The Money Mustache Community
General Discussion => Throw Down the Gauntlet => Topic started by: Brett on March 23, 2012, 01:34:35 PM
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Yes, smoking. I reckon it's a massive contender for the title of 'most anti-mustachian habit'. For all my espousing the principles of mustachianism, attempting to find creative ways to save money and improve my lifestyle, I feel like a fraud. My dirty little habit has to be punched in the face so I can call myself truly mustachianism.
So I'm throwing down the gauntlet. To any other smokers on this forum (and I'm sure there must be one or two) I say cast of the shackles of shame, publicly acknowledge the problem and own your mistake. Now is the time to save yourself, and save more for your stash.
Let this be a judgement free place. Smokers all know that smoking is stupid and lethal. No one needs to repeat it here. This is a thread for support and encouragement and celebrating the small victories on the path to smoke-freedom!!!
All the advice I've read says to set yourself a date to quit, give yourself a couple of weeks to prepare, i.e. finding local groups for support, figuring out if you want to use nicotine replacement products, if so, which ones; do you want to ask your GP for medication to suppress the cravings. There's nothing wrong with using nicotine replacement, if it gets you to where you want to be. You DO NOT have to rely on willpower alone, just do what you have to to be free of the smoke.
This is, I think, my fourth serious attempt at quitting, and each time you do a little better, or your learn something for next time. I can attest to that fact. Which is why I have set my quit day as Tuesday April 3, the day I'm going to visit my parents for a couple of weeks. They don't know that I smoke, though they know my brother does (which goes to illustrate the associated shame I have), so that will help me stop. Often when I visit I don't smoke, or I go several days without a cigarette and then sneak one at some point late at night. I am seeing my doctor on Monday to discuss options for NR and/or medication.
So, there. The gauntlet has been thrown down. Join me in this challenge, and grow your stubble into a proud mustache.
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Brett, I praise you for your ongoing attempts and we totally support you with this gauntlet throwing.
My aunt passed entirely too young from lung cancer, I wish she had your conviction -- she never once tried to quit. On the bright side, I've a relative who just told me he's planning to quit an over 50 year chewing tobacco habit b/c the prices have gone up so much. And my aunt quit smoking after OVER 50 years so I know you can do it! I've heard some of the prescription meds are effective, is that an option?
Best of luck to Brett and everyone else cutting the (consumption and health) expense of cigs.
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AWESOME!! Great challenge!
My brother just recently quit smoking after being a smoker for about 20 years (he was also a drug addict and alcoholic for many years). He tried many many times to quit and he was never successful. He eventually married a smoker and they had a child. His wife quit when she was pregnant and they both hoped to be done for good, but then after the child was born, they continued to smoke (outside and away from him).
Right before their child turned 2, they learned that he was autistic. Over the years, they learned that he is extremely sensitive to chemicals and many other things in the environment. So, after 20 years, he completely stopped overnight and never went back. It was amazing.
My nephew is nearly 5 now and making great strides, but it's a reminder of how much of an effect smoking can have not only on ourselves, but also on those around us. Sometimes I think that my nephew can sense things more readily than the rest of us can and he reminds us of what we should be doing.
I wish you the best of luck. I know how hard it can be. We're all rooting for you!!
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Yes, smoking is THE most anti-Mustachian habit out there. My family's been trying to get my dad to quit for years (he's been smoking since he was 13) but there's no changing a person who just doesn't want to change.
Good luck with this challenge. Let us know how it turns out!
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Cheers, Brett! I'm picking up this gauntlet (although my quit date was the beginning of this month, before I knew of the Mustachian ways).
As I head into my 24th smoke-free day (this go round, I'm trying nicotine replacement), I look at the pile of money I would have spent on cigarettes, and I plot the awesome things I'm going to do with it. Will I put an extra payment toward the principal on my truck loan? Will I use it to pay for my dog's surgery next month? Will I put it in the pool and dive into a la Scrooge McDuck? (Answer - probably option #2)
This time, I feel more confident and optimistic about becoming a non-smoker - this time, it has been completely my choice. I want to stop, for my health and for my wallet, and I'm the one I'm accountable to.
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There are tools available to you, and I would encourage you to use them.
I was a 30-year chain smoker (started at 15). I quit once. It will be 5 years in July (giving away my age here): I did it with the help of a generic version of wellbutrin and the patch. Have not smoked a cigarette since. This program costs a little $ at first, but no more than a pack-a-day+ habit, and gradually declines. It was a 3 month program.
DH and I did it together. We are much healthier and more active, and our 'stash is much bigger, as a result.
Go for it.
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Thanks guys. That's a lot of support and some great anecdotes to help. I really appreciate the sharing and it's very encouraging.
Mrs MM, I'm sorry to hear about your brother's troubles. I'm glad things are becoming more positive there, and the determination he demonstrated is really impressive. I've heard similar stories about people who've dropped terrible habits overnight for their kids, or grandkids. I'm sure you know more about it than me though, after all you and MMM changed your entire lifestyles for mini MM.
Skandrae, 24 days is immense! Massive congratulations. And you quit pre-mustachianism, it's as though you were already coming into the fold. Come April 27 I want to be reporting back here as being smokefree for just as long, and you'll almost have gone 2 months by then! I really like the Scrooge McDuck idea, but the surgery probably is a more sensible decision. Hope it's nothing too serious, and I'll be wishing your dog well.
MacGyverIt, I'm sorry to hear about your aunt. I lost a family member to cancer not too long ago and it's really crappy. The news of your other relatives is great though. Quitting after 50 years! That's so impressive. I loved reading that. I've 'only' been smoking a year and a bit now. Comparatively there's no reason I can't do it. Medication may well be an option, I'll find out monday, if not I expect I'll be getting some gum. I'm not a real heavy smoker and I have done pretty well in the past. Usually when I've relapsed, as it were, it's been due to feeling like crap and not having enough planned to keep myself busy, or to distract myself. Last summer I actually quit for 6 weeks. That was my first attempt, but I had a couple of drinks, thought 'Oh, one won't hurt'. After the one I tricked myself into thinking it would be a waste to throw away the rest of the pack and got sucked back in. Stupid decision, but I know better now.
Adventine, sorry to hear your dad's being stubborn about it. Sometimes it does just require people to come to it on their own, frustrating as it might be and prodding them can just reinforce the stubbornness (from presonal experience). You never know what's going on in people's minds though, he could be closer to coming to the decision to quit on his own than you realise. Thanks for the support.
R62, yours is the epic story. Quitting once is amazing. Congrats on that. In the past I've been really stubborn about not using the various supports there are out there, feeling like I had to do it by will power alone. I realise now that that's just my pride and that my health is more important, plus regardless of how I get to being smokefree, it's still a great achievement. Not that it's entirely comparable, but I know I wouldn't think less of someone who got off heroin just because they used methadone.
This time, for the first week or so at least, I'll be crazy busy. My mum wants help setting up veggie patches in her garden. The back-breaking labour will keep me honest, I'll be imagining I'm some sort of puritan or something.
Thanks again for all the support folks. It means a lot. And good luck to all else taking up the gauntlet. Let us know your quit dates and keep us updated.
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Bravo for making the commitment to quit! I was a two-pack-per-day smoker for more than ten years... picked up the habit to "impress" a boy I was crazy about who smoked. It took me three tries to quit completely; the first two were gradual wean-off programs from the American Lung Association. I was back up to about a pack a day, when one day I finished a pack and threw it in the trash can and told myself, "That's it. No more." That was 27 years ago and I haven't had one since.
Today I look at the exorbitant price of cigarettes and am amazed that anyone can afford to smoke. At $6 per pack (and I know it's much higher in places), a pack per day will set you back more than $2100 over a year!!!
You'll get a lot of satisfaction seeing your cigarette money piling up instead of being turned into piles of ashes. I vote for the "throw it in the pool and dive in it like Scrooge McDuck" experience!!
--Welmoed
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Bravo for making the commitment to quit! I was a two-pack-per-day smoker for more than ten years... picked up the habit to "impress" a boy I was crazy about who smoked. It took me three tries to quit completely; the first two were gradual wean-off programs from the American Lung Association. I was back up to about a pack a day, when one day I finished a pack and threw it in the trash can and told myself, "That's it. No more." That was 27 years ago and I haven't had one since.
Today I look at the exorbitant price of cigarettes and am amazed that anyone can afford to smoke. At $6 per pack (and I know it's much higher in places), a pack per day will set you back more than $2100 over a year!!!
You'll get a lot of satisfaction seeing your cigarette money piling up instead of being turned into piles of ashes. I vote for the "throw it in the pool and dive in it like Scrooge McDuck" experience!!
--Welmoed
Another impressive story. It's weird how sometimes people can just stop. I guess something just needs to be triggered in the mind to give the drive to do so. When I think about how much I've spent on cigarettes since restarting last summer I'm just gutted. Such a waste. Once I've quit I might just start online transfers to a savings account specifically marked as cigarette savings so I can see how much I save... and then swim in it once it's large enough.
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Brett,
I'm not saying stopping was easy. The first week was very hard and my fiance had to deal with having a total bitch around the house. But he knew it would get better, so he supported me and encouraged me. The second week was better, and it kept getting better from there. I think I finally started calling myself a non-smoker when I encountered someone at work who had just come from a smoke break and I couldn't believe how bad he smelled. I thought to myself, holy cow, is THAT how bad I smelled all those years?!? Once your sense of smell returns, you'll be astounded too. Hang in there!!
--Welmoed
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Brett,
I'm not saying stopping was easy. The first week was very hard and my fiance had to deal with having a total bitch around the house. But he knew it would get better, so he supported me and encouraged me. The second week was better, and it kept getting better from there. I think I finally started calling myself a non-smoker when I encountered someone at work who had just come from a smoke break and I couldn't believe how bad he smelled. I thought to myself, holy cow, is THAT how bad I smelled all those years?!? Once your sense of smell returns, you'll be astounded too. Hang in there!!
--Welmoed
My apologies if it sounded like I thought it was easy for you. Perhaps it would have been better worded as 'it's weird how sometimes people can have the willpower or drive to overcome cravings seemingly suddenly,' which it seemed from your story that that's what happened to you, you were cutting down gradually but suddenly decided to stop altogether. Sorry if I misunderstood, or offended.
You know what's pretty funny, I can't stand the smell of other people smoking. I hate the smell of it when it's not me smoking. Whenever I come back from a smoke break at work I end up apologising to people because I'm sure I stink even if I was standing in the wind or something, although one of my coworkers did say she didn't know I was a smoker until I mentioned it because she hadn't smelt it. But now she knows I think she expects the smell so she smells it sometimes. I tend to avoid smoking in my flat, or hang out of a window or something, but I have cans of air freshener and fabric spray because of the paranoia of the smell... which are also probably not good for my lungs. Sigh. Only ten more days.
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What a great thing! I don't know the best way to quit, but I imagine the electronic cigarettes might be a good idea for people either on their way to quitting, or just reducing the negative effects.
Part of my job (a small part) is to talk to new or soon to be new parents about smoking. Most people don't know about the idea of "third hand smoking." Third hand is when you smoke away from your baby, but when you then pick up your baby you have toxic chemicals on your hands, on your clothes, in your hair, etc. Third hand smoking seems to be just as dangerous as second hand smoking, in terms of rates of asthma, SIDS, colds, etc.
I am just putting this info out there for parents. I think breaking addictions is amazing. Unfortunately I have an evil sugar addiction, which is probably just as harmful to my body as if I smoked.
Heidi
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What a great thing! I don't know the best way to quit, but I imagine the electronic cigarettes might be a good idea for people either on their way to quitting, or just reducing the negative effects.
Part of my job (a small part) is to talk to new or soon to be new parents about smoking. Most people don't know about the idea of "third hand smoking." Third hand is when you smoke away from your baby, but when you then pick up your baby you have toxic chemicals on your hands, on your clothes, in your hair, etc. Third hand smoking seems to be just as dangerous as second hand smoking, in terms of rates of asthma, SIDS, colds, etc.
I am just putting this info out there for parents. I think breaking addictions is amazing. Unfortunately I have an evil sugar addiction, which is probably just as harmful to my body as if I smoked.
Heidi
Damn the white stuff, it does get us all sometimes. I've never heard the term third hand smoking, but I know my cousin wouldn't let people near her baby after they'd smoked for those reasons. Thanks for the support/suggestions. I had considered electronic cigarettes, to replace the hand to mouth habit... probably more beneficial than jelly babies.
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I've seen a lot of ads for nicotine replacement therapy in the form of fake cigarettes. In my opinion, these have a very important drawback: they reinforce the habit of putting something in your mouth and sucking on it. For the longest time after I quit, it just felt so odd that I didn't have a cylinder between my fingers.
What helped me the most was knowing that the intense craving episodes last less than a minute. I learned to take slow, deep breaths and remind myself that my body is undergoing a very real physical withdrawal, and that each spell of craving means I'm expelling the accumulated crap from my lungs.
Try taking up a new hobby that involves both hands. Keep your hands busy. You need to break that hand-to-mouth habit. In thinking about it, perhaps that's why smokers light up after a meal, because they've just spent a lot of time bringing their hand to their mouth, and motion is strongly tied to smoking.
--Welmoed
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Though some of the hardcore believers will get very angry and offended at this, gotta throw it out there.
Second hand smoking isn't real. No science actually supports the idea of second-hand smoke. Literally 0 studies support the idea of second hand smoke being harmful. Zero.
Penn and Teller's TV show "Bullshit" did an episode examining this myth, talking with doctors and scientists, etc.
Third hand smoking is even funnier, as if that is a real thing. It isn't. Just like second hand smoke isn't. (Just cause it's been repeated enough doesn't make it fact.)
No offense intended, just truth.
/disclaimer: I don't smoke, I'm not a fan of smoking. I do believe in letting people make their own informed choices. I believe in truth, not FUD.
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The health consequences of second hand smoke mean less to me than the offensive odor.
Every time I smell a smoker, I want to drop trou and just squeeze out a giant steamer on the sidewalk right next to them. Oh I'm sorry, does that smell bad? Not nearly as bad as what you're doing. Consider keeping your filthy habits to yourself next time.
I'm totally in favor of people doing whatever they like to their own bodies. Mutilate, medicate, terminate, whatever. Just have the decency to not do it in public where my kids can see.
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The health consequences of second hand smoke mean less to me than the offensive odor.
Every time I smell a smoker, I want to drop trou and just squeeze out a giant steamer on the sidewalk right next to them. Oh I'm sorry, does that smell bad? Not nearly as bad as what you're doing. Consider keeping your filthy habits to yourself next time.
