Suggestions for quitting smoking

[damian_steele]

(Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or an expert. This is only my opinion. Etc. etc. etc. yadda, yadda. I am an ex-smoker with twelve years gone since the last cancer stick.)


The very first thing you need to do is to actually decide to quit. Stop with all the "I'll try" or "I will give it a go" and commit yourself. Do it today. Never, ever, keep a spare pack 'just in case'. The more you give yourself a chance to put it off or give yourself half-hearted reasons, the more chance you give yourself to fail.

You can use quit aid devices such as patches, gum or fake cigarettes, but these things just mask what you really need to do and keep your nicotine addiction going for longer.

Quitting happens in two stages.

Stage 1: You stop putting toxic crap into your body and give your system a chance to get rid of what you've already forced into it. This stage usually takes less than one week, Yes, that's right, ONE WEEK.

Stage 2: This is where the real work is. Despite what you have been told, most of your addiction is NOT physical, it is mental. Your head is where you win the battle. It is the HABIT that you must get over. Changing our habits is not easy but it can be done.

So 1: Stop smoking. Don't try, don't do it tomorrow or next week or after the holiday or, or, or .... just quit.

And 2: Do something else. Keep busy. Keep your hands busy. Get a ring that is too large for your finger and play with that ring when your hands aren't doing anything else.

For a while avoid situations where you used to habitually smoke. If you are also a drinker then this is a good time to cut down on that, too. Most people drink and smoke at the same time and having alcohol will lessen your ability to say no to smoking.

For a while avoid being in an enclosed space with other people who smoke. It's very hard to give up if you are breathing in someone else's poisons.

You don't need to avoid stressful situations - for most of us that's impossible, life itself is stressful - but you do need to learn to deal with things in another manner instead of turning to cigarettes. If you are fit, then do a work out session or go for a brisk walk. If you are not so fit, then find something to take your mind off the situation. Remember, whatever it is you choose you must remain busy. Idle hands will reach for toxins.

In two or three weeks you will suddenly realise that you haven't smoked for ages. At that time you will feel several conflicting emotions. Firstly, you'll want a cigarette. Secondly, you'll feel great that you haven't had a cigarette. Thirdly, you'll feel guilty for wanting something you've done so well without. The important part of this is not to give in. A cigarette at this point is not a reward, it is a mill stone around your neck. By week three you DO NOT need them. By week three you have given up smoking. You are an ex-smoker. Keep reminding yourself of that fact and then, once again, get busy.

By week five or six you will be feeling healthier, your senses of smell and taste will have returned and your clothing will have stopped stinking of stale smoke.

By week eight you should stop needing to play with that oversize ring. Keep it as a reminder if you want to - but not because you'll need to use it again.

Stick to these steps and you will succeed. Make the decision to be an ex-smoker and stick to it.

[suesjools]

(Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or an expert. This is only my opinion. Etc. etc. etc. yadda, yadda. I am an ex-smoker with twelve years gone since the last cancer stick.)


The very first thing you need to do is to actually decide to quit. Stop with all the "I'll try" or "I will give it a go" and commit yourself. Do it today. Never, ever, keep a spare pack 'just in case'. The more you give yourself a chance to put it off or give yourself half-hearted reasons, the more chance you give yourself to fail.

You can use quit aid devices such as patches, gum or fake cigarettes, but these things just mask what you really need to do and keep your nicotine addiction going for longer.

Quitting happens in two stages.

Stage 1: You stop putting toxic crap into your body and give your system a chance to get rid of what you've already forced into it. This stage usually takes less than one week, Yes, that's right, ONE WEEK.

Stage 2: This is where the real work is. Despite what you have been told, most of your addiction is NOT physical, it is mental. Your head is where you win the battle. It is the HABIT that you must get over. Changing our habits is not easy but it can be done.

So 1: Stop smoking. Don't try, don't do it tomorrow or next week or after the holiday or, or, or .... just quit.

