Tips on quitting

[Isabel50]

Please share any tips you have for the 1st three days.

Thanks.

@#

[Barbara145]

Number one       Don't smoke!  Read everything you can find about quitting smoking.  Stay on this site and read blogs.

[Jennifer-Quit]

1. drink lots of water
2. find things to do - read, exercise, cook, games, puzzles, etc.
3. get plenty of rest
4. blog and vent here - good to get it off your chest
5. keep a positive attitude - I gave myself a pep talk every morning

Best wishes!

[Mandolinrain]

VICKS VAPOR RUB - under the nose, was a great crave buster for me. I even had the vicks inhaler for when I didn't want to smell like a medicine cabinet,lol

EDUCATION/KNOWLEDGE/UNDERSTAND this addiction. The more you understand the WHY behind the LIE. The more you WILL fight for this freedom you want! Trust me, been there~done that.

[JACKIE1-25-15]

I was so busy yesterday I did not get the opportunity to introduce myself.  Congratulations on making the decision to quit smoking and  Welcome to EX.  You have come to the right place for a new day and a rebirth.The idea is to start at the beginning by making a commitment that no matter what happens or goes on in your life that you will not use it as an EXcuse to smoke.  With that philosophy, you will have success on this journey.  No, it is not easy but it is doable by using that principle and educating yourself about nicotine addiction.   If you hang around you will see that quitting is doable, because many of us have.  Look forward to a new day and a new way of life.  It is all up to you.  This is all about you and what you are willing to do to be smoke-free. Quitting smoking requires hard work and determination not to give up.   It can be challenging at times but you will learn that it is doable if you adhere to NOPE not one puff ever no matter what. Start first, by educating yourself about nicotine addiction.  Education is the key to a successful quit.  Read: Freedom from Nicotine My Journey Home and Nicotine Addiction 101         

Here are the links: http://whyquit.com/whyquit/LinksAAddiction.html   and http://whyquit.com/ffn/

I also encourage you to read. Allen Carr’s book, “Easy Easier Way to Quit Smoking”.    

If you need any help just ask, someone will respond.  Have a great day second day of the best day of your life.   

[MichelleDiane]

All of the above.  Treat yourself well and be proud of yourself.  Positive mindset helps.

[Thomas3.20.2010]

This will keep you busy!

http://whyquit.com/FFN/chapters/FFN_08_1st72.pdf 

The First 72 Hours

Isabel, I'll add a comment - Never Ever Forget! Live4thedash‌ taught me this! You don't ever want to repeat these 72 hours and the good news is that you don't have to! Decision is the ultimate power - decide to SUCCEED!

[cpsono]

Best advice I can give you is to come here often. Read everything you can and meet the wonderful community here! I have no doubt: I would not have made it almost 3 years if it weren’t for the support I received here! 

[Roller831]

WELCOME MESSAGE

There is a great blog out there for our new quitters.  For Our New Years' Quitters (and community members, too) You may also want to check out posts in Best of EX‌.  We are here to help you on this journey to freedom!  

Welcome!  I know when I first found this site, many Elders told me to read read read….and I did.  Elders are those with one or more years of being quit.  If you like what someone has to say, then you may want to read their blogs.  I have some listed below.

A list of our Elders  https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/blogs/Giulia-blog/2017/06/18/elders-list-ao-december-7-2016

So here's the thing.....and you may not like what I am about to say....and that's ok.  I get it.  You need to accept that this is an addiction.  Before you do that, it will be much more difficult to quit and stay quit. 

Read read read.  Do the steps to PREPARE yourself to quit.  Do the steps so you are PREPARED on quit day and for the days AFTER quit day.  

Some of the things I read in my first few days that helped me:

Dale’s Welcome to New Members https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/message/68188-my-welcome-to-new-members-10-years-of-wisdom-

@youngatheart.7.4.12 Nancy’s Blog https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/blogs/Youngatheart.7.4.12-blog/2013/02/25/100-things-to-do-instea...

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

Visit https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/groups/best-of-ex   

And read what has been posted there.

https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/people/JACKIE1-25-15 gave me the link to Alan Carr’s book, “Easy Way to Quit Smoking”.  I actually didn’t read the online PDF, but purchased a book on CD from Amazon and listened to it in my car over and over again for the first two weeks of my quit. 

Keep this site close and keep posting and asking for help.  You will get it.  You will get things you like and things you don't like, but don't give up!!!  We have been through similar experiences and can share our strength and hope.  We are here to support you!

[elvan]

BREATHE...deep breath in, exhale slowly...just like you did when you smoked.  Get some bubble juice and stand outside and blow bubbles.  Be as physically active as you can, the dopamine will help you to feel emotionally lifted while helping you to recover physically.  Remember that no matter how bad a crave may seem...no crave ever killed anyone, no one can say that about smoking. This is one experience at a time, you need to make new memories to associate with the times when you smoked.  You CAN do this, it is not an event, it is a journey.  DO stay close to the site, read, comment, blog.

Welcome aboard,

Ellen