Stopping smoking Feb 28th

You can do it.  The decisions we make determine the lives that we lead.

Keep us posted on your progress please.

Trail_Runner

It will be either the hardest thing you have ever done, or the easiest.  I hope it's the easiest.

That is a terrific thing to give to yourself.

This is an eye-opener of the health benefits after quitting smoking -
http://quitsmoking.about.com/cs/afterquitting/a/quitting20minut.htm 

Wishing you all the best at accomplishing the goal!

Thanks 1stTime and Sprint. 

I am rationalizing but the article you sent me to 1stTime is the reason I gave myself next week.  I want to read up on what I should be doing, take this time to clean up the ashtrays in the garage (I don't smoke in the house).  come up with a plan to do something when I am driving all day (that will be the hardest..boredom).  I am hoping that since I put it out here into the nether regions I will have a little more accountability since I hate to lose a challenge.  I have always hated that it is an "Addiction", man do I dislike thinking of myself as a addict.

I hope anyone that reads this thread will bear with me as I attempt to quit this once and for all.  Heck the feelings I am feeling about quitting make me want to turn in my "Man Card"...LOL.  I am such a woos

Good luck man, it is ABSOLUTELY worth it. I've been smoke free for about 10 months now, and training is so much better...

 Keep it up.

I will help in any way I can, pm or inspire, right now get a plan together for every craving you will get, having a plan will get you past the cravings, you will see! First step is to banish smokes entirely and not have any stand bye's hidden or close to you. Second is to move past each craving one at a time , you can do this if you plan. Don't just have a general plan, put effort into each craving and be aware there will be allot, you've had plenty of time to development dependacy on nicotine. Each craving can be overcome with exercise,snack,deep breaths,gum,stretching,deep thought,music,etc.And best part of all call yourself an ex smoker! It is never too late, just make the commitment!

I am three years free now,its how I came to my screen name,every day I am grateful for that first step I took!

Good.  Stop.  Now.

1 June 2002, Smoke Free.

What's going to take a lot of willpower, for not only the quitting, is the possible substitution that you may do to replace the void of smoking.  The craving will be there, and I hope you can willpower through that, or find the healthiest route out, like eating carrot sticks or snap peas (I LOF those) instead of candy bars, etc.

Good luck.

This was part of my problem too - I always lit up when I get into the car.  I got one of those gum containers that fits in a cupholder.  And never let it run out.  Its still there, and I quit May 2007.  The heat doesn't bother the gum, just be carefull when its really cold - that can be like chewing rocks.

This might sound stupid, but wash all your clothes to get the smoke smell out, you don't notice it now, but you will on March 3rd or so. 

FWIW, for the first week I used Nicorette Gum, then went cold turkey.  My schedule also really changed - I used the transition from graduation to studying for the bar to alter my day. 

Good luck

Congrats on your life-changing decision, Brian! You will notice some immediate changes for the beter - just after a week you will be much less short of breath and your endurance will skyrocket; hell, even sex became better (it is cardio and will become more of an endurance event, if you know what I mean) - quitting smoking will become the single best thing you ever did for yourself. Period. So congrats.

For the oral fixation, try sucking on sugar-free hard candies or something like that - even gum - I also used to keep a ready supply of cut up raw veggies - celery and carrot sticks, for when I wanted something to do with my hands and to help with the munchies, because weight gain can happen pretty easily since many people subconsciously replace cigs with food; I put on almost 20 lbs before I knew it. For driving, I kept a supply of rubber bands in the car and kept one or two on my wrist as well, so that I could take one and just kind of fiddle with it - kept my hand busy and it actually works. A friend of mine who quit used to pick up one of those squeeze-type hand excercisers every time he wanted a smoke - ended up with totally huge, ripped forearms!  

If you find it too difficult cold turkey, don't beat yourself up over slipping now and then and for heaven's sake, don't think you have to do it without "substituting one drug for another" - the fact is: they work. Don't hesitate to try some type of nicotine-replacement therapy like gum or patch, and a newer prescription med called Champix has a really good success rate - kills the cravings and even makes smoking unpleasant, or at least unsatisfying.  

I know exactly where you are right now - I went cold turkey in 2000 after 20 years of smoking, but idiot me, after a few years I thought I could enjoy the occasional fine cigar and that started a very expensive daily habit until 07/07/07 - my magic day when I threw away the stogies and gave up booze at the same time. I don't miss the smoking, but a fine Cabernet calls my name whenever I'm diving into a thick steak. 

Pick your day and don't look back. You can do this. 

Vent away Brian...you've helped plenty of people in the Weight Loss thread...we can all put up with your rants in here!  May not happen to you, but don't be put off if you do gain some weight.

Quit Oct 16, 2006.

You can do it. 

I just quit.  Granted, I only smoked for about 5 years, but I didn't even really WANT to quit. I enjoyed smoking.  I didn't smoke a LOT, maybe 1-2 packs a week, but I kind of enjoyed my relaxing breaks especially in the summer.

But then I started running 4 months ago and knew I couldn't have the best of both worlds at 35 years old.  I had to pick one or the other. 

You just have to make the decision and don't look back... it's ok if you stumble, but just give it up and don't look back... you're not missing anything.  I really like that I don't smell like cigarettes all the time now.  I also really REALLY like that my lungs can support my new obsession with running. 

At the end of the day, it is the best thing I've ever done for myself. And I am the only one who REALLY cares about that.  It will be the same for you. 

You'll feel great about the decision... I promise.

Thanks all.  I must say that I don't know how to feel about so many people wishing me luck.  I have pretty much always done everything on my own.  That way failure or success falls squarely on my shoulders.  I do feel that the accountability here will help me when I am trying to make deals with myself.

Just have to keep thinking things like:  If I can run 13 miles now and it isn't bad what can I do if I can truly breathe,  My swimming should improve a bit as well since I should be breathing better.

Thanks again all and I will keep posting ideas and thoughts as I get them.  Ya'll are the best and I truly appreciate ya'll joining me on this adventure.