I'm totally in favor of people doing whatever they like to their own bodies. Mutilate, medicate, terminate, whatever. Just have the decency to not do it in public where my kids can see.
Haha, I can appreciate that. I try my best to minimise smell, and I won't smoke around kids. I don't agree about the public thing, but that's not the point of this thread so we'll leave it there. In 9 days it won't matter anyway! Woop woop.
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I'm totally in favor of people doing whatever they like to their own bodies. Mutilate, medicate, terminate, whatever. Just have the decency to not do it in public where my kids can see.
And in turn, I completely support your right to free speech. Except when you say things I don't agree with.
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And in turn, I completely support your right to free speech. Except when you say things I don't agree with.
I'm not saying that the right should be suppressed. I'm asking that people not be disgusting in public, as a matter of courtesy.
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And in turn, I completely support your right to free speech. Except when you say things I don't agree with.
I'm not saying that the right should be suppressed. I'm asking that people not be disgusting in public, as a matter of courtesy.
I understand what you're saying.
What I'm saying is this: if you support the right of free speech and free expression, the most crucial things to protect are those that disgust you.
Otherwise we have the tyranny of the majority. What happens when someone doesn't like someone else wearing certain clothing in public? Or having a certain piercing? Or haircut? Or whatever.
If you take away one's right to express themselves in public, you take away their free speech and expression right in general. And that's a slippery slope, and not a world I'd want my (as of yet, unborn) kids growing up in.
I don't think you're saying we should stop them, just that you wish they wouldn't. I get that. It's just that sort of thinking leads to the "let's pass a law so they can't" type thinking. Because I can guarantee you there are people who agree with you who WOULD ban it.
I wish everyone would stop smoking. But if they choose to, I support their right to do so, even (and especially, perhaps) in public, when it is an inconvenience to me personally.
Sorry for the soapbox/rant. Nothing personal. Like I said, I don't think that's what you were thinking. But plenty do. And too few nowadays understand freedom of expression means protecting that which offends.
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I've quit three times. My husband changed to e-cigs and loves them. I'll share our experiences in case they help you.
The first two times I quit, I did so gradually. Over a period of about a month I went from 1 pack a day to about 3 cigarettes a day. After that I probably spent 6 months with a pack in my purse and I knew if I "really" needed one, it was there. This worked out really well for me because psychologically, I needed to know that I could have a cigarette if necessary. So for me, I never felt deprived. During the "cut back" period, I kept telling myself, "I won't have one now, but if I really want one later I will have one." Most of the time I didn't want one later, the craving had passed, but sometimes I did have one. I have a tendency to disobey any orders, so telling myself "no" wouldn't work. I would do it just to prove a point. (Not a very smart point, I know, but it's important to understand your own personality when approaching these things.) After each of these temporary "quitting" I did not have a cigarette for more than a year, so I do feel that I quit, even though I did take up smoking again later.
My third time quitting was when I became pregnant with our son. I quit that day and never looked back. I don't think I'll start again.
My husband's experience was different. He really loved smoking and didn't want to stop. However, I insisted that he stop when I was pregnant. So we found a compromise, e-cigs. They've really come a long way since the overpriced ones they sell at the mall. They don't stink, they don't have any carcinogens, and they are much less expensive than regular cigarettes. My husband spends about $10-15 per month on his e-cig habit. It's still not the most Mustachian thing to do, but it works for us. My husband loves his e-cig and can't believe he ever smoked those stinky cancer sticks before. Plus, you can get the liquid in many different strengths, including 0 nicotine. So if you need a stopgap to get you through the physical addiction by tapering down the nicotine level before tackling the physical habit, e-cigs can do that too. It's cheaper than the patch.
I understand the macho thing to do is to quit cold turkey, but from what I've read that doesn't work too well. Consider all your options and pick what feels right for you.
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Guys, much as I appreciate the discussion of rights above, and it is interesting, please stay on topic.
I've quit three times. My husband changed to e-cigs and loves them. I'll share our experiences in case they help you.
The first two times I quit, I did so gradually. Over a period of about a month I went from 1 pack a day to about 3 cigarettes a day. After that I probably spent 6 months with a pack in my purse ......
I understand the macho thing to do is to quit cold turkey, but from what I've read that doesn't work too well. Consider all your options and pick what feels right for you.
Mirwen, thanks for that. A great contribution. I am quite similar in that I would feel fine about quitting until I had no more cigarettes left and the option to have one was gone. I've considered keeping one or two with me to prevent the cravings I get when I know I can't have a cigarette.
I've been really intrigued by the e-cigs, nice to hear from someone with experience of them. I've been thinking of them for my nicotine replacement, and £10-15 is much cheaper than actually smoking, so a good saving, though like you say, not entirely mustachian. But we do our best. My previous experiences have all been cold turkey, and it worked for me once for 6 weeks, but the circumstances were such that it made it easier to not smoke. I'll take the help if it gets me off them and saves the money. I've tried macho, now I'm trying mustache..... What a terrible line to end on.
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So Brett... How's it going? Did your doctor give you some good (or at least helpful) advice?
I'm pulling for ya!
--Welmoed
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I second Welmoed's question - how did it go? I know you can do this!
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I second Welmoed's question - how did it go? I know you can do this!
So Brett... How's it going? Did your doctor give you some good (or at least helpful) advice?
I'm pulling for ya!
--Welmoed
Hey guys, thanks for checking in. It's been a hectic week so apologies for no update. My doctor was pretty useful I guess. He recommended an appointment with the practice nurse who apparently runs a kick ass smoking cessation clinic, with really good quit rates. The only downside is I couldn't get an appointment until the 12th thanks to work, so I'll have to do the first week or so without that help. He didn't recommend any medications.
I actually came on to say that today I bought what will be my last ever packet of cigarettes. Woop woop. Going to attempt to smoke fewer over the weekend in a feeble attempt to minimise withdrawal come Tuesday. I'm actually feeling a bit nervous over this time round, maybe because I know I've made such a big deal of it. Only 4 days to go!
Again, I really appreciate you folks coming back to see hwo things are going. That support means a ton.
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AWESOME! I came to check up on you too.
By the way, when my brother tried to quit once, he took some kind of weird drug (sorry I don't know the name). It was extremely effective (he stopped smoking completely), but he became depressed and eventually suicidal. It was pretty bad and it coincided with the birth of his son, which sucked. Anyway, just be careful what you take... :)
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Lots of males get very depressed after the birth of a child. It's a very underreported problem, so if that has happened to anyone out there, know you're not alone.
Glad your resolve is still strong Brett.
Any "addiction" is to the nicotine. Don't be too macho or whatever and try to go cold turkey. Get the nicotine (from gum, patch, whatever) to wean you off the addiction while quitting.
Good luck!
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Brett,
You ROCK!!
Just remember that you WILL be going through withdrawal, no matter if you take medications or not. Your body has to clear out all the crap from the bloodstream, and it will suck, but it will NOT last forever. Warn your family and friends that you will not be good company for a week, but that you NEED their support and encouragement even if you yell at them. Apologize in advance, and if there's someone who REALLY helped you stick to your guns, give them a nice gift when you've been clean for a month.
RAH RAH BRETT!!
--Welmoed
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Thanks everyone who keeps coming to check the progress. As always, it really means a lot to have the extra support from this community.
The way things have gone I'll not be using any medications, but will be trying some form of nicotine replacement. The cold turkey way hasn't really worked for me in the past (obviously) so I'm going to use whatever will help me succeed. I remember how crappy it feels during the withdrawal period and that I get really snappy so appropriate warnings/apologies in advance will be given to all the unfortunates who have to talk to me. My nerves are still building over this attempt, but I'm hoping that just demonstrates the significance I'm placing on this attempt and that I'll be committed.
Only three more days!
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Brett
Oh man, I wish you good luck. I quit about 6 weeks ago and am surviving. Look into the mints (i havent lived in the states for a couple of years so Im not sure if you can get them), I used the 1.5 mg ones and they rocked. A cigarette has about the same amount in there but you really only need to suck on one for a while to get through a bunch of cravings.
Worst part... not hanging out with the other smokers at work
Best part.... Not hearing my GF complain everytime i go and smoke.
Good luck, I'll keep checking in!
Alex
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Brett
Oh man, I wish you good luck. I quit about 6 weeks ago and am surviving. Look into the mints (i havent lived in the states for a couple of years so Im not sure if you can get them), I used the 1.5 mg ones and they rocked. A cigarette has about the same amount in there but you really only need to suck on one for a while to get through a bunch of cravings.
Worst part... not hanging out with the other smokers at work
Best part.... Not hearing my GF complain everytime i go and smoke.
Good luck, I'll keep checking in!
Alex
I've never heard of the mints, I'll have to look into them. I live in the UK, maybe we don't have them, but I'll check. Thanks for the suggestion and support. I'm lucky in that my co-workers don't smoke, so I won't miss out there. Unlucky in that my SO smokes, and although he's cut back I don't think he's going to actually quit any time soon, so that may be a massive hindrance to me. At least I'll be able to get him to stop smoking indoors since I won't be smoking and it'll be unbelievably stinky. I wish we had a balcony, or a garden.
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Oh man, the last day is upon me! Feeling a bit stressed and nervous about it today, but this is going to be possibly the most worthwhile thing I do for myself this year, if not ever. I know this week is going to suck massively, but that's the great thing about being an adult (as opposed to a man-child) and a mustachian: we take responsibility for our actions and choices. I've got through the first week of quitting before, I can do it again. As ever, appreciate all the support I've had from this community.
How are the other recent ex-smokers doing? Astadt? Skandrae?
I'm assume our long-term ex-smokers our still standing strong.
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this is going to be possibly the most worthwhile thing I do for myself this year, if not ever
If we had those obnoxious smilies other forums have I'd give you a whole line of cheerleaders!!!
You are right, this is possibly the best thing you will ever do for yourself. One day at a time :-)
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I was so busy with work crises last Friday that I forgot to go to the Health Centre to pick up my next batch of patches, so I've been off the patch for two days now ^_^
Just woke up feeling immensely guilty for smoking, and then realized it was just a dream - I dealt with a super-stressful situation yesterday *without* turning to nicotine. Huzzah!
You can do it, Brett!
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Just woke up feeling immensely guilty for smoking, and then realized it was just a dream
Too funny! I've actually had dreams about smoking. And even though I quit nearly 30 years ago, I still get them on occasion!!
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If we had those obnoxious smilies other forums have I'd give you a whole line of cheerleaders!!!
You are right, this is possibly the best thing you will ever do for yourself. One day at a time :-)
I'll just imagine that there's a line of cheerleading smilies in your post. Thanks.
Too funny! I've actually had dreams about smoking. And even though I quit nearly 30 years ago, I still get them on occasion!!
I was so busy with work crises last Friday that I forgot to go to the Health Centre to pick up my next batch of patches, so I've been off the patch for two days now ^_^
Just woke up feeling immensely guilty for smoking, and then realized it was just a dream - I dealt with a super-stressful situation yesterday *without* turning to nicotine. Huzzah!
You can do it, Brett!
Haha, oh man that's pretty funny about the dreams and guilt. Congrats on getting through it, and for doing so well off the patch too. Will you still go get some more, or try to not use them now?
I just picked up nicotine gum. They were buy one get one free, so I saved £14 and have a ridiculous supply of the stuff. I feel like the mustachian gods are smiling on my endeavours.
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I just picked up nicotine gum. They were buy one get one free, so I saved £14 and have a ridiculous supply of the stuff. I feel like the mustachian gods are smiling on my endeavours.
Awesome, what a nice happenstance.
Gogo Brett!
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I just picked up nicotine gum. They were buy one get one free, so I saved £14 and have a ridiculous supply of the stuff. I feel like the mustachian gods are smiling on my endeavours.
Awesome, what a nice happenstance.
Gogo Brett!
I miss-timed my cigarette smoking and ran out early!!! Panic! Panic! I'm using the gum now. It makes my belly feel weird, and gives me a strange feeling at the back of my throat. Almost like spice, but not quick. It's like a gentle pricking. Maybe this will put me off wanting to use the gum, so I'll go longer between and therefore beat the cravings sooner? Am I tricking myself? I don't know. We shall see. But the mustache gods brought me the gum, it must be right!!!
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Day one
As I stand here in this bleak and desolate wasteland, I see nothing but endless scorched earth and the wreckage of what was. Remnants of the Smoke linger in in the shadows under the over turned vehicles. The thought of endless days of labour clearing it weighs on my spirit, but it must be done if this world is to thrive again. In the meantime, I must focus on getting something to grow in this blisteringly hot place.
Ahem, sorry. What I am trying to say is having just woken up and remembered no cigarettes today, I am feeling a little daunted by the challenge. However I know if I focus on small chunks of time, taking each day, or even each hour or second as it comes (when cravings are bad) I will be fine. Plus I've got my nicotine gum to see me through. In the mean time, I'm at my parents for only a week, I better get cracking in the garden while it's gloriously sunny.
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Go Brett!!
A small suggestion: rather than focus on what you're giving up (smoking), focus on what you are GAINING (ability to smell pleasant aromas, better physical stamina, more money in your pocket, etc.).
You can do it!!
--Welmoed
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Go Brett!!
A small suggestion: rather than focus on what you're giving up (smoking), focus on what you are GAINING (ability to smell pleasant aromas, better physical stamina, more money in your pocket, etc.).
You can do it!!
--Welmoed
Thanks Welmoed. Sensible suggestion, I should have thought of that. I think I will have a savings jar in which I'll put the cost of a pack of cigarettes (which just had tax added in the new budget so a good time to escape) every few days to see it add up.
Today is going pretty well so far. Only marginal cravings, and I know the gum is there if I need it so that's helping. I know the cravings will be worse in the next few days, but I'm prepared. I've been busy in the garden all day which has been great. Found out I might be going away for the weekend, so that will be a nice distraction too.
Effects on my body so far:
Blood pressure and pulse back to normal
Nicotine and Carbon Monoxide levels have halved.
Oxygen levels are normal.
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Day one
As I stand here in this bleak and desolate wasteland, I see nothing but endless scorched earth and the wreckage of what was. Remnants of the Smoke linger in in the shadows under the over turned vehicles. The thought of endless days of labour clearing it weighs on my spirit, but it must be done if this world is to thrive again. In the meantime, I must focus on getting something to grow in this blisteringly hot place.
Ahem, sorry. What I am trying to say is having just woken up and remembered no cigarettes today, I am feeling a little daunted by the challenge. However I know if I focus on small chunks of time, taking each day, or even each hour or second as it comes (when cravings are bad) I will be fine. Plus I've got my nicotine gum to see me through. In the mean time, I'm at my parents for only a week, I better get cracking in the garden while it's gloriously sunny.
