Welcome to the Group

Welcome! We would love get to know you, so please tell us a little bit about yourself. You can choose any format you'd like, but most of us here share some or all of the following details:

1. Reason for joining this group:
2. Some interesting details about yourself, such as your job, your family, your pets and your interests:

And now just go ahead and make that first post!

Hi Everyone,  I am joining the group to read how others have quit and have stayed quit.  Tomorrow is my quit day.  I've been smoking off and on for 33 years.  I am married and a mother of 4.  Hopefully this will be my last quit.  I've tried many times and looking to make this one my last.  Would like to be helpful to others and get support from you too.  I feel like a War Vet. because of the war my body has gone through all these years and I know from experience, what I have to go through to win this battle, and I am determined to win this time.  No room for fear or apprehension.  All those who are quitting with me ,  we will win !  We can do it together . 

hello to all! I quit smoking Jan. 5th. 2009. It was cold turkey and it was my first day of class for my surgical technician program. I had been "thinking" about quitting recently and even started cutting back to quit. I went to class and we were talking about smokers and I just said to myself, "this is it. I'm not doing this anymore." Especially in a health profession where I help save lives! How ironic/moronic is that?! It was hell for a week. I felt bad for yelling at my son for something that wouldn't normally bother me...I was a total witch to alot of people and thought if I could just somke a ciggarette I wouldn't act this way...but, determination prevailed and I am excited about quitting this time. The Last Time. I noticed that since I had constantly been thinking about quitting that I cut back w/out really trying, that smelling it on other people made me nauseaus, did I smell like that? Looking at old women who were smoking made me think, I might look like that if I keep going the way I am going.

Other reasons for quitting smoking are I don't want my son to start, I don't want to increase my chance of getting some kind of cancer b/c my family has a high rate of cancer, espec. lung, I want to keep the good genes I got w/ my skin and preserve how good it looks for my age, I want to have a health relationship w/ my son, (we go to the YMCA alot), I want to get good at running, and the list goes on.

I haven't used anything, but one thing that helped me to stay quit when I found out I was pregnant w/ my son, (besides being preggo) was to write down everytime that I wanted a ciggarette and why I wanted one. So, I kind of tracked why I wanted to light up and it really was a cheap form of therapy. I also found a really smooth small rock at the river and carried it around w/ me in my hands until I felt like I didn't need it anymore.

I hear people say that they HATE quitting smoking, but I LOVE it. Its part truth and part psychology. I love not smelling like smoke, love not having to worry if I'm going to run out of ciggs, should I get an xtra pack for the evening? what do people think when they look at me while I am smoking? I also started to feel really unattractive when I smoked a ciggarette. I also had taken up working out and that helped ALOT, more than i could have ever imagined. I have gained weight, but only about 3-4 lbs.

I encourage everyone to stop and stay quit! we owe it to ourselves and our bodies. and our children, families....we should be able to rock out what god (or whoever) gave us!!!

It's the best thing thats ever happened to me besides my beautiful son....and for that I am thankful...I am here for whoever needs support, b/c it it definetly needed.

You can do it! one day at a time. It's ok to be mean, hungry, tired, depressed...all those things come w/ the quitting. but just remember they won't last long! think of how proud you will be of yourself and your kids and husband will be also! You will have acheived something really big and grand in their eyes whether or not they let on they think so....Your body is a war zone, b/c you are waging a war on quitting! and soon you will win! and then your body will be yours and yours only, to make healthy and reverse all that damage we do to ourselves while smoking...i'm proud of you! how long now have you been quit? keep up the good work! it's worth it! such a short amount of time to feel bad (withdrawal symptoms) for a lifetime of being healthy! I hope this helps, I mean every word and see you being successful in quitting!

I started smoking when I was 19 and in the Army. I went to bars a lot to see my friends' bands and started breathing the smoke. It wasn't long until I bought my first pack and gradually increased my smoking. I don't know the timeframe until I became a 1.5 pack a day smoker, but it took me a while to get to a pack. I always told myself I'd never be that person that smokes a pack a day. Well I eventually made my way past a pack a day. I even smoked while I was jogging in the Army.

My problems started when I got out of the Army. I never smoked at my job until I realized you got a lot of little extra breaks throughout the day, so I started to join the migration to the smoking deck. It was good exercise, but I stopped working out and gained weight. Sometime about a year ago, the good smokers cough started and over the last couple months, my breathing has declined, so I decided to make my first conscious effort to quit...and to lose weight.

