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Give and get support around quitting

lynnjoss
Member

Day 2 Grrrrrrr!

HI!  

I made it through Day 1 yesterday!!!  That was a miracle and it really wasn't THAT bad!  I used Nic gum a few times and cinnamon candy.   Almost caved twice when in stores but at the cash register changed my mind both times and didn't buy cigs.   Today on Day 2 I'm feeling really agitated and like my commitment is starting to wane.   Not sure if maybe I should try a patch?   Or use more gum?   I just ate a good meal and giving myself the "I can do this for three minutes" talks.    I feel like I'm teetering.   Any suggestions?  

Thanks so much!

Lynn

Tags (1)
9 Replies
AnnetteMM
Member

You want to quit quitting because it's getting difficult? Agitation is a withdrawal symptom, after all.  Try reading 100+ Things to do instead of smoking.  Also have you read Alan Carr's book about quitting? Don't give up because it's hard today. It gets better!

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lynnjoss
Member

HI Annette!

Yes I have read Alan Carrs book and its helping so much to keep the cravings in perspective.  All of the responses here helped me today and as of this evening I am still smoke free and can see my way to the end of Day 2 !!  I haven 't ever done this since I started smoking back in the early 1970's.   Without all of the help and great reading here probably would be smoking right now.   Thanks so much!!

Barbscloud
Member

What you feeling now is quite normal.  If you're going to use nicotine replacement, it's important to follow the directions.  Not using the proper amount isn't necessarily going to help with your quit.  Keep moving - go for a walk or take deep breathes to get through those craves.   They will lesson with time.  

You're first day smoke free is a big success.  I think that can be the hardest day--you made the commitment and you did.  Stay close and continue to reach out when  you're having a difficult time.   

lynnjoss
Member

Thanks so much for your suggestions!   After reading Alan Carr's book, I really understood how feeding the nicotine really sets me up for the next craving so I'm trying to use it only as a last resort. My drug of choice is the cigs and the gum etc, kind of teases me into wanting the cigarette.   But am close to making it through Day 2.  Thanks so much!

YoungAtHeart
Member

Welcome to the community!

I don't see where I provided my usual welcome, so I will remedy that now.  My best advice for you at this point is to stop arguing with yourself about smoking!  You already made the decision, so don't second guess it.   Don't even entertain the idea of buying cigarettes. Change your mind's direction - take slow/deep breaths, count the blue things in your locale, count backwards from 1,000.   Find a place to shop (CVS or Walmart?) or other grocery stores where cigarettes are not displayed at the registers.  Changing up your routines is an important part of this quit process.

 

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 easy and entertaining read provided a world of good information about nicotine addiction, most of which I was not aware.  I credit it in large part with my success at quitting.   You can search for it online or at your local library.


 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. Here is a video to inform you further about nicotine addiction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpWMgPHn0Lo&feature=youtu.be.

 

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

JACKIE1-25-15
Member

You are already EXperiencing what is necessary to quit smoking.  It is the transformation of the mind.  You have to change the way you think.  Learn and believe that you do not have to smoke. 

maryfreecig
Member

Make a list of things you are willing to do instead of smoke. Look at it. Use it. 

Most of us smokers didn't realize at the time of quitting that the job of quitting could not be finished in a day, or finished easily. It's a journey, so I've come to learn. Not an event. Not a moment. You've decided to  quit and that meant something to you a few days ago, so keep plowing through these weird first days of letting go. It's doable and you will get to the other side if you refuse to smoke.

Welcome to Ex. We're here for one another 365. 

indingrl
Member

WELCOME - congrats day 2 - SUGGESTIONS - drink water with lemon OR suck on lemon - these HELPED ME THROUGH - breathing 3 deep breaths - jogging in place really quick and then slow then fast - I walked the mall - thank YOU so much for sharing YOUR victory - GOOD JOB

sweetplt
Member

Sounds like you need to still plan and educate yourself on this journey...I suggest you read at My EX Plan | BecomeAnEX and read blogs here and educate yourself on addiction and quitting...of course, you want to smoke, you are early in your quit...you need to be doing things in place of smoking...if you quit one day...you can do another...drink water, take a walk, don’t go to a store that sells cigarettes, etc., we are here for you, come get support and encourage others on this journey.  You can do it...~ Colleen 426 DOF