Mac's quitlog

westisbest

Well done to everyone on here who has done so well since January, and others who gave up more recently.

Only off them a week myself so far, went cold turkey and haven't found it too tough so far - apart from totally messed up sleep patterns / restless legs / constant cough / headaches etc! Really though apart from the above it hasn't been as bad as I thought but I find the thought of (hopefully) never smoking again pretty daunting - no more sitting in the sun having a cold drink and a cigarette; no well earned smoke break after a hard day at work; no way to round off a lovely meal, and no cigarette breaks on nights out when everyone else is heading out. I need to get these thoughts out of my head, I know my life without cigarettes will be healthier but right now looking to the future all I can see is what will be missing from it...any advice?

calamitysammy

HI everyone, im impressed with everyone's efforts to quit so far. I have been on champix for nearly a month and am at 10 days without a cigarette, However i have this horrible feeling of irritability that pops up for no reason and usually passes within an hour or 2.

am wondering if you guys think this could be a sign of nicotine withdrawal at all? again well done on your efforts, i am inspired by each and every one of you

westisbest, i have the same thought as yourself (its like losing a best mate isnt it?) everyone tells me that with time this feeling goes away, and to keep busy etc (get tired of hearing that one) i wish you luck my friend

Kazbarr

Calamitysammy & Westisbest well done to the pair of you for taking the plunge and deciding to quit

Calamitysammy
I had a male friend who quit on Champix and he said that he found it really easy as he didn't have any bad symptoms with the drug and he's been of cigs now for a year and a half so I hope you continue to get along with the drug and you remain determined to quit because you still need will power. I think the irritability you are feeling is part of the side efforts of the drug and not the withdrawal of nicotine. If it's not that unpleasant then you could try and stick with it.

Westisbest
A whole week without cigs that's brill, you are doing great but you are having to put up with the symptoms that the majority of us go through when packing up during the first week. I know everyone keeps saying that they will get better but they do...honest

You have already said it yourself, you have to get these thoughts out of your head about not being able to smoke again.....we all go through it so you are not on your own but you do have to remain focused and determined at all times.

I've been stopped now since the 1st April so nearly 9 weeks for me now. It is getting better but if I let my defences down it would be quite easy to fall back so I'm having to remain determined.

This forum has helped me greatly as everyone is going through the same things so keep us all posted with how you are getting on.

Keep it up :D

dolliemix

Just dropping in again. Kazbarr 9 weeks - Fantastic!

Well done to everyone. Its hardest at the beginning no doubt about it.

I went off the wagon exercise and diet wise for a week or two....I was sort of annoyed with myself. But I'd forgotten all about my greatest achievement .....a non-smoker for over 5 months! I'm back on track now and really excited about the mini-marathon tomorrow. I'm running for Cystic Fibrosis. Cystic Fibrosis is a chronic disease that effects the lungs and digestive system mainly. One of my students has it. She has to do at least an hour of physio every morning before school in order to get her lungs working properly for the day. Mucus builds up really quickly in her lungs and she is prone to chest and other infections. Her life expectancy is much shorter than the other girls in her class, but hopefully through fundraising this can be improved. The medical facilities for cf patients in Ireland are far inferior than in most other First World countries.

People with CF must wonder why people who have healthy lungs would actually choose to risk the health of their lungs. I'm so glad I made the choice to give up 5 months ago. I really can feel it. When I'm running or cycling breathing is no problem to me at all. Funnily I still have quite a deep chesty cough when I cough (rarely nowadays!). I reckon its still the last of the tar and nicotine toxins hanging on. Does anyone else who has been off them five months or more find that?

Hang on in their guys. Remember the spiral Mac put up earlier in the thread. Its worth remembering because it really does get easier

Oh and Happy Birthday Mac! Life begins and all that.....:)

Orion

Life begins ... my arse. 40 is the new 30

Best of luck tomorrow in the mini-marathon.

