For all the obvious reasons, I need to quit smoking. Health problems, social stigma, clothes smelling, etc. But, for me, I have always told myself I would quit smoking before I got married. Or before I turned 30. I don't know, it varied. Now it looks like one of those two things may happen in the next two years!!!Haha, I'm not getting married, just older.
But Boyfriend and I have talked about children - kind of in the "one day" frame of mind that every couple in love must do I imagine and it has been kind of a kick in the pants to quit smoking within a few years of deciding to start a family.
So, here I am, starting. I haven't had a cigarette since Saturday around 11 p.m.
Sunday was pretty easy. I slept late and when I woke up and saw that my last pack was empty, decided that now was a good a time as ever to quit. Stayed busy with Boyfriend all day and hardly had any cravings - Boyfriend was very encouraging. The worst part was after a nice big meal Sunday night I REALLY wanted to smoke but I didn't have any and was already proud of my progress.
Monday was hard. I had really vivid dreams and was very high strung at work. I also got bored REALLY easily as there was nothing to break up the day for me. Smoking was always the way I rewarded myself after accomplishing a project and without it, the day seemed really long. Physical cravings were bad on Monday and I snacked A LOT.
Today, Tuesday, has been the worst so far. Physical cravings aren't as bad but mental cravings are undeniable. I am in mourning for cigarettes if you can believe that. I've played a reel in my head of all the wonderful times I've had smoking and started picturing myself ostracized from friends that smoked, etc. I see myself sitting on a park bench somewhere looking out of place without a cigarette. I noticed people hundreds of yards away smoking today and envied them. I am so unbelievably anxious and bored without smoking but nothing can hold my attention for more than 10 minutes at a time.
Money is a big factor in why I am quitting smoking. Not just the $6.90 a pack of smokes costs in New York these days but the fact that I usually pay for them with cash and therefore have an extra three bucks just sitting in my pocket that easily gets spent as well. In my earlier days I've been known to spend money I did not have just for a pack of cigarettes. That is all, hopefully, going to change.
I just need to get through another couple of days before I can officially announce that I have quit. Wish me luck!
18 comments:
I am so proud of you. You can DO it!
congrats! i totally believe the "three weeks and it's a habit" idea. right now, get through today, then think that you'll get through the week, and after three successful weeks, you've formed your NEW habit. then you've just gotta nurture that one :)
Good luck. I have never smoked so I don't know the cravings, but I have watched people try to stop and I know that it is a challenge. But I have faith that YOU CAN DO IT. Stay with it.
have you considered using some help? gum? patch? other drugs? my boyfriend recently quit smoking and has been smoke free for 3 months by using Chantix. I have other friends that have used it as well and been very successful.
Either way, I am very proud of you for quitting! Best of luck! You can do it!
I think smoking is a scam when all is said and done. It is an expensive thing that turns into a habit, an addiction that grabs hold and doesn't let go. Now there's a market for people who want to quit smoking. The same company that sold the cigs sells the stuff to get off them! I cannot think of another product or industry out there that does this. Glad you decided to quit and hopefully you'll see it as other non-smokers do.
Great decision and good luck :) I know smoking is a hard habit to break, but you'll be so happy when you have!
I had a roommate in college once that was so addicted to nicotine she over-drafted her bank account when she was .60 cents short of a pack of cigs. All told, they ended up costing her over $100 in bank fees and the like.
Plus, aside from all the money reasons, health is a great motivator for quitting!
Anyway, good luck!
Good luck with your endeavour. I hope that you are able to succeed.
What Jim is saying is right. However, have you ever thought about the huge quit smoking industry itself? It's practically worth as much as the tobacco industry because the drug companies know that most smokers will smoke, give up, smoke, give up etc.
I would highly suggest to you CBT. Cognitive behavioural therapy is used for irrational fears such as people who are afraid of flying, despite it being incredibly safe.
That is all that addiction really is. It's a totally irrational state of mind. When you quit, do you feel like your mind is fighting against you, sometimes even urging you to have a cigarette? Second guess it and don't give in - it's just the addiction talking.
I really hope that you can succeed. Next time you have a craving, question it and think about what is really happening to you. Are you physically craving cigarettes...or is your addiction fooling you into think that you are?
Therein lies the answer!
Joe
http://www.QuitSmokingWithJoe.com
Here I am on Day 4, thanks for all your support. I am going it mostly Cold Turkey right now - though I do have a box of nicotine gum which I purchased over a year ago in a failed quitting attempt. I hate them but I chewed two today.
I have gone through CBT - not for smoking - and found it is a useful therapy method and one that I would consider again.
As for other methods, I have a prescription for Chantix which I have not filled for various reasons - one of which being that it will cost me $50.
On and Coupon Artist - I took have spent money I didn't have (including overdraft fees) on cigs before so I can sympathize with your old roommate.
Thanks all and I'll keep you posted on my progress!
I am on my 3rd day of not smoking. I have been on Chantix for a little more than a week. I quit 10 years ago for 9 months and it's every bit as hard for me this time with Chantix as it was without. The only benefit that Chantix has had for me is that it cost me $129 bucks for the prescription starter kit so I figure I don't want to throw that cash away and will try my hardest. I am a moody SOB and my cravings are through the roof but I am staying strong, trying to sleep as much as possible and going out for walks trying to expend that nervious energy.
One effective medicine to induce smoking cessation is Chantix which is extensively available on online pharmacies as well as in the neighboring drug stores. The need is to consult a physician if you are unable to get rid of smoking addiction then obtain Chantix prescription from him. Chantix, the Pfizer manufactured anti-smoking drug has got the approval of the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) on 11 May, 2006 as an anti-smoking treatment in adults and as such the medicine is safe and effective for you. http://www.chantixhome.com/
wonder if there are any blogs about quitting smoking you could read when you are bored? You might identify with some of the struggles and it might motivate you....this could be valued if you still haven't quit
Nice Effort!!!I can not live without smoking. But I try to quit smoking. Every time I fail to do this.
Great post on quit smoking. Smoking is one of the major and serious issue lot of people facing the health related problem because of smoking. Many people try to quit smoking but they found very difficult because they are so addicted to it.
Smoking is very bad for the health. Quitting smoking is not the easy task we need to put the lot of efforts in it. In the mission of quitting smoking we can take, the help of our family members, friends and relatives. Also by taking the help of your near and dear ones, you can quit smoking.
Thanks & Regards,
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FYI forget all the quit smoking products they don't really work and they are expensive and they make you think about smoking when you should be doing other things and forming new and good habits. They are all a waste of money and unhealthy. Don't be a wimp if you don't go COLD TURKEY you ain't really quitting. COLD TURKEY. It sucks but you made the choice to smoke, now you gotta feel the healing feeling. Sleep, drink water, stay busy!!
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