Post for everyone who QUIT evil fags

susanweir

I had mine cleaned already and am planning to have them whitened at my dentists. It's a nice treat, but also a smoking deterrent cos you don't want to spoil your pearly whites! I was always ashamed of my teeth as a smoker. I didn't realise how white they were under all that nicotine staining!

Shinshin14

Hi all

Glad to know that you are doing so well and hats off to the lot of ye.

Especially those of ye on cold turkey are brilliant - I chose the easy route with champix - having tried everything over the years.

Have been through a difficult period ( not smoking ) related these past few months and have not been posting since Feb although I have been reading your posts .

Thankfully I have not reverted to my usual pattern when under stress by reaching for my old crutch . Having read all the coping mechanisms on how to resist the triggers that in the past left me gagging for a smoke - for the first time in my smoking life I actually accepted and absorved the information in my mind.

During these past few months it never seriously entered my head that smoking would reduce the stress in my life and help me to resolve the problem.
Right now I don't have the solutions but I do know that smoking will not help and is simply not an option for me . If I decide to smoke again I know that it would be the worst decision I could make in my life.
I do not want to smoke again having smoked for 35 years .

My health has improved greatly. Having been on prescribed medicine for the past year for my stomach my doctor has taken me off it as a trial period as recent tests showed all is well. I am fitter, look better and proud of myself in what I have achieved to date.

However I cannot get complacent and recognise that I will always be vulnerable with regards to cigarettes as I am addicted to nicotine. I know how easy its been in the past to act on impulse where all rational thinking disappeared and the next puff felt like manna Then reality came crashing in but it was too late as I was back in the trap again.

Finishing off the champix in two weeks and down to one a day. For me they were an enormous help and took the pain out of quitting. They allowed me to focus on my smoking addiction and how to deal with it - without the doubts creeping as to whether I would succeed or not.

So keep it up everyone especially the newcomers. Summer is coming and won't it be great to enjoy it without cigarettes

taldar

Hey everyone

Well just popped back to see how everyone was doing, Congrats Susan - Molly, keep going, first 6 weeks are treacherous as you get a false sense on confidence (Having one will be fine) We have all had that one at some stage in a previous quit! You will do it though

I am still off them, 80 days now, woohoo, definitely feel much better and hopefully will not look back now but will always be on alert. Seen on another site -NOPE - Not One Puff Ever

I am an addict!

Talk to you all soon

80 days, 19 hours, 41 minutes and 26 seconds smoke free.

1616 cigarettes not smoked.</B>
€692.55 and 12 days, 8 hours of your life saved.
Your quit date: 1/2/2011 12:00:00 PM

bling72

hi everyone,

how are you all doing? its 5 weeks and 3 days for me now..cravings are subsiding but god are my hormones all over the place. im still fierce cranky :mad:

Just want to say very well done to you all..you are all doing fantastic

how do you add a thank you on the bottom of someones else's post by the way?

JBnaglfar

bling72 wrote: »

hi everyone,

how are you all doing? its 5 weeks and 3 days for me now..cravings are subsiding but god are my hormones all over the place. im still fierce cranky :mad:

Just want to say very well done to you all..you are all doing fantastic

how do you add a thank you on the bottom of someones else's post by the way?

Just reached the 4 week mark myself. The cravings generally aren't too bad, but can be extremely tough when they hit. Its really encouraging to hear from you all tho'.

Bling, to thank a post just click on the thumbs up icon in the bottom right corner of a post.

Bearhunter

Eight weeks today. Not the easiest thing I've ever done, but easier than I feared it would be. $795 (~EURO400) in the pocket, too.

Lynfo

Somebody please tell me it gets easier than this!

Day 20 and while some days are ok, some days (like today) are so very very hard. The craving is so strong today I can literally taste it.

I have to admit there are times when I question whether it's worth it, that it would be so much easier to just go and buy smokes and be done with it.

mitsybaby

It does get easier! i just kept telling myself not to pick up the first one!! that one is the one that starts the whole thing off again...