That spiral is still holding true. I'm currently on the latest intersection. I haven't smoked but I've had to persuade myself not to head off to the late night garage to get some. Hope this passes soon. Maybe it's being off the road with the Achilles injury but I'm really feeling the temptation. I did cycle from Maynooth to Trim yesterday which at least got me back exercising again. Hope to get back running again this week too even if it's just light 5k runs. Either way I'm more stubborn than my addiction I hope. I've still not smoked in my 40s. That's keeping me going at the moment at least

dcmiami

Hi Mac,
I came across your thread this evening while I was tootling around on the internet looking at different giving up smoking sites. let me start off by saying I read every single post by every single person on your thread (obsessive...me??!) and I feel like the time has finally come for me to join you. for anyone that finds this boring you can skip on ahead but I'm going to follow Mac's example and just use this as a way to chart progress and vent when the going gets tough.
I'm 31 and started smoking at 16. I smoke at least 20 a day, lately more and I just don't think I can do it anymore. I've tried EVERYTHING to quit....patches, gum, hypnosis, zyban, allen carr (read the book 5 times AND spent €250 on going to the clinic!), those new Niquitin little tablets from the ad with the guy and the really knobby accent and have tried cold turkey. nothing has worked to date because I have to admit that I love smoking. I love it like that a**h**e boyfriend who treats you like crap but you just can't stay away from him. smoking has been with me all of my adult life and has seen me through the best of times and the worst of times.
I quit once for three months on the patches...result: depression. completely fell apart and ended up being brought to the doctor by my dad because I was on the brink of suicide. Now, I am not for one moment suggesting that giving up smoking CAUSED my depression. When I look back now it has been coming for years and I always knew it. But losing my best friend (cigarettes) brought everything to a head and there I went spiralling down into full on depression.
the good news is that I am on medication (and have been for the last two years) and I have never come that low again.
and so reading your posts has made me feel like I want to do this. I want to change my life for the better and giving up cigarettes is the first step towards that.
So I am going to piggy back on your thread and post on my progress....starting tomorrow!!
thanks for the inspiration...hope you are all doing well and that I can succeed along with you!

dolliemix

Well done for reading this WHOLE thread dcmiami!!!

Wishing you well tomorrow and in the future. You can be completely honest on this thread whether you succeed/ fail/ feel great/ feel crap. It certainly helped me. We'll be here to support you. Just remember if you feel like a cigarette (which you will many many many times) its okay to come on here and vent. It helps in so far as you begin to identify what your weak moments are and it also helps to look back and see how far you've come. And thats even after Day 1 which hopefully will be this time tomorrow night!

Let us know how you get on so we can tell you how great you are each step of the way!

I did the mini marathon on Monday. Jogged non-stop! I didn't walk an inch! It took me 1 hour 6 mins. I'm now training for the Half Marathon so I'll really be putting in the miles soon. I want to go back next year and do that mini marathon in under an hour!

I have holidays coming up. If I can get through them not smoking it will be a major achievement. I love(d) smoking on holidays when I'm most relaxed. I'm hoping when and if I'm tempted that I can remind myself that smoking does NOT make me feel relaxed. Infact if I did smoke again I'd be devastated!

Next weekend I'm going away with two friends who smoke. It will be hard. Fingers crossed!

Hope everyone else is getting on well!

Orion

Welcome to the club dcmiami As dollie said feel free to vent, rant, anything if it helps. We've all been through it so we know what it's like.

Dollie - well done. 66 mins is a great first 10K. You should sign up for the Adidas series - they'll help with the half marathon training. 5 mile, 10 mile then half.

I've got 68 days left to Gael Force - it's getting scarily close now. I'm just back from injury (achilles) so I'm really going to have to start putting the miles in too. 5K at lunch time is no use anymore - I'm going to use that time for some fartlek training instead. Then some long runs in the evenings. Time to start cycling to work regularly too. 26k each way - that'll help get the stamina up. 68 days though :eek:

