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Thread: Quitting smoking

  1. #1
    Senior Member cassidykarma's Avatar
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    Default Quitting smoking

    I quit today. Anyone else want to join me? A little friendly non-smoking competition? Support etc?

    Anyone have any tips to keep me strong? I have made it three weeks several times but usually end up smoking while working (stress much)? I won't be working for over two weeks now... but....

    I AM going to make it this time!

  2. #2
    madmaxine
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    Default Re: Quitting smoking

    Hey, good for you! I always joke that North Dakotans smoke and drink like champs, since the cold weather offsets the internal damage. But seriously, quality of life improves with no more smoking. Your sense of smell and taste will improve, your skin will not be exposed to toxic smoke, and you can save money.
    * Find a herbal alternative to nicotine, like ma huang. Then wean yourself off of the herbal alternative.
    * Start putting the money you would have spent on cigs into a savings jar. Every few weeks, take a friend out to dinner with the accrued money. Therefore, you have a goal and a commitment.
    *Do a body detox soon, so you can feel a perceivable difference in your self- you can have a "milestone" to remember why you stopped smoking.

    I realize how hard it is to quit- nicotine is more addictive than opiate derivatives. But it's possible. My uncle smoked for years until my auntie made him quit. Now, he can't even sit in a car that's been smoked in or he'll get sick.
    Good luck!

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    Featured Member LilSweetVixen's Avatar
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    Default Re: Quitting smoking

    weird. I just quit smoking yesterday.

    "You have demonic genius" -Naomi Wolf
    "I very much resent it when people - maybe with good intentions or from a progressive point of view - keep telling me, 'It's their culture' ... It's like saying the culture of Massachusetts is burning witches." -Azar Nafisi


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    God/dess VenusGoddess's Avatar
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    Default Re: Quitting smoking

    Drink water every time you get the urge to smoke...it helps flush the toxins out of your system, minimizing your cravings.

    Oh, and substitute other things to do. I never had a problem not smoking until I got into a car...then the urge to smoke would drive me mad. It doesn't anymore, since I quit smoking over 8 years ago...but, giving yourself something to take the place of smoking (besides eating) really helps.

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    God/dess Rhiannon's Avatar
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    Default Re: Quitting smoking

    I quit cold turkey all 3 times I was pregnant (not counting the ectopic). Biggest thing is to keep your hands busy. Take up a hobby where your hands are constantly moving. For me, it was crochet. Let me tell ya, my kids had more baby blankets than they were ever able to use during their infant lives. Haha.. Even though I started back smoking after I had them all, I still crochet. It cuts down on my cigs per day. I also don't smoke in my house. So, going outside helps me cut down as well (especially in the Winter.. brrr! Or this extreme heat we've been having here.)

    If you have smoked in your house, clean it from top-to-bottom to get rid of the smell. It stays in curtains, carpets, clothes in your closets... just about any fabric.

    Keep your mouth busy as well, whether it's chewing gum or talking. (Mint is good---especially spearmint. It's supposed to curb tobacco cravings.)

    Another thing is to steer clear of other smokers. If your state has a smoking ban and people can't smoke in the clubs, it's easier. If not, just avoid them. It's so easy to say "Oh, I'll just have one ciggy.. It won't hurt." (It will, trust me.) It's so easy to go back to smoking.

    In general, just keep yourself active. If you stay idle, you'll have more time to think about smoking, and it will drive you mad until you finally break down and get a pack.

    Good Luck to you!

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    Senior Member Archangel's Avatar
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    Default Re: Quitting smoking

    I quit cold turkey about a year and a half ago after smoking for 15 years. It was difficult, but the key is being a stubborn ass.

    One thing that I found helped was to chew the strongest tasting gum that I could find. The type that makes a cigarette taste like shit if you try to smoke during or after the gum. At least, it worked for me because I actually liked the taste of smoking. The gum ruins it.

    The single most important requirement is to have a good reason. In my case, it is because of trying for a baby. The baby is on the way and I have no intention of ever smoking again.

    Oh, and for the record... I do miss it. I enjoyed it so much. I will probably miss it forever. I know many people that quit 20 years ago and still fight the urge to light one up. What it comes down to is that some things are just more important.
    -=# Archangel

    "Who is to say what is a sin in God's eyes?" (Pearl from The Scarlet Letter)
    "Every man dies; not every man really lives." (William Wallace from Braveheart)

  7. #7
    Senior Member cassidykarma's Avatar
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    Default Re: Quitting smoking

    Quote Originally Posted by Archangel
    the key is being a stubborn ass
    Thanks everyone! Archangel, I know what you mean. Mind over matter. I tell myself it's easy to quit. As easy as never having one cigarette.

    I forgot to say I am using the patch. I find this helps me immensely. I have natural tendencies to be a cranky bitch and my boyfriend values his life! JK

    We have a smoking ban here only in restaurants. You can still smoke in bars. The last two times I failed I was drinking in a bar, once was while working....BAH!

    I am on day 2 now and I get urges to smoke but I can't tell if it's physical or from habit.

