So I've decided to quit smoking...

[Jared Lash]

A friend once put a rubber band on her wrist, and when she got the urge she started snapping the rubber band until she had distracted herself enough to move past the crisis moment.

I've done that exact same thing. The real key with cigarette cravings is that they actually pass very quickly. At least those, "I have to have one now type cravings". I also started doing pushups anytime one popped up. Anything to distract yourself until it passes.

That's another thing, many people who have successfully quit can tell you the date they stopped. It's that important.

I'm actually the opposite. I kept making grand plans to quit and when I would start etc which always fell through. I'd tried a bunch of times so when I started this last attempt I didn't bother chronicling when it began. I could work backwards and figure out the date, but it really doesn't matter to me. All that matters is working through today without one.

I think I've said this before in this thread, but the key for me was to realize that I was addicted, and that addiction was causing me to do something that I didn't want to do. You can make a list of a ton of reasons why you should quit smoking, but the only reason I could ever give as to why I shouldn't quit was that my body wanted it. Given that viewpoint it became much easier for me to finally quit.

 

[ModulusFan]

Today makes 5 weeks of zero smoking, after giving up a 19 year 1-2 pack a day habit. I have been using e-cigs, or personal vaporizers which I enjoy....but it's killing me. I actually had dreams about smoking last night. I really think if I tried a cig, I'd find it disgusting....but I wish the cravings would go away. I've heard from others that week 5 is the roughest for some reason...and maybe it is just a coincidence, but it's been rough.

Best of luck to ya though....

 

[Solarmist]

^ Big Time Congrats Tim!

You would find it stinkin' digusting, and after 5 weeks you'd be so pissed at yourself! Starting over again would be harder - besides you're on the downhill slope now where it should be getting easier. They say at that point that the nicotine cravings are about gone, and it's just a mental addiction to the void left by not sucking on those things anymore.

I quit after 22 years on 6/14/02.

 

[mike_v_s]

^ Big Time Congrats Tim!

You would find it stinkin' digusting, and after 5 weeks you'd be so pissed at yourself! Starting over again would be harder - besides you're on the downhill slope now where it should be getting easier. They say at that point that the nicotine cravings are about gone, and it's just a mental addiction to the void left by not sucking on those things anymore.

I quit after 22 years on 6/14/02.

Tim's main problem isn't that he's addicted, it's that he's a pansy.

Mike

Congrats, Tim.

 

[ErebusBass]

First of all, thanks for all the support. I really appreciate it, and there are a lot of things in this thread that I have found helpful.

I have yet to make it through a full day without any cigarettes, but I have made some progress.

Monday through Wednesday I didn't have any cigarettes. I took all the money out of my checking account, and made sure I had no cash on me so it was literally impossible for me to get cigarettes. So every time I wanted a cigarette, I just told myself that I couldn't have one because I had none and there was no way I was going to get any. I bummed a couple smokes, I probably had 1-3 per day.

Then Thursday I got paid. I stopped at a gas station by my house that has a Milio's in it to grab a sandwich. When I was at the register, the words "Pack of Marlb' lights" just came out of my mouth. I don't know why I said it, and I don't know why I didn't correct myself. I just lit one up in the car as soon as I got out there.

So I'm smoking again...

I haven't given up. I still want to quit. I HATE smoking. I can't remember the last time I enjoyed a cigarette. I can feel them killing me, and in the few days where I wasn't smoking at all until ~9 or 10pm, I could feel my lungs clearing out and I could breathe better. Other than my smoking, I'm a perfectly healthy young adult male, and I want to be able to enjoy my life to the fullest extent possible.

Now here's the current problem:
When do I quit now? I'm working all weekend. I HATE my job, and the few minutes I get to sit outside and puff away are what get me through the day. Do I quit today? I already had a smoke this morning, so I don't think today is going to happen. Do I quit monday? What do you think?

 

[machine gewehr]

Now here's the current problem:
When do I quit now? I'm working all weekend. I HATE my job, and the few minutes I get to sit outside and puff away are what get me through the day. Do I quit today? I already had a smoke this morning, so I don't think today is going to happen. Do I quit monday? What do you think?

If you hate your job or what you are doing it becomes lot harder to quit.

When I'm at home ı don't smoke.Mostly because I don't want to.
Secondly my parents quit smoking after years and it won't be cool if I smoked.
Third,I wouldn't smoke in my father's presence,its about respect here.

