3 weeks
 

ok its been 3 weeks and here is a nifty lil fb ap that says it all

http://apps.facebook.com/quit-o-meter/

i seriously want to vomit after seeing the 400+ not smoked however good on me.

you can do it to!

Strappie -

Do NOT beat yourself up for this. It IS hard to quit. It is fucking hard!

I know I mentioned here that I used Chantix to quit. I didn't use Chantix the first or second time I tried to quit.

The first time I used patches. And like you, my anxiety was so high that I lost weight and instead of being irritable, I cried at the drop of a hat. I remember day two...getting ready for work...I was actually whistling some tune...and all of a sudden I started sobbing. Just sobbing. It was so whacky. It took me 45 minutes to calm down just to call out of work. My emotions were ALL over the place. I also couldn't sleep and couldn't tolerate being awake. I would come home each night and drink a glass or two of wine so that I would fall asleep by 8pm. I just wanted to get away from thinking about wanting a cig. I last 3.5 months. Which means, I lasted 2 weeks after I finished the patches. That was in my mid-20's.

In my late 30's I tried again. This time I decided to do it cold turkey. I took 4 days off from work over Labor Day and along with my trying to quit smoking g.f., headed to the beach. Cold turkey was horrible for me.

HORRIBLE.

I literally felt like I was jumping out of my skin. Like my skin was crawling. I could not sit down, I was so restless. When it got so bad I would go outside and run down the street at full speed until I couldn't breathe anymore. Over and over again. Probably 10 times a day...and I am not kidding. And I really
didn't care if I looked like an idiot. I really felt like someone who was...well, going through withdrawal!

A week or two after the beach I got on the Chantix, which helped a little, but the withdrwal was over by that point. I lasted a couple of months, I think without cheating. Eventually, I went back. That was about 2.5 years ago (late 30's).

1.5 years ago I did Chantix. I smoked for the first week, quit on schedule and took it for 3 months. I got my provider to agree to give me meds for an extra 3 months. I have been smoke free since that time.

You say you don't want to "rely" on medication. I assure you my friend, you will NOT be feeling that you are relying on it. You will go through the withdrawal, same as usual. The difference is you won't be an anxious wreck, you won't be depressed, and if you cheat it won't give you that "zing" of "hitting that sweet spot" so to speak that all addicts get when they light up a cig after not having one for a while (It will just feel flat and like you are smoking air.). It isn't relying on meds b/c the meds ARE NOT KEEPING YOU FROM SMOKING. You are doing that all by yourself.

The last three days I have been craving cigs like mad. No idea why. Just really crazy bad. I almost bought a pack on Saturday and almost bought a pack today at lunch time. I am glad I didn't. It was hell quitting. Hell.

Know one thing...when you are one of those people who have a really tough time quitting, after you make it on the other side, you will be less likely to pick up again. It is Just. Not. Worth. It.
Hang in there. Seriously consider Chantix.

And if you are like me and connect bars and beer with drinking, don't go out for a while. And only be around non smokers. And switch to hot tea if you drink coffee, or vice versa.

Also, I hear that for many quitting smoking in the summer is easier. For me, that is SO not the case (it is actually probably the summer weather that has kicked my cravings into gear). I seem to connect "good times" and activity with smoking. People think less activity means less smoking. Hell, I used to put my pack of cigs. in my backpack when I would go mountain biking. When we would stop to catch a breather, I would be catching a smoke!

Another quit Story
 

Similar to Dapper i to have quit multiple times with this last one being my last, i will never pick up another cigarette again as long as i am given the breaths needed to sustain life.

The first time i quit back in early 20's was for my "children" , well that dit go well at all, the looked at me crosseyed or cried (they were lil ones then) and wanted a smoke, smoking had become my escape my "me" time if you will.

The second attempt well i had no idea i was going to quit it was one year after my dad had passed and my then ex-partner who was still in my house at the time kept "stealing" my cigarettes and it pissed me off so i went on an "ill show you bs kick" and i laid the cigarettes down. 4 mos later I was moving me and my kids and she called me incessantly from some party she was at talking about happy anniversary i received so many calls from her that night and having my kids complain because i took them out of there home in which i did, however i thought i had to be strong and not break down and cry like i wanted to,,,so i smoked a cigarette...

The above was 8 years ago, had i just cried i would be 8 years non smoker blah blah...perhaps

3 years ago when my youngest granddaughter was born i tried again...I went through all kinds of mental head games and trips and wow i don't think i made it 4 weeks.

So now this time whats so different now? well I prepared my body by increasing my vitamin intake especially my c vitamins as a smoker you lose 50 mg of vit c every time you smoke which is why you cant smell anything....so increasing my vit c levels to 500 mg above what i was depleting every day helped me to begin smelling things especially the tobacco which started stinking everywhere i went and because i was a smoker i stunk too.

I also picked up the "Easy way to quit smoking" by allen carr, great book im still reading it, i also read The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks...these two books along with my want and desire to be smoke free has truly helped me.

Then i read Incubus post and although i had a goal date of 4/19 for personal reasons having read hys post pushed me over the edge a week early and i was done and i knew i was done.

Im leveling out my vit c levels now, still reading both books and smoke free.

Because i want to be...it is after all for me and really it is about me. and f** those that say do it for so an so and blah blah because in reality its all about YOU doing it for you your health your well being etc.

