Author Topic: I quit smoking cigarettes (Read 4534 times)

Mary · « **on:** August 03, 2012 at 03:31 PM »

So last night I decided I would smoke my last cigarette, while watching Suits on USA at 10:30pm.

I was out at lunch yesterday, about to buy a pack of cigarettes when I decided against it, that the 5 I had on me would be my last 5.

I've been thinking about it for a while now and I think I am finally in the right mind set to actually do it.

Wanted to share with you guys, 17 hours down with no cigraette, and hopefully a lifetime to go

BTW, I've smoked since I was 12 years old, I am 28 now. And I am not using any gum or patch or anything, cold turkey, I want to see if I can do it on my own!!

Dagmar · « **Reply #1 on:** August 03, 2012 at 03:39 PM »

Good Luck! I quit cold turkey as well a few short years ago. The hardest was on birthdays and while clubbing. But if you keep going it's so worth it! It is a rewarding feeling.
I remember the change in the gym...suddenly it all seemed easier. Breathing became easier. And really I didn't even have to wait too long to see those changes.

And maybe give yourself a treat every now and then for it...just watch out with candy. Smoking makes you less hungry, so your body will already start asking for more food. If you make it candy it's going to be tough to keep the weight gaining at a minimum if not keep it at bay all together.

Keep us updated on how it goes!

Mary · « **Reply #2 on:** August 03, 2012 at 03:50 PM »

Thanks Dagmar! I appreciate your input and encouragement

Means a lot to me!!

I will keep you posted! So far I haven't been craving too much but I've been at work all day, we'll see how it is when I get home, my boyfriend smokes so thats where the hard part comes to play, at least we smoke (well I used too

) outside, not in our house! So that will help! I've already cut down QUITE a bit before I quit, I used to smoke about a pack a day, recently I was smoking about a pack every 2 to 3 days, maybe even longer.

Dagmar · « **Reply #3 on:** August 03, 2012 at 03:57 PM »

haha I did the same thing! Trying to take longer and longer before buying the next pack.
I think it makes it easier because the craving was already lessened.
And smart to smoke outside. That might make it less hard on you. Perhaps you should get him to quit with you

No, I think you should really want to yourself, be in that mind set where it's a simple choice. Not just something you know you should do, but actually want to do.

it's been a while but if I remember other things that helped me, I'll let you know.

trinalynne · « **Reply #4 on:** August 03, 2012 at 06:08 PM »

Congrats! That is great to hear. I've never been a smoker so I've never quite understood what it must feel like to quit, but I wish you the best of luck. It's always nice to hear about people overcoming smoking.

My grandmother is in her 70s and had been a smoker since she was 13. Every year, we've wondered how on earth she's gone without getting lung cancer or something. She smoked so much that I rarely every went to her house because I would leave smelling horrible and feeling like I had just smoked a pack myself. It was so bad that it got to the point where if I knew I was going to her house that day, I would just wait and save my shower until after I had been to her house and I would wear my worst clothes there just in case it became to hard to get the smell out . She had a minor stroke last year and hasn't had a cigarette since, which we were all pretty shocked about, but I'm very proud of her. I'm sure being in the hospital without being allowed to smoke was very helpful, so in a way, her stroke was probably the best thing that could have happened to her for her health.

Dagmar · « **Reply #5 on:** August 03, 2012 at 06:58 PM »

Did you know that lung cancer is rarely ever caused by smoking? I know people say smoking causes cancer but most diseases with smokers are things like constricted arteries...don't know what it's called in English

And heartproblems..which often follow the artery thing.

Not relevant but my doctor told me when we were discussing my mothers smoking. Thought I'd share it. don't really remember the percentages he used but that's what he said.
That said it doesn't really matter how but smoking can in fact kill you so it's always good to quit...

BiggestSophiaBushFan · « **Reply #6 on:** August 03, 2012 at 10:12 PM »

Congrats Mary. It's great to read it. I do not smoke. I've never tried a cigarette. But I've got friends who smoke and some who have quited it and sometimes it's hard to do it, but you will do it honey, you can do it. It will help you a lot, sometimes one cigarette marks the difference when a disease wants to attack your body.

Anything you need, you know I'm here for speaking.

LOVEEEEE FROM NORWAY!!

Sema · « **Reply #7 on:** August 04, 2012 at 01:55 AM »

aww Mary, I'm so proud of you!

YOU GO GIRL <3 <3

sophiagurl87 · « **Reply #8 on:** August 04, 2012 at 07:39 AM »

That's great to hear

Mary · « **Reply #9 on:** August 04, 2012 at 08:10 AM »

Thanks everyone

So far so good, 30+ hours have gone by, no cigarette!! I did go to bed at like 9 last night, well one because I was tired, 2 because I didn't want to fight the craving, haha!

