Give Up Smoking or Die Trying
Discussion
BritishRacinGrin said:
Don't know whether to bother quitting, I never thought of 20 roll ups a week to be a big deal really... I suppose I could do with somebody telling me that even 20 a week is detrimental to my health. I guess I am addicted, but fortunately I never developed a full on morning smoke, fag breaks at work, after meals smoke, bedtime smoke kind of habit. For me it's normally one when I get in from work and / or one after dinner, and then about ten over the weekend.
Sort of where I was, no morning fix required etc. Eventually understood it as a way I was justifying myself for carrying on. So, turned it around and stopped, figured that if I was that not worried about what I considered a small amount then a short step to make it zero. First week was interesting but not bad, then there was no more craving.
Fancied a fag after dinner, decided aganst it. Guess that means I've stopped (for now). The weekdays will be easy but the weekend will be a hurdle.
Anywho, I'm going to keep a little tally of 'days without smoking' on my bathroom mirror with a drywipe marker and now I can put the first mark on. 32 hours and counting...
My motivation? Even at 20 per week I felt that it dried out my skin and eyes. I'm on a bit of a health bent at the moment, and I notice the difference when I haven't smoked in days. I also googled it and apparently I'm a 'chipper'- a person who rarely smokes but uses that as an excuse to continue smoking, as jmorgan said... so really I just wasnt to 'prove' that I can 'stop any time'.
One more thing. I was in a bar full of prostitutes having a beer, smoking and playing pool (don't judge me, things are very different in Thailand compared to home!) and one of the women took a keen interest in my rolling cigarettes. I gave it to her and set about rolling another but after one drag she gave it back so I continued smoking it. Anyway, this morning I woke up with a little red spot on my top lip and got completely paranoid that I'd caught oral herpes or something. That made me look at cigarettes in a slightly different light!
(there had been a spot there the previous day so I think it just flared up of it's own accord and I don't actually have herpes. I hope.)
Anywho, I'm going to keep a little tally of 'days without smoking' on my bathroom mirror with a drywipe marker and now I can put the first mark on. 32 hours and counting...
My motivation? Even at 20 per week I felt that it dried out my skin and eyes. I'm on a bit of a health bent at the moment, and I notice the difference when I haven't smoked in days. I also googled it and apparently I'm a 'chipper'- a person who rarely smokes but uses that as an excuse to continue smoking, as jmorgan said... so really I just wasnt to 'prove' that I can 'stop any time'.
One more thing. I was in a bar full of prostitutes having a beer, smoking and playing pool (don't judge me, things are very different in Thailand compared to home!) and one of the women took a keen interest in my rolling cigarettes. I gave it to her and set about rolling another but after one drag she gave it back so I continued smoking it. Anyway, this morning I woke up with a little red spot on my top lip and got completely paranoid that I'd caught oral herpes or something. That made me look at cigarettes in a slightly different light!
(there had been a spot there the previous day so I think it just flared up of it's own accord and I don't actually have herpes. I hope.)
Might not help but one thing I found helpful was an app called MLC. it tracks all the time as well as gives you an idea of the health benefits.
For example I have not smoked 15530 cigarettes and the cash is over £6500
I do still occasionally want one. Then I think of the cash. I've put it into a share option at work. After 3 years it's worth £9000 but if the shares continue to do well it's nearly £20k!!!
That's a lot of money
For example I have not smoked 15530 cigarettes and the cash is over £6500
I do still occasionally want one. Then I think of the cash. I've put it into a share option at work. After 3 years it's worth £9000 but if the shares continue to do well it's nearly £20k!!!
That's a lot of money
How's everyone doing on this?
I fell off the wagon a few months back but decided to give up again under the guise of a New Years resolution. It's been 20 days since my last ciggy and I'm really feeling the health and financial benefits. It's been a lot easier this time around for some reason although I have some nights out coming up. I'll be out in February with a social smoker and I'm determined not to have a cheeky one as that's how it starts.
I fell off the wagon a few months back but decided to give up again under the guise of a New Years resolution. It's been 20 days since my last ciggy and I'm really feeling the health and financial benefits. It's been a lot easier this time around for some reason although I have some nights out coming up. I'll be out in February with a social smoker and I'm determined not to have a cheeky one as that's how it starts.
toon10 said:
How's everyone doing on this?
I fell off the wagon a few months back but decided to give up again under the guise of a New Years resolution. It's been 20 days since my last ciggy and I'm really feeling the health and financial benefits. It's been a lot easier this time around for some reason although I have some nights out coming up. I'll be out in February with a social smoker and I'm determined not to have a cheeky one as that's how it starts.
