there is no perfect time to quit. Especially if you've built it up as something in your mind, just beneath climbing Mt. Everest in difficulty. For me, the hardest thing about quitting smoking was thinking about it. The easy part was stopping because I was so sick and tired of the handcuffs... the stink and the wheezing. Yes there were a few unpleasant moments those first few weeks. But nothing that would kill me...like smoking. Cravings pass whether you smoke or not. Distract yourself. Have low calorie snacks everywhere. And drink lots of water. It's not the same as smoking...but smoking, when you strip away the part that assuages your addiction...is vile.

thank you. I am going to make sure I have snacks, chewy, and nice non- drink to have before and after dinner to look forward to. thanks again. Good advice.

You don't really need to replace smoking with something else - it can make it harder for you. Change your mindset to being happy that you are not a nicotine slave any more and do something positive instead

Hey, I really struggle socially too. Saturday was my first few drinks in a month but I managed. I did feel really weird not smoking, I didn't feel like my normal self but I kept looking at the smokers feeling sorry for them. One in particular had a horrendous coughing fit in mid conversation which really made me realize why I am doing this! I had an enjoyable afternoon just as I would have had but I didn't cough the next morning. With practice I think I will feel more comfortable socially - hopefully, other people do it, so can I, AND so can YOU!

Had to laugh about the smoker having a coughing fit. My guy walks around coughing to the point it actually hurts my ears. I am not joking. He has cut down a lot. Smoking causes coughing fits. Like, how smoking as a leisure habit even got off the ground beggars belief.