I've lost 15 lbs in about a month through yoga and a good diet and it has been 15 days since my last cigarette (I had to wait until after the Super Bowl to quit. Then I had to finish my pack). I may be way off-base, but I think the smoking has helped with my diet, because now all the stuff I hated to eat is starting to taste good. I'm just waiting for all this to get hard, but I hope it stays the way it's going for me.  I even went out to a bar last weekend and had a few cocktails without ever wanting a cigarette. I even hated the smell of the bar and the smell of my clothes when I returned home. I'm ready to be back to the 155 lbs soldier that ran 5 miles every morning. Another positive is that my cough is completely gone and my breathing is almost back. I plan to give my lungs a bit more rest, then get back to jogging a bit. 

I wish everyone in here luck and I hope the the same wishes in return.

Hi All!

I started smoking when I was 18... Off to school, on my own for the first time, and hey! Smoking was cool! I'm just not the type of person to succumb to peer pressure so I'm not sure what happened, or how it happened, but it did. Of course both of my parents smoke, and when I left the house I guess I was kind of missing being around it all the time, or at least that's what I told myself.

Now it's 5 1/2 years later... and I'm way overweight, and I'm having trouble breathing. I realize it's a combination of both smoking and weight gain thats causing my breathing issues... And now, I'm going to attempt the unthinkable! I'm going to try to quit smoking and quit eating crap foods all at once. I should be a pleasant and wonderful JOY to be around till the cravings subside.

I welcome any encouraging words, advice, words of wisdom, or just words.

I hope to make friends on here and find somewhat of a support group for both smoking and weightloss, because we all know it sucks when you try to do it all by yourself.

Good luck to everyone with all of your goals! And thanks, in advance, for listening!

I quit smoking for the millionth time about a month ago. I have smoked for 15 years (at least a packa day). I am trying to give myself the gift of a healthier lifestyle, but it is still a struggle. I have quit for a year twice before. I find that the one or two month mark is the time when I usually slip up. I am using whatever I need to use to quit. I have patches, gum and wellbutrin. I use the patches, but if I'm going to have a drink, I take the patch off and chew the gum. It keeps my mouth busy. I really want to quit for good this time. I got married in November and want to have kids. My husband quit with me, so the support is nice. I like to read about others who have quit. It is really inspiring and makes quiting seem much more possible.

Hello all, my name is Renee, and I have been smoking for 11 years, since I was 14. I am trying to give myself the ability to keep up with my 3 kids. Get out to the park with them, and quit making those I'm too tired excuses. I have tried to quit smoking numerous times in the past. I have tried the patch, and I caught myself smoking only 2 cigarettes, and felt completely horrible about it. Like I was wasting more money not only for the cigarettes but patches as well!!! My husband is also a smoker. We both hate the smell it leaves. Our kids even tell us not to smoke that it stinks, and it seems like they keep pushing us to do it. I don't know. I have picked up the quit smoking guide for dummies, and I'm going to start reading it. On the other hand, I have allergies and asthma. I wanted to quit SO bad on New Years Day 2009, and since I wanted to quit SO bad, I gave myself hives!!! YES, I broke out into hives ALL over my face, and neck, and back. The doctor said that I had given myself a chemical imbalance, and I was living with a lot of stress. Well, financial issues, as well as my health, my husband's job, and so on. BUT I wanted it SO bad, and guess what...I'm STILL SMOKING!!!! So apparently, cold turkey doesn't work for me, but I'm almost willing to try it again, just to see if I can change my triggers!!!

Greetings!  THree years ago on my 50th birthday, I quit smoking once and for all time.  I had quit for 14 yrs before that and when I moved from Chicago to Seattle, I started smoking again.  So I quit.  I was worried about gaining weight but had decided if it was my only choice at the time, I'd rather be a fat non-smoker.  Well I kinda got my wish! So... now I'm working on that 40# plus what else Ineeded to take off.  A place like this is what really helped me quit smoking when I began to slip... and the food log is really helpful to me. It's like a check book... you see it on paper and it's just more real.  So I am on my way to losing over 100 pounds.  I am not even sure I can say that outloud!

www.lungusa.org was a great help to me.  It made the difference to me Renee.  There are modules and work-throughs all right htere for you. Plus there's a lot of support online.  Try it.  I think you'll find a lot of help there.  Keep trying, one day it will stick but you have to do it for you.    You have to know what your triggers are and then have a plan on how to deal with them when they appear.  Drinking any kind of alcohol is a big trigger for me...not that I'm a big drinker but to just even go out for a few drinks with my husband or having more than a glass of wine was off limits to me for a month or so until I got my sealegs.  I wish you well!!! 

Hey all!  I'm a 34 year old ex-xmoker.  I started when I was 15 and was at two packs a day by the time I finished college.  Unlike many of these long time success stories, I'm only on day 17.  I feel great though.  I joined this group for support during those weak times.  I quit using the patch and zyban/wellbutrin.  It worked like a charm for me.  I'll continue the wellbutrin for a little while longer to keep the stress down.  We'll see how it goes after that.

