I just joined the group and I am on my fourth day smoke-free. The first three days were easier because I was out of town visiting family for Canadian Thanksgiving. I find that it is my day-to-day routine that makes me really, really want to smoke. Today, I'm back in the routine and I am basically thinking about smoking every second. Hard to imagine how I'm ever going to make it some of the milestones that others have achieved...
Anyway, my great reason for quitting is that I am watching my mother go through cancer treatment -- not lung cancer but who knows whether her cancer is smoking-related? She smoked during her teens and into her twenties. I'm embarassed because this is actually the third time she has gone through treatment (each time almost 10 years apart) -- the first time I was 12 years old and had obviously never smoked. Pretty stupid to stare something like that in the face and still take up smoking as a favorite pastime. Of course, I never meant to be an actual "smoker". It just kind of evolved from one cigarette now and then to a pack a day. I have quit for months or even years at a time before but always ended up going back when a sufficiently stressful life event gave me a good excuse.
Any words of wisdom are much appreciated! I'm determined but definitely lacking confidence.
Wow! Thanks, everyone, for the words of support. It seriously helps! I feel like I can't really call up my friends to complain about how badly I want to smoke (not the most interesting conversation for non-smokers) so it's amazing to read posts from people who are going through the same thing. Still going strong -- almost through Day 5! I like the idea of "hell week" -- that means it will be over soon! I do know from experience that you're never really out of the woods in terms of relapsing, though. I have relapsed before for the stupid reason that I thought I had quit solidly enough that I could have just one cigarette on a big night out. I think many of us probably know that slippery slope. Seems so dumb in hindsight.
To answer Kelly's question, I quit before for almost 2 years using the patch. Funnily enough, I only used the patch for one week because it gave me horrible insomnia. It was seriously hell. I didn't figure out why I wasn't sleeping until I re-read the side effects after about a week. The memory of that experience made me never ever want to quit again (so I never smoked again... until I met my husband -- an avid smoker with no plans to give it up). On other occations, I came up with more creative methods. I tried a lollypop method -- every time I wanted a smoke, I had one of those Halloween suckers. Do not recommend this unless you really like suckers (i.e. as much as nicotine -- hard to imagine). I also tried wearing a hair elastic around my wrist and snapping it on myself every time I wanted a cigarette. That strategy breaks down too (i.e. "Ouch! That friggin hurts! I'm going to stop snapping this elastic and go have a smoke...). This time, I'm popping a Thrive losenge every time I want a cigarette. I think they are kinda gross and slimy so hopefully the memory of those losenges will keep me clean in the long run. Anyone have any better ideas???
I'm pretty proud to be 18 days smoke free and I think I deserve some rewards! I had a hard time coming up with daily rewards or smaller rewards. I'm already eating too much junk since I quit so I don't think food rewards are the answer. Most of the other things I can think of are expensive and I don't want to blow more money rewarding myself than I would smoking. Has anyone come up with some good rewards? Daily or for something to save up for?
Thanks!
Sylvie
My Milage:
My Quit Date: 10/11/2008 Smoke-Free Days: 18 Cigarettes Not Smoked: 360 Amount Saved: $180.00 Life Gained: Days: 1 Hrs: 9 Mins: 28 Seconds: 7
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