1st Week success

[dchege]

It has been one week since I quit! This site has been so much help, especially the trigger tools and exercise. I take care of my elderly mother who smokes about a pack and 1/2 a day inside, so the most difficult time for me is when I am at home and have access and can smell them. I am determined, and hope this does not cause me to cave in. But I am just taking one day at a time and so far I have been successful for 7 days. I don't think I could have done it with out the 21mg patch, it really takes care of the physical urge. I will be afraid to go down to the 14 mg. Thanks everyone in the community for your posts they are very helpful.

[JACKIE1-25-15]

Congratulations and welcome to Ex.  I am sure it is quite difficult quitting and living with a smoker.  but there are many here who have proved that it is doable.  I am sure they will be willing to help.  I will follow this comment with additional information. 

[JACKIE1-25-15]

Welcome to EX Congratulations on making the decision to quit smoking.  

1.  At EX our resolve is to never smoke again.  NOPE “Not one puff ever

2. If you haven’t read it or have not been informed here is a link to Allen Carr’s book, “Easy Way to Quit Smoking”.  It is an easy read suggested by the “elders” (those with 1+ yrs. quit).

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

3.  Also check out www.whyquit.com. for additional  information to read and study.  Look for Freedom From Nicotine My Journey Home and Nicotine Addiction 101               

 http://whyquit.com/whyquit/LinksAAddiction.html

 http://whyquit.com/ffn/

4.  Stay close to the site, learn, ask questions. Education is the key to success even in quitting smoking.

5.  If you should need something to do for craves, here are two links that will help

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

https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/blogs/JACKIE1-25-15-blog/2015/07/09/what-is-your-crave-buster

6.  If you take the time to do the work you will have success. Read, Study, Blog, Research Comment, Make friends, Hang Tough, Stay Close and most of all enjoy your commitment to quit smoking.

We are here to support you.

[JACKIE1-25-15]

You have come to the right place.  If you do the work you will have success. Congratulations on 7 days smoke free 
Whoo Hoo!

[dchege]

Thank you so much for the resources!

[YoungAtHeart]

Welcome to our community!

Congratulations on SEVEN days!

Maybe try putting some Vicks under your nose when you are home.  It will mask the smoke smell, and the slight sting will remind you that you have quit!

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.

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

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

[TerrieQuit]

Hello and Welcome to EX! 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 readings and listen to the Elder's (folks with 1 year + quit) They know a lot about this addiction. Education, willingness to do whatever it takes not to smoke, determination and commitment are the keys to a successful quit!

I would like to reccommend a group (that is featured on our home page) called The Daily Pledge Group. It's fun and will help reinforce your commitment not to smoke!

Just click on the link below and scroll down and take the persons hand before you and promise not to smoke! You can state your # of days, post a picture or whater you want! This is your quit be proud of it! Please join us!

http://community.becomeanex.org/pg/forum/topic/8309395/let-the-nicodemon-be-the-april-fool/

Hope to see you there!    Terrie

I Won't Quit on my Quit!

[Strudel]

Congrats on one week! Welcome to the site - please stick around! 

[dchege]

Thank you everyone for your support and tips 🙂

[Dotgirl_1-28-16]

7 days! One full week of freedom WTG!!! You are doing an amazing job!

[xsaffron]

Keep staying strong and believing in yourself. Even as I write this the Nico-demon is on my shoulder mocking me (reminding me that I can fall any minute)...I am not afraid. I am stronger than this stupid mind-game addiction and so are you. We are better than it and don't need it. We deserve to be free not slaves anymore. I want to see/read your blog at two weeks. I will support you either way, but I want for you and I to blog about making it a fort-night! For now, let's go another 24 hours without it! Ok? 

[dchege]

Thanks for your comments 🙂 Yes, we must stay the course. Remember we are as strong as we think we are so we have to keep plugging along each day and taking this challenge step by step.