My Journey to Defeating this Enemy

[romino58]

I recently quit smoking (2 days to date).  I don't know, this is probably the 7th or 8th time  that I have quit. Once I quit for 5 years - only when I learned I was having my first child.

I know my triggers, and I am telling myself, I have no options - I have to stop.  My children, adults now, have been trying to get me to stop since they were little kids, I went through a smoking cessation program and stoped for 4 months, only to buy a pack, on a sunny day, when I felt great!

I have no choice now.  I don't have the money to waste, I feel like an astray.  I just don't want the smell in my mouth, in my hair, in my clothes, in my car, or in my house.  I keep telling myself I can conceal it, but you can't disguise the odor of tobacco.  I dont want e-cigarettes, I dont want vipers.  I want to be smoke free.  I am using gum, and straws.  I am hopeful that joining this community will help me.

[blaquequeen83]

Good for you!! Staying busy helped me a lot as well, I went cold turkey too!

[Dotgirl_1-28-16]

Welcome! Congratulations on your 2 days of freedom! If you haven't already you may want to read the steps suggested to prepare for a successful quit...don't give up and don't give in...just say no!!! WTG

[TerrieQuit]

Hello and Welcome! I am glad you are here! Here is a list of things you can do instead of smoke!

https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/blogs/Youngatheart.7.4.12-blog/2013/02/25/100-things-to-do-instea...

There will be someone along to give you a link to a book that really helped me! Congratulations on 2 days!

I Won't Quit on my Quit!

[lois2]

Welcome and congrats on 2 days,    take one day at a time. if you get a chance read ALLEN Carrs book.

[Barbara145]

Welcome.  You have come to the right place.  I smoked for 52 years.  I had multiple attemps at quitting until I came here.  It is over 2 years since I quit.  We will be here with you every step of the way.  I would not pick up a cigarette again for all the tea in China.  You can do this!

[Kimshine]

Welcome and congratulations to you! This is a great community and you will get a lot of help and support when you need it. One of the elders will be along to offer you some reading material, it would do you so much good to read it and educate yourself about nicotine addiction.

congratulations to you!!

[dpop]

Welcome!

[JonesCarpeDiem]

Please read my page. It tells you what to expect and how to get to willingness and not fighting against yourself with willpower.

[YoungAtHeart]

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. 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.

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! 

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

[Giulia]

Welcome A'board.  You won't get much better support than from the folks here.  You say you "have no choice" but to quit.  That choice has to be held very firmly.  I've heard a lot of people say they have no choice but then go back to smoking again.  When you close the door on the option to smoke - the choice is final.  Keep making that choice every day you awaken,  and this WILL be your final quit.  Take it one day at a time until you don't have to.  But that takes time.  So hang in.  Glad you've joined us!

[sewright]

This is Day 1 of my re-quit. I've smoked for 41 years and am tired of always being out of breath, my hair and clothes reeking of smoke, constantly running to the store for cigarettes, etc. 

I am using the patches and the lozenges to help me with cravings and urges. I joined this community for the additional support from others on their journey to remain smoke-free. 

Unlike some of the other websites or apps, I like the philosophy of becoming an ex. After 40+ years of smoking, I really need to re-learn how to live life without cigarettes. 

I wish you well on your journey to being smoke-free. The more tools and support you have, the better prepared you will be. It doesn't take luck. It takes work. Keep moving forward!