But it has been going good, my bf goes on the porch to smoke, I went out there last night with him and it didn't bother me, I think the real test is the next few days. But I am very certain I can kick this habit and I appreciate ALL of your encouragements!! Thank you guys SO much, it def helps!!

Ingmar · « **Reply #10 on:** August 04, 2012 at 12:01 PM »

Good luck Mary ; you can do it! I never smoked so I don't know how it feels but I know it's hard to break throught that circle so you have my respect! If you ever feel the urge to take one, remember it's better to talk about it with someone than to take one anyway. I heard the hardest part is when you feel sad / something happens, so be sure not to fall back. But you can do it

sophiagurl87 · « **Reply #11 on:** August 05, 2012 at 07:28 AM »

I'll be thinking about you a lot mary and your welcome

Mary · « **Reply #12 on:** August 05, 2012 at 07:35 AM »

I'm on day 3 with no smoking!! I don't even want one!! I feel the craving but I ignore it by thinking of other things, doing other things, keeping myself occupied! I can't believe how easy it was for me!! I just cut down first, for a long time, the craving was already minimized, so I just needed that WANT to quit and I finally got it, been thinking about it and now actually doing it, one of the best feelings ever, by far!

Mel · « **Reply #13 on:** August 05, 2012 at 02:06 PM »

You're brave for doing it cold turkey! My friend's Mom did that, and my Dad ended up trying a pill which ended up working for him. He had smoked for almost 30 years! Its been eight months since his last cigarette and he says he says he doesn't have many hard days anymore. He says whenever he thinks about lighting up, he reminds himself of how much money he was wasting on cigarettes. His favorite part about it is not having to get up during movies anymore, and being able to taste things better.

So I wish you the best of luck with this. Even if it takes you another try, you're in the right mindset, it sounds like!

sophiagurl87 · « **Reply #14 on:** August 06, 2012 at 07:46 AM »

I think it's very hard when people try to quit smoking

Sarah · « **Reply #15 on:** August 06, 2012 at 11:54 PM »

Way to go, Mary!! I'm super proud of you! 3 days is a HUGE accomplishment! Smoking has been in my family for a long time, and I was told by my pawpaw to never start, so I didn't. I even asked my friends to let me try one of theirs one time, and they wouldn't let me because they didn't want me to start. I've seen how hard it can be to stop, and if you don't have the will to do it then it's impossible. So it's definitely good that you have that mindset. Anyways, you're awesome and I know you can do it!

Dagmar · « **Reply #16 on:** August 07, 2012 at 06:18 AM »

You're lucky your friends wouldn't let you. Mine kept trying to get me to try. But we were very young when we started so I can't hold it against them too much haha.
And you are right you need that mindset or it won't happen.

How are you feeling now Mary? Still no craving?

sophiagurl87 · « **Reply #17 on:** August 07, 2012 at 07:40 AM »

I'm proud of you mary

Liz · « **Reply #18 on:** August 07, 2012 at 07:53 AM »

Congrats, Mary!! I have always been an on and off smoker...more socially than anything && I recently decided to stop that as well. It's definitely hard when you're out and drinking and stuff. I catch myself wanting one every once in a while, but cold turkey is the way to go.

I'm so proud of you!! That's hard, especially for having smoked as long as you have. You can totally do it! Just don't watch Mad Men or Boardwalk Empire or any other show that has a lot of smokers...nothing makes you crave one more than those shows.

Mary · « **Reply #19 on:** August 07, 2012 at 08:16 AM »

IThanks everyone!!

I've been doing REALLY well, I am on day 5 with no cigarette, the cravings come and go but they aren't very strong, probably because I cut down so much first!

Calling my dad later with the good news, I wanted to wait til I had a few days with NO smoking before telling him, he is going to be ECSTATIC!!!

sophiagurl87 · « **Reply #20 on:** August 07, 2012 at 03:13 PM »

Good for you Mary

BiggestSophiaBushFan · « **Reply #21 on:** August 07, 2012 at 04:38 PM »

you're doing it awesome Mary, you go girly!!!

Sarah · « **Reply #22 on:** August 07, 2012 at 11:30 PM »

You ROCK, Mary! 5 days is awesome!!

Just take it one day at a time.. We will be your support!

Proud of you too, Liz!

sophiagurl87 · « **Reply #23 on:** August 08, 2012 at 07:51 AM »

Keep it up Mary

trinalynne · « **Reply #24 on:** August 08, 2012 at 01:45 PM »

Keep up the good work Mary! You are doing awesome and I'm sure it'll only get easier as the days pass. You should think about rewarding yourself with something special once a week has passed

Something that I think is a great idea for trying to quit all bad habits, or gain good ones is to have a reward jar where you might put $$$ aside each day that you go without smoking, so maybe at the beginning give yourself 50 cents each day, after a week, give yourself a dollar each day etc. and once you've gone a month or however long you set your goal for, you can use your reward $ to treat yourself to something for your accomplishments and then start over again. I've been thinking about trying something like this with exercising.