Give Up Smoking or Die Trying
Discussion
It took me several attempts to give up.
I used to dream that I had had a cigarette and I was so annoyed with myself for giving in. When I woke up in the morning the relief that it was only a dream was huge and gave me an enormous incentive to carry. This dream recurred for several years after!
It's now been about 35 years since I smoked anything.
btw, I would be interested to know the success rate of those who gave up last year!
I used to dream that I had had a cigarette and I was so annoyed with myself for giving in. When I woke up in the morning the relief that it was only a dream was huge and gave me an enormous incentive to carry. This dream recurred for several years after!
It's now been about 35 years since I smoked anything.
btw, I would be interested to know the success rate of those who gave up last year!
TRB you are doing well mate don't get disheartened. If you can cut the ciggies out of everywhere apart from the man cave then you are doing well. Just think of it as 2 phases of cutting the ciggies out of your life completely. The 1st phase cutting them out of you life apart from the cave. 2nd phase knocking them out completely. I wouldn't put a deadline on when to go from phase 1, you'll know when to do it, just don't increase the amount you smoke at the cave to compensate.
Don't worry about the car these things happen. No one was hurt which is the main thing.
Don't worry about the car these things happen. No one was hurt which is the main thing.
I'm fortunate enough to say I've still not touched one since Xmas day. The cravings have really died down. I can really smell smoke on other vividly now.
That said, for the past couple of nights I've had nightmares - I woke up in a cold sweat this morning. No idea if it's related.
I've managed to keep off the booze too, though unlike the cigarettes, I'm only aiming for 12 months.
That said, for the past couple of nights I've had nightmares - I woke up in a cold sweat this morning. No idea if it's related.
I've managed to keep off the booze too, though unlike the cigarettes, I'm only aiming for 12 months.
Day 7.
Gone from wanting to kill to the odd thought of "I could go a smoke now" which is easily manageable.
Just pop a piece of chewing gum (not nicotine gum) or have a drink of water and take my mind off it.
I'm feeling good. Not sleeping well, but it has been really warm lately so I think that has more to do with it than anything. Never sleep well when it is hot and humid.
Gone from wanting to kill to the odd thought of "I could go a smoke now" which is easily manageable.
Just pop a piece of chewing gum (not nicotine gum) or have a drink of water and take my mind off it.
I'm feeling good. Not sleeping well, but it has been really warm lately so I think that has more to do with it than anything. Never sleep well when it is hot and humid.
Colonial said:
Day 7.
Gone from wanting to kill to the odd thought of "I could go a smoke now" which is easily manageable.
Just pop a piece of chewing gum (not nicotine gum) or have a drink of water and take my mind off it.
I'm feeling good. Not sleeping well, but it has been really warm lately so I think that has more to do with it than anything. Never sleep well when it is hot and humid.
Well done. Gone from wanting to kill to the odd thought of "I could go a smoke now" which is easily manageable.
Just pop a piece of chewing gum (not nicotine gum) or have a drink of water and take my mind off it.
I'm feeling good. Not sleeping well, but it has been really warm lately so I think that has more to do with it than anything. Never sleep well when it is hot and humid.
I found the same thing but i suppose its your body getting rid of the chemicals and geting used to not smoking. Id smoked for 20 years ish id imagine it takes a while to adjust.
The longer you go for the easier it gets and the less thoughts you have about it.
Ive been stopped since Oct and even Sat night after food i went to walk outside for a smoke, just goes to show how much of it is habbit.
5:00 am on New Years day was when I smoked the last cig in the house and not smoked one since. Gone from 25+/day to zero, and the only real impact has been sleepless nights. Very odd!!
I do get the occasional "urge"- eg after doing a work-out I used to get in the car and light up straight away, and it feels strange not to do that anymore, but these flashes are getting fewer and fewer and its nice not going to the shop every day to buy 2 packs (Ms. Mondeoman has packed up as well), so the bank balance is making a nice recovery.
I do get the occasional "urge"- eg after doing a work-out I used to get in the car and light up straight away, and it feels strange not to do that anymore, but these flashes are getting fewer and fewer and its nice not going to the shop every day to buy 2 packs (Ms. Mondeoman has packed up as well), so the bank balance is making a nice recovery.
still struggling here, but still smoke-free everywhere apart from my achilles-heel. Don't get cravings or even fancy a cigarette during the day, so must be a 'comfort blanket' kind of thing in the evening. A bit disappointed with myself, but I guess better than 20+ a day. Not sure if Autosport will make or break me.
