I have to quit because my health and I'm ready. Need some advice.

[Samsgurl2018]

I need some advice from anyone who is in the process of quitting. I set my quit date for November 2. I have to quit because I want to be healthier, see my kids grow up, and it's the best thing to do. Last week, I had gotten sick and went to the doctor. She did a chest x-ray and a few days later, she said we need to discuss inhalers because there's COPD change on your x-ray. This gave me a major wake up call that I've not been diagnosed with COPD and maybe this is the kick in the butt I finally need. I've been a smoker for over 20 years and in my 40's. This scares me to start medicine like this so it's time to quit but it's going to be really hard. Anyone have some good quit tips to help me get started? My oldest brother who has COPD told me it takes three days to do without to get it out of your system. But I need some strong advice on how anyone got started and got through those first few days. Any help would be appreciated. 

[Roller831]

Welcome!  I know when I first found this site, many Elders told me to read read read….and I did.  Elders are those with one or more years of being quit.  If you like what someone has to say, then you may want to read their blogs.  I have some listed below.

A list of our Elders /blogs/Giulia-blog/2017/06/18/elders-list-ao-december-7-2016 

So here's the thing.....and you may not like what I am about to say....and that's ok.  I get it.  You need to accept that this is an addiction.  Before you do that, it will be much more difficult to quit and stay quit. 

Read read read.  Do the steps to PREPARE yourself to quit.  Do the steps so you are PREPARED on quit day and for the days AFTER quit day.  

Some of the things I read in my first few days that helped me:

Dale’s Welcome to New Members My Welcome To New Members (10 Years Of Watching) 

Nancy’s Blog /blogs/Youngatheart.7.4.12-blog/2013/02/25/100-things-to-do-instead-of-smoke 

Dale’s Blog /blogs/jonescarp.aka.dale.Jan_2007-blog/2011/06/26/what-to-expect-in-the-first-four-months 

Visit Best of EX    

And read what has been posted there.

JACKIE1-25-15  gave me the link to Alan Carr’s book, “Easy Way to Quit Smoking”.  I actually didn’t read the online PDF, but purchased a book on CD from Amazon and listened to it in my car over and over again for the first two weeks of my quit.  The link to the PDF:

http://media.wix.com/ugd/74fa87_2010cc5496521431188f905b7234a829.pdf

Keep this site close and keep posting and asking for help.  You will get it.  You will get things you like and things you don't like, but don't give up!!!  We have been through similar experiences and can share our strength and hope.  We are here to support you!

[Samsgurl2018]

Thank you so much. I'm hoping to stick to it and finally quit. 

[joyeuxencore]

Welcome & congratulations on wanting to take your life back!

Definitely read the Alan Carr book!

Make a decision that no matter how you ‘feel’, no matter what ‘happens’ or what you ‘think’ that you are not going to smoke because you don’t do that anymore.

Read the ‘What’s in your toolbox’ and 'The Five D's' blogs below by Skygirl…GREAT tips!!!

‘Toolbox’or 'quit kit' is composed of a list of distraction techniques and things to help you through like cinnamon sticks, crunchy things (carrots, celery, chips some hard candy, lots of water), lemons…biting into a lemon or sticking your head in the freezer and taking a deep breath gets you through. Also cutting straws in half to chew on. The trick is distraction as a crave only lasts 3 to 5 minutes and is gone whether or not you smoke.

Remember you aren’t giving up anything...you are doing it because you want to It isn’t a lifetime of deprivation but a lifetime of freedom...

Stay close to this site and post a blog  with ‘HELP’ as the title and someone will be there in short order to help you through. It has worked for countless members here! xo

/blogs/SkyGirl-blog/2015/10/07/whats-in-your-tool-box 

/blogs/SkyGirl-blog/2015/04/20/the-five-ds 

[Samsgurl2018]

Thank you for the helpful information. I will definitely be reading all of these from everyone 🙂

[joyeuxencore]

SkyGirl‌  forgot to do that above!!!

[elvan]

Samsgurl2018  Welcome to EX, you have gotten some really good advice above.  May I add that it is a good idea to stay close to this site and read how others are doing, blog, comment, ask for and take advice.  Set a date and prepare for it.  I did it using the My Quit Plan on the first page of Becomeanex...I tracked my cigarettes and I paid attention to what my triggers were and how strong they were and then I planned for what I would do INSTEAD of smoking when I quit.  I had to tweak my list a few times but thinking about WHY I was smoking and what the cigarette was actually doing FOR me (tearing my lungs up and shortening my life), it put things into perspective.  Yes, there were times when I wanted to smoke but I KNEW smoking would not really change anything...except to make my already compromised health WORSE.  You can do this, just look at all of the success stories on this site.  

Ellen

[Samsgurl2018]

Thank you  

[MarilynH]

Welcome, you've made the best decision that you'll ever make in your lifetime so be sure to read the links above me and everything you can about quitting smoking and Remaining Quit because there's a wealth of information here to strengthen your resolve to kick the nicotine poison to the curb and start living a life of Freedom, believe in yourself, be willing, determined and totally committed to succeed and you can start stacking up those precious Days WON, quitting smoking is definitely difficult to say the least but it's absolutely Doable and and definitely worth it to be FREE. 

[Samsgurl2018]

Thank you