Qutting Smoking Today 1/22/07

[Anna Sif 0]

Go for it! I quit cold Turkey 2 years and 3 months ago. It's hard at first, specially at "key" moments you were used to smoking before (after meals, when you're out having a drink), but the cravings last less and less and one day they sort of fade away.

It's totally worth it, if anything cos you stop being a slave to the cigarettes.

[Girona40 0]

Good Luck Michelle! Been there, done that, got the t.shirt! It is hard but I have never felt so good!

This weekend I put a winter coat on, seeing as we actually had snow fall this Sunday, to take the dog for a walk in the forest. I put my hand the pocket and there was a pack of Marlboro Menthols. The funny thing was I didn't even think about it and just threw them, along with the lighter, in the trash. I stepped out the door feeling pretty good about that!

It's hard, really hard, but you can do it and you will feel so good about it! Your hair will smell wonderful and people will start commenting more on your perfume, because they can smell it and not the stale tobacco. You will start to notice the way your clothes smell of tobacco in your wardrobe - even if they have been laundered, which is strange.

It's wonderful that you have taken this HUGE step. Good Luck and if you need anything, you know where we are!!!

Hugs

G.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I've been smoke-free since 8/12/05. Quit cold turkey and made it.

You can do it, too!

[Robor007 0]

Congrats on a great decision!

My dad quit cold turkey years ago. It was not easy but he did it and he's much happier now.

My mom has been 'cutting down' for as long as I can remember. Unfortunately she's still smoking and has severe health problems as a result.

[koolaidman23 0]

Best of luck on quitting smoking. I quit two years ago and I have felt great ever since. The test will be returning from Brasil to experience an Iowa winter again for the first time as a non-smoker. Hopefully my lungs wont hurt anymore!

Go Badgers! (I am from Wisconsin originally)

[melly 0]

Congratulations on making the decision and commitment to quit smoking!!!

Everyone has posted great advice.

I smoked for 17 years and it's been just over 3 years since I quit.

I only get an urge maybe 2 or 3 times a year and it's never that strong.

The first year I still got urges, though I never did have one after the last.

And I was a bit*h for a loooooong time, not just the first week.

But it gets better and you'll notice so many things changing for the good.

Is there someone you can call or talk to whenever you feel the urge to smoke? It might help alot to have a buddy to call just to get you over that few minutes that you're craving so hard.

Best of luck and we're all here for you if you need anything.

[MichelleandCraig 1]

I agree everyone has posted great advice. Reading all of this encouragement is going a *long* way toward helping me at the moment...got in from school about 45 min. ago and we just had supper...and OMGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG do I want a smoke!!!! So many other triggers, but after a meal is the worst for me I think...sitting here on the computer is going to be another bad one too, as I am very much in the habit of sitting down and lighting up. If I knew I could have one tomorrow or the day after that would be one thing...but it feels so insurmountable knowing I don't want to ever have ANY anymore!! Many of you know what I mean, having quit yourselves...congrats to YOU all! Hope I can be where you are soon...I fully intend to be! But oh...times like now... ARGH!!!!!!!! M.

PS does it count if I have Craig blow smoke in my face all evening...??? M.

(he's not really smoking around me, btw!)

[riblet 0]

I'm not sure if someone has suggested this yet - but for me, when I quit, the two most helpful things for me were to take a really deep breath when I had a craving - it relaxed me and really relieved the urge to smoke. Second, this is silly but I had a mantra - "disgusting and bad" and I would say it to myself whenever I felt like smoking or walked past someone smoking - I didn't want to think of smoking as a positive thing It worked for me! Good luck, if you can get through the first few days, the nicotine is gone and it's just the mental habit!

[MichelleandCraig 1]

I wanted to respond individually to everyone because you all had such good things to say!...but I would be here all day, and frankly...I'm not in the MOOD!

Seriously though..for those of you that quit....I'm just going to put this out there and set myself up to look like a real idioit...but ah, who cares!!? Did anyone (not that I really expect you to admit this...heheheh) ever have any moments when they were first quitting where they actually GOT teary??? An hour or two ago, I was feeling *very* sad and sorry for myself, and was actually getting upset about it!! (you see, like most all smokers, I LOVE to smoke..it relaxes me, I enjoy it, I'm not tempted to eat something horrible for me when I'm smoking...and...oh yeah..I just LIKE IT!..or...likED it. *sigh*) I know I shouldn't be upset or feeling sorry for myself that I decided to do something to improve my life and my familys life...but...oh gawd, you know what I'm getting at!!!

However, I AM feeling very determined to really do it this time, so that will help...and I want to and all...but you know...you don't ever *really WANT to* if you know what I mean...you just know you should and you 'have' to!

This is another example of how pathetic I am tonight...said I didn't want to eat suckers, candy, etc....well, I don't. However, that said....I just made a run at 10:45pm and in this tiny, stupid, roll-up-the-freakin-roads-at-8pm town, both gas stations were already closed!!! I really wanted to get some hard candy or something just for tonight until I could find something better tomorrow. I was so ticked when both stations in town were closed. I did manage to find 3 suckers of Corey's in the junk drawer..they're toast already.

Back to chewing on my straw, I guess.... Not trying to keep 'bumping' this everyone...just really, reallyyyyyy gotta vent!!! M.

Edited January 23, 2007 by MichelleandCraig

[chri'stina 190]

Wishing you tons of success, Michelle!!

I have never smoked so I can't understand fully how hard it is to stop, and I admire people who can stop habits like this. Keep going!

-oh yeah, what Asu said about seeing how much money you save each month (and year too) by quitting would be cool!

Edited January 23, 2007 by stina&suj

[GaryC 7]

Good luck to you! I have been battling this for a few months now and it is still hard. I am still on the patch and am living on Juicy Fruit gum. The hardest thing for me is work. A lot of people there smoke and I am forced to be close to them. I am at the stage that when I see someone smoking I am envious. I miss them even though I want to quit them. That is the real craving for me, not a nicotine craving but a loss of a part of my life craving. I know it sounds weird but smoking is something I have been doing daily for 32 of my 48 years. It's not easy giving that part up. I chew a lot of gum and wear a patch. The physical craving is manageable but the psychological part is the real battle.

I hope you have an easier time of it. My advice is to use any crutch you can (patch, gum, welbutrin, carrot sticks, candy or anything else that works for you) and work on the behavioral and mental changes.

[eau_xplain 2]

Michelle,

I admire your courage and determination! You have our wholehearted support! I too was a pack-a-day smoker for 21 years. I couldn't quit cold turkey so I and my husband did the patch. I tell you, even with the patch it was hard in the beginning but with my husband doing it too, that really helped me a lot. Now we are smoke free for almost 3 years.

Good luck and hang in there! We are rooting for you!!

-X

[*julez* 124]

Keep at it Michelle!!! You made it through day one!!! I know you can do this!!!! Just keep focusing on all the positives of quitting!!! You'll make it!

[almaty 19]

good luck sister michelle

[Sharon 1]

Did anyone (not that I really expect you to admit this...heheheh) ever have any moments when they were first quitting where they actually GOT teary???

It's called withdrawal symptoms, Michelle. Perfectly normal.

Keep on keeping ON, girl!