Finally managing an evening in the man-cave without ciggies. Between me & you guys, the wife was getting royally on my tits tonight, so I left for the cave with a planned detour via the petrol station (and I don't need petrol!). Got about 100 yards and thought "what the f I am doing?" about turn and so far so good. Early night tonight so think it's in the bag!
Day 8, have to say so far it is easier than i expected. My two major problems are wanting to eat absouloutly everything in the house, and sleeping.. i thought i'd sleep better as nicotine was a stimulant but i just cannot get to sleep and even when i do im up a few hours later...
Yesterday i even managed to have a couple of bottles of wine as we had some friends over and never once felt the urge for a cig. in the past i smoked like a trooper when drinking so last night was a major hurdle cleared
Next big test will be Saturday as im racing with the chaps which usually involves much drinking and smoking, i'm pretty confident i can handle it though after last night
Yesterday i even managed to have a couple of bottles of wine as we had some friends over and never once felt the urge for a cig. in the past i smoked like a trooper when drinking so last night was a major hurdle cleared
Next big test will be Saturday as im racing with the chaps which usually involves much drinking and smoking, i'm pretty confident i can handle it though after last night
thenortherner said:
How's everyone doing?
Still going strong with no cigs and alcohol. I've got to say I'm having some of the worst night's sleep I've ever had since I stopped 3 weeks ago. Almost like a feeling of anxiety and edginess.
Still clean of cigs here. Really fStill going strong with no cigs and alcohol. I've got to say I'm having some of the worst night's sleep I've ever had since I stopped 3 weeks ago. Almost like a feeling of anxiety and edginess.
king up my sleep and I'm eating like a horse, other than that no probs.Had a tough day Wednesday setting up for Autosport with a complete bell-end of a colleague (no excuse I know) and hit the ciggies in the evening to let of steam (or smoke I guess). Smoke-free again today.
If I slip up (and I'm pretty likely to again), I don't think I've failed and hit the ciggies full-time, I just think I'm an idiot and try again!
If I slip up (and I'm pretty likely to again), I don't think I've failed and hit the ciggies full-time, I just think I'm an idiot and try again!
I gave up in August after 24 years of smoking, I'm not struggling and I'm in no doubt that I won't regress.
How?
I started 12 months before giving up, I set myself a time of day I couldn't smoke before, starting with midday.
Bloody hell was that rough for the first two weeks, but I managed it and sat at midday for two weeks.
I knid of got used to not having one first thing (but still craved and fought internal battles).
I thern pushed the allowed before time to 4 PM (this suited as it was finish or start work time).
I admit I cracked often here, but I~ stuck with it and by jingo I was now half my waking life smoke free! and realised i was 2/3 my hours smoke free!
fk this smoking st I thought and kept pushing back the hour I could smoke before, until I swapped to an E cig for a week, then quit.
By the time I quit I was seeing myself as a non smoker who spent 2/3 of the time not doing it, that self image was the key imo.
The actual stopping part was easy, it was th ebuild up and change of self perception that took time and effort.
I'm 5 months smoke free and I bought myself a racing bike as a reward, 1000 miles down and it's only Jan 13th
I'm not just a smoker in remission, I am a Non Smoker and I was already a Non Smoker in my head before I gave up finally, self perception is the key imo.
How?
I started 12 months before giving up, I set myself a time of day I couldn't smoke before, starting with midday.
Bloody hell was that rough for the first two weeks, but I managed it and sat at midday for two weeks.
I knid of got used to not having one first thing (but still craved and fought internal battles).
I thern pushed the allowed before time to 4 PM (this suited as it was finish or start work time).
I admit I cracked often here, but I~ stuck with it and by jingo I was now half my waking life smoke free! and realised i was 2/3 my hours smoke free!
f
k this smoking st I thought and kept pushing back the hour I could smoke before, until I swapped to an E cig for a week, then quit.By the time I quit I was seeing myself as a non smoker who spent 2/3 of the time not doing it, that self image was the key imo.
The actual stopping part was easy, it was th ebuild up and change of self perception that took time and effort.
