Getting ready for Ground Zero

[Billysgirl375]

I’ve tried countless times to quit smoking, twice in the last couple of months.  I get to day three and can’t get over that hump.  I’m going to win this battle.  Gearing up for quit day.  My husband quit years ago, it’s my turn to unchain myself.  My husband is trying to help and I know he supports me.  I’m contemplating my quit date while I build my ammunition to forever kill the nicotine demon.

My husband referred me to this community, first item in my gunney sack. Reordered Wellbutrin, buying patches, got the candy and gum ready.  More ideas from the community is more than welcoming and I look forward to the support.  I’m gonna need it.

[Billysgirl375]

I re-downloaded my app Smoke Free to my iPad, is that the best one?

[CommunityAdmin]

Oooh!!! Who's the the Billy we need to thank? Welcome! Billysgirl375‌

Mark
EX Community Manager

[Billy_8-3-2013]

Hi everyone.  It has been a while since I have visited but remain forever grateful for all the help this community provided when I gave up the habit six and a half years ago.  Allow me to introduce my lovely wife who is about to begin the journey of a lifetime, for a lifetime.  Please support her as you supported me.  I know she can do this.  

[Cousin-Itt]

Welcome Billysgirl375  Quitting was the best thing I did. The best thing I did was learn as much as I could about the changes both physical and emotional I would be going thru It helps when you know why you feel or act the way you do and know it's normal  Most of all you have to really want to quit. Take smoking off the table completely  

You got this

Carl  

[sweetplt]

HI and Welcome to Ex’s Billysgirl375 

I am so happy you found our site.  Might I suggest, you read at My EX Plan | BecomeAnEX there you will schedule your quit day and you will become knowledgeable in this journey.  For me, I found preparation, knowledge and hard work were the keys.  Also, rid all smoking paraphernalia the night before your quit date.  Be sure to list healthy things you will do in place of smoking.  Here is a list to get you started /blogs/Maggie_quit_8-1-2010-blog/2012/03/19/100-things-to-do-instead-of-smoking?sr=search&searchId=e... Keep close to the support site for help and to encourage others on this journey.  You can do this...we are here to help...Happy Tuesday....one step at a time....~ Colleen 400 DOF 

[CommunityAdmin]

Billy_8-3-2013‌ Thanks for the kind words and for referring Billysgirl375‌ to us.  

Mark
EX Community Manager

[YoungAtHeart]

Welcome to the community!

Tell Billy_8-3-2013 I said hello!

The 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 easy and entertaining read provided a world of good information about nicotine addiction, most of which I was not aware.  I credit it in large part with my success at quitting.   You can search for it online or at your local library.

 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, quitsmoking.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. Here is a video to inform you further about nicotine addiction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpWMgPHn0Lo&feature=youtu.be.

I am happy to read you plan to use two quit smoking aids that don't let you control the dose.  Good idea!

It will be informative if you do the tracking and separation exercises recommended here on the site. As you track each cigarette smoked, note its importance, and what you might do instead. Put each one off just a little to prove that you don't NEED a cigarette just because you think you do.
 

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

[Barbscloud]

Welcome to the ex and congrats on your decision to quit.  I also used Welbutrin along with a nicotrol inhaler, smoking cessation class and the Ex.   The support is really helpful for a successful quit.   Plan what you're quit tools will be--exercise is great (especially walking).  I also like sour candy and chewing on straws.  Find what works best for you.

Barb

[JACKIE1-25-15]

Welcome.  Education is the key to a successful quit. 

[ShawnP]

So good to see you!!!! Am happy your wife is here. Your a great support for her. Billysgirl375‌, You've got this!! Just believe in yourself. i know there is quit kits or tool blogs that people have posted in the past with ideas. One of them is listed at the bottom of my blog https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/groups/best-of-ex/blog/2013/08/11/foundation-for-a-successful-qui... 

[Giulia]

Welcome wife of Billy!!!  Glad he spurred you to come here.  As far as quit apps, take your pick!:  

Quit Smoking Apps

Google Play Store, called MLC, meaning My Last Cigarette https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mlc&hl=en_US  IOS users:   https://apps.apple.com/us/app/smoke-free-quit-smoking-now/id577767592?ls=1 

 Smoke Free, quit smoking now and stop for good - Apps on Google Play   IOS Version:  Smoke Free - Quit Smoking Now on the App Store 

  Smoke Free - Quit Smoking Now app https://smokefreeapp.com/

Smokefree Govt. sponsored Apps  https://smokefree.gov/tools-tips/apps

Best Quit Smoking Apps of 2018 https://www.healthline.com/health/quit-smoking/top-iphone-android-apps

Best apps for quitting smoking https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317633.php

SMKR on the App Store https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/smkr/id1175354799?mt=8

List of good Quit apps:  https://www.healthline.com/health/quit-smoking/top-iphone-android-apps

Chin up, think positive (sounds like you are!) and let your sense of humor run rampant!  We'll help you get over the three day hump.  

[maryfreecig]

As you unattach yourself to smoking and the addiction, attach yourself to this community. We are here to help one another and you will be among good caring quitters who get the ups and downs of quitting, the tricks of addiction.

This is a journey and it can be taken only one day at a time. 

[Billysgirl375]

I’ve made it through 4 chapters of Allen Carr’s ‘Easy Way for Women to Quit Smoking’.  Thank you to my husband for the gentle shove of just promising 20 minutes of my time every evening to reading.  I’ve laughed, acknowledged and dripped a few tears this evening over what I’ve read and acknowledged my relationship with cigarettes and related to most of all what Allen is saying..  So...I’ve spent more than 20 minutes, most likely an hour an 30 minutes to reading this evening.  I think I’ll be finishing this book and feeling more optimistic that I’ll be the winner in this battle.  Thank you for all ur support, I haven’t set my quit date yet...but feel I’m moving in a positive direction.    Can’t wait to finish reading and having this book in my gunney sack.  Thank u BillyBoy for loving me...I understand more than u think I do.  Ur my He-Man .  I’ve added this comment to get me used to moving forward in allowing others into my world of hell.  Not something I’m used to....I want to make this something of an ‘addiction’ in sharing me if that makes sense in place of my nicotine addiction.  Thank u so much for ur caring comments and support, I value them tremendously and more than these nasty cigarettes.  I think u all understand that?  Hopefully I can replace the cigarettes with what I’m learning and all of ur love.  I’m getting there!

[Giulia]

We've all been in your world of hell.  Well, quitting hell that is.  And I've only started to really open up and reveal more of my personal "emotional self" in the past couple of years.  Before that I kind of hid most of me.  (At least I think I did! lol)    And I've discovered how much love you get back when you reveal your true self and your own vulnerabilities.  At least on this site.  From the comments I've read at large on the open "social media" sites - dear Lord - savages out there.  Anyway, my point being - you're safe here.  And this is a much better addiction to have!