And 2: Do something else. Keep busy. Keep your hands busy. Get a ring that is too large for your finger and play with that ring when your hands aren't doing anything else.

For a while avoid situations where you used to habitually smoke. If you are also a drinker then this is a good time to cut down on that, too. Most people drink and smoke at the same time and having alcohol will lessen your ability to say no to smoking.

For a while avoid being in an enclosed space with other people who smoke. It's very hard to give up if you are breathing in someone else's poisons.

You don't need to avoid stressful situations - for most of us that's impossible, life itself is stressful - but you do need to learn to deal with things in another manner instead of turning to cigarettes. If you are fit, then do a work out session or go for a brisk walk. If you are not so fit, then find something to take your mind off the situation. Remember, whatever it is you choose you must remain busy. Idle hands will reach for toxins.

In two or three weeks you will suddenly realise that you haven't smoked for ages. At that time you will feel several conflicting emotions. Firstly, you'll want a cigarette. Secondly, you'll feel great that you haven't had a cigarette. Thirdly, you'll feel guilty for wanting something you've done so well without. The important part of this is not to give in. A cigarette at this point is not a reward, it is a mill stone around your neck. By week three you DO NOT need them. By week three you have given up smoking. You are an ex-smoker. Keep reminding yourself of that fact and then, once again, get busy.

By week five or six you will be feeling healthier, your senses of smell and taste will have returned and your clothing will have stopped stinking of stale smoke.

By week eight you should stop needing to play with that oversize ring. Keep it as a reminder if you want to - but not because you'll need to use it again.

Stick to these steps and you will succeed. Make the decision to be an ex-smoker and stick to it.

Wow, excellent, thanks damian! I'm sure my failure in the past was due to weak willpower, (I've never been the strong type, though I immensely admire those who are), so I really need to shore that up ASAP. Last time I quit for a whole year and started back up again, but the reason for that relapse (incredibly nasty boss) is gone now, and I don't foresee anything similar in the future.

I need to be more active and definitely fix my rotten junk food diet, but I figure one thing at a time is best. I'm not worried about weight gain, as it's not an issue, so plan to substitute candies for the cigs, as well as the iced water mentioned earlier when I need a boost. Not a handicraft type, but I do have a number of oversized rings, thanks for the suggestion, will dig one out now and get it ready. I'm definitely quitting next week with bf, (he has a number of hospital tests this week so he wants to wait til they're done, and that's OK with me).

I want so much to succeed for bf's sake as well as mine and want him to succeed, too. It was my idea that we quit together, as I figured it would help if we had support and a buddy, the way dieters do who phone a friend when they want to eat instead of eating; never done it myself, but it seems to work for others, so figured I'd use it.

There's only one thing that scares me and it's a mental issue rather than a physical one, (I don't have much problem with the physical addiction side and never have, it's the mental side that is my big bugbear), and that's the issue of scattered/fuzzy concentration. Last time I quit (in 2006) I found myself unable to focus mentally for weeks and weeks after quitting, which was rough as I was working with the nasty boss and she really got on me for that big time. Not working for her anymore, but still learning my way around a new job, hope not to have the same mental fuzzies as before. Any suggestions for battling the fuzzies would be most helpful.

Thanks again and best to everyone, your stories have inspired me more than you'll ever know.

[sucadot]

I've never smoked Sues so can't give you any tips, only a big hug for trying

[kaylacrafts]

wow great thread sue
I to am phyching myself up to quit have cut down to half the amount a was smoking. I tried the other day and failed miserablely. I have only manage to give up for 2 weeks & 3 month last time and kick myself now for starting again.
been smoking since i was 15 and im now 47. I need to give up as my chest is awfull, i like you get breathless when climbing stairs and hills are a big problem as it's all hilly where i live and i dont drive.For me it's the will power mentle part that's the hurdle i fall at. Im now need to want it more as opposed to giving up because i feel it would be complete stupidity not to. I will continue to watch this thread and pick up all the tips a can. Thanks for starting it, there has been some great posts and thanks to all who have posted so far.