You're doing great.. 20 days is brilliant!! try and distract yourself if your head is wrecked! I'm off them a year next month and it's the best thing i ever did!! I took champix and read Allan Carr's book, i really wanted to make sure i did it this time and it worked... just hang in there...

fairlyfiery

Hey guys I'm day 8 off the smokes. I did only smoke about 5 roll up's a day. I did smoke 20 malbro lights until I moved and had no job so went on the roll ups. They helped me cut down big time!!
I have smoked for 12 years (OMG :eek: ) and I swore I would never let them get the better of me. I have tried to quit numerous times! I read Allen Carr's book 3 times....never worked on me.
Last week I woke up with a really bad sore throat and I found it painful to breath never mind swallow so smoking was a big no no!! I decided after day 2 of not smoking I would continue. Sore throat lasted for the week so it did help. Yesterday was quiet tough. I was close to giving in but somehow this time, my stubborness seems to be driving me on. I am so proud of myself so far as I have never gone longer 2 days. I am also doing it cold turkey. I just hope I stay strong. I am afraid to go out and drink alcohol!! I am already organising a few different fitness things at the weekend. It's a great time of year to quit too.... I have more energy and when I feel pangs I just go for a run and get my heart pumping for natural reasons and not panicing for a cig reason...i think it helps and then you feel AMAZING AND PROUD. One day at a time..........
Best of luck and well done to all....keep it up !!

Tip

Lynfo wrote: »

Somebody please tell me it gets easier than this!

Day 20 and while some days are ok, some days (like today) are so very very hard. The craving is so strong today I can literally taste it.

I have to admit there are times when I question whether it's worth it, that it would be so much easier to just go and buy smokes and be done with it.

Hopefully you have hit the 21 day mark, don't give in now as you have the worst days over you. It will get easier, just get through it day by day. I quit over 22 mths ago and I remember well thinking I would never be able to do it, but I did. It is the best thing I have ever done. You will do it too, and your life will become so easy when you don't have to smoke. As time passes your cravings will become less n less. Then one day you will have reached evening without even thinking of a cig all day, that was pure magic for me as I had puffed for the previous 35 yrs. Once you realise than even when you smoke there are many times every day that one craves for a cig. Thats what kept me off them as I kept in mind if I can stay off them for long enough, eventually I will never crave cigs again. When that time arrives its so worth it.

howardmarks

So I became a non smoker on Saturday 26th of march 2011.

Day 4 -
Money saved - 35e
Cigarettes not smoked - 80
Feel - Great

Yesterday was a killer tho.

susanweir

Hi,

How's everyone doing?

Day 80 today. Never thought I'd see it! Have a stressful presentation on wed next - that should be interesting from the ciggie point of view:eek:

Welcome newbies - you are all doing great. The awful cravings and doubting your decision to quit / ability to stay quit etc. etc are all part of the nasty addiction. It does get easier - a LOT easier. I don't remember even thinking about a cigarette today.

Keep it up guys. It's really worth it!

tallus

Great to see people giving up the fags.

6 years off them and counting. Manky habit but I have to say I did love them when I smoked.

I had given them up previously many times, but never lasted that long, but used the nicotine patches last time around as I had a mental block about getting over the first 3.5 days which apparently is how long the physical addiction takes to pass.

I still like the smell of someone smoking, but I hope I never smoke again.

TheCaveman

HI all

21 Days and counting for me today

I did not wanted to post on here to soon, as I did not wanted to jinx it

Just taking it one day at a time

I am eating more, but, once i hit the 1 month mark, I will worry about that.

Smoked 20 a day, biggest improvement I can see so far is , waking up in the morning, dont have that taste in my mouth as before,

susanweir

Hit 13 weeks today - exactly 3 months at 9PM tonight. Took the day off work. Treated myself to a massage and some Mac makeup in BTs. Then spent the rest of the day gardening (and undoing the benefits of the massage!). Not for everyone I know, but perfect for me. And will have a nice glass of red tonight.

