QuitNet-ers: Introduce Yourself!

Discussion created by Mark

on Nov 4, 2019
Latest reply on Feb 21, 2021 by SuzyQ411

Like • Show 28 Likes28
Comment • 603

Welcome to EX!

Introduce yourself, share your username and link to profile ( example: https://quitnet.meyouhealth.com/#/users/72397) from QuitNet so people know who you are (if your username changed)

We're excited to learn many new names and faces! Be sure to check out Helpful Links on the right side of QuitNet Group.

Welcome QuitNet Members!

EX Profile | Quitnet Profile | Archived QuitNet Profile

Cousin-Itt | QuitNet | Carl F. | Not yet Backed up

ClearColors | QuitNet | ClearColors Q. | ClearColors' Quitnet Profile and Quitnet Guide

WEWIN | QuitNet | WeWIN R. | Not yet Backed up

abbynormal42 | QuitNet | Abbynormal 1. | Not yet Backed up

WhispersQSMB | TBD | Not yet Backed up

Wildflowers | QuitNet | Kathy B. | Not yet Backed up

ripnruppie | QuitNet | Laura S. | Not yet Backed up

Mysticcat | QuitNet | Mysticcat C. | Not yet Backed up

GregM | QuitNet | Greg M. | Not yet Backed up

Meaquit | TBD | Not yet Backed up

bevie701 | QuitNet | Beverly P. | Not yet Backed up

Mandyex | QuitNet | Mandy L. | Not yet Backed up

TimG | QuitNet | Tim G. | Not yet Backed up

RebeccaNDBecky | QuitNet | Becky(rebeccaND) R. | Not yet Backed up

Troutnut1 | QuitNet | Troutnut 1. | Not yet Backed up

Gai.C | QuitNet | Gail C. | Not yet Backed up

KellanC74 | QuitNet | Kellan C. | My quit

DavidA555 | QuitNet | David A. | Not yet Backed up

Gail561 | QuitNet | Gail G. | Not yet Backed up

Steveo13 | QuitNet | Steve S. | Not yet Backed up

Shannonann | QuitNet | Shannon M. | Not yet Backed up

Verogarcia72 | TBD | Not yet Backed up

shar05 | QuitNet | Shar K. | Not yet Backed up

TERRY_B | QuitNet | Terry B. | Not yet Backed up

WaynenMary | QuitNet | WayneNMary W. | WaynenMary QuitNet Quit Guide

Hyacinth56 | QuitNet | Kathy M. | Not yet Backed up

RobertP | QuitNet | Robert P. | [Robert P]: QuitNet Quit Guide

7miracles | QuitNet | Sherry S. | Not yet Backed up

Hank-Sky | QuitNet | Hank of the Sky *. | Not yet Backed up

lcguy1 | QuitNet | P M. | Not yet Backed up

RoseH | QuitNet | Rosemary H. | ROSE H: QuitNet Quit Guide

Blacksheep54 | QuitNet | Dave L. | Not yet Backed up

ExClipper | QuitNet | Clipper D. | Not yet Backed up

ElaineL2 | QuitNet | Elaine L. | ElaineL2: QuitNet Quit Guide

mandimarie81 | TBD | Not yet Backed up

RainbowHeart | QuitNet | StaciT ;. | My Quitnet Profile

Margaretd | QuitNet | Margaret D. | Not yet Backed up

CJ_A | QuitNet | CJ A. | Not yet Backed up

innkeeper83704 | QuitNet | Keith T. | Not yet Backed up

Jujujulie | QuitNet | Julie W. | [Jujujulie's]: QuitNet Quit Guide

BoldPrint | QuitNet | BoldPrint .. | BoldPrint: QuitNet Quit Guide

SuzyQ411 | QuitNet | Susan B. | SuzyQ411: QuitNet Quit Guide

Bunny.Quit | QuitNet | Lisa V. | Bunny.Quit's: QuitNet Quit Guide

jmfard | QuitNet | Jill F. | [Jill F]: QuitNet Quit Guide

dorcharrd | TBD | dorcharrd 's: QuitNet Quit Guide

BonnieLanders19 | QuitNet | Bonnie L. | Not yet Backed up

DanC9897 | QuitNet | Dan C. | [DanC9897's]: QuitNet Quit Guide

lauroge | QuitNet | Laura E. | [Lauroge's]: QuitNet Quit Guide

Gail_L._Skater | QuitNet | Gail L. | [Gail_L._Skater]: QuitNet Quit Guide