Well I was away last week, and had a few nights out, and sadly had a box of Philip Morris's finest throughout the week, though I have to say I was surprised how little I enjoyed them. Felt a bit like a mental habit more than a physical craving. I fell off the wagon a few months back but decided to give up again under the guise of a New Years resolution. It's been 20 days since my last ciggy and I'm really feeling the health and financial benefits. It's been a lot easier this time around for some reason although I have some nights out coming up. I'll be out in February with a social smoker and I'm determined not to have a cheeky one as that's how it starts.
Anyway, back in the UK since Friday, and haven't had anymore since. So 30 Cigarettes in all since December 19th. Which I reckon is o.k. and leaves a bit of room for improvement.
Went 9 days and really thought I'd cracked it. I posted above I needed to write some stuff for a job application (I didn't get it!) and I know it was my brain playing games with me, but I couldn't seem to write creatively without 'that' stimulant. On the third night of not finding the words I was looking for, I sparked up. Almost immediately my brain clicked into gear (obviously not to the required standard, or I'd have the job).
Having good and bad days since, but it's niggling at me now, whereas before I seemed pretty chilled. Might try a trip to the docs as need to get off them.
Having good and bad days since, but it's niggling at me now, whereas before I seemed pretty chilled. Might try a trip to the docs as need to get off them.
BritishRacinGrin said:
Haven't really 'tried' to quit altogether (as if I'm honest I don't really want to) but I've only smoked three in the past eleven days. I didn't particularly enjoy them, probably because I wasn't drunk 
I think the psychology of 'liking' smoking doesn't get talked about nearly enough. I quit in 2007, and will never smoke again. Even so it took 6 attempts, and I'd tried all the various quitting aids including Zyban. When I finally quit it was with a simple nicotine replacement which I weaned myself from after about 4 months. The smoking aids can all help by reducing our physical dependency, but we tend to see the psychological aspect as some sort of undesirable weakness on our part. I don't think this is helpful, as it sets up an internal conflict which only precipitates more stress.
When I finally quit, the big difference was in how I developed my attitude towards smokers and smoking. I trained myself to hate the smell, by behaving as if I did. If I smelt smoke on the street I'd make a face and hold my breath as I went past (even though it smelt delicious at first). It worked, and I began to truly loathe the stench. I know I'll never go back to it, as I've trained myself to hate it. It sounds extreme, but in truth it's a lot less extreme than the likely consequences of smoking.
Edited for grammar.
Edited by MurderousCrow on Monday 26th January 08:31
BritishRacinGrin said:
Haven't really 'tried' to quit altogether (as if I'm honest I don't really want to) but I've only smoked three in the past eleven days. I didn't particularly enjoy them, probably because I wasn't drunk :roll eyes:
As well the reply as above.Different aspect of mind approach as well and seeing through your own bodies attempts to say it was OK I think that is what I saw in it, psychologically that is. The "I can quit any time". "It's only one or two" but for some reason sometimes it seemed to cost more than that. I just nailed the psychological aspect to the wall and shot it and went cold turkey and it worked, that was after accepting I was fooling myself. Won't work for everyone though. Do what you can to get over that without getting hooked again on something else.
But then I am also tee total through choice so the booze aspect is not something I have to contend with, and not sure I could.
Day 3 here! Wobbled 9 days in to January, then fell completely off the wagon towards the end of the month.
This time I said to myself I would pack up at the end of Jan, which gave me a few days notice. As the day approached I felt 'ready'. Ended up stopping half way through the last day of the month as ran out and couldn't be bothered getting any more (normally evenings = most of what I smoke).
Cold turkey and only craving so far is right now as I type this!
I know I'm hopeless, I really have tried everything, hopefully I've cracked it, but I won't give up trying. If you're thinking of quitting, let us know! Some great help on the thread and believe me, the years go flying by and I want to join the success stories!
This time I said to myself I would pack up at the end of Jan, which gave me a few days notice. As the day approached I felt 'ready'. Ended up stopping half way through the last day of the month as ran out and couldn't be bothered getting any more (normally evenings = most of what I smoke).
Cold turkey and only craving so far is right now as I type this!
I know I'm hopeless, I really have tried everything, hopefully I've cracked it, but I won't give up trying. If you're thinking of quitting, let us know! Some great help on the thread and believe me, the years go flying by and I want to join the success stories!
HQ2 said:
Day 3 here! Wobbled 9 days in to January, then fell completely off the wagon towards the end of the month.
