I Quit Smoking Today

[independent]

I just dont want to be a "smoker" anymore. I dont want to smell like it. I dont want to spend my money on it. I dont want to have to spend extra money at the dentist anymore. I dont want to limit my dating options to "smokers" (non smokers really dont like to kiss smokers - but "ex smokers" can go either way). I dont want to have to make special trips to the store because "I'm out of smokes". I dont want to be out of breath when I get to the top of the stairs. I dont want to be the one that always ends up with bronchitis, or the one that takes forever to get over a common cold.

It's a stupid, unhealthy, expensive habit.

[misombra]

yup. you'll be so glad to put it all behind you.

[independent]

I got up this morning, thinking to myself that I would have a smoke before I put on my patch, no big deal. I put on my house shoes and a sweater, walked outside (brr!)... and stopped in my tracks, turned around and came back in.

This is taking some serious will power.

blah

[Vanilla Gilr]

Why do you still have cigs in the house?

I tried MANY times to quit. Always kept a pack around 'just in case'....this last time....after my last cig...washed out the ashtrays...gave them away...threw out the trash with the butts in it...cleaned out the car ashtray...and refused to buy or bum any cigs. I'm the kind of person that if I had any cigs around..for 'just in case'....I'd always find a good reason to 'just have one'....Anyway...I used the patch for about a week...to help with the physical withdrawal....after that...more than willpower...it's been changing my lifestyle patterns...reducing things that trigger the desire for a smoke.

I still want to smoke...miss it every freakin day...but it will be 4 years in January...and I haven't had a one.and I never can...unless I want to be back at 2 packs a day...and I don't want that.

I wish you sooo much success...my best advice...reduce your temptations...get rid of smokes, ashtrays etc....reduce the triggers...you'll naturally increase your willpower. Good Luck!...

[misombra]

if it's been 4 years since you smoked you would probably take two drags and want to throw up.

[RSK]

I've been a smoker for 4 years. I smoke (on average) about 7 - 8 cigs per day (I just had one now).

Imagine: 7 cigs per day for 4 years = 10,000 cigs

____________________

For the first time in my life (this morning), I coughed up blood. For some CRAZY reason, this didn't stop me for having my morning cig.

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But I am VERY worried now. I want to stop. I have gone a month before. And that month was when I made a LIFESTYLE CHANGE!

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For people like me (who are addicted physically AND mentally), it's the best way to go - to make LIFESTYLE CHANGES!

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I'd like to make a new thread, to concentrate on the TYPES of changes we should make.

[independent]

4 years - Wow, Vanilla - great success story!! Thank you for the encouragement

You are right. I have to get rid of the temptations - ie whats left of a pack that's sitting outside.

I love the idea of a lifestyle change, myself. That is what I am working towards - it's not just about quitting... it's about changing. I've been working out every day, and drinking LOTS of water (64oz yesterday), on top of not smoking cigs.

I was at 2 packs a day, by the way... so this is definitely not easy. But I want it so bad. I can see myself 6 months from now - a perfect visual. Feeling better, looking better, definitely smelling better haha!

I'm going for a NEW ME. And I want it bad enough at this point to endure whatever it takes to get there.

[independent]

p.s. This thread, and the friendship & encouragement of everyone here at LF, are helping me tremendously!!!

[Rosebud]

You know when I quit, I found it was easier if I did have a pack around. Not to use but becasue when i was out of cigarrettes I would stress about it, if I had them I wouldn't even think of them. I know it's weird but it worked for me.

[Vanilla Gilr]

Rosebud, I had done that every other time I tried to quit...because I too would start to stress when I was running low on cigs. Like if I only had 5 left....I had to go out and buy a carton...otherwise I would smoke those five within the next hour from the sheer panic of running out.

But I quit smoking cuz I got mad at myself because I couldn't. I know..I know,,,that sounds stupid...but I am such a control freak...and I was actually bragging to my lover about all the different things in my life that I do control. (and I don't mean controlling people...I'm not into head games like that) I was saying that I could control what I eat... the way my body looks by exercising...how and with who I spend my time etc,,etc,,,and he looked at me and asked me why did I still smoke,,,and I said,,,because I can't stop....and that pissed me off....because I don't like not being able to control my actions (this control need may stem from my bi-polar disorder...I can't always control my thoughts....so I control everything else that I can...anyway....) It pissed me off enough to quit....and for some reason....as I smoked through that last pack...having the last one at 5 of midnight on January 10....I did not go into panic mode...and I still haven't...I DO still desperately want to smoke...lol....still really really miss it...BUT...I'm healthier...I smell better..and I can smell things better...my hair is healtier and growing past my butt...(that's a wierd effect...but true)...my child and my lover are both proud and supportive...and the school nurse no longer asks my child if she smokes...(that happened right before the conversation with my SO and greatly influenced me also because it embaeeassed my daughter...which hurt me)

So whatever works for each of us is cool...the final effect...quitting...and quitting again and again if need be...is what matters.

[blue]

ugh how am i going to quit once and for all? i can go all day with out smoking a cig and then i go and i smoke a hole bunch ugh

[Rosebud]

I used to smoke all the time religiously a pack a day. I quit during my pregnancy and then started back up afterwards. I do not want my daughters clothes, body, anything smelling like smoke not to mention my house and eveyrhting else. So I social smoke now, which isn't any better but I really only do it when I have some drinks which isn't too often. But there will come a time when I will refuse to smoke and that time is coming soon.

[whaywardj]

I've noticed the few times I've quit for anything over a few weeks, that the impulse to light up only lasts about five minutes. If you can discipline yourself to get through that five minute period EACH time it comes up without lighting up, you're pretty much done with smoking. In some cases, though, like mine, the desire to smoke never goes away. Strangely (or, maybe not so strangely) it's easier for me to stay away from alcohol and crack cocaine than it is cigarettes...and I was an alcoholic/addict.

[Rosebud]

I hear ya Hayward! They say it takes 7 days for Nicotine to get out of your body and then soon after the cravings go away...MY ass they do. I work on each craving I have and focus on something else then I'm ok and so on fort he next one..each time I grab a candy or whatever...but I had a hrd time making those cravings go away permanetly.

[whaywardj]

Maybe you should keep a boy-toy around the house you could give blowjobs to everytime the craving came up. I'm sure your fiance would understand.