Hah, you're a good writer. You should work on writing a novel to distract you from the not smoking. ;)
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Day one
As I stand here in this bleak and desolate wasteland, I see nothing but endless scorched earth and the wreckage of what was. Remnants of the Smoke linger in in the shadows under the over turned vehicles. The thought of endless days of labour clearing it weighs on my spirit, but it must be done if this world is to thrive again. In the meantime, I must focus on getting something to grow in this blisteringly hot place.
Ahem, sorry. What I am trying to say is having just woken up and remembered no cigarettes today, I am feeling a little daunted by the challenge. However I know if I focus on small chunks of time, taking each day, or even each hour or second as it comes (when cravings are bad) I will be fine. Plus I've got my nicotine gum to see me through. In the mean time, I'm at my parents for only a week, I better get cracking in the garden while it's gloriously sunny.
Hah, you're a good writer. You should work on writing a novel to distract you from the not smoking. ;)
Cheers. I'm such a wannabe writer it's unreal. I've not yet attained the level of badassity to stop whining and talking about what I want to write and actually doing the hard work of writing. Maybe I should give it a go during the school holidays to occupy me.
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Nice write-up!! Happy Day One! I think the idea of putting the money you would have spent in a jar is excellent. Perhaps also visualize your lungs returning to that glorious pink color they are supposed to be. :)
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Nice write-up!! Happy Day One! I think the idea of putting the money you would have spent in a jar is excellent. Perhaps also visualize your lungs returning to that glorious pink color they are supposed to be. :)
Given the city I live in I don't think my lungs will be pink until I move away. But I will visualise them being healthier anyway. Cheers Mrs MM.
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Yes, put the smoke-money in a jar - eventually there'll be enough for the Scrooge McDuck dive into a pool of money ^_^
You can do this!
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Yes, put the smoke-money in a jar - eventually there'll be enough for the Scrooge McDuck dive into a pool of money ^_^
You can do this!
Yes! Yes! Yes! I like this.
Update.
Day two. In an hour it will have been 48 hours that I have been smoke free. The cravings have been slightly worse today, but not unbearable. Been busy enough yet again that I have been able to focus on other things. I've not used the gum yet. I've wanted to a couple of times, but I've just said to myself 'it's there if I really need it in an hour's time.' That's been great. And since I've not had any gum, the good effects on my body so far are:
Effects on my body so far:
Blood pressure and pulse back to normal
Nicotine and Carbon Monoxide levels have halved.
Oxygen levels are normal.
Carbon monoxide has been eliminated from my body.
Lungs are starting to clear the excess mucus and debris.
There is NO NICOTINE in my body anymore!!!
Ability to taste and smell is greatly improved... and I've discovered a jar of piquante peppers which I am eating slowly and it is like sex for my tastebuds.
I am not discounting the use of gum still. A little nicotine in the system is better than nicotine and tar and other crap in my body
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The gum is your safety net, but you're doing an awesome job on the tightrope without it! :)
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You can do it!
My mom's smoked most of her life (except when pregnant thankfully) and has tried quitting more times than I can count. But you strike me as much more of a take-charge-and-personal-responsibility type, so I'm sure you'll succeed! I've inherited from her what I call an addictive personality, exceptionally prone to getting stuck in bad habits like watching TV/movies or eating junk food. It takes a great deal of effort for me to resist getting sucked in to these temptations, but I recognize that even that is nothing like what you're going through!
Some lessons I've learned from watching my mom:
- As an earlier poster suggested, focus on all the benefits you're getting by not smoking (in a short time, increased energy, heightened sense of taste/smell, etc.) Over time not smoking will become the "new normal" as MMM has talked about with frugality, but this can be dangerous because you can forget how bad smoking was. Never forget!
- Look out for triggers that used to cause you to want to smoke (the psychological part of the addiction). Find (ideally) healthy activities that can replace smoking when those triggers come around, such as exercising or eating a sweet, ripe, juicy fruit. Finding ways to avoid those triggers can help in the short term, but eventually you will probably have to face them again so you will need to be prepared.
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My quasi-motivational story for smokers trying to quit:
My grandmother smoked all of her life. First she was diagnosed with emphysema, and then lung cancer, and then died a slow horrible death. Her daughter took up smoking as an adult, watched her mother die a slow horrible death, and yet STILL continues to smoke. Despite the fact that she is now getting sick, my sister still smokes. The addiction is strong.
Smoking isn't just bad for you. It's bad for your children.
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I smoked in my late teens and early twenties and found myself quite addicted by the time I graduated college. What an antimustachian habit! I think a pack of smokes was 10 bucks when I decided to quit. Here's what I did and it may help you stick to your guns.
I didn't use any weaning off or gum or patch therapy. I stopped smoking and starting exercising. It was replacement therapy with something super good for me. As my body became fitter and my cardiovascular system became stronger, I was much less inclined to want to pollute my body (and specifically my lungs) and reduce my physical fitness as a result. When I started, my lungs would burn with increased exertion because they were full of crud. The longer I stayed away from smoking and continued to workout, my lung capacity increased significantly and I really noticed the difference in my cardiovascular endurance.
It's been about a decade and I don't ever feel the urge to smoke anymore. I still exercise regularly too.
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Thanks to all recent posters. I definitely can appreciate the effect it has on kids of smokers. It's disturbing really. I like the idea of recognising triggers and replacing the activity. I've been doing that a lot, as well as delaying 'gratification' and waiting 'just one more hour' before getting fun. I can aprpeciate folks who replace it with exercise. Have tried that in the past, but I think the two are separated in my mind. I already got reasonable exercise while smoking. Since quitting, I think mostly being around family and gardening A LOT have kept me true.
5 SMOKE FREE DAYS SO FAR!
Blood pressure and pulse back to normal
Nicotine and Carbon Monoxide levels have halved.
Oxygen levels are normal.
Carbon monoxide has been eliminated from my body.
Lungs are starting to clear the excess mucus and debris.
There is NO NICOTINE in my body anymore!!!
Ability to taste and smell is greatly improved
Breathing becomes easier.
Bronchial tubes begin to relax and energy levels increase - this is noticeable I think. I've felt pretty great these last few days.
In the following weeks my circulation will improve and after that we're gradually chipping away at thigns like heart attack and lung cancer risk.
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Hello,
I think this thread is great! I am new to the community but want to add something that worked for my husband: toothpicks! He smoked for ten years and when he decided to quit he picked up a toothpick habit. He gets the same hand-to-mouth satisfaction with the added bonus on cleaner teeth. The dentist actually commented on improved gum health! We get them at the health food store and he keeps a small pack in his pocket at all times. They make plain as well as a bunch of flavors with essential oils; his favorites are cinnamon and tea tree. I know there is not a 'right' or 'wrong' way to quit, but wanted to throw out this replacement behavior in case it is useful for anyone. Good luck and congrats!
Jennie
*also, I skimmed this thread so I apologize if I am repeating something that has already been said.
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Hello,
I think this thread is great! I am new to the community but want to add something that worked for my husband: toothpicks! He smoked for ten years and when he decided to quit he picked up a toothpick habit. He gets the same hand-to-mouth satisfaction with the added bonus on cleaner teeth. The dentist actually commented on improved gum health! We get them at the health food store and he keeps a small pack in his pocket at all times. They make plain as well as a bunch of flavors with essential oils; his favorites are cinnamon and tea tree. I know there is not a 'right' or 'wrong' way to quit, but wanted to throw out this replacement behavior in case it is useful for anyone. Good luck and congrats!
Jennie
*also, I skimmed this thread so I apologize if I am repeating something that has already been said.
Hi Jennie, welcome to the forum and thanks for a brilliant suggestion. I like the idea of toothpicks. I hadn't thought of anything aside from food as a replacement. Toothpicks are awesome. I didn't know they made flavoured ones. Cheers.
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Been another few days. Still smoke free? Gogo Brett!
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Been another few days. Still smoke free? Gogo Brett!
Indeed I am, it's been going very well thanks. Though today is particularly challenging, partner's mum has been taken to hospital with a fractured skull and it'll be 48 hours before we get the all clear, so that's stressful, but worse is there is actually tobacco in the flat now because partner had only just got back from visiting his family last night. His tobacco was left here. Tough times. I've still got my nicotine gum if I can't hack the cravings, but I've made it 10 days so far, I think I'm over the worst of it.
Thanks for checking in.
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Sorry to hear about your partner's mother, hope everything turns out okay.
Glad to hear you're holding strong, and amazed you're doing it "cold turkey," without much (or any?) of the gum or other aids. Keep it up.
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I didn't read the whole thread, but just to put it out there:
I was a dipper for years. I started almost as soon as I went to college (I thought it was gross in high school), but all of a sudden I was around a ton of people who dipped, since I hung around with a bunch of military-types. Anyways, I finally quit with a combination of gum and Wellbutrin/Bupropion. I think the Wellbutrin helped the most though, I have some left over and I take it whenever I feel even the slightest tinge of nicotine-wantingness.
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Sorry to hear about your partner's mother, hope everything turns out okay.
Glad to hear you're holding strong, and amazed you're doing it "cold turkey," without much (or any?) of the gum or other aids. Keep it up.
Thanks. I didn't need to post the details of the stress here, apologies for that, this was just the first real outlet I came across and it helped me get my thoughts straight. Things will be fine, I'm sure. I am completely surprised at myself for not having used my gum. I think it's just been a big game I've played with myself: I know I am allowed to use the gum, but after going few a few cravings without it it sort of became a competition with myself to see how long I could last for, and if I lose the game, well I won't really have lost since I wouldn't be smoking. But once I got past the stage when all the nicotine was out of my system and the cravings weren't too bad, it just seemed like a bad idea to use it if I could avoid it so as to not prolong withdrawal. Even if it's a big mental trick I'm grateful for it right now knowing that there's tobacco in the flat.
I think I've just timed this quitting right in terms of my mental outlook and what I would be doing when quitting time came. Oh but I totally missed my appointment at the smoking cessation clinic. That was a fail, but at least I'm doing alright.
I didn't read the whole thread, but just to put it out there:
I was a dipper for years. I started almost as soon as I went to college (I thought it was gross in high school), but all of a sudden I was around a ton of people who dipped, since I hung around with a bunch of military-types. Anyways, I finally quit with a combination of gum and Wellbutrin/Bupropion. I think the Wellbutrin helped the most though, I have some left over and I take it whenever I feel even the slightest tinge of nicotine-wantingness.
Thanks for sharing. I think the situational aspect can be really challenging. I like to sit at my window in the morning with my coffee (and previously my cigarette) just to watch the world a bit, it's been a bit tough for those instances because the brain expects a cigarette. Did you find the people you were around made a difference after college? Were they still the same folks?
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Been another few days. Still smoke free? Gogo Brett!
Indeed I am, it's been going very well thanks. Though today is particularly challenging, partner's mum has been taken to hospital with a fractured skull and it'll be 48 hours before we get the all clear, so that's stressful, but worse is there is actually tobacco in the flat now because partner had only just got back from visiting his family last night. His tobacco was left here. Tough times. I've still got my nicotine gum if I can't hack the cravings, but I've made it 10 days so far, I think I'm over the worst of it.
Thanks for checking in.
Yikes! Sorry to hear that. I hope she's ok.
And, I hope you got your partner's tobacco out of there! Congrats on making it 10 days! Keep at it.
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Thanks for sharing. I think the situational aspect can be really challenging. I like to sit at my window in the morning with my coffee (and previously my cigarette) just to watch the world a bit, it's been a bit tough for those instances because the brain expects a cigarette. Did you find the people you were around made a difference after college? Were they still the same folks?
Yea, the situational triggers were killer. My problem was, I pretty much had a dip in almost all the time, so every situation felt like a trigger! I was around the same kind of people (more, actually) after college, since I went into the military, where it seems like everyone uses some kind of tobacco. I think what made the main difference for this last, and successful, time was that I actually WANTED to stop.
It's kind of weird, but prior to that, even when I was 'saying' I wanted to stop dipping, I really didn't want to, because I liked it SO MUCH. But I really did just get tired of it, hated spending money on it, and I was getting real tired of having an addiction. The psychology of it helped me quit, interestingly.
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Thanks Mrs MM.
Kriegsspiel, I think that's what made such a difference in my attempts now, is that I really want to quit, whereas before it was pretty half-hearted. It seems pretty weird that tobacco use is high in the military, where you'd think folks would want to be healthier.
So, full disclosure, this weekend was a really rubbish one and I have to sadly I gave into the cravings. I couldn't handle the cravings which increased with the rubbishness. It was just more stress than I could manage at the moment. I ended up not sleeping at all Friday night, flying out early Saturday morning be with partner, sleeping horribly and being around a lot of smokers. Partner's mum had to be rushed into surgery in the middle of Friday night and it was a very lucky escape. She is now recovering pretty well.
I'm back home now since I have to work tomorrow (yet another reason to add to list of reasons for working toward FI). I'm still committed to quitting so the challenge begins anew tomorrow morning. All tobacco related products are ready to be chucked away, the gum is still around and since stress levels are reduced quite a bit hopefully I'll have the energy and willpower to stay the course.
I made it 13 days there without a cigarette, which, for an attempt made without much changing the situations I would find myself in normally, is a record. Hopefully I can count on the continued support from this awesome community, because honestly the thing that bothered me most about smoking this weekend was that I would have to come back and report it here. A lesson that was learnt/reinforced here is that despite what the cravings try to convince you, that first puff after several days not smoking does not provide the sense of relief that it used to, and that actually tobacco tastes pretty bad. Another thing that's really offputting is that with my nose working better than it used to, is that I can smell the smoke on myself. Bleurgh.
Anyway, here we go again.
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I made it 13 days there without a cigarette, which, for an attempt made without much changing the situations I would find myself in normally, is a record. Hopefully I can count on the continued support from this awesome community, because honestly the thing that bothered me most about smoking this weekend was that I would have to come back and report it here. A lesson that was learnt/reinforced here is that despite what the cravings try to convince you, that first puff after several days not smoking does not provide the sense of relief that it used to, and that actually tobacco tastes pretty bad. Another thing that's really offputting is that with my nose working better than it used to, is that I can smell the smoke on myself. Bleurgh.
Anyway, here we go again.
