Trying to wind down

[jawidge]

I am 56, I will be 57 in a couple of days.  I've been taking chantix for 10 days now.  I should be fully quit by now but I had 3 cigs yesterday and two today so far.  this medicine is making them tast bad, but I have not fully given up the habit.  I quit in January for three months with the patch, I really neeed to give this up, but I am struggling.  I used to run, but it is too hot right now.  this was alway a huge deterrent, and seemd to speed up the recovery process.  I have to quit for good this time and hopefully I will be done before my birthday.  I know what to do. Why am I not doing all of it?

[anacondahead]

Congrats on your decision to quit but you will continue to smoke until you make a promise to yourself and keep it. You have smoked long enough - let your body heal itself. It is so critically important.

[JonesCarpeDiem]

if you haven't quit and your birthday is in 2 days you won't be done before then but, you may get started on the final attempt.

you have to own it and be responsible for keeping it

[Yaya2.6.10]

Chantix can be helpful, but you need to do your part - its not a magic bullet.  I sense ambivalence as you are setting up the excuses like its too hot to run and using the word hopefully.  Quit hoping and get determined,.  You are so close that you need to take the final steps to Quit for good.

[patti-s]

I just turned 54 a few days ago and decided that the day after my birthday, I was going to quit.  Not that I was going to TRY to quit, but I was GOING TO quit.

Sure, it hasn't been a long time for my quit but I'm still here and I haven't smoked.  I was using the patch but found that it irritated my skin so last night I took it off and haven't put another one on. 

You CAN do it if you truly want to.  It doesn't matter how hot it is or how you can't run because of the heat.  What matters is putting down those cigs and not picking them up again!

[geminigypsylady]

I have been smoke free almost 7 months, I'm 53 and smoked 37 years.  I quit using chantix-I took the med and continued to smoke for a period of 5 weeks.  During those weeks I reduced my smoking, the Chantix did curb my urge to smoke and it was fairly painless for me to cut down to the point where I just stopped.

I took so long to quit because I had to prove to myself, 1 day at a time that I could carry on with my life, do what I needed and wanted to do w/o smoking.

I'm just saying there are as many paths to quitting as there are people who quit.  You can do this, find your own path and stick to it!

[maggie_8-1-2010]

Thus far you have recieved some really good feedback regarding your quitting process. There are indeed many paths that lead to one final successful quit - your attitude is everything. I recommend that you use positive self talk to reinforce all the reasons why you are quitting in the first place. It does start with When, not if. Don't hope - do it. Have you followed the program and tracked your triggers? You'll quit when you are really ready. So close - why not now!

Maggie

[dvolgenau4]

You are so close ...actually already there...just tell yourself ...you are no longer a smoker.. think how great you will feel running ...like a whole new  person....try walking if it's too hot ,that's what I do.. I am so looking forward to my walk today...it really helps something to do with dopamine....  which is what nicotene releases in our brain when we puff..I learned that here...your going to quit...why not now...YOU CAN DO IT...HAVE A GREAT SMOKE FREE DAY!!!

[Sootie]

As every one already said---YOU CAN DO THIS!! It may just be the way you wrote---but it sounded like you are "waiting" for the Chantix to "quit for you"---your words--I should be fully quit by now---seem to say you are waiting for something to happen on its own.

Chantix can help as with all quit smoking aides---they are a help. However, you will still have to fight off the craves that had you smoking those three.

 You can do it---but it does take work on your part as well. Keep in touch.

[daisy6]

I am 49 and smoked for 34 years. I quit in Feburary using Chantix. I took it for 12 weeks and quit completly in week 3. I found Chantix to be a helpfull tool, however, you still need to do the work. Fear of failure can be your biggest enemy right now. Your addiction will latch on to your fear & use it against you. Don't listen to your addiction. Listen to me, YOU CAN DO THIS! I know you can because I did & I was you!!!!!

[daisy6]

I am 49 and smoked for 34 years. I quit in Feburary using Chantix. I took it for 12 weeks and quit completly in week 3. I found Chantix to be a helpfull tool, however, you still need to do the work. Fear of failure can be your biggest enemy right now. Your addiction will latch on to your fear & use it against you. Don't listen to your addiction. Listen to me, YOU CAN DO THIS! I know you can because I did & I was you!!!!!

[daphne4]

You know what to do, exercise! The hardest part about exercise is getting started. Once you clear your lungs you will renew your strength. You can run inside on a treadmill or run early in the morning before it gets hot. Start yourself off by walking if your lungs fell too heavy to run. You can also find a walking trail where there are lots of trees. Don’t let yourself get too anxiety stricken by telling yourself that your birthday is the day you will quit. Tell yourself that your birthday is the day you will start exercising for life. If you don’t quit by your birthday don’t give up on yourself, keep trying! Break your routine get out of the house. Don’t feel like you are alone; millions of us die each year because of smoking. I feel your pain, but I know you can do this!

[kim_previously_nic-fit]

I am a relapsed ex-smoker. I was doing it. And I will do it again. You CAN do this. Don't let stress or fear or anything stop you, or trick you into that first hit. That's where we make our mistake.... in thinking we can control this addiction. It controls us, but only as long as we allow it! READ READ READ..... hit up sites like whyquit.com, and any others the kind folks here suggest to you. This community is fantastic and we need to understand quitting is so possible. That's the first step. Please don't go backwards, for even a short time. I got a hint on that I want to share with you... Wait 5 minutes to see if the intense urge goes away. You can do this NOW. In those 5 minutes, occupy your time with something you really enjoy, even if it's just taking in some fresh air and enjoying some birds or wildlife. In those 5 minutes, come here and connect with caring people who totally understand your anxiety and addiction. In those 5 minutes, visit whyquit.com and give yourself a reality check.... no one is immune to the horrors smoking brings into our health aspect. I hope this helps. Bless you!

[jawidge]

Well, The chantix is doing its part, I am doing mine, and all of you have certainly done your part as well!  thanks for all the helpful comments, and encouragement.  I was out doing the usual Friday night,  ( 8/27) playing dominoes, having some wine, and when I got back to the house I lit up a smoke.  I thought about my birthday, (8/28) and all of your comments, and what needed to be done. Needless to say, that one did not get smoked down to the filter.  It was just no good after visiting this site.  I got through Saturday, Sunday, and so far, today without lighting up. As a matter of fact, I was down at the beach this weekend, and just left the pack there yesterday!  With the grace of God and your support, I am on my way to a much more healthy life style.  thanks to all of you, and I will be around for a while for support and to give support as well. My last repsite from smoking lasted for three months, and I know what not to do to go longer this time.