Follow the Plan

Had 4 or 5 smokes there a few weeks ago while I was out drinking, first time I'd smoked since Jan 3. I was v sick that night and morning after. (I blamed the cigs not the drink!!) Funnily enough I had been missing the smokes before that but I haven't been thinking about them since. Maybe it was a blessing in disguise.

Best of Luck to everyone thats still off them. Keep up the good work.

Sala

I am a non smoker since 6pm yesterday. Did the allen carr clinic and am feeling really positive!!

noworries

Still going strong and if anything - going stronger :-)

I set myself two dates early in my quit to focus on. Day 100 and 1000 euro saved from not buying cigs.

The first goal was achieved last Wednesday and the next goal will be achieved in two weeks time.

I spent the last week abroad on holidays surrounded by smokers and this actually only reinforced my decision to stop. best of luck to everyone else - it gets easier to ignore the nico-monster inside you and you realise that you do have a choice - my choice is not to smoke.

Paddysnapper

I quit five years ago after a bout of flu that left me very poorly for 10days and not in the least interested in food or fags...I just didn't start again. I carried a pack of 19 Major around with me for a couple of weeks and resisted;)..I think I might make it this time!

Best of luck to all giving it up:)

mistress_gi

well, I had to quit in January (had pneumonia and had no choice really) but I though, since I have to stop for a while I might as well stop all together. So I did, I had a slip up in March (1 cigarette while on a night out) but it was a kind of good slip up. Found out that cigarettes don't taste as nice any more.
Even though it doesn't stop me wanting to smoke it really helps.
As we speak I feel like having 20 fags but I hang strong!!!!
It doesn't help the OH still smokes but he is also on his way to quitting, to be honest, I can't wait because then a lot of the temptation will be gone.
Well you guys hang in there!
Gi

optogirl

Just found out I'm pregnant so have to quit. Finding the cravings hard and am nearly hoping for morning sicknesss so I don't feel like smoking! Have given up before for a few months or weeks at a time but this time I really have somebody else to think about so hopefully that will make it easier. A bit hard in work because I haven't told anybody I'm preggers yet so they don't really take my 'nah, I've given up' seriously!

bling72

JBnaglfar wrote: »

Just reached the 4 week mark myself. The cravings generally aren't too bad, but can be extremely tough when they hit. Its really encouraging to hear from you all tho'.

Bling, to thank a post just click on the thumbs up icon in the bottom right corner of a post.

JBnaglar,
i dont see any thumb symbols on the right hand corner of any of the posts on the thread? (maybe its just me!)

bonjovigirl

Hi all, you are all doing sooo great. Wish I was there now. Am still at the thinking-about-it-stage...........

Shazanne

I'm at the think about it stage too. Have been there quite a while now:( Just cant seem to take the plunge. I read this thread with envy and wish I could be posting about how well I'm doing. But I'm a coward and much too soft on myself.

Katgurl

i quit over two years ago and have never looked back. its fantastic to be rid of them. I just decided quietly to myself one day when i was walking into work. that very same night i caved and smoked SEVEN in a row. the next morning i was distraught - what if i was one of those people who couldn't quit? it was a real wake-up call. I went out every single night that week and watched my friends smoke through gritted teeth. then within ten days, the cravings were just... gone. Entirely gone. I have no inclination to smoke now, well maybe the very occasional (i could count them on one hand) fleeting desire to nonchalently light one up but as i said, its fleeting.

Best of luck to everyone. Once you crack it, you're free. And banish those thoughts that people bandy about like "oh you never stop wanting them" or "once a smoker, always a smoker".

It doesnt have to be that way.

susanweir

Hi Bonjovigirl and Shazanne,

When you are ready, we are here to support you. We have all been exactly where you are now. It can be done!:)

Best of luck!

Sala

Day 5! Feeling good.... I am looking forward to feeling like a non-smoker but the it'll take time.

annascott

Yes - well done to all. Keep going, it is really worth it.

I am on day 104 - was feeling almost smug until I started to like the smell of smoke again. I find myself breathing in when near a smoker. Is this the beginning of the end of my wonderful smoke free existence? I have been told that the 'three month mark' is one of the danger zones. Can anyone tell me how long this will last and if there are any other horrid surprises for me to get through?