[HerMajesty]

Non-smoker here............so can only cheer you all on! One thing I've always noticed tho, is the NEGATIVE terminology associated with your upcoming efforts........... QUIT, QUITTING, GIVE UP, FAIL, WEAK WILL POWER, etc. How about reframing this into: ACHIEVING BETTER HEALTH, SUCCEEDING EACH DAY, ATTAINING A GOAL, INCREASING ENDURANCE, ENJOYING TASTE OF FOOD MORE, etc..................Think positively!!

I KNOW you will succeed at whatever you really want to do. It may take a few attempts, but wasn't it Edison or someone who had to come up with 1000 ways to make a light bulb (or something) before he got the winner???

[buttons-and-bows]

Sue you need to stop before your BF goes into hospital for test so that when asked you can say you have both given up, believe me you will both feel proud saying that also it will save you a telling off from any consultant you may see.

[suesjools]

Kayla, congrats on wanting to quit! I know how hard it is, believe me, (quit and relapsed many times over the years myself), but as HM said maybe we should reframe quitting in more positive terms. For me some of the positives would be:

1) No more stinky smoke smell (yes, I notice it even as a smoker, that bit about smokers not being able to distinguish smells is tripe IMHO, I can tell silver from plated jewelry sometimes just by the smell, I've always had a rather keen nose, maybe it's the dog in me).

2) Saved monies - this is a biggie, as my income is less than half of what it was a few years ago and every penny counts.

3) Better health - less breathlessness and, in my case, possibly reduced skin problems. I'm not expecting the rosacea to just go away, as it's a systemic disorder, but any lessening would be appreciated and a great motivator.

4) Saving bf's life - Sounds extreme, but it's true and likely the most important reason on my list. I want him to be around for a long time to come, in good spirits and good health.

Maybe making a similar list would help you with the more positive aspects. It's worth a try, I think. I'm going to keep my list nearby and refer to it when I feel the urge for a smoke.

Buttons I hear you, I wish he'd quit now but he told me NO, next week, and I understand as he's very stressed this week and I think it's best to quit when he's not so stressed. Plus, I think the docs will make an impression, too, and I want to give it all a chance to sink in.

Any thoughts on the mental fuzziness issue? Need to come to grips with that one soon.

BIG hugs and best to all, ex smokers, non smokers and those of us who will be joining their number.

[buttons-and-bows]

Keep number 4 in your mind at all times, it's the most important, and tell him if he has something wrong he will be more stressed then, he is just looking for excuses not to stop at the moment.
How does he think I feel, I stopped smoking and lost weight and ended up with a none smoking conected terminal illness with no cure for it, but it hasn't stopped me from quitting. sorry for sounding like bossy boots but he needs tellin, don't cha know XX

[suesjools]

Buttons, I'm so sorry about your illness, you seem so energetic and lively I sometimes forget about it, please accept my apologies. Prayers and good wishes for your recovery in the near future.

Agree with you, bf needs to quit ASAP, but he's a stubborn old goat and an ex hippie to boot who never quite got the party out of his system. I've put it to him as strongly as I can, but I'm hoping the docs will literally scare the cr*p out of him, too. I can't imagine life without him at this point and I screamed at him the other day, (our first fight in nearly 7 years, we're both fairly laid back that way), but I don't think it made any difference. I only hope and pray he takes me and the docs seriously enough to quit, cause I'm doing it no matter what and I'm going to give him hell til he does, too!

Hugs and best to all, WE WILL SUCCEED - that's going to be my new mantra.

[HerMajesty]

By starting being smoke-free you are ALREADY SUCCEEDING!!! Way to go, Sues!!! Man in Kilt is just biding his time a bit.