Suggestions?

[elwoodsf]

February 12th will be my quit date. I have attempted to quit 10+ times, smoking for over 30 years. I'm at a half pack a day, more on weekends. I cannot smoke at work which keeps the amount down yet Monday is hell, mini withdrawals. I am determined to quit. I'm sick of putting myself through the shame of smoking, my 17 year old son is begging me to quit since he has seen the affects of smoking. My dad is dying of lung cancer, hence the begging.

I want to quit today, be over with this **** yet I get so cranky, down right mean and I work at a high school, high stress job and I don't want to get fired for decking one of the smart *** students.

I am interested in what works for others and I am joing this forum for support. Any suggestions are appreciated and I plan on getting back online to read the other posts on this forum. I need to rush off this morning. In joining this forum I feel I'm adding strength to my quit. Plus I told my "quit coach" that I would get help online and I want to follow through with my commitment to her! Adding more strength.

[Jade59]

There's really nothing more for me to add on top of the great advice you've already received.  

I just want to say that I'll be here for you.  My quit date is the Feb1st, but I'm out of cigs tonight so maybe it will be sooner.

Lot's of walking was the key to my first quit.  It also helped maintain my weight and that's always a good thing, right?

Good Luck!

[TerryA581]

I quit smoking ten years ago after smoking 2 1/2 packs a day I started when I was 14 and quit.at 40. I used the patch (full strength) for the first month and went down to the next one for 7 days then just completely went without a patch. It is NOT easier to quit. My advice would be to get the patch and use it for the first 30 days, no early quitting on the patch, take lots of walks and whatever you do or should I say whatever your "addicted mind " says don't give in to it, don't make excuses to smoke. if you are going to quit then say " I QUIT" and never have one again, tell people you are a nonsmoker and be a nonsmoker. Good Luck!!

[kathyjo]

carrot sticks, celery, toothpicks and straws.........thats what I used. Some use gum, but I was never a chewer. Concentrate on one thing at a time or you are setting yourself up to fail. Generally, you do gain 10 lbs. but that comes off after a while so don't let that be your worry. Focus on your quit.
Keep reading the materials at whyquitdotcom and if you need more motivation, well then there's a whole section for that.


---
1y 3m 3d 11:44 smoke-free, 10,148 cigs not smoked, $2,435.52 saved, 1m 5d 5:40 life saved

[elwoodsf]

Wow ~ I appreciate all of the input. I signed onto some of the websites recommended. Getting my "front line" in order for my quit date. Upon wakening, I was able to go 30 minutes w/o my first smoke. Usually my eyes are still closed before the first light up. Mini quits.

Still working on kranky and bored, read an article that tells me I would have to gain 75 pounds to achieve the affect smoking has on me. I think starting up the treadmill will help. I've already gained 15 pounds from stress/injuries. Does anyone use the weight loss forum for help and does this help?

[kathyjo]

At whyquitdotcom you can download your own meter (there are several to chose from).

Not everyone agree's with them, but I find that I still look at mine and post occasionally when I meet a milestone. I just recently hit 10,000 smokes not smoked!

[jbuckl]

good luck   ,   just dont smoke  and  breath deeply to deal with the stress,  i quit new years and get mean also,  but i know it and try to guard against it,   good luck

[dragonflygirl63]

I quit Aug 24, 2005 and have never thought about another cigarette since.  I used the patch for the first week and then I went cold turkey.  It was hard, very hard.  You are moody and you do get strong urges and whenever you get an urge you need to tell yourself what I told myself "see this is how much this drug has a hold on me.  If this drug is that addictive that I have such horrific strong urges it surely isn't something I want to continue doing".  I tried many times to quit.  I failed many times. If you have one, it does NOT mean you have to start smoking again.  I joined a free website called www.quitnet.com, you can pay for a full membership but you can sign up for free.  Every week in the beginning I would get emails telling me how much money I had saved, how many cigarettes I didn't smoke and how much time I added onto my life.  It is a very good tool to have and it's like your own personal cheerleader!  I have added almost a year onto my life and saved over $8,000.  The amount of cigarettes I have not smoked is in the 5 digits (ridiculous)!  I wish anyone trying to kick this habit the very best of luck.  It's hard it's very hard and you have to win the war with the nicotine telling your brain how badly you need it.  You don't need it.  In fact you'll feel so much better afterward.  Just don't become a reformed smoker, lol.  I don't push quitting on anyone, I just try to help in anyway I can if someone says "I want to quit, or I'm trying to quit".  Good luck to anyone trying to kick this habit.  You can do it!!!

