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GETTING READY TO QUIT

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 2778

Hi Valarie!!!

You CAN do this!!! Just remember to prepare yourself well!!! Do utilize the program on the site and read and learn as much as you can here in the forums! There is a wealth of information here and the search function is very useful to read threads that pertain to topics of interest to you!

I spent a LOT of time here in the beginning of my quit, which I really needed as a distraction! Also, Preparation and a Positive Mental Attitude going into your quit will really help! Soooo, prepare yourself well, set your quit date and let's get 'er done! Do you plan on using an NRT or are you going cold turkey? Personally, I used Chantix and it really helped to minimize the powerful cravings I had experienced on previous quits. It's not for everyone, but it helped me! Look into the other alternative NRT options availble.

Just remember the 6 P's... Proper Planning Prevents Piss-Poor Performance!!! Prepare yourself and really psych yourself up for this quit and you will have a better chance at success!!!

Jim

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 3/5/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 498
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 12,450
Amount Saved: $2,054.25
Life Gained:
Days: 84 Hrs: 10 Mins: 7 Seconds: 39

Quit Meter

$44,145.00

Amount Saved
Quit Meter

Days: 1056 Hours: 13

Minutes: 59 Seconds: 7

Life Gained
Quit Meter

5886

Smoke Free Days
Quit Meter

176,580

Cigarettes Not Smoked

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 597

Welcome! So glad you are joining us. I really cannot add anymore advice than has already been offered, but know that you can come here for support anytime!

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 10/22/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 266
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 10,640
Amount Saved: $2,128.00
Life Gained:
Days: 29 Hrs: 22 Mins: 44 Seconds: 32

Quit Meter

$52,190.00

Amount Saved
Quit Meter

Days: 738 Hours: 5

Minutes: 37 Seconds: 14

Life Gained
Quit Meter

5219

Smoke Free Days
Quit Meter

208,760

Cigarettes Not Smoked

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 42

Hey Valerie, I suffer anxiety attacks too, that I would use cigarettes to medicate myself, when I come out of a store the first thing I would do is light a cig, now, I take a deep breath and chew a Juju stx (flavored toothpicks) they replace the oral satisfaction, and much healthier, anything that works is worth trying is my motto...... I started smoking when I was twelve, I smoked for 32 years. Its weird to use that word in a past tense,,,,,,I smoked,,,,, anyway,,,,,you can do it, I can do it,,,,,but its awesome that this website is here to voice your frustrations, your excitement, your happiness and fears, people who never smoked have no idea what we are going through,,,, this drug addiction is stronger that heroin........but it is something that can be defeated and won......millions of people are quitting everyday,,,,,,,but its an individual journey that one must find their own way. Jules

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 7/2/2009
Smoke-Free Days: 13
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 260
Amount Saved: $84.50
Life Gained:
Days: 1 Hrs: 6 Mins: 44 Seconds: 50

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 95

Welcome Valerie and congratulations an deciding to take back your life from the cigarettes..I see your worried about anxiety attacks, I suffer from this myself and I will be honest a couple days ago I did a test run and it was hard but it was more in my head..Just relax and it will be fine..Easier said then done I know cause it seems our bodys have a mind of their own,but you will be fine and you will succeed and we are all here standing beside you on this journey...What helped me last as long as i did was posting how I was feeling and I will say just don't over think how you feel cause when it comes to anxiety we both now it don't take much to induce one of those attacks on ourselves..I know you and me both can do this and we will..When is your quit day? Stay strong and prepare and come here and to your family for support and you will kick those cigereets to the curb...

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 7/30/2009
Smoke-Free Days: -15
Cigarettes Not Smoked: -300
Amount Saved: $-60.00
Life Gained:
Days: 0 Hrs: 0 Mins: 0 Seconds: -95616

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 25

Hi Valerie.

Good luck with quitting. You really cant do it soon enough, though dont rush into it. Prepare yourself first. I spent a good two weeks kicking the habit smokes. First one in the morning and after meal ones got pushed off by 1 hour each, then 1hour 15 minutes. Next day it was 1.5 hours, the day after 1.5 hours then as a reward to myself another hour without one. The last one i'd smoke each day got earlier and earlier. Consequently my smoking cut right down before i actually quit (from 20 a day to 5 in a space of 2 weeks). I cant speak for anyone else but i've learnt to enjoy resisting the cravings. The little time out i allow myself to straighten my mind out when a craving hits is really nice. I included my family in this quit from day one. Told them i was going to be a horror to live with for a while and also started making small promises to my kids. 'Today i won't smoke, I promise' kind of things.

