smoking is killing me

i need to stop
want to stop but am at a loss on where to start, does anyone have any sugestions on the basics to get geared up to quit smoking. HELP

[kathyjo]

You have made the right decision and you are in great company here.
It's important to prepare yourself for your quit and I suggest reading the materials over at whyquitdotcom. Look through the motivation section and the Education section. I swear there is an answer for every and any question you might have : )
Physical withdrawals last about 72 hours so get yourself lots of finger foods; carrots, celery, water (lots of that), lolipops......
The emotional attachment to smoking is hard to break and scary too, but with the right preparation and the desire to do it, then you will.
I smoked for 38 yrs. and I never thought I would or could do it. I am proud to say that I have quit for:
---
1y 3m 3w 5d 0:16 smoke-free, 10,648 cigs not smoked, $2,555.52 saved, 1m 6d 23:20 life saved

You can take back control of your life if you truly want it. We are here for support so write as often as you want : )
Good luck!
Kathy Jo

[elwoodsf]

Welcome to the forum. Congratulations on wanting to quit. You have already started the process. The usual question I ask is this ~ what is your motivation? Why do you want to stop smoking. On a scale of 1 to 10, where are you located in your commitment to stop? You've already joined this forum so you have support here. Lots of support. Ask yourself how you will handle cravings. Most importanly for me is taking it one day at a time. I just focus on today. Whatever it takes, I have just today until I lay my head on my pillow at night. I am in "hell week" (I guess that's what it's called). I was so cranky last night when I got home. My hubby asked me a question about our daughter. I felt a balistic fit coming on so I locked myself in my room all night. I never smoke in my room, never have. I brought my "fishy" crackers and a glass of milk in there with me. Fish crackers are small and they help me with the hand to mouth associations.

Keep posting. We are here for you 24/7. I wish you the best of luck. You are on the right track ~ Sherry

[james1393]

on a scale 1-10at 7 but fear is stoping me at one side i dont want to die and can feel the effects of smoking eating away at me physicly, on the other hand im scared to stop because it has been a crutch for me. i have been it recovery for other things, now that i have been living a health life asides smoking i hate it, alcohol should have killed me but didnt, now i would like to live as long as i can, the ciggs have there grip on my body and mind.

truth is i am not sure how willing i am, many a day i wanted to stop drinking and couldnt. not im there with smoking

[kathyjo]

on a scale from 1 to 10, it's only going to work for you if your "want" is a "10." The effort that you need to put into quitting is going to require 100% commitment.
Do some research and when you are ready to quit, we will be here for support.
Good luck : )

[james1393]

agreed  half measures will avail me nothing

[islandbeth]

I think I was at about a 5 in my wanting to quit. I enjoyed smoking, I liked the taste of cigarettes and I didn't want to be without them... however, like you, I knew they were killing me. My breathing was getting worse everyday, and I have heart palpitations, which were just getting more and more frequent.... Finally, one day I told myself that if I didn't want to die in the next year, I better quit.

I allowed myself any snacks I wanted in the first four days... those are the hell days and if eating Cheetos helps, do it. I also kept a TON of celery sticks with peanut butter, raw peppers (great vitamins) and hard candy. Then, I just stopped. And everytime I got upset because I was miserable, and my joints ached and I had a headache and I couldn't sleep and I was crying over something stupid, I reminded myself that this would go away soon, but one more puff might be the one that killed me.

Good luck, and please take the step.

[Alleykatt34]

I think the only way I have stayed quit this long is 1. I never set a "quit date", I woke up and DECIDED not to smoke that day.  Had a ceremony with the half pack and the toilet.  2. If I am having a problem, mentally, physically it doesn't matter, I think that if I smoke that cig will it make my situation any better...uhhh no. 3. I had finally decided that I wasn't quitting for my husband, children, father, mother, doctor, uncle, aunt, cousins...this was all about me and I treated myself as much as I could..a pack of cigs was about 5.15 when I quit, so I could do the 'nice' stuff.  

I am not bragging nor telling anyone to quit the way I did.  Do what makes you feel good.  I tried very hard to use Chantix, made me sick then the lozenge...oh man that had me on the couch, but everyone is different.  I wanted the quit and I was READY.  I smoked over 20 years (I'm 36 now) and I think I can see the light.  I don't get urges like I used to.  Occassionally a passing "thought" but not to actually go smoke.

You can do it.  Just think of all the toxins in your body and dollars out of your pocket.  Don't let that little stick rule your life forever.  You are stronger than that..(if I am I know you are!)

Alley
Time Smoke-Free: 389 days, 16 hours, 39 minutes and 26 seconds    
  
Cigarettes NOT smoked: 9742  

Lifetime Saved:  2 months, 14 days, 10 hours  

[oldskool80]

start now...and do it cold turkey....
but be prepared if you're a hard smoker....
you need to struggle to stay away from the cigar...
both physically & mentally....
i am now 4mnths++ free from tobacco...
having full spectrum of the withdrawal symptoms....
headache, lightheadedness, muscle aches, lack of concentration, stiff neck, dizziness,
drowsiness and many more...
but at least...we need to learn to be stronger than others who smoke....