I'm happily married (wife's trying to quit too), I've got one wonderful daughter and 4 obnoxious but lovable dogs.  Good look to those other short-timers!

Hi there.  I am a 30 year old who has been smoking seriously since 17.  During the past 13 years, there were three years I didn't smoke.  I successfully stopped for longer than 2 days three times, though I tried many others.  I am about to smoke my last cigarette sometime tonight, and tomorrow I hit the lozenges.  This is the last stop for me, and I am most likely going to need a lot of support, so anyone who loves to help, HELP!  Seriously, though.  I have tried it all...most recently, I took Zyban until it made me crazy.  Nicotine replacement is the only method I haven't tried.  With the help of my God, nicotine replacement, this site, and my supporters in my life, I will make it this time! 

I am determined!

Hi oversix2,

All I know is the only way around it, is THROUGH it.  quitting smoking takes a few days of hard hard work and tears... and a few weeks of teetering on the edge.... and then it gets better everyday.  I used to have acounter on my old computer that has now died (god rest its soul) but it's been over 1000 days since I had a cigarette.  You can do this.   I also suggest www.lungusa.org for encouragement and support in quitting.  All I know for sure is you gotta wanna and then you gotta surrender.  God can be a HUGE help... I actually felt He lifed the burden of smoking from me once I got through a rough spot. Then the desire was gone.  After about 40 days, interestingly enough.  I wish you the very best and the cleanest lungs.  Go and identify your triggers so you don't slip back.  I know for me it was more than 3 martinis!! LOL

Hi everyone. My name is Michelle. I'm 31, married, and I have 3 daughters aged 13, 9, and 6. I used to smoke between 1 and 1.5 packs a day. I'm now down to 15 to 18 cigarrettes a day. My husband and I both smoke, but it seems that we smoke for different reasons. I hate smoking, and I want so desperately to quit, but he really enjoys his cigarrettes. I don't. I really don't like the taste or the smell and after I have one, I feel so weak for giving in. For me it's more habit than anything else. That's why I'm trying to lose weight and quit smoking at the same time. If I'm not putting food in my mouth then I'm lighting up. It's all habit. It's not that I'm eating because I'm hungry, or smoking because I need it, it's because it''s become a routine for me. One that I have to break.  I figure if I can find something else to occupy my time and mind then I just might have a chance at success this time. I just joined CC today and I'm hoping that I can find support from others and offer my support as well.  

Hi Michelle.

If you would like some advice... my recommendation is tackle one at a time. Quit smoking first.  My smoking and weight are so closely related, I had to get rid of one first. I was always afraid of quitting because I was afraid I'd gain weight.  It was a healthy fear because I did.  At the time my priority was being a nonsmoker, even if it was a fat nonsmoker.  Well, I'm not willing to be fat anymore than I was willing to be a smoker 3 years ago. 

Be kind to yourself.  Quitting smoking is the hardest thing you will ever do - my personal belief.   So take one at a time.  I walked alot when I first quit but I still gained weight.  I'm working thru all that.  Since I've discovered calorie-count.com I am happy to have a private place to be accountable to myself and to God.  I journal alot and it makes me cry, it's cleansing.  And I think I hve some old corners that need cleansing.  I've lost 3 # just keeping track of calories.

For quitting smoking I highly recommend www.lungusa.org for lots of education to quit, identify cues, handling the emotions. There is a lot of encouragement there so be good to yourself and accept help.  That site and some of the folks really helped me thru a rough week.  But once I got thru that week... I turned a corner. (i took that week off work and stayed home and grieved LOL)

BUt I got thru it and you can too!!

hi! i am now 53 and smoke free for 2 years. i started age 16 and became a regular chain smoker with easily a daily 2 pack habit. it took about 4 attempts since 2000 and cost me 30 lbs over time to include my anxiety disorder,  sleep apnea and sleep disorder which have only added to the weight problem. the patch did not work for me, as it only made me an addict, eventually i ended up with zyban and the gum although my anxiety peaked soon and i was too nauseous to even use those. yeah my anxiety was so extreme i was so agitated, not in a bad way, that my primary doctor wondered if i took speed!  it was sheer hell for 3 months straight.  well, i mastered the cessation and do not have urges to smoke per se, but to be honest i still have those cravings way back in my brain, which of course are now carb cravings instead.  exercizing is not my thing, lack of  motivation to make it routine (remember i have anxiety and depression to contend with too)  plus arthritis in my feet, but i do try to get at least 15 mins of biking in every day and take my dog out for walks even if it is just around the block.  i volunteer and thats a bit upper body exercise working with foods. deciding to fast during this easter week, i stumbled upon you only to realize the breakfast and now dinner i had are my daily max intake for me to lose my weight till next year.  so, i guess, it is daily fasting during the day for me and staying busy all day! 

