Quitting Smoking

[Circle_One]

So here it is folks. C1 is attempting to quit smoking. I've never really tried before because I've never really wanted to quit, but the other day, I was sitting at the table with Justyce and I was having a cigarette and he started crying. I asked him what was wrong and he said that a couple of days ago, he had read one of the warnings on my cigarette packs and found out all the bad things that could happen to me and he didn't want anything to happen to me and could I please quit.

So here I am, attempting to quit. I went out today and bought that nicorette gum stuff and am going to really try here. For him.

Any tips? Keep me in your thoughts, it's going to be a difficult next couple of weeks, haha.

[Bishka]

Good luck. Focus on why you are doing it, that will help.

I know several people who have tried to quit. One thing they said helped them was always have something in their mouth, toothbrush, tootpick, gum, etc. Just something to chew on.

I hope you can, I'll keep you in my thoughts.

[standing_alone]

Originally Posted by Circle_One

Any tips?

I've heard that a good way to quit is to simply reduce the number of cigarettes you smoke a day or week - tapering off them. I don't know if it works or not (then again it's different for people), since I only quit once and that was cold turkey and now I smoke again and have no intention of quitting. So, perhaps the tapering off thing would be a thing to try - it's also something you could employ along with Nicorette gum and other methods. Don't know if this is helpful or not.

[Feathers in Hair]

I've heard that crunching on carrots can be helpful for the oral comfort that it provides.

I'm hoping the best for you!

[nightwolf]

I am gonna be quitting as well. I have done it a long time ago for 6 months and went back. What helped me was keeping myself busy and staying away from the things that make me want to smoke (like coffee, drinking etc...). It also helped me to do some research and find all the health problems it causes and look into some peoples hard times with cancer and the such, helped make me realize that I did not want to be one of those people. I also sucked on alot of candy. And believe it or not it also helped me to have something held in my fingers like a smoke, like a straw or something.

[Buttercup]

Wow, good for you C-1. Quitting is definitely tough but you can do it. Have you ever tried nicotine patches?

I've heard that when you are trying to break a bad habit you should replace it with a positive habit. If you don't exercise, I would recommend taking a martial arts class or something else fun that you might enjoy to replace that lost habit. You'll feel better physically/mentally in no time. I think alot of people have no idea how much physical exercise helps mind and body. Helps with depression too if you suffer from that at all.

Do you take vitamins? Also, your local health food store can probably recommend supplements that help with addictions...

Best of luck and keep us posted!

[dawny0826]

I was successful in quitting cold turkey, actually. But when I quit for good...I was really ready. I had watched my grandfather suffer with lung cancer and I was trying to get pregnant...so I was ready.

I echo the thoughts of others who have posted in that tapering off may be a good thing. If you're truly ready to quit and are a heavy smoker...this may be less of a shocker to your body and maybe your nerves.

I was a heavy smoker and I know for me, had I tapered off...I probably never would have quit. So, I had to quit cold turkey or else I would continued to find an excuse to smoke.

Some people have success with the patch...which is a step down program.

And the latest thing around here is hynosis. My ex-boss's wife smoked more than I did and that's pretty scary...she successfully quit via hypnosis. It's been over a year for her.

You'll find what works for you. I wish you the very best. You CAN do it!

[Circle_One]

Thanks for the support guys! And you all have some great ideas.

Buttercup, I don't excersize at the moment, but that was my next move. I've decided that I do too many things in my life that make me unhealthy and lazy (and constantly tired), and I want to change my lifestyle somewhat. So I'm quitting those things that I CAN (like smoking and drinking WAY too much Pepsi) and doing things for myself that are healthier, like excersizing and actually starting to eat right.

I know there are certain things that I do that are worse than smoking and not eating healthy, but for the moment, I think quitting smoking will be easier than quitting these other things and hopefully, my partaking in this healthier lifestyle will encourage me to quit these other things.

So yeah, long story short, smoking is my first thing, and joining a gym is my next move, though considering I work in a tobacco store 5 days a week AND DJ at a smoke filled club once a week, I think this is going to be hard, haha.

[Buttercup]

And hey...give yourself a break if you get grumpy. Don't be too hard on yourself and tell Justyce you might be a bit cranky.

When I was quitting i just kept brainwashing myself with all the reasons I didn't want to smoke. I hated the smell, how I felt sometimes while smoking, the cost...blah, blah. And another good thing...once you've not smoked for a couple of weeks, you get confidence you can do it.

One day at a time....

[Circle_One]

Ok, so for the record, the Nicorette gum? Not a fan of it. It made my mouth all tingly and burny and I honestly couldn't handle it for more than 10 minutes, and it tells you to chew each piece for half an hour. I'd seriously rather smoke than chew that stuff.

So yeah, going cold turkey now.