When I quit Smoking

[laceyjeans62]

I'm going to have more money and less stress. I won't smell like cigarettes. I understand that cleansing the body of all nicotine will help alot. My computer area will be cleaner. My outlook will start shining again. I'll be able to stay off the cigarettes and conquer this need for cigarettes. So that I can stick around and be a pain to my daughters. So my cat can smile at me for being so brave.

[Dotgirl_1-28-16]

Great blog! You have a wonderful list of the things you will gain once you quit. You can do this!

[JonesCarpeDiem]

YAY YOU!

my page may be of help to you. if you click on my cat, he will take you there

[YoungAtHeart]

Welcome to our community!

I am glad you are here!  Have you set a quit date? 

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. You should also do the tracking and separation exercises suggested on this site

After you have completed the recommended reading, it will be time to make an informed choice of the quit aid, if any, you will use. If you go that route, I personally recommend the aids that don't let the addict control the dose such as the available prescription drugs or the patch. I do not recommend the e-cigarette for three reasons: 1) the vapor has been compared to the polluted air in Bejing on a bad day, 2) they just provide another nicotine delivery system while continuing the hand to mouth smoking motion, and 3) the batteries can spontaneously catch on fire. . But – any method that you think will work well for you will be best for you.

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

[TerrieQuit]

Hello, and Welcome to EX! We are so glad you are here! This is a great place to quit smoking. You have been given links to great information and good advice above. Please do the readings and listen to the Elder's (folks with 1 year + quit) They know a lot about this addiction. Education, willingness to do whatever it takes not to smoke, determination and commitment are the keys to a successful quit!

I would like to recommend a group called The Daily Pledge Group. It's fun and will help reinforce your commitment not to smoke!

Just click on the link below and scroll down and take the person's hand before you and promise not to smoke! We are on page 2. You can state your # of days, post a picture or whatever you want! This is your quit be proud of it! Please join us!

http://community.becomeanex.org/pg/forum/topic/8352460/mother-may-i-no-mother-i-will-keep-my-quit/

This link is also on my page.

Hope to see you there!

btw about the computer area, it is amazing how much easier it is to keep clean. My old computer even had 2 keys that were burned.Your whole house will smell better and your cat will definitely be smiling!I f you need anything just holler!  Terrie

I Won't Quit on my Quit!

[Strudel]

Welcome to the site! Great list of great things about quitting! You can do this! Be sure to read the book Nancy gave you - and stick around here! 

[laceyjeans62]

Thanks for the encouragement. I keep telling myself that I can do this. I'm down to five smokes a day now. As I get closer to my finally day May 27th.

Laceyjeans62