Hello

[jacky9]

hi there im jacky im new to all this i have stoped smoking in the past but sadly starting smoking again and i want to stop for good this is my 3rd attempt in a year on top of quiting drugs a year and a 1/2 ago so one step at a time i guess but i having so much trouble with these stuborn cigarettes  i have tryed every thing the 1 800 quit line got patches and gum and the inhaler  but may be im just not in it 100 %and its not no pic nic when i have family all around me smoking to makes it all the more tougher  i dont know maybe talking with all of you will help me in my journy

[YoungAtHeart]

Welcome to our community!

Congratulations on your decision to give this another go.  It CAN be your forever 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. 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

[elvan]

It is not easy but  it IS doable.  I smoked for 47 years on and off, mostly on and I have over a year smokefree now, thanks to this site and the education I got from the people here and the support that is invaluable.  You CAN do this, you do have to commit to getting healthy and remember that smoking will do nothing FOR you but it sure will do a lot TO YOU!

Welcome to EX, you have come to the right place.

[lois2]

Welcome to the ex,   take this advice we can do this.   congrats on your quit.

[Karynsfun2bwith]

Hi Jackie. I'm new here to the EX community. I have been smoke free for the last 4 days. I quit on Mother's Day. I find this website very helpful. The secret to my success so far has been snacking on fruits and vegetables and having mini meals all day along with drinking water. I find it keeps me full without a feeling a craving. I also walk 20 minutes on my break at work. That may keep your mind off it too. In addition, I keep gum and Spearmint lifesavers (sugar free) in my purse. I'm proud of  you for kicking your drug addiction. Nicotine is an addiction as well and is just as hard to break. Good luck in your journey and we will be here if you need us.

[jacky9]

thank you all for the kind words of encourgement  it really helps alot i know i can get this bad habit out of my system with a little luck and god on my side and some support and sence i dont have it at home i need to find it else where  so thank you