[kathyjo]

I was unapproachable for a while ( I refuse to elaborate on how long : ) but I wouldn't give in or up. I had the luxury of closing my bedroom door and not coming out until I was a changed person.

In addition to quitting, I have also had to let go of my 2 children. My son is teaching ESL in Spain and my daughter is attending college in Paris (I'm in NYC). My nerves are shot, but for some reason, I haven't picked up a smoke. I guess it was just "my time" and I am so grateful to be able to "just say no."

Weight, well, I'm at the age where my kids have flown the coop and my hormones have quit on me. I think it's natural to put on weight at this stage of my life, and quitting has also added to it, but I refuse to let my "ego" beat out my "Id".

Make sure you read the articles and constantly reaffirm why you are quitting. It is essential to quitting, but then again, you already know it : )

We are here for support so make sure you call on us : )

Kathy Jo

[elwoodsf]

Thank you for the comments/suggestions. I'm definately going to use some of the suggestions. My hubby would love the "increasing sex" and it does produce a better attitude in me. Weight gain and being bored are scary for me. I've already put on more weight in the last three years due to my increased injuries at work and in sports. I am going to use the website you suggested also Kathy Jo. Thanks for that info. I tried Chantix and it gave me nightmares that horrified me. The patch is what I used when I quit for 5 years (kicking myself) and I'm going to start that program again.

I chose Feb. 12th for my quit date which is a Thurs. I will be so out of it at work so the students will be safe. On friday I take my son and three nephews to the ocean for three days (annual trip). I hope they come home in one piece LOL. Then I have the rest of the week off from work. I get so cranky. Does anyone else experience this when they first quit or am I just the Wicked Witch from the West?

[kathyjo]

Welcome to the forum and congrats on your decision to quit. Most of us have tried multiple times and then there are some who have succeeded. It's up to you, and we are here to help you, help yourself : )
Because your target date is a month away, perhaps you can prepare yourself by reading the articles at whyquitdotcom under the column labeled "Education."

I was able to quit after 38+ years of smoking by using Chantix. It was difficult but I did it! I haven't had a smoke for 1 year and 3 months. I am much healthier and I feel so much better! I am also proud of my accomplishment. I never, ever thought I could do it and I always imagined that I would die with a smoke hanging out of my mouth. I considered myself a hardcore smoker and I am still amazed that I was able to do it!

Everyone has an opinion about Chantix. It worked for me and I didn't suffer from any major side effects. Do the research though and make your own decision. It is hard, we will all vouch for that, but it is do-able and even more so with support.
Remember, we are here for you.

Kathy Jo

[edmfender]

Good for you in making this decision!
I quit for 3 years before resuming again (I know, kick me where it hurts but I'm almost at the point where I'll attempt again)
What helped me before was hypnosis (1 session 3 hrs) cost then about $150, nicorette gum, brushing my teeth lots, orange juice to flush the system, deep breaths, knowing that it was my "choice" whether I lit up, changing my routine (no more coffee & cig after a meal instead a walk), showers when I really had an urge, substituting sex for cigs (don't laugh, my husband loved it & it didn't put on weight). A good support system. I let people know I had quit and they helped keep me on the straight and narrow. Keeping the last pack of smoked cigs in a lidded jar in water and whenever I got real desperate, taking the lid off and smelling it. Yuck! Talk about a sensory shock!
Good luck with it and I look forward to status updates!