Determined

[determined18]

I have smoked for over 44 years. I have tried to quit so many times, Ive lost track. I have been smoke free now for 3 days. I feel that this time might be different. I so want to be an EX smoker so bad. I am willing to do the work. This is my first time to this site. I dont know how this will work, if it will work at all, but again, willing to give it a try.

[johio]

Welcome....I smoked for over 50 years.....and this site helped me quit....When I came here I was also detemined....I kept an open mind and stayed positive.

Remember...You are not alone in this

[linda-rene]

Today is day 3 for me, too!  The mornings are the toughest.  I've smoked for over 30 years and have quit a few times before.  The community really does help.  At least my last quit was over a year.  Good luck!!

[YoungAtHeart]

Welcome to our community!

Congratulations on your decision to quit smoking and your fabulous THREE DAYS!

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

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

[JonesCarpeDiem]

I smoked for 40.

Quit 9 plus.

Still going strong

glad you could join us!

[crazymama_Lori]

read, read, read and then read some more.  ^ has got some excellent articles on his site

[joedice711]

i,m another long time smoker 50 plus years. i have 6 months today..goes to show it can be done. its is so nice to be free.. 3 days is good,keep adding those days.. 

[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 recommend 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 person's hand before you and promise not to smoke! 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/8309395/let-the-nicodemon-be-the-april-fool/

Hope to see you there!    Terrie

I Won't Quit on my Quit!

[Giulia]

Howdy and Welcome! 

Oh it'll work, if you work IT!  Support is what made THE difference in my quit.  (35+ year smoker, 10+ year quitter.)  It has made the difference in many a quit here. 

If you're willilng to put in the time and do the work, if you're willing to hang in - no matter what, for as long as it takes - you'll be a Champ.  Commitment and perseverance are two of the keys to success. 

The majority of the nicotine will be out of your system by tomorrow.  (Unless you're taking an NRT.)  Day 3 is GREAT.  You ARE and EX smoker.  Right this minute.  Don't you see?  Just hang onto it and you'll be Free.

[Dotgirl_1-28-16]

3 days smoke free? Sounds to me like you ARE an ExSmoker...keep up saying NO and racking up those beautiful days of freedom! WTG

[MarilynH]

Welcome  to the site, you can and will succeed in your quit, be willing, determined and totally committed to succeed and you will be successful and it's so worth and at the end of the day you can say another day WON, you can do this. 

[Linda239]

Congrats to you!  I too smoked for 44 years.  I have been quit now for 3 years and 3 months.  This site helped me so much when I first quit.  Please educate yourself and continue coming to this site.  Both helped me.  Just take it one day at a time and keep telling yourself " I don't don that any more" whenever the urge hits for a cigarette.  Just keep busy.  You can do it!