I'm 5 months smoke free and I bought myself a racing bike as a reward, 1000 miles down and it's only Jan 13th
I'm not just a smoker in remission, I am a Non Smoker and I was already a Non Smoker in my head before I gave up finally, self perception is the key imo.
Edited by Jayfish on Monday 14th January 00:34
TRB said:
Had a tough day Wednesday setting up for Autosport with a complete bell-end of a colleague (no excuse I know) and hit the ciggies in the evening to let of steam (or smoke I guess). Smoke-free again today.
If I slip up (and I'm pretty likely to again), I don't think I've failed and hit the ciggies full-time, I just think I'm an idiot and try again!
Exactly. I've slipped up a couple of times. But it's only a couple of times and overall I am doing fine. If I slip up (and I'm pretty likely to again), I don't think I've failed and hit the ciggies full-time, I just think I'm an idiot and try again!
The main thing is to not go "I'm a failure, I've had one, I might as well start again" just go, won't do that again and keep on keeping on
Day 14 for me. Just stopped and got on my bike after 29 years and 15-odd rollies a day.
A little irritable if the wife/kids wind me up, but no cravings. Why would I crave something so bad for my health?
Fantastic being able to taste food properly, I am eating more but am losing weight thanks to the exercise.
Exercise really is a better drug
A little irritable if the wife/kids wind me up, but no cravings. Why would I crave something so bad for my health?
Fantastic being able to taste food properly, I am eating more but am losing weight thanks to the exercise.
Exercise really is a better drug
Just bumped into this thread and well done to all the new non-smokers! 
I am on day 9 "nicotine free" following 40 odd years of roll-up lung abuse. Method was cold turkey following rotten bronchitis and associated cough - besides, seemed daft to move ££ from fags to gum (etc). Cravings and urges almost gone now just have to do something else when I 'need' a fag..
Benefits so far:
Marmite and cheese sarnies don't half taste good!! Cough going gradually, Mrs happier: win-win!
Also alcohol free same period, no noticeable benefit from that, so far.
Good luck peeps!
K
I am on day 9 "nicotine free" following 40 odd years of roll-up lung abuse. Method was cold turkey following rotten bronchitis and associated cough - besides, seemed daft to move ££ from fags to gum (etc). Cravings and urges almost gone now just have to do something else when I 'need' a fag..
Benefits so far:
Marmite and cheese sarnies don't half taste good!! Cough going gradually, Mrs happier: win-win!Also alcohol free same period, no noticeable benefit from that, so far.
Good luck peeps!
K
Well done all those still quit.
Day 2 of being a non-smoker is coming to a close and it's been a manageable day. No way I'm going to relapse.
I have only been back smoking for the past 8 months after being quit for 2 years. A cheeky social smoke turned into buying a pack of 10 for a nights consumption. [Insert excuses over time].
One left in the pack the next morning and I'm back there. Poor excuse, lesson learned.
I went down the route of Champix because it broke a 17 year habit last time. I have to say it's great, some side effects while you adjust to it. Marked lowering of mood at times and CANNOT be taken without food without crippling stomach cramps but once adjusted, it's helped me escape the majority of cravings. In my mind, I've been looking forward to this for the past few weeks so that helps.
Couldn't find the time to get to see the doctor for a prescription, so purchased online @ Lloyds pharmacy. £81 is a lot to spend but it's certainly a motivator to recoup that back!
Day 2, £15 recouped and FREE
Day 2 of being a non-smoker is coming to a close and it's been a manageable day. No way I'm going to relapse.
I have only been back smoking for the past 8 months after being quit for 2 years. A cheeky social smoke turned into buying a pack of 10 for a nights consumption. [Insert excuses over time].
One left in the pack the next morning and I'm back there. Poor excuse, lesson learned.
I went down the route of Champix because it broke a 17 year habit last time. I have to say it's great, some side effects while you adjust to it. Marked lowering of mood at times and CANNOT be taken without food without crippling stomach cramps but once adjusted, it's helped me escape the majority of cravings. In my mind, I've been looking forward to this for the past few weeks so that helps.
Couldn't find the time to get to see the doctor for a prescription, so purchased online @ Lloyds pharmacy. £81 is a lot to spend but it's certainly a motivator to recoup that back!
Day 2, £15 recouped and FREE
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