Quitting now

[alic]

I've said it for 10 years. "I'll quit before I'm 20 because I don't want to be a smoker in my 20's"... "I'll quit before I reach 25" ... "I'll quit before I am 27..28"...and yet I never have. I came home from work today (work in the health field, tisk tisk on me) like any normal day and decided it had to be today. I smoked one after work. Went inside and did my usual workout and then decided I wouldn't go back out. Despite my husband still smoking. I am a little apprehensive. A little angry (because dangit I want one). A little hopeful. A little everything. Well, let's see how the rest of tonight goes. Wish me luck!

[lois2]

stay strong you can do this , beleave in your self.

[alic]

Thanks, lois! 

[YoungAtHeart]

Welcome to our community!

The first thing I want to mention is that luck has nothing to do with quitting smoking!!!  It takes commitment that you will not smoke another cigarette NO MATTER WHAT.  I wish you had joined us earlier to have prepared a bit - but you can use the readings as great crave busters!

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!  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

[Deena-A-Yenni]

Go for it!!!!!

[alic]

Thanks for the warm welcome! I've def been mentally preparing for this for a while, reading blogs, reading tips, reading peoples plans, but I just had enough of telling myself I'd eventually get to making my OWN plan. I've never blogged on any website ever, so I'm hoping that actually writing down my feelings will help. and great tips for keeping busy! I'm sure I'll use them 🙂

[TerrieQuit]

Hi! There is no luck to it. You have to really want it! Read, learn, educate yourself, stay close to this site. Congratulations on the best decision you will ever make!

Terrie  45 DOF

[JonesCarpeDiem]

What I wish I knew when I quit.

https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/blogs/jonescarp.aka.dale.Jan_2007-blog/2011/06/26/what-to-expect-...

[soccerr22]

Hi there. Similar situation in that I've been mentally preparing, not much of a plan, and just quit. I've never blogged either. Writing seems to help with the anxiety I've been having, though. As you can see, there is so much support here. I quit for 2 years before, and I just have to say I agree with grandbunn.... You have to really want it. I'm just past the 72 hr mark, and the book linked in the comment above ^ provides some awesome insights. Good luck. Glad you made the decision. Keep in touch!

[Junior7]

Welcome!  So happy for your decision to quit!

[newlife5]

you sound like me i did that procastination for 43 years...just do it!...it will be uncomfortable at first but after a couple of weeks its not so bad...

[jjbob]

Congrats.. Remember....Not One Puff Ever.    John 19DOF