Anyone recently stop smoking?

I quit as of this morning.  Any tips/suggestions?  I'm doing ok so far, but its only been a couple hours...

Well not recently (it's been 4 years now!) here's what I learned:

1) The chemical dependancy lasts only 3 days - that the physical withdrawl expect headaches, nausea and other physical reactions, short temper and generally feeling a bit loggy or on edge, and often flips between.

2) The psychological addiction is harder to beat than the physical one. Most people quit several times because there are psychological triggers.

For me I'd often quit successfully for 3 months and then start again because I was in school and the 3 month cycle ran with my exams, stress was a definite trigger for me. Another trigger for me was socializing specifically alcohol. It was hard to have a drink without a smoke. And, when I was working in jobs where people smoked it was really hard not to go out to smokers corner. 

3) Tell people. People who don't smoke will want to help you, and even people who do smoke usually want to quite (but don't believe they can) and are likely to help you. Ask them not to give you smokes no matter how much you ask. 

4) Allow for slip ups. Much like on weight loss it generally takes people quite some time to fully quit. It's been 4 years since my last cigarette, it's been 9 years since I started trying to quit. 

5) Find a way to deal with the psychological addiction. What finally really helped me was two fold. First it was bottle water. I realized it was partly having the hand mouth action of being able to just take a break for 5 minutes and do nothing but breath in and out. It allowed me to focus and be still. Water ended up as a good substitute for me. 

The second was more aesthetic. Smoking Stinks! No, really it does. Really really bad! I know I heard that a lot but didn't believe it as a smoker. I mean I knew it had a smell, but I showered and did my laundry and a little air freshener can help that can't it? NO IT CAN'T, IT STINKS! OMG my SIL is a smoker and not a heavy one either, she's a beautiful girl but she REAKS! I can smell a smoker easily 20 meters away. They smell dirty. When my SIL visits we actually steam clean the sofa and the curtains after she leaves (and we don't let her smoke in our home) it's just her that smells so bad because she's been smoking in her car, or well just smoking. You will have no idea how bad you smell until you are a non smoker..... so if you manage to go a few months without it, remember how you find smokers to smell after you are off them. That ended up being pretty big motivation for me. 

Wow, thanks so much for the insight!  I have bought tons of gum and peppermints (i was a menthol smoker) that I am hoping will help with the psychological aspect.  I also have straws to stick in my water bottle so I have something to chew on in the car.

I just quit on Tuesday afternoon!  I realized that I didn't have any money to buy cigarettes until I get paid again.  And that kind of just did it for me.  I finished my pack on Tuesday, and I just resolved not to buy anymore, ever.  I don't think I can give you any advice since supersized has done a terrific job of that already.   

I agree with telling people!  My husband is a smoker, and I've told him that he's not to give me cigarettes, even if I ask (and so far I haven't felt the need to ask- yay!).  Since we've never smoked in the house, I just don't go outside with him.  I've also texted everyone I know and told them.  That way I will be held accountable if I don't follow through.  My non-smoking sis has been fabulous- texting me at random times during the day, checking to see how I'm doing, and reminding me of why I'm doing this.  Also, since I've told everyone I'm quitting, I don't want to end up with egg on my face.  Everytime I want one, I just imagine how stupid and weak I'll look to everyone.  Probably not the best thing to do self-esteem-wise, but it's been helping me keep my resolve through the worst cravings!

Actually, the first few hours were the hardest for me.  The habit is going to be hard for me to break, but the physical cravings have already subsided quite a bit.  But now that I've gone almost 48 hours without a cigarette, I'm already starting to think of myself as a non-smoker, if that makes any sense

I quit about a year and a half ago.  Best decision I ever made!  I don't have a lot of suggestions, but wanted to congratulate you on making the first steps!

I quit several months ago. I just stayed busy and would tell myself that I do not smoke every time I wanted one. Eventually, I forgot I smoked. Since I have been walking and exercising, it is much easier to breathe, thus more empowerment. As my Grandma used to say "Where there's a will, there's a way." You already made the biggest step! Way to go!

I quit about 2 years ago after a few half hearted attempts at quitting over the 7+ years I smoked. I went out drinking with some friends and smoked over half a pack that night and woke up the next morning sounding like a frog...and my throat hurt so bad! That did it for me. For me, never being a heavy smoker...it was the habit I had to break! I always had a smoke on the way to work, on my break (worked at a restaurant) and then on my way home. The only other times were out with my friends. The first couple of months were the hardest, and I allowed myself the occasional social smoke...eventually, they just started tasting nasty. Then after about six months, I started being really grossed out by the way it smelt, and now, like supsized...I can smell a smoker 20 feet away...and I can't believe that I thought I could cover that smell up with some body spray and gum!

My advice:

Gum

Water (I have the had to mouth thing too!),

Toothpicks (you can get minty ones at whole foods...they're called australian chewing sticks)

If you need to...stay away from situations that prompt you to smoke...for me it was going to bars with my friends, or going to peoples houses where they smoked all the time (even outside)

DON'T freak out if you gain some weight! I allowed myself a maximum of 10lb weight gain. Nicotine is an appetite suppresant, so watch how your body reacts to that lack of nicotine.

Good luck! you can do it!

Original Post by misty1993:

I quit as of this morning.  Any tips/suggestions?  I'm doing ok so far, but its only been a couple hours...

 

I quit 7 years ago..... I love to share whenever someone ask.

I went "cold tukey", middle of the day.

I would chew gum and also use a straw to manipulate the gum on while it was in my mouth.  It satisfied the desire to have a cigarette in there I guess.   I still have dreams that I started up again.  Less often as time goes by, but each time I have that dream I am thrilled it was just a dream and I am still a non-smoker.

I also was inspired by the following thoughts;

1.  I promised my husband a lifetime partner and if I didn't quit smoking I was going back on that promise.  I was cutting into the time we should be sharing later in life and also the quality of that time.... that really helps me stay commited to not smoking.

2.  If I couldn't quit smoking then I was sending a message to my children that smoking was too strong for them to fight off doing in the future... not the message a parent wants to send.

3.  They teach the children in school now that smoking is a drug addiction, so how the heck can a parent do drugs and be respected by their children?!?!.

4.  Cigarettes are not a basic survial need.

I still remember the feeling of that first inhale to this very day.  It still is a craving to have that sensation in my throat.  I just make some warm tea and that satisfies me. 

 One more thing; there is N O T H I N G better than the satisfaction of knowing you were able to quit!  There may be things comparable, but nothing better!

Best wishes to you!

Great to hear.. go for it!  I went through 2 packs a day for 35 years. I wasn't a  deep inhaler but I did almost chain smoke.. lighting a new one 10-20 minutes after putting one out. Every house I lived in had it's walls painted by my cigarettes. So bad, when I would move and take pictures off the wall, there would be a bright white area behind them.

I was forced to stop smoking and drinking any alcohol cold turkey 3 years ago after I wound up in the hospital for 5 weeks. The only time I even think about smoking now is when I happen to catch a whiff of someone's cigarette as I walk by. There's a millisecond of an urge and then it passes.

You might try fresh fruits or veggies if you like them. I prefer fruits. Every hour or so, I eat an orange, some grapes, a banana, apple, a slice of watermelon. Nuts are great too. The salt fills in the blanks. I wouldn't sit around munchin' on Doritos to kill the urge..

The hardest part for me when I tried to quit years ago was getting past that 20 minutes after eating.. or while out to dinner & drinks. Now it doesn't even phase me. I hope you make it sooner than I did. Good luck!