quitting smoking.

i really really want to quit smoking..

when im having a drink with out with my friends, i want a cigarette then.. and when im at work and people go on smoke breaks, i like to go then also.

but i really would love to quit.

i haven't had one since saturday, and i have successfully quit before for a little under 2 years then started back up when some things were going on in my life.

my mom had breast cancer at the age of 32 (we also lived in an area where there were some serious issues going on with power lines which we believe was the cause for a LOT of health issues with people that lived on our block)... and there has been no prior history of cancer in my family before.

I really just am looking for some support and maybe someone who would be interested in trying to quit smoking with me kind of like an "online buddy"..

Any tips or anything would be appreciated as well! I have recently started working out and swimming at my gym (with in the past week) and that has helped me to cut back as well.. I just really want to be able to do this!

Thanks ahead of time for any resonses =)

I'll be trying to quit....like now! I'm getting geared up for the date Feb8th. That's the last day as a smoker!

They say that dumb dumbs (suckers) take about the same time to eat as it does to smoke a cig....and it's the hand to mouth habit as well, so I'm going to stock up on sugar free ones...

as well as a ton of gum!

I gave up last June after having too many reasons not to, ie - smells gross, will make me look older, horrible breath, yellowing teeth, plus it was getting harder to be able to have a cigarette & I hated the irritablness that came with not being able to have one. & the whole giving myself lung rot & such.

Patches really help me as because the craving was gone I didn't feel the need to stick to habits (like it's lunch time = have a smoke). I did find I wanted to do something with my hand in these time so I would play with the tube of lipbalm I alway keep in my pocket.

Also when you start change your toothbrush as apparently there can be traces of nicotine & other chemicals from smoking on them that won't help. That goes for lipbalm, lipstick & gloss (so I read). So treat yourself to lovely new lipbalm as also it help with the hand to mouth movement/habit.

Hope some of that helps & GOOD LUCK!!!

I've heard about 4 success stories from people that have used Chantix. One of them is my aunt who has smoked for probably 40 years.

I'm a former smoker myself. I smoked for 10 years and quit cold turkey and I've been smoke free for almost 10 years. For me, it was really easy compared to losing weight.

Original Post by trendstudent:

I've heard about 4 success stories from people that have used Chantix. One of them is my aunt who has smoked for probably 40 years.

I'm a former smoker myself. I smoked for 10 years and quit cold turkey and I've been smoke free for almost 10 years. For me, it was really easy compared to losing weight.

 I think I would prefer to do cold turkey.. I haven't heard the greatest things about Chantix.. I know a lot of people that have had suicidal thoughts and such when they began it.. Scary stuff!

I "started quitting" about a week before Christmas.  I took Chantix for two weeks.  Once the cravings stopped, I figured I could do it on my own from there.  I didn't have any problem with the med, but two weeks isn't very long to judge.  I have slipped once or twice and given in to the urge to have a cig.  My husband smokes and so does most of the people I work with, so it makes it a little more difficult.  So, if you need an online buddy, count me in!

I quit 3/28/08 and haven't smoked since.  Smoked for a ton of years about a pack a day. I used Quitnet.com for a while just to read about everyone else feeling as crappy as I did.   I used the patches but when I thought about it,  I didn't want to have to give something else up later so I stopped after the first week and went cold turkey. Try and listen to you body because depending on how long you have smoked it will go through a lot of changes.

For stupid comfort I used cheap straws.  I would cut them in half and chew on them until my jaw would hurt then I would take it out and twist it until it couldn't take anymore and I would start a new one. I kept them in my purse, my car and by the computer and tv.

For food cravings I ate alot of the 100 calorie packages,  first couple of weeks every time I wanted a cigarette I would eat one,  then after that I would ween myself off,  every hour, then every 2 hours then you just forget about it.  

Keep tons of gum in your car, try to avoid the bars and smoking locations.  I thought I would never be able to drink again but I do,  funny though I drink less now.  Not sure if they have anything to do with each other.

Find something to keep your hands busy.  I learned how to knit and my house was the cleanest it has ever been.

Just know your mind will try and talk you back into smoking, just like dieting but worse. 

I wish for you strength to overcome this.

Schell

Hey!!,

I am looking forward to quitting, my fiance has gone back to europe to finish up his studies, now its time to quite smoking..

I have done 2 attempts last year (very short ones, about a week each) and both time i stole a ciggi from my fiance, who smokes like 2 pack a day..

Anyway, now its time...

Date: saturday 31st of Jan

I know i am a nicotine addict... I kow that this little voice inside my head will always be there, be present but i know that it will cry out less and less further in time. The hard truth is that once you have become an addict well this little voice will always be inside you but i want a coughfree, smell free, energy full life..

Plan: buy gum, i will get some plastic straws as well (great idea), avoid bars (dificult living on pub street), avoid smokers for the first 2 weeks, change my habits. Try meditation.... breathing exercise ... Donate all my lighters  that are at home, throw away all left over cigarettes on friday night, and fight this little voice, well accept its presence and  not give in.

Its all psychological..

Hi guys -

My best friend is about to quit on Feb 14th. I was planning on showing up at her house about a week prior to her quit date with a care package of baby carrots and gum. Thanks everyone for the good ideas of other stuff to include - straws and lollipops.

Any other random little things I should bring her?

I was addicted to snuff, and used Chantix to quit. I never had any suicidal thoughts or any side-effects from the drug and I have a history of depression.

I knew that I didn't want to be an addict to something that could kill me, and I was willing to take a few risks to achieve that goal.

If you're feeling "suicidal," stop taking it and call your doctor.

Chantix, Chantix, Chantix! 

I never had suicidal thoughts, but it did make me feel a little nauseous.  I actually quit while on vacation in Las Vegas, too!  I smoked from age 15 (young and oh-so-dumb) to age 40, and never thought I could do it until Chantix.  I know it's not for everyone, but I sure think everyone should try it and call your doctor to stop if it has bad side effects, just like anything the doctor prescribes.

I quit November 4th, 2007 and have never smoked another one.  Now I'm the worst kind of non-smoker...the EX-smoker.  The one who hates the smell of cigarettes and gripes about it the worst.  I can't help it...when I quit, it just became unbearable to be around.  I didn't want one, I wanted them all far, far away from me.  With my sister always being an annoying non-smoker, I never thought I could feel this way, but things just worked out that way for me I suppose.

No matter what you do, GOOD LUCK!  We are in your corner rooting for you!

Original Post by staciedenise:

I "started quitting" about a week before Christmas.  I took Chantix for two weeks.  Once the cravings stopped, I figured I could do it on my own from there.  I didn't have any problem with the med, but two weeks isn't very long to judge.  I have slipped once or twice and given in to the urge to have a cig.  My husband smokes and so does most of the people I work with, so it makes it a little more difficult.  So, if you need an online buddy, count me in!

 Let's give it a shot, girl! I'm in.

Thank you so much to all of you for all your support.. It's nice knowing that there are people out there that you don't even know that go through this same kind of thing and that have your back!

3 days with out one.. Going on 4.. Hope I can keep it up!

You CAN keep it up, and you WILLL! haha Just keep telling yourself that!

5 days with out one!! Going on 6....