So far, so good

[katya52]

I'm still at 4 cigarettes a day and holding. I think I made the right choice for me in taking it slow and not going cold turkey. I've started taking vitamins, although I sometimes forget. I figure a month at 4 cigarettes a day then I'll cut down to 3, a month or two at 3 then down to 2, then 1 and finally none.

Although my son recommends quitting cold turkey, I don't think I'll take that advice, but I will take one other piece of advice he offered and that is to just hold a cigarette, unlit, and not, of course, put it in my mouth, but one of my biggest obstacles to overcome is having something to do with my hands. I think this will help alot. Anyway I'm giving it a shot. I'll let you all know if it helps.

Katya

[james41]

Plese take this advice and go to whyquit.com and read about withdrawal. Then you can make up your own mind about it.

Remember when alcoholics quit drinking they can't have just a little bit all along til they wean ,,, think about it,, Nicotine is in fact a drug. Hope this helps.

Thanks for your blog

[neen]

I agree with James...

[katya52]

Thanks for your advice, James. But if I reject my son's advice, I'm not likely to take yours.

That sounded kind of bitchy, but believe me I didn't mean it that way. I know that nicotine is a drug. In fact it's one of the most addictive drugs out there. But as I said earlier, we each must find the best way to quit and stay quit. I find that tapering off slowly is best for me. It keeps me from going through the hard withdrawal and all that entails.

Having smoked for nearly 40 years, I believe I'd have a super hard time if I went cold turkey. I'd probably start pigging out on every sweet I could get my hands on, and maintaining a healthy weight is very important to me.

The new anti-smoking drugs are not an option for me as I take medication for severe depression and another drug is the last thing I need.

So, to each his/her own. It's working for me so far and I'm highly motivated so I believe it will continue to work. I'll let you know how I'm doing.

Katya

[comfortablynumb]

I agree with James

[james41]

You are exactly right. Keep reading and go back some in the past dig up folks old blogs there is  a wealth of info and all the different methods people used. There are success stories in all methods. But do please go and read at whyquit.com no matter how you choose to quit,  it is great and if there is an unanswered question , you'll find it there. I'm coming up on 8 blissful months and couldn't be more at peace, forgive me if I seem pushy,, we are in the same generation and I get carried away sometimes.

Take Care

Thanks for your response, holler if any of us can help.

[hwc]

"Although my son recommends quitting cold turkey, I don't think I'll take that advice, but I will take one other piece of advice he offered and that is to just hold a cigarette, unlit, and not, of course, put it in my mouth, but one of my biggest obstacles to overcome is having something to do with my hands. I think this will help alot. Anyway I'm giving it a shot. I'll let you all know if it helps."

--------------------

What do I know? I've only been an ex-smoker for 2.5 years after smoking a pack or two a day for 38 years. Just in case some who wants advice is in the middle of quitting smoking, I would say that holding a cigarette in your hand, lit or not, is just about a guaranteed way to blow your guit. Honestly, I can't imagine a worse recommendation

First of all, it is a major challenge to keep yourself from "romancing the drug", letting your mind visualize that magical cigarette smoked in a field of clover, under rainbows, surrounded by unicorns and puppied, in a world where the Marlboro cowboy doesn't die of lung cancer and each puff cures world hunger. You can't allow your mind to go there if you want to be successful in quitting. Holding a cigarette is the exact opposite of what you want to do.

Second, every one of us who has successfully kicked our active junkie nicotine addiction has gotten through a moment or two where we were THIS CLOSE to smoking. It's the nature fo the beast. You don't just throw a switch when you've been a drug junkie for decades. It'll be nip and tuck at some point. Ex-smokers scratch and claw their way through those moments (there are no style points). Smokers don't. That's the only difference. One of the keys is to put time and distance between you and a cigarette. That way, when you are THIS CLOSE to smoking, you have to go get the car keys, drag your butt to the store, and buy cigarettes. Those few precious minutes may be the only thing that separates you from life and death by giving yourself a moment to decide if you REALLY want to buy and smoke 7500 cigarettes this year, because that's what going to the store and buying a pack means. Holding a cigarette in your hands is taking away that cushion.

The way I see it, anyone who holds a cigarette in their hands has already decided that they have not intention of quitting smoking. Non-smokers do not hold cigarettes in their hand.

But, what do I know?.

[neen]

one is too many and a 1,000,000  is not enough!

[Strudel]

When I first came here - I merely lurked and read blogs. I truly thought most of what these folks were saying was nutty! What - as James says - I'm going to be a "happy quitter"? No way! He's got to be kidding! He doesn't understand....I have smoked all of my LONG adult life.

Slowly.....I began to change....my mind began to change. I read blogs and I read at www.quitsmokingonline.com, at www.whyquit.com, and Allen Carr's book ("The EASY Way to Stop Smoking"). I thought, I studied, I prayed.....I reached a point when the fear began to lift. That overwhelming fear that I just can't give this up.......suddenly I realized I wasn't "giving up" anything. I quit smoking after a pack a day for 40 years.....today is my 59th day smoke free and I am indeed happy! Please - stick around!

[bella65]

i agree with james. if your going to quit you dont keep a ciggerate in your hand. i kinda wished i went cold turkey .but i didnt.but im 7 months smoke free and loving it.either you want to quit or you dont want to quit..,and you can be happy about it to.im so glad i quit.i will also heal better on my upcomming surgery to.:)so what ever choice you make you have to stick with it.

[onelasttime]

Sounds as if all the successful quitters have the same advice and I agree no cigs allowed....I hope you decide to quit and take the advice here to heart.Deb

[Bonnie11.3.2009]

we're here to share our experience, strength and hope so others can have a new life too!  You've gotten great responses to your blog, i hope you visit the websites suggested.  They were a big help to me, and all you have to do is read or listen to a podcast, that's all the effort required.  Learning about the addiction will help you make decisions regarding your quit.  Generally, we find out there's been a whole lot of brainwashing going on all these years!  I can tell you, I'm 9 months quit and I love my new life without smoking.  This site and the people here were a big part of how I quit and stay quit.  Give yourself a chance and let what they say settle in for a bit before you make up your mind.  We're here for you!  Keep blogging and letting us know how you're doing.

[maynell]

Katya,

Get it done and be happy. hwc is so right and always is. 

May

[keeptrying2]

Katya, you shae my daughter's name so I take a shining to you.  I hope you find the best way for you.  We are here when you are ready.