Tips to stop smoking?

[Guy89]

I really want to kick this habit. I've tried three times cold turkey but that just doesn't seem to work. I've never been able to go more than two days without a cigarette. When I was 14 and struggling with being gay I found a group of friends who were going through the same thing. They all smoked. It wasn't long before I started too. Now I'm 19, still friends with them all and can already feel the ill effects. I go through a pack in a day or two. It's also kind of tough because basically all of my friends smoke, most of my family smokes and it just seems I can't really find any support. When I try to quit somebody will buy me a pack or a carton and despite me telling them not to and asking them to get rid of it they just don't. And I end up using it. And god do I feel guilty when watching TV and seeing those commercials with little kids dealing with cancer, because I bet they'd do anything to get rid of it and here I am just smoking away bound to get cancer at some point, just throwing away my health for no good reason. I'm sick of being addicted. I'm sick of cigarettes period and the control they have over me. So basically anybody have any sort of tips? Or feedback on any products that actually work, like patches or gum or something? I honestly don't know if I could ever do it though but I really want to try. If I quit I don't know if I'll ever be at the point where I can even be around somebody who's smoking. But maybe it just looks that way from where I am now.

 

[luminum]

Some things I've heard involve changing your living space a bit (either relocating a la David Sedaris or just rearranging some furniture) to accompany your changing habits.

Likewise, I've heard of some processes in which an individual identifies the chains of behavior they exhibit that also involve cigarettes and that by slowly becoming re-accustomed to those chains of behavior sans cigarettes, one can break the habit.

And my HBHE prof specialized in breaking smoking habits and had his own program perspectives involving personalized online smoking cessation websites.

 

[dpnice]

I am 57yrs old and after smoking for over 40yrs I am starting my 7th month of not smoking and I must admit it is still hell.

It seems, according to my personal experience and reading on Internet, that everyone has a different means and approach to stopping and what works for one person doesn't for another.

But the concensus of opinion seems to be that those who are followed by their doctor or a tabacologue have a higher chance of stopping for good.

For me it has not been easier and has affected my whole life and completely destroyed my comfortable daily routine.

I want to emphasise that it is not easy and you really must make certain that you are ready to stop. You have to plan the date you will stop, plan out a new daily routine that doesn't revolve around smoking. Decide on the diet you will follow and what is permissable eating in between meals as you will have uncontrollable desires to eat.

They say the desire to smoke only last a few minutes and drinking a glass of water will make this time pass allowing you to refuse a cigarette. What they don't tell you though is that this desire can repeat itself every five minutes during the day.

You have to be motivated and decide why you want to give up smoking. Though health seems the obvious reason in many cases people couldn't care less about getting cancer. It is so far in the future that hell you could die in a car accident before getting cancer. But the amount of money you spend, the amount of time you waste smoking and the time spent making sure that you have enough cigarettes for the day - stopping smoking will leave you with time on your hands which will necessitate a plan to occupy yourself.

http://whyquit.com

Try the above site it might give you the courage and sufficient ideas to help you quit.

The fact that you are thinking about it is a positive point. Set a date now such as the 1st November as the day you quit and start working towards it.

Best of luck! PM me if you think I can be of further help.

 

[ozguy]

I was a packet-a-day smoker until about 7 years when I finally gave them away for good. There were two things that really worked for me ....

1. Nicotine replacement gum

2. A healthy eating/regular walking programme to reinforce the "I am determined to lead a healthier lifestyle" goal I'd set for myself.

The first couple of months were hard, but I was absolutely determined to stop smoking and now, 7 years later, I'm still cigarette free and feeling great!

There are many internet sites out there that can help you, too. Just google "tips for giving up smoking".

Good luck!

 

[Guy89]

Thanks for the replies. Health really is the biggest factor for me quitting. Because like I said, I'm only 19 and I can already feel negative effects of smoking. Last time I tried to quit I remember I watched the news and they had this new study saying some crazy high percentage of people will end up with cancer of some kind at some point in their life, regardless of if they smoke or not. So I figured, why even bother? Why not smoke and enjoy it if I'm going to get cancer anyways? But I know that stopping gives a higher chance of not getting it. Cancer scares the crap out of me. I probably should google some black lungs and print 'em out. Even though I can still clearly picture a poster our teacher showed us in like second grade to prevent us from smoking.

So I might try cold turkey again. I know someone said products and things like that don't always help everybody, but has anybody had luck with a certain one? And getting rid of all cigarettes in the house isn't possible. I live with a few smokers who probably wouldn't appreciate me flushing their cigarettes, heh. Thanks again though for the replies.

