I need some ideas!

[mkedigo]

I am in the planning stages of quitting - I'm trying to fix my triggers.   My one main trigger is that when I smoke, I usually do so as a reward.  I finally finish a big chore, or do something strenuous, and I have a cigarette to reward myself.  I can't replace it with food or I'll gain tons of weight, and I'm already overweight!  It doesn't seem to work if I just delay it.  It's still a reward.  Anyone have any non food related ideas about how to reward myself? I've been wracking my brains for days!  I know it's a mental issue that I will have to deal with via psychiatrist someday, but I'm looking for something to get me over that hump when I quit. 

[fresh3]

find a new reward

[maggie_8-1-2010]

Hey, me again! A nice tall glass (or bottle) of ice cold water maybe with lemon in it is a great reward that doesn't pile on pounds. Sugar free hard candy is good. Or a sugar free pudding or jello if you can tolerate the sugar substitutes.

I would suggest taking a brisk walk but soon you'll have colder weather.  You can brush your teeth and brush your hair. So some jumpoing jacks or use a hoola hoop! dance to some music and sing out loud!

Keep thinking you find just the right replacement(s) for yourself.

[brenda61]

How about an incentive.  Think of the money you will save

Also you wil be saving more of your life.  It can be tough ride but it can be done.

Read some of the old timers blogs and you wil receive plenty of advice and  tips.

educate yourself.  BE COMMITED.  Once you gain confidence all the rewards will start falling in place.  I'm no expert just want win this thing too

[lkb2]

I know what you mean about the rewards, I was the same way, I'm still trying to work some of them out, but I've found after a big chore, reading a good book for a break has worked.  When I get to the car after work, a stick of of sugar free gum and a bottle of ice cold water have become my reward, also something good on the radio. It has to be a favorite flavor of gum and a new bottle of very cold water.  I honestly didn't think they would cut it at first, but they have worked out good enough.  Good luck!  

[Brenda_M]

Maybe sitting down with a magazine for five minutes.  Or painting your nails.  Or a cold (diet) soda.  Or coming on here to read blogs.  Or otherwise play on the Internet.  Or a cell phone game (also keeps your hands busy).  Or sitting outside and sucking in FRESH air.  Or knitting. 

Oh, and....

WELCOME! 😃

[jojo_2-24-11]

Hi and welcome. Smoking is not a reward at all. I did this for years. You have to change the way you think of smoking. It's a dirty, discusting, filthy addiction. We were slowly killing ourselves with every cigarette. Educate yourself with all that you can on the addiction of nicotine. Come here and blog, comment on others blogs and ask questions. We are relearning life without smoking. It is all good without cigarettes. This you will see.

[Ex_Nancy]

Stay close to this site and remember NOPE=Not One Puff Ever...and as long as you stick to this ONE SIMPLE rule, you will win....it the meantime, drink plenty of fresh cold water to rid your body of the toxins,6 smaller, nutritious meals throughout the day to keep your blood-sugar levels steady, (don't diet!)......and it will keep your blood sugar level and the low blood sugar induced fogginess and craves away.

....take big arm STRETCHES as often as needed to relax tense muscles and most importantly, take big DEEP BREATHS TO RELAX AND RELIEVE anger... take a nap, take walks, stay buzy with something you LIKE and brush you teeth immediately after each meal...stick your head in the freezer and DEEP BREATHE....If you bite into a lemon, the smoking thought will be gone instantly...try it, it works, also suck on sugarfree hard candy or lollipops and one of my friends here says be sure to use the Halls mentholyptus cough drops......Be prepared in advance for it,not surprised by it...Smoking thoughts only have power when you have fear. Face it head on and do not try to run or hide. You have the strength and power to tell it NO...You have the CHOICE to tell it NO.

[Ex_Nancy]

The most IMPORTANT thing you can do for your quit now is to educate yourself about the addiction and the mind games it plays on us....READ,READ,READ for a successful quit...the more you read, the EASIER it is...

CHOOSE to quit smoking, not TRY. Educate yourself by reading these links to the materials that most of us have used to help us quit and STAY quit! This is about making a DECISION to never put another cigarette in your mouth, mean it, and be committed to follow through on that decision. Also allow NO excuses AND hang in there for as long as it takes, no matter how uncomfortable you become.... This is about re-learning your life WITHOUT cigarettes....start changing your "normal" routine....because a smoker's routine revolves around cigarettes. You will be a nonsmoker so change how you start your morning so it doesn't revolve around cigarette breaks, etc. You CAN do this! ....http://digg.com/newsbar/topnews/Allen_Carr_s_Easy_Way_To_Stop_Smoking_Download_free_PDF

http://quitsmokingonline.com

[maja2]

I too used smoking as a reward. I really learned a lot about how our brains come to associate smoking with feeling good on the website www.quitsmokingonline.com

Check it out and I think it will help you. 

[joy36]

I used smoking as a reward and a reason to take a break. I haven't found anything to take a break, that work's, but, I get through working a lot sooner ! So that's a reward !!   I just found thing's to keep my hand's and mind busy. I cleaned like a mad woman !!! But, that was a good thing too ! Do you have anything you do as a hobby ? I didn't, I alway's clean, that's my obession, cleaning !! I have O.C.D. and that's what I do. The only strange thing with the obession I have is, when I see something, I have to spell it in my mind ! Weird, HUH ?? Oh Well, it could be worse. 

[YoungAtHeart]

Sorry - I happen to believe you can only conquer one bad habit at a time!  Overeating, to me, is also a bad habit!!!!   I decided that,since I have never been nominated for sainthood, I was not going to work on all of my faults at once.  I allowed myself to indulge in small treats to replace the cigarette rewards I used to give myself.  I just knew carrot and celery sticks were NOT gfoing to work for me - nor was sugar-free anythnig (I can't stand the taste that stuff leaves in my mouth).  I substituted frozen Hershey Kisses for the important cravings (like the one with my AM coffee) and that worked VERY well for me.  After nine weeks, I rarely need one - so it was not a forever necessity!

I say do what works for you!  I believe quitting smoking is the single most important thing you can do for yourself. Losing weight is a distant second.  Once you can breathe better, exercising will be easier and, hopefully, more FUN, too. 

Just my 2 cents worth!

[mkedigo]

Good suggestions!  Thank you all!  I have the added stress of changing my dietary habits at the same time.  The conversation I had with my GP was hilarious. 

HIM:  You need to quit smoking and lose weight.

ME:  Well honestly doc, I can do one, but probably not both at the same time.

HIM:  You need to do both. 

ME: *eye roll & sigh* Which one is more important?

HIM: Both.  But I guess quitting smoking would be more important if you force me to choose. We can always compensate for your high cholesterol and blood pressure with pills while you quit smoking.  Then we can tackle the weight issue.

I'm not even that overwieght, maybe 30lbs.  But I have hereditary predisposition for cancer, heart disease and high cholesterol (1,500 before I started taking the cholesterol pills).  Then this whole breast infection disease showed up, and has hastened my need to quit.  So while I'm quitting, I plan on changing small things, like drinking more water and eating just a little bit healthier, nothing big.  I'd rather fail to lose weight than fail to quit. 

I just read Allen Carr's book.  It makes a lot of sense.  I'll use that to my advantage.  I might not even wait until my Nov quit date - I'm actually starting to get excited about being a non-smoker!  🙂