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Share your quitting journey

I'm Finally Ready - Quit Date 09/22/2015

jelash
Member
3 5 55
‎09-10-2015 06:19 PM

I have tried to quit many times. The two longest times I wasn't ready. One was when I joined the military. I quit during boot camp, and started again as soon as I was done with boot camp. The second time was when I got pregnant. I wasn't ready, but I quit anyway because I had to. I lit up as soon as I could. Now I am 28 and have been smkoing for about 10 years. It's time to stop. I am only 28 and am having bad circilation in my hands and feet, am short of breath, and have a young daughter I need to set an example for. Plus, I plan on having more children with my fiance and want to be ready this time with my body in good health. I am using this site for all it has. It is a great resource!!! I also got a months worth of free patches from QuitPlan. Here I go!!!

5 Comments
Legend
Member
‎09-10-2015 06:42 PM

You can do this.  Keep coming to this site and you will make it.  

YoungAtHeart
Member
‎09-10-2015 07:10 PM

Welcome to our community!

 

 

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 and I think you will be amazed at what you don't know about this addiction.  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

MarilynH
Member
‎09-10-2015 09:07 PM

Welcome , you are making the best decision for your health, family and friends. Quitting smoking is definitely doable and absolutely worth it, stay strong and stay close to this site. 

Marilyn 

jelash
Member
‎09-11-2015 06:02 PM

Thank you everyone for your positive input! It is much appreciated 🙂

I have completed every step on this site except the actual quitting. I have already cut down my cigarette usage. Just tracking my cigarettes has made a huge difference! It's very eye opening when you write down how much you smoke, just like with calories eaten, and what causes the smoking. My support system is on board, and I am SO HAPPY to have you all as well 🙂

@jonescarp, how do I join a group? I am interested in that group you posted but don't see a way to join 😕

I am very new to this site, so please add me as a friend if you wish. I will be a regular here. Every. Single. Day. 🙂

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