LinneyLu | TBD | Not yet Backed up

Ralanga82 | QuitNet | Rebecca M. | [Rebecca M.'s]: QuitNet Quit Guide

TanyaT | QuitNet | Tanya T. | Not yet Backed up

Steez391 | QuitNet | David C. | TBD (temporarily: Quit Stats Member since:12/26/2018 Quit date:12/5/2019 Medication:Varenicline Pledge streak:30 days... )

Lisa_Th | QuitNet | Lisa T. | Lisa_Th's QuitNet Quit Guide

LarryG | TBD | Not yet Backed up

1q2S | TBD | Not yet Backed up

aolski | TBD | Not yet Backed up

Share your link to your QuitNet Profile in comments and I'll add you to the list above

How to I copy your QuitNet profile to EX Community is a guide to show you how you copy your QuitNet profile before it is lost this week. See other QuitNet-ers who have preserved theirs.

Mark
EX Community Manager

repost: comment update

Outcomes

Barbscloud @ nicotinefree63 on Sep 20, 2020 8:31 AM

Welcome to the Ex. Congrats on 30 days smoke free. Stick around!

Barb

Actions

Giulia

@ nicotinefree63 on Sep 20, 2020 1:55 PM

One month down. YES! You just keep going, ya hear?!!! You're doing great.

2 people found this helpful

Actions

Lorenarce Sep 26, 2020 8:44 AM

Hi I am here because my daughter has a vaping addiction and I want to help her.

Actions

SuzyQ411 @ Lorenarce on Sep 26, 2020 12:22 PM

Hello Lorenarce... Welcome to the EX!!

In just your brief sentence I can feel the love, pain and worry you are carrying for your daughter. As another Mom, I empathyze. The vaping crisis in our country (and world) has been a very scary thing.

But, the darndest thing about your wanting to save your daughter from any negative effects she may ecounter from vaping is that it is something you can't do for FOR her. It's something she HAS to want to do for herself.

From your post, I can't tell if your daughter is a teen still living at home, or if she's an adult, but either way, education about vaping that you might share with her seems a good place to start. Here are a few suggested readings:

How to Keep Kids and Teens From Vaping

Parents of Vaping Teens and Tweens (this is actually a group on the Ex, but it doesn't seem to have recent activity; however the posts may offer helpful information for you)

Helping Someone stay Away From Tobacco ( This highlights the do's and don'ts and could be applied to cigarettes, vaping, chewing)

The Truth Initiative on Smoking, Vaping and Nicotine

For additional information, you could also contact your area Heart and/or Lung Associations

I hope some of this information is helpful in approaching your daughter about her vaping and with encouraging her to quit.

~Suzy

1 person found this helpful

Actions

Lorenarce @ SuzyQ411 on Sep 27, 2020 10:38 AM

Thank you so much, after I found a puff in my daughters bed yesterday I had to take her to work so I didn’t see her until later and then I decided to look in her closet and found another one. This one smelled different, I think it smells like weed it was something called brass knuckelog or something like that. I am scared I don’t know where to start, don’t know how long she has been doing it. She is only 14. Any support would be appreciated . I started receiving texts this morning , I wish I could get more of that kind of information. Thank you!

