Give Up Smoking or Die Trying

Give Up Smoking or Die Trying

Author
Discussion

Funk

26,254 posts

208 months

Thursday 3rd December 2015
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The cravings are only temporary, they'll pass.

Stick with it.

crashley

1,568 posts

179 months

Tuesday 8th December 2015
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I have only given up once before, when i first met my wife (c.8yrs ago) because she hated it and i hated constantly brushing my teeth however, her best friend smokes so within 6mnths i was back on them again.

Anyways... fast fwd to now, and we're expecting our first Crash Junior in a few weeks, and that, combined with the discovery that a guy from my industry (it's small) has been diagnosed w/ terminal cancer at 38, and another (smoker) died of a heart attack at 44 was the wake up call i needed. Haven't had one for two weeks, and i have been drinking, and despite the odd pang, i am convinced i'm done.

schmalex

13,616 posts

205 months

Tuesday 8th December 2015
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olly22n said:
I threw all my fags out the other day.

Not had one since saturday night. For the first time in my life I feel like I am actually damaging my body, and that I really must stop for the sake of my health!
Crack on! Four days in and you're pretty much over the worst part. You'll feel really self conscious that you are not smoking for a couple of weeks, but that soon passes

This link really helped me work out where I was in the stages of stopping and what was happening to my body http://whyquit.com/whyquit/A_Benefits_Time_Table.h...

There's also a great app for the iPhone / Android that lets you keep track of how many cigs you haven't smoked etc

schmalex

13,616 posts

205 months

Tuesday 8th December 2015
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Ah. My wife doesn't smoke and I never used to smoke in the house. Pretty much all the people I socialise with in our local have quit as well, so there really isn't any temptation.

My stats so far:


grumbledoak

31,499 posts

232 months

Monday 14th December 2015
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Well done.

It's only the habit to break now. Stay away from pubs, or anywhere else you habitually smoked, for another two weeks.

thenortherner

1,502 posts

162 months

Monday 14th December 2015
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Well done to those still on the wagon. And for those just starting out, very best of luck.

This Xmas day will mark 3 years for me. First Ironman completed this year in Zurich, which was my goal since quitting. Second one booked for Summer 2016 in Vichy, France.

Just shows what's possible when you quit.

Bungleaio

6,324 posts

201 months

Monday 14th December 2015
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olly22n said:
No fags!

But no pub either, so I haven't really tested myself but 8 days is 8 days!
Great result mate keep it up.

If the pub really is your nemesis (I can understand why it would be) I suggest having a beer at home so that you get used to it on it's own. Build it up a bit before taking on the pub at a later date.

The trick is just to say no, 5 minutes later you'll have forgotten about the craving.

Colonial

13,553 posts

204 months

Tuesday 15th December 2015
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thenortherner said:
Well done to those still on the wagon. And for those just starting out, very best of luck.

This Xmas day will mark 3 years for me. First Ironman completed this year in Zurich, which was my goal since quitting. Second one booked for Summer 2016 in Vichy, France.

Just shows what's possible when you quit.
Awesome work. Need to improve my swimming before I do that.

I was running while smoking (not at the same time obviously). 2 and a bit weeks after quitting I've shaved a big 1min 14sec off my parkrun PB and a full minute off my mile sprint, dropping down into the mid 4min/km mark, where I used to be low 5 min.

I'm running freer and not having pains in my lungs anymore. It's awesome. And this is only the psychological part, my body hasn't even repaired itself yet.

Saturday and Sunday were both Christmas drinks. Out at pubs and the like. Never even thought once about going for a smoke. Just didn't cross my mind. Days when I'm bored are much, much worse than when I'm drinking and talking.

I'm feeling bloody good and I hate to say it, changing the mindset from "it's horrible and you'll hate it" to "this is the best thing you'll ever do" was the difference for me. Yeah, some cravings. But so what. It's just a feeling like hunger. Not any physical pain.

jmorgan

36,010 posts

283 months

Tuesday 15th December 2015
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Bungleaio said:
olly22n said:
No fags!

But no pub either, so I haven't really tested myself but 8 days is 8 days!
Great result mate keep it up.

If the pub really is your nemesis (I can understand why it would be) I suggest having a beer at home so that you get used to it on it's own. Build it up a bit before taking on the pub at a later date.

The trick is just to say no, 5 minutes later you'll have forgotten about the craving.
Keep going.
I had the added advantage of given up the booze for some years. Worth a thought (even for a short while)? Not sure I could have stopped the smokes still going to the boozer or having a snifter at home.