dcmiami

so today didn't go quite as planned. I think after so many attempts to quit my brain is wise to my tricks at this point and has covered every eventuality to persuade me not to "let go" (am trying not to think of it as quitting rather as "letting go" as one poster put it!)
so anyway, woke up this morning at 8am (unusual enough....that should have been my first clue!) seized with an unmerciful craving for a cigarette!! I hadn't even properly woken up yet and I was consumed with the need for as many cigarettes as possible in as short a time as possible. I don't know where the hell the craving came from as I don;t even smoke first thing anyway. but I guess the monster knew his days were numbered so he figured attack is the best form of defence!!!
so bottom line is I didn't quit today. I was completely unprepared for the strength of that craving this morning and so I buckled without even trying.
I don't think I have ever felt this disappointed in myself but I am determined to do this. so I won't post again until I have day one down and done and I'll take it from there.
thanks so much for the messages mac and dollie....am only sorry that I have not lived up to them!! but one day this week will be my day one...I just can't say which as I have to mentally prepare myself to kick this monsters a**!!

Orion

dc - we've all been there. Don't beat yourself up about it. When you're ready to quit you'll know

Orion

Just popped in to catch up and add to the log. Approaching 6 months now - woohoo!!!

Did Blessington Adventure Race on Sunday - 2:50:30. Was delighted with that time - target was 3 hours. Was tough though - I really need to get cycling more. Running is fine - but cycling is not good. Gael Force is a lot of cycling so I need to get the thumb out and get on that saddle.

Anyway - still athleticing and not smoking. Cravings have not gone away. Not at all. They're not strong but they're there. I don't actually want to smoke but it's more like a fond memory and occasionally wondering if I could get away with a drag off one. I know I can't get away with that but it doesn't stop the wondering.

This whole time Gael Force has been my driving factor. That started to worry me as that's 2 months away now. What will I do when it's over? Will I go all "Yes I did it ... let's smoke to celebrate"? I don't think so. But it's possible.

So I've a cunning plan. Set a new target for after I survive that madness in Mayo.

And this is it!

Yep. That's the cunning plan :eek: After Gael Force I'm giving myself 8 months to prepare for that. I can do it. I want to do it. Even if that's the only one I ever do I will do it. And there's no way I could even think about smoking while training for that. Seems like a good incentive to keep away from the baccy to me

dolliemix

Thats brilliant Macros. Great idea....looks like you're hooked! I doubt you'll want to celebrate with a cigarette though. You must have felt fantastic getting ten minutes inside your target time.

My training has gone off track at the moment. I'd love to get out but I'm not going to chance it. I went away with friends at the weekend. Everyone around me was smoking inside and outdoors.Was happily hanging around them as a non smoker...infact was barely aware that they were smoking to be honest......guess who came home wit an incredible sore throat? Mise!!! The irony! Normally I would have been smoking my head away with then and been fine! Nobody else had a sore throat after. Anyway I reckon I was coming down with something because I've been home since Sunday night and my throat is still tender and I'm finding it really difficult to cough even though I need to.

Anyway... the main thing is I know it wasn't inflicted by heavy smoking which would always have been on my conscience before now. So even though I feel like s**t, knowing that its not from smoking makes me feel better.

Good luck with the training. I'm dying to get back out there. It will be a week tomorrow since my last run!

6 months!!!! Super. In another 6 months we can tell insurance companies that we're non-smokers!!!

Dc hope you've found another day to start again. I read a quote somewhere at some stage. Can't remember who said it though. They said 'giving up smoking is easy. I should know. I've done it a million times"!

I don't know anyone who manages to give up on their first attempt, so like Mac said....don't be hard on yourself!

Orion

6 months. That is all.

jozi

Sounds like a good mile stone Mac! Fair play and well done, roll on the next 6

Orion

And after that 6 months I'll be able to halve my life insurance premium.

yungwan

Well done Macros!! You have done so brilliantly.

Hows the fitness training go?

Im off them still too! Just past 5 months on 25th June!!
Hard to believe I ever smoked now to be honest. Its just gone from my life.
I think the exercise has definately helped though.

Its great to be free

:):D:):D

Sasquatch76

Excellent stuff Mac... A hearty congrats, and thanks for showing many of us the way

Orion

Thanks guys. Training is going well. Have another duathlon next Wednesday. Hopefully heading to Spain for 2 weeks next Friday but I'll be bringing my runners with me for some early morning runs.

7 weeks left to Gael Force :eek: Once the holiday is over it's time to get serious. No drinking and running, cycling and cross training nearly every day then - need to be in prime shape to face that race.