But man,when I go to college I can smoke a pack in a day,I hate that place a lot and I feel the need of a smoke as soon as I step in there.

Have you considered professional help?There are places that help you quit you know.

 

[ldervish]

Only you can decide when you will quit. You're stepping in the right direction.

m.g. has a good point -i.e. some people get an edge with hypnosis or counseling; but for some those sessions do no good at all. Basically, it's up to you.

 

[warwick.hoy]

I had a serious reason to hate my job as I was getting ripped off by the owner...I documented it here. If anyone had a legitimate reason to hate their job...I think I did.

I don't know what the state requirements are in Wisconsin,...but here in the state of Washington you are entitled to one "coffee" break for every 4 hours worked. When I quit...I took advantage of that entitlement.

I'd go through my normal routine except for one thing...I would not smoke. Basically this was an opportunity for me to get away from the line and take a break. I would go out with my co-worker as we had always done when I smoked...we'd converse...talk about the remainder of the orders, talk about what tasks need to be accomplished...the only thing that was different is I wouldn't smoke. My co-worker is also my neighbor,...former roommate,...and a good friend. He wouldn't bum me smokes...he wouldn't let me have a puff. I glad he was such a good friend.

A lot of this boils down to pride. When you have a craving and force yourself through it...be proud of that,...don't be angry, don't be irritable, be proud. When getting through cravings turn to days, then weeks, then months without smoking, be proud of that.

I've avoided mentioning this because I know of a lot of adults who smoke...but to me. Smoking is a kid thing to do. You start smoking because you want to seem cool, fit in, be rebellious. Not to sound like one of those pretentious non-smoking ads you see everywhere (aimed at kids) lung cancer, throat cancer, emphysema, jaundice, bad breath and stinky clothes aren't cool. Succumbing to peer pressure isn't fitting in nor is it rebellious. Giving your money to giant tobacco corporations isn't rebellion; it's supporting an evil empire.

I'm glad you updated us, and glad to hear that you haven't given up. I was worried there for a moment...keep at it and as always we are here for you. Do it now while you are still young.

 

[ErebusBass]

I've avoided mentioning this because I know of a lot of adults who smoke...but to me. Smoking is a kid thing to do. You start smoking because you want to seem cool, fit in, be rebellious. Not to sound like one of those pretentious non-smoking ads you see everywhere (aimed at kids) lung cancer, throat cancer, emphysema, jaundice, bad breath and stinky clothes aren't cool. Succumbing to peer pressure isn't fitting in nor is it rebellious. Giving your money to giant tobacco corporations isn't rebellion; it's supporting an evil empire.

I couldn't agree more, and that's a big part of why I'm quitting. When I started smoking, I felt proud to do it in public. I felt grown up (I was 14 at the time), I felt cool, and I felt like if anyone else didn't like it then **** them. Now I'm ashamed to smoke. It makes me feel like I'm still a kid, and I can literally FEEL my health deteriorating.

When I was out on my break having a smoke today, I met a woman who told me she had been smoking for 60. I couldn't believe she was still alive... I just about dropped a load in my pants. She went on to tell me how she's tried to quit so many times, but never could, and we all know the rest of that story.

That is not going to be me. I know I'm stronger than that.

I'm going to smoke tomorrow, but Monday I quit. I can't do the first day while I'm working. It's just not going to work, and I don't need to go flipping out on an irritating customer and lost my job (although that would take away my income, and thus my ability to purchase tobacco products ).

To all you young'uns:
Don't start smoking.

 

[ModulusFan]

Tim's main problem isn't that he's addicted, it's that he's a pansy.

Mike

Congrats, Tim.

Heh, you might be right about that. I am still having a hell of a hard time with it, but winning the battle. I thought I would be "over" all this if I could just get a week out of the woods - wrong.

I also agree with the "cool kid" thing. I sure wish I'd never had that "wont be me" attitude when I was a kid.

 

[Solarmist]

^ But winning is still winning! - you get a gold star!

 

[Solarmist]

I took all the money out of my checking account, and made sure I had no cash on me so it was literally impossible for me to get cigarettes. So every time I wanted a cigarette, I just told myself that I couldn't have one because I had none and there was no way I was going to get any. I bummed a couple smokes, I probably had 1-3 per day.

So I'm smoking again...

