Quit Smoking

[Lynnie]

go to pathology at a local hospital, and take a lung gander

Yeah! Actually, going to the Bodies Exhibit might influence you as well - that black lung! UGH.

I decided to stop, just decided! It's more a mind and determination, will power thing than anything, IMHO. I am not discrediting addiction, just saying the mind is more powerful than we think sometimes. I did not set a date, don't remember when, but when I decided I never looked back.

You can do it!!!! And, you'll feel so much better! You'll gain a little weight! I gained about 10-12% of my body weight, which was a lot. Did not worry about it and all of sudden, it came off!

Cheers and I'll be a cheerleader for you!!!!! Rah, rah, rah~~~~~;-)

 

[Jdarg]

Successful smoking cessation programs start with you picking a quit date. I picked January 23rd, which was about 2 weeks into my smoking cessation class. During this time, I started tracking when I smoked, then when quit time came, I knew how to rearrange my schedule, habits, and avoid the situations that made me want a cigarette. During the last week, I was so sick of thinking about quitting, that I couldn't wait for the 23rd- it had become a significant, exciting date. When the day actually came, I was prepared, and eased right into it.

I was one of the rare few that didn't gain a few pounds. I found myself with so much extra time (time formerly spent outside smoking) that I was a whirling dervish- organizing, cleaning, yard work, school work, exercise- there was so much more time in my day! Drawers! Closets! Everything organized! For the hand to mouth part, I started eating apples, and now I HAVE to have a crunchy apple every day!

 

[Mermaid]

Successful smoking cessation programs start with you picking a quit date. I picked January 23rd, which was about 2 weeks into my smoking cessation class. During this time, I started tracking when I smoked, then when quit time came, I knew how to rearrange my schedule, habits, and avoid the situations that made me want a cigarette. During the last week, I was so sick of thinking about quitting, that I couldn't wait for the 23rd- it had become a significant, exciting date. When the day actually came, I was prepared, and eased right into it.

I was one of the rare few that didn't gain a few pounds. I found myself with so much extra time (time formerly spent outside smoking) that I was a whirling dervish- organizing, cleaning, yard work, school work, exercise- there was so much more time in my day! Drawers! Closets! Everything organized! For the hand to mouth part, I started eating apples, and now I HAVE to have a crunchy apple every day!

I never put on any weight and neither did Merman. I think it's a sad excuse used by many as a reason not to quit, or as a reason to justify packing on the pounds afterwards. Think of it--whe you don't smoke, you're healthier all around ------> more energy to keep fit. Win/win situation.

 

[rehdrahk]

Think about whay else you could be buying

I simply think of the money that I am saving .... especially now that they are so expensive.

I know it sounds depressing, but when the urges really kick in I think about how I want to live to be 70 not 50 ... and I am above 30 now

Hope it helps .... and best of luck quitting .... I went cold turkey ....

 

[Rudyjohn]

I simply think of the money that I am saving .... especially now that they are so expensive.

I know it sounds depressing, but when the urges really kick in I think about how I want to live to be 70 not 50 ... and I am above 30 now

Hope it helps .... and best of luck quitting .... I went cold turkey ....

yes, the cost of cigs is horrible. My husband's sister smokes and says they are over $9 a pack here in Chicago. I thought they were horribly expensive when they were $3.00!!

 

[Matt J]

Thanks for everything, looking forward to being smoke free very soon.

Wellbutrin isn't an option. I tried that one and had a couple of beers. Don't remember much, but apparently I decided to join the strippers on the bar and well the rest is history...

 

[Miss Critter]

Thanks for everything, looking forward to being smoke free very soon.

Wellbutrin isn't an option. I tried that one and had a couple of beers. Don't remember much, but apparently I decided to join the strippers on the bar and well the rest is history...

Hmmmmm. . . . you may want to guard your beverage at tonight's soiree.

 

[Minnie]

Good luck. I never smoked but my Dad did. His smoking was enough to make me never want to and I am sure many health issues, sore throat, sinus problems, ear infections as a child were due to second hand smoke. He tried everything over the years and the only thing that worked was cold turkey for him, after having a heart attack. Interestingly with him he did not have lung problems but it did affect his heart.

I wish you the best.

 

[passin thru]

Thanks for everything, looking forward to being smoke free very soon.

Wellbutrin isn't an option. I tried that one and had a couple of beers. Don't remember much, but apparently I decided to join the strippers on the bar and well the rest is history...

We all wish you success. There are many helpful suggestions here, IMO, especially elgordoboy's early on.

But I think the most powerful statement in this whole thread is in your opening, "I've got to quit."

Realize the power that statement holds for you! And from the moment you stop -- each day that you want to smoke, each & every instance that you feel like smoking, and you then CHOOSE not to -- you take more power back from that drug & you give it to yourself.

 

[dmarie]

Another thing that helped me was the visual of likening smoking to sucking on and inhaling deeply from the tail pipe of a city bus!