Kazbarr

Hi to everyone

It seems to be very quiet on here hopefully that's a good thing ;)

How is everyone doing ? is everyone enjoying the fabulous weather ?

It would be good to hear from you all and let us know how you are all doing, whether you are smoking or not smoking, it doesn'tmatter

Bye for now
:D:D

dolliemix

Hi everyone

I'm still a non smoker. Over six months now

I'm going on holidays on Thursday. A few months ago I would have thought holidays would be a big test for me and I expected to be nervous about them. I mainly smoked as a reward to myself. I smoked when I was out socialising or if I'd had a bad day at work so sometimes I might not have smoked for a week or so. But holidays were my relaxation and me time so I would smoke at breakfast, lunch, dinner and in between. Cigarettes are always much cheaper abroad as well, so I could justify myself price wise.

But I am not anxious or nervous at all as I expected I would be. I just can not imagine myself smoking or wanting to buy cigarettes. I had a mini test a few weeks ago when I went away for the weekend surrounded by smokers smoking indoors and outdoors. I barely thought about cigarettes. I noticed at the end of the night/early morning loads of them had run out of cigarettes and had to keep asking others. The rations were getting low! And I was thinking, I'm so happy I'm not apart of that anymore. I remember that 'fear' that you wouldn't have enough cigarettes at the end of the night!

I'm so looking forward to my holiday now and especially because I know I won't be wondering where I can buy cigarettes/ is it ok to smoke in certain areas/ will I be the only one smoking/ when will I get my final cigarette before the flight? - When I look back now, the stress far outweighs what I though was relaxing!

I'm completely free and I'm really excited about my first holiday as a non-smoker!

.....And when I get back.....I'll be training for a Half Marathon!

Optimus485

That's brill... have a great holiday!

Sasquatch76

That's brilliant dollie. Great achievement!

Enjoy your well-earned holiday

Kazbarr

Well done Dolliemix you should be so proud of yourself reaching 6 months. I'm sure you will be fine on your holiday and not let it bother you even though your friends are smokers. Just hope you have a brill holiday, you so well deserve it !!

I've just returned from 2 weeks at our house in France and managed to get through the 2 weeks ok apart from one night the urge was very strong as me and hubby were sat talking and having a drink and generally enjoying ourselves. He smokes cigars and continues to smoke around me anyway I knew there was a little tobacco left from our last trip there so I got him to roll me one and I had that...kind of a strange sensation really as I didn't like the taste in my mouth as I was used to smoked menthol cigs but it still had that relaxing feeling you get when having a drink. But after I felt so guilty for giving in, but decided not to beat myself up too much and just continued being a non smoker. I had just reached the 3 month mark whilst on holiday so was quite proud of myself but my determination comes from I'm not going to buy any cigs ever !!
All in all I think I did quite well bearing in mind I've had a lot of stress around me with losing my job and I'm still not working.

Macro you are also doing brilliantly, your fitness is amazing, you have achieved so much in such a short space of time, well done.

dcmiami how are things going with yourself ? have you managed to set yourself a day yet ? I hope so for you and you only.

We all go through missing our friends constantly but it's a case of being strong and finding something else in your life to override the need of the habit.

Good luck to all

readyletsgo

Hey all!!!
Well I'm trying again to kick the habit again and so far so good!
I am using patches 15mg which seem to be helping 'me' a lot and loads of extra chewing gums!
I decided enough is enough last sat and went to my pharm and spoke to the fella there, he advised to set myself a really BIG goal with the money i save and this will help, all i could think of was i wanna move outta the place i am living in now and find somewhere nicer to live, so I'll save a deposit by the end of the month, have to say that worked!
Then my friend that lived with me before rang me up on monday the day i gave up and said she wants to move in with me next month so that has given me more reasaon to stay away from smoking which is great!
So what works for me as i have figured out is using patches, reading Allen Carrs book and have a really BIG goal in sight!

I feel good i have to say, withdrawl was/is no hassle this time around, only in the evening time i feel i want one but it passes after 10 mins, i just remind myself i wanna get out of where i am living and how much money i can save and how my chest is going to feel brilliant in a weeks time and my skin will look great in a month or two too lol.

