Taking it One Day at a Time
- Day two and my body aches like crazy. I stopped smoking the same day I chose to sign up for a gym, but what helps me is long walks, hot chocolate and a multi-vitamins.
- —Guest Lisa
46 days, One Day at a Time...
- Well, today is the 46th day of my cold turkey campaign. Last time I wrote I had lost my smoker's cough and was clearing my lungs. Seem to be doing that still. I feel I have more energy now. I turned 50 the other week and had a celebration with some friends. This was an acid test for me as drinking and smoking went hand-in-hand in my addiction. I didn't have one urge to light up or ask for a smoke! I feel I have cracked the worst of it and that the muscle, that is my willpower, is nice and fit again. I know I have the 'icky threes' coming up but I'm ready for them. Remember one day at a time and never ever take another puff. Stay clean, Stay proud!
- —Guest Coddyboy123
Still Going Strong...Almost 3 Months!
- Just wanted to check in and let everyone know that I am past all the cravings and eating binges from quitting smoking now. I am going back to work from my surgery and I put on some weight, but I will lose it. I have the will power like I had when I quit smoking. I get on my treadmill for an hour a day... and it feels great! I am not out of breath from smoking and I don't sit and think about getting done so I can go and have a smoke...it is great! I don't even think about smoking much anymore, actually. I had a friend stop by the other day that I had not seen in months and he offered me a smoke when he went to light up. I said "No, I quit.. but thanks." His eyes about popped out of his head!! It is really nice to be on this side of the fence and not worry about the time and $$$ that cigarettes robbed me of in my life. Well......... it won't any further in my life, anyway. :)
- —Guest Jennifer
Deep Breathing and Water
- What has helped: deep breathing, drinking water. :)
- —Guest edward
Starting Now
- So I know this is what I want to do. I have only been smoking for a couple of years but I feel the damage has been done. I feel that this website will help me a lot so I'm going to make a pact with myself to stop right now. I'll post more on what helps me later. Ive taken many psychology classes and one thing I learned is behavior leads to attitude change so if I behave as a non-smoker, then I won't want to smoke one. I know I can do it.
- —Guest Bruce
Candy Canes
- I quit January 16th using the "patch" and candy canes (especially in the car). I am so, so, so happy I made the decision. Quitting is not NEARLY as difficult as you think it will be when you are smoking. Best thing this week? Comment from my son during the bedtime back-scratch: "Mmm - your hair smells like strawberries." I think it has been a long, long time since my hair smelled good.
- —Hello_Laurif
So Far So Good!
- I'm almost finished with day 24. The cravings are just about gone, but the last week was the hardest for the mood swings and just generally feeling lousy. Maybe that's because I finally got tired of chocolate, which I allowed myself freely! I tried to eat well otherwise, but my chocolate indulgence was a real help. I also am using Nicorette gum when the cravings don't go away--only about 1-3 pieces a day. I think planning well ahead worked for me--I set my date 3 months ahead, and did a lot of thinking in the meantime. By the time my date came, I was actually relieved to stop thinking and start doing! I also told everyone I know that I was quitting and when, and people have been so supportive! I used a phone counselor through the state, too, for a bit--she was great, but I actually don't feel I need her anymore. I'll be glad when my mood stabilizes, but for now, I think I'm doing pretty darned well for my first--and I think only-- quit try after 40 years of smoking!
- —Guest AMANDA
Eight Weeks This Thursday!!
- Yes! Eight weeks smoke free ..this Thursday! I have saved roughly $376.00 (about $47.00 a week) and I feel great! And it isn't just the $$ , my health is priceless! I noticed one person said they laugh without coughing now... ME TOO! Is that too cool? Or what? My psoriasis is almost all cleared up,( smoking increases the risk of psoriasis) my foot is healing very well, ( I had surgery Dec 9th, 2010 and smoking slows the healing) my cholesterol / blood pressure is NORMAL for the first time since I was 32...and I cannot wait to get on my feet ( from my foot surgery) and tackle the world smoke free! I want to work out with my husband. I want to tell my boss that I am alright when I haven't had a break in 4 hours. It is nice to go on a simple 2 hour road trip w/o rolling down the window and letting all the heat out. All the things that are so much different are so much greater than the dreaded thought of that nasty habit stealing my time, my life, and my money!! ~ I AM... A NON~SMOKER!!!!!
- —Guest Jennifer
Walking and Drinking Water
- I just quit smoking and the worst part is the first few weeks. This is when you begin to go through your normal week and weekend routines only without smoking all the time. For me the thing that kept me from wanting to smoke was taking long walks outside. Then when I'm stuck in a closed space, I tend to listen to my favorite songs through my mp3 player, drink water, and chew gum or suck on a mint. Basically, you need to find something to occupy your mind like work, reading, or music. Then, find something that occupies your hands like typing, playing games on your phone, twirling a pen, whatever works for you. Lastly, you have to keep your body occupied by taking walks, dancing, working out, drinking water, or hanging out with friends or family that don't smoke.
