I don't Smoke, But the thoughts !!!

[kate8]

Are driving me nuts! I am constantly having to change my thoughts. Its like a magnet or something, and its just waiting until it wears me down, and I am Eating EVERYTHING!! The withdrawls are harder now than when I quit. I guess I just really had myself geared up for the quit. I am daily writting in my journal and re directing my thoughts. I Am Very Thankful that I Don't Smoke.

[Bonnie11.3.2009]

Kate, it really is about re-learning life without smoking.  Smoking was involved in everything we did, so we have a lot to re-learn.  Make it fun for you, write down what triggers the thoughts and what you do to move past them.  It only seems to take a few times for it to pass for good and then off to another trigger.  Some are more challenging than others for sure.  My number one way to deal with any thoughts that don't let go easily is a cup of hot tea.  Not sure why, but I find it soothing, even in this summer weather.  Persevere, it's a new way of life with so many more positive wonderful things!

[aztec]

Hi , Positve thinker, thats the only way to go, and keep journaling.

Keep healthy things like fruit and vegeatvble platters around if you can. they are coloful and you won't gain weight from them.

Yes it is like a magnet, when we do something repeatedly it makes a groove in our brain. If you smoked Ex number of years that's how deep the groove is, You have to do ther things and make new grooves. You will re-learn as you do this, It is a little tough to make new habits but well worth it. Exercise, just walking even, I walk 1/2 a mile a day, meditative walking., It has becomea habit. chewing gum has too.

Go to my site and you will see long lists of things you can do instead of smoke and some other good stuff. Make your own lists about what you personally like to do , just some ideas.

You can do it Kate

warm regards aztec

[kate8]

okay, I already see a couple of things that I did in the beginning that I have already let go. I will get my walking back this instant and start chewing more sugarless gum. I guess sticking with new routines are harder than I thought. Its ha4d though trying to find the trigger. My thoughts r running together I guess because they last for ever!!

[exekex]

To repeat Bonnie in a way, most of us do not know life without cigarettes. Many, like me have smoked all our adult lives. Quitting is not hard to do, but it is a big deal to change so much about your daily routines. Follow the good advice and remember all the reasons not to smoke. Try to remember the smell of a dirty ashtray! That helped me

[daisy6]

Great advise given to you & good attitude by you. You will make it through. And know, it really does get easier with time.

[sfaoro]

Do you remember my first response to your quit?  "We shall see"?

Well I have, knock it off !  You're one of the few that have set out to accomplish this and are following through.

Now take a different approach.

1) Get mad.... everytiime you have an urge, get mad.  There are people out there living large because you decided to smoke.  You put their kids through private school, you bought those nice houses and cars.  You chose to smoke but THEY OFFERED YOU A TERRIBLE DRUG.  Get mad at them because of what they've done !

2) Get mad at yourself for ever having taken this drug, that you now have to suffer for your actions

3) Be happy.  Every time you have an urge, it's your body fighting back.  Do you know how many people give in thinking they can't do this.  Understand it's you body repairing the damage that's been done.  MAKE IT WAS WONDERFUL THING, SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO.....BRING IT ON.

Now you're ready to fight, go get em'

[Yaya2.6.10]

I was in the same spot where you are now.  I didn't want to smoke, but was so tired of the thoughts that kept intruding.  Just keep up the self talk, get mad at the addiction and stay on guard.  You can get to the other side.  Be strong

[choptrice]

Yes Yes that was one big thing that really helped me was knowing I was going thru all this stuff because my body was healing  yeah,  that black tar getting stripped down to pretty pink everywhere on and in my body.  Tell that mind of yours to shut up  we are going to think about the trip we are going to take with all the money you've saved or the years you are going to be around because you QUIT  Hang tough girl  lesa

[kathys]

Do whatever you have to do to get past any urges to smoke. The addiction to nicotine is over, but the habit of smoking isnt. You really need to focus on ways to ease the times when the feeling comes on you. It will soon pass and you will only get stronger for it. You are doing a great job being smoke free

[jeannie2]

SO MANY OTHER REAL GREAT WONDERFUL THINGS TO THINK ABOUT..........TRY IT OUT EVERY TIME AND MAKE A GAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SOON LIKE MAGIC TAR STICKS WONT EVEN CROSS YOUR MIND AND IF THEY DO .......POW BANG AND SHOOT IT OUT WITH FAIRY TALES OF YOUR DREAMS AND WISHES COME TRUE.........FOLLOW THE LIGHT HAHA

[Thomas3.20.2010]

I use meditation where I imagine all the goopy icky junk in the cells of my body being exhaled with every breath I take and nice clean healing oxygen being inhaled!  I close my eyes and Listen to my breathing and Feel the air  - the more clearly explicit the visualization, the more effective!  It can be done almost anywhere and for any stretch of time!  I don't know if you meditate, but I've found it very useful for a variety of quit smoking anxieties!

[kate8]

Thanks you guys! Another day smoke free!!! I hope and pray I can get on here tomorrow. I need the support of my friends and fellow quitters. Thank You!!!!

[kate8]

okay, just tried to add this to my favorites and cant. Once I go off internet I hope I find a way back!! LETS live smoke free..........