I am 22 and I desperately need to quit smoking. I have two children (2 and 10 months). I am a housewife with insomnia. I have tried to quit several times in the past 2 years with no success. Every time I cut back, I start again with a vengeance! I used to be addicted to drugs, so I have the attitude that, well, I have to have something, but I know it's going to get the best of me one day. And I don't understand how I can quit doing so many things, but I can't quit smoking.

I really need some support. My biggest fear is that I will absolutely not know what to do with myself. Cigarettes are so integrated into my life, that I have no idea what I will do with my hands while I am driving, and doing other things. Cigarettes are always on my mind, so without them, I won't even know what to THINK about. My favorite memories (this is sick) is sitting on the patio talking and drinking coffee and smoking w/ my mom. My husband smokes, but he can just quit cold turkey. He always ends up smoking again because of me (guilt).

Hello. I am 32 and I just celebrated four months being smoke free! I have a two year old son and we are hoping to add to our family some time soon. My husband still smokes which has been my excuse for not making it before. But not this time. We've never smoked in the house so I only notice when he comes in stinking of them and it's already starting to not smell good to me anymore.

Hi

Lately I have been trying to wean me down from  smoking to a " quit ." About 2 yrs ago I began a quest which I was told would be impossible for me to achieve. I wanted to gain 50 lbs of lean muscle while maintaining a very low body fat % for a man. I wanted to do this quickly and without steroids. In 19 months I reached that goal and then decided to up my goals for more lean mass/ body weight. When I began my quest, all the key people backing me , (the nutritionist, the md, the physical  therapist, personal trainer,etc.) noticed I smoked and gave me all the right reasons why I need to stop. I was very determined to reach my goals so I ended up semi- quitting and smoking only on sat and sun and eventually stopped altogether. After about a month of total non-smoking, I gained about 12 lbs and I was lifting about 20% more weight. So it made sense to me then, that they weren't just saying it, it is true that smoking is detrimental to your body. But only a few months after no smoking at all, something , I don't know what, made me pick up a cigarette. Since then I have been trying to stop again. Once in awhile I go 2-3 days without, then something happens that makes me not think and light up. So I am not sure, but I feel maybe what I need is some support as well as ability to realize what prompts me to smoke. You may think my reason for wanting to join and get help to stop smoking is silly, nevertheless my reasons are:1. I am very young looking for my age and I want to keep as young looking as I can for as long as I can. Smoking makes your skin age and takes out needed chemical for healthy skin , it even makes wrinkles come quicker! 2.I've reached a phyisical plateau, and the doc says if I quit I will grow faster again....talked to me about oxygen and how it ignites muscle growth, etc. Talked about the stimulates in cigs that will not allow a deep good sleep which is necessary for growth, the acids which are slowly melting down the lungs and throat lining, etc. 3. My kids are just teenagers and I want to be around to see who will be my grandchildren.

Hi

I've joined this group because recently I have thought alot about my smoking and have thought about quitting. I have ste a goal for myself. I have finally gotten to the point where it is just such an expensive hassle I'm not sure why I'm still doing it. I have been a smoker for 5 years, In the last six months I have decreased my habit from a pack a day+ to somedays under a half a pack now. My key triggers are work and bars, but my new boyfriend doesn't like the smell.

I have a stressful life in the sense that I am very busy. I work full time as an insurance biller and I go to school at least part time. I'm pursuing a biology degree to eventually go to medical school. I used to be a dancer and I would love to get back into it, and wheezing all over the place will not make me any more graceful. I love dogs but dont have the time or space for one right now.

I also would like to get in  better shape, I have a tentative goal to run a 5k sometime in my life, and I already have bad lungs as it is.

I pretty much decided Monday to quit. Since then I have not purchased any, but I have had one a day every day (got to love friends) and have stolen a few drags at the pub. however I have been using snus, camel's new chewing tobacco.

Hi

I quit smoking for good 6 years ago (after a few other tries)-never had to watch what I ate in my entire life (I'm now 62)

in fact until i was about 40, I had to endure comments about how  "too thin" i was

in the past 6 years, I've gained almost 50 lbs and at 5'2" am 180 which obviously is a ridiculous weight

i guess i didn't realize that i smoked rather than ate

now snacking replaces the cigarettes

what do i do to curb the snack thing? i started walking my dog about a year ago briskly about 40 minutes every day and have not gained anymore weight, but also can't seem to lose any-i've switched to sugarfree coffee creamer and eat lean cuisines for lunch and dinner, usually 1/2 bagel or english muffin with v8 for breakfast-it's the snacking on mints that has the calories, i think

but if i don't do that, i'm afraid i'll go back to smoking

help!

and am otherwise healthy, thank goodness