1 person found this helpful

Actions

Mark

@ Lorenarce on Sep 28, 2020 11:12 AM

Lorenarce

Glad you're signed up to help her. Especially glad you signed up to receive our text messages. That's a great first step. I can imagine it's a worrisome situation as a parent because you're not sure how to approach the situation to help them.

Our resources are limited for parents at this time but were trying to build those up. We do have other parents who have posted in Parents of Vaping Teens and Tweens, it's still pretty new territory so understanding what they're going through may be helpful. Sharing your experience would be helpful and just beginning a conversation with other parents who are in the same position will help you talk openly about it. Each child is different as much as each quit journey is different so navigating the path to helping them quit may require you educating yourself to understand what they may be going through and then having open and regular conversations with them to help them through their quit journey. It's wonderful that you're here caring about them and wanting to help them quit.

Mark
EX Community Manager

1 person found this helpful

Actions

Cprice1226 Oct 24, 2020 1:58 PM

Hi all! My name is Christine. My quit day is in 5 days and I am super nervous. I have been smoking this round for 5 years. I am ready to quit, just worried about the change of habits and withdrawal from nicotine. Any help and support is appreciated.

Actions

SuzyQ411 @ Cprice1226 on Oct 24, 2020 6:01 PM

Welcome to the Ex Christine Cprice1226 . I have been where you are and I understand what you mean regarding your nervousness over quitting smoking. I am going to "transfer" your concerns to Nancy YoungAtHeart, an elder in our group who is sort of our unofficial welcome wagon lady. She has some fantastic quit tips to offer.

To hopefully help calm you for now, I find that breathing exercises are great at helping me feel far less nervous. One example is:

Also, one thing that played a major role in my quitting almost 10 months ago was Alan Carr's book, "The Easy Way to Quit Smoking." It's available online at Amazon, etc. and is reasonably priced. Mr. Carr's book helped me alot. What was really great is he instructs the reader to not stop smoking until you finish the book. That helped take away a lot of the stress I was feeling about quitting. By the time I did Nancy's readings and the book, I was ready to quit.

Good Luck. Stay in Touch. Post if / when you need help; here at the EX, we have each others' backs.

~ Suzy

Day #292 cigarette-free

Actions

WhispersQSMB @ SuzyQ411 on Oct 24, 2020 5:57 PM

Welcome Christine, i will 2nd that Reco of YoungAtHeart

1 person found this helpful

Actions

YoungAtHeart Oct 24, 2020 6:03 PM

WhispersQSMB and SuzyQ411

Thanks for bringing this newbie to my attention! I actually responded on a different blog - but appreciate your keeping your eyes pealed for me!

1 person found this helpful

Actions

SuzyQ411 @ YoungAtHeart on Oct 24, 2020 6:05 PM

XOX

Actions

Hannahkim12345 Nov 6, 2020 1:17 PM

Hi. I found out I’m positive for Covid this past Wednesday. I had two half cigarettes that Wednesday and nothing since then and today is Friday midday. I couldn’t imagine in this situation for me to keep smoking since this virus supposed to effect the lungs. I figured it’s a good time as any to stop. I don’t know how I’m going to do this.

1 person found this helpful

Actions

SuzyQ411 @ Hannahkim12345 on Nov 7, 2020 1:22 AM

Hello Hannahkim12345 and welcome to the EX Family! First, I want to say that I am truly sorry you tested positive for Covid-19 and reinforce that you are right regarding smoking: it seems to make lung involvement worse for smokers. I send kudos for remaining abstinent from cigarettes for about two days now!! Sounds like you may be quitting " cold turkey?" I am going to refer you to Nancy Youngatheart.7.4.12, our unofficial "welcome wagon lady" who will send you access to some fantastic information regarding getting those darned cigarettes out of your life. In the meantime, I would suggest you get a copy of Alan Carr's book "The Easy Way to Quit Smoking" (available at a reasonable fee online at Amazon, etc) and also will suggest you do some deep breathing exercises to help lessen any anxiety you may be experiencing. In the meantime, keep posting and you will receive support and encouragement from other EX members as well. Here at the EX, we pride ourselves on having each others' backs. I look forward to learning more about you as time goes on. I support your efforts to become smoke-free

~ Suzy / 10 months free of cigarettes

Actions

YoungAtHeart @ Hannahkim12345 on Nov 7, 2020 8:21 AM

Welcome to the community, Hannahkim12345 !

