18 DAYS- No slip ups

[idnar61]

  

UPDATE 1/16/2017

  

18 days and smoke free-  I had to reach out to Colorado Quit line for additional support last Friday. I found out once I went back to my normal home routine (no kids, husband back at work and alone until 10pm) that I had to ask for more help. I was feeling like I was missing apart of myself and found myself eating my way thru the night. So the next day I called Colorado Quit Line and they were so very helpful ! I must have talked my councelors ear off for a good hour ! The most important thing is I DID NOT SMOKE !! I have now taken up crocheting, which not only keeps my hands busy but also my mind !! In 2 days I have made 3 mini baskets and a wash cloth. lol.  Whatever it takes ! Thanks to everyone on Become and Ex for all your support. I read thru my comments and others daily for strength!

        

 I am almost 2 weeks smoke free after smoking for 35 plus years. I had tried to quit in the past but with no success. A few weeks ago my husband (52 yrs old) had a massive heart attack which was basically from smoking. For him to quit was a no brainer.. for me on the other hand.. it has not been so easy BUT.. I am on my way. I read Allen Carr`s book.. Easier way to quit smoking and it actually has helped me to not pick up a cigarette. I have even stopped using NRT such as patches and lozenges. I am not saying that I don`t still have the over whelming cravings, because I do. I just  recognize and acknowledge each craving and am better able to change that thought  and not light up ! I cannot say that I feel like a non smoker as of yet.. BUT I am committed to myself that I will be soon !!  A few of the benefits that I am now seeing in myself.. no anxiety about leaving the house without my cigarettes, I can wear spray mists and actually smell them ! Not having to go outside in the flippin cold to have a smoke at work. (I live in Coloado) I was taking up to 1500 mg ibuprofen every day/every other day for muscle pain.. I haven`t had to do that since I quit smoking.  I know that the hardest step for me was to verbally ( out loud) tell my family and friends that I quit smoking. Once I made that commitment out loud, it made everything real to me and actually has given me the strength to move forward! Thank you to become an ex -  everyone here is amazing and supportive. 

Randi 12-29-16

[susan_m]

I cannot imagine what you went through, but am grateful that you are here.  You will find that this site is full of love and support.  Combine that with what you are receiving from your family and friends, and you will do well.

If you haven't already, you will receive a lot of advice from members who quit long ago - take it.  Educate yourself, reach out to us here and take it one precious day at a time.

Please keep us posted and I will add you both to my prayers.  I will look forward to your updates.

xx

Susan

[idnar61]

Thank you Susan.. I believe I am having a harder time with quiting than he is. I am sure because he is the one that had the  heart attack. He is not even using the patch .. now I on the other hand... patch, lozemge and alot of deep breathing. . I don`t even feel like I haven`r smoked for 7 days and could easily pick up and smoke. I realize that each day will get easier and I need to keep positive. Thank you once again for your prayers.

[Stopforgood]

You both have made a great life decision.  Now reinforce that decision with reading, studying, and education about Nicotine Addiction, the process of quitting, and take advantage of the knowledge, expericence, and support of this site.  Regardless of why we quit, health, life, fear, 'our quit' actually comes down to a personal decision or Choice.  I choose to not smoke today. So keep in mind the reasons you are quitting, but reinforce it until it is interalized and smoking is not an option, SINAO.  And never take another puff, NOPE.

[Jenn_06-03-14]

That would of been a very scary thing to go through!  You both made a good decision!  Just take one minute at a time.  Then one hour at a time.  Then one day at a time.  You can do this!  Congrats on your decision to quit!  We are here if you need us!  

[Giulia]

Congratulations on your first smoke-free week.  No, it's not easy.  But as each day passes, you will discover new joys about being smoke free.  Hang around here and read as often as you can.  The reinforcement will really help you.  And find new ways to distract your craving thoughts.  I put up little sticky notes all around with positive affirmations.  Simple things like YES YOU CAN!  YOU'RE DOING IT!  ATTITUDE STUPID!  They helped.

Also, it's important to keep a sense of humor about you.  We tend to get bogged down and a bit morose.  Although quitting is a serious business, we can still laugh at ourselves.  Humor enables a different perspective.  And a difference perspective is very necessary during this process.  So put on a silly hat once in a while and act like an idiot! 

[maryfreecig]

Welcome, you've come to the right place for caring and supportive Exers. Stay close. Thanks for sharing.

[YoungAtHeart]

Welcome to our community!

Congratulatijons on your decision to quit and your first seven days of freedom from smoking!