Its really not that bad. Dont let the addiction tell you it is. I was terrified of quiiting a month ago. I just dont think of me not smoking in 1,2,10 years, that just seems daunting to me. I plan that i wont smoke tomorrow.

All the best.

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 7/6/2009
Smoke-Free Days: 8
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 160
Amount Saved: �46.80
Life Gained:
Days: 1 Hrs: 5 Mins: 33 Seconds: 56

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 967

Valerie,

Welcome...I too suffer from anxiety and was so scarred to even make this attempt. But you know what, it was rough, but I took my meds, breathed through it and leaned on everyone here. you can do this, and we will help you.

Kelly

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 12/6/2007
Smoke-Free Days: 586
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 17,580
Amount Saved: $2,197.50
Life Gained:
Days: 48 Hrs: 18 Mins: 50 Seconds: 37

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 1080

Hi Valerie and welcome- to start with we are a similar age and I smoked for almost as long as you have starting at age 13 also. I quit using the patches, and I am also on anxiety medication called Citallopram?

It sounds to me as though you are ready to do this, and your children are supportive too which is such a help. You will find us here all right behind you and we so want you to succeed.

The thing is Valerie, take it literally one day at a time- try and remain positive and dont dwell on how difficult you think its going to be- it may not be this time.

Follow the patch programme to the letter too, and do the full time that your patch provider suggests.

Come by here often, read and post and share with us exactly how you're feeling, not only does this help you it helps other members who might be feeling the same.

Finally, good luck, you can do it, and it is do-able!

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 5/10/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 430
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 10,750
Amount Saved: $6,450.00
Life Gained:
Days: 50 Hrs: 18 Mins: 6 Seconds: 43

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 11212

Welcome to the family mytrose43!

You have come to the right place. We are all in this together here.

When it comes to smoking and panic. People who smoke are actually three times more likely to have panic attacks or panic disorder. Also, smoking may trigger an attack. So quitting would actually help your panic and your body.

The most important thing to master is relaxation and breathing techiniques often people who smoke view it as relaxing, as it is a time out. The person takes a few minutes for themselves to take deep breaths. But you can still do this as a none smoker and I recommned you to do so. Take a few minutes a day to meditate or do deep abdonimal breathing.

Stay close to the boards and post often!

Ashley, Health Educator

Here to help :)

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 1843

Valerie, welcome to the SSC and congratulations on your decision to quit smoking! You've been given some awesome advice. Just remember to reward yourself after each passed cravings (small reward), each smoke free day (medium reward) and each smoke free week (larger reward). Drink lots of iced water to flush the toxins out of your system and help reduce cravings. Read, read, and read some more. There is a wealth of information here at the SSC! And finally, post as often as you need, if only to rant and rave, as somebody is always nearby to help! We're all rooting for your success!

P.S. Have you spoken to a medical professional about this quit? With your medical history, you may want to let them know that you are quitting as smoking sometimes masks other illnesses.

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 8/20/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 328
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 13,120
Amount Saved: $3,280.00
Life Gained:
Days: 48 Hrs: 22 Mins: 46 Seconds: 3

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 625

Welcome to the family valerie.

Tabby and Brenda gave you good advice. Read through "My Program" and prepare yourself. Have tons of water to drink and re-arrange the furniture in the "old" smoking areas. Change your normal routine in the mornings to throw off the addict inside. In order to win this fight you have to be smarter than the addict and have to want to Quit more than it wants to smoke.

Nicotine is the single hardest addiction to break. I didn't think I could ever quit after 50 years of smoking. I'm 166 days smoke-free now and a lot of it is because of the people here at SSC. One of the hardest things for me was finding something to keep my hands busy. I came here and posted to do that I read and posted a lot. It truly helped

You have a support group in the kids....listen to them. Believe me they know and they'll help Mom. You have a support group here that will never let you down. Use us. Post and Read. Yell and rant ......we all did it.......We will help!

Go to "tools and resources" and download the Quit-Meter, then "my profile" and check the box to show it in your posts. You'll be amazed at how much it helps seeing your Quit days grow. And we can cheer you on too.

You CAN do this. I promise you. Just WANT it more than your addict wants to smoke. Get angry and be strong against the addict. Each day gets easier to say N.O.P.E. ( Not One Puff Ever) That's what you have to say.

Keep the Quit

hugggggggs and coooookies

Bob

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 1/27/2009
Smoke-Free Days: 168
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 5,040
Amount Saved: $705.60
Life Gained:
Days: 35 Hrs: 3 Mins: 58 Seconds: 33

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GETTING READY TO QUIT