We're all still rooting for you! Although I've never used tobacco products, I had to completely eliminate sugar and wheat (including most fruit) from my diet this past year and completely consider sugar an addiction. I cheated quite frequently at first because it was so hard but as of Jan. 1 I haven't consumed anything with added sugar or wheat! It gets easier as time goes on but I think mostly my resolve got better (it's still amazingly hard to turn down homemade pie fresh out of the oven) and for my health its worth it. Don't feel too bad about the smoke you had, it's now in the past and doesn't mean you have to stop moving forward!
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Hey Brett,
I'm sorry to hear about all the stressful stuff over the last few days. I'm rooting for you over here ^_^
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Hey Brett,
Im checking back in on you. Hope alls going well.
Keept up the great work!
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Hey guys. Honesty as always. Have completely failed at this the past two weeks (since the stressful weekend). Back in the old situations of work etc I wasn't mentally prepped enough I guess for those after having smoked that weekend and I've been a bit down, partly about the smoking, so it's been tough. Feel like I've let folks down here, but I will make another attempt and learn from this most recent one. I know I can count on you guys for support, which honestly is a great feeling, so thank you so much for that.
I'm currently revving myself back up for another attempt. The plan is to set another quit date and go back to see my parents for a few days on that date. I'm thinking the 4th/5th of May since it's a bank holiday weekend so will give me a good few days with the family and keep me plenty busy with garden work etc.
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I feel like setting the future date may have been part of the problem of starting again.
Basically you put off starting to quit, and kept smoking. Then went and did it on that date. But then once you slipped, you have no reason to make yourself stop again - it's not that perfect circumstance at parent's house, on holiday, whatever.
I think you should try to quit now, today. You tried the "ease into it" idea. Now try the cold turkey (with supports like gum). Don't buy any more. Chew the gum, or patch, or whatever you need to. But waiting to start seems to me that it's easier to keep smoking if you slip after quitting.
Just IMO. I'm rooting for you, not matter what!
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Hey Brett,
Bummer youre smoking again, Youve got to remember all of the reasons you want to quit and run through that list every time youve got the urge. Youre the one thats got to keep you accountable and your last cigarette has to be your LAST ONE EVER!
At least make sure you cut back as much as possible and when you get cravings now, remember that the fewer you have the easier it'll be to quit.
Good luck Bro
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Hey guys, thought I'd check in and give an update and some responses.
I feel like setting the future date may have been part of the problem of starting again.
Basically you put off starting to quit, and kept smoking. Then went and did it on that date. But then once you slipped, you have no reason to make yourself stop again - it's not that perfect circumstance at parent's house, on holiday, whatever.
I think you should try to quit now, today. You tried the "ease into it" idea. Now try the cold turkey (with supports like gum). Don't buy any more. Chew the gum, or patch, or whatever you need to. But waiting to start seems to me that it's easier to keep smoking if you slip after quitting.
Just IMO. I'm rooting for you, not matter what!
I appreciate the honesty and I spent a long time thinking about your points. I ended up sticking with the date setting method, out of a mixture of rational thought and irrational addiction thought. I'm not sure at what ratio. Incorporated into the rules this time is a very strict clause of if I do smoke again, I must immediately quit again etc. Obviously the goal is not to smoke at all. I will be using the Seinfeld chain method just to help visualise the achievement. My aunt is down visiting this weekend too, and she quit 6 years ago now, her thoughts on the matter were pretty much if you really want to quit you will.
Hey Brett,
Bummer youre smoking again, Youve got to remember all of the reasons you want to quit and run through that list every time youve got the urge. Youre the one thats got to keep you accountable and your last cigarette has to be your LAST ONE EVER!
At least make sure you cut back as much as possible and when you get cravings now, remember that the fewer you have the easier it'll be to quit.
Good luck Bro
Cheers. I did my best to follow this advice and to cut back. Think I did OK for the most part. I know I've got to keep myself accountable, and I'm a big proponent of personal responsibility, but it is helpful to have someone/thing else to help drive you when you're weak.
I had my last cigarette this morning shortly before getting the train to my folks. It's been about 14 hours now. Feeling alright. Been fairly busy, gardening, visiting my brother/niece. Plenty planned for the rest of the weekend and for when I return home. The bf won't be home until next Sunday, so I won't have tobacco around the flat. I'm feeling pretty good and hopeful right now. As ever, I really appreciate the support from all you guys. Thanks.
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Keep yourself busy, and keep a list of all the wonderful things about non smoking in your head. When it gets tough, just run though them. I know it sounds daunting but once you get through the first few days its progressively gets easier and then once a few weeks pass you'll be feeling like normal.
Good luck!
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Brett, I know you can do it. The real problem with backsliding is that you're in danger of having the mindset of "Oh, why even try... I'll just start smoking again like I did last time I tried to quit." Just keep on doing your program and reminding yourself of why you want to stop. It took me three tries to finally quit.
Rootin' for ya!
--Welmoed
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Brett, I know you can do it. The real problem with backsliding is that you're in danger of having the mindset of "Oh, why even try... I'll just start smoking again like I did last time I tried to quit." Just keep on doing your program and reminding yourself of why you want to stop. It took me three tries to finally quit.
Rootin' for ya!
--Welmoed
Keep yourself busy, and keep a list of all the wonderful things about non smoking in your head. When it gets tough, just run though them. I know it sounds daunting but once you get through the first few days its progressively gets easier and then once a few weeks pass you'll be feeling like normal.
Good luck!
Thanks guys. So far it's not been awful. Had a couple of tough cravings so far, but doing alright. I've actually discovered a family history of heart trouble on my dad's side thsi weekend. My grandad smoked and died of heart attack in his 40's, and my dad has high cholesterol now in his 40's, fortunately not a smoker. It's gotta be kicked now, because even more now I just can't take the risk. So yet another reason to quit. Over 36 hours so far, tomorrow morning all the nicotine and carbon monoxide will be gone.
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Thanks for the update Brett.
Seinfeld chain method is great, but as I've discussed in another thread on these forums, it can be a good excuse to start up again when you break the chain.
(Or, in the opposite case of starting a good habit, to not continue the habit once you break the chain.)
The best way to handle this is if you break the chain (smoke), immediately quit, you don't get an X for that day, but you get an X the next day, and your new goal is to start a new chain even LONGER than the first one.
Make sure you have some gum around, so even if you get overpowered you have something better than a cigarette.
Good luck!
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Thanks arebel. The gum is coming with me everywhere at the moment. The fact I don't much like it is helping me avoid using it, but I will if I must. appreciate the ongoing support
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"Yes, smoking. I reckon it's a massive contender for the title of 'most anti-mustachian habit'."
Oh, I don't know about that. Think about all the money you could save by dropping dead early.
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Still good, a week clean?
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Interesting stuff, this. I was introduced to clove cigs when I was 20 or so and loved'em. Then it was regular smokes for a bit, but they taste like ash, so it was back to cloves. Then the CA taxes were insane, so I stopped (I'm more cheap than addicted, right?).
Then I found that I could import smokes far cheaper than buying them locally (including Indian Reservations, no tax, but still expensive) so I did that. Then I hated the smell of it in my clothes and that I couldn't wear a jacket for more than a day or two before it had to be hung out to air out or washed, so then I switched to hookah instead.
No smell, no nicotine, tar or tobacco and because it's a bit of a process it's easier.
Once in a blue moon, I import a few cartons of cloves because I love the flavor, but it's always nice when I run out.
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No smell, no nicotine, tar or tobacco and because it's a bit of a process it's easier.
Hookah is tobacco and has nicotine (and smell). No tar though...
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Good job!!
A quote I liked from Reddit:
Every smoker has a reason to not stop smoking today. Every reason is bullshit. Mine was utter bullshit. In good conscious, when I realized how bullshit my reason to keep on smoking was - I couldn't do it anymore.[/img]
There's so many benefits to kicking that habit, but it's incredibly hard to do. I've watched family members struggle.
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If you elect to buy the tobacco containing stuff, yes. There are herbal options where you get the flavor of the molasses but not mixed in tobacco.
No smell - that's the best part. Clothes don't reek. Even if you smoked it IN the house, people wouldn't know it unless they walked in right when you smoke. It doesn't stick on the walls like that nicotine/tar gunk after years of smoking and doesn't stink up the drapes.
The thing with smoking is that it often tastes good. Just like anything, it needs to be done in moderation. If you smoke too much, the risk factor for a host of things goes way up. Same if you eat too much salt, drink too much water, drive too fast etc.
I really have no problem with people doing it, but if you feel you're (general "you") addicted to it, it's gone past an enjoyable hobby to something detrimental.
No smell, no nicotine, tar or tobacco and because it's a bit of a process it's easier.
Hookah is tobacco and has nicotine (and smell). No tar though...
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If you elect to buy the tobacco containing stuff, yes. There are herbal options where you get the flavor of the molasses but not mixed in tobacco.
Interesting, I wasn't aware that existed. I've never seen it around town. The tea shisha varieties look especially interesting to me (I'm a half-gallon a day tea drinker).
No smell - that's the best part. Clothes don't reek. Even if you smoked it IN the house, people wouldn't know it unless they walked in right when you smoke. It doesn't stick on the walls like that nicotine/tar gunk after years of smoking and doesn't stink up the drapes.
It's definitely less stinky than cigarettes, but I think saying there's no smell goes a little far. There are no magical properties of either molasses or water that take out all the smell particles, and if you had upholstered furniture or exposed wood I have no doubt it would absorb some of the smell. Ever been to an indoor hookah bar when business is slow? They continually smell like shisha, regardless of how much is currently burning.
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Any luck to the various people in this thread trying to quit?
Wishing you all the strongest of willpowers!
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Any luck to the various people in this thread trying to quit?
Wishing you all the strongest of willpowers!
I owe Brett a great big thank you for punching me in the face.
I started smoking in 1995 at age 18 (my friends and girlfriend at the time all smoked). I've quit a few times since then, but the longest amount of time has only been for six months.
Brett, once you posted about how eager you were to quit, I reassessed my situation - I realized that I was just coming up with one bullshit reason after another to keep on smoking, and that it was really only my brain playing tricks on me that kept me smoking. May 1st, 2012 I quit using nicoderm step one - I did that for two weeks and the step 2 for one week. After that I stopped. I've been nicotine free since May 22nd and I haven't missed it for more than 30 seconds at a time since.
At roughly half a pack a day, I'd say that's an extra $100 bucks or so added to my stash directly (thus far) and hopefully at least 2 to 3 times that amount saved in future medical bills.
So, Brett - Thank you. I hope you're still making progress towards your goal. If you've slipped and gone back, I urge you to reassess your situation... Lord knows it's taken be nearly two decades to get to a point where I can clearly see my options and what to do about them. Thanks again for your inspiration. Also, big thanks go out to Mr. and Mrs. MM for providing this forum to share ideas and inspire us!
Full disclosure - I did get pretty toasty one evening about 3 weeks ago... I swung by my neighbors birthday party to say hello and ended up having a beer or three and a few cigarettes. I was super hung over the next day and smoking the night before probably aided in my feeling so terrible the next day (like not getting out of bed till after 1pm terrible). The tequila shots for Elizabeth's birthday probably didn't help too much with that either :)
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Congrats Noncents on quitting, and
good luck stay strong in sticking to it.
If you feel weak, come post here and we'll give you a punch in the face!
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I'm clearly older than many members of the forum, but assuming I make it until Sunday, 7/8 (which is looking like a really good bet at this point), I will be tobacco-free for 6 months, which is pretty amazing after a 38-year smoking history. Nicorette gum has been my best friend these past several months.
DH and I quit together after he lost a kidney in January, which his MDs attributed to smoking. So yes, we learned the hard way, but we might still look back some day and call this a lucky break. Almost immediately after quitting, we started breathing better, stopped coughing, started sleeping better, have more stamina. And we're both very proud of ourselves. Oh yes, and we're not spending $400. per month on cigarettes. There are so many pluses and virtually no minuses. I had previously concluded that I was someone who was never going to quit, but I'm living proof that given the right motivation, anyone can do it.
Good luck to Brett, Noncents and any other Mustachians engaged in the good fight. It is totally worthwhile!
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I've been following this thread since it was first created, and it prompted me to create an account and post.
Right now I'm 2 days smoke free, using "the patch" - as I've had relative success using it to quit in the past ( for 45 days ).
I've been smoking for 4 years now and to echo what people have said earlier...I think this time will be it, because I really WANT TO quit.
I can also vouch for the "toothpick" idea as well, as that tends to provide a bit of relief.
I hope we can revive this thread and help all our fellow Mustachians gain freedom from this horribly expensive habit that is such a detriment to your health.
~Cheers
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Nice to have you here, Nishtha. We're rooting for you!
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I'm at 10 months without nic'ing. Wellbutrin + gum, worked as advertised (well, I guess not exactly, since it's off-label use...).
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Thanks arebelspy! And gratz on 10 months Kriegsspiel, I was considering Wellbutrin to help quit - but I was a bit concerned about some of the rumors I've heard about the side-affects.
Did you notice any side effects during your use?
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I was considering Wellbutrin to help quit - but I was a bit concerned about some of the rumors I've heard about the side-affects.
Did you notice any side effects during your use?
..you are smoking..
Cigarettes..
Which give you cancer.
And you're worried about side effects of something that helps you quit?
Just stop, and think about that for the moment.
Even if it does have side effects, at least you're only taking it for a year or whatever? Whereas cigarettes you could be smoking for the next 20+ years.
That seems like a flimsy excuse to me. (Not to mention there are other ways to try and quit. Try a different one if you don't like that one.)
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Thanks arebelspy! And gratz on 10 months Kriegsspiel, I was considering Wellbutrin to help quit - but I was a bit concerned about some of the rumors I've heard about the side-affects.
Did you notice any side effects during your use?
Side effects: you feel pretty good. It's an anti-depressant after all :)
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First of all - I am on the patch still - NOT SMOKING. ( day 5 - taking it one day at time - see my earlier post ) - So there is no excuse there, just a general question about his chosen method.
My understanding of how that drug works is this:
You continue to smoke while taking the anti-depresant drug, Wellbutrin and Zyban block the nicotine receptors in your brain. So eventually your urge to smoke should lessen gradually over time and eventually you will have no desire to smoke.
My main concern with this route is:
1.) you continue to pay for cigs + the cost of the medication, and you are still doing damage to your lungs
2. ) the drugs have a wide range of side effects
See the link for a full list of side effects-
http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-76851-Wellbutrin+XL+Oral.aspx?drugid=76851&drugname=Wellbutrin+XL+Oral&pagenumber=6
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I'm surprised no one has done this yet, as it seems that Mustachians are kind of "Math-0-philes" by nature.
I'm going to post my personal math and motivation behind my desire to quit!