I recommend you use the lozenges only as a measure of last resort.  Using the patch should reduce the nicotine withdrawal symptoms - so what you are fighting is the associations with smoking.  Try to distract yourself, chew some gum or suck on a non-nicotine mint, or eat some sunflower seeds. 

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 highly recommend Allen Carr's “The Easy Way to Stop Smoking.” This is an easy and entertaining read. Here is a link to a free PDF version of it:

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

As well, read the sections on this site, and read the blogs, responses and pages of folks you think might be helpful. You might visit whyquit.com and quitsmokingonline.com for the good information contained there. Y

The idea is to change up your routines so the smoking associations are reduced.  Drink your coffee with your OTHER hand. 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.

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.  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.  Don't let that smoking thought rattle around your head alone.  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

[kristen-9-7-15]

Congrats on 7 days! That's huge! I highly recommend reading the Allen Carr book as suggested above. It will change the way you think about smoking.

[ceana]

Congrats on quitting!  Prayers for you and your husband!  

[RachelMB]

Sorry to hear that this has happened to you and your husband.  Please know that you made the right choice and this site is full of support for you both!  It's not easy but so worth the struggle. 🙂  Stay close and educate yourself.  We're here for you!

Rachel

[idnar61]

Thank you to all .  I know it will get easier as the days go by and with everyones supportive words and suggestions.

[shashort]

Whew that had to be a scary event,  Glad to hear you are both quitting. Congratulations ont making it through the first week. YAY! Read and learn all you can about this addiction. We are here fir both of you if you need help.  Just tyoe HELP in the title and we will come running to your rescue.  Stay strong and stay close

[Sootie]

You have made one of the best decisions of your life in quitting smoking. You will realize this more after you get through these first few months. Stay Strong.

Welcome to EX-----we are all here for each other.

[GreenThumb3]

It gets better i was 2 packs a day for about 30 years total time started at 1 pack i dont crave at all but it takes a while but once you get there time flys so worth it

[KMC56]

Way too young at 50...incentive to quit for sure.  The struggles are real, but this site is amazing!  Stay strong, each of you!

[TerrieQuit]

Hello, and Welcome to EX! Congratulations on 7 days!

We are so glad you are here! This is a great place to quit smoking. You have been given links to great information and good advice above. Please do the suggested readings. Education, willingness to do whatever it takes not to smoke, determination and commitment are the keys to a successful quit!

I would like to recommend a group called The Daily Pledge Group. It's fun and will help reinforce your commitment not to smoke!

Just click on the link below (we are on page 2) and scroll down and take the person's hand before you and promise not to smoke, and then offer your free hand to the next pledge, we keep each other strong in our quits! You can state your # of days, post a picture or whatever you want! This is your quit be proud of it! Please join us!

http://community.becomeanex.org/pg/forum/topic/10429021/happy-new-year-keep-it-happy-guard-your-quit...

This link is also on my page and is also a featured group on our home page! Also, if you would like to join the group use this link and as you scroll down look to the left, there is a place that says join the group.

https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/groups/daily-pledge

Hope to see you there!    ~Terrie~

Don't Quit on your Quit!

If you have any trouble getting into the group, just let me know and I'll try to help!

[c2q]

Glad you are here. Keep focused on the moment. The payback is huge. You will not regret it.

[Silverstar]

idnar, welcome to EX!  Sorry for the circumstances that brought you here, but so glad that you are taking the steps to be Free from nicotine.  Congrats on your 7 Days of Freedom, it gets easier AND better, just don't Quit on Your Quit and don't smoke, no matter what, because that will take you back to day one, which is awful. 

You can do this. 

[idnar61]

18 days and smoke free-  I had to reach out to Colorado Quit line for additional support last Friday. I found out once I went back to my normal home routine (no kids, husband back at work and alone until 10pm) that I had to ask for more help. I was feeling like I was missing apart of myself and found myself eating my way thru the night. So the next day I called Colorado Quit Line and thru were so very helpful ! I must have talked my councelors ear off for a good hour ! The most important thing is I DID NOT SMOKE !! I have now taken up crocheting, which not only keeps my hands busy but also my mind !! In 2 days I have made 3 mini baskets and a wash cloth. lol.  Whatever it takes ! Thanks to everyone on Become and Ex for all your support. I read thru my comments and others daily for strength!

[ceana]

Congrats on 18 days!!!  It's great that you found the additional support that you needed.  I'm so happy for you that you didn't smoke!  You've got this! 🙂