So far I've been good. Maybe I need to read the Allen Carr book again to reaffirm why I am not smoking?

susanweir

annascott wrote: »

Yes - well done to all. Keep going, it is really worth it.

I am on day 104 - was feeling almost smug until I started to like the smell of smoke again. I find myself breathing in when near a smoker. Is this the beginning of the end of my wonderful smoke free existence? I have been told that the 'three month mark' is one of the danger zones. Can anyone tell me how long this will last and if there are any other horrid surprises for me to get through?

So far I've been good. Maybe I need to read the Allen Carr book again to reaffirm why I am not smoking?

Hi Anna,
I feel exactly the way you do. It will be day 100 on sunday and I have had cravings stronger than ever over the past week. And to top it off, I had my smoking dream again last night! I dreamt I got up and smoked half a cigarette before I remembered I didn't smoke anymore. And all I could think of in the dream was 'will I fess up on Boards.ie':D!

Am cross with myself this morning for needing them so bad that I dreamt about them. I presume people get over this and it gets easier again????

annascott

Hi Susan
I haven't actually dreamed about smoking. That would be quite unsettling. I mainly get cravings at weekends when I stay with a friend. I think it is because I always associated the place with cigs, booze and relaxation. In reality, the cravings only last for about ten seconds and I know it is psychological. Stay strong. Don't give in, even if they are the stuff that dreams are made of (sorry, couldn't resist!:D) The thing that is keeping me sane at the moment is that I have spoken to other ex smokers who all say that if you smoke after such a long break from them, the cigarette will taste like the first one that you ever had. Remember the disgusting taste in your mouth, like you just licked a dirty ashtray? Also apart from the instant coughing and feeling physically sick, you will become light headed and really dizzy. Something to do with reduced oxygen levels... Basically, what we crave - the illusion of relaxation and fulfillment no longer exists for us anymore. Add to all this the feeling that you will have really let yourself down and after such an amazing achievement, have to go back through the early nicotine withdrawals all over again...
Hope this helps. (Now I will take my own advice and face the weekend)
AS

susanweir

Hi all (and thanks Anna),

Am resisting, but finding it very difficult. I don't understand why it has come back with a vengeance all of a sudden

Will hit 100 days tomorrow and will take each day as it comes!

Thanks a million Anna for the really good advice (and encouragement). Hope you are feeling strong over the weekend.

Irishpimpdude

First day here so far so good, wearing a nicorette invisi extra strength patch 25mg, first time even trying to quit only smoking about 4 years since i was 16 nearly 21 now, this shouldnt be too hard i have the willpower im motivated, hopefully i can post back in 7 days and say ive went a full week without em;)

annascott

Irishpimpdude wrote: »

First day here so far so good, wearing a nicorette invisi extra strength patch 25mg, first time even trying to quit only smoking about 4 years since i was 16 nearly 21 now, this shouldnt be too hard i have the willpower im motivated, hopefully i can post back in 7 days and say ive went a full week without em;)

Well done for making the decision while you are still young. You can do this. The Allen Carr book might help you if you start to feel 'deprived'. Good luck

annascott

susanweir wrote: »

Hi all (and thanks Anna),

Am resisting, but finding it very difficult. I don't understand why it has come back with a vengeance all of a sudden

Will hit 100 days tomorrow and will take each day as it comes!

Thanks a million Anna for the really good advice (and encouragement). Hope you are feeling strong over the weekend.

Hi Susan
I hope you got through the weekend ok. Onwards and upwards. Just remember how awful it would be to smoke now...

susanweir

Irishpimpdude wrote: »

First day here so far so good, wearing a nicorette invisi extra strength patch 25mg, first time even trying to quit only smoking about 4 years since i was 16 nearly 21 now, this shouldnt be too hard i have the willpower im motivated, hopefully i can post back in 7 days and say ive went a full week without em;)

Hi there and welcome.