Well done to everyone here who is still off them and best of luck to everyone trying to stop the habit, if i can do it so can you!!!!!!!!

TomTom

Well I have not posted here in a while. I unfortunately failed with my attempt a few months ago. Lots of stuff going on that got too much and I broke. But 2 months ago yesterday I tried again and I have not smoked since.

Kazbarr

Hey Tomtom that's really great news to hear, 2 months is fantastic and you must be so proud of yourself.

I've nearing 4 months now which is the longest I've ever done so feeling very positive but I just wish the thought of them would go away for ever lol.....It's not the desire for one it's the thinking of them which drives me nuts. But I keep telling myself after 34 years of smoking the habit is not going to just leave me like that, so I will have to stick with it.

Keep us posted hey

Optimus485

"Hi Optimus! You quit 7 months, 9 hours, 15 minutes & 16 seconds ago. You have *not* smoked 3,185 cigs, saved EUR 1,195 and added 1.57 weeks to your life."

Was at a wedding recently. I was holding a cigarette for someone who was getting their photo taken. I caught myself staring lustily at it... then I quickly looked away.

I haven't thought that about a cigarette in about 4 months. I didn't want to smoke and I didn't smoke. But I did think it was crazy that the addiction resurfaced for a second.

Another thing that reminds me I still need to be careful is when I am with friends who are chain smoking, I become seriously irritated and snappy. It's embarrassing... so I take myself out of those situations until I am ready. The smell puts me in bad form.

I haven't smoked in 7 months. I love my new lungs.

dolliemix

Well done everyone!

Good to see you back on board and doing so well Tom Tom. Its unusual that anybody succeeds in quitting on their first try. Its the length between each tries that is the big thing and you're back on board very soon! (It took me five years!)

Ready Steady hope you're almost at the 3 week mark now! It gets easier after this

Kazbarr I also had a cigarette 3 months into my journey but I just kept going and I haven't had one since! I think it actually helped because I was so upset with myself and the curiosity was killed. I know that I cannot even have a drag or I'm risking everything!

Like Optimus and Macros I'm seven months today! But it feels like years since I smoked!

pambelina

Well thank you all for creating such a wonderfully honest place to discuss "the art of giving up smoking", I have spent the last few hours reading this site and it has helped, i unfortunately had a smoke today having been off them three months, its seems I'm not a a freak, or the only person in the world who is finding this sometimes impossible, I felt very alone but now realise that what I am going through is quite normal. I cant say that the one i had is a reminder of why i gave up, but i am three weeks away from 30, and really don't want too spend my 30's being a smoker as i have my 20's. Tomorrow I am going to join the gym, something I have threatened to do for the last ten years also, I will post up and let you know if i have done so. I have read all stories throughout this thread tonight and am inspired by its creator Mac, the difference in your tone of posts as you have progressed through this journey is amazing, you have moved from talking about smoking too running, and constantly been honest about your successes and struggles throughout this process, and have normalised it for me! For the first time in weeks, I feel like a weight has been lifted, tmw i focus on a new healthy me and not worrying about whether I should or will smoke! Finally I think I can go to bed, have to be up for work soon, now feeling better....thank you all

dolliemix

Good luck in the gym Pambelina. You'll feel like a new person in a month!

Well done on getting to three months. Most of us slipped up at some stage so put it behind you and continue as a non-smoker!

pambelina

Thanks dollie, I went to the gym today and inquired, have a free trial tmw and have decided i will sign up, having a glass of wine now having cooked my favourite dinner, all is well and smoke free this evening. Although today was a struggle, i have survived...........

yungwan

just passed the 6 month marker at end of July

Very happy.......

Hope everyone is doing ok, and if you havent managed to stick with it, that you are close to trying again.

I am 2/3 way through training for a half marathon now (for my sins!) and looking back on my old posts here really puts into perspective how far Ive come and how much my life has changed.

Smoking is no longer part of my life, and with every milestone I pass, I feel happier that I can keep away from ciggarettes.

