cravings

Discussion created by loren-brincefield on Oct 3, 2008
Latest reply on Feb 15, 2009 by amy5

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I've just quit smoking,and I'm useing commit lozengers but I'm still having bad craving's and I feel like I'm going to lose my mind.do'es anyone have a suggestion on how to fight the craving with out eating i use to weight 450 pounds and I'm scared of gaing weight back

Outcomes

12 Replies

tempest Oct 3, 2008 3:24 AM
What you need to go is change that craving into an activity...like walking. Brushing your teeth or chewing gum is a good thing to do. Deep breathing such as sitting up straight, hands at your sides or in your lap, and just focus on your breathing. At first your breathing maybe shake...that is ok, you want to make your breathing smooth and long. Inhale and count to three while you breathe in. Then exhale counting to three while you breathe out. As your breathing becomes smoother, add another two counts until you are to 10. Finally you should be able to walk and breathe your way out of a craving.
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Giulia Oct 3, 2008 6:25 AM
Let's see, how to fight the cravings without eating....do housework, vacuum your arms off; clean windows; exercise; drink green tea (that tends to kill the appetite for a while); gnaw on cinnamon sticks (I didn't enjoy that but others swear by it); get a straw and "pretend" smoke it - the ultimate Ultra Light cigarette - no tar no nicotine. I used to wad up a wee piece of paper in it to make it have a "draw" like a cigarette. I "smoked" straws for months. It was my NRT. If I didn't have one handy I'd just smoke my fingers - so to speak. lol Put my two fingers together like there was a cig. in them and "draw" on them. This "pretend" smoking I found really helped, AND it got a lot of oxygen into my lungs because I was inhaling deeply. Drinking water through a nippled bottle I found also helped. Our need to suck is primal. Maybe we should all go buy binkies (pacifiers) for ourselves. Hmmm, now there's an idea! I can picture it now: a whole population of adult non smokers walking around sucking on binkies. Maybe I should patent it as a new NRT. (People walk around with their necks cricked to their shoulders holding strange looking objects and nobody thinks anything about it. - why should they mind a binkie.)

Keep on visiting different pages on Ex. There are lots and lots of crave busting techniques you can try. The main object is to distract yourself. Not easy, I know. Like saying don't think of a white elephant and then that's all you think about. I also suggest taking up something new, that you've never done before because it helps to focus the mind on something OTHER than smoking. You want something that challenges your brain.

And if you must eat, eat low calorie stuff. I munched on heads of lettuce like a was a rabbit.

Hang in.
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John48 Oct 5, 2008 10:21 AM
Tempest and Giulia have some good suggestions. Keep yourself busy and DO NOT substitute smoking for eating unhealthy.

What I did was: I planned on rejoining my gym and working out again. That keeps me very busy and you feel great afterwards. Just plan on going for 10 minutes or even 5. If you dont like it you can walk back out but chances are you will stay longer. Plan your next day's meals the day before. Break your day up into 6 smaller, healthier meals starting with a low-cal, low fat breakfast. The planning of your meals keeps your mind busy and takes some time and breaking meals up into 6 times a day will keep you full and keep your metabolism high. Email me or contact me for some ideas on this. I'm new to it and learning more each day. I go to the gym everyday and I have never been one of those "gym types" - trust me. But I"m now doing it SUCCESSFULLY. Good luck! (I am 19 days smoke free today).
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tempest Oct 6, 2008 4:38 AM
Cograts on 19 plus days!!!! Way to go, hard accomplishment for sure.
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lori15 Oct 7, 2008 2:02 AM
I am using commit lozengers too and I still get the cravings. I have been watching the fit channel and exercising. Some of the shows are really fun if you like to dance or do yoga(very relaxing. I started this last week because I know that I like to eat and dont want to gain weight. I have also been cleaning a lot. The cravings suck but the more you ignore them, the better you will feel about yourself
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dave27 Oct 7, 2008 5:12 AM
Loren
Sounds familiar. I recommend anything that involves physical activity. It provides an outlet for the anxiety and naturally elevates your mood. I was actually able to quit smoking and lose 50 pounds that way. Let me know how it goes.

Dave
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karenh45 Oct 25, 2008 2:51 AM
Hi...

Quit the Commit ~ all it's doing is feeding your cravings. You are in a constant state of withdrawal as long as you keep putting nicotine into your body. You need to concentrate on getting all of the nicotine out of your system. Wash it away with WATER....CRANBERRY JUICE....and GREEN TEA.....I hope you can quit the nicotine. Take care....
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shelly13 Dec 7, 2008 8:01 AM
Thanks......This goes with my affirmations and reading it just made it stronger.........thanks so much.
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shelly13 Dec 7, 2008 8:03 AM
Ok.....I am new.....what is an NRT (new release trap?) Love your ideas....thanks
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Giulia Dec 7, 2008 9:41 AM
Hey Shelly, NRT stands for Nicotine Replacement Therapy. It's a way of getting nicotine into the bloodstream without smoking - via nicotine gum, lozenges, inhalers, etc. (I was making a joke when I said straws were my NRTs.)
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amy5 Feb 15, 2009 8:15 AM
Believe it or not, celery will make cigarettes taste really nasty and will curb your craving. I use cinammon sticks, but they can be harsh. I haven't tried Giulia's suggestions, but they sound neat and will try some of them.
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susan58 Feb 15, 2009 11:01 AM
I quit a couple days ago, and have been using the patch. It's made a big difference and helped a lot with the cravings. You taper down with them, so eventually you no longer put the nicotine into your system.

You're doing GREAT! Thanks for showing the way!!
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