- —Guest Nicole
NON~SMOKER SINCE DEC.2, 2010
- I am the one that quit initially on chantix. I think I am going on 7 weeks now and I just wanted everyone to know that things are going really well. I am past the worst of it and I think that I have this one beat. I never thought I could go without a cigarette and I always told myself that if I could just get past that "need" for one, I would never touch a cigarette again. Occasionally, I feel.....something.....and I just take a "fresh" deep breath or grab a mint and I am fine. I did gain some weight so I have a few pounds to lose out of this but I look at it like this, I am not only saving on the cost of smokes now, I am going to save on my grocery bill too! It was actually worth it to me to put on a few pounds to quit smoking so you just take the good with the bad and work it out for the better. I had the will to quit smoking, I can lose the weight , as well. If you have a plan to quit, do it, stick with it, and think of all the greater good in the end. :)
- —Guest Jennifer
Paying Myself
- I am paying myself the price of a pack of cigarettes every day. I quit at 9:30 pm so I wait until the next day and pay myself. There are times when finding that $5.00 is quite a feat , but I make sure I find it and put it away. I told my husband that this is not saved money, it is money I smoked away every day and would still be smoking away. I will not consider my self a non-smoker until I make the 12 month milestone! Just me! Meanwhile I have to tell myself with every craving that I will not smoke. I quit cold turkey. No gum, patches on medications. I felt CT was the fastest way of getting the nicotine out of my system. I smoked for 41 years -- not a single day of those 41 years was with out a cigarette. The quit was difficult, very difficult. I did not think I could make it past the first 24 hours, Then each hour after that for the first 72 were pure hell for me! I did feel the grip loosen slightly at 78 hours. Now 10 days in I still feel the grip of addiction holding me. I tell my self NO.I pray and have my friends pray, I ask for support on Facebook. I also seek support from my BFF, my non smoking husband. The look of pride and concern on his face gives me strength and the desire to keep up this fight! I never thought I would do this. I never thought I would overcome the fear of quitting. I just told myself ,"I can live without cigarettes but I can NOT live with them!"
- —amysblues
Almost Two Weeks
- I started by cutting down from one pack to two cigarettes a day after New Years. The main reason is that my husband HAD to quit because of his COPD/emphysema. I was considered a "healthy" smoker but know that we are co-dependent in our smoking addiction. After Day two of no cigarettes and the nicotine patch only, I went into a full scale melt down. Hated him, wanted a divorce, and cried uncontrollably - and I never cry! Finally realized it was withdrawal and now taking steps to manage my emotions. Physically, I feel healthy and strong. Reading this blog helps more than you know. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and good luck to us all!
- —platoc
Friends and Family
- After 41 years at a pack a day, I am smoke free for 7 days. This is my 8th day. I am so proud of me. I posted on Facebook that I was quitting. Oh, so many of my friends lined up to support and encourage me. I asked for Prayers and received them. The power of God has helped where nothing else ever has. I have had cravings and must actually talk myself out of smoking. I never had this kind of strength before. Each day really does become easier, although the first 5 days were moment by moment! My family has been extraordinary, they have been kind and gentle . They have sent me flowers and cards and been supportive to this suffering. I pray for each of you.
- —amysblues
Give Yourself Two Gifts
- I quit smoking cold turkey after 40 years and a pack or more a day. I am 54 yrs old and have never felt better. It has been 5 months, a gym membership, a high protein diet and lots of looks in the mirror. My skin looks fabulous, my muscles are better than in my 30's (weight training) and I can breathe.....no more wheezing at night and I can dance again. If you do this for yourself, you will never look back. It empowers you. To have a chemical have you as its slave is demoralizing. If you are worried about weight gain, you must change your lifestyle, and it is soooo much fun. There are a lot of great people at the gym. (men and women) My house smells nice, as do my clothes and car. You really will be surprised at how much calmer you are without nicotine. Oh ya... when I laugh, it is so clear without coughing...and now I laugh a lot. Everyone sees a change in me. I am happy because I have myself back.
- —Guest Cyndi
Successfully Completed 24 Hours ...
- After smoking for more than 10 years, this is the first time in my life without lighting up, and I'm starting to enjoy the feeling... The biggest challenge is to get out of the ritual/habit of smoking more than the addiction to nicotine. Main reason for quitting is my 2yr old daughter and her picture is with me.. I don't want to her to be affected, either directly or indirectly. She has every right to spend time with her healthy father now and in the future.
- —Guest komatineni