I HATE smoking. I can't remember the last time I enjoyed a cigarette. I can feel them killing me, and in the few days where I wasn't smoking at all until ~9 or 10pm, I could feel my lungs clearing out and I could breathe better. Do I quit today? I already had a smoke this morning, so I don't think today is going to happen. Do I quit monday? What do you think?

You're not ready to quit because you don't hate it enough yet to quit. Making sure you don't have money, and then bumming them ..... you're just screwing with youself

You're only 19 - if you don't do it know - it will just get harder - wise up

Here's another idea - go buy some legal herbal non-tobacco smokes for now - just don't smoke tobacco! That way you can smoke while getting off nicotine at the same time

 

[slippinghalo]

Dude I have stopped smoking for 2 mos now and i feel great.The hardest part to me was the first 2 weeks. I have been smokin for 14 years and the first 2 weeks were physically hard but its all mental after that. I suggest to stay away from alcohol those 2 weeks...alcohol seemed to be an inhibitor for me in my failed attempts..but it's so hard if you are playing a gig and getting a free tab...Good Luck

 

[stabbicus]

I'm 22.5 hours without a smoke. 8 years smoking and this thread helped with my decision to quit. Thanks TB!

 

[ldervish]

Congratulations, stab! and TN wishes for continued success. Your words are very encouraging for the OP as well... Here's hoping pretty soon you'll both be into "(_)days without a smoke", saving big bucks and feeling better every day.

 

[Chebass88]

One thing that works for me is the buddy system combined with an expensive bet. We set it up so that the person who slips has to pay the other. It works EVERY time for me. I've also used the same system for weight loss (55 pounds in 8 months), and it is similar.

Seriously, go cold turkey & don't let yourself fail. Limit your access to smokes, and stay strong. If you even begin to think about one, you'll have one. Your resolve is much stronger than you think.

ian

P.S. I just got back from vacation, where I smoked 1-2 packs a day (at bars & clubs until 5AM every morning), so I have to "requit", as I did not smoke prior to vacation.

 

[two fingers]

I haven't given up. I still want to quit. I HATE smoking. I can't remember the last time I enjoyed a cigarette.

With me, it was 180 degrees in the other direction. I was able to quit the moment I gave in to the the fact that I LOVED smoking! I enjoyed every cigarette I smoked at the end. And I missed them when I quit. BUT NOW I DON'T! You CAN do this! Just be honest with yourself! I promise you that the HABIT is harder than the withdrawal(sp) to get over. Just like you said. You are programmed now to buy them, to light up when you get in the car, etc.... Find something else to do. As I said earlier, sugarless gum helped me. Hang in there! You WILL beat this thing! Failure is NOT an option!

 

[ErebusBass]

I'm 22.5 hours without a smoke. 8 years smoking and this thread helped with my decision to quit. Thanks TB!

Way to go. I'm pretty much exactly 24 hrs behind you. Eleven down...

 

[Cabazon]

One thing that is important: "Just one" is not just one.
I tried quitting so many times, and then I'd convince myself that I'd smoke "Just one" more cigarette. That turned in to "Just one more pack" then "Just one more pack every day" (which was twice what I was smoking when I initially tried quitting)

 

[Jim Campbell]

I couldn't agree more, and that's a big part of why I'm quitting. When I started smoking, I felt proud to do it in public. I felt grown up (I was 14 at the time), I felt cool, and I felt like if anyone else didn't like it then **** them. Now I'm ashamed to smoke. It makes me feel like I'm still a kid, and I can literally FEEL my health deteriorating.

When I was out on my break having a smoke today, I met a woman who told me she had been smoking for 60. I couldn't believe she was still alive... I just about dropped a load in my pants. She went on to tell me how she's tried to quit so many times, but never could, and we all know the rest of that story.

That is not going to be me. I know I'm stronger than that.

I'm going to smoke tomorrow, but Monday I quit. I can't do the first day while I'm working. It's just not going to work, and I don't need to go flipping out on an irritating customer and lost my job (although that would take away my income, and thus my ability to purchase tobacco products ).

To all you young'uns:
Don't start smoking.

you're just fooling yourself,you are not quitting nor are you ready to quit,and "tried" means a tad more than you seem to think...all you are doing is talking about quitting....

..."im going to smoke tomorrow" "can't do the first day" "while working"and quitting are not compatible.......i'll quit monday,after the holiday,next month,next year,it's all just a load of hooey.........