Thanks for the heads up, SuzyQ411

I am sorry for your diagnosis, but happy that you understand quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do to help insure a complete recovery. I hope your case will be mild and you will feel better soon.

The important thing you can do right now is to educate yourself on what nicotine does to your body and mind. To that end, I highly recommend Allen Carr's “The Easy Way to Stop Smoking.” This easy and entertaining read provided a world of good information about nicotine addiction, most of which I was not aware. I credit it in large part with my success at quitting. 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, quitsmoking.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. Here is a video to inform you further about nicotine addiction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpWMgPHn0Lo&feature=youtu.be.

You didn't mention if you are using a quit aid, so I will share my thoughts on them.. 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 after you have tried to delay and distract. 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. You need to start out with a plan to reduce use of them over time - which the patch does by decreasing the dose contained in them.. For the gum, you can start by cutting each piece in half, then in quarters, then sub regular gum of the same flavor in between, adding more and more regular gum. For the lozenge, you need to start subbing a mint in between to begin, increasing the number of them over time. I do not recommend the e-cigarette for obvious reasons.

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-instead-of-smoke

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

1 person found this helpful

Actions

Barbscloud @ Hannahkim12345 on Nov 7, 2020 8:31 AM

Welcome to the Ex. Get right back on track. We're here to support you. Just reach out anytime you need encouragement.

Barb

Actions

Mikiraelene30 Jan 9, 2021 10:34 PM

Hi I am miki I been a smoker for 16 years I am 30 years I quit smoking 1/2/21 but I smoked a cigarette on th 4th so I stared over 1/5/21 I am 3 days and counting. I am all in and ready to be a non smoker I used patches it has been working but I am try to figure out how to relearn how to do life with cigarettes

1 person found this helpful

Actions

Hannahkim12345 @ Mikiraelene30 on Jan 9, 2021 11:43 PM

Hello Miki! Congratulations on deciding to quit and getting three days in. Read as much as you can about this addiction and what others did. It really helped me to stay committed. When I get an urge to smoke I come here to post and read what others are up to. Of course I also did other things like a scream, pray, drink tea and eat lots of hard candy. After you decide and get over the physical withdrawals then it’s a fight with yourself and your will. Good luck and keep up the work!

2 people found this helpful

Actions

Barbscloud @ Mikiraelene30 on Jan 13, 2021 2:03 PM

Welcome to the Ex Mikiraelene30 We're here to support you so just reach out anytime you need encouragement. And, reach out before you smoke--that's what we're for.

Barb

Actions

SuzyQ411 @ Mikiraelene30 on Jan 13, 2021 4:21 PM

Hi Mikiraelene30.... I just came upon your post. Somehow I missed it. Appears that you may have posted it the first part of January? I am checking in to see how your quit is going for you and to see if there's anything we here at the EX can do for you? On the day you posted you noted that you were at your 3rd day smoke-free. Congrats for that great start! Hoping you will post and share an update on how things are going.

~Suzy

Actions

Jyh32 Feb 20, 2021 11:39 PM

NY name is Jacqueline Hargraves and I live in Washington DC and I'm really tired of smoking and I need HELP

Actions

indingrl @ Jyh32 on Feb 21, 2021 6:22 AM

Hello Jyh32 - welcome and please blog in Conversations that is where EVERYBODY is at - some GROUPS are NOT visited much by others - just SHARING - I SOOOOOOO glad YOU here

Actions

Hannahkim12345 @ Jyh32 on Feb 21, 2021 8:14 AM

Are you still not smoking but struggling?

