Day 1

[KliaraPie]

I know my quit date is not till Jul1, but Im not buying another pack.  Ever. . It was tough, but thinking about why I want to do this and why I ever started helped.  I think I mustve chewed almost a whole pack of gum.  I feel lethargic, and having coffee is a big no since it's a trigger for me.  If anyone have any idea to get some energy aside from coffee, that would be nice.  I am currently doing the 10minute rule.  Once Im craving, I wait 10mins and during that time, the urge vanishes.  I can do this.  I will make it.  I will soon-to-be smoke-free!!!!  I can't wait to run again.  I can't wait to swim again without gasping for air.  Sooooon . Till then, I'll power through this. This too shall pass.

[Barbscloud]

Welcome to the Ex and congrats on your quit.   We're here if you need help.   Stay close to this site and do lots of reading.  

107 DOF

[JACKIE1-25-15]

Congratulations on making the decision to quit smoking.  That is great!.  I am very happy for you and welcome to EX community.  You have come to the right place to find a new way of life without smoking.  It is "doable"  many of us have been successful with the philosophy never to take a puff.  We call it NOPE not one puff ever.  Quitting smoking requires a willingness to do just that, not by power or might but willing to let it go and know you will be able to get through it.  It also required determination and a commitment/vow to yourself that you will not smoke no matter what is going on in your life and realize that there is no reason to smoke just EXcuses.  Education is the key to a successful quit, so arm yourself about nicotine addiction. Go to My EX Plan | BecomeAnEX  click on the tabs and read and watch the videos.  Also, check out www.whyquit.com and read Nicotine 101 and My Journey to Freedom Home. Another book that is a suggested read is Alan Carr's Easy Way to Quit smoking.  There is no easy way to quick smoking just easier ways.  Having a support system like EX will really make the difference.   Stay close, read, study blog, ask questions.  The magnifying glass top right is the search tool you can put in topics you have questions about or go to Community Help and explore.  Enjoy your journey.  

[YoungAtHeart]

Welcome to our community!

Congratulations on your decision to quit smoking.  It is one you will never regret!

You can still probably still drink your coffee.  Hold the cup with your OTHER hand and drink it in a place different from where you smoked. Some folks change to drinking tea.   I brought my coffee to my computer and read here on the site for a bit while I drank it.  Brisk exercise of any kind will increase your energy level, and give you an added dopamine benefit, too.  Even marching in place or going up and down some stairs quickly will work.

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. You can search for it online or at your local library. Here's a link to a video here on the site which describes nicotine addiction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpWMgPHn0Lo&feature=youtu.be.

 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. You should also do the tracking and separation exercises suggested in My Quit Plan http://www.becomeanex.org/my-quit-plan.php

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

[KliaraPie]

Thank you all for the kind and supporting words!

[elvan]

Welcome to EX, you have gotten some great advice above...I drank green tea for several weeks after I quit instead of coffee.  I am not a fan of green tea but I was afraid to drink coffee.  I never actually drank coffee and smoked at the same time...I smoked outside and drank coffee INSIDE.  I have found that I am much more sensitive to caffeine since I quit.  Energy is produced by working out for me, seriously, there is a burst of energy that comes from working out that is better than any cigarette and it makes you feel HAPPY!  

Ellen

[KliaraPie]

Today, Day 2, I worked out this morning before heading to work.  I found that it helps keep my energy up so far . Thank you for your suggestions.  Will buy some tea and we'll see how it goes 

[elvan]

Good for you!  If you feel really challenged, please remember that no crave ever killed anyone but no one can say that about smoking.  Also remember that it gets easier as you put time between you and smoking.  I work out in a friend's pool but I have really severe lung damage so the only way I can "swim" is with a noodle holding me up, sad but true.  I do love working out in the water but it has to be an outdoor pool because the chlorine smell in an indoor pool compromises my breathing terribly.  This is the best time of year for me to get in water work outs...I have a stationary bike for when I can't go to the pool...also free weights and bands.  I am really happy that you are here.