Funk

26,254 posts

208 months

Tuesday 15th December 2015
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Weird, I also gave up booze a short while after stopping smoking - it's been about nearly 4 and a half years since I last drank. The amount of money I've saved must be extraordinary.

E31Shrew

5,920 posts

191 months

Tuesday 15th December 2015
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Keep at it. I started at the age of 12 and smoked non stop until early Jan 2013, when I was 55.

My NHS app thingy shows:

Days since packing up 1077

Money saved £13842.90 Not actually saved

What is fails to show is Weight gained.....Less said about that the better but addressing it.

I really would like to start feeling a bit better to be honest but that'll come.

Colonial

13,553 posts

204 months

Wednesday 16th December 2015
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Tough day today.

Made it through.

schmalex

13,616 posts

205 months

Wednesday 16th December 2015
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Keep at it!

It's only a couple of minutes before the craving disappears.

7 months in for me and I reckon I get a brief pang, maybe, once a week or so

grumbledoak

31,499 posts

232 months

Wednesday 16th December 2015
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olly22n said:
bks! Had two last night!!
Pub? Told you. loserhehe

joscal

2,072 posts

199 months

Wednesday 16th December 2015
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olly22n said:
bks! Had two last night!!
That was yesterday. The more you think about the poison sticks the more you realise that they're all profiteering from people's addictions.

Not only that they have had to move into consumables as their customers are dying.

Also, think how stupid you look.

I stopped being an addict 5 years ago. Stereotypical reformed smoker.

Now, where's my heroin.

grumbledoak

31,499 posts

232 months

Wednesday 16th December 2015
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olly22n said:
Unavoidable - office Christmas party
And you were basically over the physical addiction, too. That bit is easier than you think. It's the places and the people that form part of the habit. You have to avoid them for three weeks minimum, more likely months.

Oh well. Get back on that horse!

22

Original Poster:

2,268 posts

136 months

Sunday 3rd January 2016
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Terribly weak willed OP here. 2015 was a very smokey year, but I was conscious that something needed to be done. One problem I had is I can go a week without smoking (as long as there's a pack available apparently), but as soon as I realised I've not smoked, I fancy a cigarette.

So, no vaping, chews or owt, just cold turkey and it's only day 3. Very different to when I inadvertently don't smoke, as I built up to it, ceremoniously soaked and broke any left over beyond my midnight deadline. I've spent the last two days surrounded by extended family which is close to hell on earth for me (period includes my wife's granddad popping his clogs), but pretty chilled thus far (in fact, as has happened before, writing on here is giving me the first proper craving).

If you're hopeless like me, please don't stop trying to get off them. I've tried pretty much everything and if one thing, me or one of the other guys on here does helps you, then it's a worthwhile thread.

schmalex

13,616 posts

205 months

Sunday 3rd January 2016
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OP. You're not a million miles from me in Newbury. Why don't you invest £150 (refundable) in the hypnotherapist I visited. I've recommended him to about a dozen locals in my village pub and he's got all but two off the weed permanently. It's not even weird "you are feeling sleepy" hypnotherapy. You just kind of have a chat with him and walk out an hour later a complete non smoker!

PM me if you want his details...

schmalex

13,616 posts

205 months

Sunday 3rd January 2016
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OP. You're not a million miles from me in Newbury. Why don't you invest £150 (refundable) in the hypnotherapist I visited. I've recommended him to about a dozen locals in my village pub and he's got all but two off the weed permanently. It's not even weird "you are feeling sleepy" hypnotherapy. You just kind of have a chat with him and walk out an hour later a complete non smoker!

PM me if you want his details...

22

Original Poster:

2,268 posts

136 months

Sunday 3rd January 2016
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schmalex said:
OP. You're not a million miles from me in Newbury. Why don't you invest £150 (refundable) in the hypnotherapist I visited. I've recommended him to about a dozen locals in my village pub and he's got all but two off the weed permanently. It's not even weird "you are feeling sleepy" hypnotherapy. You just kind of have a chat with him and walk out an hour later a complete non smoker!

PM me if you want his details...
Cheers, hopefully won't be needing it. Day 3 is in the bag (home now and never have smoked at home). This evening was the worst craving of the three days (although not much really), yesterday met up with a couple of mates - both smokers, one supposedly giving up for new year. They were both smoking, didn't bother me at all. Today has been a quiet day, hardly seen anyone, certainly no smokers, but it's been strange. Had a niggle at the wife who promptly replied with "don't get the hump with me just because you're not smoking" she knows me too well.

I'm at the stage where I know I'd be gutted with myself if I smoked again, but it's familiar territory. Baby steps!