    I thought it was a good time to quit because I am going to Santa Barbara CA tomorrow for over a week (for FIESTA! WHooooo!) and I can't smoke on my flights or in any bars there...

    LilSweetVixen, that's cool! Keep us updated with your progress as well!

    *EDIT* I just ate a WHOLE ROLL of Sweettarts!

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    Featured Member LilSweetVixen's Avatar
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    Default Re: Quitting smoking

    When you have a craving, you should read an article from www.whyquit.com

    During your next craving, take the WhyQuit Quiz http://whyquit.com/whyquit/Quitting.htm

    "You have demonic genius" -Naomi Wolf
    "I very much resent it when people - maybe with good intentions or from a progressive point of view - keep telling me, 'It's their culture' ... It's like saying the culture of Massachusetts is burning witches." -Azar Nafisi


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    Featured Member LilSweetVixen's Avatar
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    Default Re: Quitting smoking


    "You have demonic genius" -Naomi Wolf
    "I very much resent it when people - maybe with good intentions or from a progressive point of view - keep telling me, 'It's their culture' ... It's like saying the culture of Massachusetts is burning witches." -Azar Nafisi


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    Veteran Member HoneyHITZ's Avatar
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    Default Re: Quitting smoking

    i quit a couple weeks ago when i thought I was pregnant. Now that im not, my cigarettes are stale and i dont have the money for new ones, lol. I'll keep on quitting with ya oh and sugar free lollipops help-- then you have something in your mouth and in your hand, and if they're sugar free, you wont gain weight. Ive also heard cough drops are great because cigarettes are disgusting after a cough drop good luck!


    <Rhiannon_SW> :that's where Jimmy Hoffa went!
    * Rhiannon_SW gasps.

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    Default Re: Quitting smoking

    Quote Originally Posted by cassidykarma
    I quit today. Anyone else want to join me? A little friendly non-smoking competition? Support etc?

    Anyone have any tips to keep me strong? I have made it three weeks several times but usually end up smoking while working (stress much)? I won't be working for over two weeks now... but....

    I AM going to make it this time!

    As long as you "know" you're going to keep saying no regardless of how long the cravings last, it's pretty easy. Also knowing that they (physically) only last 7 minutes helps.

    I've been quit for 6 months now.

    BTW, you live where I grew up. Fargo?

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    Veteran Member SexyJess's Avatar
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    Default Re: Quitting smoking

    Cassidy, good for you! I've never been a smoker so I don't have any tips, I'm afraid- just remember how good you've been feeling when the urge to smoke hits. My husband "quit" twice before the final time, and the only thing that kept him strong the last time was remember how much more energy he has when he doesn't smoke.... not to mention all the cash it saves! Congrats on the lifestyle change.

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    God/dess MojoJojo's Avatar
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    Default Re: Quitting smoking

    HEY - best of luck, Cass! I'd like to stop, too...but I need to stop playing poker at the bar!
    "The problem with the world is that everyone is a few drinks behind."
    -Humphrey Bogart

    "Sir, if you were my husband, I would poison your drink."
    -Lady Astor to Winston Churchill
    "Madam, if you were my wife, I would drink it."
    -His reply

    "If God had intended us to drink beer, He would have given us stomachs."
    -David Daye

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    Veteran Member Santos's Avatar
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    Default Re: Quitting smoking

    Quote Originally Posted by cassidykarma
    I am on day 2 now and I get urges to smoke but I can't tell if it's physical or from habit.

    *EDIT* I just ate a WHOLE ROLL of Sweettarts!
    Great, you've made it two days. I know what you're going through; it’s damn tough to quit, but it can be done. I know because I quit after many years of smoking. The conventional wisdom holds that the physical addiction ends after 3 days. But the psychological addiction lasts a little longer.



    Since you're on the patch, you will probably have problems with the psychological accepts—cravings when you’re doing things that you also used to smoke while doing, etc., etc. Force those cravings out of your head as best as you can. If it gets real intense, do anything (well almost anything) to not smoke. Personally, I ate, slept and drank coffee whenever I had the urge.



    Most of all, give yourself regular pats on the back for staying strong and not smoking. Each hour and each day it will get easier. And each day you will take a lot of pride in giving up the cigs.

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    God/dess MojoJojo's Avatar
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    Default Re: Quitting smoking

    Yes, a LOT of it is mental...habit. Try to avoid situations where you're used to smoking. If you always smoke at the bar, for example, then avoid the bar. If you smoke with certain friends, then keep your distance for a while. Ask co-workers to NOT invite you for a smoke.

    Remember that ON AVERAGE, people who quit smoking only gain 5 pounds. That isn't much, so avoid the temptation to say, "Well, I don't want to gain weight." to start smoking again.

    You got it, babe! YOU OWN THIS!
    "The problem with the world is that everyone is a few drinks behind."
    -Humphrey Bogart

    "Sir, if you were my husband, I would poison your drink."
    -Lady Astor to Winston Churchill
    "Madam, if you were my wife, I would drink it."
    -His reply

    "If God had intended us to drink beer, He would have given us stomachs."
    -David Daye

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