Ellen

[Giulia]

I can't wait for you to run again too!  Exercise is a way to get your endorphins and energy going.  Join us in one of the exercise areas here:  

https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/groups/exercising-and-health/blog/2018/01/05/lets-get-moving-2018... 

To the MOVERS and Shakers and Any BODY interested 

Is anyone interested in doing a 30 walking challenge with me?  

Rah Rah on Day 1.  Keep following that 10 minute rule and you'll rock this quit!  Glad you've joined us!

[KliaraPie]

oooh, thank you!  Will definitely give this one a shot!  I"m so glad I joined this community!  So many suggestions and great materials to help break this awful habit!

[maryfreecig]

Great work staying off the cigarettes and making your start. Congratulations on day 2.

[mama3953]

Hi all I just completed day one!  Very anxious this time, I have tried to quit before but so determined this time.  I may need your support though.  I am so happy I found this site!  Have a good evening.

[elvan]

mama3953  We are here, stay close to the site. drink lots of liquids, preferably water...to help flush your system.  The beginning is the hardest but it DOES get easier.  There are so many blogs on here...read, read, read...something will grab you and you will KNOW you are in the right place.  Congratulations on a day WON!

Ellen

[KliaraPie]

you can do it!!! if i can you most certainly can.  the first 3 days is hard, but after that, the cravings went away big time.  just keep telling yourself the reasons why you are quitting.  lots of naps, water, and keep busy.  with a big stress on keeping busy!  

[mama3953]

Thank you so much....I am tired even though I slept can’t turn my mind off!  I have been drinking lots of water that seems to help. I will keep you posted!

[KliaraPie]

hehehe, yea, first week, I was quite lethargic.  I swam a lot, which helps with cravings and tiredness.  Even though I've gained 5lbs since I quit, I've gotten the habit of swimming, so I'm not too worried.  It really does get better exponentially once you hit 4th-7th day.  That's something to look forward to  

[elvan]

Look at you two KliaraPie and mama3953, what an AMAZING job you are doing and how lovely that you are reaching out and supporting each other so early on.  We have ALL been where you are, we all had to start at the beginning and move forward one day at a time.  There are no short cuts on this journey but remembering that it IS a journey is huge.  Exercising and getting your heart rate up there and releasing that dopamine make this journey better.  Water workouts are amazing if you have that option.  You are BOTH doing great.

Best to both of you and congratulations,

Ellen

[mama3953]

I will let you know how day 4 goes!! Lol you will be tired of hearing from me!

[KliaraPie]

by all means!  keep me posted.  it helps when you write it down.  . we can support each other, it helps a lot

[mama3953]

Good Morning, just wondering if you coughed up pylem?  Today seems I am is this normal?

[elvan]

mama3953‌ It is absolutely normal...your lungs are "cleaning house" because they CAN!

[KliaraPie]

Yes, as Elvan mentioned, it is completely normal.  I seem to still be coughing, but very little nowadays.  Phlegm went away after a week or so.  

[KliaraPie]

2 WEEKS!!! YAY! 

Improvements:

- Can swim 4 laps non-stop (used to be 1 when I was a smoker)

- I now have to cook with less salt and flavor

- I can smell everything and everyone (unsure if this is a good thing hehe )

- Slight clearning of skin (unsure if it's my new face wash or quitting)

- Lost 3lbs (since i've been working out a lot more)

- Sexual endurance increased, and libido surprisingly high

Cravings: LOW and bearable.  Few cravings slips in here and there, but I just shoot it with my mental laser, pew pew!

Thank you all for the support!

[elvan]

Good for you!  You are doing AMAZINGLY well, I am so happy for you. CONGRATULATIONS!

Ellen

[mama3953]

Wow I am so proud of you and so encouraged by your quit.  I am still on day 3 doing okay a little sleepy lol it’s a good thing I’m off this week from work!  I have been out walking and drinking plenty of water....I wait for the day to list my triumphs!  The best to you!