This time I said to myself I would pack up at the end of Jan, which gave me a few days notice. As the day approached I felt 'ready'. Ended up stopping half way through the last day of the month as ran out and couldn't be bothered getting any more (normally evenings = most of what I smoke).
Cold turkey and only craving so far is right now as I type this!
I know I'm hopeless, I really have tried everything, hopefully I've cracked it, but I won't give up trying. If you're thinking of quitting, let us know! Some great help on the thread and believe me, the years go flying by and I want to join the success stories!
Hang in there. Gone cold turkey here since 1st Jan and at the stage where I'm comfortable being out and not smoking. In fact, the smell is starting to make me wince.This time I said to myself I would pack up at the end of Jan, which gave me a few days notice. As the day approached I felt 'ready'. Ended up stopping half way through the last day of the month as ran out and couldn't be bothered getting any more (normally evenings = most of what I smoke).
Cold turkey and only craving so far is right now as I type this!
I know I'm hopeless, I really have tried everything, hopefully I've cracked it, but I won't give up trying. If you're thinking of quitting, let us know! Some great help on the thread and believe me, the years go flying by and I want to join the success stories!
Keep up the good work it really is worth it both in terms of health and finances.
I think this sums it up for me-
I gave up 207 days ago, that's over 4000 fags I haven't smoked
In a couple of weeks I am taking my daughter skiing which we are both really looking forward to. I know that due to my new found health I will be able to keep up with her and not be gasping for breath half way down a mountain.i know that she will no longer be embarrassed by me lighting up at every opportunity. I also know that holiday is costing me £2000 which coincidentally is what I have saved from not smoking.
That for me is reason enough never to touch a ciggie ever again, I hope all of you trying to quit can find your own reasons
Good luck!
I think this sums it up for me-
I gave up 207 days ago, that's over 4000 fags I haven't smoked
In a couple of weeks I am taking my daughter skiing which we are both really looking forward to. I know that due to my new found health I will be able to keep up with her and not be gasping for breath half way down a mountain.i know that she will no longer be embarrassed by me lighting up at every opportunity. I also know that holiday is costing me £2000 which coincidentally is what I have saved from not smoking.
That for me is reason enough never to touch a ciggie ever again, I hope all of you trying to quit can find your own reasons
Good luck!
Keep up the good work it really is worth it both in terms of health and finances.
I think this sums it up for me-
I gave up 207 days ago, that's over 4000 fags I haven't smoked
In a couple of weeks I am taking my daughter skiing which we are both really looking forward to. I know that due to my new found health I will be able to keep up with her and not be gasping for breath half way down a mountain.i know that she will no longer be embarrassed by me lighting up at every opportunity. I also know that holiday is costing me £2000 which coincidentally is what I have saved from not smoking.
That for me is reason enough never to touch a ciggie ever again, I hope all of you trying to quit can find your own reasons
Good luck!
I think this sums it up for me-
I gave up 207 days ago, that's over 4000 fags I haven't smoked
In a couple of weeks I am taking my daughter skiing which we are both really looking forward to. I know that due to my new found health I will be able to keep up with her and not be gasping for breath half way down a mountain.i know that she will no longer be embarrassed by me lighting up at every opportunity. I also know that holiday is costing me £2000 which coincidentally is what I have saved from not smoking.
That for me is reason enough never to touch a ciggie ever again, I hope all of you trying to quit can find your own reasons
Good luck!
jas xjr said:
HQ2 said:
richtea78 said:
Did you try Champix? That's what worked for me after trying everything else!
I had a bad experience. Nightmares like most, but getting in a car to post a letter (for example) then a few minutes later having no idea where I was, where I was going, what I was doing in the car, or in fact whose car it was (ok, the last bit was made up). Was a long time ago, so imagine the drugs have moved on since, but I'm doing this cold turkey tonight. A few days of body adjusting, then it's the easy road 
I only completed the course in half the time.from at least 20 a day ,more if I went out for a drink.
Give it a go,you might be fortunate and not experience any side effects.good luck
I didn't have any side effects, but I know a lot of people who have had.
The wife had the vivid dreams and was a bit more short tempered than usual.
Her sister had the dreams but also depression the first time.
Second time she had concentration issues.
A colleague got hugely depressed the first time, and would burst out crying at his desk. I started taking it, and persuaded in getting him to try it again...same result!
I was a smoker for 20 years, had stopped a couple of times previously, though never for long and knew I needed and wanted to stop, but dreaded doing so.
Chantix /champix made it easy, definitely worth using.
Interestingly, the retail price for the full 2 months is about $600. Was glad the insurance covered it, but I'd still consider it worth the full price.
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