I remember reading about the Carr book a couple of weeks after I had already quit.

Aren't you supposed to be smoking while reading it? I mean literally smoking at the time?

I heard it is really helpful to people.

Maybe this would be a good idea for you Strappie since you don't like pills!

yes and i was still smoking when i began reading it, there are a couple of chapters early on that will make you go wow, ok i don't want to do this anymore.

also he encourages you to smoke while reading however ultimately the choice is up to the individual and he recognizes this.

One chapter in particular that got to me was the "Devastation" chapter.

Seriously its a good read.

Thanks for the info.

I may check it out, just for reinforcement of choosing not to smoke, you know?

yes do, I actually found this book whilst on a hunt for a couple of healing books for a friend of mine, it screamed my name and jumped into my arms lol, I'd recommend it to anyone who is trying to quit has already and or is struggling with a quit.

I would also recommend the big leap as a side book.

thanks so much big brother :)

My 3 yr anniversary is coming up...which is actually my moms bday this yr 5/13....up till about 8 months ago i still got major cravings when i was really stressed or i saw an employee light up..the smell however made me sick to my tummy....since then ive not really had any cravings,altho i told jo the other day it could help me lose the weight i am gaining while being out with this damn back injury---she threatened my life :| (and you all think she is all sweet and stuff)

Awesome Just G 5 weeks just as easy as 3 then huh? I too have no difficulties being around people or my friends that smoke, in fact the ones that smoke are equally as supportive if not more supportive.

So tell me do you have wicked crazy dreams about smoking? i had one an it flipped me out however also opened my eyes because in my dream i had one that wasn't my brand i get crazy sick and started just giving packs and packs away ...if i associate that with money then yes in my dream i was also just giving my money away to who ever would take it...nightmares..

I am at the start of my 4th week.

Im glad she threatened your ass ....eat more veggies and high in fiber foods, and such...drink plenty of water ...and NO SMOKING...

I know i know you don't know me however 3 years...come on now you and Inc are the longtimers of this thread..

by the way, Happy Anniversary to you and Happy bday to your mum

'grats to you too on your anniversary Scoote - and happy birthday to your Ma (it's Her Royal Greyness the Woodipotimus's 12th birthday on that day too.)

Hey, scoote, tell us your quitting story.

I know that for me hearing quit stories really helped me, so maybe some here will find it useful.

Are you keeping yourself hydrated as well then?

I am a closet quitter these days...
Though Gaea knows!
I watch and read about you all - so PROUD of you.
I am two weeks today.
I did the E-Cig for about 3 days and then just stopped.

I have not gained any weight, though I have not lost any. BUT - my vocal chords are healing and my voice is not so raspy - so this is GOOD.

That's all! Just wanted to share - YAY

Good for you for COMING OUT OF THE CLOSET!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! EXCELLENT JOB!!!! KEEP IT UP!!!!!

Congrats! :goodluck:

beer was definitely something i had to give up when i quit...the 2 just went together....hell i just recently(in last few months) even tried to have a beer and i am proud to say i didnt even crave a smoke!

Im so proud of you...you don't even know.

Congrats to all who have quit and to those who are in the process of deciding to!

As of an hour ago, it has now been 4 months since I laid the smokes down and said, "I'm done smoking." I quit cold turkey with a pack and a half in the house. I did not find it really difficult but I was so ready to quit. At the time I quit, I was a 2 pack a day smoker and truly miss the hand to mouth thing more than the actual smoking. I occasionally use an electronic cig now when I experience cravings or just want the smoking sensation, but even then I use a nicotine free solution.

It's odd, I have cravings but I absolutely have no desire to smoke a cig. I love that my house and clothing does not smell like an ashtray.

I know some disagree and that's okay, but I definitely consider myself a non-smoker because I know my mindset and intentions.

congratulating you on being a NON smoker, four months is exciting i look forward to saying that very thing. I too feel like a non smoker i felt it the day i quit and that is what i say, i beleive its up to you and not everyone else.

Gaea,

I think if a person is consistently not smoking then they are a non-smoker. So if you are not smoking then I too consider you a non smoker! Congrats on quitting by the way!

I had a moment last night a moment of self doubt that snuck in and old behavior the instinct to want a cigarette because i somehow allowed a belief that whatever was upsetting me couldn't be dealt with without the cigarette..

Oh yes they can those moments can be pushed through and gotten through. and although i stated the words " i want a cigarette" they were quickly taken back i don't want to ever smoke again a day in my life.

now i get to learn to not allow my thoughts to upset me....

for me it was a reaction to what i was feeling suddenly that "worthless" feeling that was driving...

fuck that im not worthless....

You're not worthless and you are a stronger person for getting over that 'hump' without smoking. I'm so proud of you and you should be proud of yourself.

It's not a bad thing to admit wanting to smoke, the bad thing is acting on the impulse.

I can't believe it been nearly 5 weeks since I made the best decision of my life :)....

I grow more and more excited by this every day I want to share my excitement lol.

I have also picked up a 25 minute daily treadmill workout and today started strength training for my arms n shoulders utilizing the same exercises I learned in pt some years back.

next Friday my eldest will be 25 an I stoked to welcome her birthday as a non smoker. :)

Congrats on the first step!

And yes, you are just as much a non-smoker as anyone who uses the patch, the gum, or the lozenge.

CONGRATULATIONS MISS NON-SMOKER!!!!!!