Actions

Mark

@ Jyh32 on Feb 21, 2021 10:27 AM

Welcome Jyh32. Were you previously active on the quitnet community?

mark

Actions

Barbscloud @ Jyh32 on Feb 21, 2021 11:23 AM

Welcome to the ex Jyh32 Please tell us more!

Barb

Actions

SuzyQ411 @ Lorenarce on Feb 21, 2021 11:30 AM

It's been about 5 months since you posted here on the EX to request guidance in helping you to get your daughter to stop vaping Lorenarce and I'm checking in to see how things are going for you and your daughter. (It looks like we lost track of each other somehow.)

Actions

603 Replies

…21 22 23 24 25

Barbscloud @ nicotinefree63 on Sep 20, 2020 8:31 AM
Welcome to the Ex. Congrats on 30 days smoke free. Stick around!
Barb
Like • Show 1 Like1
Actions
Giulia @ nicotinefree63 on Sep 20, 2020 1:55 PM
One month down. YES! You just keep going, ya hear?!!! You're doing great.
2 people found this helpful
Like • Show 0 Likes0
Actions
Lorenarce Sep 26, 2020 8:44 AM
Hi I am here because my daughter has a vaping addiction and I want to help her.
Like • Show 1 Like1
Actions
SuzyQ411 @ Lorenarce on Sep 26, 2020 12:22 PM
Hello Lorenarce... Welcome to the EX!!

In just your brief sentence I can feel the love, pain and worry you are carrying for your daughter. As another Mom, I empathyze. The vaping crisis in our country (and world) has been a very scary thing.

But, the darndest thing about your wanting to save your daughter from any negative effects she may ecounter from vaping is that it is something you can't do for FOR her. It's something she HAS to want to do for herself.

From your post, I can't tell if your daughter is a teen still living at home, or if she's an adult, but either way, education about vaping that you might share with her seems a good place to start. Here are a few suggested readings:

How to Keep Kids and Teens From Vaping

Parents of Vaping Teens and Tweens (this is actually a group on the Ex, but it doesn't seem to have recent activity; however the posts may offer helpful information for you)

Helping Someone stay Away From Tobacco ( This highlights the do's and don'ts and could be applied to cigarettes, vaping, chewing)

The Truth Initiative on Smoking, Vaping and Nicotine

For additional information, you could also contact your area Heart and/or Lung Associations

I hope some of this information is helpful in approaching your daughter about her vaping and with encouraging her to quit.

~Suzy
1 person found this helpful
Like • Show 1 Like1
Actions
Lorenarce @ SuzyQ411 on Sep 27, 2020 10:38 AM
Thank you so much, after I found a puff in my daughters bed yesterday I had to take her to work so I didn’t see her until later and then I decided to look in her closet and found another one. This one smelled different, I think it smells like weed it was something called brass knuckelog or something like that. I am scared I don’t know where to start, don’t know how long she has been doing it. She is only 14. Any support would be appreciated . I started receiving texts this morning , I wish I could get more of that kind of information. Thank you!
1 person found this helpful
Like • Show 1 Like1
Actions
Mark @ Lorenarce on Sep 28, 2020 11:12 AM
Lorenarce

Glad you're signed up to help her. Especially glad you signed up to receive our text messages. That's a great first step. I can imagine it's a worrisome situation as a parent because you're not sure how to approach the situation to help them.

Our resources are limited for parents at this time but were trying to build those up. We do have other parents who have posted in Parents of Vaping Teens and Tweens, it's still pretty new territory so understanding what they're going through may be helpful. Sharing your experience would be helpful and just beginning a conversation with other parents who are in the same position will help you talk openly about it. Each child is different as much as each quit journey is different so navigating the path to helping them quit may require you educating yourself to understand what they may be going through and then having open and regular conversations with them to help them through their quit journey. It's wonderful that you're here caring about them and wanting to help them quit.

