Newbie

[pj58]

Hello.  I am a 59 year old, 41 year smoker, with COPD and the last time I used this website I was a 58 year old, 40 year smoker with COPD.  I quit 3 times last year 3 weeks one time, 17 days another time and 12 days the third time.  Unforturnately the 3 week quit was the first one and the quits got weaker and weaker each time.  So I am so afraid that I do not have what it takes to become an EX.  My failures have made me quite anxious.  I am not any smarter, or stronger than I was at those times that I quit my quits, so what makes me think I can ever, ever do it?  My health is noticiably worse that a year ago, and yet I continue to do damage to it.   I truely do want to stop the downward spiral I am on, I am just afraid.

[JonesCarpeDiem]

You aren't any weaker or less smart.

you didn't commit to your quit.

give me 130 days from your last puff and 

you can eb quit and get cheap ugg shoes too!

[SarahP]

The good news is, you've got lots of practice quitting, and lots of experience with the triggers that bring you back to smoking. Now you have to do something with that knowledge. You know what trips you up, and you know those things will happen again, so what's your plan for dealing with them differently next time?

Have you done the readings at www.quitsmokingonline.com, or the Allen Carr book? I know a lot of us here harp on this, but educating yourself about this addiction is the single best way to defeat it. You can't fight what you don't understand.

I'm glad you're still here and still asking for help. We're still here for you. You can do this. Educate yourself, make a plan, and act. 

[smp101]

I also smoked for forty years. I knew I couldn't quit. Everyone around me had quit long ago. I was too weak didn't have will power etc. I was looking for a magic bullet to help. Tried everything, gum, patches hypnosis, accupuncture, drugs. Finally I decided to just make a committment.

The folks on this site guided me, educated me and supported me through the first few weeks were were hell. The first week I walked around in circles and could not function. The second week I needed a lot of time to my self and was careful around people. By the third week I was able to start functioning in society again but this desire would not go away.

Every morning when I woke up I would make a committment to make it through this day without smoking no matter what. Since I made a committment every morning I didn't have to revisit my choice throughout the day. I just reminded my self of my committment. Today I am celebrating 4 months smoke free and I would not go back for anything.

I thought I would die a smoker, but I'm here to tell you that if a hard core addict like me can do this then I'm sure you can if you committ.

Come here often. Read what others are doing. Let us know how you are doing and let us know if we can help. We support you no matter what.

Stephen

[doug33]

you're 2 years older than me but I was smoking longer(49 years) and I probably quit a lot more times than you, but this one is different. I too have made a commitment, not to light up that first cig of the day and I have a lot of support from the people here.yes it can be hard(or easy if you read and think about what you've read) you're not stupid or weak. learn from your failures  see the triggers that set you back and learn ways to deal with them. we've all been where you are .the addict in you is telling you that you can't do it but deep down inside you know you can and we can help you realise this.you can do this,

[Strudel]

Welcome back! I smoked for 40 years - I quit 556 days ago! The secret - stay close - or at least for me that worked. Plus read to prepare - the free course at: http://quitsmokingonline.com/ and Allen Carr's book - "The Easy Way To Stop Smoking" -free download - http://joga.365.lt/Allen-Carr_Easy-Way-To-Stop-Smoking_Download-free-PDF-EBook

You can do this!!!

[BobbyMaynard]

It is wonderful that you have come back here ready to try again. I am living proof that smart has nothing to do with quitting and it is not about will power. In the advise above the words that stand out to me are commitment, knowledge and support. All of that is available to you here. Go through the steps in the quit plan, do some reading and learn about nicotine addiction and how it affects your brain. We are glad you are here and we will be here to help you help yourself. Keep blogging and let us know what is going on in your effort. A decision not to smoke “no matter what” and a commitment to that decision. Dig deep into this site and get yourself prepared. You can do this.

Bobby

1 800 QUIT NOW

Quit Smoking online coarse

Easy Way to Stop smoking - free PDF Book

Why Quit

cdc.gov

SmokeFree Women

Quit Keeper

[pj58]

To all you kind people who replied, Thanks.  I have read Allen Carr;s book and done the quit smoking online thing, but I will take you all's advise and reread them.  Of the three things you all mention, Knowledge, Support, Committment, the one that I am so weak in is the Committment part.  I understand addiction, intellectually, and I know that you all are wonderful for support.  I guess why Commitment is the hardest, is because that one is all on me, no one else, and I do not have a ton of faith in my committment ability.  It has been a long time since I had to have a strong committment to anything, and I forget or maybe  never knew how one committs to something.  Any ideas on this. 

[JonesCarpeDiem]

Perhaps being accountable to us whle we help you along s going to be your best asset.

That is what we are here for

[pipster540]

PJ, you CAN do this.  Absolutely.  We are here to help.  Do all the suggestions.  Read Read Read.

Be Blessed,

Pip

[pj58]

I think like anything, practice makes perfect, so I am going to practice what it feels like to make a committment and stick with it no matter what.  I have for the last two days smoked only in a small, unused bathroom in my house.  This room has no pictures, just a toliet and sink, and I do not take a book or paper in with me, if I want to smoke, I have to just sit on a toliet and only smoke. 

I figure this is a way to practice seperating smoking from all the thinks I like to do, such as watching TV, playing on the computer, reading.  However, this morning at 1:00 I woke up and could not go back to sleep, at 3:00, I had had enough, so I smoke two cigarettes sitting in my bed, watching TV.  What do I tell myself that will stop me from giving in when it gets bad?  That is what I mean about not knowing how to make and KEEP a committment.   Any help?

 

[pj58]

I am beginning to notice things on this prep for quitting that are different from my other preps. This morning when I thought about quitting I said to myself , as I always do "This is going to be so hard" and really for the first time EVER my next thought, unbidden by me was "Yea, but that's OK" I about fell off my chair, it was such a revelation. I hope I can keep that attitude for when it soes get hard.