You are doing the right thing, and you must be a very sensible 20-year old. I started when I was 16 and it took me 30 years to stop.:mad:

All the best, and we are here for support!

susanweir

annascott wrote: »

Hi Susan
I hope you got through the weekend ok. Onwards and upwards. Just remember how awful it would be to smoke now...

Hi Anna,

Thanks for your good wishes.....hope you are doing okay.

Am fine now, but went through a rocky patch for a few days and just wanted to throw in the towel. I have no idea why, as I have had no nicotine in my system for 3 months!

The lesson is simple - be on your guard!;)

LostChild

Coming up to 5 months off the fags now. When I say off them, I've had a couple here or there(only with a drink), but 99% smoke free now.

If anyone out there is really struggling with cravings, I highly recommend the electronic cigarette. Gets me through days where I really want a smoke. Another thing that helped me was using a nicorette patch at night.

I never thought I'd cut down never mind give up, so I know anyone out there who thinks they can't do it, you'll never know until you try.

It's funny, people talk about cravings so long after giving up. It's not only a drug addiction, it's a psychological addiction. Your brain loves smokes and will never let you forget it:D I know mine won't let me forget!

MissMiami

Breaking addictions are some of the hardest things anyone can do. My best friend and I gave up smoking together at the same time so we had the support to keep with it. We actually ended up going to the gym almost each day and we are now healthier than ever. No smoking, more exercise and eating lots of fruit and veg. The feeling is amazing and I will never go back to my old unhealthy ways.

Best of luck to everyone trying to give up! You can do it and you won't believe how good it feels in the future! xxx

RosieMarie_91

Been off the fags 1 month yesterday. So please with myself i cannot believe it. Best off luck with everyone who has quit, or is thinking about quitting. You definatly can do it.

And another thing if you relapse, who cares, obviously i wasn't the right time for you. Don't bet yourself up, just give it another bash.

It also helps if you have a goal/acheivement you want to work towards, it makes you more determined.

Shinshin14

Dalan wrote: »

Thanks for coming back with another really inspiring post & it was great to know you're doing so well. It really sounds like you've tamed the beast for good this time - your will power is actually really strong! And you've got a lot of understanding about what you personally need to do and why. I plan to stick in there with you for the full duration - 54 days quit tomorrow, why go back now?

Dalan & Comrades

Thanks for the vote of confidence Dalan but .....,

Back to Bedlam after a major relapse. No excuses . Just the usual triggers that led to past failures . My sister whom I saw last Sept at her husbands funeral abroad was coming home. This was her first visit home to her family and she was coming to the family home where I live. She is a heavy smoker and we were the only two smokers in our family. I was tensed up and worried about her visit - wondering how would it go for her , and would I say the right things as it was a very emotional time for her and we were very close. I even stretched out my Champex to make them last over her visit.
A week before her visit23/04/2011 it happened :mad:
The brainwashing kicked in telling me that somehow a cigarette would help me cope better .We would have a few fags as we always did. The fact that other family members who would meet her would face the same challenges as non smokerss never even entered my head.

Well, - I took my first puff alone after 113 days of being smokefree. and continued to smoke during and after her visit. Did it help relieve the situation ?-.No only in my mind , The brainwashing convinced me that it was easier to talk to her and because I beleived it I probably felt more relaxed as we puffed away. She was still in the throws of grief and puffing cigarettes into each others faces did nothing to solve that. It was comfort, love and support from her family that would help in the longterm not puffing that filth and both of us reminissing about how we hated smoking and what they were doing to us.

I am now anxious to get back on track,. and wishing that I hadn't once again given in to myI old triggers, nervousness, tense situations and lack of confidence. I am fully responsible for my actions in smoking again- it was I who made the decison the situation was only the trigger. Within days I knew I wanted to stop again but needed time to get motivated and pick myself up . I am not going to beat myself up over this but am going to take up where I left off on 22nd April smokefree.

I Can't bear to go back to day 1 again so I am going to set myself a target of 15 days . When I achieve that I will blitz the 15 days I smoked from my mind and continue as if I had started from Jan 1st. This will increase my confidence and inspire me to go. If on 31st Dec I am still smokefree I will be a long way from those 15 days of nictotine .