Mark
EX Community Manager
1 person found this helpful
Like • Show 0 Likes0
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Cprice1226 Oct 24, 2020 1:58 PM
Hi all! My name is Christine. My quit day is in 5 days and I am super nervous. I have been smoking this round for 5 years. I am ready to quit, just worried about the change of habits and withdrawal from nicotine. Any help and support is appreciated.
Like • Show 0 Likes0
Actions
SuzyQ411 @ Cprice1226 on Oct 24, 2020 6:01 PM
Welcome to the Ex Christine Cprice1226 . I have been where you are and I understand what you mean regarding your nervousness over quitting smoking. I am going to "transfer" your concerns to Nancy YoungAtHeart, an elder in our group who is sort of our unofficial welcome wagon lady. She has some fantastic quit tips to offer.

To hopefully help calm you for now, I find that breathing exercises are great at helping me feel far less nervous. One example is:

Also, one thing that played a major role in my quitting almost 10 months ago was Alan Carr's book, "The Easy Way to Quit Smoking." It's available online at Amazon, etc. and is reasonably priced. Mr. Carr's book helped me alot. What was really great is he instructs the reader to not stop smoking until you finish the book. That helped take away a lot of the stress I was feeling about quitting. By the time I did Nancy's readings and the book, I was ready to quit.

Good Luck. Stay in Touch. Post if / when you need help; here at the EX, we have each others' backs.

~ Suzy
Day #292 cigarette-free
Like • Show 0 Likes0
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WhispersQSMB @ SuzyQ411 on Oct 24, 2020 5:57 PM
Welcome Christine, i will 2nd that Reco of YoungAtHeart
1 person found this helpful
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YoungAtHeart Oct 24, 2020 6:03 PM
WhispersQSMB and SuzyQ411
Thanks for bringing this newbie to my attention! I actually responded on a different blog - but appreciate your keeping your eyes pealed for me!

1 person found this helpful
Like • Show 1 Like1
Actions
SuzyQ411 @ YoungAtHeart on Oct 24, 2020 6:05 PM
XOX
Like • Show 0 Likes0
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Hannahkim12345 Nov 6, 2020 1:17 PM
Hi. I found out I’m positive for Covid this past Wednesday. I had two half cigarettes that Wednesday and nothing since then and today is Friday midday. I couldn’t imagine in this situation for me to keep smoking since this virus supposed to effect the lungs. I figured it’s a good time as any to stop. I don’t know how I’m going to do this.
1 person found this helpful
Like • Show 0 Likes0
Actions
SuzyQ411 @ Hannahkim12345 on Nov 7, 2020 1:22 AM
Hello Hannahkim12345 and welcome to the EX Family! First, I want to say that I am truly sorry you tested positive for Covid-19 and reinforce that you are right regarding smoking: it seems to make lung involvement worse for smokers. I send kudos for remaining abstinent from cigarettes for about two days now!! Sounds like you may be quitting " cold turkey?" I am going to refer you to Nancy Youngatheart.7.4.12, our unofficial "welcome wagon lady" who will send you access to some fantastic information regarding getting those darned cigarettes out of your life. In the meantime, I would suggest you get a copy of Alan Carr's book "The Easy Way to Quit Smoking" (available at a reasonable fee online at Amazon, etc) and also will suggest you do some deep breathing exercises to help lessen any anxiety you may be experiencing. In the meantime, keep posting and you will receive support and encouragement from other EX members as well. Here at the EX, we pride ourselves on having each others' backs. I look forward to learning more about you as time goes on. I support your efforts to become smoke-free

~ Suzy / 10 months free of cigarettes
Like • Show 0 Likes0
Actions
YoungAtHeart @ Hannahkim12345 on Nov 7, 2020 8:21 AM
Welcome to the community, Hannahkim12345 !

Thanks for the heads up, SuzyQ411

I am sorry for your diagnosis, but happy that you understand quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do to help insure a complete recovery. I hope your case will be mild and you will feel better soon.

