Don't know what to do

[JakeTrev]

So I changed my quit date because I just did not feel ready.  I want so badly to quit but I keep right on doing it.  I got myself down from 50 cigs a day to 10.  It fluctuates between 9, 10, 11. I just want to get past this stuck stage. I'd like to get down to 8.  How do you all do it?  I know we aren't suppose to enjoy the things, but I honestly do.  That's a sad statement.  If I want to quit so bad, then why can't I?  Is my mind really so powerful that I just don't have the will power?  And, to be honest, I'm a little afraid of quitting.  Now, that is dumb.  Don't know what to do.  How do you wake up one morning and say, No More?  My Health is going to hell in a handbasket.  My doctor keeps telling me that smoking is adding to my health problems.  Duh, I know about the End Stage COPD, and you think that would help me.

Thank you!

JakeTrev/ aka Marilyn

[YoungAtHeart]

Welcome to our community!

I could not cut down to a certain number before my quit date, either.  It seemed to me that trying to reach a certain number kept smoking in the forefront of my mind ALL the time:  "how long until I can have another?;  if I smoke a lot early on, maybe I can space them out further later; can I have one YET?"  A better strategy is to just put each one off a bit - getting busy when you think you want one.  Do something with your hands in water, or go for a walk, or play a computer game first....you can gradually, naturally cut down this way.  It's also a good exercise for what you will do when a craving his AFTER you 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 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. You should also do the tracking and separation exercises suggested on this site

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. 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. 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

[Daniela2016]

Dear Marilyn, 

You can prepare yourself by sticking to this site.

Nancy is one of the elders (quit 1 year or longer), they will provide you with plenty of educational documents, and you can still smoke while educating yourself.

Please listen to the guidance you are given, and you will be able to do it, like all of us here!

Trust yourself, follow the steps and shortly you will be posting 1 day DOF (days of freedom), 1 week, 1 month.

Please start reading and come back for more info, good luck, and please do trust is it feasible and quitting will not kill you!

Daniela

[JonesCarpeDiem]

you are counting and you are frustrated from it.

this is what happens with people who count.

When you want to smoke, just tell yourself to wait a little longer. Don't stress yourself out over it. Have that smoke before you torture yourself.

It isn't about counting. It's about working with yourself.

I did this and went from a pack a day to a pack every four days in 4 weeks. I proved I didn't need to smoike just because I wanted to smoke.

I guess you haven't read my page?

[stmand92]

I would agree that you should educate yourself as much as possible. there are so many articles on this site that can help. I think this was what helped me the most. It helped me to change the habits gradually and it gave me a place to turn to for support. You will come to realize that the things you are feeling and saying all come from addiction.

It took me a couple tries and I remember before this last time that I had myself convinced that I really enjoyed smoking and it wasn't that I needed it but that I wanted it. Well, I come to realize that I was definitely WRONG... It's been over 2 years now and that on occasion i still get that little thought in my head.

You can do this, eventually the thought of smoking will be very seldom; just tell yourself you don't do that anymore. It's scary but once you do it you will look back with a lot of pride. Stay strong!!!

777 DOF

[JonesCarpeDiem]

PS I never stressed out one time about quitting those 4 weeks before I quit. The only way I knew I was smoking less was fewer trips to the stor to buy them.

[plug66]

i think each and every one of us were afraid to quit, it meant not another cigarette ever, a fact that made me sick to my stomach.....once you put the quit into action, it is easy to do. I could never cut down, just did not work for me i either had to smoke all that i wanted or none at all.....you will know when to put your plan into action...good luck and stay in touch with us

[Thomas3.20.2010]

STOP postponing! Just set a Date in concrete and quit! Today would be a great Day to Quit! You don't buy any more. You don't beg, borrow, or steal them. You keep them away from your face - That's it!

You will not die! You will not kill anybody else. You will survive!

And then slowly you'll notice your perspective change. Especially when you do the reading. 

You can't be scared into it or cheered into it so JUST DO IT!

It isn't rocket science!

[Mike.n.Atlanta]

Can't say much more than what's already been said, except...your enjoyment comes only from the relief that you've satified your urge. Nothing more...nothing less.

[elvan]

Welcome to EX, I have to agree with Thomas, Just DO it!  Counting down and all of the other little tricks we play doesn't work, what works?  Stopping, it does not involve willpower, that is a myth.  It's more WON'T power.  No crave will kill you, nor will it last forever.  Smoking kills and it WILL last forever.  Take it from someone who has COPD, someone who struggles with the effects of that every day.  I am on oxygen at night, had both of my upper lobes removed in November because of the damage...scaring people doesn't work, I was an RN, I saw what COPD did, what lung cancer did, I heard my doctor tell me to stop smoking...LISTEN.  Educate yourself with the help of this site, take the support that is offered, stop making excuses.

We are here to help you in any way that we can, we cannot do this for you but we CAN tell you what we did one day at a time, one step at a time.  You say you want to quit but apparently you don't want it to be uncomfortable, that is not likely going to happen but the withdrawal does not last forever and it is ONE DAY AT A TIME!  You need to believe in yourself, I suspect you are a whole lot stronger than you give yourself credit for.

Again, welcome, do the reading, make the commitment, set the date and don't let anything get in your way.

Ellen

[SimplySheri]

Hi Marilyn!  Of course we have all been there....deciding to quit, picking a date, just jumping off that cliff and quitting.  You can do this.  Of course you can!!

Do the suggested reading and it may help.  Knowledge is power 🙂  Come here with questions, concerns, or to vent.  Support helps tremendously!!

And remember...you are worth this quit!!  You need your health.  You need the money (well, most of us do!), and you need to be free of this awful, awful addiction.  Stick to it, honor your commitment, and find that courage!!

[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 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/8397504/jump-into-june/

This link is also on my page and is also a featured group on our home page!

Hope to see you there!    Terrie

I Won't Quit on my Quit!

If you would like to join the group, use the link below, and look to the left, there is a place that says join group, just click it!

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