There can be no more relapses between now andy Dec 31st I had a narrow escape this time and the next time it maybe years to get the courage to start again. Smoking is not an option for me . My health has greatly improved and I have had very good results from consultants for my throat, stomach and oesteoporis conditions. and my medication for these conditons has been in some cases stopped and in others greatly reduced . I will have to have to beat the psycholgical cravings but my health is my primary reason for staying a non smoker. The site , and your postings will give me the support to continue.
So May the 2nd and a few champex left over to kick start me into action. Have about six left and after that its cold turkey for me.
Glad ye are all doing so well but stay alert and never get complacent. I should have posted my self doubts on the site before this I realise that was a big mistake instead of battling alone.

Will check in tomorrow night to let you know that I am still smokefree.

Thanks

Shinshin14

Dalan wrote: »

Thanks for coming back with another really inspiring post & it was great to know you're doing so well. It really sounds like you've tamed the beast for good this time - your will power is actually really strong! And you've got a lot of understanding about what you personally need to do and why. I plan to stick in there with you for the full duration - 54 days quit tomorrow, why go back now?

Dalan & Comrades

Thanks for the vote of confidence Dalan but .....,

Back to Bedlam after a major relapse. No excuses . Just the usual triggers that led to past failures . My sister whom I saw last Sept at her husbands funeral abroad was coming home. This was her first visit home to her family and she was coming to the family home where I live. She is a heavy smoker and we were the only two smokers in our family. I was tensed up and worried about her visit - wondering how would it go for her , and would I say the right things as it was a very emotional time for her and we were very close. I even stretched out my Champex to make them last over her visit.
A week before her visit23/04/2011 it happened :mad:
The brainwashing kicked in telling me that somehow a cigarette would help me cope better .We would have a few fags as we always did. The fact that other family members who would meet her would face the same challenges as non smokerss never even entered my head.

Well, - I took my first puff alone after 113 days of being smokefree. and continued to smoke during and after her visit. Did it help relieve the situation ?-.No only in my mind , The brainwashing convinced me that it was easier to talk to her and because I beleived it I probably felt more relaxed as we puffed away. She was still in the throws of grief and puffing cigarettes into each others faces did nothing to solve that. It was comfort, love and support from her family that would help in the longterm not puffing that filth and both of us reminissing about how we hated smoking and what they were doing to us.

I am now anxious to get back on track,. and wishing that I hadn't once again given in to myI old triggers, nervousness, tense situations and lack of confidence. I am fully responsible for my actions in smoking again- it was I who made the decison the situation was only the trigger. Within days I knew I wanted to stop again but needed time to get motivated and pick myself up . I am not going to beat myself up over this but am going to take up where I left off on 22nd April smokefree.

I Can't bear to go back to day 1 again so I am going to set myself a target of 15 days . When I achieve that I will blitz the 15 days I smoked from my mind and continue as if I had started from Jan 1st. This will increase my confidence and inspire me to go. If on 31st Dec I am still smokefree I will be a long way from those 15 days of nictotine .

There can be no more relapses between now andy Dec 31st I had a narrow escape this time and the next time it maybe years to get the courage to start again. Smoking is not an option for me . My health has greatly improved and I have had very good results from consultants for my throat, stomach and oesteoporis conditions. and my medication for these conditons has been in some cases stopped and in others greatly reduced . I will have to have to beat the psycholgical cravings but my health is my primary reason for staying a non smoker. The site , and your postings will give me the support to continue.
So May the 2nd and a few champex left over to kick start me into action. Have about six left and after that its cold turkey for me.
Glad ye are all doing so well but stay alert and never get complacent. I should have posted my self doubts on the site before this I realise that was a big mistake instead of battling alone.

Will check in tomorrow night to let you know that I am still smokefree.

Thanks

Shazanne

I salute your honesty and the fact that you know yourself so well. I am stilly trying to get myself to start the process - it is constantly on my mind but I am so very very weak. I am actually praying for the strength at the moment.
I wish you every possible success and, having read what you've written, I think you will achieve your goal - good luck:)

Shinshin14

Thanks for your support Shazanne . Well didn't smoke today and felt as determined as I did not Jan 1st not to fall back into the smoking pit again. I am putting the lapse in the past and moving on but its not going to be plain sailing as my confidence and self belief took a bit of a bashing from the relapse .