Smoking habit + cost
1 pack a day @ $7.50
Monthly health insurance charge for being a smoker = $ 70.00
Total Monthly expense: $295.00
Total Yearly expense: $3540
Total spent on ciggarettes since I started smoking ( 4.5 years ): $15,930.00
I am still to this day - shocked that I ever let it go this far, So thanks MMM community for inspiring me to try quitting again!
~Cheers
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First of all - I am on the patch still - NOT SMOKING. ( day 5 - taking it one day at time - see my earlier post ) - So there is no excuse there, just a general question about his chosen method.
My understanding of how that drug works is this:
You continue to smoke while taking the anti-depresant drug, Wellbutrin and Zyban block the nicotine receptors in your brain. So eventually your urge to smoke should lessen gradually over time and eventually you will have no desire to smoke.
My main concern with this route is:
1.) you continue to pay for cigs + the cost of the medication, and you are still doing damage to your lungs
2. ) the drugs have a wide range of side effects
See the link for a full list of side effects-
http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-76851-Wellbutrin+XL+Oral.aspx?drugid=76851&drugname=Wellbutrin+XL+Oral&pagenumber=6
Just read through the list of side effects, and I am nonplussed. I'm not sure if that is the right word, but I really wanted to use it. Anyways, pretty much all of those side effects are subjective, or things that could be caused by almost anything you do in the course of a day, so who cares? Hell, maybe I did get "a feeling of restlessness or inability to sit still" and "gas", but since I wasn't already mentally primed to blame it on the Wellbutrin... I just didn't.
Nike that shit!
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I'm surprised no one has done this yet, as it seems that Mustachians are kind of "Math-0-philes" by nature.
I'm going to post my personal math and motivation behind my desire to quit!
Smoking habit + cost
1 pack a day @ $7.50
Monthly health insurance charge for being a smoker = $ 70.00
Total Monthly expense: $295.00
Total Yearly expense: $3540
Total spent on ciggarettes since I started smoking ( 4.5 years ): $15,930.00
I am still to this day - shocked that I ever let it go this far, So thanks MMM community for inspiring me to try quitting again!
~Cheers
Hah, crazy. I was a mouth-tobacco aficionado, which was less than half the price of your pack of cigarettes. I also didn't have any hit on my health insurance (well... I didn't have any, I was in the Army). It was still a big chunk of change that I didn't have to spend in order to be happy, so I stopped. I actually quit about 5 months before I heard of MMM, so I didn't do the math until afterwards.
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My main concern with this route is:
1.) you continue to pay for cigs + the cost of the medication, and you are still doing damage to your lungs
2. ) the drugs have a wide range of side effects
See the link for a full list of side effects-
http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-76851-Wellbutrin+XL+Oral.aspx?drugid=76851&drugname=Wellbutrin+XL+Oral&pagenumber=6
For what, a month? Two?
Compared to smoking for 15-20+ more years?
No brainer to me.
Still, I'd say the patch is a better choice, so if that's working for you, go for it. I just wouldn't worry about using something with side effects for a relatively short period of time to stop continual use of sticks that give you cancer.
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Hello everyone.
My name's Darrell, and I'm going to ask for your help. First though I want to thank Brett for starting this thread ... and I hope you are doing ok.
I'm a one pack a day smoker (25 cigs to a pack) and have been smoking for 40 years. Over that time I've quit twice ... the first time for 6 months, and the second time for two years. Why I started again is not really all that important. What is important is that I am quitting again, FOR GOOD. I'll be using a combination of weaning (I'm now down to 12-14 cigs a day and have been weaning down for the past two weeks) and Nicorette QuickMist (Fresh Mint flavour). My goal date to completely stop is two weeks from today - October 26th.
I have some goals for doing this ... the most important being Health (I'm 53, and over-weight also, and I recently have had a hard time catching my breath after doing anything even remotely physical - that scares me a lot). Next reason for me to quit is also very important - I am the proud father of two teens who I love deeply and I want to keep on being in their lives for a long, long time ... I want to be a grandpa! The third most important reason is my wife ... god how I love this woman - she has such a great heart and she loves me with all of it ... I get choked up just writing that down ... and she DESERVES all of the love that I can give her back for as long as I can. Forever and ever. Fourth reason ... I am so tired of this habit. Being controlled by something that I gave that control to. I should have the will-power to take that control back. Fifth is cost. Where we live (Inuvik, NT Canada) my habit is priced at $15.00 a pack. When I use MMM's future value weekly calculation that equals $78,960 dollars. That is so crazy and so, so STUPID. If I want to continue enjoying my first four reasons, and reap this fifth financial benefit, this outrageous amount of money... I NEED TO STOP.
This blog / forum is inspiring. This thread is inspiring. So much faith / wisdom / help being shared by so many people over the 'net. I want to tap into that ... please. I think that by my asking for help here, I'm putting this goal of mine on notice. I'm not fucking around. Thanks.
Darrell
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Good luck to any of you that are trying to quit. I quit back in '05 after about 15yrs of 1-2 packs a day. I tried weening, Welbutrin(sp?) but when I finally had success was when I just decided that I didn't want to do it anymore. You have to want to stop and then just not do it every day for the rest of your life.
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Hi Darrell,
I'm Erin. I'm new here and also smoke a pack a day. I've tried lessening the expense by rolling my own but it's still a waste of money. Plus, loose tobacco is not available in my state so I have to drive 20 minutes each way to get it. That means I'm right back to paying $7-$8 a pack if I forget to make the run or too lazy. Basically, I've cut down the expense but not enough and it's a shitty solution anyways since the financial burden of this addiction is only one of the problems. I worry seriously about health problems as well.
I'm with you on this challenge!!!! Let's do it!
I had my 1st telephone counseling session today with the Mayo Clinic (work provided benefit). They are sending me some materials in the mail. I don't intend to use Chantix or Bupurion (Wellbutrin) I have tried both in the past and I'm allegic to the Wellbutrin and the Chantix had adverse psychological effects on me. I didn't set a quit date with the counselor, so I'll steal yours. October 26, here we come!!
I had 1 good quit that lasted 43 days about 3 years ago. That was a cold-turkey quit. It worked pretty well, so I'm leaning towards that again, but I still have to review the info the Mayo Clinic sends me. I'm keeping my options open. What helped me before was www.whyquit.com so I will be revisiting that site. I also plan to work on my stress coping and self calming skills - REALLY REALLY work on them.
I hope you succeed and I think quitting smoking will be the biggest leap towards FI and good health that either of us could take. Please feel free to pm me.
Also - for any other smokers reading this thread - JOIN US!!!!!
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Hello Erin,
I would be very pleased to have you do this with me! Thanks ... it feels right to have someone else in the same boat ... we can pull together and get this done.
I too have tried welllbutrin before and did not like the effects at all. The nicorette mist thing actually does work ... I like it ... when I get the crave for a butt I whip this gadget out, take a spray, and within 1 minute the craving is satisfied. Then I note the time (trying to pin-point down why I want the nicotine hit - after meals is one of my triggers) and move on to something to stay occupied. My family is trying hard for me ... going out for a walk, or talking, or maybe just playing a game of crib. I'm aiming to be down around 3-5 smokes per day by the 26th ... Q Day (q = quit). I also like the earlier mention of using flavoured toothpicks as a substitute and I'm going to use them starting on Q Day. We can do this!
And if, like Erin mentioned in her post, there are any more smokers out there that want to join in - PLEASE do.
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I am rooting for you guys! I smoked a pack a day for about 8 years back in my teens/20's. Quitting smoking is still the hardest thing I've ever done. You can do it!
I had success going cold turkey. It sucked, a lot. What I did was keep a jar and I put $4 a day into the jar, what I was spending on the smokes. My deal was that if I smoked even one cigarette, I had to donate the money to somewhere and start over. Once that jar got up to a couple hundred dollars, I was good to go. Also, I didn't stop drinking or going out with my friends, those were total triggers and it helped to face them when I was full of enthusiasm earlier, rather than testing myself later. Keep busy, go for a short walk when you want a smoke, and buy a bag of dumdums, those little suckers.
I am excited for you! You are going to feel great and have lots more money! Yeah!
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Recently my boyfriend John walked into the convenience store to buy a pack of cigarettes and came out empty-handed. The price had finally gotten too high and he quit cold turkey. It has been several months and he still tallys up his savings-to-date every week or so...plus he does feel alot better physically. I would like to share some of Darrell's tips for cravings and the website that Erin recommended with him. He seems to be having trouble with cravings when he's with friends that still smoke. Good luck to you all!
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I'm rooting for those trying to quit too!
I smoked from age 13-31 - crazy, eh? Had made a couple of half-hearted attempts to quit cold turkey, but never lasted long. Then I decided to try weaning down. Very.Slowly. First went from 1 pack a day to half a pack, which just meant I couldn't smoke two cigarettes in a row, and had to space them out a bit. That wasn't too onerous, and didn't take much adjustment. Although I did quickly notice that I had more money in my wallet at the end of the week than I was used to. A month or so later I took it down further - 6, I think? Which was much more of a stretch but still allowed me to smoke at my "usual" times. I was never an early morning smoker, but had gotten into the habit of a smoke before starting work - I had to cut out that one, plus my after work and post commute home smokes. So it became: mid-morning break, lunch, afternoon break, then 3 left to get me through the evening. After several weeks I dropped the morning break, then the afternoon break, and eventually got down to 2 smokes a day, both in the evening. Late evening was my weakest time, so I reserved those 2 smokes for then. Occasionally if out with friends and drinking I would allow myself 1 extra to have a smoke while with them. And then I stayed there for literally months before feeling ready to stop for good and never go back. Because I know (even now) that if I would have one drag on a cigarette, it would not take long for me to be back to smoking full time. I had to not need it at all anymore before I could quit totally. It's been 10 years and although I've had cravings, they are very manageable because I broke my triggers off one by one.
Bottom line, I am a big fan of weaning off rather than cold turkey. It worked for my psychology, where denial triggers rebelliousness, but "just holding out a little longer" is easy. And carolinakaren's boyfriend's strategy of tallying up savings to date is also very helpful to reinforce the forward momentum! When I hit my one year anniversary of quitting, I went out and bought myself a treat - jewellery! Except instead of buying actual jewellery, I bought good quality supplies - real gold chain and findings and some nice carnelian - to make myself a set of earrings and bracelets. Lovely!
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We're here for independence. Freedom. I think this particular article illustrates the self induced slavery of my addiction: http://www.whyquit.com/whyquit/joelcigfriend.html
I'm a smoker which means I am a friggin DRUG ADDICT and MENTALLY ILL!
http://whyquit.com/pr/041210.html
I did this to myself and I will take responsibility for my recovery. I can immediately arrest the progression of this debilitating and deadly disease by accepting withdrawal as healing and that is EXACTLY what I will do. Each craving will be a gift to myself of health and wealth, KNOWING that the cravings will diminish and disappear as my health and wealth do the opposite.
There is nothing I could do that would have ANYWHERE near the positive impact that quitting smoking will have. THIS is the most important thing, the best thing, the most self-loving thing I can possibly do.
I have been smoking 7% of my gross pay. How's that for disgusting? I've been doing it almost my whole life. Well, I am not disgusting....I'm awesome and I deserve this and only I can give this to myself.
*crying*
I'm ready. This is clarity and I'm seizing it. This feeling, these thoughts, this truth, they are precious and worth a million dollars. I will hold tight to this fortune.
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Hello to this thread :)
KulshanGirl: thank you for the words of encouragement, I definitely appreciate them! They felt like a hug ... thanks.
Carolinakaren: Thank you for the wishes and I too will be marking down the savings-to-date starting on the 27th. My plan is use my online banking to take $15.00 a day from the chequing account and drop it into our savings account. At the end of November I plan to take the $525.00 and move it into my TFSA - I know that each day I do this I'll be building my "badassity" and growing my 'stache ... two birds with one stone!
PJ: I really can identify with your comment "where denial triggers rebelliousness" ... I have always had this as a major part of my psyche and I know that this is something I have to be very cognizant of while I do this. I also like the one year anniversary reward idea ... an acknowledgement ... I'll have to put some thought into this. Thanks
ErinG: my fellow combatant! I'm with you all the way on this. I really love your attitude and depth of feeling and I KNOW that we will win this battle. Thank you for joining me on this fight ... and my family thanks you also! Teamwork! Sharing! Empathy! You are not alone on this ... and you are with me on this! Thank you again.
I'm down to 10 a day as of today and I'm aiming for 8 by Friday and then 6 for next Monday. D-day approaches!
Just another quick note: one of my all-time favourite movies is "Michael" starring John Travolta. There is a early scene where Michael notices a bull in a roadside field where they (Michael and the others) have stopped on their travels. The next thing you know, Michael is in the field and squaring off with the bull. As he runs at the bull, and as the bull steamrolls at him, snorting steam from his nostrils, you hear Michael yelling out "BATTLE". After they meet in a tremendous crash, the bull is dazed and confused and Michael walks away ... he wins! This is how I'm looking at the habit of mine: a battle that I will win! "BATTLE"
I'll check in here on this tread more often. Thanks again to all.
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ErinG, if you would like it, I'm offering a great big virtual ((((hug)))) to you! Thank you for being so vulnerable here and like Darrell, I'm inspired by it. You are right, this is the most important thing you can do for yourself right now. Not only will it make a dramatic difference in your finances but it is probably your greatest risk factor for a number of health issues too. Double motivation, right??? For me, the battle with smoking is over but there are other areas that I need to be taking care of my present and future self better, and you've inspired me to work harder in those areas.
Darrell, when it comes to addiction, knowing yourself is SO important. Sounds like you've got great insight into your psyche and that is a weapon in your arsenal.
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So ... nothing much new. Still gearing up for the upcoming D-day. I've had 8 cigs today ... and will have two / three more before bed. I need to start using my Nicorette Mist more often now - no excuses but I started a new job this past Monday and while it is quite exciting to be back in the workforce it is a bit stressful. I know that I could easily backslide but if I keep the goal front and centre than I WILL SUCCEED. I'm going to try for only 9 smokes tomorrow and use the inhaler more when needed - this will be the first time I've gone under ten a day so that in itself is going to be my goal for tomorrow. By this Friday I hope to drop a couple of more and then by this coming Monday I hope to be down to six. Take care everyone ... I'll check in again tomorrow night.
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Same here. I got my "quit" packet in the mail today. I am still on board! I haven't made it to 0 cigs yet. Will be 0 - It's coming!!!