Keep it up guys, its easier on the other side and you will enjoy the healthier, fitter you!!

Macros, you still running round mountains like a mad man? :P

dolliemix

Congrats Yungwan. I've been following your progress on the Half. You're doing great! Just started my plan yesterday!

Kazbarr

Hi everyone

It's good to read posts from people who posted very earlier on this thread who decided to quit, and then come back and report they are still none smokers and how their lives have changed. I think it's a real inspiration to those still wanting to take that step as they can share in all the ups and downs us ex smokers have gone through.

I'm at the 4 month mark now so feeling very proud of myself, I don't miss the physical side of smoking as I'm determined that I'm never going to smoke again but the thought of cigarettes never leave me and I'm wondering how long it takes before you do stop thinking about them.
Does anyone else have the same thoughts and can give any advice.

It's great to hear all your news Dolliemix and for all your support to everyone.

:D

NavanEPS

Yeah Kazbarr wondering the same thing myself - off them 31 days and counting.
Any suggestions anyone

dolliemix

It used to wreck my head that I was spending so much time thinking about them....and I wondered would I ever get rid of that feeling. But it has stopped now. I can't pin point a time when it stopped though. Its kind of like heartache in a way. You think you'll never feel normal again and then one day you realise 'hey I didn't wake up sad thinking about x this morning and I've only realised now'. Then a few weeks on you realised you haven't thought about x for a few weeks etc Out of sight out of mind...maybe?

NavanEPS

Thanks Dolliemix - 'cause you know the way our minds work sometimes my brain says "hey you, this isn't worth it, just smoke!"
I won't smoke but sometimes it is difficult
.

Kazbarr

Hi Dolliemix thanks for your comments, I will just have to trust you and hope that it does happen soon.....I know that everyone is different and some struggle and some don't but it does mostly seems to be males who struggle the least oddly..darn and drat lol

A few of my friends have said that it did take them a good year to get over them which is very scary in deed..can't imagine having to wait that long :eek::eek::eek:

It's great to hear that everything seems to be going well for yourself as you are another inspiration to us all on here

Me and Nathan will keep at it

dolliemix

...having said that I came across this post written by me after a night out in May. Five months into giving up.....

"I would have loved a cigarette tonight because I was so relaxed but I didn't have one. My hair stinks of smoke now though because I spent most of the night in smoking areas with my friend who claims she's just a social smoker. (Like I used to!) I met a man who used to smoke 40 a day who told me it was harder for him. Its not. Its f**kin hard no matter what. My cravings creep up when I least expect it. I hate being a smoker. I truly hope I never smoke again. I hope it gets easier too. Good for me tonight not having one!"

So there you go! There are moments of hell, but you quickly forget them. I wouldn't forget so quickly if I gave in and had one though!

Its great to hear how you're doing so keep posting so we can tell you how brilliant you are!!

Long Term Louth

Kazbarr wrote: »

Hi Dolliemix thanks for your comments, I will just have to trust you and hope that it does happen soon.....I know that everyone is different and some struggle and some don't but it does mostly seems to be males who struggle the least oddly..darn and drat lol

A few of my friends have said that it did take them a good year to get over them which is very scary in deed..can't imagine having to wait that long :eek::eek::eek:

It's great to hear that everything seems to be going well for yourself as you are another inspiration to us all on here

Me and Nathan will keep at it

Sorry for jumping in without having read all previous posts, but I was just wondering do you have children and if so what age are they?

Kazbarr

Long Term Louth wrote: »

Sorry for jumping in without having read all previous posts, but I was just wondering do you have children and if so what age are they?

No I don't have any children

Long Term Louth

Kazbarr wrote: »

No I don't have any children

Sorry for the pesonal question, its just that I quit 8 years ago after smoking for 20 years, and up to 40-60 per day. I found my greatest motivation during the difficult craving stages were my children and my desire to be a part of their lives for as long as I could. I suppose my self obsession with smoking was cured by my ability to put others first and to keep this thought to the fore of my mind during my battle with the associated demons.

Definately the cravings do ease with time, which I suppose is different for each individual as to its frequency in length. I can now smell things I had forgotten existed and my taste is improving yet, as the years elapse.