When lapsed on April 23rd I knew in my heart and soul that I could not continue smoking and I was already feeling the physical effects of them once more. I knew I had to get back on track and going back to the site was the only option for me. Here there are no excuses, only blatent honesty where as ex smokers speak of the highs and lows as they struggle to beat their addiction to nictotine.

Shazanne go for it don't wait for the courage to try. There is no shame if you don't suceed first time. I have tried so many times in the past and I am determined to keep trying until I succeed - because I know I do not want to/ nor can I stay smoking for the rest of my life.

So look closely at why you want to quit , pick a day , choose your option cold turkey , or quit smoking aids, and off you go. Better to be started than hanging around wondering when you will get the courage to stop .

Take care and thanks again

Rockery Woman

Still off the fags!

Now if only I could give up eating shiite!:o

howardmarks

Rockery Woman wrote: »

Still off the fags!

Now if only I could give up eating shiite!:o

Do u put it in a sandwich or just eat it from the bowl?

Im forgetting how long its been since i stopped. I love it!

puddles22

day 21 yay and well over 100 k cycled

tigger25

It's very inspiring to read the positive remarks. My chest is screwed yet i continue to smoke.. it's depressing.. but i know it's possible, isn't it? Were all you non-smokers heavy smokers before you quit? Not that it makes a huge difference how much you used to smoke, a smoker is a smoker. Fair play to you all anyway.. i envy your strength.

howardmarks

tigger25 wrote: »

It's very inspiring to read the positive remarks. My chest is screwed yet i continue to smoke.. it's depressing.. but i know it's possible, isn't it? Were all you non-smokers heavy smokers before you quit? Not that it makes a huge difference how much you used to smoke, a smoker is a smoker. Fair play to you all anyway.. i envy your strength.

I smoked from the moment i got up to last thing at night. 20 a day and twice that when i drank.
You have to WANT to give up. Thats the first thing. And i mean really want it. After that the route u chose is up to u.
I became a non smoker bout 40 days ago (must check actually) , Got a bike on the cycle to work scheme and am now cycling about 20-40 k a day instead
All I can say is I wish Id done it sooner. Oh and my chest was bad. At 29 I was wheezy and my breathing sounding laboured. That has got much better. Hard at first but seriously its so so worth it.

Shinshin14

Im' still hanging in there Shazanne but finding it tougher to be as strong as I was when I gave them up on Jan 1st. Have used up the rest of my champex so its cold turkey for me now.

I was off them 15 months until 2009 on cold turkey and only lasted 4 months on my most recent attempt this year with the Champex . So its clear that quitting is not my biggest problem - its finding the commitment and determination to quit for good is my failing . I don't want to continue to smoke and any perceived pleasure is shortl lived for me. I feel so disgusted with myself and my self esteem takes a bashing, ,Yet I continue to relapse and the triggers are always the same. Anyway I am glad I am back on track and everyday that I am smokefree is a good day for me so I am taking it one day at a time.

Well done to all the non smokers - keep it going as you keep me going.
Thanks Shazanne for your support and looking forward to your posts as a non smoker soon.

susanweir

tigger25 wrote: »

It's very inspiring to read the positive remarks. My chest is screwed yet i continue to smoke.. it's depressing.. but i know it's possible, isn't it? Were all you non-smokers heavy smokers before you quit? Not that it makes a huge difference how much you used to smoke, a smoker is a smoker. Fair play to you all anyway.. i envy your strength.

Hi Tigger,

I'm off them 4 months. Was a fairly heavy smoker (20-25) a day since I was 16. (That's 30 years! OMG). I took Champix for a month and stayed off them since. Was very hard in the beginning. My husband smokes, and I had to just decide to do it without him. So far so good, and it has got a lot easier.

You have nothing to lose by giving it a go!;)