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17 years ago 0 140 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Oh, and I forgot something. Just a few days after I quit, I FORCED myself to start running again (I had started during my previous 2-1/2 year non-smoking hiatus). It was very hard to do, but I was determined that I was going to succeed - by running (changing my activities, doing something very positive and healthy) was much bigger stakes - and a very good deterrent to keep me from caving. I keep telling myself "you can't possibly smoke and run" - I proved that theory about a year ago when I started smoking again. So I have chosen the latter, and am determined to sick with it. sushik
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17 years ago 0 140 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
I recommend Allan Carr's book as well. I didn't start reading it until I had already quit, so his references to "keep smoking until the end of the book if you want" were a little tempting. He does state that if you have already quit when you're reading it, please ignore that advice. I have found it very helpful, in hindsight. I know that the nicotine cravings are gone, but his theory is great reinforcement when your mind tries to start playing games and tricks on you. Honestly, I'm not sure that just having read the book would have been enough to get me to quit (I am using Zyban), but I certainly admire all of those who have been successful with it. I don't even want to lend out the book to anyone, as I've referred back to it a few times since I quit, just to get reinforcement and confirmation. Take care. sushik [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/31/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 42 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,060 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $378 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 4 [B]Hrs:[/B] 3 [B]Mins:[/B] 5 [B]Seconds:[/B] 13
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17 years ago 0 5 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi guys. Just wondering if anyone has any advice on how to block that mental addiction to cigarettes. I mean that one that nags you after the nicotine is actually out of your system. For those of you who have actually been quit for a while, how long does it take for the psychological part to disappear? That's the part that's killing me. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 7/6/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 5 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 100 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $25 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 8 [B]Mins:[/B] 43 [B]Seconds:[/B] 23
17 years ago 0 261 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi Eager, Try to think like a non-smoker. They never have a junkie thought (you know - I'll just have one etc), they never have a craving, if they're stressed they have coping mechanisms that don't include cigarettes 'cause cigarettes are just not part of their reality. When you pretend to yourself that you are a non-smkoer and deliberately cultivate those new thoughts and new patterns pretty soon it becomes reality. Your brain is really smart. It will catch on quickly. Allen Carr's book is very helpful for this. It's caled "the Easy Way to Stop smoking" and actually it's not the only way to stop smoking but it is a very good book for help in dealing with the psych addiction. cheers alison :) Kick the Herb to the Kerb [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/16/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 56 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,705 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $700 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 8 [B]Hrs:[/B] 1 [B]Mins:[/B] 18 [B]Seconds:[/B] 13
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17 years ago 0 1070 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
You have to keep busy! Start a new routine that doesn't revolve around smoking. Its all about setting yourself up for success! You can do this! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/15/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 57 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,152 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $256.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 4 [B]Hrs:[/B] 2 [B]Mins:[/B] 23 [B]Seconds:[/B] 57
17 years ago 0 547 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
It lasts about as long as you allow it...I mean if you have a crave driving you nuts you DO ANYTHING TO DISTRACT YOURSELF FROM THE CRAVE, and it passes. You know that already. But this is hard work, to keep yourself busy and I know you are used to thinking abou the way things were when you were smoking, things are new right now and you MUST find things to replace your thinking of smoking, with things that make your crave HEALTH. Water, fruit, puzzles, things that are fun and healthy for you to do, whatever they may be, YOU must discover them. In the beginning, I was on the SSC almost constantly (when I wasn't sleeping or working). So I hung on here and got educated on what it does to you. You read and read and before you know it, you are knowledgable enough to start sharing what smoking really does to you with others who are just coming in here. You learn how it has really taken a hold of our minds and bodies and you realize that you don't even want it anymore. It somehow starts to outweigh the thinking about having one toward thinking about NOT having one! You eventually DO overcome this thought pattern, but the only way to really do that is to START NOW by replacing it with POSITIVE things. You can't expect your quit to be successful if you are not going to give it everything you've got! You've got 5 days, that is FANTASTIC! You are almost OUT of hell week!! Hang out here and post, keep your fingers typing and your eyes reading. Make a list of positive things you could do IN PLACE of when and where you would normally had a cig. And then TAKE ACTION on that list. Get up and do it. Start now. Before you know it, YOU ARE LIVING and no longer plagued by thoughts of the smoking any longer :) Many Blessings, Eve [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 4/8/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 94 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 752 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $282 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 7 [B]Hrs:[/B] 21 [B]Mins:[/B] 49 [B]Seconds:[/B] 42
17 years ago 0 610 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi eager, The psychological addiction is the worst part of quitting. You smoked for how many years? The hand to mouth, the mental triggers, ie after meals, while driving, doing paperwork, on your patio, with your coffee, with a drink, etc etc. The list goes on and on concerning the activities and times of day that are going to be a mental trigger for nicotine. Like others have explained, you have to distract yourself with other activities. Sooner OR later, the new habit patterns will replace the mental addiction to smoking. It is part of the quit journey. It takes time, weeks, months, to be free of this addiction mentally. But, you have done the most important step. You have stopped smoking for 5 whole days. That is awesome. Deal with life as it comes and push those mental thoughts of cigs out of your life. The day will come when you no longer give cigs a passing thought. 5 days is an accomplishment. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/25/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 47 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,287 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $176.25 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 6 [B]Hrs:[/B] 5 [B]Mins:[/B] 40 [B]Seconds:[/B] 2
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17 years ago 0 12049 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
eager, A lot of it has to deal with the changes you make in your lifestyle. Use hobbies, activities and chores to distract yourself and change up your routine! Keep Strong, Josie _____________________ The SSC Support Team.

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