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ErinG and Darrell - You two are awesome! Nothing else that anyone here is doing is as important or difficult as this. You guys have my admiration and support! Cheers to your health and vitality and budgets! I will be following along. :)
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Hi ErinG and KulshanGirl ... thanks for being here. I cherish the support. I didn't make it to nine today ... I'm off to bed as soon as I finish this and today I had 11 cigs. Tomorrow (Friday) ... I'm aiming for ten or less (trying to keep the daily goal a bit "looser"). I find myself getting a bit anxious over this goal of quitting completely but I believe that that is normal for me - to be feeling this - and it is countered completely when I remember my goals that I laid out in my first post of this thread - so I accept the anxiety and get ready to face-punch it down if it tries to grow too big for it's britches! Focus, focus, focus. Keep both eyes on the goal ... take the good thoughts of others gracefully and gratefully ... whip out and use the inhaler ... use it all and we will win.
From ErinG's post: Will be 0 - It's coming!!! YES ... I feel this too. Thanks all, good-night ... and see you tomorrow eh. :)
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Darrell, you should print out that post and keep it with you at all times to read when you are craving, it is a moving and eloquent summary of why you are doing this. And ErinG, you have a post like that here as well. Print THAT one out and keep it on you.
And when you get to zero/D-day, you are no longer quitting smoking. You HAVE STOPPED smoking. :) Getting through cravings is hard work, but it gets better.
I still highly recommend the bag of dumdums. When a craving hits bad, pop one of those in and go outside on a quick walk and fill your lungs with good air. Go to bed early if the cravings hit hard at night.
I will try not to be too much of a cheering pollyanna annoyance. I am just really excited for you guys. =D
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Hi all,
KulshanGirl: thanks for the idea ... and the kind words. I printed off my last post and made it into a small "card" .... not too sure if it will help but I like the idea of just keeping it with me for this last week. I can see using the words to wean myself off the Nicorette :) ... pull out the card instead of the inhaler!
I also want to mention that you are nowhere near a "cheering pollyanna annoyance" ... I asked this thread for help and you have taken up this challenge! A complete stranger ... but now no longer ... like a pen-pal you are becoming a friend! Thanks ... and my family thanks you also (I share with them what is happening with this thread) ... they are my rock-solid support, and you and the others here are my cyber-support ... and all I had to do was ask! It is amazing to ponder.
Today I had 9 smokes ... first time gone under 10 in years and years. The puffer got used more as the tool that it is supposed to be (and again, it does work - I crave, I mist, 60 seconds later the craving subsides and I move on) ... today I started to carry it in the same pocket that I have my pack of cigs (before I had it in another pocket) so when I had the desire and grabbed for the smokes I immediately felt the inhaler also and so I used it more. What a simple "trick" and it worked!
I'm aiming for 8 - 9 smokes tomorrow, and then 7 -8 on Sunday, and 6 - 7 by Monday. This coming Friday is D-day and I will STOP SMOKING (and yes this is a cyber YELL). I'm going to be back tomorrow to log my day ... I like making it a record. Thanks MMM and Mrs MM for the forum. Good-night.
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Today I had 9 smokes ... first time gone under 10 in years and years. The puffer got used more as the tool that it is supposed to be (and again, it does work - I crave, I mist, 60 seconds later the craving subsides and I move on) ... today I started to carry it in the same pocket that I have my pack of cigs (before I had it in another pocket) so when I had the desire and grabbed for the smokes I immediately felt the inhaler also and so I used it more. What a simple "trick" and it worked!
Well done, both on the 9 day and the clever trick to help you make better use of the inhaler!
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Hi .... so I've had 8 so far today ... maybe I'll have another before the days' end ... or maybe not. Today was a very laid-back and quiet day around my home. My wife and kids were involved in the high-schools annual volleyball tournament and were absent from 8 am until 10 pm. I spent my day reading, playing around with Apache's OpenOffice "Calc" program (building a grocery price-book to track our food expenses - the spread-sheet is coming along nicely and I learnt about drop-down menus and indexing ... very basic I know but still new to me) and listening to some old classics from Queen, Muddy Waters, the 'Stones, Bonnie Raitt, Mavis Staples, Holly Cole, etc. It was a great day ... even managed to "squeeze" in an afternoon nap with our old cat "Smokie" keeping me company. Relative to this thread, the cats' name is mildly ironic don't you think? But it's because she's a nice gun-metal grey colour with some white highlights :) ... anyways, I can hear my pillows whispers calling me (I love my pillow - weird eh?) So, g'night all. 'Till tomorrow.
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Song for Darrell and ErinG!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyggY_R3jU8
=D You guys are really rockin' so far. Keep at it!
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I'm down to 10 and stuck there. I am going to slap a patch on quit day and smoke NO MORE. I'm glad you guys are here. Counting down......
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Hey forum ...
Thanks for the link KulshanGirl! That song is apropos ... and I can totally remember the hair! Funny stuff ... now I'm going to have an "earworm" for the rest of the evening!
So far today I've had 7 ... and hopefully will only have one more before calling it a day (still about 6 hours to go). My inhaler is getting a work-out though ... still relying on it quite a bit. Still ... to have gone from 25 a day 12 days ago to 7-8 today ... that's progress!
ErinG ... I also had a block when it came to 10. To break 10 is doable! I like thinking that a pack now lasts me three days ... and I'll be buying my last pack tomorrow evening. I too am glad that you're here - working HARD on this task. Entering "Final Countdown" ... talk to you tomorrow eh!
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I smoked on and off again for a year. Mostly on. 4 months in Italy made it so freaking easy and fun. That whole "Europeans and their cigarrettes thing".
I've mostly quit. I haven't bought a pack since the end of August. I've bummed around 4 cigarettes from friends since then. I guess some would argue that I haven't really quit.
But I'm close enough! For now at least. That's part of how I made myself quit/cut way back. I never say "I can't ever in my life smoke another cigarette." I don't make quitting a big deal. For a week or 2, I was really strict, but I've loosened up since then. Smoking every 3 weeks might not be quitting, but it's gotten me this far. Hopefully that'll turn into 6 weeks and then 3 months and then a year.
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Song of the Day! Oh cheesy 80's videos, I heart you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Xmlb3ZRPuU
You are coming up on a landmark day! Future you called, they say thank you! You can dooo eeet! :)
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"This video contains content from EMI, who has blocked it in your country on copyright grounds.
Sorry about that."
Apparently Canadians are not allowed to listen to that particular cheesy 80's song.
But they can provide a cheering section for the brave soldiers in the fight against smoking. Hope you're having a good day, with willpower growing by the second!
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What the heck, Canada! It's "I'm On My Way" by the Proclaimers. (I'm oon mah wee!)
I'm on my way from misery to happiness today (uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh)
I'm on my way from misery to happiness today (uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh)
I'm on my way to what I want from this world
And years from now you'll make it to the next world
And everything that you receive up yonder
Is what you gave to me the day I wandered
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEzLTSF6XaU (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEzLTSF6XaU)
Hi ... KulshanGirl ... with the link you gave I too was blocked and got the EMI dialogue. But, I googled the song and then clicked on the next youtube link and there it was! Great song ... actually own it (love 500 miles). Thanks for the lift!
My weaning program is still working fine ... but I've had some people say that I should be careful not to get "hooked" on the inhaler! The concern is that I'm just substituting one method of nicotine delivery for another ... and these comments only come from fellow smokers! I live in a small town (3500 people) and for the past couple of days I've been telling everyone I meet that I'm trying to quit ... I'm trying to build up a collection of support for my cause ... and today I told the owner of the store where I buy my habit that "this is my last ever pack that I'm going to buy". His response was not really all that supportive ... heh ... because he is going to be losing my daily contribution to his bottom-line BUT being the seller that he is he told me that when he quit smoking himself a few years back that he switched to gum, and he offered me a stick! That's kinda cool ... I appreciate fast-thinkers no matter what the situation.
Anyways, I have my last pack! D-day approaches (this Friday) and I'm getting those butterflies in my tummy that I always get whenever I try something new ... but it's all good! I getting ready ... going into battle ... and will beat this habit into the dirt where it belongs.
Thanks all here for the support.
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Unfortunately John has fallen off the wagon! At first I think he just had a puff or two from a friend's cig, but this past week he even bought some cigarettes.... I hope he can remember how good he was feeling while not smoking and maybe quit again. sigh.....
I hope you are all having better longevity with this challenge!
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Oooh, you guys are getting there now! You can do it! You can do it! Sing it, Tom Petty!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvlTJrNJ5lA
Darrell, I didn't use an inhaler or anything else when I quit, it seems like it'd be like having to quit twice, once for the cigs and once again for the helper. That said, you should do exactly what works best for you and what will help you step down off of the cigarettes successfully. Take all advice with a grain of salt, even mine, and just DON'T SMOKE, somehow, any how, every how. :)
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I used to be a "pack a day" smoker. I haven't smoked in 9 years. Giving up was a stop and start sort of thing. It took a few tries, but I did it and now I can't even remember what it was like to want to smoke.
Best of luck to everyone who wants to give up, it's totally possible and you'll do it!
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In this corner, we have DARRELL and ERING ... superstars, champions, warriors, friends! Let's get ready to rrrrrrumble!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgSMxY6asoE
I know that tomorrow is the day for you, Darrell, and you're probably anxious! It's the first step across a shaky bridge to the other side - a long shaky bridge - but the other side is here and each day will bring you closer if you keep pointed this way. See me waaaayyyyy over here?! I am hopping up and down like a big dork. :)
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I'm still on board!! Anxious, but ready. Thanks for all the support!
I'll report back tomorrow night unless I go straight to bed, (may resort to this tactic).
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Yeah ErinG! =D
Can I make a suggestion? When you two get to that last cigarette, instead of smoking it ... grind it under your shoe and give a whoop.
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Hey hey ... still here and still planning on stopping tomorrow! Thanks for the visual KulshanGirl ... I can see you at the other end of the bridge. You're there with a lot of other people who are also cheering me on. I really appreciate all the support I and ErinG are getting here ... it definitely helps!
ErinG ... I'm anxious too, but I'm using the feeling. It's like getting psyched before doing something / anything new. I'm also planning my last smoke for just before going to bed tomorrow night and then using the inhaler the next morning if and when needed. I'm also planning on logging in here a few times to record the battle and get some cheers ... I'll see you here. And today I've had six ... probably one more before the end of the day. WE CAN DO THIS - I BELIEVE!
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Awesome song from an awesome scene in an awesome movie:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DJC-ECU8IE
And this too:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rw1P7gdtAeY
Because funk and disco are PROVEN to help you quit smoking. :)
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The big day's finally here! How's it going, guys?
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We're all here rooting for you guys!
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I am about to kill somebody. I left work 2 hrs early. I caught my neighbor driving across my lawn AGAIN this morning. I yelled HEY at him and he looked straight at me and then he just drove off while I was approaching his car. I ran out to the sidewalk and flipped him the bird with both hands for at least a full 30 seconds until he was out of sight (to the great amusement of the neighbors on the other side). I spent my extra 2 hours after work harvesting boulders from my yard and woods and using a dolly to place them along the property line. I had reflective stakes out there, but they've all been driven over. I put the stakes back up to mark the rocks. I hope he decides to drive over the stakes again and hangs his car up. Seriously - I need a T-Shirt to warn people off of me. I told my husband when he got home that if the asshole has anything to say to me besides "I'm sorry" that he needs to give him an immediate tune up and not to worry 'cause I've got bail $$. POINT OF STORY: I don't know how much of this is nicotine related, but I've never been mad enough to move rocks that weigh as much as me or instruct my husband to assault someone. LOL LOL , laugh or cry. guess I'll laugh.
ANYWAYS, I'm looking forward to bed and another better day tomorrow.
I didn't put on a patch, like I said I was. I feel like I just want to kick this and get it over with.
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Don't worry Erin, with all the money you'll be saving by not buying smokes, you will be able to afford the bail money!
Bonus points for getting in shape with your new boulder workout while quitting smoking! So many people end up putting on weight when they quit, but not you! You're going to be a lean, mean, non-smoking machine!
... psst, seriously, it doesn't matter how ugly the first few days look ... you won't actually kill anyone, and this won't kill you either ... this too shall pass, I promise!
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ErinG is the poster child for BAD-Friggin-ASSITY today. No patch and hauling boulders. Imma go listen to Eye of the Tiger again. :)
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Hi Darrell and Erin,
I just finished reacquainting myself with this thread and want to give you both some extra encouragement! I am the person that mentioned the flavored toothpicks that worked for my husband (he says he likes the kind of 'burning' feeling- but in a good way-from the tea tree and cinnamon toothpicks). I know that today is the Q day and want to add that I am another 'online stranger' rooting for you.
Best Wishes, Jennie
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Hello everyone .... D-day has arrived!
Man ... ErinG ... I wish I could channel some of your emotion! I'm sorry to hear of the situation itself but I'm seeing it as you have an actual, physical, dragon to slay. BATTLE (although I'm glad to hear that nobody was actually injured) ... what a way to vent some of this anxiety off.
Today was a very anxiety-charged day for me as well ... I kept looking at the time, hoping that the work-day would get over sooner so that I could get home ... where my real support is. I had three cigs left when I got home at 5 ... I made dinner ... laughed a bit with the family over their days events ... helped with the dishes ... and literally felt the anxiousness slowly deflate. I'm ready and I know it. I've had one more ... one left for just before bed ... and one to crush underfoot and do a little "happy dance" on. I'll go to sleep knowing that there will never be another smoke ... I'm staying positive and only thinking of the goals I laid out when I first joined this thread.
Thank you to all that have offered hints (Jennie - I have my peppermint toothpicks - thanks), and tips, and your stories of quitting. KulshanGirl you made me laugh when I needed a laugh - thank you for that and I'm thinking of you on the other side of the bridge, waving me on. One step at a time! Keep a steady eye on the prize ... man I'm full of cliches tonight :). I know that I'll be re-reading this thread numerous times over the next few days and drawing again from everyones contributions to our goal. I do plan on recording some of my thoughts / events / whatever that happen over the next little bit and I'll be hoping that you all will still be here ... offering some of that "mustachian" common-sense. Calling me out if I get too "complainpantsy" etc., ... Thank you all for sharing this ride.
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Smoking doesn't stand a chance against you two! Hope you've been practicing your victory dances!
(http://www.tollgatechurch.org/images/david_goliath_victory_hg_wht.gif) (http://hcppo.com/images/victory_dance_animated.gif)
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PJ! That dancing Elaine just made me spit cider out my nose. LOL! *snort*
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Oops! Sorry about that, KulshanGirl! Hope it didn't get on your keyboard ...
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Keyboard survived. Hehe. That still cracks me up.
