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Give and get support around quitting

annaaustin623
Member

1st day

I prepared and so far so good. I usually take a break at work about this time so I can feel the craving creeping up on me but I got this. One day at time.

21 Replies
annaaustin623
Member

Thank you so much

0 Kudos
indingrl
Member

Awe you are most welcome 

YoungAtHeart
Member

Welcome to our community!

DO take that break at work - just change up what you do.  If weather permits, sit outside where the smokers aren't and read a book, or play a game on your phone, or go for a quick walk.  You are relearning your life as an ex-smoker, and the more things you can change up in your routine, the easier it's going to be!

The most important thing you can do right now is to educate yourself on what nicotine does to your body and mind. To that end, I also  highly recommend Allen Carr's “The Easy Way to Stop Smoking.” This is an easy and entertaining read. You can search for it online or at your local library.

 You should also read the posts here and perhaps go to the pages of folks who you think might be helpful. You might visit whyquit.com, quitsmokingonline.com and livewell.com for the good information contained there. @https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/groups/best-of-ex has lots of blogs written by members of this site with their experiences and guidance.

After you have completed the recommended reading, it will be time to make an informed choice of the quit aid, if any, you will use. If you go that route, I personally recommend the aids that don't let the addict control the dose such as the available prescription drugs or the patch. If used properly, gum, lozenges and inhalers are fine, but they need to be used only as a last resort.  I have seen folks become addicted to them if they substitute them for every cigarette they used to smoke - just trading one addiction for another.  I do not recommend the e-cigarette for three reasons: 1) the vapor has been compared to the polluted air in Bejing on a bad day, 2) they just provide another nicotine delivery system while continuing the hand to mouth smoking motion, and 3) the batteries can spontaneously catch on fire. . But – any method that you think will work well for you will be best for you.

The idea is to change up your routines so the smoking associations are reduced.  Drink your coffee with your OTHER hand in a place different from when you smoked. Maybe switch to tea for a bit.  If you always had that first smoke with your coffee, try putting your tennies on right out of bed, going for a quick walk, then taking your shower and THEN your coffee! Rearrange the furniture in the areas you used to smoke so the view is different. Buy your gas at a different station. Take a different route to work. Take a quick walk at break time where the smokers AREN'T.

You need to distract yourself through any craves.  You can take a bite out of a lemon (yup - rind and all), put your head in the freezer and take a deep breath of cold air, do a few jumping jacks, go for a brisk walk or march in place, play a computer game.  Keep a cold bottle of water with you from which to sip. Don't let that smoking thought rattle around in your brain unchallenged. Sometimes you need to quit a minute or an hour at a time.  You will need to be disciplined in the early days to distract yourself when a crave hits.    Get busy!  Here is a link to a list of things to do instead of smoke if you need some fresh ideas:

https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/blogs/Youngatheart.7.4.12-blog/2013/02/25/100-things-to-do-instea...

The conversation in your head in response to the "I want a cigarette" thought needs to be, "Well, since I have decided not to do that anymore, what shall I do instead for the three minutes this crave will last?"  Then DO it.  You will need to put some effort into this in the early days, but it gets easier and easier to do.

Stay close to us here and ask questions when you have them and for support when you need it. We will be with you every step of the way!

Nancy

emilyt123078
Member

~smiles~ These people have some dang good advice.  Yep, you do got this and it is one day at a time. 

desiree465
Member

Nice to meet you and welcome to the community. Come on here anytime you used to take your smoke breaks and let us know how you're doing. It really helps. 

annaaustin623
Member

Thank you everyone. Your encouragement and information really helped yesterday. I am now on day 2! 

YoungAtHeart
Member

Tonight you can celebrate Day TWO WON.  Then get on with it to forever!

Proud of you!

Nancy

annaaustin623
Member

Thank you! That is the plan. I am thankful for my stubbornness today because once I have done this for a certain amount of time that alone should keep me from giving in! 

Barb102
Member

Yes it will it will empower you to know you got this. Also I don’t want to slip up and start all over, neither will you. Breathe, read, keep busy and NOPE. NOT ONE PUFF EVER. We are all here to support each other. Welcome

Barb

elvan
Member

You are doing this and you are going to feel stronger with every day you win...GREAT job!

Ellen