Stopping smoking Feb 28th (Page 2)

Do it. Quit. Stay quit. It was incredibly hard for me, but as a direct result of that decision, I'm now here on BT. It's worth it.

One bit of advice on this point. I had that attitude also. Didn't work. I tried quitting I have no idea how many times. When it finally took, I was using a combination of nicotine gum and wellbutrin.

I had to be willing to do whatever it took. No conditions. No "I'll only quit like this". When I got to a point of saying "Screw pride, I'm going to do whatever I have to" and then did exactly that, it worked. A couple of months later I was off both of those and the cigs. One of the best decisions I ever made.

Hi, I'm Yanti, and I'm a nonsmoker

You are a rockstar. Everyone here has given you good support and great advice. I second all of it, and especially what Mike (marmadaddy) said about doing whatever it takes and not sweating any slips.

I got such amazing support from the BT community, but I also felt some trepidation, like, OMG what if I let everyone down? Don't sweat it. When you quit, you're quit for that moment or that day, don't worry about tomorrow or what others think.

Remember: A CRAVING WILL PASS WHETHER YOU SMOKE OR NOT.

I got lots of support and good tips from quitnet.com. It's a really good community and good info there, much like here.

I'm with you on this journey. Never any judgement here, no matter what.

Brian, it comes down to you wanting to stop.   If you  are ready to stop smoking, you won't fail.   So don't fear that.....failure.   Tell yourself it's not an option....

Do not think about the future and what is going to happen tomorrow....Keep in the now.  when the urge to smoke happens, exercise (just drop an do PUs, go for a brisk walk) Brush your teeth, chew on a toothpick, use gum...The urge/craving go away after about 5-10 minutes.    Break the habits of smoking after food, drinking beer, lighting up while driving.   And repeat all day long.

Get rid of all ashtrays, lighters, matches in your home.  

1 June 2002, smoke free.   

Been thinking of questions and answers to smoking.  I hope I will get a little deeper into the answers at some time.

Why do I smoke?  It was cool 38 years ago and now it is just something I do.

Why quit?  I finally came to the realization that I am an addict.  I would and do think how could someone let themselves become Alcoholics or druggies and I finally realized I am one of them.

Who cares?  This is a short list:  My wife and my 6 yo granddaughter who for some reason thinks that the sun and moon rises with grandpa (We have raised her and her sister since she was 6 weeks old).

But I might gain weight...Yeah and I used to be 200lbs even when I smoke and I lost that and maintained 150 for the last 2 years.  Now at 156 after doing P90X.  So I know I can lose whatever I gain.

Am I the only one that has felt failure at stopping and starting again?  No.  I have been reading alot on quitters and it appears that all my failures have happened to others.  Go figure,  I am not the only one!!

Do I really enjoy it as I sometimes might say?  At first I would say YES!!!  Then reality hits and I think do I really enjoy being short of breath,  Do I really enjoy the thought that I might be dieing when I gasp for breath while I am laying down.  Do I really enjoy burning holes in my clothes.  Do I enjoy my 6 yo GD saying I smell like cigarettes..ewwww. 

I am sure that I will have more personal evaluations and I am afraid that I might find some I don't like much.  Oh well,  I will just lay them out there and let the cards fall where they will.

I have noticed a lot more smoking threads lately though.  Hopefully if there are others out there like myself this might give a little push to take the leap of faith.

Sorry for ranting and I do appreciate all your words of encouragement.

T +3 or is that T -3. Picked Friday as the big day.  Gives me the weekend to hopefully get over any kind of sickness that might develop.

Stocked up on fidget stuff:  Carrots, straws, mints, dumDums, gum, soduku puzzles, crosswords....Gotta have something to do in my truck sometimes.

My journey is almost upon me and I am sure that with ya'lls support I will be victorious!!!! (Okay a little over the top..sorry).

I wish you the best. I've fought with this particular addiction myself over the years. I had rreally good results with the patch the first time I quit (lasted 7 years). Like others have pointed out, the quitting is the goal,the means to that end are really irrelevant. If cold turkey works for you, then good, but please remember that any way you quit is a goo way.

The thing that got me is this you can never smoke again, anything, ever, not even one. The monkey is right around the corner, and he'll be on your back again in a New York minute if you give him half a chance. This I know first-hand.

Think of all the cool toys you can buy with the money.

Good luck

sooooo true.  "just bumming one or two" at the bar turns to "buying a pack just for this one long road trip" turns into full blown smoker too too easily.

yep - indulging in just one fine cigar with a glass of 40 year old port while away at a conference and it was game over

My downfall involved 4 hurricanes at Pat Obrien's

Great job!!!

No Deals!    Keep yourself busy when the urge hits.   Drop for PUs, go for a brisk walk around the block.....Breath in deep breaths.....

You can do it....

Congratulations on your decision to quit.  You are doing great! Just remember to take the deep breaths. This will be the best thing you have ever done for yourself. As others have said, think of the "toys" you can get....I bought my first road bike with my quit smoking money! I always say I would rather be an ex-smoker who wants a smoke once in a while than a smoker who always wants to quit. The cravings don't ever truly go away (at least not for me) but how I handle them has gotten so much easier. It's not an easy journey but it is oh so worth it!

2yrs 2mo 3days smoke free.