Help day one!

[plemonss1979]

Hi I just quit today is my first day. I need all the help I can get. Been smoking 23 years and I'm almost 40 years old with 2 little ones that I want to see grow up. My reasoning is we have no $ to buy any so I'm scared that when I do get $ I'm gonna buy some. My husband says he don't crave it like I do. Also scared that next weekend my son has his birthday party and family and friends will be here and they all smoke. I am so used to stepping out to smoke with them. Any advice for those that have quit and still have family or friends that smoke?

[Giulia]

I wrote a little play about the dialogue that goes on in our heads as we quit, and how our attitude changes and grows along the journey.  Might help.  (It's long, just take it in Act bites to make it more palatable.)  /blogs/Giulia-blog/2016/09/06/a-quit-dialogue-in-iv-acts?sr=search&searchId=2abc6fca-1e42-4c75-af22-...

[TessaGrace]

Finding that fresh nibbles are really helping, especially blueberries/grapes/watermelon/celery - also chopping Veg - make loads and stay near the crudités! Also I can imagine you blowing bubbles for the kids, hold close to the moments in which you are victoriously not smoking. 

[elvan]

Never another day ONE but rather MANY days WON!

[Nymous]

You have been provided a lot of good options to handle your first few days. try all of them and choose what works for you but the key thing is to be resolute and take a pledge to never give in. Not one more puff ever.

I can tell you what worked for me.

1. Cold Cranberry juice

2. Anything that is Sour, I used sourpatch

3. Honey

4 Drink lots of water at least 2 liters of water every day. this helps to flush out the Nicotine faster

5 Remember using nicotine again should NEVER be an option

[MichelleDiane]

Hello  plemonss1979.  Since you have some time before the party you can do things this very day that will help you when the time comes.  There are still times when I need to be in the moment as opposed to thinking about upcoming events. If I can concentrate on what I am doing now the urge, crave, or thought do not take root.  Are you doing any preparations like cooking, baking, picking music out?  All of these things can be very helpful as they will engage you in activities other than smoking.  Happy birthday to your son.  Keep close to this site.  Maybe if you are having a really tough time excuse yourself for a few minutes and come to the site.  You can write HELP and will usually get a response very quickly or read something that helps you redirect your thoughts to a more positive place.

Best,

Michelle

[Sandy-9-17-17]

My first piece of advice, is please don't step out with them for any reason.  You don't need to see or smell any of it! 

Keep focused on the reason you are staying inside, and that is to throw your son a great party!  What a great gift you are giving not only yourself, but your children as well.  The gift of a life free from nicotine!  You can do this, and you have made the choice to do it!  Know in your heart that it is the right choice!  You are still so young, and now is the best time to do it!  What a great gift!  Happy Birthday to your son!  Enjoy the party!

Everyone else threw you so much that I will keep this short and sweet!  Welcome to EX, where you will find the best support ever!  

Sandy 170 Day of Freedom

[GyorgyiM]

DON'T QUIT SMOKING!!!!

STOP SMOKING !!!!

The stronger your mindset the better. Listen to all the advice of these lovely people. Find your "niche' and utilize ALL of us to capacity. This is one place we WANT you to be selfish, because we ourselves are selfish in wanting to share the health, and happiness that comes with NOT SMOKING! 

Welcome to the Family...

Miles of Smiles

G. 

[anaussiemom]

[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.  

Is anyone really ever ready to quit?  Is there ever a good time to quit?  I think you just need to be it until you see it or fake it until you make it!  Act like an ex-smoker and you will end up being one!  I think the single most important thing that helped me was Alan Carr's Easy Way to Quit Smoking book/book on tape.

A list of our Elders /blogs/Giulia-blog/2017/06/18/elders-list-ao-december-7-2016?sr=search&searchId=276a2644-49f3-4c14-b...‌ 

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)‌

YoungAtHeart‌ Nancy’s Blog /blogs/Youngatheart.7.4.12-blog/2013/02/25/100-things-to-do-instead-of-smoke?sr=search&searchId=da71...‌ and her discussion For Our New Years' Quitters (and community members, too) 

JonesCarpeDiem‌ Dale’s Blog /blogs/jonescarp.aka.dale.Jan_2007-blog/2011/06/26/what-to-expect-in-the-first-four-months?sr=search...What To Expect In The First Four Months 

Visit https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/groups/best-of-ex?sr=search&searchId=2d875dd6-87c7-48b5-afd6-19e2...‌

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. 

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!

Roller

[Nymous]

One thing I would recommend is to tell all your friends that you are quitting and you need their help to prevent from getting tempted.

My friends smoke and whenever I have quit , I tell them and you will be surprised to find many of your friends try to avoid smoking in front of you and some who will not let you borrow a cigarette.

have lot of cold veggies like baby carrots/celery/tomatoes, strawberry twirls, sour patch, regular gum, bubble gum etc.

the key things is to be convince yourself that no matter what, you are not going to take another puff and accept that it is gong to be difficult.