People argue probably to satisfy there own addiction, that an alternative may kill you at a young age but in relation to smoking, without sounding morbid I am happy to die from an alternative now that my chest is clear at last.

Orion

The thoughts don't really go away. For me now they're more of a memory of an old friend but I still think about them at the oddest times. A friend who's off them years tells me that he still thinks of them occasionally too. You just have to accept that they're a part of you and keep focussed on not letting those thoughts control you. I can't see myself smoking again but I still miss it occasionally.

7 months down. Gael Force in two weeks. Been through some stressful times recently and still not smoking. It's all good

Kazbarr

LongTerm Louth

I was intrigued as to why you asked the question lol but having explained I can fully understand that your children were your motivation to quit......now what intrigues me even more is how come this quit thread caught your attention seeing as you have been quit for 8 years ?? normally people only come on this thread when either they are thinking of quitting or have just quit or have quit for some time and keep popping in to see how everybody else is doing.

It's good to hear from people like yourself though as you have been through what everyone one of us have or is going through and it gives up more determination to have a life without them white sticks.

pambelina

NavanEPS wrote: »

Yeah Kazbarr wondering the same thing myself - off them 31 days and counting.
Any suggestions anyone

Hi Navan,

You may have seen from a previous post of mine, I slipped up last week having been off them for three months, however since then I have read this complete thread which has made me realise that struggles are quite normal and do pass. I also had chats with people I know who have been off them in excess of ten years and tried to discover how they have succeeded. A piece of advice that was given too me made so much sense. Smoking takes up a huge amount of time in your day/life and giving them up creates a void, giving you back this extra time which you are just not used to having, so its important to fill the gap, therefore find a new hobby, be it, getting fit, or stamp collecting, whatever you have wanted to do but never got around to doing. You now have more time and more money to do it, so there are no excuses. I joined the gym, and within a few days, I feel so much better about myself and life, I spend time planning what I am going to eat, where I'm going to walk, what nights i'll go to the gym, and having been a couple of times, I feel so much better about things, honestly this time last week I thought I'd go back on them but tonight when I got a slight desire for a cig, I got my gym bag ready for tmw. I hope this makes sense, and I think you if read all the success stories here, you will discover that those who stay off the smokes have "filled the gap"
I remember 3 weeks into giving up, I was all excited because I could spend an extra 15/20 mins in bed in the morning because I wasn't wasting time having 3 smokes... ya gotta love the little things in life!
Hope this helps and would like to know if others agree

dolliemix

I have extra space in my handbag too!!!

That was well written Pambelina. I agree with you 100%

Well done on continuing and remaining so positive! Enjoy the gym tomorrow

Let us know how Gael Force goes Mac. I cant believe its so close already!

Long Term Louth

Kazbarr wrote: »

LongTerm Louth

I was intrigued as to why you asked the question lol but having explained I can fully understand that your children were your motivation to quit......now what intrigues me even more is how come this quit thread caught your attention seeing as you have been quit for 8 years ?? normally people only come on this thread when either they are thinking of quitting or have just quit or have quit for some time and keep popping in to see how everybody else is doing.

It's good to hear from people like yourself though as you have been through what everyone one of us have or is going through and it gives up more determination to have a life without them white sticks.

I suppose its because I can remember how difficult it is to quit, but through time the cravings do go completely and you certainly live a more fulfilled life financially and in particular healthier.

pambelina

Thank you Dollie, Much appreciated

Kazbarr

pambelina wrote: »

Hi Navan,

I remember 3 weeks into giving up, I was all excited because I could spend an extra 15/20 mins in bed in the morning because I wasn't wasting time having 3 smokes... ya gotta love the little things in life!
Hope this helps and would like to know if others agree

Yes well put pambelina, great to hear that all is going well with yourself.......I love my time in bed but never thought about it like you did so that's why it's always good to hear other people's thoughts or ideas

Kazbarr

dolliemix wrote: »

...having said that I came across this post written by me after a night out in May. Five months into giving up.....

thanks for digging that post out dolliemix, it just goes to show you how we all go through the same thoughts and reading something like that spurrs you on lol

:D