The important thing you can do right now is to educate yourself on what nicotine does to your body and mind. To that end, I highly recommend Allen Carr's “The Easy Way to Stop Smoking.” This easy and entertaining read provided a world of good information about nicotine addiction, most of which I was not aware. I credit it in large part with my success at quitting. 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, quitsmoking.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. Here is a video to inform you further about nicotine addiction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpWMgPHn0Lo&feature=youtu.be.

You didn't mention if you are using a quit aid, so I will share my thoughts on them.. 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 after you have tried to delay and distract. 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. You need to start out with a plan to reduce use of them over time - which the patch does by decreasing the dose contained in them.. For the gum, you can start by cutting each piece in half, then in quarters, then sub regular gum of the same flavor in between, adding more and more regular gum. For the lozenge, you need to start subbing a mint in between to begin, increasing the number of them over time. I do not recommend the e-cigarette for obvious reasons.

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-instead-of-smoke

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
1 person found this helpful
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Barbscloud @ Hannahkim12345 on Nov 7, 2020 8:31 AM
Welcome to the Ex. Get right back on track. We're here to support you. Just reach out anytime you need encouragement.
Barb
Like • Show 1 Like1
Actions
Mikiraelene30 Jan 9, 2021 10:34 PM
Hi I am miki I been a smoker for 16 years I am 30 years I quit smoking 1/2/21 but I smoked a cigarette on th 4th so I stared over 1/5/21 I am 3 days and counting. I am all in and ready to be a non smoker I used patches it has been working but I am try to figure out how to relearn how to do life with cigarettes
1 person found this helpful
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Hannahkim12345 @ Mikiraelene30 on Jan 9, 2021 11:43 PM
Hello Miki! Congratulations on deciding to quit and getting three days in. Read as much as you can about this addiction and what others did. It really helped me to stay committed. When I get an urge to smoke I come here to post and read what others are up to. Of course I also did other things like a scream, pray, drink tea and eat lots of hard candy. After you decide and get over the physical withdrawals then it’s a fight with yourself and your will. Good luck and keep up the work!
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Barbscloud @ Mikiraelene30 on Jan 13, 2021 2:03 PM
Welcome to the Ex Mikiraelene30 We're here to support you so just reach out anytime you need encouragement. And, reach out before you smoke--that's what we're for.
Barb
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SuzyQ411 @ Mikiraelene30 on Jan 13, 2021 4:21 PM
Hi Mikiraelene30.... I just came upon your post. Somehow I missed it. Appears that you may have posted it the first part of January? I am checking in to see how your quit is going for you and to see if there's anything we here at the EX can do for you? On the day you posted you noted that you were at your 3rd day smoke-free. Congrats for that great start! Hoping you will post and share an update on how things are going.
~Suzy
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Jyh32 Feb 20, 2021 11:39 PM
NY name is Jacqueline Hargraves and I live in Washington DC and I'm really tired of smoking and I need HELP
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indingrl @ Jyh32 on Feb 21, 2021 6:22 AM
Hello Jyh32 - welcome and please blog in Conversations that is where EVERYBODY is at - some GROUPS are NOT visited much by others - just SHARING - I SOOOOOOO glad YOU here
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Hannahkim12345 @ Jyh32 on Feb 21, 2021 8:14 AM
Are you still not smoking but struggling?
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Mark @ Jyh32 on Feb 21, 2021 10:27 AM
Welcome Jyh32. Were you previously active on the quitnet community?

mark
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Barbscloud @ Jyh32 on Feb 21, 2021 11:23 AM
Welcome to the ex Jyh32 Please tell us more!
Barb
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SuzyQ411 @ Lorenarce on Feb 21, 2021 11:30 AM
It's been about 5 months since you posted here on the EX to request guidance in helping you to get your daughter to stop vaping Lorenarce and I'm checking in to see how things are going for you and your daughter. (It looks like we lost track of each other somehow.)
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