Given up smoking .... need some love!

martinturner

martinturner

martinturner

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Well my wife is pregnant, baby due in 6 weeks. I have been a smoker since 15, am 32 now. Smoked 12-20 a day (rollies).

So, in a bid to not be a smoking parent, I decided to nail it. Picked up some gum, and last cigarette was smoked on friday evening. Withdrawal has had its moments, but I have to say the gum has been awesome as it really does take the edge off of it. First day was not too bad, even went to the pub with my best mate for a few coldies, the smoking ban helped as I could not smell smoke. I did get plastered on saturday night, although again, temptation was evident but did not prevail, so was very proud of myself. Yesterday, again was not too bad, seemed to get through the day.

Today ... the toughest day of them all, am back at work, and as usual pretty bored, stressful environment. Am doing ok, but have been very hot/cold with cravings and have sweaty hands. Only here till 4 so fingers crossed I make it. I think I am more focussed as I have done 2 days and it feels a shame to mess it up now.

I think the thing that is pulling me along, is the fact that I worry about my health at the best of times, and feel if I can crack this, even my love for actually having a cigarette will not worry any more.

Anyone else given up and succeeded, some encouraging words would be apprecaited!! :(
 
First of all, congrats. You have made a great decision and that is the hardest part. I gave up after 12 years of 20 a day smoking so it can be done. It will not be easy though.

Face up to the fact that it is going to be a really unpleasant two weeks for you as your body cleans the nicotine out of your system. Drink lots of water and eat plenty of fresh fruit and veg to help detox.

Just take it day by day. It is easier psychologically if you break it down into smaller chunks and say 'If I make it to lunchtime without a ciggy I will have a cup of tea as a reward' then do the same for dinnertime etc. Put the money each day that you would have spent on smokes in a jar and at the end of the first week treat yourself.

But most of all, do not give in no matter how unpleasant it is. The way I did this was to tell myself that I had done x number of days and it would be a total waste if I gave in now.

Good luck mate and if you need any encouragement through a moment of weakness just post on here!
 
Just think of your poor lungs:p
Deffo put smoking money in a jar and actually see how much more money you have!
Also you wont smell anymore or have to stand outside in the wind and rain at work/pubs/clubs etc etc smoking:)
 
Well done mate, your doing well, think of your child to be, you dont want to ruin its life do you now ?, also take pride in no doubt smelling a lot nicer! I work in an off license part time and the regular smokers that come in there ****** wreak, its horrible!!

So keep up the good work, it can be done.
 
just put everything smoke related out of your mind

in a week or two you will be well on your way to stopping for good
 
Well done, keep it up. I gave up after around seventeen years of about 20 a day. Take it a day at a time, the first month is the worst but your system gets cleaned out and you are on your way. If you want to have one just say no. You may start comfort eating, I did, put on a stone but that went.

The hardest part for me was social smoking, I couldn’t imagine myself playing bridge and not being able to have a fag but that passed. After six months I almost stopped getting colds and chest infections and never looked back since. You can do it! :)
 
Well done on doing it for the kid.

Everyone always suggests apples in these threads. Find a fruit addiction: healthier.
 
if you're taking the edge off the physical addiction it should be much easier.

stopping cold turkey from that it will clear within 7 days. everything past that is psychological.

sounds like you're making really good moves yourself to put yourself in the best position.

as long as you remember that you've quit. you're not "trying to quit" or "stopping smoking". you have quit. you don't smoke.


the money in a jar works very well for most people, but i imagine with a little one you'll need every spare penny.
 
Good on ya m8, I quit a year or 2 ago (when smoking ban came out in Scotland) and suprising it was not that difficult when I kept myself busy.

Personally I like the patches over gum and stuff but whatever works for you. They key is to change your schedule and other habits so you don't think about a smoke.

For example I usually used to get up in the morning, have a smoke, have breakfast then shower and get ready for work. Change that to shower, get ready and then have breakfast and you'll confuse your brain into thinking you must have already had a smoke.
 
Or get ready, have shower then breakfast, that will confuse your boss when you walk into work . . . .

Anyway . .

Good on you. The thing that kept me going was being able to turn around and go no thanks, i dont smoke when offered one in a pub. It does get easier.
 
at its easy enough :)


i started at 11, gave up at 27.

do a search on what the effects and what to expect over the first few weeks it helps prep you to what to expect and how long they last.

remember that the cravings last only 5 minutes. get through that that the rest is in your head, and you have a great reason to give up!

also, choose a coping strategy now, e.g. chewing gum, walking, etc, not chocs or crisps.
 
God I hate quitters..... :p









Both the wife and I are at the doc's next week to get advice and cheap NRT, need to save our pennies..

It's going to be hard as I like them, but I have done it before for a year, plus I have motivation this time...
 
martinturner said:
Well my wife is pregnant, baby due in 6 weeks. I have been a smoker since 15, am 32 now. Smoked 12-20 a day (rollies).

So, in a bid to not be a smoking parent, I decided to nail it. Picked up some gum, and last cigarette was smoked on friday evening. Withdrawal has had its moments, but I have to say the gum has been awesome as it really does take the edge off of it. First day was not too bad, even went to the pub with my best mate for a few coldies, the smoking ban helped as I could not smell smoke. I did get plastered on saturday night, although again, temptation was evident but did not prevail, so was very proud of myself. Yesterday, again was not too bad, seemed to get through the day.

Today ... the toughest day of them all, am back at work, and as usual pretty bored, stressful environment. Am doing ok, but have been very hot/cold with cravings and have sweaty hands. Only here till 4 so fingers crossed I make it. I think I am more focussed as I have done 2 days and it feels a shame to mess it up now.

I think the thing that is pulling me along, is the fact that I worry about my health at the best of times, and feel if I can crack this, even my love for actually having a cigarette will not worry any more.

Anyone else given up and succeeded, some encouraging words would be apprecaited!! :(
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Please don't smoke you are very brave hats off to you. Keep going already your body is recovering and you probably don't stink as much as you used to as well.

Yes smokers stink worse than those with BO, sorry but it's the cold hard truth.
 
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