Song of the day, if this doesn't make you smile, his outfit sure will!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkwJ-g0iJ6w
Edit to add: It's well into the afternoon now .... I hope Erin G hasn't set her neighbor's car ablaze and Darrell hasn't chewed through all of his toothpicks. Keep breathing! We're cheering!
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Love that song, KulshanGirl!
Music/soundtrack trivia - that one is on the Grosse Pointe Blank soundtrack.
Erin and Darrell, hope you're keeping on keeping on ...
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Day one ... well, that was a long day ... but successful! BATTLE! Made it through, with the help of the Nicorette mister which I had to use seven times. I'm glad I have the inhaler but still I need to use it less. So, tomorrow I'll fight the craving more with will and less with the crutch. At home I never smoked inside ... I would grab a book and go out onto the deck and read and puff, so the two acts were tied together for me. Today I just used the mist without going out to read. I have to change that up I think, since I didn't get to read today ... just kept busy. The best part of the day just ended ... playing hearts with my wife and kids. Lots of laughter (usually at my expense because I like to try to "shoot the moon" but I'm very rarely successful) So i lost ... typical ... sigh ... they have no pity for the old guy at all. :)
ErinG: I hope you are doing well also ... fighting the good fight eh?
Good-night all.
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Darrell!
Think about it though ... you've been having, what, 6 or 7 smokes a day, or more, plus using the mister sometimes in between, right? So you used the mister only as much as you've been smoking, which is still a reduction. With the mister, what you're doing is really continuing to wean, and that's totally cool - it's a proven strategy and slow but steady reduction has got you this far, right? Try to keep it to the same frequency or less each day, and you'll keep winning the battles - which is how you'll win the war. And I definitely think you need to build in some new routines, such as finding a new (inside) spot to read for a while.
You can do this, hang in there!
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Darrell,
That is AWESOME! congrats!
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Day one is behind you! Way to go Darrell, that is a huge accomplishment! You're on your way. :)
And now, Classic Sesame Street presents... the Oinker Sisters.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANQPlGmhAmA
(I love this song. It's on my toddler's Big Bird's Dance Party DVD and I have this song stuck in my head pretty much all the time these days. I've got a new way to walk, and it makes my spirit shine!)
Keep up the good work!
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Hey there. Just stopped by to offer you two a nice hot cup of (http://rlv.zcache.com/winning_charlie_sheen_twitter_hashtag_mug-p168009376534707501enqy5_216.jpg)
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Hi threadsters ... day two just wrapping up for me. I made it through! But I was a bit snarky today ... short tempered ... got called on it by my wife (she's the best). So I decided to do something I always like, something that always seems to calm me down, something that I get to share ... baking! Made my special apple & spice muffins (use melted almond butter instead of oil) and they are so good! Making these gems gave me time to think ... I was being bitchy because I thought I had the perfect excuse to be so - wrong! Anyways ... the toothpicks are working, they give me something to do other that just hitting the mist (used the mist about the same as yesterday). Now it's time to head off to bed. Night all.
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Ah, that snarky/bitchiness - give yourself some gentle premission for a little of that, your body is purging all kinds of toxins and it's not just your mood. That's a tough transition on your body and it'll manifest in some cranky.
That said, congrats on day TWO behind you. I don't know if your weekdays offer a different set of distractions from your weekends, but I hope that your Monday battle is glorious!
Erin G, I know you're rockin' it too!
Now I must go and find an anthem for the day! LOL! (If the links are bugging you, just say so and I'll just hum to myself.)
Edited to add:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRdxUFDoQe0
HEEEEEEEEE- hee. *moonwalk*
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Well I for one am enjoying the links, KulshanGirl!
Erin and Darrell, keep on keeping on!
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Good morning thread,
KulshanGirl: ... like "PJ" I also enjoy the links - the sesame street one was great ... my daughter even remembered the words and asked me to send her the link!
I'm leaving for Toronto today, and am hoping that storm "Sandy" will be ebbing before I get there tomorrow. PJ ... I was watching the National last night, a lot of coverage about the storm, but it mainly looked like TO was getting a good wind and rain storm - how's it looking to you? I have my anti-smoking kit packed (mint toothpicks and another mint nicorette inhaler). Day four is off and running! The cravings themselves seem more manageable ... ErinG, how goes your battle?
Darrell
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Congrats, y'all--I'm inspired. Mind if I join? I've been at three or four packs a week for the last ten years or so. Recently switched to hand-rolling my own small cigarettes, but deep down I know I really ought to quit. Weather just took a turn for the worse here in balmy Michigan, so I think the time is now.
My last smoke was Sunday night--my hardest times are at work. I'm very accustomed to going downstairs for a 10-15 minute break whenever things are hard/annoying/boring. Here's to getting to 12:00 p.m.! :)
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Those of you who take a smoke break, can't you just take a normal break and not smoke, but choose some other activity to unwind during that time? Set a new habit.
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You guys are doing so great! Today's theme is ... MOMENTUM!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28KobNbbI2s
WHOA no!
(Warning, this link contains Solid Gold Dancers.)
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364 days dip-free.
Woo.
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hey quitters- keep up the good work :)
just thought Id share my story- I smoked from age 13-30. I smoked 1-2 packs a day for all of that time. There were times I was up to 3 packs a day, and I would cough up blood in the mornings. And I was like, 20 years old. Self destructive much? Yes.
So at 30, I had a baby and a very very strong motivation to quit. I had wanted to quit for a few years and had even had a few months of being successful at at time, twice, only to go back.
I had one cigarette a day all thru my pregnancy, which in hindsight, is so ridiculous to me, but the past is the past! I quit the day she was born. I had perhaps 3 cigarettes after her birth, but it just completely no longer jibed with the person (mother) I wanted to be, and it was actually pretty easy to quit. Of course, my whole life routine and schedule changed as well- and I think that was a big factor.
I can honestly say that I never ever consider smoking, and havent had a craving in years and years (its been 8.5 years) My husband still smokes (at work and outside, never in our house, or in front of our kids-his choice) so I certainly have access, but I have no desire. I find it slightly amusing to remember how DEEPLY ATTACHED I was to smoking. I was the type NEVER to run out of smokes. I bought by the carton, I always had "back-up" packs in my purse and car. In college, I chain smoked. After college, I broke up with dudes who thought I smoked too much (even though they also smoked). Smoking was a huge part of my identity.
And after I quit, it all faded away. And it smells disgusting to me now. The last time I had a puff- about 8 years ago, thanksgiving, I got really mad at my mom and went outside for a smoke, I almost threw up! it was so vile.
So there is hope for you quitters. Once you quit, it will be behind you. You will move on, change, see yourself differently, feel differently.
You can do it!
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Happy ONE YEAR to Kriegsspiel! And to everyone else who is doing such a great job, way to go! It's Wednesday, and that means the week is half over ... you're almost a week in!
I was going to hunt for some kind of halloween song, but this is the one that is speaking to me today. It's one of my all time favorite songs ever. I remember hearing it as a kid, and I danced around in my living room to this song every day of my pregnancy, because it makes me so happy. This video has no video, just a still picture, so I invite you to skip the ad, crank the volume, close your eyes, and rejoice in being alive today!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUPEEAjKvrI
Erin G - check in and let us know you aren't in the slammer!
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As a former smoker (albeit not a hardcore smoker, more like a pack-or-two-a-week smoker), I encourage you all to quit.
Everyone who quits needs to find his or her own sources of motivation, so find what works for you. Quitting is difficult physically, and the best way to overcome it is with your head and heart. Here are some tips, from my own experience:
* Look at some old (older than you) decrepit smoker. Tell yourself, "That's not going to be me. I'm not going to be some pathetic old smoker." (Sorry to disparage pathetic old smokers...)
* If quitting to benefit your own health isn't enough, then quit to spite Big Tobacco, an evil industry if there ever was one. Just think about it, that $5 a pack you're spending lines the pockets of the wealthy and also ruins agricultural land that could grow actual food or could go back to nature.
* What worked for me was having my first child. I quit just before she was born as a gift to her. I felt like I couldn't kiss my child if I reeked of cancerous noxious smoke. I haven't smoked since.
Find your own motivation and good luck.
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You have gone nearly a whole week, you fledgling non-smokers you. If you're like I was, the enthusiasm is waning and you're starting to cough up gunk and maybe be feeling pretty sucky. NOW is the time to haul off and punch smoking in the face some more and remember that it's still worth it. SO much. Defend your five-days position, DIG IN! Cigs, you can't touch this! :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otCpCn0l4Wo
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Hi all ... it's Thursday and I'm in Toronto ... and still going strong! The cravings have ebbed, but I still pack the inhaler with me wherever I go. Thanks for all the comments of support ... I really appreciate them all. I'll stay in touch via this thread, just not so often now ... thanks Brett ... for letting me hijack this thread.
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Good for you Darrell. We're rooting for you.
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Yay for keeping this thread non-judgmental.
Not.
Anyway, I will admit that I have the very bad habit/addiction of smoking. And trust me, I've hated it since day one. I think it's disgusting. I hate the smell. I feel like a shitty parent every FUCKING day. So thanks. I don't need your judgement.
I actual was one of the people who make smokers feel like shit back in the day. Oh, the good 'ol days.
Anyway, I've tried quitting like 40 times. Literally. When I was pregnant, I quit cold turkey and didn't start again for another year. I have no idea how the hell I did that shit. Well, constant morning sickness helped a lot.
Before then, and after, I've tried about everything. My biggest issue is that I have depression. The thing about nicotine, is that it is a natural anti-depressant. It also has MAOIs in it. It works well. I know this for a fact...from reading research and experiencing it myself. Fuck prozac, smoking is the shit, people!
But no. It's really not. It's sucking my life away!!
So as I have said, I've have tried about everything. The best success I've had so far is a combination of wellbutrin and chantix. Yes. I used wellbutrin and chantix at the same time. And yes, I understand the risks and side effects of both. But it works (at least for me...).
Chantix blocks your nicotine receptors while wellbutrin takes care of depression and impulse control. It's beautiful. I still had to actually put effort into quitting smoking, but with both drugs, I was actually able to do it without wanting to off myself. Because yes, quitting smoking literally makes me want to kill myself. It's not funny.
The problem is that I thought I could get by with doing this for only two months. Mistake! A day after quitting wellbutrin, I had outrageous urges that I was not prepared for. So I smoked again. And I'm back to the drawing board. I have to go back to a doctor to get prescriptions again, otherwise, I would likely not be smoking right now. But as soon as I do that....I will be done with tobacco!! I will just need to take these medications longer and be better prepared when I stop taking them.
Don't lose hope...fuck tobacco (In the face!)
PS for the record, in case anyone wants to flame at me, I don't expose my child to secondhand smoke. I don't blame you for wanting to flame me though. I understand that I'm a bad influence on my child.
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Yay for keeping this thread non-judgmental.
Not.
Anyway, I will admit that I have the very bad habit/addiction of smoking. And trust me, I've hated it since day one. I think it's disgusting. I hate the smell. I feel like a shitty parent every FUCKING day. So thanks. I don't need your judgement.
...
PS for the record, in case anyone wants to flame at me, I don't expose my child to secondhand smoke. I don't blame you for wanting to flame me though. I understand that I'm a bad influence on my child.
This thread has been about positivity and encouragement.
If anything I'm judging your attitude in this post and your negativity, but not your smoking.
I wish you the best of luck if you decide you truly want to quit.
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What the hey? Are we in the same thread?
And I didn't forget the song o' the day. Here it is for you -oo-oo, and liquidbanana too-oo-oo.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXm1K635gSk
Darrell is SO punching smoking in the face! Schweet!
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I was responding to some stuff on the first page, I think.
Anyway, sorry for being negative.
Good luck, ya'll!!!
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Darrell, bit behind on reading through the forums and just saw your post. How exciting that you are (or were?) in town! Yeah, for me, Sandy was pretty uneventful - several rainy windy days which made for unpleasant dog walking, but that's about it. Not to say that there weren't some downed trees, power outages, and at least one fatality (a woman was killed by a falling sign) but what I saw was pretty mild.
Glad to hear your resolve is holding strong on the smoking. I hope that ErinG is doing ok, and it's great to see that all the activity in this thread has inspired MoonPilgrim to give quitting a try, and inspired a couple of others in to share their stories - both positive and negative. Quitting is *not* easy, and it's not at all unusual to have to try several times before you figure out the strategy that's going to work for you. Pooling information is a huge help to others trying to quit. liquidbanana, I actually would like to thank you - I didn't know that about nicotine being a natural anti-depressant which might explain why a friend of mine has had so much trouble quitting smoking. I'll be seeing her soon and will share that with her, which I think will be a help. Can I suggest that in addition to staying on the meds longer this time around, that while you're waiting you might want to start trying to reduce your smoking? It's not always, IMO, purely about the nicotine, but also about figuring out strategies to control cravings, gaining a sense of accomplishment by conquering cravings in different situations, finding alternative activities to smoking, etc. If you've done some of that at the front end you might find it easier to stay off the smokes once you do stop the meds. And definitely come back to the thread once you start the quit process again - we'll be here for you too.
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I don't know how legitimate this is, but a friend linked me to http://8smoke.com/ which is giving away free e-cigs (for $5 shipping). Do you own due diligence, but wanted to pass it along in case it's something someone on this thread would be interested in.
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Hi all,
So I,m back in Edmonton after three days of great meetings in Toronto. I've been so busy with travel & meetings & related social events, I forgot that yesterday was one week in ... wow. Everything is still going good, the cravings are abating and I'm feeling better and better ... stronger ... and I think this quitting is quickly becoming second nature. This is my last night away from home ... I'm so looking forward to home tomorrow.
It's been nice to see the new posters to this thread ... I think it would be great now if someone else took over the "gauntlet" and give smoking a punch in the face ... I'd love to cheer from this new perspective ... and it would provide myself (and hopefully ErinG) some additional motivation.
Thanks for all the continuing support.
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I am picking up that gauntlet and quitting today. Last smoke was 9 ish last night. Smoked on and off for 20 years and have quit in the past for several year plus stretches. Expensive, nasty, evil, horrible habit and I am done with it. Really enjoyed reading the thread and encouragement on this board. Stash will grow and better health will follow. Very foolish of me to start, even worse to pick it back up again. Really like the MC Hammer song btw.
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Good for you, blindsquirrel. Lay us out your plan. Going to use any gum or patch or any helpers? Cold turkey?
What will you focus on or use to distract you when cravings hit? How will you change the habits/routines you have now that gives you time and opportunity to smoke?
Just some things to think about; hopefully planning may help you stick to it.