 

[gabriel1]

I gave up smoking for 2 years but started again and still smoke. The last time I did it cold and it was easy. This time I just can't seem to do it and a month is as far as I got.

The same thing happened to me. Then this February I just stopped. Have not had cravings or any desire to do it again. I hope it stays that way. Better yet, it WILL stay that way.

 

[ByronMc]

I smoked for over 40 years and tried to quit at least 40 times. What finally worked for me (and I have been smoke free for 4 years) was that I got on the treadmill everyday, which made it abundantly clear to me just how much I had damaged my breathing. But I stuck to it and slowly improved. And once I started to improve there was no way I was going to defeat that progress by starting up smoking again. I guess I am saying, it never worked for me to just say I am going to stop. Will power, not matter how strong, is usually not enough to overcome and addiction. I had to couple will power to stop with a positive commitment to aerobic exercise to rebuild some of the lost lung capacity. AsI began to get some of it back, it kept me going and is what finally worked for me. Good luck.

 

[ByronMc]

P.S. Once you have quit, don't make the mistake that I did thinking that now that I have quit I can have just one now and then. Cigarettes are like potato chips: YOU CAN'T HAVE JUST ONE...OR TWO....OR THREE.

 

[Corny]

all the people i know that successfully quit smoking did it "cold turkey". the funny thing is that those were the people who were "happy" smokers before. who said "i know it's bad, but i like it" - those were able to stop from one day to another (it was still hard for them). and nobody of the people i know who are the "i know smoking is bad and i should stop" kind of smokers that i know have stopped yet ..

 

[Guy89]

Isn't it funny how the world works?

 

[seven_sins]

After 7 years of smoking, I quit cold turkey. It worked for me.

 

[hazaleyez1975]

I have went 5 days without smoking I am using Chantix It is the first thing that has made the cravings less. I still have cravings, but u have to desids that you want to . That is the key If your mind is in it. If you smell the smoke after you quit it stinks andd just remember that everyone smells it. It is a horrible habbit I KNOW. But just hang in there and you have greater chances of success if you use something with stopping. Different things work for different people.
Hugs

 

[dpnice]

.................................I quit smoking for a few months last year, and I remember how different I felt. More energy, more sleep, food tasted and smelled different... it was just so much better. I felt much better................

.................................If you smell the smoke after you quit it stinks andd just remember that everyone smells it.............................. Different things work for different people.
Hugs

Obviously there is a concensus of opinion over the benefits and difficulties of giving up smoking yet it does seem that for everyone who attempts and succeeds the experience has different problems.

When I gave up I noticed absolutely no difference at all. Food still tasted the same (no in fact worse as I also gave up sugar). I didn't have more energy, I now spend more time sleeping during the day than I used to. I never got out of breath before so I notice no improvement there either.

As for the smell on other people I find it so evocative that I follow them in the street inhaling deeply.

In seven months I have experienced absolutely no benefits of not smoking apart from the financial side, I am saving a fortune, and the fact that I have not had a single cold this year.

So be prepared for everything that might affect your desire to be an ex-smoker. I don't think the majority of us will ever be non-smokers as the desire may fade a little but personally I don't think we are ever going to be free.

For me it has been the worst experience of my life. Each month I pray that the next one will be better. Every single day is a battle from the moment I open my eyes. Every hour of the day the thoughts of smoking are there in my mind.

The risk of getting a cancer is there but not guaranteed; I am nearly sixty so I don't worry much about my life ending; so why give up and ruin my life?

Because smoking must be one of the most stupidest things anyone ever started to do. With all the info now available and the presence of no smoking laws young people still stick that first cigarette in their mouths.

For all of you whatever your difficulties and problems with giving up it is worth it if you become nicotine and cigarette free. If your life improves all the better, if it doesn't (like mine) then at least it is due to your own failings rather than your happiness relying on the number of white tubes you can stick in your mouth a day.

 

[hazaleyez1975]

I had one of those days where everything goes wrong and havent smoked for ten days. I have stopped the Chantix and now I am on nothing. I was having a really nerve on edge day and i tried one and I couldnt stand the taste on the first inhale. So when your body and your mind is made up u will quit. They are so nasty . Thank god I have quit
Good luck on quitting
Hugs

 

[dpnice]

Hang on in there. You are young enough at 32 to make being an ex-smoker really worthwhile financially and healthwise;