Day One - redux

[HappyJoyousFree]

Yep here I am again. Quitting again. Day one again. 

But that's ok - I'll never stop quitting. 

I'll do my best to hang out here to not smoke. My big triggers are when I complete something. I'll have to figure out a new reward. 

I work at a university. The students, mostly undergrad, don't smoke. I'm talking about tobacco cigarettes - not the wacky tabbacky kind LOL! Smokers have to smoke outside off university property. There are very very few students out there. Vaping is a thing here though. I refuse to vape - I did it years ago but it was more hassle than helpful. 

I'm going with a CT quit. I can't chew gum because I have invisialign (nic or otherwise), Chantix made my IBS flare up, and I'm allergic to the glue on patches. After rereading this I must admit I look like a hypochondriac. Anyway. If I have to use NRT I'll get some nicmints. 

I've got liquid stevia and that does curb cravings. It doesn't clear my mind triggers but it does seem to work on a lot of the physical cravings. I also have mints and jolly ranchers. At lunch I'll get some raw veggies and ranch dressing and bring it back to my desk. One thing about working at a college - I can always find something to eat! 

[JonesCarpeDiem]

Good for you!

Anyone know what happens when you mainline Stevia?

Me either.

[Texadonia]

I've struggled with how to reward myself when I complete something, too. Cigarettes used to be that reward.  But a counselor recently pointed out that completing a task is really just a transition from one thing to the next. Instead of thinking you need rewarding, consider that what you really need is a break. 

Life is mostly a series of task completions, and we deserve to take breaks from that work. Be still. Close your eyes. Put up your feet. Stretch. Maybe take a catnap? Then get on to the next task.

I also think you are right to go with the cold turkey (CT) quit. Anything else keeps the nicotine in our systems. Good luck!!

[HappyJoyousFree]

re: Stevia

I'll let you know hahahaha

[YoungAtHeart]

I don't know what you have already read, so I will just give you a some quit tips I found helpful.  Change up your routines to reduce the associations and triggers.  Find a new way to work to change up the scenery.  Keep busy and don't let a desire to smoke be the only thought in your head.  Maybe get a crossword book or jigsaw puzzle, or adult coloring books and markers.  Increase your exercise - quick walks are a good mood enhancer, calorie burner and dopamine producer.

I am glad you are back at it!  Let us know how we can help!

Nancy

[indingrl]

Your doing good and thanks for sharing YOUR experience strengths and HOPE with ME - CONGRATS and good job - staying a NON SMOKER -  no matter what and choosing -  healthy snacking  -please TRY -  drinking lots of water - flushing toxins out of body and having cinnamon on applesauce HELPS clean your blood  of toxins also - SERENITY PRAYER HELPS -  calm old ADDICT mind filled with old habits and old patterns - getting a -  NEW MINDSET - by reading blogs and trying out different ideas really HELPS with craves  - sucking on a lemon - HELPS -  when a crave hits -  jogging in place for 2 minutes -  HELPS hen a crave HITS HARD -  and your lungs will love the fresh air and exercise - YOU chose-  to BREATHE better and love YOUR self to keep moving forward - gentle hug

[maryfreecig]

There are a gazillion reasons to quit, none to smoke. Congratulations for making a start. One day at a time you can get past nicotine dependency.

[elvan]

That reward cigarette is a stinker...it kept creeping up on me too.  I found that if I PLANNED ahead for my "reward" that it would help.  A doc I worked with once told me that the brain fog smokers complain about when they quit is because they have forgotten how to breathe.  I learned in pulmonary rehab that it is important to take a deep breath in through the nose and exhale SLOWLY through pursed lips.  I just saw my pulmonologist and told him that the therapist told me to get some bubble juice and use THAT to remind myself of how to breathe.  If you exhale too fast or too hard, you get no bubbles.  Deep breathing helps so much to get through stressful times, to clear your head, etc.  It is habit forming.  Remember that no crave ever killed anyone but no one can say that about smoking.

Welcome to EX, stay close to the site.

Ellen

[OldBones-Larry]

Keep at it my friend. You can get this done.

[kindofodd]

Stevia is a member of the ragweed family. A little gives me a headache. A lot would likely tear my brain to shreds lol

[kindofodd]

This is a thing for me too! It’s not the first in the morning or the with a cup of coffee or the after a meal or the after sex or the while driving ones that bother me. It’s the Yay! I did the dishes ones that really get to me. I’m still looking for my replacement reward. Let me know what you come up with! 

[elvan]

Music, listening to something you really like, coming to EX and reading, playing a computer game, petting a cat or dog if you have one...exercise...something you really LIKE to do!  I would say paint your nails but, personally, I HATE that and the smell makes me sick.

Look at photographs, take a trip down memory lane, sort through old jewelry...you can do this, it just takes time to retrain your brain so you understand that killing yourself is not really a reward.

Ellen

[sweetplt]

Happy Tuesday HappyJoyousFree I am so glad you are back in the quit...You can do this quit....and yes keep close to the site...use Ex’s as your reward....come here after completion of a project and we will celebrate with you...or another reward you would rather...reread information here at the site to help....you deserve this quit...keep us posted....~ Colleen 330 DOF 

[JonesCarpeDiem]

it would probably give me gas.

[Giulia]

This is a great blog with helpful answers about the reward trigger:  /blogs/Youngatheart.7.4.12-blog/2019/10/29/help-dealing-with-that-reward-cigarette-thought   Maybe something will speak to you.  The object is not to dwell on it.

What you dwell on in your mind will grow in importance.  When those smoking thoughts enter, try to turn your attention in Another Direction.