Best of luck!
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(http://www.scoutlander.com/publicsite/GetImgVlt1.aspx?file=f48cb92no6205225.jpg)
Happy to see you here, Blindsquirrel!
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Hello thread ... well I made it back home - it's minus 12 celsius today here in Inuvik with about a foot of snow - it is so good to be back.
Blindsquirrel: I really appreciated what this thread did for me, the support was great, and the cheerleading was even better (thanks for all the song links KulshanGirl). Blind, with your desire and your will, and this thread to help out in a pinch, you can take this habit to the ground and smack it into submission.
There are some great tips here ... I especially liked using flavoured toothpicks as an easy alternative for reaching for a butt ... I'm using one right now. And like Arebelspy says, having a plan makes all the difference. For example, I choose my quit date two weeks out so that I could start weaning myself down from 25 a day to under 10 then stopping with aid of the Nicorette Mist Inhaler. PLUS the trip I was just on helped also - can't smoke on the planes, in the hotel rooms, in restaurants, meetings, etc ... so I was able to sort of "forgetaboutit" for a few days. It worked for me ... a plan that is ... so do it! See you here Blindsquirrel ... I'll be cheering and rootin' for you like the rest on this thread.
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I am have taken Chantix for a couple days but will not take it for very long as it makes me depressed. I am taking it one day at a time. If I have a craving I think to myself- just hang loose for 5 min and the craving will pass. It does. I have focused on the positive. Came back to this thread to get some mental encouragement on getting rid of a deadly, expensive habit. Thanks for the encouragement! Darrell, I agree, like the songs from KulshanGirl also. My only plan is that I have control of my desires and am master of my ship to quote Seinfeld.
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Woo hoo Blindsquirrel, welcome! :D
Sorry for going missing this weekend, was out and around for family stuff and general busy-ness. The song of the day will return tomorrow morning!
Darrell, I am not at all surprised at your badassity in stopping smoking. From the get-go, you had it. High fives!
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Congratulations to the quitters, and much support to you folks still working your way out.
I'm not a smoker, though I've been close to quite a number of them. From what I have seen - when you decide for yourself you really want to quit, you can quit.
Father-in-law: 50+ year smoker. Decided to quit, did it cold turkey and never went back.
Grandmother: 60+ year smoker. Outlived her husband. Decided to quit at around age 80, did it cold turkey and never went back (lived to 91.)
Friend: 50+ year smoker. Sort of decided to quit. Patches, gum and sneaking cigarettes (away from his wife) for 7+ years. It's now been closer to 15 years, and he's still on the nicotine gum. Since we don't live in the same city anymore, I'm not sure whether he is still sneaking cigs on the side.
Decide that you are quitting. QUIT.
I'm not saying that it will be easy - but the motivation and decision has to come from you. YOU CAN DO IT!
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Good monday morning, nonsmokers! I don't know what it's doing where you are, but this morning the sky is blue and I think the very last couple of leaves will fall today. Tomorrow is election day, go forth and shape things!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ha3Rm4MSX-g
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I'm at one week--sort of. I got a bit tipsy and had a smoke on Thursday night. I cut myself a break and had a beer or five, figuring quitting the smokes and the booze at the same time wasn't the best idea. Turns out, that after a few cold ones, my judgment leaves something to be desired.
So, I'm back on both wagons. Haven't had any cigarette cravings since I sobered up--got through the entire day today at work without wishing I could go outside, so I'm making pretty good progress breaking this habit.
Wishing my co-quitters well this week!
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Moonpilgram, the sauce is what has turned me back into a smoker in the past. I will not smoke again says sober me but when well served, I think, "Gosh! What a good idea to smoke a pack tonight because I am hammered!" Not the wisest course but one I have cruised down myself several times. For the next few weeks, if I have more than a beer or 2 I am going to bed without smoking and that is just the way it will have to be. I am feeling my badassity muscles grow with every day. 90% of the game is 100% mental! Thanks for the advice on the toothpicks. Will try that. :)
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I know not everyone here is American, but boy, have we got a day brewing. I think either way it turns out, there'll be disappointment and sqwawking. It's a shame. At least the campaign ads will be done with.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hbrn9eXEKWk
You guys on the other hand, are something to grin about. It's nice to know that somewhere in the world, someone is rising up and challenging what they knew before and is making a great change. Yeah!
So, go vote! And if it's not your day to vote, then wish us well. We need the good vibes for sure. :)
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Hello Thread ... things are still going fine for me ... less and less of a crave ... less and less thinking about it period.
On to another note, I too am glad that the election is now over for the great land to the south of me. I've visited the US of A many times and have always enjoyed myself ... back in '86 I even spent time hitch-hiking around ... went down to the Florida Keys (stunning sunsets, great margaritas) then across the south to California and up the west coast eventually ending up in Vancouver for Expo 86. I carried a back-pack with camping gear and seen some beautiful sights that I've always wanted to see ... met some very nice people (some even took me in for a night and fed me and allowed me to use their washing machines, etc). So, I'm fond of your country and I like to pay attention to what is going on there (and what does occur there does affect us here in Canada) and man, what an election that was. Personally, I'm glad that Obama won, and that is all I feel I should contribute on that topic.
Now to just concentrate on moving forward. Blindsquirrel and MoonPilgrim ... stay the course, keep looking ahead, the goal(s) related to what you are striving to do are extremely worthwhile!
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So glad to hear it Darrell. Way to go!
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Wow!!! GoGoGo! I'm so happy for you guys. I quit a 9 year habit 10 years ago. I really enjoyed getting my health back and hope you will to. Thanks for keeping us updated.
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You can do it ...
(http://us.cdn4.123rf.com/168nwm/unscrew/unscrew1101/unscrew110100119/8660686-the-grunge-positive--yes-clip-art.jpg) (http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-ash3/50255_167107613313329_7425126_n.jpg) (http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc6/260922_1405385833_1373716770_n.jpg)
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One week as of today. Feeling a little hinky at times from nic fits but they pass quickly. In it to win it and actually feeling a bit better in the mornings. Thanks for the encouragement!
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(http://ahhsome.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/clip-art-gun-shooting-number-1.jpg)
Way to Go!
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Blindsquirrell! One week, yeah!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1AzQQrZfmc&feature=related
:D
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Funny, no boogie shoes this evening, just no smoking. Has been a good weekend and soooooo done with smoking.
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Cheers, blindsquirrel! Keep it up!
Ten days for me, feels like I quit an eternity ago, though. I had to go back and recount the days a few times. Don't really miss it. :)
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You guys are doing great! I think it can be both simple and hard to quit - when you're ready, really ready, then you still have the cravings but you also have the knowledge, insight, and determination to overcome them. Keep on keeping on, non-smokers!
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9 full days and counting ! Moonpilgram and PJ, had an unfun day at work and really wanted one but I channeled Lou Gosset Jr from Officer and a Gentleman, called myself worthless and weak in a screaming DI voice and just dealt with it. :) I have, however, been grazing like a starving hippo and that shall end shortly. Thanks for the motivation. It helps a lot more than I thought in all honesty.
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(http://glimages.graphicleftovers.com/15381/1083956/1083956_125.jpg) Blindsquirrel ... is that you? I hardly recognize you ;-)
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laughed at that. i refuse to smoke. will stop grazing on Friday but i flat will not smoke. i have been twitchy as a meth head but no smoking for me.
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Twitchy? Have you ever thought about decaffeinated coffee?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=3ePMcx8702o&feature=endscreen
And a little theme song for you:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31sIE_CBz8A
(Seriously though, you're doing great! Keep it up, we're cheering for you! Love the idea of giving the grazing it's own "quit date.")
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How much have you saved so far?
At $5.00 a pouch (I was a RYO smoker), one pouch every three days, haven't purchased tobacco for 19 days...
I've saved $30.00, which will generate a little over $1/year for the rest of my life. :) What about the rest you guys? Rolling in dough yet?
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A buck a year is nothing to sneeze at, is it MoonPilgrim? Have you done the math to figure out, for example, how many employees you'll be putting to work once you've been quit for a month, 3 months, 6 months, a year? And how many employees they will then be able to hire to help them out with the work of supporting you in your old age? Bet that would be quite motivating!
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I'm back in again - after falling off the wagon back in the spring, a stressful trip back East during the summer, and the high pressure of the municipal election (seriously, in a town of 400 people, council elections can be CRAZY), I am a quitter again.
It's my second day, and I only feel twitchy when I think about it...which is about every hour when I used to duck out for a break. Hurray!
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Just, wow. I turn my back for six months and look what happened. I thought I'd return to find this thread sunk into the depths of the forum but instead it's alive and well with other folks taking up the gaunlet and quitting. I've just read through the whole thing and I'm really impressed with and proud of everyone here. Not just the quitters (who are doing awesomely :) ) but with the support from other members of the community and for everyone keeping things positive (even Arebelspy with his brutal, but helpful, honesty).
Darrell you and everyone else were welcome to the thread I'm glad it's helped people out. I really can't express how pleased I am to see what's been happening here.
I'll give you all my update I suppose.
I kept smoking from whenever I last posted here, mostly trying to to cut down on smokes as time progressed. I had some success, but also had some days when I would just go crazy and smoke loads, especially when I would have a drink. 24 days ago however, I had a bit of an epiphany (not just with smoking) and a lot of things fell into place for me and the biggest obstacle I was facing, my own self-destructiveness, sort of dissipated and I've not touched a cigarette since, despite having two packets of tobacco in the drawer next to my bed, and having been around smokers. I'm not trying to brag, I'm just trying to give my perspective, which is that mindset seems to be so incredibly important. It's good to have it set up in your mind, or written down even, all the reasons you are going to quit, responses to all the crappy excuses your brain will come up with, and plans for scenarios.
Honestly I fell into quitting this time (which I really feel will be it for me now, partly because I had a few drinks the other night and almost didn't even think about smoking) completely by accident as a result of a really bad day, but the experiences I've had with and the number of times I've attempted quitting have lead to me realising that it is all in the head. Oh and eating. I put no limit at all on my eating for the first two weeks while the cravings were sometimes quite tough to deal with. The times when I'd be sitting around doing nothing, i.e. waiting for a train, having my morning coffee, were the hardest times because I felt like I ought to be smoking. Just eat. Any weight gained will be easier to lose than fighting cancer down the line.
Oh an exercise of some sort. I cycle to work, which has been getting easier and easier, and that feeling is great to reinforce your motivation in the tough times.
Sorry for the long post, but it's been a while. Again, congrats to everyone who is quitting and thank you so much to all the supportive people who have helped everyone along the way.
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Brett, that's terrific! You've quit and you've started a thread for others to follow in your footsteps. That little bit of self-knowledge really did you a lot of good, huh?
Thanks for stopping back in!
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Wooo Brett! I'm so glad to hear things are going so well!
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Brett, sounds like that inner decision has been made this time - that's the key to success in quitting, I believe. Good luck to you as you mark more and more milestones along the way!
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Thanks guys.
Brett, sounds like that inner decision has been made this time - that's the key to success in quitting, I believe. Good luck to you as you mark more and more milestones along the way!
You're completely right. I think that's what feels different this time (and forgive the weirdness of this explanation) it's like I've flicked a switch inside my head that's changed my normal setting from smoker to non-smoker. So before where I would try to quit it was like constantly feeling a pull toward smoking, to get back to the normal way of things, and trying to stay away from cigarettes was hard. Whereas now I feel normal not smoking, and the times I get cravings or even have really thought about just giving feel like a struggle to move to roll myself one. It's like being pulled in a different direction.
OK, well that was a horrible mix up of metaphors, but hopefully you understand.
Keep it up everyone else here! Give us an update when you can :)
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Makes complete sense to me, Brett. The way I described it for myself is that I would still get cravings periodically, but they were kind of ... detached. Like I could feel the craving but from a distance. I didn't really want one, I just thought I did.
Come to think of it, cigarettes are a lot like this girl: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUT4sS0lsss
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Woo-eee, lots happening in here! =D Sorry I've been MIA, my internet access has changed a bit, I am not able to be online at work as much as before. Probably not a bad thing, overall, but I miss my mustachioed friends.
Great job, all you non-smokers!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_ZUSQQdoS4
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32 days today! *cues up the dancing music*
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32 days today! *cues up the dancing music*
That's amazing!
What made you break the streak last spring? Any chance it may happen again, or are you on guard against it now?
Wishing you the strongest of will powers. :)
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Combination of my old boss getting sacked, my new boss taking a while to get comfortable in the role, work stress, family stress...you know, the usual :)
New boss has settled in, so that shouldn't be an issue (fingers crossed), I'm taking measures to cope with the work stress, and I did my trip home in the summer, so I shouldn't be seeing my family until 2014. (I kid, I kid - the trip home was for my sister's wedding, and most of the stress was related to that joyous event.)
I don't know - aside from the Champix-related nausea that still surprises me every time I take it, I'm doing well this time. I'll occasionally be watching a movie or reading and think, "This would be the perfect time to pause and go for a smoke," but then I remember I'm not doing that anymore. It was very helpful when the temperature dropped to the -40s for a week and I wasn't even tempted to go outside for a "break." :)
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Way to Go, skandrae! I broke into a great big smile when I saw your post!
Since KulshanGirl's not around much to post a music link, here you go ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRrN4pmEuQA
quote: "Moment of silence for the Champions"
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How are the smokers doing with the holidays?
Punch smoking in the face!
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11 smoke-free weeks today ^_^
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11 smoke-free weeks today ^_^
Way to go!
Know what'll make you smile even more? Go calculate how much you'd have spent on cigarettes in the last 11 weeks.
Then come share it here. :)
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We've saved 100$ in the last 3 weeks, since my husband had a heart attack and hasnt smoked since then.
Luckily he survived his attack, despite (as it turned out) having two major blockages in his main artery. One was 90% and the other 99%. For the record, the Dr said, no one survives a 100% blockage in their dominant coronary artery.
I dont have the numbers, but his cholesterol and blood pressure are both actually GOOD. What got him was smoking and family history (both his aparents have heart disease and are life long heavy smokers). My husband is 48 and has been smoking a pack a day for the last 15years. I hope he has quit for good, for the sake of his 8 year old and 5 year old children (and mine and his).
I think everyone thinks about cancer and how not every gets lung cancer, but smoking is also a major contributor to heart disease and coronary artery disease.
If he quits smoking for good, thats an extra 150$ a month not going out the door. (but now we have monthly prescriptions, dr co pays, and a big fat hospital bill) so my advice is to quit before that happens to you!
(I smoked for 17 years before I quit when I had my first baby. I know its hard. So what. Do it anyway)