cancel
Showing results for 
Show  only  | Search instead for 
Did you mean: 

Connect with others living with health conditions

ljheckert
Member

quit day tomorrow

well, I have re-set the date 3 times now and tomorrow is now it! any encouragement will be appreciated...I wish I was 'excited' about the idea of not smoking but, right now...I am simply scared.

Labels (1)
Tags (1)
0 Kudos
7 Replies
sweetplt
Member

Hi and Welcome, 

I am excited for you ... at 54 days quit, I know how much better life is without the smokes and I want it for you.

i hope you read and did “ my quit plan “ it will help tremendously especially on your first day quit.  Drink lots of water and keep it here ... sending good quit vibes your way.  Colleen aka sweetp

0 Kudos
YoungAtHeart
Member

Welcome to our community!

Most of us felt trepidation as we approached our quit date.  It's natural to fear the unknown.  Get busy today doing the reading I will recommend, and do the tracking and separation exercises suggested here.  A successful quit requires education, planning, preparation and commitment.  I can help with all but the last!

The 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. You can search for it online or at your local library. Here's a link to a video here on the site which describes nicotine addiction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpWMgPHn0Lo&feature=youtu.be.
 
 You should also read the posts here and perhaps go to the pages of folks who you think might be helpful. You might visit whyquit.com, quitsmoking.com and livewell.com for the good information contained there. @https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/groups/best-of-ex has lots of blogs written by members of this site with their experiences and guidance. You should also do the tracking and separation exercises recommended here on the 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. If used properly, gum, lozenges and inhalers are fine, but they need to be used only as a last resort.  I have seen folks become addicted to them if they substitute them for every cigarette they used to smoke - just trading one addiction for another.  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 in a place different from when you smoked. Maybe switch to tea for a bit.  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. Buy your gas at a different station. Take a different route to work. Take a quick walk at break time where the smokers AREN'T.
 
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.  Keep a cold bottle of water with you from which to sip. 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.    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

ljheckert
Member

Good to hear from you! Thank you for the links/references to review and review and review...to help with the cravings. Tagging in with folks such as yourselves is new for me yet, it does help as I know that you know what I am , will experience.

0 Kudos
elvan
Member

ljheckert‌ Please pay attention to all that Nancy has shared with you...education, support, and commitment will get you through this. Being afraid is very natural...smoking has likely been a big part of your life, it sure was mine.  I am so glad that I quit and that I really started to take better care of myself.  I used the mantra NOPE, Not One Puff Ever when I started here and I said it over and over and over again.  I had gotten so sick that I knew smoking would be suicide for me.  I would not wish this on anyone.

Welcome to EX, glad you are here.

Ellen

0 Kudos
jconfusion
Member

I quit for my cat chaos.  I read my smoking was why his eyes weren't getting better.   I bought three months worth of Nicorette gum and on the 3rd months weened myself down from the gum.  its been 7 years that ive been smoke free I think the biggest thing is to decide you are going to quit and stick to it. it is the addiction to nicotine that is making you afraid its scared it will be gone soon.  I am not saying this will be easy but it is so worth it you are worth it.  and you don't know how strong you are until you've tried.  hugs good luck!

0 Kudos
JACKIE1-25-15
Member

You have come to the right place to get support to quit smoking.  First things First.  I am a firm believer that education and preparation is the key to a successful quit.  Sounds like you are on your way but a scared, that is okay as long as the fear does not overcome you.  FEAR false-expectations-appearing-real. 

Start first by educating yourself on addiction to nicotine.  I do not want to overwhelm you with information to read but it is all very important.  Here is a link that will help you on your journey. Foundation For A Successful Quit‌ this blog will give you a jump start.  Also, it is advisable to read Allen Carr's Easyway to Quit Smoking which can be found on pdf on the web.  Another good site to get info is www.whyquit.com.  There are several articles to read.  Nicotine 101 and Freedom From Nicotine My Journey Home.  If you have any questions you can do a search with the magnifying glass type any keywords and research. 

If you have any questions just ask and give up the opportunity to respond.  To learn more about quitting go to My EX Plan | BecomeAnEX  to get help on navigating the site go to. Community Help‌.  Again Welcome, there is more to come.  The most important thing to remember right now is NOPE.  Not one puff ever no matter what is happening in your life. Come here often.

 

DonnaMarie
Member

What can help turn that fear into excitement? 

0 Kudos